Mytical
"W-What? Is this really happening? Sophia, how could you...?" I was stunned by the recent events. Sophia was undoubtedly talented, but this was beyond anything I had imagined. She must be hiding something significant.
"How could someone from the common people have all four Elements at once?"
"Yeah, it must be a trick. She must have cheated."
"This can't be allowed."
Hearing the murmurs about Sophia, I felt a surge of anger.
"Those of you who only ended up with two Elements have no right to speak ill of someone like that!" I asserted firmly.
"Hey, commoner, are you looking for trouble?"
"Haha, look at him trying to act like a hero."
"You still don't get my point? It seems I'll have to teach you a lesson," I said, projecting a strong aura.
Just then, someone intervened.
"Hey, enough. There's no need for a fight on a day that's supposed to be special for all of us," said Elisia, a friend of Alex, who had received the Fire and Water Elements.
"That's right. If you want to fight, do it outside the ceremony," Alex added, having also received the Earth and Air Elements.
"Ugh, commoners. You'll regret the way you've spoken to us," Toru warned, one of those arguing with me, along with his companion Hans.
"Let's go, Hans. We'll teach them a lesson outside the ceremony." With that, Hans and Toru left.
"Ugh, those city kids think they're so important just because they come from the city," Alex muttered, scratching his head.
"Let's not let this spoil the day. Right, Eizan?" Elisia asked me.
"Why did you argue with them, Eizan?" Alex inquired.
"It's nothing. I just couldn't stand them talking badly about my friend," I said, clenching my fists in frustration.
"So, Sophia is your friend?" Elisia asked, glancing at Sophia.
"Yes, she's been a friend since childhood," I replied.
"Well then, you should introduce her to me later," Alex said with a grin.
"Not going to happen," I muttered.
"You're such a tightwad," Alex teased.
---
Meanwhile...
"How can I possess all four Elements at once? What's happening to me?" Sophia stared at her hands, struggling to believe what she was experiencing.
The White Mage looked at Sophia.
"Hoho... There's no need to be so surprised, little girl. It's because you inherited the blood of a noble," the White Mage's answer made Sophia realize something.
"I suspected you'd know me, but it's not me you know—it's someone close to you who shares my blood," Sophia said seriously, staring at the White Mage.
"Hoho... You're quite perceptive, little girl. I'll answer that question another time. For now, I must continue with the ceremony," the White Mage said, stroking his beard and smiling at Sophia.
"I'll hold you to that," Sophia said, then walked away from the Crystal.
"One day, you'll uncover your great secret, child," the White Mage thought to himself.
From the royal box, it was clear the King recognized Sophia's name, though it seemed familiar for another reason.
"Hmph. So that child is one of them. I didn't expect her to be in my kingdom," King Gabriel mused.
"Should I deal with this, my Lord?" asked a man beside the King.
"No need. Let's see how it unfolds," King Gabriel replied.
The White Mage continued with the ceremony. Now it was Eizan's turn.
"It's been a while, child. You seem to have grown stronger since our last meeting," the White Mage smiled warmly at Eizan.
Hearing his name, Eizan walked towards the Crystal.
"Good luck, Eizan," Alex and Elisia cheered.
I glanced back at the audience, hoping to see my mother, but she was still absent. I hoped she was just caught up with other matters.
With a heavy heart, I approached the Crystal. My steps halted as Sophia stood right in front of me. "I'm sure you have something unique, so don't be discouraged by whatever result you get," she whispered.
I gently patted Sophia's head. "Thank you, Sophia. I'll do my best," I said, moving towards the Crystal.
When I reached the Crystal...
"It's been a while, old man," I greeted the White Mage.
"Hohooo, good to see you again, child."
Our eyes locked. I felt warmth from his gaze, and he seemed equally warmed by mine.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, but fate has brought us together faster than anticipated. It's good to see you in good health," I said, recalling how he saved me that night.
"Hohoo... It seems you've become a stronger child since we first met. Your aura is very powerful, reminiscent of a sensation I felt 150,000 years ago," the White Mage observed.
"Hey, old man, I want to ask you something," I said, curious about what he might reveal.
"I'll answer that another time. It might hurt your feelings," the White Mage said.
"Fine, I'll show you what I've got," I said, extending my hand and closing my eyes to feel the flow of my Mana.
"Your potential is immense, Eizan. Your current body may not be able to handle all this power, but you will discover what's inside you in time," the White Mage mused.
"It's so dark here. I can't feel any Mana flow. Do I have no Mana at all? Then what have I been using for my sword techniques?" I wondered, reaching a state of deep consciousness where I couldn't sense the Mana waves others felt.
"What should I do now?" I walked through my subconscious. As I moved my hand, I felt a powerful, fast flow.
"This is incredibly strong. Is this my Mana?" I extended my hand again and confirmed that the flow was indeed a deep black.
"Why is my Mana black? I'll try to absorb it all," I began the process.
Absorbing the entire flow of Mana into my body, I felt intense pain.
Memories I had never experienced before surfaced in my mind. "No...ir."
"Wh-Who is that?" The voice was familiar, and hearing it caused me sharp pain.
"Until we meet again, my friend." I saw a silhouette—long white hair and a white cloak, but the figure was unclear.
"Arghhh!" I could no longer bear it. Who are you? Why do these memories feel so heavy?
I slumped, clutching my head as it throbbed with the painful memories.
---
In the Colosseum, Eizan writhed in pain, his body slumped near the ground. The spectators and participants watched in shock.
"Eizan... What's happening to him?" Sophia was visibly worried as she watched Eizan lying on the ground.
The White Crystal began changing from white to a dark purple. The nobles and the King were stunned.
King Gabriel, still seated, raised his head and watched the Crystal intently.
"Don't tell me... There's something special about this child," the King thought.
"What's happening, my Lord?" asked the King's attendant.
"Look and see!"
The King and his attendant monitored the situation closely.
"This... This is unprecedented. I've never seen anything like this," Ernold da Silva, a noble, said, bewildered.
"Stay calm. It could be due to impurities in his Mana or a severe condition," Victoria Moretti speculated, recalling something similar she'd seen two years ago.
"Indeed, this isn't something we've seen before," Victor agreed.
The White Mage watched Eizan with a warm gaze, as if welcoming a returning soul.
"It's happening..." he murmured softly.
Black and purple particles emerged from the Crystal, encircling Eizan and forming a swirling vortex.
Nobles scattered to protect themselves and the spectators from the swirling vortex.
"This is serious. I didn't expect the particles to cause such an impact," Victor thought.
"Everyone, protect the citizens and participants. Ensure no one is harmed!" Eleonor Grey shouted, directing the nobles to form a strong protective barrier.
"Understood!" The nobles cast powerful protective spells.
"Azecto!"
The protection spell took form. The black vortex expanded, wreaking havoc and causing tremors.
The White Mage remained standing, smiling at the immense vortex.
King Gabriel remained calm, observing the phenomenon with composure.
"Your Majesty, I think I know what's awakening inside that child," the attendant said, focusing on Eizan.
"He's awakening... the legendary power from 250,000 years ago. The Element that brought devastation to that era is rising again!" the King grinned.
"He is the King of Darkness bound to this world," the White Mage began to chant his staff.
"King of All Darkness in this world!" The White Mage declared.
"Tyranny of Destruction!"