Location - Laconis City College
The classroom buzzed with the usual chatter—laughter, footsteps, and the shuffling of books created a lively morning atmosphere. Amidst the noise, Azad sat at his desk, lost in thought. His brow was furrowed, fingers drumming nervously on the table.
"Is Masafu alright...? I hope the Red Dragon Guild reached there before he did..."
The worry gnawed at him, forming an unsettling loop of intrusive thoughts he couldn't shake off.
Across the room, Hinata laughed softly with her friends, her face glowing with cheer. But her smile faded the moment her eyes caught Azad's distant, troubled expression. Concern crept into her features. "What's wrong with him...? Is he worrying about Masafu?"
Suddenly, the classroom door creaked open, drawing everyone's attention. A tall man with a cheerful demeanor stepped inside, his smile warm and genuine.
"Good morning, students."
At once, the room fell into silence. The students scrambled to their feet, responding in chorus,
"Good morning, sir."
There was a ripple of confusion among them—whispers exchanged, eyebrows raised. None of them recognized the new face.
The man chuckled gently. "Please, take your seats."
As the class settled back down, Hinata leaned toward her friend and whispered, "Who is he? I don't think I've seen him before."
Her friend replied, just as quietly, "He's one of the three new professors our college brought in this year."
With a nod, the professor introduced himself, his tone both commanding and kind.
"Welcome to your second year of college, everyone. I'm Mitchell Conor—your new professor. I'll be teaching you the fundamentals and historical concepts of Aki energy."
A flicker of curiosity stirred in the room.
Professor Mitchell grinned. "So tell me—do any of you already know what Aki energy is?"
One student stood up confidently. "Sir, it's the energy source that fuels sorcerers' magical powers and enhances their physical abilities."
The professor snapped his fingers playfully. "Give this young man a round of applause!"
The class clapped enthusiastically, some smiling, others impressed.
"And what's your name, boy?" the professor asked, turning his full attention to him.
"Harry Brook, sir."
Professor Mitchell's smile remained as warm as ever as he continued, hands clasped behind his back.
"So, class—can anyone tell me where this Aki energy is generated inside our bodies?"
A hush fell over the room. The once-buzzing classroom now sat in complete silence. No one raised a hand. No one even whispered.
Mitchell chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth lifting.
"Looks like I stumped you all already," he said, walking toward the whiteboard. "No worries—I'll explain it myself."
He picked up a marker and, with a few confident strokes, began sketching a simplified outline of a human body.
"This," he said, tapping the figure, "is the human body. And while it may look ordinary, but... Something extraordinary happens within it. Unlike regular cells, Aki energy is generated throughout our... Bloodstream."
The students leaned forward, some resting their arms on their desks, others on the edge of their seats.
"In a normal human, the blood contains only red and white blood cells. But something changed around a thousand years ago... A sudden, mysterious evolutionary shift altered the genetic code of certain humans. That was the moment Aki energy was born."
Azad's eyes sharpened with focus. The name Aki energy always rang deeper for him—too personal, too mysterious.
Professor Mitchell continued, "Those who carry the mutated gene gained an entirely new kind of blood cell, we called it—Meta Blood Cells. These cells act like internal power cores, carrying vast reserves of magical energy."
Gasps and murmurs rippled across the classroom. Even Hinata's eyes widened in astonishment.
"Now," he said, pacing slowly, "not every human has these Meta Blood Cells. Only those who possess at least 90% of their ancestors' who carried Aki energy are able to awaken Aki energy in their body. That's why it's so rare."
A student in the middle row raised his hand, then spoke up, "Sir, how did humans evolve so suddenly into such powerful beings?"
Mitchell paused and smiled, pleased by the curiosity.
"Excellent question."
He turned back to the class. "Roughly a thousand years ago, during the famous Great Demon War that nearly destroyed our world—our homeland Yathra—five unknown elder sorcerers appeared out of nowhere. At that time, no human had Aki energy."
He let the weight of that fact settle over the room.
"It was they who gifted Aki energy to humanity. They taught us how to use it—how to fight, how to protect, how to grow. They led humans to the victory against demons before thousand years."
The boy who asked nodded slowly, wide-eyed.
"We'll dive deeper into that history in future lessons," Mitchell said, placing the marker down. "There's much more to learn—myths, mysteries, truths. But for now, let's keep our focus on the basics."
The class nodded in sync, their expressions a mix of awe and curiosity.
Professor Mitchell clasped his hands together and leaned slightly against the desk, his smile as casual as ever.
"Now tell me, students... Do you know how sorcerers attain their elemental powers—or even recognize which element they belong to?"
The students glanced at one another, unsure. Then, confidently, Harry Brook rose from his seat.
"Sir," he began, "by focusing our minds and rapidly channeling Aki energy into our palm, it triggers a reaction. An element appears. If we see fire in our palm, our elemental power is fire. Whatever element we see—that's our natural affinity."
A few murmurs of agreement echoed around the classroom.
Mitchell nodded, clearly impressed. "Once again, a round of applause for Harry Brook."
The class clapped heartily, some students whistling, others slapping his back playfully.
As the clapping faded, Professor Mitchell walked to the center of the room.
"Harry is absolutely right. But there's more."
He raised a finger, his tone thoughtful.
"Most sorcerers are born with only one elemental affinity. Fire, water, earth, lightning, wind, and so on. But—" he paused, his eyes narrowing slightly, "a rare few are born with the ability to wield two or more elements. And in even rarer cases... some can control three or more."
Gasps and surprised murmurs filled the air. Students leaned forward again, caught between awe and curiosity.
Mitchell's voice softened, almost reverent.
"Aki energy is a wondrous thing, isn't it?"
Then suddenly, his expression shifted.
His smile faded.
And his voice—once calm and warm—took on a dark, chilling tone.
"But..."
He paused. His eyes slowly swept across the silent room.
"...at the same time—it's terrifying."
A cold silence fell like a blanket over the classroom. The tension was so thick you could almost hear hearts beating faster.
Mitchell stood still, letting the weight of his words settle in the room. For a long moment, no one dared to speak.
Then, just as suddenly, he snapped back to his friendly demeanor. His warm smile returned, his tone light and inviting again.
"Alright," he said cheerfully, clapping his hands once. "Let's dive back into the lesson, shall we?"
The class let out a collective breath—some chuckled nervously, others simply stared at the professor, unsure of what they just witnessed.
Just then, the classroom door creaked open.
All heads turned.
There, standing in the doorway, was Masafu—his hair slightly ruffled, breath uneven from rushing, a bit of guilt on his face.
"Sir, may I come in?" he asked, voice calm but respectful.
Professor Mitchell turned, his expression shifting from warmth to mild disapproval, though still composed.
"First day of college," he said, folding his arms. "And you're late already."
A pause.
"But... I'll let it slide today. Just this once. Don't make it a habit, understood?"
Masafu nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."
"Good," Mitchell said with a faint smirk. "Then come in."
Masafu entered and made his way toward an empty seat near Azad.
As Masafu slinked into the chair next to Azad, Azad leaned in. "Masafu... What happened?"
Masafu sighed, recounting an incident with demons that had left him shaken and defeated. His voice quivered as he spoke of his failure to protect innocents.
Azad placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't be frustrated about it," he said softly. "You'll get another chance to prove yourself."
Yet, as the class resumed, Azad's thoughts drifted. "Why don't I have Aki powers?" The question gnawed at him. He wanted-no, needed-the strength to stand against the demons that plagued their world. His heart ached with the weight of his perceived inadequacy. Then Azad gets back to his house with a deep thought about acquiring the Aki energy.
---
Later that evening, Azad sat at his desk, the room quiet except for the soft hum of the ceiling fan. His gaze lingered on the laminated photo of his parents. A faint, fragile smile tugged at his lips as he reached out and brushed his thumb over their faces, as if he could feel their warmth through the plastic.
"Mom… Dad…" His voice came out low and rough. "I want to avenge you. I want to make those demons pay." His hand tightened around the frame. "But I'm useless. I can't do anything. I just wander around while your deaths mean nothing."
The words scraped out of him, heavy with shame. His shoulders sank, and he bowed his head over the photo. "I'm just a pathetic son, who hasn't done a single damn thing to his parents..." he whispered.
His eyes glimmer with tears. A few tears slipped free, falling onto the smooth surface of the photo and beading there, tiny, glittering drops over his parents' smiling faces.
Suddenly, a thunderous crack of lightning split the sky, followed by an ominous rumble that seemed to shake the very foundation of his home.
Azad Startled, he wiped his tears and grabbed a flashlight and ventured into the backyard. The air was thick with an otherworldly charge, and shadows danced ominously under the flickering light.
Then he heard it-a voice, deep and ethereal, reverberating through the air. "The time has come, Azad. The world needs a hero."
Azad froze, his flashlight trembling in his hand. "Who's... there?... What... What are you talking about?"
From the shadows, a blinding light erupted, and when it faded, five elderly figures clad in resplendent robes stood before him. Their presence radiated a divine authority.
"Azad," they spoke in unison, their voices echoing like a celestial chorus, "The time has come to protect humanity. The Demon Lord Agragar rises. You must stop him."
Azad stumbled back, his voice filled with disbelief. "Why me? I have no powers! Who is Agragar, and who are you people?"
"Do not dwell on questions, young one," they replied. "You were born powerless only because your destiny demanded patience. The world waited for your awakening. Time will reveal all untie the all mysterious. For now, you must accept this gift." They raised their hands, and an overwhelming energy enveloped Azad. He collapsed into darkness.
After a few seconds, In Azad's vision, five men stood before him, their presence ominous and unyielding. One voice pierced through the heavy silence, cold and threatening, "Your day isn't too far…" The entire vision bled red with violence and fear.
Suddenly, the air exploded with the terrified screams of humans, sharp and desperate. Blood spread across every surface, splattering walls and floors as fire engulfed the buildings, flames roaring hungrily, devouring all in their path.The scene shifted rapidly, alternating between piercing screams, scorching fire, and pools of crimson.
Out of the chaos, a figure lunged through the smoke—two swords raised high, aimed directly at Azad's chest with a fierce, unrelenting rage.
Then, abruptly, Azad jerked awake in his room. Sweat drenched his face, heart racing wildly as panic flooded his senses. His eyes scanned the room frantically, seeking refuge from the nightmare's grip.
Outside, the sky was clear, bright with daylight and soft shades of blue. Slowly, exhaustion settled into his bones, and he whispered to himself, "Oh… that was just a dream… What a terrifying nightmare…"
For a moment, he dismissed the encounter as a vivid dream and then he went to the bathroom and freshened up to go to college.
He walks on the street to the way of college while thinking about that incident, then suddenly a roaring sound shakes the place, "What was that sound?" Azad shocks and the group of People run towards him with fear. They are all trying to escape from that place. Azad stands with confusion, "What happened? Why are people all running?"
The ground is shaking, "THUD... THUD..." And the sound of stomping reaches Azad ears like thunder. Then the huge looming shadow covers the Azad standing place, he looks up slowly and he gets shocked. That was a demon.
The creature was a grotesque-a towering beast with razor-sharp claws and glowing red eyes. Fear rooted Azad to the spot as the demon lunged toward him. Instinctively, Azad raised his fist, and with a power he didn't know he possessed, he sent the demon hurtling through the air and that demon fell on the ground intensely.
Staring at his trembling hand, he noticed a metallic band on his right hand wrist, it's adorned with an unfamiliar button. Compelled by curiosity, he pressed it.
Then suddenly a Black and gold material flowed out like liquid, encasing his body in a sleek suit of armor. The transformation was mesmerizing-his chestplate glimmered, and his eyes were hidden behind a golden visor. On his back, two katanas crossed in a perfect "X."
Azad drew them instinctively. The air around him hissed and buzzed with raw energy.
The demon, enraged, charged at him, spewing a fiery blast from its mouth. Azad didn't flinch. With the flick of his katanas, he deflected the attack, sending a shockwave that charred the ground around them.
"This is... unbelievable," Azad muttered, adrenaline surging through his veins.
Azad dashed forward, feet skimming the ground. The demon lunged, claws swiping toward his face — but Azad ducked low, sliding under its arm. With a quick upward slash, he cut across its side, drawing a howl of pain.
He pivoted on his heel, delivering two rapid strikes — one to the demon's thigh, the other to its shoulder — before leaping back to avoid a wild counter-swing. The creature snarled, blood dripping from multiple wounds.
Azad didn't stop. He darted in again, feinting left, then slashing across the demon's ribs. With a sharp spin, he unleashed a powerful arc with both katanas, severing the creature's arm clean off. The limb hit the dirt with a thud, flames of pain dancing in the demon's scream.
Enraged, the demon blasted raw energy in retaliation. Azad vaulted upward, the heat brushing past his legs. Mid-air, he twisted and flipped, gripping his blades tight. He descended like a streak, crossing his swords in a diagonal slash across the demon's neck.
A burst of impact. The demon's head jerked, then fell. Its body crumbled into ash as Azad landed in a crouch, blades lowered, breath steady.
Azad's mind is filled with amusement, "So, that's not a weird dream or a bad dream. It's... It's real. I attained it. Yes... Yes finally I gained Aki energy."
A soft golden glow ran along the edges of his katanas, catching the light just enough to make them gleam. He took a step forward, his grip firm, and lifted his right-hand katana high into the air. His eyes held a spark—part pride, part determination.
With a confident breath, he declared,
"From now on, I will become the protector of the world."
The wind stirred gently around him, as if recognizing the weight of his words.
Azad stood victorious,the realization of his destiny dawning on him.
---
Location: Böser geist (Demon world)
Under the crimson sky of the demon world, where the ground cracked with heat and the air trembled with quiet dread, the cavernous castle stood like a monument to fear. Its walls, carved from dark stone, were etched with glowing red markings that pulsed faintly—breathing, almost alive. Molten rivers flowed nearby, casting flickering reflections across the jagged terrain.
Outside, the vast demon army had gathered—an ocean of monstrous figures kneeling in rigid silence. Their eyes turned upward, fixed on the towering stronghold before them.
Then, from deep within the castle, heavy doors creaked open—not at ground level, but high above. A wide balcony, carved into the face of the fortress, overlooked the entire army.
And there he stood.
Agragar.
From the shadows within, Agragar stepped forward.
His plum-red skin glistened faintly under the fiery sky, his long black horns curving upward with quiet menace. His muscular frame carried not just strength, but presence—calm, commanding, and absolute. The air around him grew heavier as he approached.
His steps were slow, deliberate, echoing with authority.
The demons chanted, "Hail Demon Lord! Hail Agragar, Hail our king!"
Agragar grinned wickedly. "Oh... I felt it... The power finally awakens," he mused, his deep voice dripping with malice. "I've waited for this moment. I will find that no matter what... I am coming... For... You..."
His laughter echoed through the halls, a harbinger of the cataclysm to come.
---
The stage was set. The battle between Azad and Agragar loomed on the horizon, a clash that would determine the fate of humanity.
Chapter 2 - TO BE CONTINUED....