Yohan woke to the sound of rain tapping softly against glass. His head throbbed, his body felt heavy—like he'd been crushed by the ocean.
He blinked, vision blurry. The ceiling above him wasn't familiar. White curtains, glowing runes on the walls, faint smell of herbs—the infirmary.
Someone sat beside him. Lily. Her usually sharp eyes were tired, rimmed red.
"You're awake," she whispered.
He tried to sit up, but she pushed him back gently.
"Don't move. You almost burned through your own life energy."
Yohan's mind replayed fragments—the duel, the surge of power, the cloaked figure. His throat tightened.
"What… was that?"
Lily shook her head slowly. "No one knows. The teachers sealed the courtyard. They said it was ancient magic—something older than the academy itself."
Before he could ask more, the infirmary door slid open. Headmaster Kael entered—tall, silver-haired, his robe stitched with constellations. His expression was unreadable.
"You unleashed something dangerous, Yohan," Kael said quietly. "Something that should have been impossible."
"I didn't mean to—"
Kael raised a hand. "Intent doesn't matter. The seal of the First Flame was bound centuries ago. For it to react to you means there's more to your lineage than what's written."
Yohan frowned. "The First Flame?"
Kael's gaze softened, but only slightly. "A primordial source of creation. It birthed all elemental power… and nearly destroyed the world."
Silence filled the room. Lily looked between them, confused but worried.
"So you're saying Yohan is connected to that thing?"
Kael nodded. "The mark appeared on his chest. That confirms it."
Yohan pulled at his shirt and saw faint glowing patterns beneath his skin—golden runes pulsing like a heartbeat.
He swallowed. "What happens now?"
Kael turned toward the rain-soaked window. "Now, you'll have to train. Control it… before it consumes you."
He paused at the door.
"And Yohan—if that voice calls again… don't answer it."
When Kael left, the room grew colder. Lily reached out, placing a hand over Yohan's trembling one.
"You're not alone in this," she said softly.
But deep inside, Yohan already heard the faint whisper again—low, echoing, familiar.
"You cannot hide from what you are, child of flame…"
And this time, he couldn't tell if it came from within him—or somewhere far beyond.