This marked the second known case where two Ultimate Elements coexisted—the first being Salem's Ultimate Plant and the Cassia family's original Ultimate Plant. Now, it was Kenneth's Ultimate Fire alongside Fireon's Ultimate Fire.

Later, Kenneth found himself seated in Headmaster Nero's office, the weight of the recent discovery pressed heavily on his mind.

“Headmaster,” Kenneth began. “What happens when two Ultimate Elements exist at the same time? Specifically, two Ultimate Fires?”

Nero leaned back in his chair. “Technically, there's no inherent problem with similar elements coexisting. In fact, it could even be seen as beneficial. However…” Nero paused, his tone sharpening. “It does create a conflict with the existing Element, especially for the family that holds that Element as their legacy.”

Kenneth's gaze dropped to the floor, his mind swirling with the implications.

“I saw what you did with the Tree of Life,” Nero continued, his calm voice carrying a quiet weight. “You and the child from the mortal world. That caught my attention.”

Kenneth froze. The Headmaster had witnessed it.

“That child,” Nero went on, “inherited directly from Aether Magic. He holds the purest form of the Ultimate Plant, making his magic stronger than the Cassia family's. If the Cassia family learns of this power, it will undoubtedly lead to conflict.”

Kenneth's stomach twisted as he thought of Salem.

“This situation mirrors on your own,” Nero said, his piercing gaze meeting Kenneth's. “Regardless of how you obtained your Ultimate Fire, its very existence conflicts with the Fireon family's legacy. For the family's revival, they'll have to make a difficult choice—whether to embrace your fire, which would mean the permanent disappearance of their original Ultimate Fire, or find another way to restore their lost legacy.”

Kenneth nodded slowly, the enormity of the decision weighing on him. The Fireon family had carried their legacy for hundreds of years.

To let it disappear would be unthinkable, yet Kenneth couldn't ignore the sense of relief he felt knowing his fire wasn't originally theirs. It loosened the chains of responsibility, allowing him to make decisions for himself.

But then there was Joash. And the Fireon family.

Kenneth's heart ached at the thought of Joash's hope for revival fading into despair, and the Fireon legacy continuing to crumble.

He didn't want that. He couldn't let that happen.

“Headmaster,” Kenneth asked carefully, “do you know why the Fireon's Ultimate Fire was extinguished in the first place?”

Nero's gaze darkened, a hint of sorrow creeping into his voice. “From what I know, someone from the Nether Clan sealed the fire with a powerful magic circle designed to extinguish it.”

Kenneth's breath hitched. The description matched the novel perfectly.

Up until now, no one had uncovered the true reason behind the Ultimate Fire's extinction, Kenneth thought grimly.

Nero sighed, pulling Kenneth from his thoughts. “For now, Edmund will visit the academy once a week to teach you the Fireon bloodline spell. He wants to keep the situation quiet and will continue treating you as their successor until they've made their decision.”

Kenneth nodded, “I understand.”

But deep inside, he couldn't stop thinking. Depending on the Fireon family's decision, he was willing to share his Ultimate Fire. Yet a part of him yearned to see their original Ultimate Fire revived—for Joash, for the Fireon family, and for Bernard Fireon's legacy.

＊＊＊

Joash had heard from the Fireon estate that his uncle had returned to the kingdom after many years away.

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Edmund Fireon, who had left Anterthon for the Caltharion Empire, where he had fallen in love and married a noblewoman. The last time he had returned was for his father's funeral.

What could be so important that he's come back now? Joash wondered, his thoughts swirling as he walked through the academy halls.

“Joash?”

The voice pulled him from his thoughts. Turning, he saw a man who bore a striking resemblance to his father—though his expression was far more relaxed. “Uncle?” Joash asked, his voice tinged with surprise.

Edmund grinned, stepping closer. “Joash, you were, what, six years old the last time I saw you? You've grown so much,” he said, his tone light but warm. “You're starting to resemble my older brother.”

Joash hesitated for a moment, still processing his uncle's sudden presence. “I heard about your arrival. I was planning to go home to see you, but I didn't expect to run into you here at the academy.”

Edmund's grin faded slightly, replaced with a more serious expression. “Yeah, I had some important business with the Headmaster,” he said. Then, with a more casual tone, he added, “Why don't we return home together?”

Joash glanced around the hallway, catching a few curious stares. His hand twitching as his side, a subtle reaction to the attention, though he stopped himself from making it obvious.

Edmund's sharp eyes caught the subtle tension in his nephew's demeanor. “Still living under a false name, huh?” he asked.

Joash stiffened. “It's… easier this way.”

Edmund studied him for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, he placed a hand lightly on Joash's shoulder. “I get it,” he said quietly. “If things had gone differently… maybe none of this would've been necessary.”

Joash blinked, caught off guard by his uncle's directness.

Edmund smiled again, faintly this time. “Sorry, I didn't mean to get heavy on you,” he added, pulling his hand back. “Guess I've had a lot on my mind lately. Anyway, I'll see you at home later, okay?”

Joash nodded again, still unsure how to respond as his uncle waved and walked away.

＊＊＊

“How was your visit to Mageia Academy?” Fintan asked, he sharp lifting from the papers on her desk as Edmund entered the office.

He had told her earlier about Headmaster Nero's request, the one that had brought him back to Anterthon after years away. It concerned Kenneth's position as the Fireon family's successor and potentially, the next head of the family.

Instead of replying immediately, Edmund extended his hand. Flames sparked to life in his palm, dancing with a vivid intensity.

Fintan's eyes widened in shock as she rose abruptly from her chair, crossing the room toward him. “You managed to inherit Kenneth's magic?” she asked, her voice a mix of surprise and urgency.

Edmund closed his hand, extinguishing the flame. “Headmaster Nero wanted to assess Kenneth's fire,” he explained. “So, he had me inherit his magic.” He paused, letting the weight of his next words settle. “But what Kenneth possesses…is not the Fireon's Ultimate Fire.”

Fintan froze at the revelation, her thoughts racing. If Kenneth's wasn't of Fireon blood, then… he wasn't Bernard's illegitimate child? The realization brought an unexpected wave of relief.

But it also gave rise to another issue.

“Then it's impossible for him to be the Fireon successor,” he said quietly, her voice tinged with a mix of disappointment and worry.

Edmund nodded. “That's right. Our lead on reviving Fireon's Ultimate Fire is back to square one. Headmaster Nero has left a decision for us—whether to become Kenneth's vassal and embrace his Ultimate Fire, or to continue searching for a way to revive the original Fireon magic.”

Fintan fell silent, the weight of the decision settling heavily on her shoulders. Ever since she had taken over as the head of the family after Bernard's death, Fireon's influence had diminished. Decision-making power had shifted to other Elemental families, and the once-proud Fireon name had become a shadow of its former self. Her focus had been on supporting the Wizards who had lost their magic, shielding them from public scrutiny, and ensuring the family remained out of the spotlight by residing at the palace.

Now, this decision could either restore or doom their family's legacy.

“What do you think?” she asked.

Edmund leaned back slightly, his expression conflicted. “Honestly? I'm torn,” he admitted. “I want Fireon's magic to return. But after inheriting Kenneth's magic, it's much stronger than the original Fireon magic. That kind of power… it could protect our family and give us a real place in this world again.”

Fintan remained silent for the moment, her gaze fixed on the flickering flame of the nearby candle.

Legacy vs power. The weight of the choice ahead bore heavily on her shoulders. The decision wouldn't just affect the Fireon family's standing—it could determine whether they rose again or disappeared entirely into obscurity.

Finally, she exhaled deeply, her voice steady but tinged with resolve. “Edmund, I'll need to call a meeting with our vassals,” she said. “This isn't a decision I can make alone. Their input will be crucial.”

Edmund nodded. “That's a wise move. If we're asking them to accept Kenneth—or even a path forward without the Fireon magic—they need to be part of the conversation.”

Fintan straightened. “I owe it to them. After all, they've stood by this family even after the Fireon flame was extinguished. They deserve to have a say in how we proceed.”