Chapter 22: The Ring of Serenity

After an hour, Leonard sat on a bench in the outer garden, his eyes drifting absently toward the sky.

Suddenly, a calm voice reached him:

“It seems you’ve returned to yourself, Leonard.”

He turned and saw Rose standing behind him.

With a trace of defeat in his tone, he said:

“I’m sorry for what happened.”

Rose smiled faintly.

“You always lose yourself when it comes to your little sister. How are you now?”

Leonard sighed.

“Y shattered everything I believed in. I thought I was ready to do anything for my sister’s sake… but when I faced death, I couldn’t even move. Instead, I insulted his little sister. If someone had insulted mine in that moment, I would’ve unleashed all my magic on them without hesitation. But him… even in his anger, he didn’t let it rule him. He preserved my standing among the students… and he won the duel.”

Rose nodded with quiet understanding.

“I know what you mean. To me, Dansleif is like a father—he taught me everything. And when Y first appeared, I wondered why Dansleif valued him so highly. At times, I even felt jealous. But after watching him… I remembered an old story Dansleif once told me.”

Leonard blinked in surprise.

“The Headmaster told you a story? I never expected that.”

Rose smiled softly.

“Neither did I.”

Leonard leaned forward.

“And what was it about?”

She answered:

“It was about Dansleif’s first defeat. He said that years ago, a man came to him seeking help. Dansleif agreed—but only on one condition: that the man succeed in breaking through his barrier. That man spent days crafting a spell of his own… and with it, he shattered Dansleif’s barrier.”

Leonard’s eyes widened.

“I never imagined the Headmaster could be defeated by a single spell.”

Rose’s gaze drifted into the distance as she replied softly:

“And it seems… Y is a lot like that man.”

Leonard murmured under his breath:

“I thought there was only one path… but now, new roads I never knew existed have opened before me.”

The next morning,

Y sat quietly in the classroom, reading a book on magical tools he had borrowed from Alex.

Beside him, Diona dozed lightly on a chair, her head resting against his shoulder, as though she had found a safe haven in his presence.

The silence broke with the sound of the classroom door opening. A man entered with calm steps, yet his presence was undeniable.

Without lifting his eyes from the book, Y spoke softly:

“How can I help you, Professor Leonard?”

Leonard took a seat among the students, as if he had come simply to talk.

Diona slowly opened her eyes, adjusted her posture, and stretched slightly.

Y turned to her with gentle concern.

“Did we disturb you?”

She smiled faintly.

“No one disturbs me when you’re here… Did I sleep long?”

“About an hour,” Y replied.

“That’s good,” she murmured, then cast Leonard a scrutinizing glance.

Leonard smiled a little.

“You’re like me—you care deeply for your younger sister.”

Diona shot back instantly:

“Don’t force that comparison. You are nothing like Y.

Y respects the young before the old… while you, you look down on people.”

At that, Y finally raised his eyes.

“She’s still angry about what you said of her magic.”

Leonard paused, then stood and approached with steady steps. He bowed his head before Diona.

“I’m sorry.”

Diona looked at Y in surprise.

“What should I do? I didn’t expect him to apologize…”

Y observed Leonard’s expression carefully.

“He seems sincere.”

Diona smiled faintly.

“Then I accept your apology.”

Leonard gave a small nod.

“I’ll take my leave, then.”

But Y’s calm voice stopped him.

“How long do you intend to keep the truth from Angela?”

Leonard froze, then slowly turned back.

“And what do you suggest?”

Y answered plainly:

“I understand your desire to protect her… but your way has only left her unable to control her magic properly.”

Leonard’s voice grew heavy.

“I know… but I had no other choice. She’s the last of my family… the dearest thing I have.

We descend from a lineage devoted to protecting the innocent, but our numbers were few. In the end, those we protected were the ones who betrayed us. Because of that betrayal, many died—including my father. Then my mother too, after she was lured into a trap. Only Angela and I remained… I wanted her to hate magic, to despise the order, to abandon this path of death.”

Y studied him for a moment, then spoke quietly:

“Tell me then… what will you do a hundred years from now?”

Leonard fell silent, unable to answer.

Y continued:

“Even if you protect her now, a day will come when you won’t be there by her side. I’ll ask you one question only: if siblings don’t support each other… who else will?”

Leonard’s gaze trembled. Slowly, he bowed before Y and whispered:

“My little sister… I entrust her to you.”

And with that, he left.

At the training grounds, Y and the others stood in a line around Angela.

With his usual calm voice, Y spoke:

“Let’s begin.”

Angela hesitated for a moment, then asked:

“Excuse me… but what exactly am I supposed to do?”

Y answered directly:

“Release all of your magic.”

She froze in place.

“But… I can’t control it.”

Y stepped closer, his tone steady.

“Your problem isn’t control—it’s that you unconsciously keep suppressing it. Now… release everything.”

He gestured to the others.

“Step back a little.”

Angela faltered again.

“But…”

Y cut her off with a faint smile.

“Don’t worry… just do it.”

Closing her eyes, Angela tried to focus. The air around her began to tremble, and her magic swelled until it felt like a sphere about to explode.

She cried out in panic:

“I can’t hold it back!”

Voices echoed faintly in her ears, calling from another world, yet she couldn’t grasp them. Images of her mother appeared before her—the woman who once wielded magic with grace—followed by the memory of her sudden death.

Amid her turmoil, a clear voice pierced through the noise of her mind:

“Don’t be afraid… lower your magic little by little.”

She felt a hand rest gently on her shoulder, and surrendered to that calm. Slowly, the torrent receded, weakened… and finally vanished.

Angela opened her eyes to find Y standing before her, scratches marking his body.

He spoke softly:

“Well done… rest now.”

She swayed, losing her balance for a moment, but Klee quickly caught her.

“Are you alright?”

Angela answered with a weary smile:

“Yes.”

Anna interjected:

“That happened because you released all your magic at once.”

Y nodded.

“Stay here for a moment.”

He disappeared briefly, then returned, approaching Angela. Extending his hand, he said:

“Open your palm—I have a gift for you.”

Curious, Angela opened her hand. Y placed something small in it.

Klee leaned closer, her eyes sparkling.

“A gift from Y? What is it?”

Everyone turned their gaze toward Angela’s hand.

It was a slender silver ring, set with a crystal clear as a drop of water. When her heart was calm, the gem pulsed with a faint glow—like quiet breaths—reminding her that magic was a reflection of her soul, not a chain to bind her.

Angela whispered in awe:

“It’s beautiful… but why?”

Diona smiled.

“Maybe it will help you control your magic.”

Angela lifted her eyes to Y.

“Really?”

He only gave a silent smile.

Klee urged her.

“Try it on.”

Y stepped back and sat quietly, observing from a distance. Ash and Anna settled beside him.

Anna tilted her head.

“It’s just an ordinary ring, isn’t it?”

Y replied:

“It is. The problem isn’t the ring, but Angela herself. Giving her this makes her feel as if she holds a key to her own magic.”

Ash raised an eyebrow.

“Is that truly the best solution?”

Y:

“Not a permanent one… but it isn’t a bad start.”

Ash fell silent for a moment before asking:

“By the way, Y… have you thought about your own magic type?”

Y lowered his gaze.

“After I sacrificed it… I stopped thinking about it. Perhaps Dansleif knows something, but I don’t see the point anymore.”

Anna leaned closer.

“Don’t you think it depends on what sacrifice really means? What if you didn’t lose it entirely? What if you transferred it into your weapon instead of giving it up completely?”

Y pondered her words.

“An intriguing theory…”

Ash spoke up.

“Actually, Leona noticed something in your aura. A faint light appeared before we went to the vampire clan.”

Y:

“Are you saying… that was my magic?”

Ash:

“Yes. We asked Valzenor about it—he said it was true. But he couldn’t tell if it was your unique magic… or just a trace of you copying his.”

Y lifted his gaze.

“That means Valzenor uses it… but not as blood magic.”

He fell into deep thought. Something Valzenor used… and it wasn’t blood magic.

Ash continued:

“Leona said its color was red.”

Y muttered:

“Red… red!” Then suddenly recalled:

“Scarlet’s father uses it as well.”

Ash’s eyes widened.

“Really?”

Y:

“When we sparred hand-to-hand… it felt similar to Valzenor’s. That must be the reason.”

Anna:

“So now we need to uncover your magic… and Diona’s as well.”

Y smiled.

“Dansleif and I already know.”

Ash leaned forward with curiosity.

“And what is it?”

Y:

“Diona’s magic…”

Anna finished with a knowing smile:

“Ah, so that’s why she’s training with Lunaria.”

Y:

“Exactly.”

From afar, Klee’s voice rang out.

“Are you ready?”

Angela called back:

“Yes.”

Klee:

“Try again.”

But her attempt failed. The three—Y, Anna, and Ash—approached.

Anna asked:

“Is there a problem?”

Angela said with disappointment:

“My spell doesn’t seem to hit the target.”

Ash:

“You still need more focus.”

Y interjected:

“And why do you want to do this in particular?”

Klee looked puzzled.

“What do you mean? She’s a battle mage—fighting from a distance is what she does.”

Y shook his head.

“That style doesn’t suit Angela.”

Angela lifted her eyes to him.

“Then… what should I do?”

Ash stepped forward with steady confidence, reaching out to touch Y’s weapon.

The moment she summoned it, a sharp light flared, and his domain expanded as if the very space itself had changed—

the air grew heavier, the heat rose, and the sense of suffocation made the training ground feel like another world entirely.

Klee (in awe): This… is a domain?

Y (calmly): Angela… watch closely.

The aura surrounding Y trembled, and with it, the temperature climbed until the ground itself seemed ready to ignite.

Anna wiped the sweat from her brow, smiled faintly, then raised her sword.

— “This is the first time we’ll be facing you with our full strength.”

And she charged forward with resolve.

At the same time, Diona leaned toward Lunaria, whispering a brief plan.

Lunaria nodded, and with a sweep of her hand, dozens of spectral blades materialized around her.

She stepped onto one and launched herself like an arrow straight toward Y.

Y (quietly): I’ll use Angela’s magic only… let’s call this training for me as well.

Light gathered in his hands, forming twin blades of pure radiance.

He met Anna head-on, their clash resounding through the arena, sparks scattering with every strike.

Anna’s sword then flared, burning crimson like a live ember—she unleashed a fierce wave of flame that forced Y backward.

Out of the firestorm came a rain of magical arrows.

Y evaded them with fluid precision, but one arrow suddenly vanished—

and in its place appeared Ash, her hand charged with magic.

Y reacted instantly, channeling his energy into his blade. Their attacks collided with a deafening explosion that shook the ground.

Ash stumbled back, and before she could regain her balance, Y was already behind her like a shadow, blade poised to strike—

but Lunaria dove in and parried his attack.

Y (smirking): Teleportation through arrows… clever.

Lunaria (confidently): Diona’s idea.

The air wavered as if the arena itself had lost balance.

Y turned and saw Anna, her bow drawn, a glowing arrow forming between her hands.

Y (low, firm tone): I won’t let you…

Lunaria (with a smile): Do it, Anna.

Y lunged forward—but the ground beneath his feet lit up and erupted violently.

Ash’s voice rang out from afar:

— “You won’t reach her that easily… I rigged the ground with traps!”

From the smoke, Diona burst forth like a living arrow, her weapon shimmering with Lunaria’s energy.

She lunged at Y with a swift strike aimed at his neck—but he ducked just in time and countered with a powerful side-blow that sent her rolling across the ground.

Despite the pain, she rose with stubborn determination, a fierce smile showing her will to continue.

In that instant, Y realized this wasn’t a barrage of random attacks—

it was a sequence of coordinated shifts. Everything he saw before him could turn into Ash or Diona in the blink of an eye.

Y looked toward Anna—only to find Diona standing there instead.

From behind him, Anna’s voice echoed:

— “It’s over!”

A blazing arrow shot straight toward him.

Y smiled faintly, excitement glinting in his eyes.

— “Now this… is interesting.”

A massive explosion shook the arena.

Through the haze and rising smoke, Anna advanced with her sword, and their blades clashed again—sparks flying with every strike.

Y (inquiring): Was it Leicht who taught you?

Anna: Yes… he taught me swordsmanship, and I taught him archery.

Y (calmly): A great teacher indeed.

From above, Lunaria descended, turning the battle into a pincer assault—

front and back, synchronized attacks, flawless coordination.

Y tried to defend, but suddenly the sword before him vanished—

and in its place appeared Ash, her strike infused with both fire and wind.

Y crashed into the ground, pain rippling through his body.

For a moment he lay still, then slowly pushed himself up, a wry smile on his lips.

— “Magic that tears the body from the inside… something new.”

He pressed his foot into the ground and rose again, eyes gleaming with determination.

Klee (shocked): Is this really just training?

Angela (panicked): I could never do something like that!

Ash: Even after all that… he’s still keeping up.

Anna: It’s the only way to defeat him.

Y (thoughtful): I see now… relying solely on Angela’s magic was a mistake.

Anna: Then what did you discover?

Y: When I fight alone, my strengths turn into weaknesses.

But with even one ally beside me… I become far more adaptable.

And if I combine my magic with another’s… (flames ignite in his hand) …I will not lose.

Diona stepped forward firmly.

— “We’ve already won… and you promised to use only Angela’s magic.”

Y (with a calm smile): You’re right.

He raised his head, voice turning cold.

— “Another round? This time… no restraints.”

Suddenly, a deep voice broke the air.

— “I’ll take that offer.”

Everyone turned—and there stood Dansleif.

Y (surprised): The Archmage himself… very well, round two it is.

Anna (stunned): I didn’t expect him to appear!

Ash (tense): This just got a lot more dangerous.

Dansleif (coldly): This time… I won’t hold back.

Y (with a faint smirk): You call summoning a meteor… holding back?

Dansleif: Show me whether you’re worthy of magic at all.

Y vs. Dansleif

Everyone stepped back as the true confrontation began. The aura radiating from both of them seemed strong enough to tear the air apart.

Dansleif: Show me what you’ve got.

Massive fireballs formed around him and were hurled all at once. Y answered with a torrent of radiant spears; the two forces collided, exploding in a storm of colors that lit up the sky.

Dansleif (with solemn composure): And what about this?

He struck his staff against the ground, and the earth beneath Y erupted, one explosion after another.

Y leapt high, channeling Lunaria’s magic. He forged a spectral blade, then unleashed dozens of wind-enhanced swords toward Dansleif. With a faint smile, Dansleif conjured a shimmering shield. But before the blades reached it, Y swapped places with one of them, piercing through the barrier and striking Dansleif in the center of his body.

Dansleif smiled: Just as I expected.

His magic surged violently, bursting outward and knocking Y to the ground.

Y (startled): A trap?

The real Dansleif appeared at a distance, watching with majestic calm.

Dansleif: You still have much to learn… this is the punishment for losing.

He slammed his staff down, and the sky split open. A colossal meteor descended upon Y, crashing into the ground with a devastating explosion. Smoke and flames engulfed the arena.

Lunaria (horrified): Does he mean to kill him?

Dansleif: That attack isn’t enough to kill someone like him.

From the smoke, Y emerged battered but still standing. Raising his hand steadily, he declared:

– My turn to strike back.

He unleashed a powerful attack toward Dansleif, but their positions switched in an instant—Y was suddenly face-to-face with his own attack.

Dansleif: Perhaps next time.

He reflected the attack, redirecting it, then raised his hand and unleashed a force equal to Y’s.

Y (smiling with quiet confidence): So? Have I improved at least a little?

Dansleif: I’ll grant you my approval.

He struck the ground, and a healing circle bloomed beneath Y, mending his wounds.

Dansleif: Consider this your reward.

Y: Thank you… for the battle.

Dansleif gave a faint smile and departed, leaving the arena in solemn silence.

Angela: That was incredible.

Klee: How can someone like him cast aside his magic so easily?

Ash: He only smiled.

Y (calmly): That means he’s satisfied with the result.

Lunaria (in a whisper): I never want to face him again.

Diona: You matched the Sorcerer King himself? That’s amazing.

Y (with a gentle smile toward Diona): The arrow strategy—was that your idea?

Diona: Yes.

Y: And the spatial swap?

Diona: That too. Ever since I discovered the technique, I’ve thought about how I’d use it once the seal on my magic was broken.

Y (with genuine appreciation): Well done. You created a plan that truly made the fight difficult for me.

He fell silent for a moment, then said with determination:

Y: I must find a way to defeat Dansleif next time.

Klee (astonished): Are you serious?

Anna: He won’t stop until he wins.

Y: I once believed that having many types of magic gave me the upper hand… but against Dansleif, it proved otherwise.

Ash: His experience outmatched you this time.

Y (honestly): I admit it.

⸻

Mond’s Great Square

In the kingdom of Mond, the people gathered in the grand square to honor the warriors who had triumphed in the duel.

They stood in a single line: King, Ares, Kaguya, L, and Scarlet.

Ares raised her eyebrows in surprise.

– All of this… for us?

Leona stepped forward, lifting her hand high. The five warriors returned her gesture in a solemn, unified salute.

With a bright smile, she said:

– This is a victory worth celebrating.

And the echoes of applause resounded through the city for a long time to come.

The Sorcerers’ Academy

A week later, Dansleif was seated in his office, ten books floating in the air before him, all open at once.

The door opened quietly, and Y stepped inside. He took a nearby seat, silently observing the scene.

With a faint smile, he asked:

– I know this sounds strange… but are you truly reading ten books at the same time?

Dansleif (calmly): That’s correct.

Y: That’s not something one sees every day.

Dansleif: And yet you don’t seem surprised.

Y: I am… but do you know how long it would take me to finish ten books?

Dansleif: I doubt reading ten books at once would benefit someone like you, who insists on analyzing everything in detail.

Y sighed, smiling bitterly.

– You’re right.

Dansleif: But I know you didn’t come here to talk about books.

Y: Indeed… I saw a dream.

Dansleif (with interest): A dream?

Y: A dream of a hidden palace within a frozen mountain… and deep beneath the earth, a massive crystal, with a girl sealed inside.

Dansleif’s expression shifted slightly.

– I know what you’re talking about… It’s the tale of the Solstice family.

Y: You know of them?

Dansleif: I once knew one of their ancient rulers. Their family specialized in ice magic.

Y: And what became of them?

Dansleif: I heard their kingdom was cursed because of them. It was once a beautiful realm, but the curse turned it into eternal ice. Nothing remains now but snow, and the path to it is buried in secrecy.

Y (quietly): I want to visit that kingdom someday.

Dansleif: You’ll find no one there… but if you’re determined, you must first find the path.

Y rose to his feet.

– I’ll think about it after the magic trial. Thank you for your time… until later.

⸻

The Training Hall

Y wandered through the academy’s corridors until he reached the training hall. There, he found Angela practicing alone, tension etched across her face. Some of her spells struck the target… others missed.

He stepped toward her and said:

– There’s no need to be so tense… take a deep breath.

Angela (puzzled): How can I be calm? Even in battle, I’ve never once seen you lose composure.

Y smiled.

– It’s hard to explain… but I despise tension. It plants unnecessary thoughts. When you face a stronger opponent, you’ll think of escape, or a plan to defeat them… but tension shakes even the best of strategies. That’s why I always trust my instincts.

Angela: And how do I break that tension?

Y: Through practice… and through facing situations head-on.

Then, with a faint smile, he added:

– If you want my advice: pretend to be confident. Many pretended to be gifted until they truly became so.

Angela: Will that really work?

Y: Don’t say “will it really.” Words are like magic; they affect both body and soul. When you speak negatively, your whole being is affected.

She fell silent for a moment, then clenched her fists with resolve.

– Alright… I’ll do my best.

Y: Good luck.

As Angela was still catching her breath from training, Klee approached with light, cheerful steps.

Smiling brightly, she said:

– Come on, Angela… let’s go grab something to eat.

But Angela shook her head stubbornly.

Angela: I need to train more… I still can’t control it properly.

Klee chuckled softly, giving her a playful tap on the head.

– Training later, food first!

She gently took her hand, pulling her along.

– I won’t let you overwork yourself like this.

Before the two walked away, Klee glanced back at Y with a radiant smile.

– Y… would you like to join us?

Y lifted his gaze calmly from where he sat, then offered a faint smile.

– Thank you for the offer… but I’ll decline this time.

Klee and Angela left, playfully bickering as they went, their laughter lingering faintly in the air and easing the heavy mood.

Y remained seated in his usual calm, gazing at the sky through the hall’s window, as if his inner voice were whispering:

“When the world stands against you… there will always be a friend who reaches out, without conditions, without motives.”

⸻

The Shadowed Room

In a dark, hidden place far from prying eyes, a faceless man sat within a cramped chamber, surrounded by scattered candles melting slowly away.

Before him lay an ancient map covered in symbols and seals. He raised his head toward the shadows and spoke in a low voice:

– Everything is ready.

His words echoed into the void, as though the very room itself replied. Then, one of the candles extinguished abruptly, plunging the place deeper into mystery.