1 Prologue + Chapter 1: Awakening of Darkness [The Complete Rewrite]

Dark Lord of Tartarus

Prologue

It was the weekends. The market place was incredibly crowded with people.

Many people carried the items they bought and placed those in their bags, and many friends met up to hang out. Even though there was a lot of people, it didn't stop anyone from buying what they sought.

A particular woman was carrying a little bag which contained a few things she bought earlier, entered a particular store. It was a store of accessories which was said to sell legit accessories made of silver.

"Greetings ma'am. May I help you?"

An attendant of the store approached the woman.

"Ah, yes, I'm looking for something to give to my son."

"Oh I see. So what type of accessory are you looking for?"

"Hmm, I don't know yet. I think I should take a look, and probably buy what catches my eye."

"I understand. Please take your time."

The woman walked around and took a look at every accessory which laid on the shelves.

Hmm, Should I buy a necklace?

She looked over all the necklaces.

That looks cool, he might like it!

Her eyes caught a ring.

That also looks amazing!

Then she looked over at the bracelets.

That bracelet is also good!

She had a hard time deciding on what she should give her son.

A bracelet is easier to wear and less bothersome. It's much better than a necklace, and a ring would prove quite a bother for him…

She contemplated for several seconds until she made the decision.

"Can I take a look at that?"

She pointed at a bracelet which she thought might look good on her son.

The attendant grabbed the bracelet from within the shelf and gave it to the woman.

This is actually good. Xyn might like it.

However, she appeared to be disappointed for a moment.

This isn't enchanted. I half expected they sell enchanted items here.

"Um, do you have any enchanted accessories?"

"I apologize, ma'am. But I'm afraid we don't have any enchanted items."

"Oh."

Well I guess that makes sense. This isn't really a big-time store. Likely an enchanted item is much more expensive. Well anyway, I guess I should just enchant this myself. Though it might not be all powerful, the important thing is that it adds protection to him.

"Well, that's fine.

She looked over at the items again. But the bracelet on her hand was the only thing the really caught her eye. Therefore, she decided to buy it.

After that, she came out of the store.

"I guess it's time to go home."

She began to walk. But as she walked over a couple of meters. For a fraction of a second, she felt heat and great force beside her, and it was getting closer and began to touch her skin.

At the same time, there was a BOOM.

A bomb blew up close to her.

***

Dark Lord of Tartarus

Chapter 1

Awakening of Darkness

Part 1

There was a famous school called Cedeas Academy. This school was no ordinary school. In this place, one could learn and practice magic. Compared to other schools, this was much better, for it teaches both academics and magical knowledge.

It was early in the morning, and several students were now already present in their classroom. In this particular classroom, despite the time, the students were quite already the noisy bunch.

The students were all having their own conversations. Some were laughing, some were whispering. Some spoke to each other as though they never saw each other for a very long time – although they always see each other every day.

Just then, a single man entered the room.

He was a handsome man with black hair and azure pair of eyes. The students in the room immediately recognized him when he entered.

"Hey it's…"

The man ignored everyone and he didn't even greet them but he only went straight to his chair.

The students were all baffled by this. This was not how it usually was.

Then three students, which were his close friends, approached him.

"Hey Xyn!"

A man spoke to the one named Xyn first. He was greeted in an enthusiastic way.

Xyn looked up to face the three which was in front of him. They were all smiling.

"Hey, Jace… also Andrei and Elen."

However, the enthusiastic way of greeting was responded with a cold and unenergetic greeting.

The three were now curious of why he was acting this way. But now as they took a closer look. He appeared depressed. There were eyebags under his eyes, and when they recalled his voice, it seemed force like he didn't want to talk at all.

"You've been gone for like a week. You've missed quite a lot of lessons, and quizzes."

Xyn's friend who was named Andrei said.

He always thinks about those kinds of things… Like I still care about something like that…

Xyn thought. He was about to say something like that to him but decided not to in the end because that might damage their friendship.

Besides, he didn't really want to talk. Therefore, he replied with a simple—

"Hm..."

The girl named Elen grew more worried for him. This was not like him at all, it was as though his soul was taken away from him and now all that was left was an empty shell which walked all around.

"Xyn… are you alright?"

Elen asked him.

Xyn didn't respond immediately. He looked down first before finally giving an answer.

"Yes, I'm alright."

"I see. Then that's good."

Elen said that, but his friends knew clearly this was a lie. No, if one was not friends with him, they could already tell he was not well at all. He already looked so depressed. He may look clean, fixed his hair, and looked neat. But in his eyes, it was already clear what his state was.

His friends looked at each other, thinking about what they should do. When suddenly, a teacher entered the room.

"Okay class! To your seats!"

They wanted to check on their friend, but the teacher had arrived, and they couldn't do anything about it. If they just ignore the teacher, they would certainly be rebuked. Therefore, they decided to wait until recess break.

"Alright class, I did announce we are having a long quiz today. So take out a piece of paper."

Fuck, seriously? I just got back, and this…

Xyn was irritated. Normally he wouldn't react like this, but at the moment, his mind was extremely clouded. He had no time to think about something like that – or to be precise, he was not in a state to think of something like that.

He didn't know what lesson they had, but perhaps he should just guess, that was all he could do anyway. He was not even in the mood to study, so he didn't bother to beg the teacher to give time for a study.

"Oh Xyn, you're back!"

The teacher suddenly called to him.

The cloudiness in his head only increased. This teacher was the most annoying one in all the teachers that teaches them. But of course, he didn't show his irritation. He only replied in an unenthusiastic voice.

"… Yes I am."

"We're about to have a quiz, but you weren't here during the lesson. I won't give any special quiz, so I guess you just have to manage."

Shut up… I don't want to talk to you.

"I'll manage."

***

After buying some snacks from the canteen, the four – Xyn, Jace, Andrei and Elen – went straight to the shed where they always hang out. Luckily, there was nobody there, so it was there for the taking.

Incidentally, Xyn didn't want to go out of the classroom. However, his friends forced him to come with them. They even pulled him out of the chair so he would stand up and come with them.

But when they reached the canteen, Xyn didn't even buy anything and he said he didn't have the appetite. In the end, Elen had to buy him a burger and a refreshment.

The good thing, Xyn began to eat when they reached their hanging spot.

"Dammit. I only had half in the quiz."

Jace complained while taking a large bite from his food.

"That's already good you know, at least you got half."

Andrei said.

"Oh yeah? Then what did you get?" Jace asked Andrei.

"I only had five mistakes."

"Eh? I guess I should expect that from the top 1 of our class."

"You flatter me."

"What did you get Elen?"

"I had eight mistakes."

"Figures… That was difficult, how did you guys even get high scores!?"

"Perhaps if you study, you might have a higher score next time."

Elen coldly said to Jace.

"I did study… Then I got distracted and…"

"See? You should hold yourself from being distracted, you should stop playing video games sometimes!" Andrei scolded him.

"But there was an event!"

Elen and Andrei sighed and palmed their face.

"Either way, maybe this time I beat Xyn. So what did you get Xyn?"

The three intently stared at Xyn as though anticipating his reply. Xyn understood why they were doing this, they wanted him to get to a better mood. But he doubted he would feel better. Especially when he just lost something which was the world to him.

Xyn flatly replied.

"Half."

"Half?!"

Jace reacted instantly, then he continued.

"How?! You were even absent those times."

"I learned some of it on the internet, that's why. Besides, I tend to learn more on the internet than in school."

"See Jace, rather than playing video games all the time, you should spare some time on learning from the internet."

Elen lectured Jace.

"Haaaaaah," Jace sighed. "Fine. But perhaps after the event!"

Again, the two palmed their face and sighed in disappointment.

"Hey Xyn..."

Jace called to him. Xyn only moved his eyes to look at him.

"I need your help with something."

"What is it?"

"There's this girl I like. And I need your help for us to get close. You can confidently talk to ladies after all. Please!"

He clasped his hand together as he begged.

Then Andrei interjected.

"Hey hey. Are you sure you want to do that? The girl might turn out falling for him instead."

"Eeh?"

"Yeah as he said… many girls had fallen for him… many… many..."

Elen quietly said. Jace and Andrei saw this as something weird and sudden, so they checked up on her.

"H-Hey, you alright Elen?" Andrei asked.

Elen jolted up her shoulders as she heard that.

"A-Ah nothing! It's nothing."

The two of them narrowed their eyes in suspicions.

"In any case, you know that's a possibility, right?" Elen added.

"Huh. You're right… I take it back Xyn, just forget it."

Xyn merely nodded.

"Ah, by the way Andrei, how's learning Technological spells coming? Are you almost there?" Elen asked.

Andrei's face twisted into disappointment.

"Sadly, I think I'm still far away. But I do have some progress, so I think that's something."

"Wah, when you're able to cast something like that, how convenient. You can have like a computer everywhere you go… I can imagine you playing games everywhere." Jace said.

"I never saw anyone use it on playing games though. So I'm not sure if it could be used that way. But I'm not going to play games on it!"

"Really now?"

"Yes."

"Hmmmm."

Jace had a suspicious look at Andrei. But Xyn knew that Andrei wouldn't use it on video games, he would likely use it on school works or office works. Andrei was never been fond of playing video games. They might play sometimes together, but he was not a hard gamer.

For magic was a natural part of the world, it had existed since the very beginning. As time passes, everything develops and improve, that also applies for magic, and its use.

For example, magic was now used as a power source to fuel other kinds of technologies or even cities. In addition, as magic itself had improved, there now existed Technological Spells.

A Technological Spell was something like a device but in magical form. For instance, one could conjure something like a holographic monitor, and one could operate it like a computer. However, Technological Spells could not be cast by low-level magic casters.

Therefore, Xyn thought that Andrei should increase his power level first. But who knows, he might beat the odds.

"Oh that reminds me. Xyn."

Elen called him so he turned to face her.

"Magic Power Evaluation is this afternoon, just so you know."

That's today huh…

"I see, thank you for telling me, Elen."

"Good thing you came back today, you could've missed it… By the way, what really happened to you?" Andrei asked.

Xyn again turned depressed and upset after he heard that question, just like when he first got to school. He didn't look at anyone's eyes. In fact, they could feel something like a really gloomy aura from him apart from his apparent sadness.

"I… don't want to talk about it."

He weakly said.

"I-I see."

"Anyways! I'm so excited to see my new power level!"

Jace quickly interjected to change the mood.

"Is that so? You've been working hard on that, so I don't doubt you've increased a level or two."

Andrei said.

"You're the strongest fighter in our class, so you must have grown powerful. We'll be relying on you next week in the Magic Tournament."

Elen said.

"Of course, you can count on me! I managed to win a match last year, so this time, I'll try to win two matches! Or just perhaps win the entire tournament."

"Just don't push yourself too much okay?"

"You worry too much Elen. Besides, I might play games most of the time this week, sooo…"

"… Of course…"

Then the bell rang.

"Oh, recess break time is over! Let's go back."

"Slow down Andrei, can't we just stay here a little longer."

"No! Come on let's go."

***

It was noon. Xyn and his friends had finished eating their lunch together in their classroom. They finished their food after several minutes when someone suddenly called Xyn.

"Xyn."

A tender voice reached his ears, and to everyone else's. He turned to look at the source of that voice.

It was from a beautiful young lady. Her skin was pale white, her black hair was short which reached her upper back. Her black eyes relayed kindness, and her smile was so sweet which calms the heart. Her beauty was so pure, that all would come to respect her.

It was their class adviser and one of their teachers.

Her age was more than 20, perhaps she was about 22. However, the most surprising thing was that her appearance does not suit her age at all. She looked way too young that one would think she was 18 years old.

Xyn had great respect for her. He thought he was very lucky to have her as an adviser. She was a very kind and caring teacher. She would support her students all the way, she would help them when they were in need. She would even buy her students a great number of snacks and refreshments after a long's day work. She was the best.

In fact, due to her beauty and kind personality, Xyn felt he might have a little crush on her.

Xyn stood up and approached her by the door.

"… Yes ma'am Len?"

The teacher's name was Len A. Moonstone.

"I'm glad you're back… Anyways, we need to talk, can we go to the Teachers' Office?"

Xyn thought of a moment why she would call him and go to their office. What would they talk about? He thought perhaps it was going to be about his absences.

"Very well."

They went together to the Teachers' office. When they reached there, all the teachers were there. Normally, he would be embarrassed if he entered. However, for some reason he wasn't, it felt like he didn't care about them at all. It was strange. It felt like they were something insignificant and his teacher Len alone was more valuable than any of them could compare.

Len sat on her chair, so Xyn also sat on the guest's chair.

"What is this about ma'am?"

"I called you here because I was concerned about your grades."

"It's getting low because of the week of absence, isn't it? But it was just a week."

"It may be just a week but you're a graduating student and your grades are at risk, so I suggest you shouldn't make more absences… You might lose your Top 2 spot in the class."

In truth, Xyn didn't care about that anymore.

"…You're falling behind. You should ask your other teachers for a special project or something. Of course, I will give you one if you want."

Xyn slightly smiled.

"You're always so kind, ma'am. I'm lucky to have you as an adviser, I am blessed to meet you… Thank you for the concern… But I don't care about it anymore."

Len showed more concern evident in her expression, then she held his hand as she whispered.

"I… I watched the news, and I saw her name… My condolences."

Xyn looked at her smooth hand which held his hand.

"It's fine, there's no need for you to think about that."

"But, even so… Please don't let this be your downfall. You need to keep moving forward."

Forward? I'm all alone now… there's no point… for what would I move forward?

He thought.

However, he didn't speak anything but he merely nodded his head.

"Do your classmates know?"

"No, it seems they don't know."

They don't know was probably because they didn't watch the news. Or perhaps they don't know the name of the important person he lost. Or perhaps, they didn't pay attention to the names.

The adviser would know about that person because an adviser has a list of a student's family members, for instance, parents or guardian."

"And they don't have to know about it."

"Why is that?"

Xyn didn't want them to act all sympathetic or something. Also, he didn't want any drama, he thought of it as bothersome. But he didn't tell this to her.

"They just don't have to know."

Len sighed.

"Very well, I understand."

For a moment, she held his hand tighter before letting go.

***

It was about 2 in the afternoon. Students were all called to a particular building on the school campus.

It was a large building.

This was where the Magic Power Evaluation was being held. There were several different lines on each grade.

"This is where the grade 12 student's line, right?" Jace asked.

"It appears so." Andrei said.

After assuring this was where they should line up, the four immediately joined the line, the people were increasing after all. In addition, they immediately judged that this was the line for grade 12 students because there were a lot of familiar faces there.

"I'm sooo excited!" Jace expressed.

"Calm down, and stop moving around too much!" Andrei scolded him.

"You should behave Jace, the evaluation won't go anywhere." Elen added.

"I know, but, I'm so excited."

In contrast to the noisy three, Xyn was all silent behind them. The three noticed Xyn, and so they spoke to him.

"Hey Xyn! Aren't you excited?"

Jace called out to him.

"… Not exactly. Besides, I doubt I got stronger."

"Your mother teaches you a lot, right? So you must have gotten stronger." Andrei said.

"Besides, even if your level barely got higher, your magical knowledge surpasses everyone in the room. That's already amazing." Elen tenderly said to Xyn.

"P-Perhaps…"

Now he appeared more down than a moment ago. They wanted to talk to him, but, ever since morning, he appeared like he didn't want to talk. Therefore, with that thought in mind, and had nothing to talk about, his friends stopped talking, and remained silent as they waited in line.

It didn't take long before they reached the edge of the line.

In a long table, there several devices were places above it. Those devices were called Power Evaluators. They measure one's power level, and also determines their gift.

A gift was something like a person's natural or innate magic power. It could be inherited, or it could just suddenly appear. Most common gift of the people have were elementals like fire, wind, earth, and water. That said, there were also other kinds of gift one can have which were considered and called Unique gifts.

However, not all people had gifts. Even Xyn himself was ungifted. However, that didn't mean they can't learn any magic. The ungifted could still learn different kinds of spells. That was why Xyn was sometimes called "Spellcaster." That was because it was rare for the ungifted to pursue learning a lot of magic. Some just learned a few and important things, and that was it.

It was Jace's turn, then an attendant asked his name.

"Your full name?"

"Jace E. Rockholm…"

After searching for his name on the database, the attendant gave her permission to start.

It would seem they ask for the name so they could record their stats.

"Here I go!"

Jace placed his hand on the panel of the device. Then his stats showed on a screen.

"Woah awesome! I'm level 15! You guys see that? I jumped two levels!"

"That's incredible Jace!"

"Thanks Elen!"

"How did you even achieve that even when you're playing a lot." Andrei coldly said.

"Can't you even praise at least?"

Jace frowned. Then Andrei sighed and smiled.

"Of course, congratulations! I'm happy for you, I just wondered how you did it."

"Oh? Want me to tell you how? I'll tell you later!"

"Heh, why not."

After taking the piece of paper from the device, Jace moved aside and stood beside the group.

"Full name?"

"Andrei B. Weld"

Then, he placed his hand on the panel.

"Level 14, one level up. How did Jace even jump two levels?"

"Don't worry my friend, I'll tell you the secret later hehehe." Jace said.

"You better!"

"Of course, besides it might help you with learning Technological spells."

Andrei took the piece of paper and moved aside. Now it was Elen's turn.

"Um, my name's Elen F. Redrose."

"Okay, you can place your hand now."

She placed her hand.

"14, one level up, we're the same Andrei!"

"And so it would seem."

She took the paper and moved aside. Now it was Xyn's turn.

"Full name please?"

"Xyn Draven L. Nightfall."

"Okay, you can now place your hand."

He placed his hand and the results displayed. Xyn's expression changed from upset to surprise.

"What, what's wrong?" Jace asked.

"Five level ups… and you don't even have Gift. How is this possible?" The attendant said.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Jace asked.

Then three of his friends took a look at the results.

"Huh?!"

All of them exclaimed in unison.

"L-Level 18?!" Andrei exclaimed in surprise.

"You beat me?!" Jace exclaimed.

"That's a surprise, and strange." Elen said.

"Anyways, the issue here is how did it happen. What did you do Xyn?" Andrei asked.

"… Nothing."

Gaining 5 level in such a short time was a very strange thing. Especially when someone was not Gifted. Furthermore, it was close to impossible to obtain such a feat. Studies proved that the higher the level, the longer and harder it was to raise one's level.

In contrast, it was said there was no maximum level so one could get stronger and stronger. But it was not certain, for the highest recorded power level in the world was level 50, so one could not certainly say not there was no maximum level. If there was a recorded three-digit level, things might have been different.

"But how, there's no way the device could make a mistake. This is just strange." The attendant said.

Xyn himself was also confused. He didn't do anything significant that could increase his level. He couldn't come up with an explanation, so in the end he said.

"I suppose this is a mystery to be solved in another time."

He took the paper and went out with his friends.

"You gotta tell me the secret Xyn!" Jace said.

"And you were supposed to be the one to tell me your secret." Andrei said.

"… I don't have a secret."

"Really?"

"Come on boys, perhaps this was just a miracle."

"Miracle huh." Andrei quietly said. "No way."

"Eh?"

Suddenly they were interrupted by someone.

"What's this?"

A man blocked their way, along with some other two men.

Xyn knew who that was already. Upon realizing who it was, he was suddenly filled with irritation and annoyance. He looked at the man in the eyes.

This man was Berto Asfeys, the annoying bastard ever since elementary. He would mock and bully Xyn whenever he had a chance. However, Xyn didn't bother to fight back or give him a lot of attention in high school. That was because he sees the man as childish for still acting like that.

Currently, Xyn had no time to even look at him. Therefore, he walked to the side, however, he blocked his way again.

"Tch."

Xyn's two friends were also on guard. They glared at the two men which accompanied Berto while they went to guard the lady of their group, Elen.

"What are you doing? You're scaring the lady of our party, and you're annoying."

Xyn coldly said as he glared at him.

"Yoh Xyn, since when have you begun to start talking like that to me. Most of the time you would act like a little puppy. What gave you the confidence?"

"Why should I answer you?"

Berto clicked his tongue as he looked at the paper in Xyn's hand. Then he immediately grabbed the paper.

"Oh? Level 18? Is this why you acting all cocky? Are you thinking you can beat me now after you have surpassed my level?"

"You said that, not me. And leave us alone, I don't have time to deal with insects."

"You bastard. Don't get cocky. I have a gift, and you're not. You're nothing but a spellcaster, you can't beat me."

Xyn knew this all too well. The ones with a Gift are more powerful than a mere spellcaster like Xyn. Especially when it comes to the strength of their magic. That was why Xyn wouldn't pick a fight with him, however, that was when he was in a normal condition.

Right now, Xyn was irritated and angry. He had grown tired of this guy. He bit his lip and clenched his fist.

This guy is annoying.

Xyn cast a silent spell.

Then he instantly grabbed him by the throat.

"Agh!"

Berto stepped back all of a sudden as he held his throat. He was breathing like he just drowned. He inhaled so hard, and at the same time, white smoke came out of his mouth, like how it would be in a cold climate.

"W-What the hell you bastard?! It's cold!"

Two allies of Berto immediately came to tend to him.

Xyn's friends were all surprised at what he did. Then they all looked at Xyn's hand, it was smoking due to the cold.

"What did you do?!" Berto exclaimed.

"What is that Xyn?" Andrei asked.

"[Cold Touch], taught to me by my mother… Then how does it feel to have your throat on the brink of freezing?"

"You bastard… and it was taught by your mother? By your old hag? I imagine she's but a mere spellcaster like yo—"

Suddenly, Xyn punched Berto so hard causing him to kiss the ground. At the same time, Xyn grabbed the throats of Berto's friends. That was because they would likely attack him to help Berto.

Due to the cold, the two stepped back as they tried their best to catch their breath.

"You fuck!"

Flames covered Berto's hands. It was his Gift, the element of Fire. For Xyn was too close, he immediately stepped away to keep his distance. It would be too dangerous to stay close to him. Also, Xyn was a spellcaster, so keeping the distance was the best option there was.

Berto immediately waved his hand towards Xyn and a body of flames came flying.

"[Frost Bolt]."

A bolt of ice intercepted the flames.

The element of ice was effective against fire attacks, therefore, he decided to use the element of ice against his enemy.

"[Wind Push]."

A force of wind pushed Xyn forward in a quick speed. In no time, he reached Berto and he instantly punched him in the face as he went past him.

Berto's cheeks turned cold after Xyn punched him due to the effects of [Cold Touch].

"Damn you!"

Berto thrust his arm forward, at the same time, flames burst out towards Xyn. The flames were moving fast, Xyn had no hope in evading that. Therefore, he had to choice but to cast a spell.

"[Ice Wall]."

A wall of ice appeared in front of him and blocked the flames that were coming for him. Just as the flames dissipated, the ice wall melted, causing the two to face each other. That was the best defensive spell he had. Now, he needed to be more careful and wait until the spell's cooldown end before he could use it again.

"[Freezing Breeze]."

A very cold storm of wind came straight towards Berto. He used his flames to hold back the freezing wind, however, not all of his body was safe from the cold. His shoes began to freeze, his shoulders, and back.

At the same time, the two companions of Berto had recovered, and they quickly began to rush towards Xyn.

Jace and Andrei saw this.

"Andrei!"

"Ah Fine!"

The two quickly rushed forward.

"Wait guys!" Elen tried to call them in order to stop, but it was too late. Besides, Xyn can't fight three guys at once, so he would need help. Otherwise, Xyn would end up really hurt.

"Oh no you don't."

Jace used his Gift, and walls of rock rose up from the ground on each opposition which halted their advance.

"You can't hope to destroy Jace's wall of earth." Andrei said beside Jace.

"You fucks!"

The two oppositions charged towards Andrei and Jace.

One of them threw a blast of fire towards them. Jace immediately rose a body of rock from the ground, shielding the two of them from the fire.

"Another fire caster huh." Andrei said.

Then Andrei saw the other one used his gift. A blow of wind flew towards the barrier. Andrei already knew this would be bad and the rock would be useless. The wind could just flow towards the side of the barrier and without a doubt would hit him and Jace.

Therefore, Andrei used his gift of the same element. A strong blow of wind came from him, intercepting the opposition's wind.

"Woah thanks Andrei!"

"I'll handle the wind caster, you handle the fire."

"Aight!"

Andrei rushed to the side away from Jace.

"Now, let's see whose wind is more potent which can cut like blades."

Andrei stood while he sent several streams of wind towards his target on all corners. Having no way to dodge this, the man shielded himself with his own wind, while sending some on the offensive to push out Andrei's attacks.

A single stream of wind which was so apparent due to the dust and other things which came with it went straight towards Andrei. However, he saw this coming so he managed to dodge it.

Wind was invisible. However, they were being controlled by magic. Therefore, there was a way to see them. People could barely see the transparent green color in the moving wind, which was somewhat the form of magic. That said, normal people wouldn't immediately see that color, and they would find it difficult. However, for Andrei whose magic was wind, he could clearly see it.

"Not bad." Andrei said.

On the other hand, Jace sealed his hand with rocks, and he used it like gloves. Several attacks of flames flew towards him, but he blocked those with his fists.

A large body of flames flew, towards him. He would be burned if he used his fist as cover against a flame with that size. Therefore, he raised a wall made of the earth and blocked the flames.

He attempted to rise a slanted pillar of earth near his enemy, but it missed, only an inch left, it would have hit him. The opposition could feel the vibrations for a moment, and see the earth as it rose, so that's why he managed to barely dodge it. In addition, there would be a slight delay before the earth could rise up. The farther it was, the longer the delay.

Jace could have raised the ground right beneath him. However, the enemy was keeping his distance and he was out of his casting ranged, therefore it was quite troublesome, that was why he could only use slanted earth pillars to attack. He couldn't even get close enough. In addition, he couldn't raise multiple pillars or walls at once, so he was having a hard time, if only his level was higher, he could have raised two at once.

"Just wait when I get you on my range!!"

Meanwhile, Elen worriedly watched from behind the battle. She closely looked at her friends, they were doing well, except to one.

She was worried about Xyn. He doesn't have a Gift, and he was fighting the aggressive Berto which was a fighter himself.

For Xyn had no gift, his option was more limited than his opponent.

Elen was worried her friends might get hurt. She didn't want them to get hurt. Their battle was getting intense every moment that past, therefore, there was a higher chance that they might get hurt really bad.

Then her eyes focused on Xyn. She could easily tell that Xyn was having a hard time, his defeat was certain. Considering his opponent was Berto, he would certainly beat Xyn until near death. She didn't want that.

Then at that moment, Xyn blocked a wave of flames with an ice shield. But at the same time, she saw a giant fireball on the hand of Berto. She instantly grew afraid.

Then Berto threw the fireball, there was no doubt it would hit Xyn. Therefore, for her friend, she had to put a stop to this.

"Enough!"

As Berto threw the fireball, Elen used her innate magic.

Just before the fireball could hit Xyn, a giant green vine blocked the fireball, also resulting in the vine's destruction. However, the vine kept moving and wrapped itself around Xyn, then instantly pulled him back towards Elen.

Vines also grabbed Jace and Andrei.

"Wait what?"

"Woah!"

All of them was brought back beside Elen, however, the vines did not put them down at all.

The three was all too familiar whose magic that was. From the giant vines that rooted down the ground before the caster, they could already tell it was their friend's magic, the lady of their group.

"What are you doing Elen?! I'm about to beat him!" Jace shouted while still being held up by the vine.

Elen turned to face Jace and gave him a piercing glare.

"I said that's enough."

She was scary. Therefore, Jace had no choice but to give up.

"uh, r-right."

Then at that moment, a teacher finally came in an attempt to stop the fight.

"Hey you, whatever you're doing stop it now?"

"Uwah, better late than never I guess." Andrei quietly said.

Part 2

Xyn had returned to his home.

Before that, Jace, Andrei, and Xyn were all sent to the prefect of discipline with their three opposition and stayed there for a couple of hours. There, they were terribly scolded for having a fight inside the campus, plus using their magic.

Their fighting caught a lot of attention for they were fighting in the middle of the field. That was why they were receiving so much heat from the teachers.

However, even though they were inside the prefect of discipline's room, there was still a little fight. The one who began it was the annoying monkey himself, Berto. Incidentally, Jace was kind of fighting back, the result, they received more heat from the teachers.

As the monkey's group were quite known to be troublemakers, Xyn's group was freed first and they were told to immediately come home to avoid any more trouble.

However, when they came out, a new storm came raining upon them. They were chided by the lady of their group, Elen. Of course, Xyn was no exception as he was the one who started it. But she mostly rained down her wrath upon Jace and Andrei, because instead of stopping the fight, they made it worse. As men, it was supposed to be their responsibilities to stop the fight, but instead, the lady had to be the one to stop them in the end.

After all that, they went out of the school together and separated eventually.

Before he went for the door, he faced his neighbor to greet them.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Garnet."

He greeted an old man whose hair was already white, then he shifted his eyes to a young female which was 3 years younger than him. The female was wearing a school uniform, it seemed she just got home. But she was already watering their garden. This girl had long black hair and orange eyes.

"Good afternoon also to you, Rin."

The girl's name was Rin Garnet.

"Likewise, Xyn!"

The girl, Rin, responded in a warm manner.

"How's school, kid?" The old man asked.

"Hm, It's good…"

"I see…"

Xyn smiled at them.

"I see the garden's going well."

"Oh yes, it is. I'm glad you noticed."

"It's quite peaceful to see something like that…Now then, please excuse me…"

He bowed his head slightly and then went inside the house.

"The kid still looks depressed."

The old man said.

"Yeah… It's quite… upsetting."

The girl, Rin, said. She sounded genuinely concerned.

"You've been friends since you were little right? What about you talk to him?"

"Uh eh… No way grandpa…I don't know what to say…"

"You don't know how to comfort somebody?"

"I never even tried to really comfort anybody."

"Is that so? Hmmm."

The old man looked at the flowers and other kinds of plants being watered by her granddaughter.

"I just hope that kid won't do anything stupid."

"I also hope so…"

"He's quite talented in terms of magic. Say Rin, why don't you go to Cedeas Academy? You could learn magic there."

"Oh please grandpa, I'm ungifted."

"But Xyn is also ungifted."

"Yeah, but he's different… Besides, learning magic is not for me."

"If you say so…"

"I guess that's enough watering."

She sealed the hose and gazed at the garden with admiration.

"They've grown quite healthy."

"That's because you always take care of them, my granddaughter."

"Hihihi, it's amazing to have a garden like this."

Then she saw a butterfly landed on a flower.

"Woah a butterfly."

She extended her hand towards the butterfly.

"O beautiful butterfly, please land on my hand."

Then, as though following her order, the butterfly flapped her wings and landed on her hand.

"Oh, it really went for my hand. Didn't expect that."

***

It was a lifeless room – no, it was an entirely lifeless house. Xyn had just entered his door, and after he closed the door, he was immediately greeted by a deafening silence. There was no warmth but only a shallow atmosphere.

It left a heavy weight in his heart.

Normally, one particular person would warm up the air with her greetings and blinding smile. However, that person was no longer there. A loss which filled Xyn with grief and loneliness.

Yes, it was so lonely, there was no one to be with him in this very house anymore.

Why does this have to happen…

He asked to himself as he wandered towards his own room.

He threw his bag away and he weakly sat on his bed.

He bowed his head as his heart grew heavier and heavier. The cold air he inhaled didn't even fill his emptiness in the slightest. The silence which filled the room felt like it was crushing his soul.

He turned his eyes to the side, to a small table, atop that table laid a portrait of him and beside him, a woman.

She had light brown hair and azure eyes similar to him.

It was his mother.

Along with his grief, a new emotion ignited within his heart as he remembered those moments when his life's downfall began.

Why?! Why… Damn them! If only I got a chance to take their lives myself!

He slammed his own fist into his own leg in rage.

His grief, sorrow, and torment began when he watched a special news on the TV. It was the weekend and everything were going so well. Then suddenly, a familiar name came from the Television.

It was news about a large bombing occurred in the supermarket. There were several bombs set off on the very populated area, needless to say, there were tremendous casualties.

The authorities investigated the scene and managed to gather the identities of the victims through their I.D and so on. Then the media broadcasted and announced each name that the authorities managed to identify, amongst the many, there was the name Reyna L. Nightfall.

The first name which means "Queen", and the surname the same as Xyn. It was the surname which his mother got when she got married to Xyn's father. He froze at the moment he heard her name. He couldn't believe his ears, he tried to see the name for himself at the TV screen, however, he couldn't accept what he saw. He couldn't believe it, he refused to believe it.

However, reality refused to change.

He rushed to the hospital announced by the media on where the bodies of the victims were brought to. He looked all over for her until he found a sign with her name on it. And next to that sign was a covered body.

He hesitated to unveil the body, hoping it was not as it appeared to be. However, he must look to confirm.

And hope was not there at all.

The corpse wore a familiar clothing, about half of her face was burned and damaged. However, he immediately recognized who that was, from her hair, and her face. It was his mother which he loved so dear. And a mother who loved him beyond compare.

She was the one who had taken care of him for the rest of his life. She was the one who cooked for him, she was the one who wakes him up every morning so he can go to school early. There were countless things she had done for him.

Her love for him was so great that mere words would not begin to describe it.

Upon seeing her lifeless and savagely damaged body. He was filled with sorrow and rage.

The sorrow of losing his mother. The rage pointed towards the ones behind her death.

He wanted to make the culprits suffer greatly before they die. However, he couldn't.

The authorities had already tracked down the culprits before Xyn could know. The culprits fought back, resulting in their own demise.

Therefore, Xyn couldn't get his revenge.

If only he managed to obtain vengeance, he might have felt slightly different, perhaps a little better. However, that opportunity was not given to him.

… Humans, doing such a thing for a pointless purpose!

Xyn couldn't think of a reason why they would do something like that.

He couldn't think of a point in their actions. There was no benefits and merits at all.

In any case, Xyn had the right to be angry. His mother was killed.

"…Why did she have to be taken away…" He quietly said. "…Fate is cruel…"

Her eyes began to wet.

It was only the two of them which lived in this house.

His father left him and his mother when he was still so young, he couldn't even remember his face. Even so, his mother sometimes mentioned his father would come back. And his mother waited for him.

But his mother didn't talk a lot of his father except describing he has black hair and black eyes. Xyn himself never asked about his father.

But he didn't hate his father, for he was already satisfied with just him and his mother.

As he recalled various memories with her, warm fluid came from his eyes and flowed down his face.

His clenched his fists tightly.

"…Dammit…"

Xyn arranged her burial with the little money he had, and the money his mother had. However, in the end, he only got a dead cheap coffin for her. There was not enough money. In fact, he could have used all the money to buy her a better coffin.

But his neighbor, the Garnet family, suggested that he shouldn't do that, and stated that his mother wouldn't want him to do that either. Xyn understood this.

Xyn didn't wait for a few weeks to bury her, but instead, he had her buried after a few days. She was already in a very bad state. Therefore, it was the best to bury her as soon as possible.

In the burial ceremony, the only ones there with him was the Garnet family. Xyn was grateful to them for being by his side.

Now, even though he was crying, there was a mix of intense rage. He was angry about losing his mother.

The fire in his heart grew and grew, wilder and wilder. Then it burst into a blazing inferno.

At that moment, he felt like his chest was about to literally burst out. Then he felt some sort of pressure crushing his body from the inside.

"W-What the hell…"

He groaned in pain, he felt like he was going to explode. He felt like something was going to come out of his body. The force which was terrorizing in his body was so great.

"Aaaagh!"

Then, there was a burst of flames.

Those flames crawled all over his body, no part of his body was an exception.

He felt strange for some reason. Then as he looked at his hand to where the flames were. He was struck with shock, then he began to breathe heavily as he began to panic.

"W-What is this?!"

He looked all over his body, and it was all in flames. However, these flames were strange. They were not normal flames.

These flames were in the color of darkness. They were pure darkness, and these black flames blazed wildly all over his body.

"What's going on?"

The more he observed, the more he panicked.

Calm down! Calm down.

He tried to talk to himself.

Calm down, you won't get anything from panicking.

Then he slowly breathed and began to gain his calm.

"These flames, they don't burn…"

Indeed, he felt no pain whatsoever. His clothes were still there and were not damaged at all, except they were coated by the darkness that he could barely see them.

He looked around his arm and tried to move it along with his fingers. But he felt totally normal.

After seeing that his whole body was covered in black flames, he touched his face in curiosity. Somehow it was still the same.

He rushed towards a mirror and there he saw his face.

"What the…"

He didn't have a face at all, but merely a shape of a human head. There were just plain dark flames and a pair of azure flames in the position of where his eyes were supposed to be. Therefore, he immediately concluded that those pair of azure flames were serving to be his eyes. Then, he had no hair at all, in their place was blazing darkness.

He didn't even have a nose. It felt like he wasn't breathing – no, he wasn't breathing at all for he had no nose to breathe in, but at the same time he felt like he was breathing which made no sense at all. He held his breath – although that was what he felt – there was no difference, he felt nothing bad. Also, he could still smell the dust in his room, which he couldn't understand at all, for he would need to breathe to smell and a nose to breath in.

As for he didn't have ears, he could still hear his steps all too well as well as his own voice. Also, he didn't have a mouth, but it appeared he could still talk normally.

For those flames didn't hurt him at all, he had fully gained his calm back. Except, he was now confused.

Just then, when he calmed down, the flames which covered his body seemed to calm down as well. It was as though they were following his emotion.

He tried to feel the flames. Then he realized he felt somewhat stronger for some reason.

"What is this…"

He tried to come up with any possible answers.

Is this a gift… no, impossible, mother didn't even have a Gift… is this from my father… no, impossible, if that was the case, then this should have happened when I was about 9 to 13 years old, innate magic gets released at those ages after all. Besides, Gifts don't have effects like this… Gifts are magic that can be naturally cast by a person, and definitely not change his entire form, then this could not be called a gift, could it?

In the end, he couldn't think of anything that could at least give him an idea.

He tried to feel the flames on his body.

This, this feels like how it is with magic.

Upon realizing that, he eased and balanced his breathing and focused his mind. He was trying to return back to normal.

He was silent and concentrated for several seconds. Then he began to feel somewhat different.

The flames which covered his entire body dissipated and vanished.

He took a closer look on his body again to make sure he did return back to normal.

He exhaled in relief.

"That's, that's completely strange."

He tried to use the flames again, so he tried to remember what it felt like and visualized it. It was just how basic learning of magic was.

At the same time, he raised his hand.

Then, flames in the color of darkness appeared and covered his hand.

"Interesting…"

He disabled the flames, and it indeed disappeared.

Then he quickly grabbed a piece of paper from his bag. He kept holding it as he summoned the flames again on his hand.

There the paper did that appeared burned, but instead, it was destroyed, completely destroyed leaving no trace of its existence.

He grew more curious again, therefore he tried to return to the form when he was covered by black flames. It took several seconds before he successfully transformed.

He looked at his hand, then he again grabbed a piece of paper. But the paper was not damaged at all, it remained on his dark blazing hand. Then he willed for it to be destroyed. The flames on his hand suddenly went wild a little, resulting in the complete destruction of the paper.

"Fascinating… Fascinating indeed."

He turned back to his human form.

"This is something worthy of practice, and it felt powerful, a power that I never felt before… I feel like I could defeat anyone I couldn't defeat before. I should practice using this… The Magic Tournament is next week… hmmmm."

Part 3

The school campus was filled with joy, cheers, and laughter. It appeared like there was a festival occurring in the Cedeas Academy.

It was the day of different activities. Students would compete with each other in sports and talents. This was one of the most anticipated events in the entire school year. The intramurals.

However, the activity that everyone was eagerly looking forward to was the Magic Battle Tournament. It was a tournament that a participant of a class would fight against the participant of the other class. This Tournament was going to be held the whole day, without any halt, except during lunch break.

It was already a little late in the morning when Xyn entered the campus. That was because there was no need to go early in the morning, he didn't even care to think about the attendance with a designated time. He knew there was an attendance because that was how it had always been. In fact, he went to his school in the time when the Magic Tournament would usually begin.

In addition, he had been absent again for days until the day of the Intramurals. That was because he no longer had any desire to even go to school. In fact, he didn't care about school anymore. In contrast, in several days when he was absent, he was practicing his new found power.

Xyn walked along with the crowd. The other students appeared to be gathering to a particular place.

Just in time then.

He thought.

He went to a corner where he guessed it to be where his class ought to be. As he walked through the moving crowd, he saw familiar faces on where he was headed.

It was his whole class sitting on the benches. His eyes rested on his best friends.

"Hey hey Andrei, there's a lot of beautiful girls in our spot, don't you think?"

After hearing what Jace said, Andrei looked around to confirm. When he saw that there were indeed numerous beauties around, he nodded his head.

"Yeah, there are a lot… Wait, I thought you have someone you like? Why are checking out other girls?"

"What, is it bad to check out a girl? I'm a man, I can't resist something like that. Besides, I don't have a girlfriend, so there are absolutely no worries."

"Hm, I guess…"

Then Jace vigorously sighed.

"Not having a girlfriend… haaah… so unlucky… don't you ever want girlfriend Andrei?"

"Hmm, I would like to have one… but… so unlucky."

"… so unlucky it is…"

They both had the faces of disappointment, which Elen beside them instantly noticed, and then she decided to comfort them.

"Oh come on you guys, you'll find someone soon, don't worry. I believe you won't be alone for the rest of your life."

"Why do I feel doubtful the way you say it…" Andrei said.

"Elen, why don't you have a boyfriend yet? I mean, you have great looks, so, why? Also, there are a lot already on you, but nothing seems to be happening…"

Elen appeared to be flustered after she heard Jace said that.

"Ah, eh, just not yet. Not yet… Besides, every time guys come near me, you would scare them off!"

"Wait, we scare them off?" Jace said.

"Y-Yes!"

Then Andrei had a look of suspicions towards Elen.

"We? Scaring them off? It's nothing but an excuse, isn't it? You're really just turning them down, aren't you? That's because you're waiting for him."

"W-What are you talking about?!"

"You think I wouldn't notice? I don't know if Jace here noticed."

"What do I have to notice??"

"Figures…"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about! I don't know who you're talking about."

"Do I have to speak it aloud for everyone to hear? Besides, he's not here, isn't he?"

"I absolutely have no idea what you're talking abo—"

"Hello, you guys."

Suddenly, a gentle voice interjected. Elen cried out his name for she knew all too well whose voice that was.

"Xyn…! Y-You're here?!"

"Apparently."

"Did you hear what we were talking about?"

"I just got here you know."

"R-Right…"

Then, also in surprise, Andrei asked Xyn.

"You're here. You've been gone again for about week."

"Yeah I know."

Then Jace spoke to him.

"Dude, are you even planning to continue your education?"

Xyn was silent for a couple of seconds before replying to him.

"…No, I don't have a plan anymore."

They were all struck by bafflement and surprise at what he said.

"Hey hey, I'm not even serious in that question."

"But are you serious about your answer?" Andrei asked.

Xyn didn't answer that question but instead sat beside Elen.

The three waited for an answer, but for several seconds, he was still silent.

"A-Anyway, Xyn. You look a lot better than the last time I saw you." Elen said.

"Is that so?"

"So, Xyn. Are you only here to watch the tournament?"

Then Jace answered instantly as though answering for Xyn.

"Of course he's here to cheer for me and bear witness to my victory! Right Xyn?"

"Hm."

That was the only sound that came out of his mouth. They were expecting a reply of words, but instead they got a sound as though saying he agreed. After a few moments, Xyn asked.

"What is our class's first opponent?"

"It's the Grade 12, the Granite Section… And their contender is, Berto Asfeys." Andrei answered.

"I see…"

His face grew serious, and his eyes appeared to be furious.

"In that case. Jace, can you let me handle him, only his match."

"Wait but—"

"You can change contenders after every match, so you will be able to participate after my match."

He spoke so cold and stern. It began to scare the three of them.

"I know you doubt I can win because I'm a mere spellcaster, but this time, I promise you, I will win against him."

"Do you really hate him that much?" Jace said.

"This isn't like you, you never show your hatred like this." Andrei said.

"Xyn…." Elen quietly said in worry.

Xyn turned to look at them.

"Even little things can change people."

He looked away and lowered his head.

"Please, let me get this opportunity."

Now he sounded more like he was begging them, and much calmer than before.

Xyn realized that he was starting to scare his friends. They began to see his anger and hatred, that was why he decided to calm himself down and changed the way he talk.

After a few moments, Jace made his decision.

"Fine then, Xyn…"

The other two also appeared to give up and didn't protest to their friend's decision.

"Thank you, my friend."

Jace stood up.

"Now then, I should tell the teachers that I'll let you take that match before it begins."

After Xyn nodded, Jace went away.

After several minutes, Jace had returned to them. As it turned out, the teachers allowed it, as expected. Then a few moments after that, the Tournament began.

Some battles were pretty intense, some ended only after a few minutes. The people around enjoyed it all too well. However, Xyn was not entertained at all. He was merely waiting for his match and didn't care about every battle which occurred in the field in front of him.

In contrast, he had started to realize something. It was not only the fact that he didn't care about the battles, but for some reason he felt strange towards the people who were fighting, not only them but also to most people around him. He didn't understand at all, but he didn't give a lot of thought into it.

After several battles, it was finally the 12th graders' turn to fight. Just then, the participants of each class were called to come near the entrance of each side.

With no hesitation, Xyn went there as instructed.

As he did, his best friends wished him good luck.

He waited on the entrance, and the first to be announced was his opponent.

"Alright everyone! It's time for the seniors to begin their match! This first contender belongs to the Section Granite, the powerful fire wizard, Berto Asfeys!"

There were loud cheers and shouting behind him as he walked towards the field. He was also waving around as though he was someone famous and loved by everyone with a smirk on his face.

Berto Asfeys, the bully, monkey faced, the one Xyn have grown to hate only the other week ago. Insulting Xyn would not have a great effect on him, his insults would have been tolerated. However, what he did the last time was unforgivable.

Berto talked unpleasantly about Xyn's mother. He called her a "hag" which snapped a nerve on Xyn. Due to that, Xyn never managed to hold himself from doing something rash. He fought Berto, even though knowing he wouldn't stand a chance against a Gifted guy like Berto.

Even so, he wasn't satisfied in the battle. Therefore, now, he would make the most in this opportunity. Bestow punishment towards this monkey – no, insect who got lost in the place of humans.

"Then the next contender belongs to the Section Citrine, the spellcaster known throughout this school, Xyn Draven Nightfall!"

He walked forward. At the same time, he was greeted by loud cheers from his classmates and many more friends that belonged to other classes and some others he didn't know.

Hmm, should I be proud that many are rooting for me? Yeah, I think I should. But, the spellcaster known throughout this school? Is that how I am?

Xyn was quite surprised as he heard that, and he asked the question that if he was really that known. Xyn does have a lot of friends throughout this school, so perhaps that's why they called him that.

The cheers on both sides were equal to each other. The air vibrated as voices of countless people travel through it. It was as though they wanted to see this fight for a long time.

Why was that? Xyn tried to come up with an answer. In a moment, he had an idea of the reason why. That was because they battled a week ago, and it seemed they want to see how the fight will truly end, they wanted to know who will come out victorious.

As both of them reached the spot on where they were supposed to stop, they glared at each other. No, it would be more precise to say that Berto alone was glaring at Xyn, and Xyn merely coldly stared at him as nothing interesting. Truth be told, Xyn was not letting his hatred and anger show.

Then, a smug formed on Berto's face.

"And here I thought I was about to fight the other guy. Never thought this is going to be easier than I thought it would be."

Berto appeared like he was waiting for a reply from Xyn. But Xyn didn't bother thinking of responding.

"Ignoring me huh. Have you gone too confident now? Did you even use your head before entering here? You, an ungifted, cannot defeat a Gifted one like me – no, in fact, you can't defeat me."

Berto appeared like he thought his provocation worked, and he waited for a reply with a wide smug on his face. But again, Xyn didn't respond.

"Still won't talk? Are you so afraid now that your mouth won't move anymore?"

Berto again appeared like he was talking to the air. Then Xyn decided to talk to him at least once. Besides, Berto already looked like a mentally ill man in the middle of the battlefield, there was no need to make it worst, it would unsatisfying if Berto lost his sanity.

"I ask you then. Do you bother talk to an insect? Cause I do not."

Pissed off expression wrote all over Berto's face.

"What? Damn you, are you saying I'm an insect?!"

Xyn didn't reply.

"Bastard, fine then, I will give no quarter."

Then the announcer finally spoke.

"Alright! Contenders! Prepare yourself! It appears this is quite an anticipated fight! Everyone looks so excited! Please do your best, but don't overdo it! Okay? Then let the fight begin in 5, 4, 3, 2, 1!

Then a loud ring rang out as the battle began.

***

The battle has begun, and Berto's hands were immediately engulfed with flames. These flames were what gave him confidence in every fight he might get in. He honed these flames and his body very hard and came up with different ways to use his magic and how to handle himself in battle.

I'll give this guy a good beating.

He thought.

He charged forward straight towards Xyn. However, as he did, he was puzzled for a second.

Xyn was not moving at all. He merely stood straight, he appeared so calm and unworried. It was as if he was willing to take his attack head-on.

He's not moving? Does he really think he can survive my attacks? Hah! Pathetic. I'll end this as quickly as possible.

He charged up his right hand with flames, and the flames grew thicker and thicker. After that, he thrust his arm forward in a swift with great force. With it, a large body of flame shot out from his hand and flew towards Xyn in tremendous speed.

As it hit him, the blaze spread through the air. Berto smiled as he was certain that was indeed a direct hit, there was no way someone would go unscathed after something like. Likely, Xyn would already have terrible burns all over his body.

He would likely be dying in pain right now.

However, Berto's smile disappeared in an instant and was instead replaced by surprise.

Xyn was still standing there, he didn't move at all. Plus, he wasn't hurt at all.

What how? Did he block it with magic? Probably ice like he used last time? Did he block it using his hand? But I didn't see it? Tch, Perhaps I wasn't paying attention.

"You damn bastard, you even survived that."

However, Xyn remained silent as he had been.

Berto can't help but grow more irritated.

"[Scorching Whip]."

He cast a spell he made powered by his innate magic.

As he waved his hand to the side, a long whip made up of flames appeared in his hand. As if giving the enemy no time to breathe, he immediately waved his hand vigorously and the whip lashed out towards Xyn in an instant.

However, Berto was struck by shock.

"What the…"

The whip hit its target directly. However, the target was not damaged in the slightest. The flames were right atop him as it struck, and the flames spread out like how it was when hitting an object. But he was not burned at all, it was as though there was some kind of shield protecting him.

What trickery is this?

He thought. He couldn't believe it. He couldn't understand it.

"Dammit, in that case, I just have to bombard you with everything!"

He threw several giant fireballs towards him in a continuous streak. After that, he sent a torrent of flames from both his hands.

"Aaarrrgghhh Damn you!"

He repeated those cycle two, or perhaps three times. Tremendous amounts of flames soared through the air that one could feel the heat from several meters away. Then, the dust blew away by the flames filled the air, obstructing their view from each other.

He was starting to feel exhausted due to the loss of mana. He panted heavily as he kept gazing at the dust cloud.

"There's no way he would be unhurt from that."

As he gained some energy from his heavy breathing, his tiredness had begun to wane a little, and he stood straight in the certainty that he had won.

He smiled in the feeling of victory.

However, that feeling was taken from him immediately when a silhouette appeared amidst the dust cloud.

His eyes widened in shock. His enemy was still standing.

"W-What? Impossible!"

He refused to believe it. But he knew this was indeed happening.

He merely refused to accept it. He gave everything he got, so how did this happen? He had no idea.

"H-How are you still unharmed?!"

He tried to get an answer, but he only received silence.

He grew anxious in his confusion. Then decided he had to try again. He had to physically hit Xyn himself.

He shouted to let out some of his anxiousness as he charged towards his enemy.

As he was about to be in reach, flames engulfed his right hand. Then, he punched Xyn on the face.

But Berto's eyes went wide.

There was no doubt his fist hit his enemy's face, however, his fist stopped right before it could touch his enemy's skin. It was like there was some kind of barrier or something.

The enemy he struck turned his eyes to look at him.

"Was that the best you can do…? How underwhelming… It seems it is my turn."

After Xyn blinked his eyes, his eyes suddenly turned furious. His eyes glared at Berto so close, he felt like his gaze himself was going to eat him. It was a truly fearsome furious glare.

He never thought Xyn had this side of him. The side that would harbor such hatred that was blatantly evident through his eyes.

Suddenly, something grabbed his throat. It all happened in an instant that he was unable to perceive it. For a second as he lowered down his eyes to see what grabbed his throat, he saw it was Xyn's hand.

Then Xyn pulled him to the side and back and threw him away. It was not a normal throw, it was a fierce throw that blew him so far away from the thrower. He could feel the air split as he flew, and he felt pain all over his body as he ricocheted on the ground.

Due to the pain, it took for him a few seconds as he groaned before he got up. He immediately looked at the one who threw him while in shock and confusion.

How could Xyn have that kind of strength? A spellcaster should not even have that kind of physical strength.

Just then, as he gazed at Xyn, something like a dark aura began to emanate from Xyn. Those dark auras felt so dreadful even from just looking from far away. The dreadful aura, plus Xyn's furious glare, only made Berto grow more anxious than before.

He felt like his soul was screaming that danger was coming. A deadly danger.

Then, dark blaze engulfed Xyn's hands. They were dark as the night without the moon to light the world. The flames of Xyn's hands were the definition of the word darkness itself.

Then, it appeared like that darkness began to take shape. After a second, his hands were now inside of what appeared to be gauntlets. They had the color of darkness, they were larger than his own pair of hands, and they had sharp edges on each finger, they were a pair of horrifying gauntlets. And what made them more fearsome was because they were blazing with dark flames.

Xyn took a step forward, then he appeared to move in tremendous speed that he reached Berto in a heartbeat. Before Berto could even react, Xyn pushed his head to the ground, making him kiss the dirt. Needless to say, he was in horrible pain as his head hit the ground and plus, he felt like his face was already bleeding.

In addition, he knew that the blazing gauntlets touched him, and he expected to be burned as he made contact. However, it was strange, that was not the case at all. He didn't feel burning at all, nor it was a little hot.

After he hit the ground, he thought that was it, it was finished, but that thought was taken away in an instant when he felt like something held his head and carried him up. Then he felt like he was being turned around by something as his body swayed in the turning motion, after that, he felt like he was flying again. He could no longer clearly see anything, all he could do was feel. He was probably being thrown again.

Then, it was proven to be the case when he ricocheted again on what felt like the ground.

When he stopped, he could see the blue sky, it was blurry, but he knew it was the sky.

Before anything else, darkness filled his sight. He felt like his head was being gripped again. Then a cold voice reached his ears.

"I never thought I would feel this good, just by throwing you away like a piece of trash. This is indeed an efficient way to vent out frustrations, and anger."

Then, as though with no hesitation, he was thrown away again with great force. But this time, he didn't hit the ground, but instead, he was sent flying towards the edge of the battlefield and his back hit what felt like a wall. Due to the impact, he spat out blood, and he felt his back muscles were crushed in the impact, and it sounded like he broke a few bones too.

He hit the barrier of the field. It was a barrier placed by the school staff every time a match was about begin in order to limit the battlefield, and also to protect the audience from the battle.

Then he fell to the ground.

Now, he felt like he was about to pass out. No, perhaps he felt like he was about to die.

Then what appeared something like a cloud of darkness covered him. After that, he was pulled towards something far away. In the end, his head was once again in the grip of Xyn Draven Nightfall.

"Painful isn't it? Perhaps it's as or less painful of what I was feeling all this time… And you, why did you keep bullying me? And you even included my mother in your bullshit… Why did you have to be so annoying every time you see me?"

Even though he was about to lose consciousness, Berto still heard all of that.

Why I… Why indeed…

In his late elementary years, he was classmates with Xyn. At first, they were good friends with each other along with the other students. However, in the flow of time, it all changed.

Xyn was the friendliest one. He was the kindest one. He was what most people would go to. He was smart. He was cool in the eyes of the other students. As Berto realized this, something wicked grew inside his heart.

Xyn was loved by most of their classmates. Xyn was thought of highly by the teachers in their class. As he was also kind, many would come to trust him. But as for Berto, almost none would come to talk to him, unless they have some sort of business with him. Also, as Xyn was cool in the eyes of everyone, girls from class would all go to him, and guys would come to befriend him.

As with more realization, more wicked emotions grew inside Berto.

Not for long, he had grown to resent Xyn. He began to think of him as someone cocky. He bullied him for the first time, and many grew to hate him. However, he also gained some friends, so he didn't care in the end. That was why, until this day, he had some kind of resentment against Xyn.

In other words, he was envious of Xyn Draven Nightfall.

"I want to kill you… However, that would put me into unnecessary trouble."

Xyn let go of him, and as Berto hit the ground, he fell unconscious.

***

Xyn deeply inhaled and filled his lungs to the fullest. Then exhaled slowly.

He looked up to the sky.

"… I need peace..." He quietly said

He thought of the beauty of the world he imagined in his mind. He was thinking about this for a while now. Somehow, it put him slightly at peace.

He looked down at the insect lying on the ground before him. He gazed at it with cold eyes as though he was something completely insignificant.

He wanted to kill this insect so bad that he almost crushed his skull. However, he knew it would only bring troublesome affairs, for instance legal issues or something. Well, it would undoubtedly be murder.

He thought that insect would be fine now, it won't die. Besides, there were magic casters that can cast healing magic.

Then his victory was declared. The announcer stuttered a bit as he did.

"T-Then the victor in this m-match is, Xyn Draven Nightfall, of the Grade 12 Citrine!"

There was no cheer and applauding. It was because they were all shocked by the battle which unfolded. It was a one-sided fight, and there was more than that, it was a beatdown.

After a few seconds, a few applauses could be heard, but that was it.

The barrier of the battlefield was disabled, and the medics immediately rushed towards the insect which laid on the ground as though he was on death's door.

Xyn didn't mind them and headed straight for the exit.

As he was about to return to his friends. He felt something strange. Turned out, that feeling came from the strange gazes from numerous people that were all focused on him.

How uncomfortable…

Xyn looked at his friends that were also looking at him with shocked faces. After that, instead of heading straight there, he turned around and walked away from them.

After a few minutes, he had reached far away from the crowds, he stayed in the canteen. There were surprisingly a few people here, that was why he chose this place to stay for a while.

As he began to gain his calm and peace, his friends found him and quickly sat with him. Elen beside Xyn, and the other two sat on the chair opposite of them.

"Hey Xyn!"

"Hey, Jace… Andrei, Elen."

He looked at them, and he noticed something about them.

"What's wrong? You look flustered."

"Ah, it's nothing." Andrei said.

"Y-Yup nothing at all!" Jace said.

Elen nodded in agreement as she smiled.

"Really? Nothing? Or was it because of what happened earlier?"

They shrugged, perhaps due to surprise, or maybe because they recalled the match, or perhaps he hit the right answer.

"I'm sorry you had to see that."

"Ah! N-No, it's nothing." Jace quickly said.

"Either way, he's fine now, so there's no need to worry." Andrei said.

"I see."

Somehow Xyn felt disappointed. He kind of wanted him to die.

"Um, Xyn?"

Elen softly called out to him.

"What is it?"

"Are you alright?"

She asked as though she was being careful with how she said it.

"Yes I am…"

Then Jace quickly chimed in.

"Really? As in, now? Are you okay now??"

"What's with the sudden strange questioning?"

Xyn asked in bafflement.

"No, it's nothing." Andrei answered.

"Are you still thinking about the match?"

He asked that, but what he received again was denial.

"Then why are you all acting strange?"

He began to feel more confused than before. Normally, they wouldn't act like this if the match was not the reason for their strange action. Perhaps they were lying. That was possible. Then another question was why they were not asking about Xyn's power that he just showed in the battle.

"Ah, hey I'm hungry! You guys wanna eat?"

Jace suddenly changed the topic and completely ignored Xyn's question.

"Yeah I'm hungry, I think I'll buy some."

"Umu, I'm hungry. It's your treat, right? Xyn, you haven't bought any food yet. What do you want? Don't worry it's Jace's treat this time."

"Hah?! How cruel of you Elen! I don't even have a lot of cash."

"Oh come on, what about you take some money you always spend on your games?!"

"Please don't, I still had some items to b-buy—"

Elen turned her back on Xyn and looked at Jace.

"Eh—fine, of course I'll use some of my money. It's my treat! I'll buy you all some food."

In the end, Jace gave up. Xyn didn't see Elen's face, but he thought she probably gave Jace the scary look, leading him to give up.

However, that was not the case. Xyn didn't know that Elen was giving Jace the look as though saying "just do it, please!" which Jace immediately understood the intent of that.

As Jace went to grab some snacks, Andrei asked Xyn.

"So Xyn, what was that power that you used? We were surprised back there.".

The question Xyn had been expecting for them to ask has come. He didn't know anything about his new found power, but it just came out of nowhere. He couldn't certainly call it a Gift either.

"Truth be told, I don't know exactly."

"What? You can use those black flames and stuff and yet you don't know?"

"I know how to use it, but I don't know what it is."

Then Elen asked a strange question.

"You didn't sell your soul to the devil, right?"

Both of them were speechless for a moment.

"What?! No, why would I try to attempt something like that?"

"Is selling the soul even real?" Andrei asked.

"I don't know, but perhaps." Elen said.

"Anyway, on the contrary, it seems the devil instead bowed down to me."

"Yeah right." Andrei said in a sarcastic manner.

"You jest, it's a joke right?" Elen asked.

"Yes."

"Hehe, it's not funny though." Elen flatly said.

"Hm. I always suck at humor."

"Indeed."

The two of them chuckled and Xyn merely smiled. At the moment, he felt like he couldn't bring himself to laugh just yet.

Then Jace had returned carrying a bunch of snacks and drinks.

"Hey, what are you talking about? You look like you're enjoying yourselves."

Then Elen replied.

"Nothing… Oh, incredible, you really bought a lot!"

"Right right! So you should thank me!"

"No, we're not going to thank you, so that there will be a next time." Andrei said.

"Eh? Noooooo. You'll make me poor."

"You'll be fine!" Elen said while having a bright smile on her face.

Then they ate their snacks for a long time, they were all having fun as they talked about different things. As for Xyn, it put his heart at ease and peaceful for a little, to the point he was able to smile continuously for several minutes.

Then later that day, it came the class' second match. As said before, Jace was the contender this time. It was a hard-fought battle and they cheered so hard for him, and in the end, he won that match. After that, they celebrated for a while, then later prepared for the next one.

The next match looked more intense than before, and it was apparent that Jace was having difficulties to defeat his enemy. Sadly, despite all his efforts, he lost. However, Jace accepted his defeat. His enemy was also pretty amazing, and it was a good experience. In addition, after his loss, they were not mostly upset about it.

Then it was now late in the afternoon.

"Waaah, still it was a waste! I almost got him."

"I agree. But it was a good match."

"The important thing is that you're alright."

Jace, Andrei, and Elen said as they walked away from the grandstand. The tournament was not yet finished, and there were still a couple of matches left. However, they left so they could get some fresh air while they walk around campus.

Xyn looked at the sky.

There he decided to say what he was about to do. It was best to move when the sun was still there, he wouldn't like it when it was already dark when he goes. In addition, the sun could help in determining the direction on where he should go.

He stopped when they were passing by the school gates.

"What's wrong Xyn?" Andrei asked.

He turned around to face them.

"I, I'm leaving."

"Leave? Then it's alright, you're going to school tomorrow, right?" Jace said.

Xyn deeply inhaled.

"… No, I'm not. I will not be going to school anymore. Also, I'll be leaving town."

They were struck by bafflement and worry.

"Leaving? Why? What are you going to do?" Elen weakly asked.

Xyn looked up to the sky.

"I'll be going to places I never went to. Travel to the wonders of what this world has to offer. And maybe, just maybe, I can make things and my dreams a reality."

"Really? Then, how long will you be back? In a couple of weeks? A month?"

"I don't know, perhaps years. No, it would likely be years."

"But why?! Why do you have to go to places far away?! Why do you have to leave us for that long? It may be dangerous on where you are going, you might get hurt so bad!"

Elen severely said as her eyes began to wet as tears wanted to come out.

"Elen… I want to go…"

"Why? Does this have to do with your mother's death?"

"Oy Elen…"

Xyn was surprised after he heard that. He turned his back on them as he asked.

"How did you know?"

There was no immediate reply until Andrei answered instead.

"Ma'am Len told us what happened after your battle. Also, she told us to take care of you while you're still here.

"I see… She worries too much…"

"And… also after the match, we began to hear from the other students that a name appeared on TV that has the same surname as yours…"

Now he understood why they were acting strange earlier. Also why they tried their best for them to be together. It was to make him feel better.

"I'm sorry Xyn, I spoke that way." Elen said.

"No, you have nothing to apologize for… And you're right. My mother's death has something to do with my decision… I want peace."

"But you don't have to go to obtain that… I don't want you to go…" Elen said.

"There's more than one reason for my decision, and one of them was what I said earlier."

Xyn turned around to face them again. The eyes of the three widened as they saw Xyn smiled as he said.

"I'll be fine. Also, we will be seeing each other again. So there's nothing to worry about."

The three had an upset expression on their faces. Their faces matched their true feelings. Also, they were upset about Xyn's smile. His smile was not genuine, it was forced, they could tell because they've known each other for a very long time.

His smile seemed like a forced smile in order to make someone feel better.

"Very well. Promise me that you'll return." Elen said.

"I promise you. I will return."

"That's fine enough." Elen said.

"You better hold onto your promise to Elen, Xyn!" Andrei said.

"Dammit, I think I'm going to cry!" Jace said.

"You shouldn't cry. It only makes the parting more difficult." Xyn said.

They approached each other. Then they tightly hugged each other.

"Until we meet again." Xyn said.

"Until we meet again!" The three of them said to Xyn.

***

Xyn returned home. He immediately gathered all important things, even the smallest things, and placed them into the bag. That bag he was carrying appeared to be very heavy. However, he had more physical strength now.

As he was leaving, he could just leave the other stuff there. However, he predicted he would be gone for a couple of years or so. During the time he was gone, thieves might barge into his home, or perhaps other things. That was why he took everything from picture frames to personal belongings of his mother, everything that was valuable beyond compare.

It took a while before he packed everything up. After that, he went out of the house, and there he saw Rin watering her garden. When Xyn returned, she wasn't there yet, that was why he didn't get to tell her his departing after he got home.

After locking the door, Rin noticed him.

"X-Xyn?! What's with the heavy looking bag?"

Xyn smiled as he moved towards the wooden fence.

"I'm leaving."

She stopped her watering and immediately approached close to Xyn.

"Leaving? To where?"

"To far away places. To places I do not know."

"What the hell? That sounds dark."

"Is that so?"

"Wait, are you serious?!"

"Yes I am serious."

"As in seriously serious."

Xyn nodded.

Then she seemed to freeze as she thought and processed everything.

"W-Why?"

"In search for peace."

"You sound like you're searching for your death."

Xyn smiled as he replied.

"Of course not. I'm not going to die."

"Good."

Then all of a sudden, Rin smacked Xyn on the head so hard. Of course, he was not hurt, but he immediately held his head in surprise.

"What was that for?"

"That's for not telling me sooner! I'm not mentally prepared you know!" She shouted. "… The smack felt different though." She quietly said.

"Ah I'm sorry. Also, I'm older than you. You shouldn't just attack me like that."

"You're my best friend first… or should I say, childhood friend?"

"Hehe, both."

She intently stared at Xyn.

"You look a lot better now." She softly said.

Xyn didn't say a word but instead responded with a smile.

"So, how long are you going to be away?"

"Um, I think it would be a couple of years or so."

"What?! Seriously? That long?!"

"Yes…"

They stared at each other for several seconds before Rin walked closer to Xyn. Then she hugged him so tightly that one would not be able to breathe.

"If it's going to make you feel better. Then, I wish you good luck with your travels, Xyn."

Xyn also moved his hands to embrace her back.

"Thank you… And, be careful while I'm gone."

"Of course."

"We'll meet again, I promise you."

"I shall take hold unto that."

"Until we meet again, Rin."

"Until we meet again, Xyn."

They embraced each other for several seconds until both of them slowly let go.

"To be honest, I don't want you to go. But, it is for your own sake. So I just have to let you go."

Rin stared at Xyn's eyes for a moment before speaking again.

"Now go, before I change my mind on letting you go. Better hurry before I attempt to tie you up."

Xyn chuckled.

"Thanks Rin. Also, say my goodbyes to Mr. Garnet."

"Yeah Yeah."

As Xyn walked away, black blaze began to cover his body. Then he began to float and fly towards the sky.

"Did he just fly? Oh…" Rin said as she gazed at Xyn flying away.

Xyn looked at the setting sun.

Then he set his course towards the north and flew in that direction in great speed.

"Now then, let's see where this world will take me."