Chapter 16 – The Heroes’ Secret

Several days after the mission in the eastern forest, the academy was still wrapped in tension. The news about the monster born from negative energy spread quickly among the students. Even those who hadn’t joined the mission now looked around warily, as if a shadow could emerge at any moment.

At last, Master Ardian summoned all the students to the grand hall. The tables were moved aside, replaced with long rows of seats facing the stage. At the center of the stage stood a massive blue crystal, radiating a calm, soft light.

Ardian stood with a grave look in his eyes. “Today, you will learn a history rarely told to the public—a history of how this world managed to survive destruction.”

The hall fell into silence. No one dared to breathe too loudly.

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### The Tale from Two Thousand Years Ago

Ardian raised his staff. The blue crystal flared, projecting a massive hologram into the air. Images of an ancient civilization appeared—towering buildings, advanced technology, and humans living in abundance.

“Two thousand years ago, this world reached the peak of its civilization. Technology flourished, and magic was woven into everyday life. But with that prosperity came humanity’s worst traits. Greed, hatred, and malice grew unchecked, plunging the world into endless war.”

The hologram shifted—cities crumbled, fire consumed the land, and humans fought each other mercilessly. The students shivered at the sight.

“When the world was on the verge of collapse, twenty-four individuals of pure heart emerged. They were chosen by a mysterious sorcerer and given the power to absorb humanity’s darkness. Through a grand ritual, they sealed away all the negative energy, saving the world from total annihilation.”

The projection changed once more, showing the twenty-four heroes standing with glowing weapons, a pillar of blue light ascending to the sky.

“However…” Ardian lowered his head slightly, his voice heavy, “one hero failed to resist the whispers of darkness. He rejected the seal and let hatred consume him. In the end, he transformed into a fearsome black dragon—the source of the darkness that still lingers today.”

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### The Murmurs of Students

The hall erupted into murmurs.

“So the monsters in the forest are connected to the dragon?”

“Does that mean the seal is breaking?”

“If it fully awakens… will the world fall again?”

Ardian raised his hand, calming them. “The seal left behind by the heroes still holds, but it weakens over time. The energy you encountered in the forest was merely a small leak. If the black dragon truly awakens, this world will once again stand on the edge of destruction.”

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### Zareen’s Resolve

Zareen listened with a serious expression. Every word felt like another piece of the puzzle, connecting to the story Gifa once told him in the hidden library.

*Gifa was right… the seal can weaken. And that fallen hero is the root of all this. So… this is my fate?*

His hand brushed against the black card in his pocket. It seemed to pulse faintly, as though responding to his thoughts.

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### Gino Speaks Up

From across the hall, Gino suddenly stood up. “Then why wait? Let us go hunt down the dragon now! Why wait for the seal to fully break? We can strike first!”

Some students cheered at his boldness, but many others froze in fear.

Ardian’s sharp gaze locked on him. “Your courage is admirable, Gino. But do not take this lightly. Even the heroes nearly failed two thousand years ago. You are still students—your path has only just begun.”

Gino clenched his jaw and sat back down, but his fiery eyes drifted toward Zareen, silently challenging him. *You heard that too. Don’t just sit there doing nothing.*

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### The Hidden Library

That night, Zareen couldn’t sleep. He slipped out quietly and made his way to the hidden library where Gifa usually appeared.

“Master! Gifa! I need to talk to you!” he called out, summoning a small orb of light.

Soft footsteps echoed. Gifa emerged from behind the shelves, her silver hair glinting faintly. She frowned. “Do you have to be so noisy? This isn’t a marketplace.”

Zareen ignored the jab. “Master… about the black dragon. Is everything Ardian said true?”

Gifa paused, then sighed. “So the academy has finally told you. Yes—it’s true. One hero failed, and he is the source of all the darkness that remains.”

Zareen’s brow furrowed. “Then why was I brought into this world? Does it have something to do with that dragon?”

Gifa studied him for a moment, then smiled faintly. “That answer is not for now. But remember this, Zareen—destiny is not always about being chosen. Sometimes it’s about being the one who dares to stand when everyone else has fallen.”

Her words sank deep into his heart.

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### Late-Night Conversation

When Zareen returned to the dorm, Gino was still awake, sitting on his bed with his staff across his lap.

“Couldn’t sleep either?” Gino asked quietly.

Zareen nodded.

“If that dragon really does awaken,” Gino said, his voice low but resolute, “I’ll be the first to face it. I don’t care how strong it is. I won’t let this world fall apart.”

Zareen met his gaze. “Then you won’t be alone. I have my own reason to stand as well.”

For a long moment, the room was silent. Two rivals—different in personality, but now sharing the same burden.