Mount Marry — a place the Vincent family had long dreamed of visiting. For generations, it was whispered as a sacred land, veiled in mystery and beauty. Okabaru and Sakura had recently requested that Ryuki mages conduct research there. "To reach Mount Marry," Okabaru warned, "we must first cross the forest ruled by the high elite mage, Maya — the guardian of Marry Mountain."

But reaching it wasn't easy. Mount Marry was said to be a property of Yuzen's ancient legacy. Even the people of Yuzen City themselves were unaware of its true origins.

Ryden spoke quietly, explaining the matter to Hoshin Maru, who listened in silence, his hands folded neatly. They sat inside Ryden's house — in a once lively room that had belonged to Kaen Ryuki. The faint scent of ocean breeze still lingered in the blue-themed walls Kaen once adored.

Hoshin's firm voice broke the calm, "What should we do now? It's risky to approach Mount Marry at this time. Once Zackey is taken down, we'll have a chance to investigate properly."

"Mhm…" Ryden hummed thoughtfully before the door creaked open. Lisa entered, carrying a tray of two steaming cups of tea. She placed them gently on the table, bowing slightly. Both men thanked her with quiet respect. Lisa smiled kindly before leaving the room, the soft sound of her footsteps fading down the corridor.

Their discussion resumed — but suddenly, the front gate opened again."Oh—sorry, I didn't mean to disturb," Veon said, his hand still on the door.

Before he could step back, Hoshin's voice cut through the air. "Veon. Come inside."

Veon blinked, then nodded respectfully and entered. Hoshin shifted slightly on the sofa, making space beside him. "Sit here."

Veon thanked him and sat down quietly. The room, painted in ocean blue with drawings of sharks, fish, and waves, glowed softly in the afternoon light — Kaen's old love for the sea alive in every detail.

Without hesitation, Hoshin turned toward Veon — not as to a boy, but to a mage worthy of his respect."Tell me," he asked, "have you had any increase in your Vita lately?"

Veon nodded calmly. "Yes. It's now… 4,355."

The teacup slipped from Ryden's hand and shattered against the floor, spilling tea like a wave.

Hoshin instantly flashed to his feet, his heartbeat slowing. "You… you're now the Third Commander Elite of Ryuki City," he said, almost in disbelief. "You're an Ace now."

His eyes widened. "Why didn't you tell us this sooner? This is huge news!"

Veon remained composed, his expression serene — his voice soft, steady. "I didn't think it was necessary. It's just an increase in Vita. I believe it will help me protect the city better. That's what matters most."

Hoshin couldn't hold back a grin, eyes glimmering with both pride and wonder. "You don't understand, Veon. You've just turned seventeen — and I've never heard of anyone your age becoming an Ace."

He leaned back slowly, realization dawning on him. "Now I understand… You're the one Soma spoke of. The one destined to end the curse."

Ryden and Veon's eyes narrowed at Hoshin's words."Curse?" Ryden echoed, his voice a mix of disbelief and dread.

"Yes — a curse," Hoshin said quietly, each word low and deliberate. "Soma Niko… he is no ordinary man. He appeared at the Ryuki Dojo after ten years, beating a war drum at the gate. I was disgusted to see him at first—his manner, his riddles—but he sees farther than anyone. He reads the future like a map."

The room's air grew colder as the old man spoke. "He warned of a curse that will arrive in less than one month. He named the cause: Auren Ryuki."

A silent echo ran across their skin—goosebumps rising like frost. Veon and Ryden froze, faces draining. For a half-second, the world narrowed to those three words: Auren Ryuki.

Veon's voice was tight, almost a whisper. "What did he see? Tell me."

Hoshin inhaled slowly, the weight of a leader settling on his shoulders. "He said only you can stop this, Veon. He called you something more—an echo of the Grand Era. You are a light reborn. Auren is the shadow. Only light can dispel the dark."

Veon's fist clenched until the knuckles whitened. His skin went pale, but his mouth curved into a bitter grin. "A soft corner… I always had a soft corner for him," he said, voice breaking. "He is my brother." His words tumbled out, raw and urgent. "I never spoke to him—my father forbade it. He is my little brother. When I heard he became a mage, something inside me rejoiced. Finally, finally, he could stand with us. I imagined the day I could give him the love he deserved, the brotherhood he never had."

He laughed once, hollow. "Was it all training? To make him angry so he would join our ranks? And now you tell me to kill him?" Rage and grief braided through his tone. He slammed a fist into his palm; the sound cracked the quiet. "All these years, he felt alone. I tried to give him hope. And now… now you ask me to become his executioner?"

Veon's jaw tensed, tears burning at the edge of his eyes. "We are the ones who did evil to him. Not the other way around." He looked at his father—at Ryden—with accusation and pleading mixed. "We are the darkness, not him."

A single warm drop slipped from his left eye and carved a path down his cheek. "I already lost one brother," voice raw. "I will not lose another. He has finally become the mage you wanted. If you ask me to kill him now, what does that make us? If he seeks revenge on us and this city… how can that be his sin alone? There's a thin line between sane and insane. We thought we knew what we were—but perhaps we were wrong."

The room held its breath. Outside, the city hummed on—unaware of the quiet rupture forming in the heart of Ryuki's strongest house. Inside, three men faced a truth that prophecy would not soften: the future demanded a choice, and every choice had a price.

But the conversation was going on..

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