Chapter 1

In the Country of Arcadia

In the heart of the grand capital of Arcadia, the towering royal palace stood with its pristine white walls and golden embellishments, reflecting the sunlight like tongues of fire dancing in the air. The royal rooftop bore an atmosphere of tense anticipation. Inside, five elders gathered in an opulent chamber, where every detail exuded magnificence and refinement.

Seated around a polished wooden table, crafted with meticulous artistry, they wore black suits that embodied their dignity and authority. Silence weighed heavily in the room, their sharp eyes exchanging glances, while tension clung to the air like an inescapable shadow.

The silence was broken by the voice of Elder Arkadius, firm yet laced with unease:

"The Raipozi Clan has been destroyed!"

Magnus responded, shaking his head slowly, as if carefully choosing his words:

"Yes... the clan has been completely eradicated, and the one responsible is the sorcerer Moryo Raiso."

A brief silence followed before Leonardo spoke, his voice as sharp as a blade:

"We must protect 'Obliteration.' We have to seize it from the Mana Organization, for if it falls into the hands of the sorcerers, our end will be just a matter of time. We must act before they do!"

Arkadius asked sternly:

"Has there been any response from Raizo?"

Xavier answered, his voice calm yet decisive:

"Nothing so far, but the plan is proceeding as expected."

Resting his hand on the table, Kaiser added:

"In the end, he allied with two individuals in the country of Kaisima… Brylo and Spailo, correct?"

Arkadius nodded in agreement but added coldly:

"That's correct, but we won’t rely on them for long. We will entrust the task to Raizo and Golobet to retrieve the technique… and to obliterate Kaisima."

The elders exchanged unwavering glances as sunlight streamed through the ornate windows of the royal chamber, as if reminding them of the weight of their decisions.

---

In the Country of Kaisima

Snow fell gently, covering the ground in a pristine white blanket, while the dense trees were adorned with a layer of ice that reflected the frigid atmosphere. In the heart of this majestic forest stood a modest house, from which the cheerful laughter of children pierced the silence of nature.

Inside, Kaso sat on her bed. She was an eighteen-year-old girl with long, flowing hair cascading over her shoulders. Beside her was Yamato, a young child whose innocent giggles filled the room. Kaso laughed warmly as she spoke:

"I want to hear more about your life!"

Yamato smiled, but then paused for a moment, wiping away a tear that had slipped from her eye due to laughter. Kaso, still smiling gently, asked:

"And about Veb... when he took you from the Raimo Clan, you never told me much about him."

Yamato lifted her gaze to Kaso, her voice soft, tinged with nostalgia:

"My brother, Veb? … He raised me. He lost his family in a car accident."

Kaso frowned in curiosity:

"Veb? Is he part of your family?"

Yamato replied innocently:

"No, I was from the Raimo Clan, but he took me and ran away with me. His family saved me, but that day... there was an accident. He and I were the only ones who survived."

Kaso furrowed her brows, trying to piece the story together before asking:

"So, you and Veb aren’t actually related?"

Yamato nodded:

"Yes, that’s right."

Kaso turned her gaze toward the window, watching the snowflakes descend in silence. She pondered for a moment before looking back at Yamato with excitement:

"Yamato…?"

Yamato lifted her head curiously:

"What?"

Kaso grinned:

"What do you say we go outside and play?"

Yamato’s eyes sparkled with childlike joy:

"Really?!"

Kaso laughed, her enthusiasm unwavering:

"Yes! Let’s go!"

But the glow in Yamato’s eyes quickly dimmed, and she responded in a small, sad voice:

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"But… Suero won’t allow it."

Kaso stared at her in surprise. Yamato remained silent for a moment, her eyes fixed on the floor. Kaso sighed before speaking in an encouraging tone:

"Don’t worry! Let’s just go."

Yamato whispered fearfully:

"But… Suero will be mad at me."

Kaso fell silent for a moment before confidently saying:

"Yamato, Suero won’t know anything. I promise!"

Yamato lifted her head, searching Kaso’s warm expression.

"Really?" she whispered.

Kaso smiled and nodded:

"Yes, really. No one will know."

Yamato hesitated, but then took Kaso’s hand. Their eyes met, filled with determination and excitement, before they turned toward the door, ready to step into the snowy adventure awaiting them.

—

In the Living Room

The fireplace crackled in the corner of the room, its warmth a stark contrast to the cold air seeping in from outside. Sitting on wooden chairs, Father Rashid and his son Suero, now eighteen, sipped their tea in silence, steam curling from their cups.

Breaking the quiet, Father Rashid spoke in a calm yet probing voice:

"Suero...?"

Suero lifted his head, his gaze meeting his father’s with quiet curiosity. Taking a slow sip of his tea, Rashid continued:

"What made the Mana Organization place an execution order on you?"

Suero took a small sip before setting his cup down gently. His voice remained steady as he answered:

"Because of what happened in Ronda. But now, I’m staying out of their sight."

Father Rashid studied his son for a brief moment, as if weighing his next words:

"They abandoned you all so easily… what a disgrace on their part."

Suero’s response was just as cold:

"To them, we’re just tools. If we fail to complete a mission, they simply replace us with other sorcerers."

In the background, the door to Kaso’s room creaked open ever so slightly. She and Yamato moved with utmost caution, determined not to make a sound. Kaso whispered, her eyes scanning the room:

"We’ll sneak out quietly before Suero notices."

Yamato nodded hesitantly, a hint of fear in her expression, but she followed Kaso’s careful steps. They moved slowly, their eyes fixed on Suero and Rashid, who seemed absorbed in their tea.

But just as they were about to step outside, Suero’s calm voice cut through the silence:

"Kaso… where are you taking Yamato?"

Kaso froze in place, as if struck by lightning. Yamato clutched her hand tightly in fear. Suero turned his head slowly, standing from his chair, his gaze piercingly cold. His tone sharpened as he continued:

"Didn’t I tell you that you’re not allowed to leave without my permission?"

Kaso took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay composed. But when she spoke, her voice carried a restrained anger:

"Suero, why are you controlling the child’s life like this?"

Suero stepped closer, his voice rising in frustration:

"Don’t answer my question with another question! Answer me—where were you two going?"

Kaso, refusing to be intimidated, retorted defiantly:

"I don’t have to answer to you!"

With a sudden movement, Suero struck the wall behind her with his fist, the impact echoing loudly through the room. The sheer force of it sent a cold chill through the air. His eyes burned with intensity, but Kaso struggled to keep her fear in check.

At that moment, Yamato burst into tears and ran back into the room, slamming the door shut behind her.

Kaso turned to Suero, fury in her eyes:

"Well done, Suero! You made her cry!"

Suero remained silent, his expression unreadable. Kaso shook her head in exasperation:

"Are you going to take away her freedom too? If that’s your plan… why did you bring her here in the first place?"

With that, she turned away and followed Yamato into the room, leaving Suero standing there, staring at the wall with clenched fists.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled sharply, forcing himself to regain his composure.

His gaze shifted to his father, who had been silently observing the entire exchange. Without another word, Suero grabbed his heavy coat, walked to the door, and stepped outside into the cold, shutting it behind him.

---

Inside the Room

Young Yamato was crying bitterly, her tears streaming down her face like rain as she hugged herself on the small bed. Her body trembled, not from the biting cold of the weather, but from the harsh words Suero had spoken.

Kaso entered the room with slow, hesitant steps, her gaze filled with sorrow as she looked at Yamato. She sat beside her on the bed and spoke gently:

"Yamato...?"

But Yamato didn’t respond. She continued to cry, covering her face with her small hands. Kaso watched her in silence for a moment before speaking again in a reassuring tone:

"You know, don’t you? Suero didn’t do that because he hates you... but because he’s afraid for you."

Yet, the crying didn’t stop, as if Kaso’s words had failed to reach the little girl’s heart. With a deep sigh, Kaso's thoughts swirled inside her mind:

"What have you done, Suero?! Why are you so stubborn?!"

In the background, Yamato’s sobs blended with the continuous sound of snow falling over the country of Kaisima, creating an atmosphere thick with sorrow and coldness.

---

Outside

Suero walked quietly through the forest, his steps leaving deep prints in the white snow that covered the ground. The snowfall around him gave off a false sense of peace, while his thoughts raged inside him.

In his mind, the last words of Veb echoed before his death:

"Suero... please, take care of 'Yamato.' Keep her away from the clan... And don’t forget... Fulfill your dream! You must become the strongest sorcerer!"

Suero clenched his teeth in silence, scolding himself inwardly:

"I’m sorry, Yamato... but you’re my responsibility. I must protect you, no matter the cost."

His eyes remained fixed on the icy ground beneath his feet, as if the snow bore the weight of all the thoughts storming through his mind. After walking a considerable distance, he arrived at the streets of Misuya City.

He paused for a moment at the city’s edge, gazing at the towering buildings covered in snow and the people walking through its roads, surrounded by the sounds of cars and the city’s bustle. The sight was familiar, but memories of the past flooded his mind violently:

"Here, more than a year ago, Spailo destroyed this city and killed countless people. I can never forget that… My mother died here, too."

The memories weighed heavily on his heart, but he continued walking through the streets of Misuya. His steps remained steady among the crowds, his eyes observing everything in silence. The city was full of life, yet its noise failed to lighten the burden of the memories he carried.

---

Deep Within a Distant Forest in Kaisima

Amidst the dense snow and intertwining trees stood a massive stone castle, towering in the heart of the forest. The scene exuded an air of majesty and mystery.

Inside the castle, Raizo sat on a grand chair, one leg crossed over the other, a wide smile filled with both malice and deep scheming stretching across his face. On the other side of the hall, Spailo, now twenty-one years old, stood gazing out of the large window toward the forest. His eyes were devoid of emotion, yet they carried a strange gleam that hinted at both power and hidden cruelty.

Raizo broke the silence with undisguised excitement, saying:

"Are you ready?"

Spailo turned his head slowly toward Raizo, their eyes meeting. A calm yet meaningful smile formed on his lips as he replied:

"I think… the time has come."

Raizo rose from his chair, his devilish smile never wavering. With a voice brimming with enthusiasm, he declared:

"Alright, then! Our next target is the Mana Organization… We will seize 'Obliteration.' After that, you will activate the technique and merge it with the Unlimited Realm. The result? The complete annihilation of Kaisima."

A short chuckle escaped Spailo, but his smile remained as he responded:

"Sounds simple enough."

Raizo raised an amused eyebrow, his voice laced with wicked amusement:

"The World Sages have always wanted to protect the world from Kaisima."

Spailo looked at him with an expression that mixed mockery and indifference, saying:

"Sbyam Brius has been contained… and the leaders of the Sorcerers’ Organization have all been expelled. It seems the path is completely clear now."

But Raizo’s tone suddenly shifted, becoming more serious as he stated:

"That’s true, but there’s one more thing… Moryo Raiso. I heard he wiped out the entire Raipozi Clan."

Spailo’s smile faded for a brief moment, but he quickly let out a sarcastic laugh, muttering with amusement:

"Really? Moryo? That little brat? How interesting."

But Raizo didn’t laugh. Instead, his voice grew sharper as he warned:

"Don’t underestimate him, Spailo. Sbyam may have been contained, but Moryo Raiso… he could become a real threat if we don’t deal with him."

Spailo sat back down on his chair, still smiling coldly as he responded:

"A threat? Don’t exaggerate, Raizo. Moryo is not my equal."

Raizo slowly shook his head and said:

"Perhaps. But we won’t leave anything to chance. Let’s head to the Mana Organization and have Golobet provide us with that power. After that, there will be nothing left in Kaisima but ruins."

Spailo interrupted, his voice cold but carrying a subtle curiosity:

"But that power… can Sbyam stop it?"

Raizo let out a short, crazed laugh, then placed a hand on his head as if savoring the question. His eyes gleamed with madness as he replied:

"Sbyam Brius? The one from the royal bloodline? Oh, dear Spailo, if that power is activated, no one will be able to stand against it. Not Sbyam Brius… not anyone else!"

Raizo raised his hand in an exaggerated motion, as if announcing the end of the world, and declared with a manic grin:

"No one! No one can stand against it!"

Spailo watched his dramatic gesture in silence, but his smile remained unchanged. He felt a thrill, a hunger for the destruction to come. To him, this wasn’t just a plan—it was an anticipated pleasure.

The scene inside the castle was charged with a mix of excitement, madness, and calculated coldness. In that moment, it seemed that Kaisima’s fate was already being decided within the shadows of that dark fortress.

End of Chapter.