Two months had passed since the battle with the Greater Titan.

  In that time, the world had changed—yet somehow, it had also begun to look normal again.

  The city had rebuilt much of the damage left by the Titan attack. Streets were repaired, buildings restored, and life slowly resumed. But beneath that fragile normalcy, something new had taken root.

  Magic.

  The Magic Academy now stood as the symbol of the world’s new era.

  Nearly five thousand students attended the academy, coming from cities across the country—and even from distant nations. More than two thousand teachers, specialists in various magical disciplines, had gathered from all over the world to teach the next generation.

  The academy grounds were always alive with activity.

  In some classrooms, students sat quietly as instructors explained the limited understanding humanity had discovered about magic so far.

  In others, students stood in training arenas, trying to control the unstable power flowing through their bodies.

  Some succeeded.

  Most struggled.

  But everyone was learning.

  And above it all, two figures oversaw the academy’s operations.

  Victor.

  And Leo.

  They served as the main heads of the academy.

  Among the thousands of students were many talented individuals—young people whose potential stood far above the rest.

  Daniel.

  Tom.

  Jackson.

  Three of those names were currently walking down a hallway.

  And arguing loudly.

  “This is all because of you, goddammit!” Jackson snapped.

  Tom scoffed. “Oh look who’s talking! You started it!”

  “If I started it, why did you join the fight, huh?” Jackson shot back. “You could’ve stopped me!”

  Daniel sighed in frustration as he walked between them.

  “Guys, shut up,” he muttered. “We’re already in trouble.”

  The two continued glaring at each other until Daniel pointed ahead.

  “…And here comes the office.”

  Victor’s office door stood at the end of the hallway.

  The three exchanged one last irritated glance before stepping inside.

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  The moment the door opened, Victor spoke without even looking up.

  “I already know why you three are here.”

  Daniel immediately tried to explain.

  “But sir—”

  “Punishment.”

  Victor’s voice cut through the room calmly.

  He finally looked up at them.

  “After classes end today, you will clean the entire second floor.”

  Tom blinked.

  “…Without using magic.”

  Tom nearly choked.

  “Without magic?! But—”

  Victor’s eyes narrowed slightly.

  “Do you want more punishment?”

  Tom instantly shut his mouth.

  Jackson raised both hands in surrender.

  “No sir. We understand.”

  Victor nodded once.

  “Good. Now go to class.”

  Hours later…

  Classes had ended.

  And the punishment had begun.

  Tom dragged a mop across the floor with a groan.

  “This is torture,” he complained.

  Jackson leaned against a wall with a broom.

  “You’re the one who started the fight.”

  “You punched me first!”

  “Because you insulted my lightning control!”

  Daniel sighed as he wiped a window.

  “You two argue like children.”

  Suddenly—

  BOOM.

  A loud explosion echoed outside the academy.

  All three froze.

  “What the—”

  They rushed to the nearest window.

  Down below, near the outer streets of the city, a group of City Guards were engaged in battle.

  The City Guards were a newly formed force.

  Individuals who had trained enough to control their magic could join their ranks. Their duty was simple:

  Protect the city.

  But right now…

  They were losing.

  Standing across from them was a lone figure wearing a blue and black robe.

  Water swirled around him like a living weapon.

  One guard rushed forward with earth magic—

  But a wave of water smashed into him and sent him flying across the street.

  Another guard attacked with wind blades.

  The robed man casually raised his hand.

  “Water Wall.”

  A thick barrier of spinning water blocked the attack instantly.

  Then he slowly lifted one finger.

  A single drop of water formed at the tip.

  The drop floated upward.

  The man calmly drew his sword.

  With a swift spin—

  CLANG.

  His blade struck the droplet.

  The tiny sphere of water shot forward like a bullet.

  It slammed into one of the guards.

  The impact was horrifying.

  The guard was thrown backward like a ragdoll.

  When the others rushed to him…

  He wasn’t breathing.

  The hallway window burst open.

  Tom had jumped out.

  Fire exploded around him as he landed on the street.

  The robed man turned his head.

  Tom’s eyes were cold.

  “What’s your name?”

  The man smiled faintly.

  “Tony.”

  He twirled his sword casually.

  “Tony Marchetti.”

  Tom’s voice hardened.

  “Why are you attacking the guards?”

  Tony shrugged.

  “Let’s save the talk for later, shall we?”

  Water surged around his arm as he formed a massive sphere.

  With a flick of his wrist—

  The water ball shot toward Tom.

  Tom reacted instantly.

  Flames exploded beneath his feet.

  He launched himself high into the air.

  “FLAME BLAST!”

  A torrent of fire crashed downward.

  Tony calmly raised his hand.

  “Water Wall.”

  The spinning barrier appeared again.

  The flames vanished the moment they touched it.

  Tom landed again.

  “Flame Floor!”

  Fire spread across the ground, turning the street into a blazing inferno.

  Tony simply smirked.

  “Pressure Push.”

  A surge of water blasted beneath him, launching him upward.

  Then a rain of water crashed down and extinguished the flames instantly.

  Tony landed lightly.

  “Enough playing.”

  Tom’s expression turned serious.

  “Yeah.”

  He raised his hands.

  A massive fireball appeared between his palms.

  But then—

  It began compressing.

  Smaller.

  Smaller.

  Smaller.

  Until it was the size of a marble.

  Tom clenched his hands together, leaving only a narrow gap between them.

  “FIRE BEAM!”

  The compressed energy erupted forward like a blazing laser.

  Tony didn’t move.

  “Water Wall.”

  The barrier formed—

  And instantly vaporized.

  Tony’s eyes widened.

  He jumped aside at the last second.

  The beam grazed his shoulder.

  When the flames vanished—

  A burned hole smoked through his right shoulder.

  Tony’s smile disappeared.

  Anger twisted his face.

  Another water droplet formed.

  He struck it with his sword.

  Tom reacted quickly, surrounding himself with flames—

  But the attack punched through the defense.

  The droplet slammed into Tom’s stomach.

  The impact sent him flying into a nearby building.

  CRASH.

  Tom collapsed onto the ground.

  Blood spilled from his mouth.

  Tony walked slowly toward him.

  “Why should I stop?” he said coldly.

  “Why should I stay silent… when I have power?”

  Water swirled violently around him.

  “With power like this… I can rule everything.”

  Tom suddenly laughed weakly.

  “Rule everything, huh?”

  Tony stopped.

  Tom wiped blood from his mouth.

  Then he smiled.

  “Here’s a piece of advice.”

  Tony frowned.

  Tom’s eyes gleamed.

  “Always watch your back.”

  Tony blinked.

  “…Back?”

  He turned.

  Too late.

  Lightning exploded behind him.

  Jackson’s fist was already coming.

  “SHOCK STRIKE!”

  BOOM.

  The thunder-charged punch slammed into Tony’s stomach.

  The impact launched him across the street.

  Jackson cracked his knuckles.

  “OI TOM.”

  He glanced over his shoulder.

  “You alright?”

  Tom groaned.

  “Stay lying there.”

  Jackson smirked.

  “Big bro will handle it.”

  Tom coughed.

  “Careful… that water drop attack is dangerous.”

  Jackson grinned as lightning crackled around him.

  “Yeah.”

  “I saw.”

  Across the street, Tony slowly stood back up.

  Electricity surged around Jackson’s body.

  He stepped forward.

  “Now…”

  Lightning flashed in his eyes.

  “…let’s get started.”

  To be continued...

  Son of Gods. I know there was a bit of a gap before this chapter, and that’s because my exams were going on. I needed to focus on those for a while, but now I’m back and ready to continue the story.