The interior of the house was bathed in white, from the stones that lined the walls to the paint that covered them, down to the marble floors beneath Theo's feet. Ascending the white staircase to the second floor, Theo paused in front of a door.

As he was about to knock, a familiar voice beckoned, “Just come in…”

Pushing the door open, he was met with more of the immaculately white decor as the rest of the house. Inside, a lady sat on a white sofa, dressed in long pants and a full-sleeved blue shirt. Her light blue hair cascaded freely down her back. She set aside her book and gestured for Theo to take a seat.

Theo obliged, his gaze briefly catching the open bedroom door, behind which a collection of books was visible.

This woman was the headmistress, the very person who had rescued him during the Eclipse guild's attack aimed at destroying him and his allies. Yet, Theo remained baffled as to her reasons for saving him and bringing him here.

Elowen's expression softened as she gazed at Theo, “It’s good to see you, but that cold demeanor doesn’t suit you. Why do you look as if you’ve lost your reason to live?”

Theo stayed quiet, offering no clue to his thoughts.

Undeterred by his silence, Elowen pressed on, "Are you still haunted by memories of the war? I was hoping you’d be more open now that things have calmed down... Aerin, Elena, and Aiden are all awake and well." She searched his eyes for any sign of emotion, but found none, his gaze as distant as ever.

Exhaling deeply, Elowen decided to be direct, “Alright, I’ll get to the point… I need your help with my personal disciple. You’re the only one who can assist her…”

Noticing Theo’s continued silence, yet attentive listening, she elaborated, "This involves a political dilemma... My student has been targeted by Duke Harry and his nephew, Second Prince Lex, who covets the crown. I need you to protect her and aid her claim to the throne."

Theo listened intently, his gaze fixed on the lady's face as if trying to decipher a complex riddle. Something about her felt peculiar, igniting an instinctive pull within him, an intuition suggesting that leaving now wasn't the right choice. An inner voice urged him to stay, to listen, and more importantly, to refrain from causing her any harm or disrespect.

Could she hold a connection to his past? That question alone justified his decision to remain at the academy, aligning with the objectives that necessitated his presence there. After all, his reasons for joining the academy was driven by multiple critical motives.

Elowen continued, "You might wonder, being the headmistress of Phoenixwing Academy and possessing considerable strength, why I don't intervene directly. Right? The truth is, involving myself in political matters directly wouldn't be proper, and my student wishes to claim the throne through her own merit. She aspires to win fairly. Moreover, with your support and the resources of the East Wind along with the force of the neutral regions at her side, I can rest assured of her safety and success."

Elowen gave Theo a moment, hoping he would break the silence that had settled between them. Since waking up, Theo had been enveloped in quietude, his words as scarce as rain in a desert.

Elowen watched him carefully, longing for any sign of conversation, any indication that he might share his thoughts or feelings. Yet, as he continued to gaze at her without uttering a single word, a wave of concern washed over her. She feared this silence was more than just a temporary retreat into himself; it hinted at a deeper turmoil, a barrier he had erected not just against her, but perhaps against the world itself.

Closing her eyes, Elowen grappled with a sense of resignation. She had hoped, perhaps naively, that their conversation might bridge the gap that silence had forged. She worried this impasse marked a turning point, one from which there might be no return, where Theo would choose silence as his constant companion. The thought pained her, for it spoke of a solitude and isolation too profound for mere words to breach.

Just then, it happened. A voice, devoid of any emotion yet carrying a weight that filled the room, cut through the silence like a sharp blade.

"Why are you twisting the truth and concealing everything from me?"

Elowen's eyes flew open, and she looked at him, startled. It was the first time he had spoken since their conversation began, and the nature of his question took her by surprise.

"What truth are you referring to?" she managed to ask, both relieved and puzzled by his unexpected engagement. She hadn't anticipated him catching on to any deception so quickly.

"The truth about us... You're aware of my past but you're diverting from the truth... You're concealing it from me," he demanded, his gaze penetrating as though it could unveil the truth on its own.

Elowen's expression hardened slightly, "How do you surmise I'm familiar with your past?" She aimed to maintain her composure, not wanting to seem overpowered by the young man's accusations.

"I feel as though you could be my mother... Yet, I know you're not. So, who are you, really? Why keep secrets from me? A mother wouldn't do that to her child, so why do you betray me like the rest?" Theo's voice was tinged with frustration and anger, confounded by her connection to him yet her distance all this while.

Moreover, he was aggrieved by the notion that she had knowledge of his circumstances but did not seek him out, allowing him to be taken to another world by that old man.

Confronted with his accusations of betrayal, Elowen felt a pang of sorrow. Realizing Theo was more astute than she had given him credit for, she knew it was time to be forthright. "Theo, I am not your mother... But your intuition about me is accurate. However, I cannot reveal our past or take you back home until you've mastered your power," she admitted, her voice tinged with sadness.

Theo searched her eyes for honesty, finding sincerity in her response. She wasn't deceiving him. "Why do I need to master my power? It's not something remarkable... I don't even possess mana," he queried, perplexed by the emphasis on a power he considered inconsequential.

Elowen shook her head gently. "You don’t understand, Theo. At the moment, you're only at circle rank thirty so you are not seeing the problem. But, as you advance to higher ranks, controlling your power will become increasingly difficult. So, for you, It's essential to progress gradually to avoid corruption."

Theo, puzzled by her explanation, pressed further for clarity, "Why would that happen?"

Elowen sighed, her voice filled with concern. "You might not be aware, but the Abyssal element is unlike any other. Legend has it that, except for its first wielder who managed to seal the Forgotten One, the next five successors struggled to master this element. Those who attempted either fell to corruption or were consumed by it, ultimately losing their lives."

Hearing this, Theo's brows furrowed, troubled by the revelation that his Abyssal power was akin to a ticking time bomb rather than the blessing he once believed it to be. Furthermore, the fact that this lady was aware of the specific element he wielded raised questions. Didn't this imply she had knowledge of his elemental affinity even before he discovered it himself? Who exactly was this woman who seemed to know so much about him?

Pondering the implications of his situation and the knowledge shared by the woman before him, Theo sought clarity on another matter that had been stirring in his mind. "The book ‘Secrets of the Awakened’ mentioned that one's class is determined by their talent. What were the classes of the previous Abyssal element holders?"

Elowen regarded him with a solemn expression before responding, "There isn't much detail about them in the records we have, but it's mentioned that there have been six before you with the Abyssal element... Four were warriors, one was a mage, and the first, who sealed the Forgotten One, was akin to a necromancer. And now you, the seventh. Most of them couldn't withstand the overwhelming nature of their power, succumbing to corruption or being devoured by the Abyssal energy."

Her explanation made Theo to ask, "Then it makes more sense for me to be with my true family, living out my days in peace. Why was I sent here, to struggle and live amongst those who wish me harm?”

Elowen let out a sigh, understanding Theo's acceptance of his grim reality. "This situation is unlike any before. Currently, we're surrounded by other forbidden and noble elements’ holder, and we've had assistance from the Origin Master. He's capped your abyssal power's growth, sealed away some of your memories, and imposed a limit on your strength that you cannot surpass until you're truly ready. This measure ensures that, under no circumstances, will the Abyssal energy overpower and consume you."

The reference to the Origin Master triggered a recollection in Theo about his quest, which had indeed restricted his circle rank and growth. This piece of information confirmed that what the woman before him was sharing was indeed the truth.

Despite this understanding, Theo was aware that suppressing his strength cap was only a temporary fix at best. He was confident that this restriction wouldn't hinder his progress indefinitely.

Furthermore, he had a pressing question. "I'm not afraid of dying, but the idea of becoming corrupted is something I cannot accept. If the first wielder of the Abyssal element faced and tackled this challenge, then there must be a method to prevent the Abyssal element from ultimately consuming me," he proposed, voicing his determination to find a cure.

Elowen looked at Theo with a serious expression. Pausing to consider her words carefully, she finally spoke, hinting at the possibility of a solution. "Indeed, there exists a way to prevent that fate... But," her voice trailed off, prompting Theo to look at her expectantly, a frown forming as he awaited the completion of her thought.

Stolen story; please report.