The cold night air bit into Kayn’s skin like icy teeth, sending shivers snaking down his spine. He sneezed, bringing a hand to his nose and hugging himself in a futile attempt to retain warmth. His parents had yet to return, though he wasn’t sure how long he had been sitting there, waiting. He could have said goodbye to his friends like everyone else, but he knew that seeing him would only make them uncomfortable.

A gust of freezing wind struck him, making him shiver once again. He felt the cold seep through his clothes, chilling him to the bone.

"If I had known I’d be waiting this long, I would’ve worn a warmer jacket," he muttered, hugging himself tighter in a vain effort to keep warm.

The distant sound of wheels creaked in the silence. Nearby, a few families walked toward the village entrance. Children chattered excitedly while parents offered last-minute advice.

"Seems like the carts haven’t left yet. They’re taking their time…" Kayn thought, watching the figures fade into the distance. The sound of wheels gradually died down, leaving him once more enveloped in silence.

Another gust of wind chilled his face, forcing out another sneeze that echoed through the still night. Tired of waiting, he slowly stood up, brushing off the dust and leaves that had gathered on his pants. He glanced down the path one last time, hesitating. Staying there felt endless, so despite his initial decision, he opted to head toward where the other students were gathering. His house was close; it would only take a few minutes.

There, he found his classmates, all waiting to board the carts that would take them to the academy. Before anyone could notice him, he hid among some bushes, parting a few leaves to get a better view.

Alongside them was Rolland, seated atop one of the five carts. The students loaded their belongings into the vehicles while others chatted with their families. Some embraced tightly; others shed silent tears. It was only natural—they wouldn’t see each other again until the holidays.

Kayn felt a pang of resentment. He should have been there with them, not hiding in the bushes like a thief. He watched as Galen and Thalia spoke with Burst before the latter boarded the cart. With them were also Pong and Gork, who seemed to have forged a strong mentor-student bond in such a short time.

From his hiding spot, Kayn managed to catch snippets of their conversation. Thalia approached Burst and enveloped him in a warm hug.

“Take good care of yourself, Leo. Promise us you’ll write, and if you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out.”

“Thank you, Thalia,” he replied with a smile, trying to maintain his composure. Burst didn’t like showing his emotions.

“You’d better train hard,” Galen added with a grin. “The Academy of Binders is no joke.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll work to be the best,” Burst said, casting a glance at his guardian. “Right, Gork?”

The little bear let out a soft growl and climbed up Burst’s back to perch on his shoulder. Thalia turned to Galen, intertwining her arm with his as they watched the young man.

“Are you sure you don’t want us to lend you money for tuition? We don’t mind at all. It’s quite expensive...”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t accept it,” Burst said firmly, meeting their eyes. “That’s the money you saved for Kayn’s tuition.”

Burst’s words made Galen and Thalia feel a twinge of guilt. They, too, wished their son could be there. Sensing the tension in the air, Burst raised his voice.

“Don’t worry about him. Kayn isn’t the kind to give up easily. Save that money for him. I’m sure he’ll need it when he ventures into the dungeon. I trust he’ll conquer it.”

Galen smiled at this, but Thalia frowned and turned to her husband, her smile masking her anger.

“Dear, what did Leo just say about Kayn going to a dungeon?”

Thalia tightened her grip on Galen’s arm, and a bead of sweat trickled down his forehead. He still hadn’t told her. His plan was to wait a little longer.

“We’ll talk about that later…” he murmured, feeling his wife’s icy glare.

Even though it hurt Kayn not to be able to attend, he was happy his friend could fulfill his dream. Still, he wouldn’t give up. He would train hard, form a bond with one of the Sacred Guardians, and then join him.

Before they departed, Rolland took a headcount to ensure all the students were present. His gaze swept over the group, pausing briefly on each face. Once he was satisfied, he raised his voice.

“All right, we’re all here. Board the carts.”

Upon hearing this, Burst turned back to Galen and Thalia.

“Looks like I have to go,” he said, grabbing his suitcase and adjusting his backpack straps.

“Take care of yourself,” Thalia said, tears welling in her eyes.

“Remember what I told you about Professor Nitius,” Galen added. “Don’t you dare look him in the eyes. Trust me, it won’t end well.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Burst replied, walking away. Before leaving, he turned back one last time. “One more thing. Tell Kayn he’d better not keep me waiting.”

The young students began bidding farewell to their families. Kayn watched the scene with a mix of nostalgia and sadness—parents hugging their children, siblings parting with affectionate gestures. He wanted to be there, but he knew it wasn’t possible.

The carts began to move, pulled by sturdy Terracones whose steady steps echoed in the stillness. Slowly, the vehicles disappeared into the distance, some students leaning out of the windows to wave goodbye.

At that moment, Kayn’s gaze fell on Lyra, who stood out like a star in the darkness. When their eyes met, she gave him a gentle smile. She had seen him. Lyra raised her hand in a farewell gesture, and he responded shyly. In doing so, some branches scratched his skin, leaving small drops of blood that disappeared into the night.

Irritated, he sighed, watching as the carts disappeared swiftly thanks to the Terracones’ speed.

“I’ll grow stronger too,” Kayn thought, watching as the carts faded into the distance, heading toward the mountain’s base.

And then, in the blink of an eye, everything lit up. It was as if day had suddenly broken.

BOOM

A massive fireball descended from the mountaintop like a fallen star. It struck the carts directly, and the explosion was so brutal that the vehicles shattered into pieces, hurling debris and flames in all directions. The air filled with piercing screams, and a deafening roar echoed through the village, making the ground tremble beneath Kayn’s feet.

“We’re under attack!” villagers cried out, followed by the sharp tolling of the alarm bell. The flames began devouring the wooden houses, painting the night sky an infernal orange.

Kayn kept his gaze fixed on the carts, his eyes illuminated by the searing fire. The screams of the people echoed distantly in his dazed mind. He was paralyzed. Everything had happened so fast that he could barely process it.

“What’s… happening?” he murmured, unable to look away.

The entire village was engulfed in flames, and from within the inferno emerged a horde of draconids. It was the first time Kayn had seen one with his own eyes; until then, they were nothing more than illustrations in schoolbooks. Seeing them in person was terrifying.

“This can’t be…” he whispered, his voice breaking with terror. He sank deeper into the bushes, his breath ragged. Fear consumed him.

In the distance, the carts burned, their frames warping from the intense heat. Was everyone dead? Burst and Lyra, too? From his position, it was impossible to tell, but the mere thought hit him like a freezing wave.

Meanwhile, the draconids advanced mercilessly, their eyes gleaming with malice, their scales reflecting the glow of the flames. They cut down anyone who tried to flee in desperation.

“Where are the binders?” someone shouted near the village entrance, but the chaos was so overwhelming that no one responded.

The man began to run, but one of the draconids lunged at him, brutally tearing through his chest. Blood splattered across the ground, forming a pool beneath the man as he collapsed lifelessly.

Kayn couldn’t comprehend it. Why would draconids attack Brumavilla like this? It was a remote village with little power. Perhaps it was because the academy director was there, but there was no reason the draconids should know that. So why, of all places, attack his home?

The desperate cries of villagers mingled with the crackling flames. Some binders tried to fight back against the invaders, managing to defeat a few, but they soon fell, overwhelmed by superior numbers and strength.

He crouched lower into the bushes, his breathing shallow. The heat of the flames made sweat drip down his forehead, yet the fear froze him in place, keeping him pinned to the ground, unable to move. The draconids’ roars echoed through the air, each one more terrifying than the last.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the flames. Galen strode forward, with Pong at his side, his expression as serious as it was commanding. It was the first time Kayn had seen his father like this. He didn’t look angry, nor calm. The draconids, upon seeing him, charged toward him.

With a decisive motion, Galen made Pong disappear in a flash, and a brilliant blue aura began to envelop him. He unsheathed a sword that glimmered in the firelight. Kayn recognized it immediately: it was his grandfather’s blade. Its deep black hue, adorned with red, spiked markings, was unmistakable.

“Dad…” Kayn murmured.

One of the draconids charged with beastly speed, its claws gleaming under the moonlight. Galen sidestepped the attack effortlessly, brushing his right hand against the creature’s scales as it passed. The beast roared in fury and struck again, the swipe seemingly unavoidable, but Galen dodged with almost supernatural precision. Confused, the attacker continued its assault, yet none of its blows found their mark.

Another draconid seized the opportunity to strike from behind. Galen spun on his heels, brushing it with his left hand. Then, he dashed toward a nearby boulder, touching it with the same hand. In an instant, the massive stone hurtled toward the draconid, pinning it to the ground with a thunderous crash.

From his safe distance, Kayn watched in awe. He instantly recognized the magic of his father’s guardian: Duality—a force that combined the opposing powers of attraction and repulsion.

“We can’t touch him!” one of the draconids shouted.

Furious and bewildered, they continued their assault, but every attempt proved futile. Galen moved among them like a shadow, marking each one with his left hand. He touched the ground beneath them, creating a field of attraction that glued them to the earth. They struggled to move, but it was as if an invisible force held them down.

A draconid attempted to capitalize on the situation, leaping at him from above. Without looking, Galen raised his right hand, and the creature was repelled mid-air, crashing into a nearby tree that splintered under the impact.

“Attack from a distance! Don’t get close!” another roared, unleashing a stream of fire from its maw. Galen leaped backward, evading the scorching heat, and touched several broken arrows on the ground with his right hand. They rose, surrounded by a blue aura, and shot toward the grounded draconids.

For a moment, Kayn thought his father had everything under control. The invaders were retreating. However, from within the flames emerged a far more imposing figure. Its scales gleamed with a metallic blue hue, and its mere presence cowed even its allies.

“What do you think you’re doing?” the newcomer growled, approaching one of the retreating draconids.

“Lord Fafnir…” the subordinate stammered, instinctively stepping back under the leader’s piercing glare.

“A mere human is giving you trouble?” Fafnir spat, his voice dripping with disdain. “Pathetic.”

The draconids lowered their heads, too afraid to respond. Fafnir hadn’t expected an answer in the first place. He advanced with evident power in every step, leaving scorched marks on the ground. Galen raised his sword toward him, waiting to see what his next move would be.

“You’re quite skilled for a human,” Fafnir commented, his sharp teeth flashing in a sinister grin. “Though I feel like I’ve heard of you before. You’re Galen Ashborne, captain of the Fifth Royal Guard Squadron, aren’t you?”

“I’m surprised a draconid would know of me. But I’m no captain anymore. I’m retired.”

“A shame. I was hoping for a bit of fun…”

“You talk as if you’re going to win,” Galen replied, his icy gaze angering the draconid.

Fafnir charged at him, launching a ferocious attack with his sharp claws. Galen tried to mark him with his right hand to apply repulsion, but the draconid anticipated the move and dodged with surprising agility for his size. He countered with a slash that Galen narrowly avoided, leaving a shallow cut on his arm as blood began soaking his sleeve.  

Galen hurled his sword at Fafnir while marking his left hand with attraction. The blade arced wide, and Fafnir raised a claw to deflect it, but the weapon veered mid-air, drawn by the mark, and returned to Galen’s grasp. He used the moment to touch Fafnir with his right hand.  

Fafnir felt the repulsion effect take hold. Attempting to attack again, he found himself repelled by an invisible force. Scowling, he realized direct contact was impossible.  

“Interesting…” Fafnir muttered, licking the blade of his claw.  

Galen surged forward, his sword raised, intent on delivering a decisive blow. But just as he was about to strike, Fafnir’s tail whipped around like a living weapon, striking with brutal force. The blow sent Galen flying, crashing into debris several meters away. The repulsion mark dissipated instantly.  

Bruised and battered, Galen struggled to rise from the shattered stones, feeling every muscle protest in pain. In one swift motion, Fafnir slammed the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and rubble that enveloped Galen. Coughing, he staggered back, trying to clear his vision as the dust clung to his skin and clothes.  

“Where are you looking?”  

A sharp whistle cut through the air. Galen sensed, rather than saw, a sharp stone hurtling toward him. Instinctively, he extended his right hand, marking the projectile with repulsion and sending it back toward his assailant. Fafnir deflected it with his tail, shattering it into shards that scattered like shrapnel.  

“Looks like I have no choice but to use it…” Galen murmured, closing his eyes and focusing on the rhythm of his heartbeat.  

“Already giving up?” Fafnir taunted, emerging from the dust cloud with his claws raised.  

He roared and lunged at Galen, claws extended. But at the precise moment he was within reach, Galen moved with inhuman speed and precision. He dodged the attack and countered fluidly, his sword finding a gap in Fafnir’s scales and leaving a deep gash.