The wave shot like a cannon blast.
An invisible force surged across the courtyard as Logan's punch connected—with nothing.
But it felt like the space was cracking.
The shockwave, like an invisible punch, tore through the air in the courtyard and slammed into a stone wall nearly thirty feet away.
Boom!…
Scattering debris like shrapnel, a deep crater formed where the wind punch landed, leaving everyone within hearing range frozen in alarm.
High above, on the balcony, two figures stood motionless.
Rudeous dropped his porcelain teacup.
Shatter. Forgotten.
Mirena's eyes were wide open like her eyeballs would come out of their sockets at any moment. What had just happened in front of her eyes was too unbelievable.
"What… what was that?" Rudeous muttered in a shaky voice.
"That… that was a wind cannon? No?" Mirena said in a shaky voice, with fear almost recognizable.
Because… Wind Cannon—it was Tier 3 magic. And Logan had barely crossed 12. He was still a Tier 1. But to pull off a magic spell from the 3rd Tier—it didn't feel real from any angle.
"N…no. It's… it's not a wind cannon, I think," said Rudeous.
"What do you mean?" asked Mirena. This time she felt like she was losing herself. She knew what Rudeous meant. But she didn't want to believe it. She wanted Rudeous to say something else and prove her imagination a lie.
But what she feared… still happened.
"He… he just… I think he just used physical strength," Rudeous finally blurted out those words with too much effort. Because he himself was in a daze.
Mirena swallowed hard.
That boy!
Both thought the same thing.
Below, Logan exhaled slowly and looked at his hand.
Looks like the effort paid off much more than I expected, he thought.
One Week Later
Inside a noble chamber luxuriously illuminated by lights, a court mage stood silently. He held an ornate scroll bearing the seal of the Magic Court.
An invitation.
An invitation to the Arcadia Young Elite Tournament.
"Thirty-two participants under the age of twenty. Only one victor."
Darius stood silently, staring at the scroll.
Behind him, Kael watched with arms crossed. "This will be your chance to reclaim your honor, Darius. Don't underestimate it."
Darius nodded, jaw tight. "I won't lose this time."
At the Same Time – Eastern Noble Territory
A private estate with flowing waterfalls and white pagodas.
Inside the main hall, a tall youth with white hair and flame-shaped earrings smirked.
Rovan Yale, heir to the Yale family. A Tier 2 Mage. Known for his mastery of Earth and Flame magic.
"Finally," holding the invitation, he said with amusement. "Something exciting to do. The rest of these brats better come prepared."
His father, seated on a throne-like chair at the end of the hall, said nothing. But a slow nod told Rovan that he had expectations.
Meanwhile – At the Azurewind Peaks
A mansion suspended along sheer cliff edges, where cold winds never ceased to blow. There, amidst the snow and pine, stood a young man in dark blue robes and a greatsword hung on his back.
Zephyr Albrecht, of the Albrecht clan. A Tier 2 Mage, barely nineteen. He specialized in Wind and Ice magic and was renowned for his calm mind and unmatched speed.
He opened his invitation and raised an eyebrow.
"Tch. Let's see if anyone is faster than the wind."
Behind him, an elderly man with a long beard bowed respectfully. "Young master Zephyr, shall I inform your father?"
"No need. I'll handle this myself."
Same Time Somewhere Else – At the Starwind Family Manor
Gold-plated ceilings. Lightning cores floated in crystalline globes. The air buzzed with dense magical energy.
In the center stood a girl with long silver hair braided to one side. Her light blue eyes were sharp as blades.
Lilith Starwind.
Twelve years old. Four affinities—Lightning, Gravity, Healing, and Air. A Tier 2 Mage already. Even Logan was lacking in comparison. She had already bested every adult instructor in her household.
"I'll join the tournament," she said with an air of boredom. "Maybe I'm the only one worth watching."
Behind her stood two towering figures.
Her father—an S-Class Hunter, Tier 5 Mage, with deadly control over Lightning, Air, and Gravity.
Her mother—a Tier 4 Healer Mage, ranked among the best in the nation.
"You could lose," her mother said gently.
Lilith scoffed. "To whom? Some noble boy with flashy spells? Please."
"Lilith, my darling. It doesn't matter how powerful you are. You shouldn't look down on anyone," said her father, Noah—the 5th Tier Mage.
Both Noah and his wife Emily, though very strong and powerful, were kind-hearted and down-to-earth. But their daughter Lilith was the exact opposite. Though she wasn't a bad person at heart, pride had totally consumed her. That's why Noah wanted her to participate in this tournament. So that Lilith would find someone stronger. So that her head would become clear—and she would change her attitude.
Back at the Smith Family Courtyard
Night fell. Candles lit the halls.
Rudeous sat by the balcony once again, staring at the broken wall that still hadn't been repaired. Logan's punch had left more than just a crater—it had left questions.
He stood slowly.
"I need to talk to that boy," he murmured. "There's something I must confirm."
He turned toward the corridor.
But before he could take three steps—
A shout rang through the halls.
"Lady Alice! Lady Alice is gone!"
Servants rushed around, panic flooding the estate.
"What?!"
Mirena appeared instantly. "Search the entire perimeter! Don't let anyone leave!"
Rudeous's eyes narrowed as he followed the noise. His heartbeat spiked—not from fear, but from fury.
Moments later, a trembling servant ran toward them, clutching a crumpled piece of paper.
"A letter… this was left on her bed…"
Mirena snatched it.
"If you want her back,
Send the boy who defeated Zereth.
Come to the Forgotten Forest.
Alone.
If you bring help, she dies."
There was a logo on the back of the letter. A triangular pattern with three eyes.
"Yes… It's the Third Eye Sect," Mirena whispered.
The paper fluttered from her fingers.
"How dare they?" Rudeous growled.
But Kael stepped forward, his eyes calm.
"Steady yourself, Lord Rudeous. We need to let Logan decide."
Mirena turned toward Logan's training chamber, her heart filled with a mix of worry… and something else.
Was this a coincidence?
Why else would the Third Eye Sect seek Logan—if not for revenge?
To Be Continued…