Chapter 54: Purity of Heart

The rain fell softly that morning, washing Tokyo in silver light.
The world still trembled from the chaos that had unfolded days before—the clash between the Black Dragon’s vessel and the Silver Fountain’s guardian.

Both combatants lay unconscious in the aftermath of their divine fury.

Three days later, Kanata’s eyes fluttered open to the faint hum of medical machines.

“T… this place…?” he murmured weakly, his vision blurry.

A familiar voice chimed beside him.
“You’re in the hospital, Onii-chan!”

Kanata turned his head and saw Haqua, sitting at his bedside with a worried expression and a spoonful of pudding in hand.

“Haqua… how long was I out?”

“Almost three days! If you hadn’t woken up today, Mother said she’d drag your soul back herself!”

Kanata groaned. “That sounds about right.”

He tried to move but winced—his right arm still throbbed faintly where Asuna’s water blade had struck him.

“The duel…” he muttered.
“Did she win?”

Haqua shook her head slowly. “No one did. You both collapsed. The officials said it was a draw—but everyone saw what happened. You nearly died.”

Kanata leaned back, staring at the ceiling.
“Figures.”

The door opened quietly, and Naomi stepped in—her uniform neat, but her eyes tired.

“You idiot.”
Her voice was sharp but trembling.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were fighting the Silver Holy Dragon!?”

Kanata blinked. “The what now?”

Naomi sighed heavily. “That girl—Shirayuki Asuna—is no ordinary student. She’s the human vessel of Nexus, the Silver Dragon of the Fountain of Eternity.”

Kanata’s pulse quickened. “Then that thing inside her…”

“Exactly. You were fighting a living myth. It’s a miracle you’re still breathing.”

She pulled back the blanket, revealing the faint scar of his wound. The flesh shimmered faintly, turning from the black scales of the dragon’s curse… into normal skin.

“What the—”

Before Naomi could explain further, the door opened again.

A tall man in white-gold robes stepped in, his presence immediately commanding the room.
His pale golden eyes radiated both wisdom and melancholy.

“Pardon the intrusion,” he said softly. “But I believe this conversation concerns me as well.”

Naomi stiffened. “You—”

“Lord Klaus Eirenwald,” the man introduced, giving a courteous nod.
“Archbishop of the Holy Church—Ecclesia Lumina Sancta.”

Kanata blinked, then awkwardly saluted. “S-sir.”

Klaus chuckled faintly. “No need for formality, young man. You’ve already earned respect far greater than I can offer.”

He turned to Naomi. “Please, continue your explanation. The boy deserves to know.”

Naomi hesitated, then exhaled slowly.
“It started long before our time—before kingdoms and academies—during the reign of the First Solomon.”

Klaus stepped closer to the window as he spoke, the city skyline shimmering behind him.

“The First Solomon—his name was Richards. A scholar, a sorcerer, and the man who sought the cure to an incurable disease.
When every spell failed him, he sailed the world seeking salvation… only to witness endless war.”

His tone grew heavier.

“Humanity wasn’t fighting for land or wealth—but for a myth.
They called it The Fountain of Eternity—a spring said to grant any wish and eternal life to those pure enough to find it.”

Kanata’s eyes widened.
“So it’s real?”

Klaus nodded. “He found it. On an island hidden beneath storms and mist. There, Richards discovered the fountain—and the dragon guarding it.”

He paused, his voice quieting with reverence.

“The Silver Dragon. Nexus.
Moved by Richards’ compassion, Nexus swore an eternal oath:
to guard the fountain,
to protect its purity,
and to test the hearts of those who sought it.”

Haqua whispered in awe, “Purity of Heart…”

“Yes,” Klaus said. “That was the key. Only those whose hearts remain untainted by greed may approach the fountain.”

He turned toward Kanata.
“Since Richards’ death, no one—not even Caine—has found the island again. Until now.”

Kanata clenched his fists. “Then why did Nexus—why did Asuna—try to kill me?”

Silence filled the room.

Naomi lowered her gaze. “We don’t know.”

Klaus frowned, studying Kanata’s right arm.
“Show me your hand, boy.”

Kanata lifted it. The black, draconic scales that had marked him for years were gone—replaced by unblemished human skin, faintly glowing with pale light.

Haqua gasped. “Your… your curse is gone.”

Klaus’s eyes widened in realization.
“So that’s it.”

Naomi frowned. “What do you mean?”

“She didn’t attack him out of hatred,” Klaus said softly. “She purified him. The Silver Dragon broke the curse of the Black Dragon. The duel was a ritual of cleansing.”

Kanata stared at his hand in disbelief.
“Then she… healed me?”

Klaus nodded. “Yes. But the method nearly killed you both.
Perhaps… it was her only way to free you.”

The moment of silence was broken by the beeping of the monitor beside his bed.

Klaus turned serious again.
“Kanata-kun… I’m afraid I didn’t come just to thank you.”

Kanata looked up, his chest tightening.
“What do you mean?”

The Archbishop met his gaze.
“The Council has made a decision. As of tomorrow… you will no longer be a student of Tokyo Magic Academy.”

The words struck like thunder.

Haqua’s eyes widened. “W-What!? They’re expelling him!?”

Naomi slammed her fist against the wall. “Those fools!”

Klaus lowered his head, regret in his voice.
“I fought it as best I could. But they’ve branded you a potential catalyst of destruction. They fear the power sealed inside you—and the one who tried to free it.”

Kanata stared silently at his human hand, flexing it slowly.
The faint glow faded, leaving only warmth behind.

“So this is my reward for surviving?” he said bitterly.

Klaus stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.
“No. This is your beginning. The world may reject you now, Kanata—but the Fountain’s light has chosen you.”

He paused, eyes distant, as if hearing an echo of prophecy.

“And soon, you will have to decide what to do with that light.”

Kanata’s expression hardened.
Outside, the rain stopped—and sunlight spilled through the hospital window, illuminating his face.