Inside the starry sky, a cascade of multicolored light erupted. Two figures flashed through the brilliance and emerged inside a circular chamber. At its center stood a tall man clad in golden armor, his broad hands resting on the hilt of an immense sword driven deep into the platform before him. Heimdall, guardian of the Bifrost, watched them with his piercing eyes.
The two arrivals were Thor, son of Odin, and Kurogai Blackwood, who had traveled with him to the Eternal Palace.
Their mission complete, Thor had called for Heimdall to open the Bifrost, and without hesitation the sentinel had obeyed, summoning the shimmering bridge to draw them both back to Asgard.
"Thank you, Heimdall," Thor said. "This is Envoy Kurogai, who has come on behalf of Midgard to discuss matters with my father. He is also a warrior of considerable power."
Heimdall's expression did not change. His eyes shifted to Thor's companion. "I know of you," he said. "Few in Midgard possess such strength. Even fewer are spoken of as you are."
Kurogai offered a faint smile. "I didn't realize my reputation had carried this far." His tone was light, though his gaze lingered on Heimdall with careful respect. He knew the guardian was no mere sentinel. Though Heimdall rarely left the Bifrost, Kurogai understood him to be one of Asgard's most formidable warriors, one capable of even standing against Thor if pressed. Still, he was not someone Kurogai feared.
Sensing the tension, Thor stepped forward. "Enough of this. Kurogai, it is rare to have you in Asgard. Let me show you its beauty before I take you to meet my father."
With a brief nod to Heimdall, Thor led Kurogai onto the rainbow span. The bridge stretched across a void of starlight, each step bringing Asgard closer into view. From here Kurogai saw the gleaming palace rising at the end, its spires shining with the grandeur of a kingdom carved from myth, rich in Nordic majesty. At its heart, Odin All-Father awaited.
As they entered the city, a squad of armored warriors crossed their path.
"Thor, you've returned! Was your mission a success?" one of them called eagerly. Thor's reputation among Asgard's soldiers was second to none, and they welcomed him back warmly.
"All went well," Thor replied. His gaze then shifted to a female warrior with a sword at her side. "Sif, I need a favor. Please escort my friend to the Magic District. He has a strong interest in sorcery. I must first report to my father, and I would not have him waiting unattended."
Sif inclined her head, understanding immediately that Thor held this outsider in high regard. "Very well. Please, come with me," she said, turning to Kurogai.
For his part, Kurogai did not object. The Magic District was precisely where he wanted to go. He had not come to Asgard without purpose, and among his aims was to study their arcane knowledge. If it could advance the power of his Pupil Rings, it was an opportunity he would not squander.
Sif guided him across the golden city until they reached a colossal tree unlike any Kurogai had ever seen, vast and ancient, its trunk hollowed and shaped into a grand hall. Inside, the walls were lined with towering shelves, each brimming with tomes and scrolls.
"These texts are for study," Sif explained, her tone respectful but guarded. "But they may not be removed. They are gifts Odin has made available to the people of Asgard." She remained close, her posture protective. Thor might trust this man, but she was not so quick to lower her guard.
"That's fine," Kurogai said, smiling faintly. "I only wish to read." He did not call attention to her suspicion. Instead, he stepped forward and began to study.
The texts were unlike any he had encountered before. The magic of Kamar-Taj carried the discipline of monks and bore echoes of the East, steeped in chants and meditative focus. By contrast, Asgard's magic was wrought from ancient runes and primal forces, carved deep into the Norse tradition. Different systems, but both powerful. For Kurogai, it was like discovering an entire new dimension of thought.
Page after page drew him deeper. Runes of binding, incantations of storm, diagrams of dimensional gates—each sparked recognition and ideas. He immersed himself completely, his mind piecing together concepts and layering them onto what he already knew.
Time slipped away. As his understanding grew, a familiar voice echoed faintly in his mind, the subtle whisper of the Ultimate Pupil.
"The second pupil ring is saturated. The level may now be increased. Proceed?"
Kurogai's lips curved into a quiet, knowing smile. This was exactly what he had hoped for.