Chapter 12: The First Time I Lost Control

Volume 1: The Boy Summoned by Mistake
Episode 12: The First Time I Lost Control
Thump.
Thump.
Kazuki's heart was beating harder and harder.
Violet energy covered his arms.
—No... —Seraphina murmured.
Kazuki looked at her.
—What's happening?
—I don't know.
—You said you knew how to control this!
—I said I could help you!
The energy intensified.
The rooftop began to crack.
CRACK.
Elena raised her sword.
—Kazuki!
—I can't stop it!
—Listen to me!
—I am listening!
—Not with your ears!
Kazuki froze.
—What?
Seraphina closed her eyes.
—Find the heartbeat.
Thump.
Kazuki took a breath.
Thump.
He closed his eyes.
Thump.
The world disappeared.
He could no longer hear Elena.
Nor Seraphina.
Nor the wind.
Only that sound.
Thump.
Then it appeared before him.
The black door.
But now it was open.
Just a few inches.
Kazuki stepped forward.
—Astra.
Silence.
—I know you're there.
A shadow appeared behind the door.
—Finally.
Kazuki clenched his fists.
—You're not getting out.
The shadow stopped.
—Why?
—Because I don't trust you.
A soft laugh echoed.
—Good.
Kazuki frowned.
—Good?
—If you trusted me that easily, you'd be an idiot.
—Are you insulting me?
—A little.
Kazuki sighed.
—Then tell me what you want.
The shadow approached the door.
—I want you to survive.
—Why?
—Because if you die...
Violet eyes appeared.
—...I will disappear too.
Kazuki fell silent.
—So you're trapped with me.
—Exactly.
—That explains a lot.
Astra extended a hand.
—We can make a pact.
Kazuki stepped back.
—What kind of pact?
—I will lend you part of my power.
—And what do you want in return?
Astra smiled.
—Nothing.
Kazuki stared at him suspiciously.
—That sounds suspicious.
—I only want one thing.
—What?
—Don't hate me before you get to know me.
Kazuki remained silent.
The door began to close.
Astra spoke one last time.
—Wake up.
Kazuki opened his eyes.
He was on his knees.
The energy had disappeared.
Elena was breathing heavily.
Seraphina was standing in front of him.
—Kazuki?
—I'm fine.
—Are you sure?
—Yes.
Kazuki looked at his hands.
There was no energy.
—I think I finally understand.
Seraphina smiled.
—What?
—My power isn't something I have to control.
He looked at his chest.
—I have to learn how to live with it.
Seraphina's eyes widened.
—That's...
—Good?
—Much harder.
—Great.
Kazuki sighed.
—I love bad news.
The sound of several bells filled the academy.
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Elena looked toward the courtyard.
—We have another problem.
Kazuki stood up.
—Another one?
—The attackers.
Kazuki looked down.
Several professors were surrounding the defeated enemies.
One of them stood up.
—Wait!
Everyone turned.
The man smiled.
—It doesn't matter what you do.
Reinhard appeared behind him.
—Speak.
—The Council already knows where he is.
Kazuki frowned.
—Who?
The man looked at him.
—The Heir.
Kazuki pointed at his chest.
—Stop calling me that!
The enemy let out a laugh.
—You don't understand anything.
—Then explain it to me.
—No.
A black mark appeared on the man's neck.
Seraphina's eyes widened.
—Get away!
BOOM!
An explosion shook the courtyard.
Kazuki was covered in smoke.
When it disappeared...
The man was gone.
Only a black mark remained on the ground.
Reinhard crouched down.
—This is sacrificial magic.
Kael came running.
—What happened?
Elena pointed at the mark.
—They sent assassins into the academy.
Kael looked at Kazuki.
—Are you hurt?
—No.
Kael let out a breath.
—Good.
Kazuki looked at everyone.
—I want answers.
Kael and Seraphina exchanged glances.
—About what?
—About me.
Kazuki clenched his fists.
—Why do they call me the Heir?
—Because...
Kael sighed.
—There's a prophecy.
Kazuki raised an eyebrow.
—Of course there is.
—It says that a young man from another world will appear when Astravia is on the brink of a new war.
Kazuki froze.
—And that young man is me?
Kael nodded.
—That's what they believe.
—And what am I supposed to do?
—Save Astravia.
Kazuki let out a laugh.
—Me?
He looked at his hands.
—A week ago, I was worried about exams.
—I know.
—Now they want me to save a world.
Kael smiled.
—Looks like a promotion.
Kazuki stared at him.
—That's not funny.
—I think it is.
Lyra came running.
—Kael!
—What happened?
—Imperial soldiers have arrived.
Kael frowned.
—How many?
—Too many.
Kazuki looked toward the academy entrance.
—Are they here for me?
Lyra nodded.
—Yes.
Kazuki took a deep breath.
—Then I'll talk to them.
Kael grabbed him by the shoulder.
—No.
—Why?
—Because we don't know what they're planning.
—Exactly why I should.
Kazuki looked toward the entrance.
—I'm tired of running.
Seraphina watched him in silence.
Elena stepped beside him.
—Then we won't run.
Kazuki looked at her.
—Are you sure?
Elena drew her sword.
—Yes.
Leon appeared behind them.
—Me too.
Kazuki blinked.
—You?
Leon smiled.
—I still have to defeat you.
Kazuki let out a small laugh.
—I guess we'll have to survive first.
The four of them walked toward the entrance.
Kael watched them.
For the first time...
He smiled.
—So it begins.
The gates of the Imperial Academy opened.
Hundreds of soldiers were waiting outside.
At the front stood a man wearing golden armor.
—By order of the Emperor...
He raised his hand.
—Hand over Kazuki Aoi!
Kazuki stepped forward.
—No.
The captain frowned.
—What did you say?
Kazuki took a breath.
—I said no.
Violet energy appeared around his hand.
But this time, it was completely under control.
The captain turned pale.
—So it's true...
Kazuki looked at him.
—What's true?
The man drew his sword.
—The power of the Sorcerer King has returned.
Kazuki felt a chill.
Deep within his mind...
Astra opened his eyes.
—Now the real story begins.
Kazuki clenched his fists.
—Then...
He looked at the army.
—Let it begin.