Four years passed.

  Four years of silence, routine, and cold steel. In the heart of the abandoned Van der Wood mansion, the outcast boy transformed into a disciplined phantom. Dio was now sixteen years old, no longer the thin child who had trembled in the face of his parents' anger.

  He had grown taller, his body lean and polished by countless hours of training, every muscle in him taut like a violin string, ready to snap. His long white hair, once silver, was now as stark as snow, and his golden eyes no longer held the confusion of a child, but a disturbing, icy calm.

  He was standing in the middle of the dusty training hall, the morning sun painting luminous spots on the cracked wooden floor, where the dust danced in the air like forgotten souls. He held his sword, moving in a series of fluid, precise motions.

  They were not the movements of a warrior, but of a machine. Every step was calculated, every strike was efficient, and every stance was perfect.

  But inside him, there was a dead end.

  He stopped, his breathing even and calm. He looked across the hall at a pile of dry leaves that had gathered in a corner untouched by time. For months, he had been trying. He would concentrate, summon that energy he had read about, trying to pull it from the outside world, but he always hit a wall of emptiness.

  Manipulating energy from the outside... the words of the book echoed in his mind. You are not a vessel... you are the hand that shapes.

  He closed his eyes. This time, he didn't try to pull. He didn't try to be filled. He gave up on the idea of possessing power. Instead, he focused on his will. On that quiet certainty he had felt in his dream, that sensation of the perfect cut. He looked with his mind's eye at five specific leaves in that pile.

  He didn't imagine them flying towards him. He commanded them.

  Move.

  In the silence of the dusty hall, nothing happened for a moment. Then, as if responding to a whisper no one could hear, a single leaf trembled. Then a second. Then, in a slow, hesitant, but incredibly real motion, five dry leaves rose into the air and spun around each other in a silent, strange dance, before falling to the ground again.

  Dio opened his eyes. There was no smile of victory on his face, only a quiet acknowledgment.

  Dio was sitting at the long wooden table, devouring his plate of grilled meat and rice. Beside him, Leonardo was eating in his usual silence, his massive size making the chair look like a child's toy.

  Lady Alma sent you a birthday present again. At least one person in that family remembers you. You should write her a thank-you letter.

  He ignored her.

  Eva sighed with suppressed anger. But Cairo... he didn't even send a letter this year either. That selfish bastard.

  Dio said coldly It doesn't matter, , but he felt a slight pang. Four full years had passed since he had last seen his only friend. Four years of silence.

  Late that night, Dio found Leonardo sitting alone on the cold stone steps of the main entrance, a half-empty bottle of cheap sake beside him.

  Leonardo said in a voice that was hoarse and slightly drunk when he saw him Young Master . Come, sit

  Dio sat beside him in silence.

  Leonardo began Do you know, Dio..., staring into the darkness. I... am powerless. I was born this way. All my life, I've felt useless. A huge body without an engine. He laughed a sad laugh. But I didn't care. Because I have my sister. She's all I have. Even if I was an orphan, I didn't care.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He turned and looked at Dio, his eyes shining with unshed tears. But you, my friend... you have no one. How sad you must be.

  Suddenly, he leaned over and gave Dio a strong, clumsy hug. But one day, Dio, you will find someone! I'm sure of it! But you, my friend, are stuck with me and my sister until you find that person!"

  Dio remained frozen, a cold stone receiving a warmth he hadn't asked for and didn't know how to handle. He didn't hug him back, but he didn't push him away. After a moment, Leonardo passed out while still hugging him, his full weight falling onto Dio.

  Dio sighed and began the arduous task of dragging a giant, unconscious body to his room.

  Dio! Dio! Wake up, you lazy bastard!

  The door to Dio bedroom burst open, and Eva stormed in like a hurricane, waving a piece of paper in her hand, her eyes shining with a mad excitement. It was still the middle of the night.

  Dio said, sitting up with a start ,What?

  you did it! you did it! she screamed, jumping in place. I sent an application in your name to the Elysian Academy months ago... and they've accepted you! You're going to be tested!

  Dio looked at her coldly. I'm not going.

  Eva froze. The excitement vanished from her face, replaced by pure anger. What did you say?

  I said, I'm not going.

  She exploded. Are you kidding me?! Do you want to bury yourself in this tomb with ghosts for the rest of your life?! Leonardo and I have been serving you for four years, and I will not allow you to become just a sad memory stuck in this cursed place!

  She approached him and grabbed his ear forcefully. Ow! Let me go!

  You are going! she screamed, pulling even harder. Do you understand?! You will go even if I have to drag you by this ear all the way to the capital!

  I understand! I understand! So please stop!

  The next morning, the chaos of preparations began. First, Eva forced him to sit on a chair in the bathroom and grabbed a pair of scissors. This hair... it's too long and boring. We're changing it.

  Eva, no...

  Shut up!

  She worked like a mad artist, cutting his long white hair with chaotic enthusiasm while he sat with patience and resignation. When she finished, his hair reached the middle of his back, and he looked older and sharper. she said with pride Look in the mirror at Eva's creation! .

  I swear you'll make one of the arrogant princesses of the five families fall in love with you.

  Then it was time for the luggage. When Dio came down to the main hall, he found a mountain of luggage next to the door. Suitcases, boxes, all of them elegantly decorated.

  What is all this? he asked in shock.

  Eva looked at him with surprise. This is just my clothes. You... that small bag over there is for you.

  The hundred-year journey had begun. The old flying car was groaning and making strange noises, as if protesting leaving the forest.

  Dio asked after three hours of slow travel ,Leonardo, how much longer until we arrive?.

  Leonardo looked at the old navigation screen. The car says... exactly one hundred years.

  Is the time-tracking device broken?

  No, Dio said with despair, dropping his head against the window. I'm sure it's not broken.

  Lutetia was a city from another world.

  After three days of traveling in their ancient car, arriving in the capital was like jumping from the Stone Age into the future. Towers of white and gold glass pierced the clouds, and sleek vehicles glided silently between them. The air was clean and carried a faint scent of ozone and the rare flowers that grew in the hanging gardens.

  Dio was amazed. He looked out of the car window with wide eyes, trying to take in all this beauty and technology. He noticed how the people in the streets, especially the women, would turn to look at them, not with disdain, but with curiosity and admiration.

  He didn't understand this new attention and felt confused. Beside him, Eva was guarding him with the eyes of a hawk, glaring angrily at anyone who stared for too long.

  They arrived at the Azure Star hotel, the most luxurious hotel in the capital. When they entered, Eva said sternly to the receptionist, We have a reservation under the name Dio van der Wood.

  The young receptionist stammered when she heard the name and began to look at Dio with shyness and admiration. Yes... yes, ma'am! The room is ready

  Eva shouted at her, Look at me when I'm talking to you!

  The next morning, the farewell in front of the massive gates of Elysian was both comedic and moving.

  Eva said, wiping away a fake tear ,Don't talk to strangers! . And if anyone tries to bother you, just use that scary golden glare!

  Leonardo said seriously, just send a message , And if you need anything, . I'll be here in two days.

  Eva hugged him tightly. Be strong! It's only one year until you graduate, that's not long, so don't be afraid and endure it!

  Dio entered the academy and felt as if he were entering a new world. Hundreds of students of all ages and races were wandering the grounds. And for the first time, he saw arrogant nobles from the great families standing in the same long line with commoners, their faces a mixture of anger and humiliation. Here, names didn't matter.

  He finished the registration process and entered the enormous main hall. The ceiling was so high it looked like a glass sky. He felt lost amidst the noisy crowds, a lone shadow in a sea of faces.

  Yo.

  The voice came from behind him, familiar and sarcastic.

  Long time no see, huh?

  Dio turned. Cairo was standing there, a little taller, a little more mature, but the same mischievous smile was still on his face, and the same curious glint was in his eyes.