The morning sun rose.
The academy was still quiet.
But today felt different.
Eiden felt it the moment he woke up.
Something was coming.
He dressed slowly, wrapped his bandages, and left his room.
---
In the hallway, a student ran toward him.
"Eiden Valtz?"
"Yes," he said calmly.
"You've been called. Headmaster wants to see you. Now."
The student looked nervous.
Eiden raised an eyebrow.
He nodded and followed.
---
The headmaster's room was at the top of the main tower.
It was old and full of books.
Magic scrolls floated in the air.
Rays of sunlight touched the floor through a big window.
The headmaster sat behind his desk.
He was tall, with silver hair and deep eyes.
"Come in," he said.
Eiden stepped forward.
---
"You were at the training yard during the monster attack, correct?"
"Yes," Eiden said.
"I fought to protect my classmates."
"You didn't use magic?"
"No, sir."
The headmaster leaned back.
"Strange. One of the monsters was frozen in place. No blade marks."
Eiden said nothing.
His face was calm.
But his heart beat a little faster.
---
The headmaster stood.
He walked to a shelf.
Pulled out a crystal.
A small image played inside it.
A shadow moved through smoke.
Fast.
Precise.
Too fast for a normal student.
"Some say this was you."
"I don't know," Eiden replied.
The headmaster smiled.
"Good answer."
---
There was silence.
Then the headmaster spoke again.
"Sometimes, power must stay hidden."
Eiden looked at him.
Their eyes met.
They both understood.
"I won't ask more. Not yet," the headmaster said.
"But be careful."
"The world is watching."
He handed Eiden a small card.
"Classroom B-17. After school. Come alone."
Eiden took the card and left without a word.
---
Outside the tower, clouds gathered.
The wind was cold.
Eiden walked through the garden.
His mind was calm.
But his thoughts were busy.
B-17?
That room was always locked.
And no one used it.
---
That evening, he walked alone to the old hallway.
The lights were dim.
No footsteps.
He pushed the door open.
The room was dark.
But he felt a presence.
A man stood in the back.
Wearing a black coat.
His face hidden.
"You came," the man said.
"Who are you?" Eiden asked.
The man smiled.
"We are the ones who watch."
"The ones who wait."
"And we saw your flame."