Chapter 2 — Ripples in the Mana Stream

Rain was still falling the next morning.

Not the gentle kind that makes you want to sleep in, but the heavy, silver sheets that turn the academy courtyards into shimmering mirrors.

Jack sat on the edge of his dorm bed, lacing his boots while Dio lazily cleaned his paw.

“You’re awfully quiet,” Jack said.

Dio didn’t look up. Thinking.

“About?”

That mana flare yesterday. You should’ve held back.

Jack gave a dry laugh. “You mean, I should’ve let Professor Varrin humiliate me in front of everyone?”

Dio’s tail flicked. Better than painting a target on your back.

Jack frowned. “You said you’ve seen mana like mine before. You said it belonged to a king. Who?”

The cat met his eyes, golden irises sharp as blades. Not yet.

“Not yet? That’s it? That’s all you’re giving me?”

If you knew the answer now, Dio said, you’d either laugh it off or do something stupid. Either way, you’re not ready.

Jack sighed and shoved his coat on. “Fine. Be cryptic.”

The Courtyard

By the time Jack reached the main courtyard, most students were hurrying between classes with their hoods up.

“Oi, Jack!”

Kirito’s voice carried over the sound of rain. He jogged up, water dripping from his sword’s scabbard. “You hear the rumors?”

Jack tilted his head. “What rumors?”

“Some of the staff were talking last night,” Kirito said, lowering his voice. “Apparently, your little purple mana trick didn’t just stay in the classroom. The Academy’s High Warden’s been called in.”

Jack raised a brow. “The High Warden?”

Kirito nodded. “Yeah. Guy’s basically the Academy’s watchdog for magical anomalies. Shows up when something… unusual happens.”

Before Jack could respond, Rem appeared from the library steps, holding a stack of scrolls. “You’re both late for Battle Theory. And Jack—” She stopped, eyes narrowing. “You look… tense.”

“Kirito says the High Warden’s here,” Jack said.

Rem’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Then you really need to keep your head down.”

“Why does everyone keep saying that?” Jack muttered.

“Because you don’t understand what it means to have something the Academy can’t categorize,” Rem said sharply. “People fear what they can’t control. And here, fear turns into… bad decisions.”

Kirito grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “Relax. Worst case, they just put you under surveillance for the rest of your life.”

Jack gave him a flat look. “Comforting.”

Battle Theory Class

Professor Drenn’s Battle Theory wasn’t the kind of lecture where you could hide in the back and doze off.

The room was a wide combat hall, its floor covered in enchanted sand that reshaped itself depending on the exercise.

Today, it had molded into a small arena.

“Pair off!” Drenn barked. “We’re testing mana reinforcement techniques!”

Kirito immediately stepped beside Jack. “Looks like you’re stuck with me, buddy.”

Jack sighed. “Go easy on me.”

“Not a chance.”

They squared off. Kirito drew his training sword, its edges glowing faint blue as his mana flowed into it. Jack took his stance, focusing mana into his hands. He tried to keep it the standard pale blue he’d been taught… but like ink seeping into water, that familiar violet hue bled in.

Kirito noticed. His grin faded. “You’re not even trying to hide it?”

Jack smirked faintly. “Where’s the fun in that?”

The duel began.

Kirito moved first, blade flashing toward Jack’s shoulder. Jack sidestepped, catching the blade with a burst of reinforced mana. The clash sent sparks dancing in the air.

They traded blows, the sand shifting beneath their feet. Jack’s movements were sharper than usual today, his mana reinforcing his strikes with a strange rhythm — almost like a second pulse guiding him.

Kirito’s eyes narrowed. “You’re faster than before.”

Jack didn’t answer. He just pressed forward, forcing Kirito back. With one final burst, Jack disarmed him, the sword clattering to the sand.

The other students stared. Even Drenn looked surprised. “That’s… new,” he said slowly. “Reyu, stay after class.”

Jack’s stomach sank.

The High Warden

After class, Jack followed Professor Drenn into a side chamber. Waiting there was a tall man in a black coat trimmed with silver, his eyes the color of cold steel.

“Jack Reyu,” the man said, his voice calm but carrying a weight that made Jack’s skin prickle. “I am High Warden Thalos. I oversee matters concerning… anomalies within the Academy.”

Jack crossed his arms. “And you think I’m an anomaly?”

“I think,” Thalos said, “that your mana signature does not match any known classification. I also think that you have either been concealing your true capabilities… or you have no idea what you are.”

Jack bristled. “I know what I am. I’m a student.”

Thalos’ gaze was unblinking. “Do you know what violet mana represents?”

Jack shook his head.

“It is not a natural color,” Thalos said. “It does not occur without… intervention. Or inheritance.”

Jack felt something cold twist in his chest.

Thalos stepped closer. “If you know anything about your bloodline, now is the time to tell me.”

Jack’s jaw tightened. “I don’t.”

Thalos studied him for a long moment, then nodded once. “Then I will find out for you.”

Rusof’s Throne Room — Elsewhere

Far away, in the heart of the Mythic Demon Realm, a man sat upon a throne of blackened bone. His armor was jagged obsidian, his eyes burning with crimson fire.

A hooded figure knelt before him. “My lord, the flare has been confirmed. The heir… lives.”

The man’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “After all these years.”

“Shall I dispatch the hunters?” the hooded figure asked.

Rusof rose, his cloak sweeping across the floor like a shadow come to life. “No. Not yet. Let the boy grow… let him think he is safe. Then, when the time is right…” His smile sharpened. “I will take more than the throne from him.”

Night in the Dorm

Back in his dorm room, Jack paced. Dio watched from the desk, tail twitching.

So, Dio said finally, they sent the High Warden.

Jack stopped. “You knew?”

Of course I knew. The moment you lit up half the Academy with that mana flare, they were bound to send someone. The question is—

“I’m starting to think you know exactly what I am,” Jack said, cutting him off.

Dio’s golden eyes gleamed. Maybe I do.

“Then tell me.”

The cat stretched lazily. Not yet.

Jack glared. “You sound just like the High Warden.”

Dio smirked — at least, as much as a cat could smirk. The difference is, I’m on your side.

Jack sat on the bed, rubbing his temples. “I had a dream last night… about a woman. White hair. Golden eyes. Holding a baby.”