Kael's hands trembled.
The golden light of the stone still pulsed in his chest. His whole body felt alive—stronger than ever before.
But now... someone else was there.
A figure stood at the top of the well, looking down.
Kael couldn't see his face. Only a long cloak, dark as night, and eyes glowing faintly red.
The man spoke again:
"The last one... I didn't think it would be you."
Kael's voice came out weak, rough.
"Who... are you?"
The man didn't answer.
Instead, he dropped something into the well.
A small black stone.
When it touched the ground near Kael, the air around him changed.
Suddenly, Kael couldn't breathe. A heavy pressure pushed on his chest.
The golden light inside him flickered.
"What is this...?"
The man's voice echoed down again:
"A test. If you survive, maybe you're worth something after all."
Kael gritted his teeth. His heart pounded.
The black stone pulsed, trying to crush him. It felt like it was sucking away the Life Force he had just awakened.
But Kael refused to fall.
His hand reached for the golden stone again.
"No... I just got this power... I won't lose it!"
With a shout, Kael forced himself to stand.
The golden light around him grew brighter, pushing back the dark energy from the black stone.
The man above the well said nothing. But Kael could feel it—he was watching carefully. Judging him.
Finally, the black stone cracked.
With a sharp sound, it shattered into dust.
Kael fell to his knees again, gasping for air. But he was alive.
More than alive.
He felt stronger.
The golden energy inside him was stable now. No longer wild and painful—calm and steady, like a flame in his heart.
Kael looked up.
But the man was already gone.
"Who... was that...?"
He had no answer.
Kael climbed out of the well slowly. His arms ached, but it didn't matter.
When he reached the surface, the world felt... different.
The wind felt sharper. The moonlight looked brighter. His own heartbeat was louder in his ears.
Kael opened and closed his hand, feeling power flow through his muscles.
"This... this is real."
Suddenly—
A loud voice rang out behind him.
"Kael! Where have you been?!"
Kael turned.
It was his childhood friend—Aira. She had short silver hair and sharp eyes, wearing a trainee mage's cloak.
Her face changed when she saw him.
"Wait... what happened to you? You look... different."
Kael tried to speak, but before he could, a sudden howl echoed through the night.
Both of them turned toward the sound.
A dark figure was running toward them through the trees.
Not a person.
A beast.
A Mana Wolf—a dangerous creature, its fur glowing blue with magical energy.
Aira gasped.
"That thing... it's too strong!"
Kael stepped in front of her without thinking.
His body moved on its own.
The Mana Wolf lunged—fast, claws glowing.
Aira shouted:
"Kael, get back!"
But Kael didn't run.
He clenched his fist.
Golden light sparked around his hand.
Then—he punched.
The air exploded.
The Mana Wolf was sent flying backward, crashing through the trees with a loud crack.
Aira stared, frozen.
Kael stood there, chest rising and falling slowly, golden energy still flickering around him.
Her voice shook.
"Kael... what... was that?"
Kael's eyes glowed faint gold as he looked at his hand.
He didn't know what to say.
Only one thought filled his mind:
"I'm... not weak anymore."
But in the shadows, far away, hidden eyes watched him.
And a quiet voice spoke from the dark:
"The last Life Force Master... has begun to move. The world will change."
TO BE CONTINUED.