The wind rustled through the tall oak tree near Ji-hyeon's home, its leaves whispering secrets only the night could hear.
He sat alone beneath it, the scroll untouched in his lap. Areum had left hours ago, but her words kept circling in his mind like ghosts.
> "You're being watched."
"Your bloodline woke the stone."
"An invitation…"
He hadn't opened it yet. Something inside him resisted—like opening it would pull him into a path he couldn't return from.
The stars above twinkled silently. Ji-hyeon leaned back against the tree, trying to clear his thoughts. But instead, the memories came back.
A battlefield. Screams. Fire. A man with eyes like suns and a voice of thunder. And Ji-hyeon—no, the Demon King—standing atop mountains of corpses. Alone.
He gasped, clutching his chest.
It wasn't a dream. It was a memory.
Not just a shadow—but truth.
> "Is that what I was?" he whispered to the night.
"Is that what I'll become again…?"
A soft voice broke the silence.
"You look sad, big brother."
He turned. A small girl stood a few steps away—his younger sister, Eun-ha. She wore a worn cloak and held a wooden doll tightly in her arms.
Ji-hyeon forced a smile. "Just thinking, Eun-ha. Couldn't sleep?"
She shook her head. "Mama said the stars listen if you tell them your wishes."
He looked up again. "Then I hope they're listening now."
Eun-ha sat beside him. "You're strong, right?"
"…Why?"
"Because if you're strong," she said, "then nothing bad will happen to our family. Right?"
Ji-hyeon paused.
He looked at her innocent eyes… and made a silent vow.
> "Even if the world burns, even if the past hunts me again… I'll protect you."
He finally opened the scroll.
Inside, glowing softly with silver ink, were words that would shape his destiny:
> To the bearer of the Mark—
You are invited to the hidden trials of Ordo Arcanum, the Ancient Academy of Forbidden Magic.
Your presence is demanded before the next full moon.
The journey had begun.