The Aftermath & Leywin’s Disappearance

Leywin awoke to the steady beeping of a heart monitor. His body ached as if it had been torn apart and stitched back together.

As he opened his eyes, the white ceiling of the academy hospital came into view.

Seated beside his bed was Nichole, who immediately perked up.

"You're finally awake, idiot."

Leywin groaned. "How long…?"

"A week. You've been unconscious since the tournament." Nichole exhaled, leaning back. "You almost died, you know?"

Leywin didn't respond. He had expected it.

Using Infinity Magic at his level was suicidal. The sheer mana strain had almost torn his body apart.

But… he had won.

Nichole smirked. "They're calling you the 'Strongest Youngling' now."

Leywin raised an eyebrow.

"No one under the 7th-circle dares to challenge you anymore," Nichole explained. "They say your Infinity Magic breaks the laws of magic itself."

Leywin sighed. "And Min Hee?"

Nichole's expression darkened slightly. "She came to see you every day. She even stood guard at your door, even though she was injured."

Leywin clenched his fists.

A part of him was relieved that she cared.

But another part of him couldn't forget the years of abandonment.

At that moment, the door creaked open.

Min Hee stepped inside.

A Fractured Friendship

Min Hee stood in the doorway, her gaze unreadable.

Her usual confidence and arrogance were gone. She looked… hesitant.

"I..." She swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, Leywin."

Leywin's jaw tightened.

"For what?"

Min Hee flinched. "For… everything."

Silence.

She took a step closer. "I shouldn't have pushed you away. I thought… you were stuck. And I was afraid to slow down."

Leywin stared at her.

"So, what? You're sorry now, so we go back to how things were?" His voice was sharp, bitter. "After years of ignoring me, you expect me to forgive you just like that?"

Min Hee's hands trembled.

"I know I don't deserve your forgiveness." She lowered her head. "But I—"

"Then don't ask for it."

Min Hee flinched again.

Leywin's expression was cold. "I'm not the same person you left behind, Min Hee. From now on, you're just a rival to me. Nothing more."

The words hit like a dagger.

Min Hee's lips parted slightly, but no words came out.

Finally, she nodded silently and turned to leave.

Nichole watched her go, sighing. "Man, you're cold."

Leywin closed his eyes. "I just need time."

Leywin's True Goal

Two years passed.

In that time, Leywin forgave Min Hee, and they slowly started to converse as friends again. But the closeness they once had… never fully returned.

During those years:

Leywin's Vectors and Infinity Magic improved dramatically. He reached 4th-circle, allowing him to use 30% of Void's power—enough to rival a 7th-circle Archmage.

Min Hee reached 6th-circle, proving herself as the strongest magician of her generation.

Nichole peaked at 5th-circle, securing his place as the third strongest student in the academy.

Finally, they all graduated.

Leywin stood at the top of the academy. Number One.

Min Hee and Nichole followed as second and third.

Yet, despite their achievements, Leywin's heart was set on something else.

The Truth About His Parents

After the graduation ceremony, Leywin entered the House of Phoenix.

His grandfather, Elvin, sat before him, his aged face filled with emotion.

"You've grown into a fine magician, my boy."

Leywin didn't respond. His golden eyes were sharp. "You promised me. If I became the top student, you'd tell me about my parents."

Elvin let out a deep sigh.

"I don't know who killed them, Leywin."

Leywin's fists clenched. "Then what do you know?"

Elvin's face darkened. "I know that their last meeting was with… Hyun Suk."

Min Hee's father.

Leywin's body froze.

His mind raced.

"...Min Hee's father?"

Elvin nodded solemnly. "I investigated for years, but I found nothing. Not even their bodies."

Leywin felt a deep rage simmering inside him.

"So you gave up?" His voice was quiet but sharp. "Then I'll find out myself."

Elvin's eyes widened. "Leywin, wait—"

But before he could stop him—

Leywin disappeared.

The Beginning of a New Journey

The entire continent searched for him.

But Leywin had vanished without a trace.

Min Hee and Nichole were devastated.

Min Hee clenched her fists, her heart pounding. "Where the hell did you go, Leywin…?"

Nichole sighed, shaking his head. "That idiot… He's chasing something big."

With Leywin gone, the two of them joined the Magic Force Army—an elite squad that defended the kingdom from monsters and dark magicians.

But even as years passed…

Min Hee never stopped searching.

Because deep down, she knew—

Leywin would return.

And when he did, the entire world would tremble.