By late afternoon, the village had returned to its usual calm. The crystal testing circle was quiet, with only dust drifting slowly across the stone floor. Children played nearby, and parents spoke in low voices, as if afraid to disturb the peace.
Euryale leaned against a fence, arms crossed, staring out at the sea.
The image of the blue-haired boy stayed in his mind.
Ezrael.
The name had been spoken only once, but it felt heavy—like a warning and a promise at the same time. Just thinking about it made Euryale uneasy.
Not far away, Ezrael walked between the tents. He adjusted his dark robe neatly, every movement controlled and careful. He didn't look like he was using magic, yet the air around him felt different—quiet, steady, and powerful, like thunder far away.
Euryale brushed sand off his sleeve and muttered,"Why does someone have to look like a storm… and still act polite?"
A shadow covered him.
"Do you always talk to yourself," a calm voice asked, "or is today special?"
Euryale looked up quickly.
Ezrael stood in front of him.
Sunlight caught the silver threads in his robe, and the wind moved his blue hair gently. His grey-blue eyes felt deep, like the sky before rain.
"I—I wasn't talking to myself," Euryale said quickly. "I was just… thinking."
Ezrael raised one eyebrow.
"Thinking," he repeated. He looked Euryale over, as if measuring him. "You are Euryale, yes?"
"Yes," Euryale said carefully. "How do you know my name?"
"Your name travels far," Ezrael replied calmly. "Master Kaelvin mentioned you. A White Core bearer. Water element."
Euryale blinked. "That's… me."
Ezrael stepped closer. The air felt heavier—not scary, just strong.
"Most White Core bearers are serious and distant," he said. "You make it look easy."
"I'm twelve," Euryale muttered. "Well… mostly. Water users don't age fast."
Ezrael let out a quiet breath that sounded like a small laugh.
"I see," he said. "Interesting. Remember this—controlling the sea is different from living with it."
Euryale felt his face warm.
"You're not making fun of me, are you?"
"No," Ezrael answered. "I'm watching. And judging a little. But not teasing."
Euryale swallowed."So… friendly?"
"Friendly depends," Ezrael said. "Do you know how rare it is to meet a White Core bearer who hasn't been fully tested?"
Euryale shifted his feet."I try not to flood houses."
Ezrael glanced at the crystal spire, then back at him.
"Water listens when you are calm and willing to follow it," he said. "Not when you force it."
"So I argue too much?" Euryale asked.
Ezrael thought for a moment.
"No. You're too human. Too curious. That can be dangerous."
Then he added, "But it's also necessary."
Euryale frowned.
"Dangerous and necessary? That's confusing."
"Yes," Ezrael said. "Life usually is. And you will soon learn how much the sea can test you."
"The sea?" Euryale asked. "Like my mana core?"
"The sea remembers things you don't," Ezrael said softly. "Old stories connected to White Core bearers. If you listen, you may learn things others never will."
Euryale's throat felt dry."Ancient sea myths?"
Ezrael nodded."The sea never lies. But it tests people. And it chooses who to reward."
The wind moved around them, gentle but strong. For a moment, Euryale felt something deep and steady in the air—like the heartbeat of the ocean itself.
Ezrael turned back to him."You are not ready for me to teach you yet," he said. "But I will watch. One day, our paths may meet again."
"You're… from the Academy?" Euryale asked.
"Yes," Ezrael answered. "For now, observe. Listen. And don't step into waters you can't handle."
"I'll try," Euryale said. "No flooding."
Ezrael looked once more at the crystal spire."Most White Core bearers are noticed early," he said. "You are not like most."
"Got it," Euryale muttered.
The wind lifted Ezrael's cloak as he stepped away."Prepare yourself," he said.
Then he was gone.
Lyra tugged Euryale's sleeve."Who was that? He looks like he came from the sky!"
"I don't know," Euryale said, rubbing his head. "But I think he's going to make life difficult."
"And fun!" Lyra said happily.
Euryale sighed."Yeah. Fun."
The flags above them moved with the wind, and the sea whispered softly.
Euryale felt the steady pulse of his White Core.
He didn't understand what was coming.
But he knew this—his life was already being pulled toward something bigger than the village… and someone he would meet again.
Far away, Ezrael walked alone, eyes fixed on a future only he could see.