The Cave of Eternity trembled softly as Arin finished testing the divine powers .
Golden lightning crackled faintly around him, illuminating the cavern.
The Wizard watched silently with
relieved expression.
For the first time in thousands of years…
he had chosen correctly.
Arin turned toward him.
"Wizard… your power—your magic—it's fading."
The old man gave a tired, peaceful smile.
"You… Arin Aether… surpassed every expectation. Even in my peak, when the world trembled at the power of Shazam… I was not as compatible as you."
Arin blinked once but didn't argue ,
He simply lowered his head slightly in respect.
The Wizard's hands trembled as he leaned on his staff.
His robes started to shimmer…
then crumble into golden dust.
Pieces of his body began drifting upward like sand caught in sunlight.
"My time's up," Wizard said quietly.
This body…"
He touched his chest, cracks glowing across his skin.
"can't hold any longer."
hearing Arin's eyes look at wizard with respect but he don't fell much sad because he knew wizards real body is Trapped in the Atlas prison."
Arin exhaled—relieved.
So the Wizard wasn't really dead.
But this form…
this old avatar…
It was fading.
"And you used your final magic power," Arin murmured, "to choose a new champion."
The Wizard nodded.
"And I regret nothing."
More of his arm turned to dust, drifting upward.
Arin stepped closer.
"I will not waste your gift."
The Wizard's voice grew faint.
"I know… you will not."
He lifted what remained of his hand and placed it gently on Arin's chest—right over the glowing thunderbolt.
"You are not just my champion…
you are the world's last hope."
Arin didn't flinch, didn't step back.
He simply nodded .
"I will handle Sivana. I will face the Sins. I will not fail."
The Wizard closed his eyes, smiling peacefully .
"I believe you."
His body cracked apart completely.
The old man's final words echoed through the cave:
"Live… well…
Arin Aether…
Champion of Eternity…"
And then—
FWOOSH—
The Wizard's avatar dissolved into a cloud of shimmering light.
Golden dust drifted upward, disappearing into the cavern's vast darkness like stars returning to the sky.
Only his staff remained…
clattering gently on the stone floor.
Arin stood in silence.
For a moment—
he allowed himself to feel the weight of what happened.
The Wizard's avatar died after using his last strength to choosing him.
But the Wizard himself still imprisoned far beyond this realm.
Arin tightened his fist.
"…I'll free you someday."
Lightning flickered around him in agreement.
...
Golden lightning flashed—
FWOOOSH—
And in an instant, Arin vanished from the Cave of Eternity.
A heartbeat later, he reappeared in a deserted corridor of Philadelphia High School, the Shazam form disappeared around him like fading sparks—
CRAZZLE… SHHHH—
Dark red armor melted into regular clothing.
The mask vanished.
The thunderbolt dimmed.
And Arin Aether stood there again looking composed.
And whispers to himself "Now let's act normal."
He walked toward the cafeteria again.
Before he even reached the entrance, two familiar voices echoed loudly.
"ARIN!"
"Where did you go?!"
Gwen and MJ ran toward him—faces filled with worry.
Gwen's eyes were shiny, almost panicked.
"Arin! You leave without saying anything !" she gasped.
"We searched the entire hallway!"
MJ grabbed his wrist tightly.
"We thought something happened to you!"
Arin blinked.
A giant magical lightning bolt hit him a few minutes ago…
and these two being worried about him…
felt strangely warm.
He relaxed his expression and said calmly:
"I just went to the toilet."
Both girls stared at him.
"That long?" Gwen pouted softly.
"You scared us!" MJ huffed, hitting his shoulder lightly.
Arin shrugged.
"I drink a lot of water."
MJ narrowed her eyes.
Gwen pressed her lips together, suspicious.
But neither of them pushed further.
Instead—
Gwen gently held his sleeve again.
"Next time… tell us, okay?"
MJ grabbed the other sleeve.
"Yeah. Don't walk off like that."
Arin smiled faintly but nodded.
"Alright."
The tension melted immediately.
....
Inside cafeteria everyone felt something different about Arin.
Billy Batson kept glancing at him suspiciously because he suddenly has feeling that he lost some things important.
Mary felt that Arin become even more attractive to him
And now—
All of them paused, staring subconsciously at Arin as he walked in.
Freddy whispered:
"…Why do I feel like he became even more handsome?"
Billy frowned and said " Freddy are you a gay "
Hearing this freedy shouted " What the fuck you are saying about, I was just saying"
Mary also narrowed her eyes.
"But he feels… different and handsome."
Darla pointed at Arin dramatically.
"He looks COOLER today!!"
Gwen and MJ didn't notice the Shazam Sibiling staring , they were too busy clinging to Arin's sides like worried girlfriends.
Arin noticed though but don't say anything and act normal like nothing happens.
MJ crossed her arms but leaned closer.
"You better not disappear again."
Gwen nodded, eyes soft but firm.
"We care, Arin…"
Arin looked at them gently.
"I know."
Both girls blushed at the same time.
The Shazam siblings watched the scene unfold with wide, stunned eyes.
Freddy whispered:
"…Did he just charm TWO girls at once?"
Billy muttered:
"This guy is dangerous."
Mary sighed.
"He's is really a womanizer…"
Darla giggled.
"He's is looking good though!"
Soon he come to table and sat down, girls on either side, the Shazam siblings watching him.
Arin exhaled lightly.