The forest held its breath.
Sunlight filtered through the canopy, splitting into beams before touching the damp ground. The air was thick, humid, filled with the scent of fresh rain clinging to every leaf and root.
Four masked men dashed through the trees, soundless and swift. Clad in black, their movements were sharp, calculated, like assassins.
They stopped behind a thick bush. One crouched low, scribbling something onto a parchment. Another climbed a tree, scanning the distance and flashing a set of hand signals to the others.
From behind tall grass, Sei watched calmly. Eyes narrowed in concentration. On his shoulder, Fari perched, quiet as a breeze.
'What are they doing?' Sei asked through the silent channel of nature energy.
'Not sure… maybe writing a report.'
Their words didn't pass through lips. Just thoughts.
Below, one of the masked figures muttered, "This village is vulnerable."
Another nodded, uneasily. "We should retreat before the Grandmaster senses us."
They turned to leave—but froze.
A child stood in their path, leaning against a tree with casual ease. His navy-blue hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.
The leader stepped forward, trying to sound firm. "Kid, this is a dangerous place. You shouldn't be here alone."
Sei tilted his head. "And what are you doing here?"
There was something unsettling in the way he asked, polite… but cold.
One of the men flinched. "Tch. You got a death wish, brat?"
Another gestured. "Ignore him. Just a kid."
They tried to split off. Move past him.
SHINK.
A spear, formed of water pierced cleanly through one man's leg. He crumpled with a strangled scream.
Sei smiled. "My question was unanswered. Where do you think you're going?"
The leader narrowed his eyes. He signaled the others. Two lunged at Sei from both sides, daggers flashing.
They met a wall. Thin as glass, swirling like liquid.
A burst of water knocked them back like rag dolls.
'Sei,' Fari's voice echoed urgently in his head. 'Use a field dome. The village might hear.'
'I can't hold it perfectly yet. What if Grandmaster sees?'
'I'm checking for him. Just do it.'
Sei's gaze flicked briefly to her. That moment was all the enemies needed.
They lunged together this time, wounded or not, their blades drawn. But Sei didn't flinch.
His eyes glowed with violet light. He raised his palm slowly.
"Tempest Dome."
The air bent.
With a silent roar, an unseen dome formed around them—an enclosed space of compressed wind and pressure. The masked men dropped to their knees, gasping under the crushing weight of air, as if gravity had tripled.
"What kind of monster—?" the leader gasped.
Sei walked forward. He kicked the leader in the stomach, grabbed his hair, and lifted his head.
"You don't get to ask questions. Understood?"
The man, pale and trembling, nodded.
"What were you doing here?" Sei asked, voice barely above a whisper.
"We—we were following orders—"
SHLK.
A clean, swift slice.
One of the men—headless—slumped onto the forest floor.
The others froze in horror. They hadn't even seen Sei raise a weapon, or move.
"Second chance," Sei said, eyes on the leader. "What were you doing here?"
"Surveying villages… small ones."
The leader started to speak again—but another of his men shouted, "Don't tell him anything!"
Sei's eyes narrowed. "Did I give you permission to speak?" he raised his volume, his gaze snapped toward him. The man convulsed—his throat tore open, as though struck under immense weight.
The leader's voice broke. "Stop! Please! We work… for the new king."
Sei's brows knit. "The new king?"
"I can't say more."
THUD.
one more head hit the ground, clean and swift. Only the leader and one of his men remained, trembling.
"Why target villages?" Sei asked. "Tell me, and I will spare this last one," Sei said coldly, pointing at the only man at his feet.
"I… I can't."
Sei slowly pierced the man's hand. He screamed.
"I don't have time."
"The new king is trying to eradicate small villages to decrease the burden on the royal treasure after the war."
"I told you everything!" the man cried. "Please!"
Sei paused for a moment.
Then—slash.
He beheaded both of them in a single slash.
The dome vanished.
Birds chirped again in the silence. Leaves rustled. The forest seemed unaware of the carnage that had unfolded.
Sei dropped to one knee, blood trickling from side of his lips.
"Looks like using Field Dome still strains me a lot," Sei murmured.
"You okay?" Fari asked, jumping on his shoulder. "Why did you kill them?"
"Because they would make trouble if I left them. Did you do the work?"
"Yes. The bear is coming this way. Let's get out."
Sei ran immediately to the waterfall, washed the blood, and then returned home. It had been two years since the war ended and his father died; Sei was now 10 years old. But his growth surpassed those around him.
"Mom, I am back," Sei exclaimed as he opened the door.
But his gaze stopped the moment he saw the Grandmaster sitting there. He slightly bowed, "Hello, Grandmaster."
"Good to see you, Sei," the old man said.
The air was tense. His mother sat opposite, wringing her hands, her eyes swollen.
"Sei," the Grandmaster nodded, his voice firm. "You'll leave tomorrow for the capital."
Sei stood still for a second, then gave a polite bow. "Understood."
His mother looked at him, lips trembling.
"Why can't he stay?" she asked, her voice breaking. "He's… he's only ten. Can't he learn here?"
The Grandmaster's gaze softened slightly. "The academy is safe. He needs exposure to the outside world."
She looked down, tears falling. "He's all I have left."
Sei hesitated. Then walked to her.
He hugged her gently. Her arms clutched him like she feared he'd disappear.
"Mom," he said softly. "I'll be fine. Rudo's already in second year. He says the academy's even safer than the village."
Her hands cupped his cheeks. "You're so much like your father," she whispered. "But you're still my little boy."
He smiled. "And I always will be."
The Grandmaster stood, his cloak brushing the floor. "Be ready at dawn. Your journey begins now."
As the door closed behind him, Sei's mother pulled him close again.