It had been five years since the death of the Demon King.
The entire world had celebrated his fall, convinced that those ten long years of darkness had finally come to an end.
But not everyone shared that joy.
The mother of the young woman who had been seen alongside the Demon King that day burst into tears at the sight of her daughter's lifeless body. The knights and the general bowed their heads, lowering themselves at the waist, the weight of guilt heavy on their shoulders.
"I'm sorry... No... we couldn't save her."
The girl's body rested inside a coffin, as if she were merely sleeping. Her eyes were closed, and over her white dress, a deep red stain at the center of her chest stood out starkly—undeniable proof of what had happened.
Overcome with grief, the mother began to scream and lash out at the general, even though he hadn't been directly responsible.
"You bastard! You killed my daughter!" she cried through her tears, trying to strike him, but was quickly restrained by two knights who held her by the arms.
"I truly... I'm so sorry... I'm really sorry..."
It was a heartbreaking scene. A mother who had raised her daughter with love could not stop crying, as if her pain would never heal.
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Meanwhile, deep within the forest, a woman was teaching a child as if giving him private lessons. But she didn't only educate him—she cared for him as if he were her own son. She worried about him constantly. Whenever he vanished unexpectedly while she was doing something else, her fear would rise uncontrollably.
That year, she had finally decided it was time to teach him magic. They would start with the basics—the easiest spells, since it was his first time.
The woman, named Sara, was once a high-level mage. She had been known for her strict nature even during her academy years. Teaching lower-year students had often been considered harsh, especially when it involved saint-grade magic.
In that world, there existed a system. A force that governed life, granted ranks, and determined the kind of magic one could wield.
That very system was ruled by a "Great World"—a higher plane that contained countless worlds within it, including the human one.
This system maintained a kind of balance. The most powerful mages had managed to understand it partially, allowing them to harness magic properly.
But it also brought a troubling possibility: that new generations might be born without any magical talent at all.
And that was Sara's fear.
"(This is going to be difficult to figure out...)" she thought.
They were in the yard—just the two of them in a quiet grassy field, while a butterfly fluttered nearby, stealing the attention of Garieth Kael, the boy she had found five years ago on that rainy night.
Now, it was time for his first magic lesson.
"Alright, Kael. Before we begin practicing magic, I want to explain how it works."
Kael looked at her with surprise... but quickly became distracted again, chasing after the butterfly circling around him.
Sara let out a sigh and gently picked him up, placing him on a chair in front of her.
"Sit still and listen. This is very important if you want to learn magic."
Kael sat up straight, trying to look as serious as he could, clearly sensing that something important was about to happen.
"Good boy... Let's see... Where should I start?"
Sara paused to think for a moment, then finally came to a decision.
"Alright, I've decided. First, I'll explain the origin of magic, and then I'll teach you how to use it. Do you have any questions?"
Kael slowly turned his head and, with an innocent smile, shook it gently.
"To begin with, the world we live in exists within a much greater world. We're not alone—there are many other worlds inside that higher plane.
This 'Great World' possesses a magical system that feeds every world within it. Since the beginning, everything has been made of magic. Each world also has its own system, and they all use magic in different ways. For example, here we use it for daily tasks, while in other worlds it might be used solely for war… or some might not even know what magic is for.
Are you listening, Kael...?"
Kael was once again chasing the butterfly.
"(I suspected as much... It's only natural. A five-year-old can't really grasp these concepts...)"
As if sensing her thoughts, Kael turned to look at Sara. When he saw her serious expression, he froze, then looked down, clearly remorseful.
"I'm sorry, Mama..."
Sara sighed, unable to stop a faint smile from escaping.
"I figured as much. I'll explain it better when you're older. For now... how about we begin with some practice?"
Kael nodded enthusiastically. A few minutes later, he was standing beside Sara, watching her closely.
"First of all, to create a water orb, you don't need to say 'water orb'... and the same goes for 'fire orb' if you want to summon fire."
Sara raised both hands. A perfect water sphere floated above her right palm, while a small flame orb hovered over her left. They glowed steadily, effortlessly.
"You only need to say the words if you can't clearly visualize what you want to create. But I don't think you're that kind of mage. Right? Show me, Kael."
Sara stepped back. Kael closed his eyes and extended one hand forward.
Suddenly, a small water orb appeared in the air.
Sara let out a relieved breath. Kael had magic after all.
But then, in the same hand, a flame orb appeared as well.
Sara was speechless. She had never seen anything like it. Summoning two different elements in the same hand—and at his age—was something even she struggled to do.
When Kael opened his eyes, both orbs vanished. He looked down, disappointed, thinking he had failed.
Sara continued staring, still in awe.
"How did you do that...?"
"Do what?" Kael asked, genuinely confused.
Sara stepped closer. But upon realizing he hadn't even noticed what he had accomplished, she said nothing more. Still, one truth was now clear to her: Kael had talent—potential that might one day prove far more important than anyone could imagine.
"It's nothing. I'll teach you many things from now on... So I hope I can count on you, Kael."
The boy gave her the brightest smile he could.
"Yes, Mama!"
And so began Kael's long journey of training—
A journey that might one day change the fate of the world.