Morning sunlight spilled across the capital city of Aurelia, illuminating its towering white walls and golden spires.
Merchants shouted in the streets.
Carriages rolled along the stone roads.
The capital of the Kingdom of Volaria was alive as always.
But at the main gates, something unusual had arrived.
A small group of riders entered the city wearing long silver cloaks marked with a symbol recognized across the continent.
A radiant sun surrounded by wings.
The symbol of the Celestial Church.
Citizens instinctively moved aside as the riders passed.
No one wanted to interfere with the Church.
At the front of the group rode a tall man with short black hair and sharp grey eyes. His expression was calm, almost emotionless, as he observed the city around him.
This was Inquisitor Lucien Hale.
A man feared even among the Church itself.
He was known for one thing above all else.
Hunting forbidden magic.
One of the priests riding beside him spoke quietly.
"We arrived faster than expected, Inquisitor."
Lucien nodded slightly.
"The signal was faint."
"But the report was clear."
The priest lowered his voice.
"A possible mana corruption event."
Lucien's eyes narrowed slightly.
Mana corruption was extremely rare.
But when it appeared…
It was usually connected to dangerous magic.
Or something far worse.
"Where did the report originate?" Lucien asked.
"The outer district near the Valerius estate."
Lucien's gaze shifted toward the distant noble quarter of the city.
"The Valerius family…"
Even the Church respected that name.
Vanessa Valerius.
Archmage.
War hero.
One of the kingdom's greatest magical authorities.
Lucien tapped the reins of his horse slightly.
"Interesting."
"Let us pay the capital a visit."
Meanwhile…
At the Valerius estate courtyard.
Julius stood in the grass, breathing heavily.
His father Darian stood across from him holding a wooden practice sword.
The tall dragon knight looked down at his son with a proud smile.
"Good stance."
"But keep your balance."
Julius tightened his grip on the small wooden sword in his hands.
Five years old or not, his father had already started training him.
Nothing extreme.
Just basic movements.
Footwork.
Balance.
Discipline.
Darian raised his sword.
"Ready?"
Julius nodded.
They moved at the same time.
Darian struck gently.
Julius blocked.
Wood hit wood with a light crack.
Darian smiled slightly.
"Good!"
But suddenly—
Julius felt something strange again.
That heavy feeling inside his chest.
His mana stirred.
Violently.
The air around him suddenly grew colder.
Darian stopped.
"…Julius?"
A faint black mist briefly flickered around the boy's hand.
Then vanished.
Julius quickly stepped back.
"I—I'm fine."
But Darian had seen it.
He frowned slightly.
That didn't look like normal mana.
Before he could ask more—
A voice called from the courtyard entrance.
"Darian."
Vanessa stood there.
Her expression was calm.
But her eyes carried clear urgency.
Darian walked over.
"What is it?"
Vanessa lowered her voice.
"The Church has arrived in the capital."
Darian's expression immediately hardened.
"The Church?"
Vanessa nodded.
"Inquisitors."
Darian looked back toward Julius.
His instincts immediately told him something was wrong.
"…This is about the mana disturbance, isn't it?"
Vanessa didn't answer.
She didn't need to.
Darian exhaled slowly.
"If they discover Julius…"
Vanessa's eyes darkened slightly.
"They won't."
But inside her mind…
She wasn't as confident.
Because last night's research had confirmed something terrifying.
Void magic wasn't just forbidden.
It was considered a calamity-level threat.
Something the Church had sworn to erase from existence.
Vanessa looked toward Julius.
Her son laughed as his sisters ran into the courtyard, dragging him into their games.
To them, everything was normal.
Peaceful.
But Vanessa knew the truth.
Storm clouds were already forming.
And if the Church discovered Julius' secret…
The entire world might turn against him.
End of Chapter 6