Auren's eyes lit up. Yes… I want to come to Hollow Mountain.

Lyrax grabbed Auren firmly in both hands. One leg pressed against the window edge. Hold tight, he murmured.

With a whoosh, Lyrax took off in stealth mode, slicing through the wind. He gripped Auren tighter as they ascended, piercing the clouds above.

As they broke through, a breathtaking scene unfolded: the sun blazing above, black storm clouds swirling, lightning dancing relentlessly, and a cold wind cutting through the air.

Auren was mesmerized. It… It's superb.

Lyrax's voice carried calm authority. You're right. Very few dare to come here… you're lucky to be alive.

Auren smiled, gratitude shining in his eyes. Thank you… so much.

They soared higher, past the roaring winds, until the very end of Hollow Mountain came into view. The summit pierced through the last wall of clouds, where an old man sat in meditation. His robes swayed faintly in the thin air, his form as still as the mountain itself.

Auren's eyes widened. That face… a memory surged within him, flashing back to the first time he had seen the old man near the fountain. The aura was the same, unshakable, ancient.

Lyrax landed softly upon the peak, his garments whipping violently in the high wind. He set Auren gently on his feet, then lowered his head.

Master, Auren Ryuki is here.

Lee Wang opened his eyes. No smile. No warmth. Only a cold, steady gaze."Auren Ryuki. Why are you here?"

Auren's voice trembled, yet burned with resolve. I want vita. I want to become a mage too.

Lee Wang's expression did not change. His voice cut like stone. There are paths before you. Choose carefully.

His words echoed like an invocation.

Hunter

Seer

Summoner

Healer

Fortune Teller

Far-Sighter

Elemental

Manipulator

Domainer

Lee Wang's eyes narrowed slightly.…Or I can give you something more specific. But you must decide.

Auren hesitated, his voice low. Can I choose… without vita?

For the first time, a faint smirk touched Lee Wang's lips. The one who brought you here was just like you. Born into the Rompo clan, where ninety percent awaken with mage ability. But he was not among them. He belonged to the remaining ten percent—the forsaken.

Lyrax's voice broke in, heavy with memory. The remaining ten percent are stripped of freedom. Branded as slaves. Pleasure givers. Even their families abandon them. In Rompo, we were less than nothing.

His fists clenched, his tone dark. One day, I looked down on that cursed land. Hatred filled me, burning my chest. That hatred… it unlocked my mage ability, without me even knowing. But it came with despair. I decided to end my life. I climbed the mountain, ready to throw myself into the abyss.

His voice dropped, trembling with weight. But Master saved me. He took me in. He gave me training. He turned me into a mage. And more than that… he taught me humanity.

Auren's brows furrowed. His voice trembled with curiosity. Hatred… can give you vita? How?

Lee Wang's gaze sharpened, his voice slow and cold. Hatred is fire. And fire, at times, works as a catalyst. When Lyrax's mage ability awakened, his name spread as a myth across the lands. A theory was born—that hatred itself could awaken vita in those who were not mages by birth. Desperate parents clung to this belief. Some even tried to forge hatred in their own children.

Auren's breath caught. Even my father…?

Lee Wang's tone cut like a blade. Ryden of Ryuki. A prideful man, devoted to his bloodline. He never wished for weakness beneath the Ryuki name. The way he treated you—the cruelty, the harshness—it was no accident. He wanted you to hate him. To burn with rage strong enough to awaken what you lacked. But you… You never did.

Auren's eyes widened, his chest tightening.

Lee Wang continued, heavy and unyielding. That is why your father grew frustrated. Yet he never gave up. Even when you chose to leave, he struck you down, not out of malice, but in hope. Hope that hatred would fill your heart, and you would rise—not as yourself, but in place of the brother you lost.

Lee Wang laughed quietly, ahhahaha. When someone dear to you gets hurt, that makes you angry, rather than when someone hurts you directly. You care for people close to you; it's a rare trait. In your condition, it's hard to make you that angry, so your vita is unlocked, but one thing is still there.

Lee Wang stood up and turned around. Step by step, he walked toward the temple. He pushed open the heavy cave door and entered. Inside, a wildfire burned, its light casting restless shadows across the stone walls. Near the statue lay scattered skulls, splashed with red stains.

At the center stood a transparent bottle. Red strings coiled inside it, and on the glass was etched a strange symbol: the letters V and Q merged at the stomach of a dragon.

Lee Wang pressed his palms together in prayer.

Lord Mahavanga… he is here. Finally, after five hundred years.

Lee Wang returned from the cave, the red bottle clutched in his hand. Auren's heart pounded the moment he saw it, his breath quickening, his fingers trembling.

Finally… after so long, I will become a mage.

Lee Wang extended the bottle.Drink it.

Auren's hand shook as he took it. The seal broke with a sharp crack, and his eyes widened. Inside… blood.

His voice wavered.Is it blood?

Drink it, Lee Wang commanded.

Auren swallowed hard, then nodded. As the thick crimson liquid touched his tongue, a heavy sound struck within him—thudd… thudd… thuddd… until the rhythm thundered like drums of war. Lightning split the sky in wild flashes as he swallowed the last drop. His chest heaved, breath ragged, until suddenly… calm.

Then came the surge. His entire body convulsed, moving uncontrollably as a purple flame burst from within, wrapping him in a furious blaze.

Lee Wang's eyes widened. Lyrax's gaze trembled.

From Auren's lips escaped a laugh, dark and echoing, shaking the Hollow Mountain itself.Hehahaha!

The echoes roared, lightning crashing in answer.

Lyrax whispered, stunned.So… he is Ash.

Above Auren's head, a golden crown formed, gleaming with unearthly majesty.

Lee Wang suddenly stepped forward, his palm pressing firmly onto Auren's head. The golden crown above him shattered like smoke, vanishing into the air. Auren's body collapsed, hitting the stone ground hard.

Time passed in silence. Then, slowly, his eyes opened. He pushed himself up, sitting with unsteady breaths.

Lee Wang's voice was calm but heavy.Your vita is now 1500. Choose your ability.

The words struck him like thunder. Auren froze, unable to process it. His lips trembled.What… what are you saying? This can't be true.

Tears welled in his eyes, breaking free as his voice cracked.Finally… finally, I am a mage!

His cry shook the mountain. He clenched his fists, chest trembling with emotion.I will become a Hunter!

Lee Wang nodded.From this moment, I am your master.

He raised his hand, summoning a black orb that pulsed with deep light.Place your hand inside.

Auren obeyed, pressing his palm to the orb. At once, a surge of energy exploded into him, a wild current coursing through every vein. He gasped.I can feel it…

Lee Wang's gaze sharpened.Now you are a Hunter Mage. Listen carefully—every ability holds five stages. The ability you awakened is called Mad Hunter. It is not superior, but it is unique. At its fifth stage, its strike is deadly enough to erase legions.

Auren's eyes widened as Lee Wang continued, his tone grave.This ability can merge with your weapons. Though you cannot yet wield its true form, remember this: Stage Five carries a shifting effect. Master it, and you will have the power to slaughter armies.

Lee Wang's eyes narrowed.Which weapon do you prefer?

Auren lifted his head, voice firm.Sword.

Lee Wang turned his gaze upward.Lyrax, give me your blue sword.

From the temple's high balcony, Lyrax leaned lazily, a mocking smile on his lips.Which blue sword? I don't remember having one.

Lee Wang's stare shifted toward him, silent yet heavy.

Lyrax scratched his head, smirking nervously.Alright, alright. I was joking. Fine, master—I'll give it.

He raised his palm to the heavens. Power gathered, and with a sharp hiss, the air split. A sword of ocean-blue light descended like a falling star, embedding itself into the ground before Auren. The blade pulsed with a living glow, as if waves moved inside it. Golden strings coiled along the hilt, wrapping it in sacred majesty.

Auren's breath caught, his hand trembling as he reached for the weapon.

Lee Wang's voice was calm, commanding.Lyrax will teach you how to wield the sword.

Lyrax's jaw dropped, his eyes wide in disbelief.What? Master… I came here to train myself, not to babysit him!

Lyrax squared his stance, glaring at the boy before him. So, you want to fight me? I want to see what you've got.

Auren, his face still carrying that innocent glow, clasped his hands together. Please, Master Lyrax… teach me.

Lyrax's jaw tightened. "And what about my kingdom? Who will guard it while I waste time here?"

Lee Wang stepped forward, his tone calm but resolute. I will send your shadow clone . Your kingdom will be safe.

Lyrax exhaled slowly, a long breath leaving his chest as his eyes softened just slightly. Fine then…

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