Magic in Anterthon: The Awakening Fire

Kenneth still struggled to process the surreal events unfolding before him. Just moments ago, he and Salem had been in their school, and now they were in an unknown realm that felt as if it had been pulled straight from the pages of a fantasy novel.

Salem clutched Kenneth's arm, overwhelmed by the sudden shift in reality. Kenneth, however, focused on trying to gather his thoughts. Could it be?

He had read enough fantasy novels to recognize the signs—a classic isekai scenario. If this world was anything like the one in the book, then he had some knowledge of it. He might even have an advantage.

Taking a deep breath, Kenneth glanced at the imposing figure sitting on the throne and asked, his voice steady despite his unease, "Am I in Anterthon?"

The man on the throne narrowed his eyes, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "How did you know this is Anterthon?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity and suspicion.

Kenneth's heart sank. He had guessed right. This was Anterthon, a place where The Wizard's Magical Adventure was set. But how? And more importantly, why? His gaze shifted to the emperor on the throne.

If this is Anterthon, then that must be Vladislav, the emperor from the novel, he thought. The realization sent a chill down his spine.

But something felt off. He didn't recall any mention of the blue-haired man standing beside him. Despite knowing key parts of the story, this figure was a complete mystery. Who was he?

"So, this is Anterthon," Kenneth murmured under his breath. His mind raced. If I really am in the world of the novel...

The emperor, Vladislav, rose from his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on Kenneth. "I ask again," he said, his voice commanding, "How do you know of Anterthon?"

Kenneth gripped Salem's arm tightly, feeling the tension in the room grow. He needed to choose his words carefully, but his thoughts were clouded by the strangeness of it all.

"I... I've heard about this place," he finally said cautiously.

Vladislav's expression darkened.

"Why did you summon us here?" Ken managed to ask, his voice steadier than he felt.

The emperor remained composed, but his gaze was sharp. "The fire magic you awakened," Vladislav said, his tone heavy with meaning. "I wanted to see the person who awakened the fire magic for myself."

Kenneth stood frozen, still trying to grasp the situation as the emperor's words settled in. Fire magic? His mind raced back to the fiery explosion that had erupted around him, something he thought was part of a bizarre dream.

Vladislav rose from his throne, and the pressure in the room intensified. Kenneth could feel Salem trembling beside him, his hand shaking uncontrollably. Kenneth placed a reassuring hand on Salem's shoulder. "It's okay," he whispered, though he wasn't sure if he was convincing Salem or himself.

The emperor approached them, his aura heavy and authoritative, casting a palpable tension over the room. His eyes narrowed, locking onto Ken as if searching for something hidden deep within him.

Turning his gaze to a figure standing to the side, the emperor asked, "Did Bernard have children outside of the family?"

Bernard? The name triggered something in Kenneth's mind. Bernard Fireon... isn't that the Fire Guardian and the main character from the novel? He looked at the woman the emperor addressed and saw her shocked expression. His heart sank. Are they talking about me?

The woman bowed respectfully to the emperor. "Your Majesty... that is something we do not know," she said carefully. "But I am certain my husband has always been loyal especially to me and his family" Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her unease.

The emperor's gaze didn't waver as he considered her words. "It would be strange for him to use fire magic unless he has the bloodline to inherit the Ultimate Fire," Vladislav said, his words pointed and deliberate.

At this, the woman's eyes darted to Kenneth, her face filled with sudden realization. She stared at him, as if searching for some unspoken truth, her expression unreadable but tense. The weight of the emperor's statement hung in the air.

Kenneth's pulse quickened. Ultimate Fire? He looked at the emperor, then back at the wife of Bernard Fireon. Did they really think he was connected to this legendary power? He didn't understand how, but the intensity of their stares told him there was something they saw in him that he couldn't yet grasp.

"Your Majesty... that would be impossible. I'm absolutely sure my parents are my biological parents," he said firmly. He recalled the countless comments from neighbors and friends back home, who often remarked on how much he resembled his parents. The idea of being illegitimate felt absurd to him.

The emperor furrowed his brow, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "That's strange," he mused, turning his attention to the blue-haired man beside him. "Headmaster, are you certain he has used fire magic?"

"In this timeline, he hasn't used it yet, but he will in the future," Nero replied calmly, his gaze steady.

The emperor's eyes narrowed, suspicion creeping in. "Did you use your magic to interfere with him?"

Nero nodded, a hint of gravity in his voice. "Yes, Your Majesty. I had to act to prevent a catastrophic outcome. For a mortal encountering magic for the first time, it's understandable that he wouldn't be able to control it, especially when it awakens unexpectedly."

Kenneth's mind flashed back to the moment when he couldn't control the fire, the flames consuming everything around him. He swallowed hard, feeling the weight of Nero's words.

The emperor nodded thoughtfully. "Very well, Headmaster. Take care of him." He then turned to the woman. "And you, ensure that he is looked after. He may be your family's hope."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," the woman replied, bowing respectfully.

As soon as the emperor left, Kenneth's legs gave way, and he collapsed to his knees, his composure shattering. Salem, beside him, couldn't hold back his tears, overwhelmed by the ordeal. Kenneth's heart raced uncontrollably, the weight of everything crashing down on him. He tried to steady his breathing, but the reality of the situation left him trembling.

"Kenneth, I apologize for the suddenness of your transport to this world," Nero said, bowing slightly.

Kenneth took a deep breath, struggling to process everything. "Bring us back home," he demanded.

If this world was like the novel he had read, it was dangerous—especially for someone like them. Anterthon was ruled by magic, where the rarer and more powerful the magic, the higher the status in society. Mortals, like him, without any magic, were treated as Commoners.

"I can't send you back," Nero said solemnly. "In a few days, the Nether clan will come to kill the wizards remaining in the mortal world."

Kenneth's eyes widened. "Are those the dark figures?" he asked, remembering the girl from his earlier encounter. He wondered if she was okay.

Nero paused, seeming surprised. "You retained your memories?" He smiled faintly. "That gives me even more reason not to send you back."

Kenneth's frustration boiled over. "Then send Salem back! He's a mortal!"

"P-president?" Salem stammered, his eyes brimming with tears.

Nero glanced at Salem, observing him carefully. "He's not a mortal."

"What?" Ken turned to Salem, whose face reflected his shock.

"To explain it simply, he's a mortal... but he has a pnevma inside him. He just hasn't inherited his element yet."

Pnevma—the energy core of Wizards. It signified a person had the potential for magic, but without an inherited element, it remained a transparent, inactive energy.

"So... he's an Elementless?" Ken asked, piecing together the implications.

Nero raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you know the term." His eyes flickered toward the book that Salem was still holding. "Ah, that explains it."

Before Kenneth could respond, the woman stepped forward. "If you're worried about being discriminated against, the Fireon family can adopt you. Under the emperor's protection, no one would dare harm you," she offered.

Kenneth bristled slightly. She still believed he was the son of the Fireon Guardian.

"I don't care if you are the son of my husband or not," she continued, her tone calm but resolute. "But I trust Headmaster Nero and the emperor. They believe you'll be the hope for the revival of the Fireon family."

"My name is Fintan," she introduced herself, her eyes locking onto Kenneth's. "I am currently the head of the Fireon family. It's a pleasure to meet you."