"Those who seek power without intent, will only perish by the ambitions of others."
A thin mist cloaked the forest floor as I stepped onto the narrow path rarely trodden by humans. The ancient trees towered above, their leaves forming a thick canopy that blocked the sunlight. Each step felt heavy, not only due to the large roots obstructing the way but also from the strange pressure hanging in the air.
A black bird suddenly flew out from the bushes, flapping its wings in panic, as if avoiding something. The sounds of other animals began to fade, one by one.
I knew I was close.
Not long after, the mouth of the cave appeared between the gaps of two small cliffs—dark, wide, with cold air and a foul stench emanating from it. It smelled like a carcass that had been rotting for weeks. The surroundings grew silent. Even the wind seemed reluctant to blow toward this cave.
The Black Claw Nest.
I took a deep breath, then stepped into the darkness that awaited.
Only a few meters into the main corridor, I caught a faint sound.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
The light yet quick footsteps echoed through the stone walls. Not just one. More than one. They weren't in a hurry. They were watching. Circling.
I stopped. Slowly raised my sword.
"…Come."
From the darkness, three silhouettes appeared with glowing red eyes.
Wolf Fang. Demon wolves with long fangs and dark grayish-black fur. They lived in small packs, famous for their ability to attack in formation.
One lunged first. I dodged to the left, letting its claws miss by only inches from my face, then slashed its belly in one swift motion.
Its shriek pierced the air before its body collapsed, blood soaking the stone floor.
Two others followed. I jumped backward, throwing a small knife from my sleeve—hitting one of them directly in the eye, causing it to thrash and crash into the cave wall. The last one lunged from below. I waited for the last second, then stabbed upward into its throat with all my might.
Blood sprayed. My breath was heavy. But I stood.
"The first blood in this cave is not mine. Good."
My steps resumed.
The cave walls now displayed carvings—strange symbols I couldn't understand. They looked ancient, like spells, seals, or warnings. The deeper I walked, the more frequent these symbols appeared.
Click.
My right foot stepped on a spot that felt slightly deeper than the rest of the stone.
A trap.
Without hesitation, I leapt backward.
Whoooosh!
A row of sharp arrows shot out from the crevices in the walls on both sides. Only a split second from where I had been standing.
"From now on… one small mistake could end it all."
After two more battles, exhaustion began to spread from my shoulders to my feet. I found a narrow corridor covered in bushes and moss. It seemed like a path that had been deliberately hidden.
At the end, a large stone door stood ajar. With steady breath, I slowly pushed it open.
Inside, the room was dark and silent. No monster sounds. No threats. Only the scent of old books, dust, and dry air greeted me.
Stone shelves stood tall, holding dusty scrolls and books. In the center of the room, a stone table awaited. Upon it—was a black book with a leather cover. There was a silver seal on its surface, pulsating... like a living heartbeat.
I approached.
"This... is no ordinary magic."
As soon as my fingers touched the book's cover, a slight tremor spread through the floor. The seal glowed. A voice, not from the outside, but directly entering my mind, whispered.
"Whoever touches this book… shall bear the curse… and the freedom."
I clenched my fist.
"A curse? I have lived in a curse since birth."
"If this makes me strong enough to change that fate, I will accept it."
I cast aside my doubts and opened the first page.
Ancient magical symbols danced before me. Formulas of energy and spells in foreign languages—all flowed into my mind like memories that had just been unlocked. My body trembled violently, but I knew: this book... accepted me.
Night fell. I sat in the middle of the room, illuminated by the dim light from the magical emblem on the ceiling.
My eyes traced page after page, not stopping even though my body demanded rest. Some spells I couldn't comprehend. But there was one page that seemed to shine brighter than the others.
"Ignis Nostra — The Sacrifice of the Oldest Flame."
A one-time destructive spell. Its destructive power was enough to burn down a royal fortress.
I gave a thin smile.
"I don't need to burn down a kingdom... not yet. But if they attack first—I'm ready."
Minato Ascheveil had obtained something that no one else had:
Ancient magic.
And the right to choose... destruction.