"My name is..." Leon paused for a moment, the weight of his old identity nearly slipping through. He corrected himself with a calm, distant tone. "...you can call me 'The White One.' And this is my pet dragon, Draken. We hope our paths might cross again someday, but for now, we'll take our leave."
"Dragon? That's not a—" Before Ron could finish her sentence, Leon and Draken teleported away, taking the wild boar with them.
"They're gone," Lloyd said, looking stunned.
"...that's not a dragon," Ron finished her sentence, staring at the empty patch of forest where they had once stood. They had heard the whispers of "The White One" back in the Emerald Kingdom, but they never expected him to be on a level that defied the very laws of their world. The mysterious encounter haunted them for the rest of the day.
Back at the castle, Ron and Lloyd were walking toward the guest quarters when they crossed paths with Claire. She was heading out, her expression cold and focused.
"We leave by sunrise tomorrow," Claire stated without looking back.
"Apologies, Miss Claire," Ron interrupted, "but have you heard of a man in the woods who wears the purest white? He calls himself 'The White One.'"
Claire stopped dead in her tracks. Her rage became instantly visible. "You found him? Where? Tell me! He won't escape me this time!"
"You seem to know him," Lloyd noted, tilting his head. "Did you two get off on the wrong foot?"
"He embarrassed me in front of the King and everyone, then just disappeared," she hissed. "Tell me, do you know where he's hiding?"
"No, we don't," Ron replied. "He teleported away before we could question him further. We were only left with his name."
"Argh! A coward! He's such a coward!" Claire shouted. With a mere thought, she shattered a nearby stone vase into dust before walking away in a storm of fury. "If I ever find him, he'll pay for the humiliation he caused me!"
"I don't think they had a great start," Lloyd remarked, watching her leave.
"Who knows? She is the top prodigy, yet she claims he embarrassed her," Ron replied. "I think it would be hard for her to forgive him. But what's more concerning is who he actually is."
"I heard there was a Legendary Rank user here who could control reality," Lloyd pondered. "What if he is the one?"
"That could be true," Ron agreed. "I have never met him, but I know he goes by the name Phyx Rainstorm. If he is 'The White One,' then everything would make sense."
"Yes," Lloyd responded eagerly. "That explains why that creature bowed to him and why he hesitated before giving us a name. He was hiding his legendary identity."
"It all adds up now," Ron concluded. "The Legendary Rank, Phyx, is 'The White One.'"
"One day, I'll be stronger too," Lloyd said confidently, his eyes shining with ambition. "I'll be the greatest Legendary Rank ever!"
Ron began walking toward her room, the thought of such absolute power filling her with wonder. To be a Legendary Rank worthy of such respect would be the ultimate honor. She smiled to herself, whispering softly, "Me too."
The following morning dawned with a heavy, contemplative atmosphere for the Emerald Kingdom's prodigies as they prepared to depart. They packed their belongings, along with the lavish treasures and ceremonial gifts bestowed upon them by King Athares, into a magnificent carriage provided by the crown. They had arrived with nothing but a mind prepared for the horrors of a Dragon King's birth, yet they were leaving as honored guests. As they finalized their preparations, a rider on a pristine white horse galloped toward them. He was draped in garments of black and purple—a palette reserved for the highest echelons of royalty—and he exuded an aura of absolute authority.
The rider dismounted with a fluid, measured grace and walked calmly toward the group.
"Apologies, Miss Claire, Miss Ron, and Prince Lloyd," the man said, his voice resonant and steady. "I am here to accompany you through the capital gates. I am Phyx Rainstorm, of the Legendary Ranks and a Primordial Skill user. It is a distinct pleasure to meet the prodigies of the Emerald Kingdom."
"That's fine," Claire replied, her tone sharp and visibly unbothered; her mind was still trapped in the memory of her humiliation.
However, Lloyd and Ron exchanged a glance of profound confusion. As the journey began and Phyx rode alongside their carriage, the discrepancies became impossible to ignore. The "White One" they had encountered in the forest was not as tall as the man before them, and their voices occupied entirely different registers. The most glaring distinction was the hair—while the hooded stranger's long, white tresses had flowed visibly from beneath his hood, Phyx possessed short, meticulously groomed blonde hair. Though they knew a Reality Manipulator could theoretically edit his physical form, the "vibe" of the two men was fundamentally different.
"Sir, may I ask you about something that has been bothering me?" Lloyd asked, leaning toward the carriage window to address Phyx.
"Sure, go ahead," Phyx replied with a polite, enigmatic smile.
"What do you know about the 'White One'?"
The interior of the carriage fell into a sudden, vacuum-like silence. Claire, who had been staring out the opposite window in a trance of resentment, snapped her head toward them, her interest instantly piqued.
"I have heard many rumors recently," Phyx admitted, his eyes remaining fixed on the road ahead. "But in truth, I know very little. Have you encountered him?"
"We have," Lloyd replied, his voice dropping to a whisper. "But he seems to be avoiding everyone. He travels with a giant humanoid dragon that serves him with absolute loyalty."
"I believe the dragon is a shapeshifter," Ron added. "I saw it with my own eyes—it was a small, winged monster one moment, and then it transformed into that terrifying humanoid figure."
"He had a dragon?" Claire interjected, her grip tightening on the carriage upholstery. She had encountered him twice and had never seen a familiar at his side.
"Yes, it appeared to be a Black Dragon," Lloyd confirmed. "I didn't see the transformation itself, but the creature was undeniably powerful—far beyond anything an S-Rank should be able to tame."
Phyx went quiet for a moment, his gaze shifting toward the passing scenery. "This person sounds quite fascinating. Perhaps an unknown Legendary Rank has emerged from the shadows? Regardless, it would be irresponsible to leave such a power unchecked; an unregistered Legend could bring disaster to the Seven Kingdoms. Rest your minds. We will find him and question him. Every Legendary Rank must follow the ancient rules for the safety of the world."
As he spoke, Phyx wore a faint, predatory smile. The "White One" was becoming a phenomenon, and the sheer scale of the power described left even a Reality Manipulator intrigued. He was certain their paths would cross soon—much sooner than anyone expected.
Deep within the woods, far from the prying eyes of the capital, Leon and Draken were finishing the remains of the wild boar they had roasted. As Leon reached for the final, succulent piece of meat sizzling over the embers, the world suddenly shuddered.
The piece of boar meat flickered and transformed into a perfectly seasoned, steamed fish.
Leon and Draken froze in disbelief. The fallen log they had been using as a bench shifted beneath them, turning into an ornate, velvet-lined royal chair. The humble campfire expanded into a magnificent royal feast that appeared out of thin air, complete with silver platters and fine wine.
A figure manifested directly in front of them, sitting comfortably in a newly appeared chair at the head of the "table." With a flick of his finger, the man caused a plate to slide toward him; the fish sliced itself into perfect portions and landed gently before him. Silver utensils manifested in his hands as he began to eat with practiced elegance.
He looked up, his blonde hair catching the dappled sunlight, and his eyes—the eyes of a man who saw the world as a mere sketch—locked onto Leon's hood.
"Apologies for bothering your breakfast," the man said between bites. "I am Phyx Rainstorm. And I believe you are the one they call the White One."