"To awaken is to suffer. But in suffering, the dormant embers reignite."

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  Chapter 7: A Vision Beyond Time

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  A Figure in the Fog

  The blurry figure before Ryu slowly gained clarity. His brows furrowed as he made out the shape of a frail old man—slim, eyes shut, yet radiating a pressure that sent waves through the space around him. And yet, something was strange. Ryu couldn’t see his lower body. Instead, dusty smoke swirled at his feet like a restless storm.

  As Ryu observed, the figure’s arm twitched—a sudden movement that shattered the stillness. Then, his eyes snapped open.

  Azure.

  Deep and unmoving as the ocean, with fine threads of thunder flickering within. The moment those eyes opened, a surge of awareness returned to Ryu, and his entire world seemed to collapse.

  Crushing Presence

  An overwhelming force bore down on him, as if mountains had been hurled upon his shoulders. His vision blurred, his ears rang, and his knees threatened to give out. The once-sturdy ground beneath him cracked, his legs buckling under the immense pressure.

  "Blood seeped from his gums. His teeth ground together under the unbearable force. Veins bulged; nerves twitched beneath his skin."

  Then, the weight lessened.

  Just enough to stop him from fainting, just enough to let him breathe. A shaky exhale escaped him as he looked up, sweat dripping down his brow. The figure stood tall before him. Though aged, his skin radiated an unnatural vitality, as if time held no claim over him.

  Ryu mustered the strength to speak, his voice breaking.

  "W-Who... who are you? And... why are you here?"

  The figure furrowed his brows, studying Ryu with a gaze as piercing as countless blades through his soul. Silence stretched, unbearable in its intensity. Then, with slow deliberation, the figure spoke.

  "You have passed my testimony. You have met my requirements. Now, you may ask your questions."

  The Seer of Lost Aeons

  Ryu's breath hitched. He opened his mouth to repeat himself, but the figure smirked.

  "Ah... about that question earlier—I am the Great Sage. Or, as history may have erased, I was once known as the Seer of Lost Aeons."

  A flick of his finger.

  Ryu barely had time to react before an invisible force sent him flying. He crashed into the stone wall behind him, pain exploding through his ribs. A mouthful of fresh blood splattered onto the ground. Gritting his teeth, he glared at the Sage, fury burning in his eyes.

  But the Sage remained unfazed.

  The Truth of Magic

  Space distorted as the Sage raised his hand. Ryu’s movements froze mid-air, sealed by an unseen force. The Sage stepped forward, plucking a few droplets of Ryu’s blood from the air. A satisfied hum left his lips.

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  “My perception is never wrong,” he murmured. “The dormant ember burns within you.”

  As suddenly as it came, the force vanished. Ryu dropped to the ground, but before he could recover, he lunged with a desperate punch—only for his fist to pass through nothing.

  The Sage chuckled. "You can't touch me... especially with that weak and rusty power of yours."

  Ryu’s rage flared as he swung wildly, but the Sage simply yawned, his expression bored. With a snap of his fingers, Ryu froze again.

  “You are no match for me,” the Sage said, his expression softening. “But you are worthy.”

  The binding disappeared. Ryu hit the ground, panting. “Worthy… for what?”

  The Sage clasped his hands behind his back. “To wield power beyond your understanding. But before we get to that, let me tell you something…”

  His eyes burned with untold wisdom.

  “Everything you have been taught about magic… is a lie.”

  Silence. Even the world seemed to hold its breath.

  “Magic was never granted by the gods. Nor does it flow through mere mana channels.”

  Ryu’s breath caught. “That’s impossible. Magic is granted through mana channels. I don’t have any—”

  The Sage laughed, shaking his head. “That is another falsehood. Magic does not flow through channels—it is in your very blood, in the very essence of those who dare defy the natural order.”

  Ryu reeled. If that were true, then—

  “No one could detect it,” the Sage continued. “That is why you have been overlooked.”

  The Sage’s expression remained unreadable, his voice carrying a weight far beyond the moment. “I have seen countless like you—those who stood at the crossroads of fate, burdened by truths unseen, yet unyielding in their will to rise.” A flicker of something—nostalgia, or perhaps resolve—passed through his gaze. “And as I have always done… I shall guide you.”

  His fingers traced the air, silver glyphs unraveling from his fingertips. They pulsed like heartbeats, ancient and unrelenting. But as the glow reflected in his deep azure eyes, his tone sharpened.

  “Do not mistake this as kindness.” His words pressed down like an unseen weight. “Those who walk this path do so of their own will. Whether you endure… or vanish into obscurity, that is for you to decide.”

  “This may hurt.”

  Before Ryu could react, the glyphs shot forward.

  Pain. Unimaginable, searing pain.

  The symbols burned into his flesh, veins igniting with silver and blue light. His body arched as something within him—long sealed—awoke.

  The Sage’s voice was soft but absolute. “Your lineage has produced great figures. And you will be no different.”

  The chamber trembled. Ryu gasped, his vision darkening. The Sage flickered like a mirage.

  “The truth of magic… You are not yet ready for it. But soon, you will see it for yourself.”

  Then, he was gone.

  The Search Begins

  Meanwhile, at the campsite, panic spread like wildfire. Students and teachers scoured the area, calling out Ryu’s name. The once-lively atmosphere had descended into chaos.

  Aiden sat lazily in the tent, one arm draped over his knee—until a muffled voice outside caught his ear.

  “Ryu is missing!”

  His body tensed. Drowsiness evaporated in an instant. His heart pounded.

  Missing? That idiot?

  The cold air of the forest felt heavy, pressing against his chest. Without hesitation, he pushed past the tent’s flap.

  Whispers of the Ensnared

  A flicker of movement. A whisper carried by the wind. The trees loomed like silent sentinels, their presence heavy and watchful. The rustling leaves had stilled. The night was unnaturally quiet.

  Then, he saw them.

  Scattered runes lay across the ground, their faint glow pulsing like dying embers. The air shimmered, vibrating with a lingering, unnatural energy.

  Magic residue.

  Through the thick mist, Aiden saw him.

  Ryu.

  He stood motionless before a cracked stone opening, his figure unnervingly still. His lips were slightly parted, frozen mid-thought. But it was his eyes that sent a chill down Aiden’s spine—vacant, hollow, as if his very soul had been plucked from his body.

  Aiden’s mind screamed at him to move, to do something. But his body refused.

  What the hell is this…?

  But this was Ryu.

  His friend. His rival. The reckless idiot who always threw himself into danger without thinking.

  Aiden clenched his fists. He didn’t know what had happened here, but one thing was clear—Ryu wasn’t waking up on his own.

  Summoning every ounce of strength, Aiden took a deep breath—

  And with all his might, he shouted—his voice echoing across the riverbank, carrying through the mist, rattling the silence surrounding the cave-like hollow etched into the stone.

  

  "RYUUUUU!"

  Chapter End

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  End-of-Chapter Note

  If you enjoyed this chapter or have any thoughts, I’d love to hear them! Whether it’s something you liked, something that felt off, or any suggestions, feel free to share. I’m always open to feedback, criticism, and discussions to make the story even better.

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  Thanks for reading, and see you in the next one! ????

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