New York Sanctum — 177A Bleecker Street, Manhattan
From the outside, it looked like nothing more than an unremarkable clocktower. Discreet enchantments caused ordinary passersby to overlook it entirely, never feeling the urge to step inside.
Within, however, it was as though a different world had unfolded—an interior space filled with sights no mundane building should contain.
As the Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One was seated at a table, speaking quietly with a girl who seemed almost dreamlike.
Beside them, Annie—her little bear strapped to her back—was eagerly flipping through the Sanctum's vast collection of spellbooks, absorbing knowledge like a sponge.
Though still only of elementary-school age, Annie already possessed the strength of a B-Class hero. If her talent were fully realized, reaching A-Class would not be impossible.
"Someone has arrived."
The Ancient One paused mid-pour as she sensed a ripple in space.
A soft blue light descended.
Using spatial transit after locking onto the coordinates, Aiden Cross bypassed the outer wards entirely and stepped into the Sanctum.
He took in the gleaming bald head and the ocean-like tide of magic radiating from her. Despite her gentle appearance, her presence carried a power no one could ignore.
"Sorcerer Ancient One—your perception is as sharp as ever."
"You flatter me. President of the Hero Association, the power within you is what truly inspires awe."
She smiled faintly.
Aiden Cross could sense the sea of magic within her. And as Sorcerer Supreme, she could just as clearly feel the far more terrifying energies coiled within him.
A chaotic harmony of forces rested in Aiden Cross's body—spiritual pressure, magic, psychic power, divine might, and spirit energy—each immense on its own, yet perfectly ordered together.
Even without much combat experience, raw force alone would allow him to overwhelm most beings in the universe.
"...Elysia?"
"You… know me?"
The girl in the ethereal Divine Spirit Dress spoke in confusion.
She was Elysia Prime, the Primordial Spirit.
Born from absorbing the magic of this entire world, her threat level had long surpassed conventional measures. Her power now bordered on something approaching a god-class disaster.
If she chose to study magic seriously, even a tiny fireball cast by her hand could carry apocalyptic force.
"Of course. I've known you for a very long time."
"But… I don't remember you."
"That's alright. You can start knowing me from now on."
Elysia pressed a hand to her chest, her face filled with puzzlement.
"There's a power inside you… it feels very familiar."
Warm. Gentle. As if it were part of herself.
And yet, among the eleven Spirit Crystals she once separated, none possessed spirit power remotely comparable to Aiden Cross's.
"It feels… comforting."
"Then come with me, Elysia."
Aiden Cross extended a hand in invitation.
With the peak spirit power he carried, it was easy for him to gain Elysia's initial trust.
Not every catastrophe had to become an enemy of the Hero Association.
Handled properly, even a being like Elysia could become an ally.
Especially a spirit as pure as a blank page.
Recruiting her would mean not only gaining an overwhelming combat force—but also a gentle, innocent girl.
"Wait."
"What is it, Sorcerer Ancient One?"
"You are free to take Miss Elysia. She is only a guest here at the Sanctum."
"…Go on."
"But you understand the magnitude of the power within her, do you not?"
"Yes. If she unleashed it fully, this universe could be pushed to the brink of collapse."
"More than that. In just over a month, she mastered every spell housed here—and can cast them with greater potency than their originals."
"So your meaning is?"
"I hope you will protect her. Ensure she is not led astray by darker influences that could endanger this world."
Aiden Cross nodded calmly.
"Of course."
As the Primordial Spirit, Elysia had caused destruction only at the moment of her first appearance. Since then, she had harmed no one, wandering the endless void without purpose.
Like a newborn child, she understood little of the world.
Only after accidentally arriving here and meeting the Ancient One had she paused her wandering.
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