After the tournament, Imperial awakens struggling with the secret lightning power he unleashed, while Kai and Zeran face intense scrutiny from the royal council about the mysterious incident. Imperial secretly meets Kaien, an old master who offers to train him to control his dangerous magic. As Kai is summoned to the palace amid rising tension, Imperial begins a harsh journey toward mastering his true potential. Meanwhile, whispers of an unprecedented S+ rank lightning attack spread across the empires, signaling a storm on the horizon.
Scene: The Council Chamber, Thunder Empire
"I can't believe this…" Mr. Malrik's voice trembled with disbelief as he stared at the report in his hands. "Even the ruler of the Thunder Empire couldn't unleash an attack like that."
He looked around the room, locking eyes with each leader present. "Not in this era. Not in the last. I don't think there's a single thunder user capable of such power—except one."
His words hung in the tense silence.
"But one of my most trusted soldiers witnessed it firsthand," mangus continued grimly. "So I know the report is true. This isn't some rumor or exaggeration."
"The boy… he is from the Thunder Empire," Magnus said quietly.
Queen Celestia, seated beside Magnus, leaned forward with sharp eyes. "A human weapon then—crafted to dominate the world. Perhaps this is a test of their power," she mused, her voice both curious and wary.
The Ruler of the Wind Empire shook his head decisively. "If they were testing a weapon, they would never reveal it in public. Such a display risks provoking the other four great empires. They would demand its destruction… or prepare for war."
"Agreed," Malrik muttered. "Whatever it is, we must remain vigilant. This changes everything."
Before more could be said, Queen Celestia's communication orb suddenly lit up and began to ring sharply. She excused herself from the chamber and stepped outside to answer.
"Yes? What is it?" she said briskly.
A voice crackled urgently on the other side. "Lady Celestia, the generals have reported… they can't find her."
Celestia's eyes narrowed. "Great… more bad news. I'm in the middle of something critical. We'll discuss this later."
She returned to the council chamber, her expression tightening.
"You look tense, Your Majesty," Magnus remarked cautiously.
"Just political turmoil within the empire," she replied, brushing off the question quickly.
Magnus nodded slowly. "Then this meeting is adjourned. Thank you all for arriving on such short notice."
"Right," echoed three voices in unison as the assembly dispersed.
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[Scene: Forest Training Grounds]
Deep in the eastern woods near the Royal Town, Imperial floated in a tank filled with clear water. His body was fully submerged, except for his face, which broke the surface.
"Master! No! Please! I'm going to die!" Imperial shouted, struggling violently against the heavy restraints binding him to the tank.
Kaien sat nearby in a simple wooden chair, sipping tea with an almost casual serenity. "Don't be so dramatic," he said with a smirk. "This is necessary for you to unlock a new technique. You need to feel the current flowing inside you. If you can't detect it naturally, this is the only way."
Raising his hand lazily, Kaien muttered, "Starting now."
"Thunder Beam."
A jagged bolt of lightning shot from Kaien's fingertips, striking the water and sending a searing current through Imperial's entire body.
"Aaahhh—stop! Please!" Imperial screamed, teeth clenched against the shock.
Inside his mind, bitter thoughts churned relentlessly.
Why did I agree to train with this madman? I must be the biggest fool alive… Someone please save me! This old man's going to kill me!
Kaien, completely unfazed, sneezed lightly. "Hmm. Must be someone talking about me," he quipped dryly.
Several excruciating minutes passed before Kaien finally cut the power. He drained the tank and helped Imperial sit up, handing him a small bowl of steaming food and a cup of tea.
"You're becoming brave now," Kaien said with a faint grin. "Here, eat."
Imperial coughed weakly but managed to swallow some broth. "I... I can feel it now. The current inside me. It's heavy—dense, almost like… a storm waiting to break."
"Excellent. It's getting late—go home before your mother worries. We'll resume training tomorrow."
"Okay. Thanks, Master. Take care."
Kaien rose and disappeared inside his hut. Moments later, he returned holding an old, wooden box.
"Here. Open this when you get home. Bring it back tomorrow."
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[Scene: Imperial's Home]
Imperial's mother, Lyra, eyed the box warily as her son entered.
"Who gave you that, my son? A gift?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Master Kaien," Imperial replied. "He told me to open it after I got home."
Imperial carefully lifted the lid and unfolded the cloth inside. Nestled within was a sword—its blade gleaming faintly in the dim light, beautifully forged with intricate patterns etched along the hilt and guard.
"A sword…" Imperial whispered, awe mixed with confusion.
Lyra's gaze sharpened and a shadow flickered across her face. "That's… a beautiful sword," she said softly, voice tinged with unease. Without another word, she turned and left the room.
Alone, Imperial ran his fingers along the blade's smooth surface. A strange sensation prickled his skin—a whisper of something ancient and powerful. It felt unnatural, almost unsettling.
Startled, he dropped the sword with a soft clatter, hastily sheathing it and placing it on the table before retreating to his room.
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[Scene: Lyra's Private Study]
In her dimly lit study, Lyra opened an ancient, dusty chest and pulled out a weathered book. The worn leather cover creaked as she flipped through the fragile pages.
Her eyes stopped at a faded sketch.
That design… it's the same.
Her breath caught.
Could it be? No. That can't be.
The sketch depicted the exact sword Imperial now possessed—a legendary heirloom, passed down through generations of rulers, each sworn to protect the empire with it.
Lyra closed the book slowly, her face unreadable but her mind racing.
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[Scene: Outside the Royal Town]
Meanwhile, far from the politics and intrigue, Imperial lay awake, staring at the ceiling.
His thoughts churned—what does this sword mean? Why does it feel like a part of me? He sighed, running a hand through his messy hair. The road ahead was uncertain, but he knew one thing: his journey to control the storm within had only just begun.