Terrifying creatures screamed from every direction as a strange, uncanny man walked down the desolate path.
He wore a long, old fashioned black coat and a wide, heavy hat that hid most of his face his entire body wrapped in darkness.
The creatures shrieked louder the moment they recognized his silhouette, as if they somehow already knew him.
The man stopped before a massive, towering door made of shimmering void light.
The instant he stood in front of it, the door opened on its own.
He stepped inside, voice sharp and furious as he yelled at someone unseen ,
"You moron…"
---
One Month Later ( Lyanna's Training )
Nearly a month had passed, and Lyanna's progress was far beyond anything expected.
Today was the final day of her training.
Her speed had increased dramatically , now she could dodge countless types of attacks with ease.
Varen smashed one enormous boulder after another, muscles flexing as he spoke,
"Honestly, I never imagined a tiny little girl like you could learn so fast.
What you mastered in a single month without any magical power , most normal people couldn't do even with half a year of training.
Your training is complete.
You've surpassed my expectations."
He crushed another giant stone, fragments scattering everywhere, then gestured for Lyanna to continue.
Lyanna sighed softly and sat on a nearby rock, watching him.
They trained inside a vast, open area surrounded by massive stones silent, cold, and endless.
She thought to herself:
"I am Lyanna. The truth is… even I don't know how, but after that night, I've been able to use mystic like power.
I've kept it hidden from everyone.
During training, whenever Master Varen got busy with his work, I secretly used my power to increase my speed.
He never suspected a thing."
Lyanna glanced at Varen again.
"Honestly… Master Varen is simple hearted.
He looks frightening, but inside he's completely different."
Then her thoughts darkened.
"…But… this entire month, I haven't seen Vaelith or Rosielle.
Master said Vaelith had gone back to his palace for a few days, and Rosielle was probably busy with her own tasks.
But if they had been here… would they have noticed?"
Lyanna stood, bowed slightly, and said softly:
"Master… thank you for giving me such good training."
Varen froze mid motion for a moment, pretending not to hear her, then continued breaking stones as if nothing happened.
Lyanna smiled faintly, understanding his reaction, and turned to leave.
But when she looked ahead
Her breath stopped.
Her eyes widened with relief… joy… and something strangely warm.
Vaelith.
Lyanna whispered, "Vaelith…"
He had finally returned from his visit to the palace.
He wore new royal clothing deep green mixed with gold and black long, elegant, and regal.
His hair had grown slightly longer, making him look even more handsome, striking enough to steal attention effortlessly.
But he had not come empty handed.
Lyanna noticed the sword in his hand.
A memory surged into her mind
That sword.
The night their hall was attacked.
Her classmates dying.
Those vicious, monstrous crows closing in on her.
Accepting death with her eyes shut…
Until this sword appeared before her
and saved her.
Lyanna ran straight to Vaelith and stopped in front of him, suddenly unsure what to say.
She stood still, looking up at him.
Vaelith's eyes, from the very first moment, were fixed entirely on her.
Lyanna quickly looked away, flustered.
Vaelith then turned to Varen.
"How was her training?"
Only then did Varen seem to realize Vaelith was even standing there.
"You came?
Well, yes her training is finished.
Honestly, I'm shocked she learned so much so fast.
A normal person could never .."
But Varen paused when he noticed Vaelith was still staring only at Lyanna.
Vaelith stepped forward and gently placed the sword in Lyanna's hands.
"Take it.
You'll need it."
He added quietly:
"I used a little of my power to make it lighter.
You can swing it at high speed now.
Someday, you'll need it…
So from today on, this sword belongs to you."
Varen and Lyanna both stared at him in shock.
Varen growled,
"Are you an idiot?
How can you give such a sword to someone else?
Do you trust her that much?
What if she breaks it out of stupidity?"
Vaelith shot Varen a terrifying glare, enough to silence him instantly.
Lyanna whispered ,
"Thank you… for trusting me."
She smiled gently sweet, sincere, and warm and said,
"I'll give my best…
But I have one question."
Vaelith raised an eyebrow.
Lyanna continued,
"This sword… what is it, really?
I mean, I can't use it like you do.
You said you infused magic power into it… but how?
How do people with magic use it?
And "
Before she could finish, Vaelith grabbed her hand and pulled her toward a quiet, isolated place.
"Vaelith…?" she gasped softly.
He said quickly,
"Don't be afraid.
The question you asked… it's related to my power .
And I don't just talk about my power openly."
Lyanna stared at him, confused.
Vaelith chuckled lightly.
"am I too handsome ?
Is that why you're staring at me like that?
Do I need to put my mask back on?"
Flustered, Lyanna turned her face away.
Vaelith's voice grew deeper.
"I gave you the sword because you'll need it someday.
You don't have power or magic whatever...
If trouble comes, the sword might be all you have.
And you wanted to know how magical power is used with a weapon, right?
Listen carefully.
Everyone in this realm has a unique magic power.
Mine is lightning.
You probably knew that."
He held up the sword.
"Swords like this are rare.
Lightning requires a special form so I use this weapon.
Normally, it's extremely heavy… you wouldn't be able to lift it.
That's why I used my magic to make it lighter."
He paused, then added:
"And those with magic can reshape their weapon make it smaller, compact, or change its form entirely.
To do that, they sit alone, close their eyes, hold their weapon… and focus on their power.
If their magic responds, it flows into the weapon on its own.
Sometimes… it transforms into something terrifying
a new evolution of power."
Vaelith looked at Lyanna again.
"I brought you here to tell you this because I can't say these things in front of someone who has power.
You're not from this realm…
And since you have no magic, I could tell you safely."
Those final words hit Lyanna like a blade through her chest.
She whispered,
"If I did have power… then…"
Vaelith cut her off sharply.
"If you had power?
Then you'd be one of us ."
Lyanna's mind spun wildly.
If Vaelith ever discovered her secret…
Would he stop helping her?
Would he see her as a threat?
No.
She didn't want that.
Not at all
---
Elsewhere....
In an unknown place surrounded by tall, emerald green trees, a woman stood quietly.
Her long, straight green hair shimmered softly, and her bright, water-like green eyes glowed with a delicate, sharp beauty.
She wore a smooth, light-green flowing dress that moved like mist around her.
"....Why is it here?" she whispered.
She turned around suddenly, seeing something behind her
........