Chapter 16 – The End

  Blood had spread across the ground in a silent pool, thick and still, as if the earth itself had decided to keep what was left behind. No one spoke. The silence was not peaceful—it was oppressive, heavy enough to suffocate thought. Those who stood there were suspended between disbelief and indifference.

  Moryo remained motionless. His body was rigid, his eyes fixed on the blood scattered across the stone—the last thing Beth had left behind. For a brief moment, his breath faltered, his chest tightening as reality tried to force its way in. Then he exhaled slowly, deliberately, pressing everything back down. Calm returned to his face like a mask he had worn too many times before.

  A few steps away, Sbyam looked at the same sight, but his expression did not change. There was no shock, no grief—only a hard, unreadable stillness. After a short pause, he turned his back on the blood and lowered his head. Whether he was thinking or simply refusing to look anymore was impossible to tell. His footsteps were heavy as he moved away.

  “End the event.”

  The words were flat. Final.

  Suero hadn’t moved. He stared at the blood as if it no longer belonged to the world he knew. When he finally spoke, his voice trembled.

  “What is this…?”

  He swallowed.

  “Have we really fallen this far? Or was the world always this cruel?”

  The words came apart as he spoke them. His eyes remained locked on the ground, as though the blood might answer him—might explain something he wasn’t ready to understand.

  Moryo turned back one last time. His face had settled, but his eyes were cold.

  “This is what they deserve…”

  The words were sharp, shaped by memories he never allowed himself to face. Whatever doubt lingered beneath them, he crushed it without hesitation. Loyalty came first. It always had. He turned and followed Sbyam, then snapped toward Suero.

  “Move, Suero.”

  Suero didn’t answer. He stood there, rooted in place, as if leaving meant accepting what had happened. The blood remained behind him—silent, undeniable.

  After a long moment, he straightened. Without another word, he followed the others, knowing this image would never leave him. It had already carved itself too deep.

  ---

  Elsewhere in the arena,

  Jan stood still, holding Alia in his arms. She felt light—unnaturally so—but the weight in his chest was unbearable. His eyes were fixed ahead, on the ground that had been torn open. A massive, jagged rift split the arena in two, stretching like a wound across the earth. Gray smoke rose from its depths, thick and unsettling.

  His voice came out strained.

  “What was that…? The ground just… split apart. Even the air— it felt like it was ripping through me. That wasn’t normal. Was it?”

  Behind him, Baysal answered calmly.

  “No. Not natural.”

  Jan turned toward her, confusion written plainly on his face.

  “Then what was it?”

  She stepped closer to the rift, her gaze following the smoke as it curled upward.

  "It is a Raimo Clan technique known as SPACE-TIME TEARING."

  Jan frowned.

  “SPACE-TIME TEARING…? That doesn’t make sense. How can anyone even touch something like that?”

  Baysal paused before answering.

  “You believe the world is solid. Stable. But it isn’t. Beneath what we see is something else—a structure, fragile and hidden. Space and time are woven together, like threads in cloth. The Raimo Clan learned how to sense that weave… and interfere with it.”

  Jan shook his head slowly.

  “That sounds like a myth. How can something like that tear?”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  “By force—and understanding,” she replied.

  “At first, they don’t tear it. They create tension. Pressure at a single point. Most Kurmo Technique users can only cause instability—small distortions. But if someone understands where the fabric is weakest… and has the power to act on it…”

  She stopped, then continued quietly.

  “They tear it open.”

  Jan’s unease deepened.

  “And then?”

  Her eyes hardened.

  “The Void appears. Raw energy. Unstable. It consumes everything around it—not because it wants to destroy, but because it seeks to fill itself.”

  Jan tightened his grip around Alia.

  “If that’s true… why doesn’t it erase everything?”

  “Because they never let it stay open,” Baysal answered.

  “The Raimo Clan learned how to open the rift briefly—release the energy—and seal it before it spreads. It’s reckless. Dangerous. But controlled.”

  Jan stared back at the rift, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “So that’s why they call him the strongest sorcerer…”

  Baysal nodded once.

  “Yes. But Sbyam is more than that. He didn’t just inherit his clan’s technique. He mastered it. Every aspect of it.”

  She turned away from the rift.

  “And then he went beyond it.”

  Jan stood frozen, as if her words had quietly reshaped the way he saw the world.

  In that fragile moment, both he and Baysal caught the sound of hurried footsteps rushing toward them from behind. They turned just as Kamyo and Rita came sprinting across the ground, their breaths ragged from the run.

  Kamyo skidded to a stop, bending forward as he struggled to breathe. Anxiety sharpened his voice.

  “What happened?! The ground shook like it was about to split apart!”

  His gaze drifted past Jan and Baysal—to the deep gash carved into the earth, where smoke still curled upward. His eyes widened, the color draining from his face.

  “Master… Sbyam…!”

  Rita stared as well, her voice barely more than a whisper.

  “What… is that?”

  Baysal and Jan remained silent. Their stillness spoke louder than words, mirroring the weight of what they had witnessed.

  After a brief pause, Baysal stepped forward with steady resolve, approaching the裂 line in the ground. She turned back to them, her expression hard, her tone cold and final.

  “Master Sbyam has returned. The event is over.”

  Without waiting for a response, Baysal began walking toward the palace, her steps confident—certain—as if the path were already etched into her mind. The others exchanged brief glances, then followed in silence, leaving the field behind.

  A field scarred by power that could never be forgotten.

  It was an ending.

  And yet, it was nothing more than the beginning of a new chapter—one wrapped in uncertainty, shadowed by threats that had yet to reveal their true shape.

  —

  One Week Later…

  A full week had passed since the event ended, yet the air of tension and unease refused to fade completely.

  The night was calm. Moonlight poured through the palace’s tall windows, bathing the grand dining hall in a pale silver glow. Everyone had gathered around the long dining table, plates overflowing with rich, tempting dishes. Despite the abundance, the atmosphere was oddly mixed—casual chatter woven together with moments of quiet strangeness.

  Baysal finished her meal far sooner than the others. She stared at her empty plate, dissatisfaction creeping into her expression.

  “I’m done already?...” she muttered to herself, dismayed. “But I’m not even full?!”

  Her eyes slowly slid to the person sitting beside her—Suero. He was thoroughly enjoying his meal, especially the generous pile of cured meat covering his plate. For a moment, she hesitated. Then hunger won.

  Carefully, cautiously, she reached toward his plate, aiming to snatch a single piece of meat without drawing attention.

  She never got the chance.

  Suero caught her wrist midair, as if guided by some sixth sense. He lifted his head, fixing her with a terrifying glare. His voice cut sharply through the air.

  “Leave the meat. Now.”

  Baysal froze. A stiff, awkward smile crept onto her face as she slowly pulled her hand back.

  “I—I was just joking…” she murmured, barely audible.

  Suero returned to his food, savoring each bite like it was a priceless treasure. Baysal remained still, shooting him a resentful glare, silently counting every piece he ate—storing each one away for future revenge.

  On the other side of the table, Moryo was eating quietly. Suddenly, he broke the calm.

  “When are we going back to the academy?”

  Sbyam lifted his head, a broad grin spreading across his face, as if he had been waiting for the question.

  “Tomorrow! We leave this luxurious palace behind and return to school!”

  Moryo, completely unimpressed, replied flatly,

  “Then I won’t be coming back.”

  Sbyam’s smile stiffened. He stared at Moryo in confusion, speaking between bites.

  “What?..”

  Behind them, Baysal had already made another attempt at Suero’s plate. Suero was ready this time. A silent battle ignited between the two, eyes clashing over the remaining meat.

  Moryo spoke again, his tone heavier now.

  “I’m going to my family’s house. I need to look for my mother’s necklace.”

  Sbyam nodded, offering a light smile.

  “Alright. Just don’t get lost on the way.”

  Kamyo snapped his head up, shock written all over his face.

  “Lost?! What do you mean, lost?!”

  Moryo stood abruptly, irritation flashing across his features. Without another word, he left the table and stormed out. Kamyo watched him go, then looked around in confusion.

  “Why did he say that? What was that supposed to mean?”

  Sbyam chuckled softly.

  “Don’t worry about it, Kamyo. Just a joke.”

  He resumed eating, then glanced toward the far end of the table, where the silent war between Baysal and Suero had reached its peak—the final piece of meat.

  Before either of them noticed, Sbyam calmly reached out, picked up the last piece, and popped it into his mouth.

  Both of them froze.

  Slowly, their stunned expressions twisted into silent fury.

  Sbyam chewed leisurely, savoring the flavor, then exclaimed with genuine delight,

  “Oh wow. That’s really good!”

  He looked at them innocently.

  “What?... Why are you staring at me like that?”

  Neither answered.

  Their glares said everything.

  —

  As dawn approached, the night retreated, replaced by golden sunlight spilling through the palace windows. The air was calm, yet everyone seemed ready to depart.

  Sbyam’s students boarded the bus, Sbyam himself included, moving with his usual relaxed composure. Kamyo, however, ran back and forth in a panic.

  “Where is he?!”

  Baysal boarded first, followed by Suero. Kamyo lingered near the door, still searching. Sbyam met his gaze calmly.

  “He went to his family’s home.”

  Kamyo nodded in understanding.

  “Oh. Okay.”

  Sbyam stepped onto the bus, the doors closed, and the vehicle pulled away—leaving the grand palace behind.

  Far away, Moryo stood before the ruins of his family’s house. The roof had collapsed, debris scattered everywhere. He stared at it in silence.

  “Mom...”

  A sad smile touched his lips.

  “It really was a beautiful place.”

  He stepped inside the destroyed house, his resolve firm.

  “I have to find my mother’s necklace.”

  —

  Back in the city, Suero, Baysal, Kamyo, and Sbyam sat together as the bus swayed along the road. Suero turned toward Sbyam.

  “So, Master… where are we going?”

  Sbyam laughed lightly.

  “To the hospital!”

  Baysal blinked in surprise.

  “The hospital?!”

  Suero frowned.

  “Why?”

  Sbyam chuckled again, clear amusement in his voice.

  “To visit the mummy.”

  They all stared at him, bewildered. Sbyam only smiled wider, clearly enjoying their reactions.

  Inside a hospital room, Suero, Baysal, and Kamyo stood side by side, frozen in shock.

  On the bed lay Veb—completely wrapped in white bandages, unable to move. He looked exactly like a mummy.

  Sbyam burst with excitement, gesturing dramatically.

  “This is your friend who came back from the dead… your friend, Veb!”

  They stared at him in disbelief.

  Veb glanced at them with a flat expression.

  “What?...”

  A tear slipped down Baysal’s cheek. Her face crumpled as she rushed forward.

  “Veb…!”

  She grabbed him tightly, as if afraid he would vanish the moment she let go.

  “Hey—ow!” Veb cried out in pain.

  But Baysal didn’t loosen her grip.

  “I thought you were dead…” she whispered.

  Suero and Kamyo stepped closer, still stunned. They stood around him in silence, emotions tangled—shock, relief, confusion, joy.

  Sbyam watched them with a gentle smile, pride clear in his eyes as he saw the bond between his students—unbroken, even after everything they had endured.

  End of Season One.

  We have reached the end of the first season…