The days following Ryuno's encounter with the white wolf were marked by a profound shift in his understanding of himself and the world around him. The fragmented memories of his past as Lunaris began to resurface, each piece of the puzzle revealing the depth of his betrayal and the power he once wielded.
Ryuno sat by the lake near his family's estate, staring at his reflection in the water. His golden eyes, a remnant of his true nature, glimmered faintly as if responding to his inner turmoil.
"I cannot ignore it any longer," he whispered to himself. "This world—it's connected to my past, to the beasts that sealed me away."
His thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of his childhood friend, Kael. A cheerful boy with auburn hair and a mischievous grin, Kael often acted as Ryuno's grounding force.
"Ryuno! Are you brooding again?" Kael teased, plopping down beside him.
Ryuno offered a faint smile. **"Just... thinking."
Kael tilted his head. **"You've been different lately. It's like you're carrying some big secret."
Ryuno's gaze turned serious. He contemplated telling Kael the truth but decided against it. "It's nothing. Just trying to figure things out."
One evening, while practicing swordsmanship, Ryuno felt a sudden surge of mana coursing through his veins. His vision blurred, and a searing pain erupted in his chest. The wolf's voice echoed in his mind:
"Do not resist. This is the first step to reclaiming your true self."
The pain intensified, but Ryuno gritted his teeth and held his ground. A faint blue aura began to emanate from his body, growing stronger with each passing moment. The wooden sword in his hand splintered as his grip tightened.
Kael, who had been sparring with him, stared in shock. "Ryuno! What's happening to you?"
Before Ryuno could respond, a wave of energy erupted from him, sending Kael tumbling backward. The surrounding trees swayed violently, their leaves scattering like shards of glass.
The aftermath of Ryuno's awakening left him shaken but determined. The wolf appeared once more, its golden eyes gleaming with approval.
"You are beginning to remember," it said. "But this is only the start. To truly reclaim your strength, you must face the first trial."
The trial, as the wolf explained, was hidden deep within the ruins of an ancient temple far from Lunastell. It was a place where mana flowed freely, guarded by remnants of an older era.