It had been four long years since the night that demons tore through our home and shattered our lives. Four years of sleepless nights, relentless training, and whispers of lingering fear that never fully left me. In those years, I had immersed myself in magic. I learned how to wield it, how to push its boundaries, and how to harness mana efficiently.

  But no matter how hard I tried, I hit an invisible wall—Level 15.

  Each day of failure weighed on me. My sword would falter. My spells would crumble too soon. My mana pool felt no stronger than it had months ago. Why can’t I break through? I thought, day after day. Every swing of the blade felt heavier, every spell weaker. I threw myself into training—pushing until my body gave out, meditating until my legs went numb—but the result never changed.

  And when I turned to Melissa, the goddess who had brought me here, I received little more than her cryptic reassurance:

  "In due time, your stumped growth will rise again. Just be patient."

  Her words echoed in my mind like an old wound. I wasn’t patient. I couldn’t be. I was desperate to move forward—to break free of this weakness, to be strong enough so that my parents would never suffer again. So, I buried myself deeper in the cycle of endless training, frustration gnawing at me like a ravenous beast.

  But that morning, something changed.

  I sat outside, sharpening my blade until sparks danced from its edge. The rhythmic scrape of the whetstone kept me grounded, a small comfort in the silence. The soft crunch of footsteps approached, and I looked up to see my parents. There was something different about them—an unspoken seriousness in their expressions.

  “Sam,” my mother Claire began gently, “do you remember your birthday four years ago?”

  The question hit like a stone. I froze, my mind flashing back to that day—the cake, the gifts, the papers with paths laid before me… and then the attack. Blood, screams, fire.

  “Yes,” I answered quietly, my grip tightening around the blade.

  Claire exchanged a glance with Caross, who stepped forward, his voice steady but firm. “Before the demons attacked, you chose magic. Since then, we’ve taught you everything we could. But we’ve found someone far more skilled to take you beyond what we can offer.”

  My head shot up, surprise mingling with a spark of hope. “A tutor?”

  Caross nodded. “She’s arriving today.”

  A tutor. My heart raced. Someone who could finally help me break through this wall. The disappointment of realizing my parents wouldn’t be my guides quickly gave way to anticipation. “Who is she?” I asked, unable to hide the eagerness in my voice.

  Claire smiled faintly and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Her name is Isonorai. She’s one of the best mages we’ve ever met.”

  By midday, I stood in front of the mirror, my hands smoothing the wrinkles from my shirt for what felt like the hundredth time. My reflection looked back at me, just a boy with slightly messy black hair and eyes that never seemed to stay calm for long. My chest felt tight, excitement and nerves tangling inside me.

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  “How should I introduce myself? Should I crack a joke? Maybe something formal? ‘Greetings, I am Sam, a humble student’—no, that sounds stupid,” I muttered under my breath.

  “Sam, the tutor’s here!” Claire called from downstairs.

  I inhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair to calm myself. “Stay cool, Sam. It’s not like this is a big deal… it’s definitely not because she’s a girl or anything.”

  With every step down the stairs, my heart pounded harder. But when the front door opened, all my preparations evaporated like mist.

  Standing in the doorway was Isonorai.

  Her presence struck me like lightning. She was calm yet radiant, a figure that commanded attention with effortless grace. Her golden hair flowed like a silken waterfall, catching the light as though it had absorbed the very sun. Her eyes—piercing aquamarine—held a quiet patience, a gaze that could see straight through me.

  She wore a simple but elegant mage’s robe, light blue with intricate silver embroidery along the edges. The way she stood, poised yet relaxed, made her look like someone who belonged to both the battlefield and a royal hall.

  “Hi, I’m Isonorai,” she said, her voice smooth and clear, carrying a natural confidence.

  I blinked, my mind temporarily empty. “Uh… hi! I’m Sam. Samuel. I mean… Sam. I hope I’ll learn a lot from you.”

  Her lips curved into a small smile, the kind that made me feel even more self-conscious. “It’s nice to meet you, Sam. Shall we begin?”

  Inside, Isonorai sat at the table, her posture straight and composed as my mother served her tea. She exuded a sense of calm, but beneath it, there was something sharp—like a blade hidden under silk. She studied me as much as I studied her, her aquamarine eyes occasionally flicking toward me with quiet curiosity.

  After taking a sip of tea, she reached into her bag and withdrew three small crystals, each glowing faintly: one red, one brown, and one green.

  “These are elemental focus crystals,” she said, placing them on the table. “Each represents a school of magic you can specialize in. Fire, Earth, and Nature. Fire magic is raw and destructive, earth magic is defensive and resilient, and nature magic is supportive but versatile.”

  She gestured toward the crystals. “You’ll need to choose one as your primary focus.”

  I stared at the crystals, my mind spinning with possibilities. The red crystal flickered like a flame, its light tantalizing me with promises of overwhelming strength. The brown crystal pulsed steadily, grounded and unyielding. The green crystal glowed softly, its aura gentle but full of potential.

  Fire’s destructive power called to me like an unspoken temptation, but earth’s durability offered something I had always admired: stability. I hesitated, torn between the two.

  “You don’t need to decide right away,” Isonorai said, her voice breaking the silence. “Take seven days to think about it. Magic isn’t just about strength—it’s about who you are and what you need. This decision will shape the path ahead, so be certain.”

  Her words carried weight, and I nodded, grateful for the time.

  Before the day ended, Claire spoke up. “Isonorai, would you consider staying with us while you tutor Sam? It must have been a long journey.”

  Isonorai raised an eyebrow, looking slightly surprised. “I wouldn’t want to impose…”

  “Nonsense,” Claire insisted warmly. “You’ll be our guest. Right, Sam?”

  I jumped at the chance. “Absolutely! It’d be great to have you here.”

  Isonorai hesitated for a moment before offering a soft nod. “Very well. Thank you for your hospitality.”

  That night, a quiet celebration filled our home. My parents prepared a feast to welcome Isonorai, the warm candlelight illuminating her composed features as we sat around the table. For the first time in years, I felt something I hadn’t in a long while—hope.

  As I watched the flickering flames dance along the candles, I stole a glance at Isonorai, who seemed to notice but said nothing. This woman, calm and unshakable, was here to guide me beyond the wall I’d been beating myself against.

  For years, I had felt stuck, alone, and inadequate. But now, something was changing.

  I raised my cup in silent determination, making a vow to myself.

  I won’t waste this opportunity. I’ll break through. No matter what it takes.

  And so, a new chapter began.

  To Be Continued…