Lucian sat beside Lucy as the healers from Valerius family tend her, his hand wrapped around hers. Relief washed over him—she was safe. But when he noticed the faint burn on her wrist, he felt a sharp pang of guilt.

The seal must have reacted, he thought, his jaw clenching.

The reinforcements had arrived just in time, gathering up the children from the house, each still under the effects of the brainwashing spell.

Valerius would work on restoring their minds, but Lucian couldn’t shake the feeling that he’d let Lucy down.

I’m sorry, Lucy, he thought, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. I should have done more.

Just then, Rika and the others entered the tent, eyes taking in everything: Lucian by Lucy’s side, Kenneth lying unconscious next to her, his form back to his usual self. Aine was at his side in seconds, reaching for his hand, visibly relieved that he was still with them.

Ash lingered by the entrance, guilt written all over his face. “It’s my fault,” he muttered, voice barely above a whisper. “I shouldn’t have suggested this.”

Rika stepped closer, her hand firm on his shoulder. “Ash, don’t put this all on yourself,” she said, calm but clear. “We all went with it, and Kenneth chose to go through with it. Don't put this all on yourself.”

Ash looked down, his expression tense, but he gave a small nod, taking in her words.

＊＊＊

Kenneth found himself once again in his parents’ home, the familiar surroundings oddly comforting yet strange after the intense battle he’d just endured.

Why am I here again? he wondered.

In his previous dreams, he’d been in his child form, restricted in movement, almost like an onlooker trapped in someone else’s memories. But this time, he felt fully aware.

Why does every dream like this seem to bring me face-to-face with the First Emperor?

He made his way to the living room and, sure enough, there sat the First Emperor, Hadrian, casually sipping tea as if he were the host of this house.

“Oh! You’re finally here,” Hadrian greeted him, a faint smile on his face.

“Your Majesty,” Kenneth said, bowing respectfully. “Thank you for saving me the other day.”

Hadrian motioned for him to sit, gesturing to the seat across from him. “Sit, Kenneth.”

Kenneth obliged, taking his place opposite the emperor, who set down his cup, his gaze suddenly more intense. Kenneth swallowed, feeling a mixture of awe and apprehension.

“Your Majesty,” Kenneth began cautiously, “why does this feel… more than just a dream?”

He’d realized this was different from his usual visions. In the past, he’d merely watched events unfold, powerless to interact, but ever since the First Emperor had appeared, he could sense a change—a loosening of boundaries.

Hadrian smiled, a glint of something knowing in his eyes. “You’re right. This isn’t a mere dream,” he replied. “This is your consciousness, and I’ve happened to take residence here.”

Kenneth’s mind raced. How can someone as powerful as the First Emperor just… reside within me?

Hadrian seemed to read his thoughts. “It wasn’t until you fed the Tree of Life with your magic that I… awakened,” Hadrian explained, his tone thoughtful. “Seems a thousand years have passed.” He looked around, almost amused at the setting.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

Kenneth could hardly believe what he was experiencing—the First Emperor’s consciousness, right here, speaking with him as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Questions flooded his mind, especially the one that had haunted him ever since he’d first awakened the Ultimate Fire.

Why me? I’m not even from the Fireon family.

Before he could voice his thoughts, Hadrian let out a soft yawn. “Apologies. Possessing your body took more energy than I expected. I’m using the last of my strength just to hold this conversation.”

He approached Kenneth, placing a finger gently on his forehead.

In an instant, memories from the recent fight flooded Kenneth’s mind—the speed, the precision, the sheer power of magic he’d wielded, far beyond what he thought himself capable of. He watched himself use a fire unlike any he’d seen before.

“Blue flames?” he murmured, astonished. The Ultimate Fire he’d known and used until now burned red-orange. This blue flame was entirely different.

Hadrian nodded, his gaze intent. “You can wield it, too. The Ultimate Fire you have isn’t just any fire.”

Kenneth felt a strange mixture of awe and confusion as Hadrian turned to leave, his presence fading like mist.

“Wait!” Kenneth called, standing up. “Why does it have to be me?” He could hear the desperation in his own voice.

Just a few months ago, he had been an average person. But everything had changed since he awakened the Ultimate Fire, leaving him caught between two worlds and this power he didn’t understand.

Hadrian turned back, a knowing smile on his face. He gently patted Kenneth’s head. “Kid, you’re asking the wrong person. Those answers lie within you… and in due time, you’ll find them.”

He gave a small smile, his form wavering like mist in the air. “Now, don’t keep your friends waiting. They’re worried, and you’ve taken long enough already. Once I regain my energy, we can meet here again.”

Kenneth hesitated, his mind a storm of questions, but he nodded, realizing this was all the First Emperor could offer for now. “Thank you… for everything.”

With a soft smile, Hadrian turned away, and the world around Kenneth faded to darkness.

＊＊＊

Kenneth jolted awake, his vision slowly adjusting to the familiar faces around him. Relief filled their expressions, and he felt the weight of their worry.

“Kenneth, you’re alive!” Ash exclaimed, pulling him into a quick hug.

Aine wiped away tears of relief. “Thank goodness,” she murmured, still holding his hand.

Kenneth’s thoughts immediately went to Lucy. “What happened? Is Lucy okay?” His gaze landed on Lucian, who was seated beside her, gently holding her hand. Thank goodness she’s safe, he thought, feeling a small weight lift off his chest.

“All the missing kids are fine,” Rika said, her voice steady. “Thankfully, their pnevma wasn’t fully taken.”

Kenneth nodded, a sense of relief washing over him. “I’m sorry it took so long for you to find us. I think the barrier… it blocked my signal.”

Rika gave a slight nod. “We couldn’t trace anything until the barrier broke. It must’ve been powerful.”

Her expression then grew serious as she continued, “What happened to the woman?”

Kenneth’s gaze darkened as he remembered. “She escaped with someone’s help. I’m sorry—I couldn’t stop them.” He felt the weight of the First Emperor’s memories echo in his mind.

Aine gave him a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry about that. The important thing is that you’re safe.”

Ash, glancing between them, asked, “How did the barrier break, anyway?”

Kenneth hesitated, unable to share the truth.

Before he could respond, Lucian interjected smoothly. “I broke it with our family's spell. Light magic can counter dark magic, and I used our family’s technique skill to weaken the barrier, and to also injure that woman.”

Kenneth exchanged a brief, grateful glance with Lucian, thankful for the cover.

Ash crossed his arms, his jaw tightening. “I still can’t wrap my head around it—draining pnevma from kids like that. How twisted do you have to be?”

Kenneth’s fists tightened at his sides as fragments of memories from the First Emperor surged in his mind, vivid and haunting. “She called it a delicacy,” he said quietly, his voice edged with anger. “Stealing their life and innocence for their own gain.” His gaze darkened. “We can’t let this go on.”

A heavy silence settled over the room, the weight of their situation pressing down on all of them.

“What’s our next move?” Ash asked, breaking the stillness.

Rika’s eyes drifted to Kenneth, waiting for his input. But before he could speak, Lucian stepped forward, his expression unreadable. “We can’t let this happen again. Whoever she is, she’s dangerous. We need to figure out who she’s working with and why she’s targeting kids.”

Kenneth nodded slowly, his thoughts briefly flickering to Lucy’s peaceful face. “Lucian’s right. This isn’t over.” He exhaled sharply, grounding himself. “But first, the children need help. That has to come first.”

Aine gave him a reassuring smile. “The Valerius family will take care of them. They’ll recover.”

Kenneth let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding, his shoulders relaxing just slightly. But the unease still lingered. The woman’s escape and her strange powers hinted at something far bigger than this one battle.

For now, he allowed himself to take solace in their small victory. The children were safe, his friends were by his side, and the immediate danger had passed.

The fight was far from over, but in this moment, they could take a brief, well-earned breath.