Silence.
Then—pain.
Lunin's stomach twisted. He tried to breathe, but his body refused. The last thing he remembered was the old man's cold eyes… and a punch that felt like it came from a monster.
Everything went black.
Somewhere unknown…
Lunin slowly opened his eyes.
What is this place…?
Soft silk sheets brushed his skin. The ceiling above him was decorated with gold. The scent of sweet incense hung in the air. He wasn't in his tiny wooden house anymore.
He sat up in panic.
"Where the hell am I?" he muttered.
Then he saw it.
A mirror.
He walked towards it. Step by step. Hesitant. Afraid.
He pulled away the white cloth wrapped around his face. And what he saw made him freeze.
Golden eyes.
Smooth skin.
Sharp jawline.
A noble's face. A stranger's face.
His hands trembled.
"…This isn't me," he whispered. "Who is this guy?!"
Suddenly, a woman's voice echoed from downstairs.
"Lunin! Breakfast is ready! Don't make me come up there!"
His heart skipped a beat.
She called me Lunin…
But… how? Why?
His head ached. Memories of the old man's words rushed back:
"You are no longer Lunin. That name is dead. You are someone else now."
Lunin staggered back from the mirror.
"Damn it... What did he do to me?"
He clenched his fists.
"Who even am I now?"
But there was no answer.
Downstairs.
He met his new "father." A tall, clean-shaved nobleman with a calm smile.
"Lunin," the man said, "It's time. You'll be enrolling in the Royal Academy today."
Lunin flinched.
"…Me?"
"Yes. As a member of House Edevane, it is your duty."
Lunin nodded slowly.
House… Edevane?
A noble house? Was this the name on the fake identity?
He forced a smile. "Of course… Father."
That night.
Lunin couldn't sleep.
What if they find out I'm a fraud? I don't even have magic… What am I doing?
His chest felt tight.
Then…
Mist.
A thick, white mist surrounded him.
He was dreaming—or was he?
A voice emerged from the fog. Calm. Echoing.
"I gave you 'it' and 'them'… Let's see what kind of being you become."
"What…?"
"Who are you?!" Lunin shouted.
But the voice disappeared.
Morning came.
The uniform of the Royal Academy rested on a chair near his bed.
Today, his new life would begin.
A life built on lies, mystery…
…and power waiting to awaken.
To Be Continued.