Chapter 1

(14 Years Ago)

The night enveloped the dilapidated city in darkness, with an eerie silence reigning over the place, broken only by the crackling flames consuming its shattered remnants. The cracked walls stood as witnesses to a tragic past, while the scorched earth seemed to pulse with memories of destruction. The city felt abandoned by time itself, bathed in the glow of fire reflecting ominously off the black sky.

Amidst this haunting scene, a massive beast trudged forward with heavy steps, each one cracking the ground beneath it and widening the fissures. Its guttural voice mingled with the roar of the flames, producing a menacing symphony. Its eyes, glowing like twin volcanoes on the verge of eruption, swept over the devastation with a calculating intensity. Suddenly, amidst the charged silence, a faint yellow light appeared as a distant dot on the horizon.

The beast halted, its gaze fixed on the strange light. The glow grew brighter, revealing the figure of a young girl—Laura, a 17-year-old C-ranked student—racing toward the creature. Yellow electric sparks danced furiously around her body, mirroring the fury and resolve burning in her heart. Like a laser cutting through the darkness, she closed the distance with astonishing speed.

The beast straightened, planting its massive feet firmly into the ground as if issuing a challenge. Yet Laura did not falter. Her unwavering gaze remained locked on her target, her entire being radiating determination. As she neared, she unleashed a powerful punch aimed directly at its chest.

The beast, despite its colossal size, reacted with remarkable speed, raising a massive hand to block her attack. Laura, however, anticipated this move. Spinning gracefully, she evaded the counter and maneuvered behind the creature. With precision, she placed her palm against its back, and the electric sparks around her hand coalesced into a swirling vortex of energy.

"Come on...!" she shouted, her voice ringing with defiance.

The winds around her erupted into a violent tempest, as though the very world conspired to join her fury. The yellow sparks condensed into a searing beam of energy that shot toward the beast with explosive force. The air itself seemed to ripple as the attack hurtled forward, slicing through the darkness with a deafening roar.

But the beast, displaying agility that defied its massive frame, sidestepped the attack with a swift, fluid motion.

The beam, missing its mark, slammed into the ground with catastrophic force. The resulting explosion shook the earth, and a towering cloud of dust ascended into the night sky. The flames surged higher, as though applauding the spectacle of destruction.

Laura stared at the beast in disbelief, her voice barely more than a whisper:

"What...?!"

Before she could react, the beast lunged forward, its colossal hand sweeping toward her like a falling mountain. The impact struck her with devastating force, hurling her through the air like a broken doll. She crashed into the crumbling wall of a surviving building, the sheer force of the collision piercing through the structure and leaving deep cracks in its facade.

Laura tumbled to the ground, the jagged remains of the wall framing the hole her body had created. Her breathing grew labored, and the sparks surrounding her flickered weakly, their glow fading into the darkness. Time seemed to stretch as she fell, a suffocating silence enveloping the scene. Only the relentless crackling of the flames persisted, their merciless hunger continuing to consume what remained of the city.

Laura breathed heavily, her body exhausted from the force of the blow. She began vomiting blood profusely, as if the pain and shock were embodied in the dark torrent falling to the ground like a flowing waterfall. Hot drops of blood hit the cracked floor, making a faint sound amidst the flames. She struggled to catch her breath, opening her mouth in desperation as she gasped, as if the air were slipping away from her.

She slowly lifted her head, her eyes flooded with fear and shock. In front of her, the beast stood just steps away, glaring at her with bulging eyes, as though looking at prey with no escape. Her pupils widened in terror, and she barely managed to whisper with a trembling, fearful voice:

"No... no... Is this my end?!"

The beast, slowly as if time itself had paused to observe the scene, raised its massive hand toward the sky. Laura felt the air around her freeze. She stared at it, her weakness and fear paralyzing her every movement. "I'm going to die...!" she said, her voice quivering.

In a moment that seemed eternal, the beast began lowering its hand rapidly, preparing to crush her with a fatal strike. Laura's eyes were locked on it in complete astonishment, her body stiff as if every muscle within her had refused to move.

But before the blow could land, a tremendous force suddenly pierced through the scene. A violent punch came out of nowhere, striking the beast with all its power, causing it to roll repeatedly on the ground, dragging a massive pile of dust and dirt behind it. The earth trembled under the impact, and the dust filled the air like a smoky curtain.

Despite her weakness, Laura struggled to breathe and moved away from the dirt that had engulfed her. She lifted her head to see who had stopped the beast in such a remarkable way.

A young man appeared before her, standing with confidence and calm, as if the entire scene were under his control. This was Sbyam Brius (an A-rank student, 18 years old). He wore black glasses that hid his eyes, and his right hand was tucked into the pocket of his wizard’s uniform. A smug smile adorned his face, radiating an unshakable confidence.

Laura, still shaken from the shock, asked:

"What?!"

Sbyam turned to her calmly, bowed slightly in a deliberate display of arrogance, hand still in his pocket, and said in a provoking, sarcastic tone:

"Oi! You weakling! What were you saying?"

Then, with exaggerated mockery, he raised his eyebrows, mimicking her words:

"Is this my end?!"

He looked up at the sky and laughed loudly, as though the entire scene were just a game to him. This mockery ignited Laura's anger, and she screamed fiercely:

"You arrogant bastard!"

Meanwhile, the beast had risen from the ground, shaking its head to regain its balance. Its eyes were fixed on Sbyam , who appeared utterly unconcerned.

"Do you want help, weakling?!" Sbyam said coolly and mockingly, glancing at Laura with a half-smile.

"No! I don’t need your help, you bastard!" Laura retorted angrily, as the ground began to tremble beneath the advancing steps of the beast.

The beast ran toward Sbyam in fury, each step sending tremors that cracked the ground further. Laura felt a shiver run through her as she slowly turned her head to see the beast charging toward them. Sbyam , however, did not change his confident stance, only turning his head with a smile full of mockery.

The beast was gaining speed, its roar mixing with the sound of the cracking earth. Sbyam slowly raised his fist, from which black sparks flowed like whirlpools, radiating a mysterious threat. He spoke with a tone full of challenge:

"Come at me!"

The beast leaped toward Sbyam , raising its massive hand to strike him. The scene seemed as though it would unleash an unimaginable destruction, while Laura stared in horror at the moment approaching.

But Sbyam was different. He pulled his fist back, preparing for a counter-strike. When the beast’s colossal hand descended, the two forces collided, and a massive air explosion erupted between them, shaking the entire area.

Despite the beast’s immense size, it was sent flying through the air like a lightweight doll due to the impact of the blow. Its body tumbled through the sky, then slammed to the ground far away as though it had no weight at all. Sbyam remained rooted in place, not moving an inch, staring at the flying beast with a mocking smile.

Laura, with wide eyes full of astonishment, could barely whisper:

"What?!"

Spian turned to her, his face filled with sarcasm, and said:

"Is this how you fight, weakling?"

Suddenly, Sbyam heard a loud scream cutting through the chaos, the voice of Brylo shouting with excitement:

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"Welcome him...!"

Sbyam quickly turned his back, his eyes glowing with anticipation, and a thrilled smile spread across his face. The beast was charging toward him again, its massive body moving like a puppet propelled by violent force. The black sparks surrounding Sbyam began to dance violently around his fist, as if responding to the intensity of the situation.

Sbyam shot toward the beast, his feet lifting off the ground, his body moving with confidence and fluidity. As the beast drew closer, he shouted excitedly:

"This is the moment!"

Then, with a single punch to the beast's abdomen, a massive air explosion erupted, a sonic boom tearing through the air, and the ground recoiled beneath the force of the blow. The beast was sent flying once again in the opposite direction, its colossal body crashing uncontrollably.

> In the opposite sky, Brylo (an A-rank student, 18 years old). hovered steadily, his body surrounded by a faint aura, his eyes fixed on the monster approaching him at high speed. A calm smile adorned his lips, radiating unwavering confidence. Brushing his hand over his shoulder as if preparing himself, he said in a tone that was calm yet brimming with power:

"It's my turn now."

As the beast neared him, Brylo raised his fist, which began to glow with increasing purple sparks, and struck the beast with an astounding force directly toward the ground. The sound was as if the very sky had shattered, and the beast crashed into the earth violently, creating a deep crater. Debris and shards flew in every direction, the dust covering the area like a thick curtain.

On the other side, Sbyam slowly descended from the sky, his hands returning to a relaxed position, one hand sinking back into his pocket. He glanced at Laura, who was watching the scene in astonishment, and said in a mocking, provoking tone:

"Why is it always the strong protecting the weak?"

Laura's face flushed with anger, and she screamed, clenching her trembling fists:

"Shut up!"

As Brylo approached them, a calm smile still on his face, he addressed Sbyam :

"You don't have to bully the weak like this."

Sbyam turned to him, his expression showing irritation, and said sharply:

"Idiot! Who's going to bully the strong?!"

Brylo chuckled lightly and didn't respond. He stood next to Sbyam , extending his arm gently toward Laura, who was still trying to stand. Her eyes sparkled with gratitude as she grasped his hand and slowly rose to her feet. She said:

"Thank you!"

Sbyam glanced at Brylo, then placed his hand on his shoulder, his voice laced with annoyance:

"We're done with the mission!"

But Laura's words cut through the silence of the moment, her voice faint with terror as she looked at the scene around them:

"But... what happens after this?!"

Sbyam and Brylo turned slowly, their gazes directed at the destroyed city. Flames were consuming buildings that had turned into rubble, and blood mixed with dirt, the scene of devastation and chaos dominating everything.

The three stood in heavy silence, their eyes deep in contemplation. There was nothing more to say, only that this scene was a testament to power... and the destruction it could bring.

The flames danced like a wild ghost, and warm winds filled with ash struck their faces. Inside each of them, mixed emotions of triumph,regret, and the weight of reality lingered.

And the scene ended in complete silence, save for the sound of the fire, which continued to play the melody of destruction.

---

The sun was rising over the Sorcerer's Academy, its golden rays flowing through the windows of the vast hall where the trio (Brylo, Sbyam , and Laura) sat on their knees in a single row. A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the sound of the firm footsteps of Trainer Surichi as he slowly advanced before them, his hands clasped behind his back and his cold gaze observing them with precision.

Surichi stood firmly, his sharp voice slicing through the silence like a sword:

"Which one of you failed to activate the barrier in the area?!"

Tension filled the room as Brylo and Laura slowly turned toward Sbyam . Without hesitation, both of them raised their fingers at their mischievous companion, as if absolving themselves from any responsibility.

Sbyam raised his hand with a childish, innocent smile, his features filled with unwarranted confidence as he said lightly:

"I did, Master! I forgot to activate the barrier... but isn't that something unimportant?"

Surichi did not give him an extra moment. He advanced quickly, delivering a firm strike directly to Sbyam 's face. The force of the blow made the sound echo through the hall.

---

The atmosphere was completely different on the tennis court. The sun was shining brightly above them, and the gentle breeze carried the sounds of birds in the background. Sbyam and Brylo weren't wearing their sorcerer's robes. Sbyam stood at the edge of the court, holding a tennis racket in one hand, his face filled with annoyance as he said in displeasure:

"He shouldn't have scolded me like that! It was just a barrier!"

On the other side of the court, Brylo held his racket calmly, ready to respond. He said firmly, staring at Sbyam :

"You should have activated the barrier, Sbyam ! We've lost many lives because of that."

Sbyam sighed, then said in a bored tone, shrugging indifferently:

"I hate protecting humans! Why should I bear the burden of these weaklings?"

Brylo froze for a moment, then looked at him seriously and said in a deep voice:

"A sorcerer is born to protect humans, Sbyam . The strong protect the weak. That's the foundation of life, and that's what keeps us going."

Sbyam smirked coldly, then said sarcastically:

"Is this your moral philosophy? It sounds really trivial."

Brylo's eyes widened in shock, and he scowled sharply, saying with intensity:

"What?!"

Sbyam continued with the same sarcasm, his eyes narrowing in mockery:

"I suggest you think carefully, my obsessed friend."

Anger flared on Brylo's face, and violet sparks began to rise around his body, pulsing with immense energy. He shouted sharply:

"Are you ready?!"

Black sparks appeared around Sbyam 's body, rising like dancing flames. He smiled confidently, saying:

"Anytime, my friend."

The two of them locked eyes, Brylo's gaze piercing like an arrow, and Sbyam 's gaze mocking and full of challenge. The tension between them was palpable, as if the very air had grown heavier.

Suddenly, the silence was shattered when the door to the court swung open violently, revealing Surichi standing at the entrance, his angry eyes scanning between them. He shouted in a booming voice:

"Hey! What are you two doing here?!"

The tension vanished instantly, and the sparks that surrounded their bodies disappeared as if they had never existed. Like children caught in mischief, they exchanged quick glances and then began to pretend.

Sbyam smiled innocently, placing his hand behind his head:

"Nothing, Master! We're just training."

Surichi didn't believe a word of it, so he responded sternly:

"Where's Laura?!"

Brylo looked away, pretending ignorance:

"Who knows? Maybe she's somewhere around."

As for Sbyam , he shrugged nonchalantly, saying:

"Maybe she went to the bathroom?"

Surichi shook his head, then said firmly:

"It doesn't matter. You need to get ready. You have a new mission."

The two of them frowned in clear frustration, their expressions showing their deep displeasure. Surichi asked sharply:

"What's with these expressions?!"

They both replied together in a depressed tone:

"Nothing..."

—

Inside the halls of the Sorcery Academy, where the sun cast its soft glow through the tall windows, Sbyam and Brylo sat in the classroom wearing their official sorcerer robes. Brylo sat elegantly, one leg over the other, trying to maintain his usual calm, while Sbyam seemed to carry a heavy burden, his head resting on the table in front of him, immersed in a state of obvious boredom.

Trainer Surichi stood at the front of the room, leaning on a large wooden table, his features carrying a mix of seriousness and concern. In a firm voice that cut through the silence, he said:

"The mission I’m assigning you is extremely dangerous."

Sbyam slowly lifted his head, staring at the trainer with half-closed eyes, while Brylo leaned forward slightly, his expression showing cautious curiosity. Brylo asked in a surprised tone:

"Dangerous? What are you talking about?"

Surichi nodded firmly, then said with a tone full of certainty:

"Yes, dangerous. There’s a girl from the Silano Clan... She has inherited the Unlimited Technique."

Brylo’s breath quickened for a moment, his eyes widening in clear shock, then he said in a trembling voice that barely concealed his surprise:

"The Silano Clan? That clan hasn’t had a successor to that technique in 1,000 years!"

Surichi nodded again, then continued in a sharper tone:

"That’s true. Therefore, you two are responsible for protecting her and transporting her to one of the Mana Organization's headquarters. There, her powers will be extracted."

Sbyam raised an eyebrow, then leaned forward slightly, crossing his arms defiantly, and asked in a voice full of astonishment:

"Why don’t we train her here? To become one of us? Isn’t that better than handing her over?"

Surichi’s expression shifted to a mix of sadness and sternness, then he said in a calm voice tinged with sorrow:

"Because she’s cursed. A curse from the clans. It’s different, Sbyam . She’s not like you."

Sbyam ’s expression froze for a moment, while Brylo looked at him with concern, before whispering in a tense tone:

"That means... she’ll die soon after her powers emerge, right?"

Surichi nodded slowly and said in a voice that seemed like he was trying to control his emotions:

"That’s why we need to transfer her powers. Time is not on her side."

Sbyam slammed his fist on the table, saying with a childlike excitement:

"So, in the end, she’s doomed to die anyway?! This is nonsense!"

Surichi looked at him steadily, saying:

"Yes, Sbyam . But if we do nothing, that destructive power will become the source of even greater destruction. We must think beyond the fate of one individual."

There was a moment of silence, but the trainer quickly resumed speaking:

"The girl is not the only target. The Rizsius Organization and the Technique Container are both after this immense power. This mission will put you up against foes who won’t hesitate to crush anything in their path."

Sbyam smiled sarcastically, saying with confidence:

"Protecting a girl? That sounds easy."

Surichi raised his hand to stop him, then said in a serious tone that cut through any jest:

"You were chosen by the clan leaders because you are the best. But don’t underestimate the opponents... This is more complicated than it seems."

Brylo looked at Sbyam , and the two exchanged a look full of challenge and excitement, then a faint smile appeared on their faces. Brylo said calmly, as if speaking to himself:

"A mission of this scale... at least it won’t be boring."

Sbyam added with a smug smile:

"Let’s see what these scumbags can do."

The two stood in sync, ready to leave.

---

On a sidewalk, Sbyam walked with relaxed steps, holding a can of soda in his hand, sipping from it every now and then. The weather was beginning to change, with thick gray clouds gathering in the sky as if signaling an approaching storm. Beside him, the voice of Brylo came through the phone’s speaker, full of seriousness as he said:

"We need to focus on this mission, Sbyam . Things aren’t that simple."

Sbyam raised the can to his lips, took a long sip, then replied coldly:

"Idiot, why us specifically? Wasn’t there anyone else?"

Inside one of the towering buildings, Brylo stood inside the elevator, arms crossed, deep in thought. He sighed as he pressed the button for the twentieth floor, while Sbyam ’s voice continued on the line indifferently:

"In the end, everything will be fine... because we’re the strongest."

When the elevator reached the desired floor, Brylo stepped out with quick strides, heading toward a specific room, while Sbyam continued with a teasing tone:

"I was looking forward to a nice vacation, but as usual, work chases me."

Brylo cut in with a stern voice:

"This is the work of a sorcerer, Sbyam . Our responsibilities don’t take a break."

Sbyam paused for a moment, sighed audibly, then said with annoyance:

"I don’t want responsibilities. I want a vacation. Time for myself, away from all this madness."

On the other end, Brylo couldn’t help but chuckle a little, but quickly returned to his insistence:

"Sbyam , there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you for a while."

Sbyam raised an eyebrow slowly and asked with curiosity:

"What is it?"

Brylo replied with a tone that held both sarcasm and annoyance:

"Sometimes... sometimes you really act like a child."

Sbyam suddenly stopped walking, clearly processing the remark. His face turned a mixture of shock and anger. He gripped the soda can tightly until it exploded, spraying liquid everywhere. He said in an irritated voice:

"A child?! Me?!"

On the other end of the line, Brylo chuckled lightly, as if enjoying getting under his friend’s skin.

Brylo reached the door to the room he was aiming for. He stood in front of it for a moment before ringing the bell. But instead of the usual sound of the bell, he heard another sound—a low, metallic, familiar noise—that caused him to freeze in place.

He whispered to himself in surprise:

"What’s this... a timer?"

Before he could finish his thought, a massive explosion erupted, filling the entire floor with light and sound.

---

Outside, Sbyam stood on the sidewalk, calmly staring at the building from which thick smoke was rising. He raised his phone to his ear and spoke in a voice devoid of concern:

"Are you okay?"

Brylo’s voice responded faintly, but reassuringly:

"Yeah... I’m still alive."

Sbyam ’s features froze for a moment as he lifted his head, staring at the building. He saw something unusual. A small child, barely seven years old, was falling from the top of the building. He felt the wind brush her face as she descended rapidly toward the ground.

Instead of panicking, Sbyam raised his phone again and said coolly:

"If this girl dies... aren’t we supposed to take responsibility?"

There was a brief silence on the other end, while Sbyam continued to watch the child as she got closer and closer to the ground.

End of the chapter.