After the audience with the emperor, Kenneth and Salem were taken to the Fireon estate. The mansion was large, though not as grand as Kenneth had imagined from reading the novel. It felt a bit worn, as if it had once been magnificent but had since lost some of its luster.

Nero excused himself, saying he had to return to the academy.

Salem still clung tightly to Kenneth's hand, looking disoriented and unsure. His grip betrayed his fear, and Kenneth could feel him trembling slightly.

"We'll be safe here," Kenneth reassured him, though his own uncertainty lingered beneath the surface. From what he remembered from the novel, the Fireon family had once had a good relationship with Commoners and Elementless during their prime, offering protection and respect. But the story had stopped a year after the disaster, and he had no idea what their current status truly was.

Would the Fireon family still uphold those values now that their power had waned?

When they arrived at the estate, they were greeted by a young man about the same age as Kenneth. He had sharp features and a curious look in his eyes.

"Mother, how did it go?" the young man asked, then glanced at Kenneth and Salem. "Who are they?"

Fintan hesitated, her eyes flicking between the two boys as if debating whether to reveal something or keep it hidden for now. Finally, she spoke, choosing her words carefully. "The emperor has tasked us with taking care of them. They've come from the mortal world."

"Mortal world?" The young man's eyes lit up with curiosity, and he stepped closer to Kenneth, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I've always wanted to hear about that place!"

Fintan, however, was already issuing orders. "Maid, prepare the guest rooms. Joash, call Dr. Mir to check on the boy's condition."

Joash, the young man, nodded eagerly. Then Fintan turned her sharp gaze toward Kenneth. "And you," she said, looking directly at him, "to my office."

Kenneth hesitated for a moment, glancing at Salem. "Take care of him," he said softly to Joash before following Fintan. He was unsure of what awaited him in that office, but he knew that answers—about this world and his role in it—would soon be demanded.

Kenneth followed Fintan down the long hallway of the Fireon estate, his mind swirling with questions. Fintan opened a large door, ushering him into her office.

The room was filled with books and ancient relics, reminders of the Fireon family's legacy. Fintan moved behind her desk, gesturing for Kenneth to sit. Her expression was calm, but her eyes betrayed the seriousness of the situation.

"You mentioned something earlier," Fintan began, her tone measured and her eyes sharp. "You asked if this was Anterthon. How is it that you, a mortal from another world, know about ours?"

Kenneth shifted in his seat, a wave of uncertainty washing over him. The truth danced on the tip of his tongue—the novel he'd been reading, the uncanny resemblance of this world to the fictional one on its pages. But how could he explain it? What if it sounded ridiculous? He clenched his hands briefly, deciding it was safer to keep certain details to himself.

"I've heard... stories," he said vaguely, his voice steady but guarded. "Legends and myths, things I didn't really believe. But I never imagined they could be real."

Fintan's brow furrowed slightly, her gaze searching his face for something deeper. "Stories, you say?" she mused, clearly skeptical but unwilling to press further. "Strange, but then again, we've seen stranger things in this world."

Kenneth remained silent, relieved she didn't push him further. He could sense Fintan's wariness, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her the full truth—not yet. After all, how could he explain the surreal connection between his life and this realm without sounding mad?

Fintan exhaled quietly, her tone softening as she continued, "You may not fully understand your place here yet, Kenneth, but the emperor and Headmaster Nero believe you are crucial to our future."

Kenneth swallowed hard, a weight settling in his chest.

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Fintan leaned forward, her expression softening slightly. "The Fireon family has been in decline since the loss of the Ultimate Fire. We were once one of the most powerful families in Anterthon," she paused. "The emperor believes that you might hold the key to reviving our legacy. You may be our family's only hope."

Kenneth's heart pounded. The weight of her words sank deep into him. Me, a someone from the mortal world, their hope? It sounded absurd, but the fire magic he had accidentally unleashed was real.

Fintan's eyes hardened, her voice firm. "You may not understand your power yet, but that's why you will attend Magiea Academy. It's where all Wizards go to master their abilities, and where you will learn to control the fire magic."

"Magiea Academy?" Kenneth asked, recalling the academy's mention in the novel where it was described as a place of powerful Wizards and intense training.

"Yes. It's not just any school—it's the most prestigious academy in Anterthon," Fintan said. "You will be trained to harness your power, and Headmaster Nero will personally oversee your progress."

Kenneth sat in silence, absorbing everything. The world he had only read about in fiction was now his reality, and the weight of it pressed down on him. He wasn't just some bystander; he was being thrust into the heart of the Fireon's future.

Fintan stood, signaling the conversation was over. "You will need to prepare. The academy is no easy place, especially for someone like you. But for now, get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll begin."

Kenneth nodded and stood to leave, but before he reached the door, Fintan added, "Remember, Kenneth. You may think you're a nobody, but in Anterthon, you're our last hope."

As Kenneth walked down the hallway, his thoughts still weighed heavily from his meeting with Fintan. The gravity of everything—the family's expectations, the magic he could barely control—left him restless.

That's when he saw the young man he had met earlier walking toward him.

"Ah, the guy from the mortal world," the boy said excitedly, stepping closer. "I've always wanted to meet someone from there. My name is Joash, by the way." He extended his hand with a warm smile.

Kenneth shook his hand, smiling back. "I'm Kenneth. Nice to meet you."

Joash's enthusiasm was contagious. "The mortal world... I've always wanted to go there"

As Kenneth observed him, he couldn't help but notice how Joash's fascination with the mortal world mirrored something familiar—something he'd read. It reminded him of the stories about Joash's father, a man who had also been deeply interested in the mortal world and had worked hard to become the Fireon Guardian. Though Kenneth couldn't mention this, the resemblance was clear in the young man's eyes and the way he spoke.

"You remind me of your father," Kenneth said softly, though he couldn't reveal that his knowledge came from a novel.

Joash blinked, surprise crossing his face. "You... know my father?"

Kenneth hesitated, then answered vaguely. "I've heard about him somewhere." He couldn't explain the truth.

Joash's expression softened. "I was only a kid when my father went off to war years ago. I've only heard many stories about him. And after his sacrifice—the disappearance of the fire magic—it changed everything."

There was a pause, and then Joash's voice grew more determined. "Since then, I've looked for ways to bring the fire magic back. Even though I'm an Elementless, I studied hard, researched elemental revival at the academy. I've done everything I can, even if I'll never be an Elemental Guardian, like my father. I have to do my part, whatever it is."

Kenneth could see the passion behind Joash's words. He admired the effort Joash had put in despite the circumstances.

"I think we'll get along well. If you need help adjusting to this world, just let me know."

Kenneth nodded. "I will."

As Joash walked away, Kenneth stood there for a moment, watching him disappear down the hallway.

＊＊＊

Kenneth entered the guest room quietly, his gaze immediately drawn to Salem, who was sitting by the window. The boy stared out, eyes unfocused, as if he were trying to make sense of everything but couldn’t quite grasp it. The room felt heavy, the silence thick with tension and unspoken fears.

“Are you feeling okay?” Kenneth asked softly, stepping closer.

Salem didn’t answer right away. His hands, resting on his lap, trembled slightly. When he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper. “Is this a dream?”

Kenneth’s eyes softened. Salem looked healthier now—his complexion no longer as pale, thanks to the doctor who had treated him earlier. But the fear lingering in his eyes was all too real. Kenneth reached out and gently placed a hand on the boy’s head, giving him a reassuring pat.

“I don’t think this is a dream,” he said quietly. “But I understand why it feels like one.” He gestured toward the book on the table—the very same fantasy novel that had somehow become their reality. “This… all of this, it’s exactly like the story I was reading.”

He forced a small laugh, trying to ease the atmosphere. Yet, even as he spoke, he couldn’t fully rid himself of the weight in his own chest. How were they supposed to make sense of being thrown into a world that was supposed to be fiction? He met Salem’s gaze—wide and uncertain, brimming with confusion and fear.

“I know it’s overwhelming,” Kenneth continued, keeping his voice calm despite the storm of thoughts swirling inside him. “But we’ll figure this out together. You’re not alone in this.”

Salem blinked slowly, as if struggling to process Kenneth’s words, still grappling with the strangeness of their new reality. The room fell silent once more, and Kenneth could feel the weight of everything pressing down on them—the confusion, the fear, the uncertainty of what would come next.

But one thing was clear to Kenneth: no matter how lost they were, they had to face this together. He wasn’t going to let Salem—or himself—fall apart in this unfamiliar world.