Chapter zéro was an introduction to the story's situations; now, the journey of our hero "Zokzoka" begins on a long path toward power.
Early in the morning, the sun's warm rays shone softly through Zokzoka's bedroom window, gently waking him from sleep.
Zokzoka awoke with a smile on his face, excited for the first day of the new school season. He was eight years old and felt this year would be different.
Noel, 38 years old (his mother):
"Zokzoka! Wake up, it's time to go to school!"
Zokzoka (energetically replying):
"I'm coming, Mom!"
He quickly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and put on his school uniform. As he hurried down the stairs, his foot suddenly slipped!
He almost fell, but a hidden hand caught him just in time. It was his older brother "Narako," seventeen years old, who used "Motion Stop" magic to save him.
Narako, 17 years old (with a calm smile):
"That was close... be careful next time you go down the stairs."
Zokzoka landed safely and turned to his brother with a smile:
"Thank you, brother!"
At that moment, their mother Noel called from the kitchen:
"Come quickly and eat your breakfast before you're late for your duties!"
Breakfast Beginnings
With the aroma of toasted bread drifting from the kitchen, Zokzoka sat at the breakfast table beside his older brother Narako. Moments later, Jinwa, the middle brother, appeared yawning lazily and rubbing his eyes from sleep.
Jinwa, 15 years old (hoarse voice):
"Good morning... Mom, did you bring me the lemon-filled chocolate cake from the bakery?"
Noel (busy preparing dishes):
"I didn't go out this morning, and I completely forgot to buy it yesterday after work. Sorry, dear."
Jinwa paused, sighed in frustration, placing his hand on his forehead as if he had lost a decisive battle.
Jinwa:
"What...? Well, okay, I'll buy it myself after school."
Narako (laughing, raising his tea cup):
"What rotten luck, starting your new year at the Magic Academy without your favorite cake!"
Jinwa (getting angry):
"Damn you, Narako!"
The joking atmosphere faded as their father entered quietly with a warm smile.
Father Dekar, 38 years old:
"Good morning, Noel... Good morning, my sons." (Looking at them firmly but kindly) "Enough noise! If you're late to your classes, you'll spend the first day of the year cleaning the halls."
Everyone laughed lightly, and the house filled with warmth before the coming storm in Zokzoka's life.
Dekar sat quietly at the breakfast table with a steaming cup of coffee, gazing kindly at his son beside him, then reached out to play with his black hair.
Dekar (warm voice):
"Today you start your third academic year, my son... You must work hard to graduate and become a great person."
Zokzoka smiled with shining eyes and confidently replied with childish trust:
"I will, Dad! I'll make everyone proud and get first place!"
Noel sat at the table, following the conversation with a tender motherly smile.
Noel:
"Well done, my little one... I will always be by your side with my support and love."
Suddenly, Noel turned to Jinwa with a stern look, who was stuffing a large bite into his mouth. He froze and looked at her confused.
Jinwa (nervous):
"W-what? Why are you looking at me like that?!"
Dekar burst out laughing, waving his hand:
"Don't you know why, you fool! The negligent one in his lessons, the troublemaker in his academy, the leader of the bullies!"
Jinwa's face turned a mix of embarrassment and agitation as he tried to defend himself with a hesitant voice:
"I w-will try my best, I promise! I won't get near the bullies and I'll be good!"
But Noel wasn't convinced and approached him with an angry face, warning of a coming disciplinary storm.
Noel:
"What? You'll only try? You're such a fool! You need a lesson to remind you what discipline means!"
While Noel shouted at Jinwa angrily, laughter erupted from Zokzoka, Dekar, and even Narako, unable to resist the funny scene. Jinwa was getting reprimanded as if it were a morning routine.
The mood soon calmed as Noel turned to her eldest son with a gentler tone.
Noel (softly):
"Narako... try harder this year."
Narako smiled confidently, lifting his bag over his shoulder, and reassured:
"Don't worry, Mom... I'll do my best this year."
Noel's face brightened happily as she looked at her eldest.
Noel:
"That's how I want you always... Learn from him, you idiot!" she said, casting a sideways glance at Jinwa, who frowned in dismay.
After finishing breakfast, everyone dispersed preparing for their long day. Both Narako and Jinwa wore the official academy uniforms and left quickly as the flying bus arrived, whistling distinctively in the air.
Meanwhile, Noel stood by the kitchen sink, waving her right hand while whispering an incantation:
Noel (whispering):
"Sirengsa!"
The dishes started moving by themselves, washing and arranging magically and gracefully. Then she dressed in her elegant formal uniform inspired by light decorated armor, fitting her status as the leader of the Light Guards at the headquarters. She glanced at the mirror with a light smile before setting out on her busy day.
Page 5 – The Road to the Academy, and the Heart's Talk
On a bright morning, the three—Zokzoka, his mother Noel, and father Dekar—left the house heading to the car parked outside. Zokzoka sat in the back seat while Noel sat upfront next to Dekar, who took the wheel.
Everyone fastened their seatbelts, then Dekar started the car, smoothly driving down the shaded road lined with trees swaying their leaves in the morning breeze.
In the quiet journey, Noel glanced back slightly and spoke to her son in a gentle, encouraging motherly tone:
Noel:
"Zokzoka, you must be well prepared this year... Try to make friends, don't stay lonely. And most importantly, don't lose hope... Your powers might not have appeared yet, but they could show up anytime. The future is full of surprises."
Zokzoka lowered his gaze, his eyes shining with deep disappointment, then spoke sadly:
Zokzoka:
"But... everyone's powers showed up after birth or at least during the first year... Their magical energy, Ringka, was obvious and could be sensed. But I... have nothing."
A brief silence fell before Dekar's deep confident voice broke it, looking at the road ahead:
Dekar:
"My son... even without power, you can become greater than everyone if you know what you want... Power isn't everything. Determination, purpose, heart... these make the difference. Just don't give up."
Thoughtfulness appeared on Zokzoka's face, as if his parents' words touched his depths... And among heartbeats, a small spark of faith was born.
As the car continued its journey to the academy, Noel smiled warmly at Zokzoka, challenging the sadness in his eyes.
Noel (softly):
"Your father is right, Zokzoka... That's why I want you to smile, to dream, to see your future with passion, not fear."
Zokzoka raised his eyes to her with a look mixing innocence and deep curiosity, then quietly asked:
Zokzoka:
"Mom... why didn't we inherit anything from you? Neither me nor my brothers... no blonde hair, no golden eyes, not even your powers."
A light silence filled the car before Noel's calm face broke into sad and mysterious expressions.
Noel (in a low voice):
"That's... because of my safety. The family I belong to... Sirano. When you grow up, you will understand."
Zokzoka's emotions stirred and his curiosity increased, but he did not stop:
Zokzoka:
"I know a little... I read many books searching for answers about what's happening to me. I found names of great families... some mentioned alongside Sirano."
Noel's gaze became more cautious, as if something ancient began to resurface... but the time was not yet right for full disclosure.
Page 7 – Secrets of the Lineage and the Lost Blood
Noel's features changed to surprise, looking at Zokzoka with genuine interest:
Noel (in amazement):
"Really? What families did you read about? Was anything written about my family?"
Zokzoka answered enthusiastically, like a child who found a long-sought answer:
Zokzoka:
"Yes! I read about the Saria family, the Karfsel family... and about our family, but not much was mentioned."
Noel and Dekar exchanged looks of surprise mixed with worry, and Zokzoka continued as if recalling a text from memory:
Zokzoka (focused):
"I remembered... it was written that the Sirano family is famous for its golden magical power, and their battles against the Ringka demon beasts. But if a Sirano marries outside the family... the children will inherit nothing of the power or appearance... only DNA."
He continued with a serious tone:
Zokzoka:
"Your golden hair... your eyes... and even your magical power... only pass on if the marriage is within the family. But if two similar families, like Sirano and Karfsel, marry, then the offspring can inherit double powers. Is that... true?"
Noel was silent for a moment, then smiled tenderly, her eyes hiding an old pain:
Noel (calmly):
"Yes... what you read is true. The blood power in Sirano is linked to genetic laws... and power only transfers in very special cases. The marriage with Karfsel would have granted immense power... but it is impossible today."
She then added with a playful smile to lighten the mood:
Noel:
"But you inherited the most beautiful thing from your father... his handsome features."
Zokzoka laughed, looking at his mother with eyes full of love and gratitude, momentarily forgetting his sadness.
Dekar noticed the sadness creeping onto Noel's face and decided to break the heavy silence.
Dekar (with a gentle smile):
"We've arrived... Get ready, Zokzoka, this is your school."
Zokzoka nodded eagerly, opened the car door, and waved goodbye to his parents with an excited smile, then rushed toward the school gate.
The couple stayed for a moment, watching their child walk away.
Noel sighed softly, the sadness creeping into her tone.
Noel (whispering):
"What if it was my fault? What if Zokzoka didn't inherit the Ringka power because of me? This always happens when a Sirano marries outside the family... one child may be born without power..."
Dekar looked at her kindly but wanted to be firm:
Dekar:
"Stop blaming yourself... Do you mean Sirano's inheritance laws are stronger than our love? This is not your fault... nor his."
Noel lowered her head, trying to hold back a tear:
Noel (broken voice):
"I just... don't want him to suffer in the future... to feel different or incomplete..."
A heavy silence fell, as if gray clouds gathered in her heart, before Dekar moved the car forward, the mother's worry still lingering.
Trying to calm his wife's growing anxiety, Dekar looked at Noel and said warmly:
Dekar:
"There are many cases, Noel... Wizards who bear children without energy, and sometimes the opposite—parents without magic have children with strong Ringka energy... true it's rare, but not impossible."
But Noel looked at him with eyes full of sorrow:
Noel:
"But he carries the bloodline of the Idari family... their title is the Knights of War Power. How can he not carry any of that heritage?"
Dekar sighed, turning his gaze to the road ahead, as if memories weighed heavily on him.
Dekar:
"That was in the past, Noel... I and my sons—except Zokzoka—are the only remaining descendants of the Idari family. The family's power dies if it remains only in history... don't blame yourself too much."
He then added reassuringly:
Dekar:
"Let's stop overthinking. Let's focus on our lives, protecting them now until they grow and become independent."
The car stopped before a tall building guarded by glowing pillars, topped with a banner bearing the emblem of the "Light Guards."
Dekar:
"We've arrived, good luck today, Light Commander."
He smiled at her and gently opened the car door for her.
Before leaving the car, Noel leaned toward her husband and kissed him softly.
Noel (warm smile):
"Thank you, dear... I love you so much."
Dekar (light smile):
"Me too, Noel."
He watched her walk away steadily until she disappeared behind the doors of the "Light Guards" headquarters. Then he started the engine again and continued to his workplace.
But the ring of his phone broke the quiet moment. He answered firmly:
Dekar:
"Who is this?"
The voice on the line:
"Sir! This is Jacky... we have a problem. Raja, the guild leader, faced a Ringka beast, and his injury is very serious."
Dekar (obviously worried):
"I'm coming immediately. Call Kasamo, he is the only one with strong healing power."
Jacky (nervous):
"I forgot, sir! I'll call him right away!"
Dekar:
"Hurry... we don't have time."
Far away from the warmth of the family and the city's noise, darkness pulses in deadly silence...
Inside a huge hall drowned in darkness, dozens of people wear purple cloaks and black masks covering their faces. At the center, dense Ringka energy blazes above a giant magical gate opening into an unknown depth emitting a frightening black glow... something is trying...