Sian is a city built on magic, standing between the Northern and Western regions, surrounded by the sea that shares its name.
The city is open to all, as long as they have a connection to magic. Safety is guaranteed for everyone who enters, making it a center of learning, trade, and research.
The streets of Sian are lined with glowing pathways that guide travelers through the city. Buildings are reinforced with mana-infused materials, making them resistant to natural wear.
Floating lanterns illuminate the roads, casting a steady light that never fades. The air carries a faint hum, the result of countless spells being cast and maintained throughout the city.
Magic academies, guilds, and research halls stand side by side, ensuring that knowledge and practice go hand in hand. Nights in Sian never lack the light and buzz of people who gather here to live a life far from the troubles of the outside world.
At the heart of Sian stands Noctemi, the Magic Tower. It is the tallest structure in the city, rising high above everything else.
Its walls are made of dark enchanted stone, carved with precise runes that pulse faintly with power. The tower is home to the greatest mages, scholars, and researchers, serving as the center of magical authority.
Inside, vast libraries hold books on every form of magic. Research takes place at every corner, around the clock, while deep underground, secure vaults protect artifacts too dangerous for common use. No one truly knows how many rooms exist within Noctemi, as some sections are forbidden to all but Edwin.
From the top of Noctemi, one can see the entire city stretching out below, its carefully arranged streets forming patterns that help channel mana efficiently.
The sea surrounding Sian glows faintly at night, its waters infused with residual magic from the city.
Sian is a place where magic is a way of life. People come here to learn, to grow, and to unlock the full potential of their abilities. It is a city built on knowledge and discipline.
Yet, because Sian is accessible only to those with a connection to mana, it is seen as both a threat and a blessing by others.
On the very top floor, Edwin has lived for decades as the tower master. There, a separate research room exists, dedicated to his most advanced studies.
The Advanced Research Room is a circular chamber within Noctemi where Edwin conducts high-level studies on magic, astronomy, and alchemy. Towering bookshelves line the walls, filled with ancient manuscripts, research notes, and enchanted scrolls.
Every desk and table is cluttered with open books, crystal orbs, and intricate magical devices used for analyzing and harnessing mana.
The centerpiece of the room is a large, mechanical apparatus designed to track celestial movements and mana fluctuations. Suspended from the ceiling are floating planetary models, slowly rotating in perfect alignment with the stars above.
The domed ceiling itself is enchanted to reflect the night sky in real time, allowing Edwin to study cosmic energy without stepping outside.
Soft, ambient lighting from arcane lamps ensures visibility without disrupting the delicate balance of magic in the air. The floor is marked with intricate mana channels, glowing faintly as they stabilize the energy flow within the room.
Cabinets and storage chests hold rare ingredients and artifacts, each secured with protective enchantments to prevent tampering.
However, something unusual was happening for the first time inside the room.
The floor trembled, and shelves threatened to collapse under the overwhelming demonic energy scattering wildly, as if desperate to destroy everything in its path.
In the middle of this storm of demonic energy sat Xavier, his eyes closed. The energy he had always desperately rejected was now settling within him.
Edwin stood a short distance away, a mix of shock, excitement, and fear etched on his face.
*I can only imagine what would have happened had Foxy never taken him out of that place,* Edwin thought. *The demonic energy within him is strong enough to destroy the entire Wymhold Empire and contaminate even the holy sea.*
For years, Xavier had refused to accept the demonic energy, leaving it as an external, untamed force. But now, he was embracing it, allowing the demonic aura to coalesce into a demonic core.
Edwin laughed in pure amusement, seeing how even after six hours, Xavier remained in that position.
Creating a mana core usually takes a significant amount of time. Mana—the source of all magic—exists as an energy within every living being. What sets a mage apart is their ability to harness this energy, as their bodies are naturally capable of producing and controlling it.
Through long hours of practice and research, a potential mage develops their own unique breathing techniques and sensory alignment. Only when body and mind are in harmony can they begin to form a mana core.
For most mages, the core is a small, round ball within their chest. In rare cases, however, a person's mana core might grow large enough to rival the sky itself.
Such individuals are practically made of mana from head to toe. Unless properly contained, their own energy can consume them.
As a result, most mages stop at a certain point. The majority of mages worldwide reach only the 7th tier, while masters like Edwin are 9th-tier archmages.
Through the practice of demonic arts, dark mages can achieve even greater power. But this comes at a cost.
As its name suggests, demonic energy is an abyss. Once a person enters, there is no escape. Rational thought begins to fade, replaced by an insatiable hunger for power.
Dark mages, driven by this hunger, often commit unspeakable acts without hesitation. After all, the easiest way to grow one's demonic energy is to feed on strong negative emotions.
The stronger the negative emotions, the greater the demonic power.
Edwin had initially doubted that Xavier could contain such immense darkness and negativity. But as he observed Xavier over six hours, feeling the demonic energy grow stronger as Xavier accepted it piece by piece, he could only mutter in astonishment:
*This kid... how can he harbor so much darkness in his heart? How can any human live with such overwhelming negativity?*
*He is... the incarnation of a devil.*
As another hour passed and the demonic energy began to settle within Xavier, Edwin found himself growing increasingly anxious.
He kept repeating the same question in his mind:
*Even after consuming his own darkness and accepting the demonic energy... is he still sane?*
The dark purple clouds began to dissipate, the floor ceased its trembling, and Xavier opened his eyes.
His amethyst eyes shone brighter than before, his features more sharply defined.
Edwin was speechless as he realized something startling: he could no longer sense any demonic energy emanating from Xavier.
"Just... how did you manage to build a mana core and concentrate all of your demonic energy into a single core so efficiently in just seven hours?" Edwin asked, his voice tinged with shock.
Xavier stood, looking at his palm before clenching it tightly.
"So, it was a success," he murmured.
Edwin narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Xavier shook his head. "Though I was imprisoned in the castle for twenty years, my captors left no stone unturned in educating me."
Edwin understood. Xavier had been groomed to become Belhier's vassal, and demons would not accept just anyone for such a role. The candidate had to possess exceptional skills to be deemed worthy.
"That makes sense," Edwin nodded.
Xavier's expression was unreadable as he gazed up at the sky through the glass ceiling, the planets and galaxies appearing both close and distant.
"What's wrong?" Edwin asked.
"Tower Master, did you know I visited the Garden of Myst with the Captain?" Xavier's words stunned Edwin, who blinked in disbelief.
"What? How could someone enter the Garden of Myst?" Edwin stepped closer, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"The Garden of Myst showed us our true natures," Xavier replied, sidestepping Edwin's question.
Edwin tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.
*True Nature*—each person possesses a true nature that serves as the driving force behind every aspect of their life, directly or indirectly.
It is no simple feat to perceive another's true nature, as it is considered one of the five forbidden laws of nature.
Xavier continued, "The Captain's true nature is life. The garden she saw was a paradise—beautiful, calm, bright, and teeming with vitality."
Edwin nodded thoughtfully. "That's not unexpected. Not just anyone can become the wielder of Ezekial's sword." He then turned to Xavier. "And what was your true nature?"
Xavier fell silent, the air around them growing tense. Edwin could tell from Xavier's expression that the answer was far from positive.
"Death... I witnessed a fragment of the Cataclysm of Dawn and Dusk," Xavier said, his tone heavy.
Edwin gasped. "You saw what?"
While Xavier's true nature being death was not entirely surprising, the latter revelation was.
"I stood on a sea of blood, beneath a crimson sky. The people before me were in such a state that even a single glance..." Xavier paused, locking eyes with Edwin, "...was enough to make one beg for death."
Edwin swallowed hard, unable to hold Xavier's gaze. The presence radiating from Xavier had become overwhelming, beyond anything Edwin could articulate.
"Why are you telling me this now?" Edwin asked, trying to maintain his composure.
"Do you want to know what I saw and heard during those seven hours?" Xavier countered.
Edwin hesitated. He wanted to say no, but curiosity got the better of him.
"The screams of children, women, and men—pleading to be saved, to be killed, to be freed. I was trapped in a darkness where nothing existed but the cries of the desperate and the metallic scent of blood," Xavier explained calmly, though the horror of his experience was undeniable.
"This is the result of accepting demonic energy," Edwin said. "Its power is fueled by negative emotions. Though you didn't ask for it, the demons must have poured immense effort into embedding this energy within you."
Edwin's knowledge of dark magic and demonic energy was limited to the forbidden texts he had studied over the years. He could offer only minimal guidance to Xavier.
"I thought I was losing my mind," Xavier admitted, his voice low. "It was suffocating, and I could hear whispers—tempting whispers."
Edwin raised an eyebrow. "What whispers?"
"Promises of freedom from suffering, of power so great that I could shake the heavens themselves... A man's voice, echoing in the darkness," Xavier said, his face paling at the memory.
Edwin was stunned. He had never heard of a case where someone accepting demonic energy could hear another's voice.
"What stopped you from accepting that offer?" Edwin pressed.
Xavier's expression softened. "Selentia Amaris Nyxveil... She stopped me."
Edwin gave him a skeptical look, thinking, *Is this some kind of soap opera?*
"The voice and its offer were overwhelmingly tempting. I was on the verge of giving in, of letting the darkness consume me entirely. But in the depths of that abyss, I heard her voice," Xavier said, a faint smile touching his lips.
*"You must keep your promise. Do you understand?"*
*"What promise? I just want to give up. I can't do this anymore."*
*"You have to keep yourself together. Never let the darkness consume you."*
*"The darkness is my only salvation."*
*"It's not. It's not your fault that you're trapped here."*
*"Not my fault? No, it is my fault. I'm tired."*
*"Don't be. Better days await us. So, keep your promise, Xavier."*
"Is this some kind of romantic tale where the devil is saved by an angel?" Edwin asked with a smug expression.
He clearly didn't like the idea of Selentia and Xavier together.
Xavier chuckled. "You wouldn't understand."
Edwin scoffed. "Fair enough. The important thing is that you've created a demonic core without losing your sanity."
Xavier walked over to a table piled with food, grabbing a sandwich and taking a bite.
"Now, you'll need to start learning demonic magic spells," Edwin said, though he was concerned. His own knowledge of dark magic was limited, leaving him ill-equipped to teach Xavier.
"Will I find forbidden texts on demonic magic in the academy?" Xavier asked.
Edwin nodded. "It's not widely known, but there's someone in the academy who has been researching demonic spells for over five hundred years."
Xavier's eyes widened. "Five hundred years? Is he an elf or something?"
Edwin shook his head. "A dragon."
Xavier frowned. "Why would a dragon study demonic energy?"
Edwin didn't answer directly. "You'll understand if you can convince him to teach you."
Xavier fell into deep thought as he ate.
*From my mother's memories, I know one thing for certain: dragons are the most powerful magicians among all creatures, even surpassing dark mages. They rarely involve themselves in worldly affairs, preferring to live peacefully among humans or in their own lands.*
*If a dragon has been researching demonic energy for five centuries... what could his motive be?*
"Xavier," Edwin said, his ruby-red eyes gleaming under the celestial light. His expression was serious, unreadable.
"If you want to grow strong enough to stand beside Foxy, you must become that dragon's disciple—no matter the cost."
Xavier's gaze hardened. "How strong do I need to be to protect her?"
Edwin hadn't expected such a question. He hesitated, then replied, "Strong enough to face Belhier, the greatest evil of all."
The words struck Xavier like a thunderbolt, yet they also clarified his path.
Under his breath, he repeated Edwin's words:
"Strong enough to face Belhier."