Summoning ended. Instructor Haku sprang into action, rushing forward to catch Noah as he fell from above. The other instructors gazed up at the summoned being. He appeared more human than a demon. His black hair glimmered in the soft moonlight. Massive ebony wings stretched out behind him, cutting through the air. His golden eyes held a depth that seemed to pierce through the darkness, framed by long lashes. And from his brow, two horns emerged.

As the tension crackled in the air, the demon gaze swept over the instructors, his voice dripping with exasperation. "Why did that fool summon me?"

All of the instructors started preparing magic spells to attack.

But Headmaster Gabriel Hawthorne appeared in front of them. With a commanding voice, he said, "Everyone, hold your ground. Allow me to handle this." Turning to the demon, he addressed him by a name long forgotten by many. "It has been a long time, DG M********ar."

As DG gazed at the headmaster, "How about we take this elsewhere?" suggested Gabriel, his voice low and measured. DG nodded silently, allowing Gabriel to take the lead.

As they walked past the field, DG's eyes landed on Ahsinav.

He smiled as he looked at Ahsinav. "It isn't that bad to be back, I guess," DG said, his voice tingled with happiness. Gabriel observed DG's expression. "It's been too long since I've seen that smile," Gabriel remarked warmly.

"I suppose it has, Gabriel, or should I say, teacher?" DG joked with a playful glint in his eyes. "Of course, you should call me teacher. What else would you call me then?" Gabriel replied with a laugh, wrapping an arm around DG's shoulder. Together, they continued their walk toward the office.

Meanwhile, Instructor Lina took Noah to the Magical Infirmary for healing. As for the other students, they were escorted to the Second-Year Dormitory by the Instructors.

Meanwhile, Headmaster Gabriel and DG engaged in earnest conversation in the office.

"How were you summoned here?" Gabriel asked.

DG met Gabriel's gaze, "He was one of my minions," DG replied. "He can summon demons but sacrificed his life to summon me."

"What? why did he attack us then?" asked Gabriel.

"Ahh, I also don't know about that. I couldn't control him maybe he was being controlled by s***n." DG replied with a serious face.

"What are you planning to do now?" Gabriel asked.

"I'm thinking of becoming the Demon King," DG responded, his tone weighted with determination.

"Demon King?" Gabriel replied in surprise, his eyes widening with disbelief.

"Yeah, I couldn't find another way to find that frozen piece," DG said, his voice steady.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

"Are you serious about this?" Gabriel's tone shifted.

"Yes," DG replied unwaveringly.

Gabriel breaks the tension with a gentle smile. "Enough serious talk for now. How about we grab a drink?" he suggested. DG's smile, "Sounds good," he agreed.

Leaving the office behind, passing through the bustling streets of the city. As they entered the dimly lit ambiance of the bar, DG couldn't help but remark, "This place hasn't changed much, huh?"

Gabriel nodded in agreement, a nostalgic smile playing at the corners of his lips. "No, it hasn't," he acknowledged memories of the past flooding back.

As they shared a drink and recalled past days, time seemed to slip away unnoticed. After the drink, as they prepared to part ways, DG looked at Gabriel with a benign expression. "Teacher, you must take care of yourself," he urged.

With a nod of understanding, Gabriel watched. As DG spread his majestic black wings. In the blink of an eye, DG vanished into the full moonlight.

"Go get them, DG. You can do it," Headmaster Gabriel whispered in the empty streets, his words echoing with a mixture of encouragement and belief in DG's abilities.

As dawn broke over the academy, workers started repairing the damage inflicted upon the academy. News of the previous night's events spread like wildfire among the students. Rumors circulated about the attack on the first-year dormitory.

Ahsinav, Ivan, and Angelica went to the Magical Infirmary to visit Noah, their footsteps echoing softly against the tiled floor. As they entered Noah's room, they found him sleeping. Respectful of his apparent rest, they exchanged silent glances and decided not to disturb him.

They quietly exited the room, leaving Noah to rest. But after some time, Ankeet entered Noah's room.

As he entered Noah's room, he saw Noah pretending to sleep as he took the sit near him. " Don't try to fool me. I know that you are awake." He said. Ankeet's words hung in the air.

As Noah slowly opened his eyes, meeting Ankeet's gaze. "I thought I could fool you," Noah finally confessed with a faint smile.

"How could you accept his offer?" Ankeet's question, his voice tinged with frustration. "Didn't you realize the consequences? Your recklessness could have cost you or someone dear to you their life."

Noah's emotions surged to the surface, his anguish bubbling over. Noah's eyes flashed with emotion as he struggled to contain his feelings. "How can you possibly understand?" he shouted, his voice trembling with pain. "No matter how hard I trained, no matter how much I tried, I could never come close to you two and my brother. How could you possibly understand me?"

Tears streamed down Noah's cheeks, "I've tried and tried, but nothing ever works out for me," he cried, his voice choked with sorrow. "It's like the gods above have cursed me. You who have always walked your whole life in the light can never understand me, who has been left in the shadows." "Can you understand, huh?"

Noah's flashbacks:

Noah's mind was a whirlwind of painful memories, each one cutting deeper than the last.

"Why do you always make trouble?" "Why can't you just be like your brother?" "Weren't you blessed with three elemental powers? Why are you so weak?" [The harsh words of his family]

"I wish I never gave birth to you," [Noah's mother]

Even the servants couldn't hide their hate, their whispers of disgust slicing through Noah's fragile sense of self-worth. "Isn't that the useless youngest son?" they had murmured. "Wasn't he able to control three elements? How can't he even aim at the target?"

The memories of his father's disappointment, "I think he doesn't have the talent for magic," [curle word from his teacher]

Gifted with magic at the early age of nine. Noah struggled to harness the power expected of him. His family always expected him to walk in his brother's footsteps.

"I don't know what has happened to you in the past, nor can I understand your pain," Ankeet began, "But complaining about the past wouldn't do anything. It won't change your past nor the future."

"What you do from here on out, how you choose to navigate the road ahead, that's entirely up to you," Ankeet continued, his gaze unwavering. "Look I said what I wanted to. But ultimately, the decision is up to you."

As Ankeet left the room, Noah's tears fell freely. "It's not fair," he whispered, his voice choked with anguish. "Why does it have to be so difficult?"

"What should I do?" Noah cried out, his voice trembling with desperation.

"I'm lost, I don't know where to turn."

The academy gave Holidays to first-year students, due to the dormitory still undergoing repairs. Every first-year student started getting ready to leave the academy.