What the Crystal Hides

"Ahem. Enough talk. Let's move on to what you actually came for," Dean said with a glowing smile.

"Hey! Don't just change the subject like nothing happened! What do you mean, a second High Spirit?!"

The disbelief was still written all over my face.

"Now, now, Atheron. Tell me—what are you more curious about right now? The cozy life of the academy, or my suspicions?"

What suspicions? He spoke with that kind of expression… like he was warning me about something serious.

"But never mind that," he stood from his chair and stepped toward the exit. "Come. I'll teach you High Magic."

Outside, the sun had just begun to rise. Students were making their way in, but we took the back entrance—near the training grounds.

"You're full of surprises, Atheron. Showing up early in the morning, worried about a friend… could it be you're growing a heart?"

"Nonsense, professor. I'm doing all this purely for myself."

"Sure, sure. Hard to believe someone like you is a High Spirit. You act no different than the other brats in this academy."

He stepped into the center of the field and turned to face me.

"Let's begin. As you know, mages obtain their power through reverence—by surrendering themselves to the essence of High Magic. That's the only way to channel crystal energy. But you, Atheron, by your very nature, cannot access it."

"Because I'm a dragonslayer, you mean?" I asked. "Then why give me this task at all, if I can't even learn High Magic?"

Dean observed me with a sly grin.

"There's one way. A technique called Soul Granting. One soul gifts a fragment of itself to another—unlocking the capacity to wield High Magic. It's rare. Magical affinity is usually passed down through bloodlines."

So basically, this guy wants to give me a piece of his power. I wonder… is Dean's magic different from everyone else's?

"If you're ready… we can begin."

He raised his hand. His palm ignited with violet fire.

"Yeah," I clenched my fists. "I'm ready. Let's begin ri—"

"Already started."

I didn't finish my sentence.

In a flash, Dean lunged forward and grabbed my face with his glowing hand. The impact threw me to the ground.

"W-What are you doing?!" I shouted, struggling to my feet.

"It's done. Haven't you felt the change in your soul yet?"

Dean smirked.

In that instant, my heart thundered in my chest. My pupils dilated.

Something was wrong—or different. Threads of energy ran through me, through my veins like roots connecting to my very soul.

"I knew it would work," Dean said. "Feels strange, doesn't it? Not quite like the connection to the Light element. But they function the same."

"Interesting," I muttered, frowning at my palms. "These magical streams… I can feel them clearly."

Dean clapped his hands once.

"That'll be all. Classes start soon, after all. And I believe I'm teaching yours today. We'll be covering magical control."

There was a shift inside me. A whole new world had opened.

Dean wouldn't teach me further. He wasn't that type. He'd give you the nudge—then leave you to find your own path.

It was obvious what he wanted. He expected me to summon a creature on my own. So be it. With this power, I'll become far stronger.

I never thought I'd say this, but…

"…Thank you, professor."

Dean looked back at me, thoughtful. Then smiled.

"Learn while you still have time. If you truly want strength, find someone worth protecting. That's your duty—as a High Spirit. Isn't it?"

What a bastard. I can't stand him.

He definitely planned all this from the start.

I clenched my fists.

High Magic, huh?

Heh… Now I'll become unstoppable. Witness me. The new king has arrived.

A-ha-ha-ha! Ah…

⸻

Later that day, the entire Academy buzzed with anticipation.

Students flocked to the Fighting Club, filling it beyond capacity. Everyone was here for one thing:

The duel of the year — Salazar vs. Raigetsu.

The crowd roared. The tension was electric.

Salazar stepped into the ring first. Dressed in a black kimono, confidence radiated from his every movement.

Then came the second challenger.

Raigetsu Kurogane. Broad shoulders. Short green hair.

Crimson eyes. Matching black kimono.

"THREE!! TWO!! ONE!!"

The battle began.

⸻

Meanwhile… in a closed room behind the scenes, the Council of Teachers had gathered. Their faces were grim.

A glowing crystal hovered at the center of the table, casting violet light across their expressions.

Dean Hellmaine. Memphis Aratrea. Ivy il Sonnet. Asagiri. Elthea. Sunder. Meihua.

"All present," Dean spoke. "But this meeting is not just about Raigetsu Kurogane's battle. There's another matter. One tied to a… very different individual."

The others stared at him.

"You all remember the incident last year—when an unknown entity attacked the student council president under moonlight. No trace of it was ever found. But now…"

Professor Meihua, quiet and reserved, had braided black hair. She raised a finger. Energy streamed from her fingertip, weaving an image mid-air.

"This footage was taken yesterday by another student," she said.

The video began to play—recorded by someone walking through the Hanging Gardens of campus. Evening sky. Calm wind.

"It starts off harmless. The student was filming for a project… until he hears a voice behind him."

The camera turned. Nothing.

Then—something shrieked behind the bushes.

"Don't… take him from me…"

"W-Who's there?!"

The student summoned a light crystal to illuminate the path.

Out from the bushes oozed a dark sludge.

Leaves rustled closer and closer.

"I'm serious! If this is some joke, come out now!"

And then—it emerged.

A malformed creature. Worm-like body. Mismatched limbs like stitched animal parts. No eyes—just black sludge pouring down where they should be.

"Don't take my miracle…!"

The creature screamed. Ear-splitting. Crawling instead of walking.

"What the hell is that?" Memphis whispered in horror.

Sunder, the alchemy teacher, folded his arms, silent.

The recording ended as the student ran.

"Meihua," Dean said. "Rewind the last second."

She did. A still frame appeared.

In the trees… something else had been watching.

A towering figure, nearly three meters tall. Thin beyond belief. Glowing white eyes.

Dean cleared his throat.

"Whatever they are, they're not here for friendly conversation."

"This recording… It's no prank?" Sunder asked, doubtful.

"Don't insult the victim," Memphis snapped. "He could've died."

"As long as these things roam free, we must act," said Asagiri—the tall, blue-haired instructor of the Destruction element.

"Otherwise, someone will die."

Dean gave a dark chuckle.

"The reason I called this meeting… is to identify these creatures. They're not in any recorded bestiary. They might not even be from this world."

He turned to the crystal.

"What do you know, Almighty Crystal?"

A voice echoed—female, layered, unlike any human sound.

"These creatures are unknown to mankind… because they existed before the Age of Mages. What you saw are the Original Sins. Shadows that once haunted this world."

"Fascinating. Care to share how they got here?"

The crystal fell silent. Calculating. Then spoke again.

"The Original Sins thrived during the Era of Dragons. They fed on dreams and desires. When the dragonslayers vanished, so did they."

The council grew quiet.

"That High Spirit…" Memphis whispered. "He used Light in battle… but never once showed his full power. Could it be… he's the bloodline of the old heroes?"

"Atheron il Ataraxia is a student," the crystal interrupted. "We do not cast judgment on our own."

Dean smirked. So the crystal knew. It just chose silence.

"And what about your test, Dean?" the crystal asked. "You challenged Atheron to summon a High Familiar. Are you planning to expel him? High Spirits aren't capable of summoning."

Dean leaned forward.

"No… I believe he's capable of far more. If I'm right, he'll be the first High Spirit to completely rewrite the rules of summoning."

Silence.

Then, the crystal's voice again, firm:

"Fine. But do not act recklessly. Atheron must remain within this Academy. That is my order."

Dean said nothing.

But deep inside, he knew. The crystal had an agenda of its own.

What did it want with Atheron? What was it hiding?

His thoughts twisted as the day came to a close.

⸻

The arena was roaring.

Everyone was there.

For this moment.

Salazar. Raigetsu. Two titans.

Two souls about to clash in a blaze of power, pride, and purpose.

Their eyes locked.

Their auras surged.

And in the space between heartbeats—

The true war began.