Legends on the Move
"Hm."
Did he doze off for a moment? Well, this is something. You can't fool age. He'd never imagined he'd feel so tired and sleepy after just a short journey. Is this what it means to grow old? No sleep at night, exhaustion during the day. That would be far too depressing.
The middle-aged man riding in the carriage gave a wry smile as he gazed out the window.
He took in the passing scenery for a moment before deciding something, then lightly shook the bell inside the carriage.
"Yes, Lord Phoenix. What is it?"
"How much farther to our destination?"
"About another hour, sir."
"Hm. Then let's take a short break. You all catch your breath too."
"Understood, Lord Phoenix."
The carriage gradually slowed before coming to a complete stop by the roadside. The ability users accompanying him dismounted from their horses, wiping sweat as they rested. When the carriage door opened, they hurried forward and bowed their heads.
"No need. Don't mind me—rest easy."
"Thank you, Lord Phoenix."
Lord Phoenix. Indeed, this red-haired middle-aged man was none other than Akin Phoenix. The pinnacle of pyrokinesis users. The Empire's proudest master of fire manipulation. And yet, he was already in his late forties. His body had passed its prime and was beginning to fade bit by bit.
But still, no one had officially surpassed his flames. Lord Phoenix's power was extraordinary—in destructive force and control alike. It was on another level entirely. He should have been quietly tending to his estate by now.
But news from a few days ago had even compelled him to move.
The report concerned none other than his son, Flam Phoenix.
"Senior—no, Lord Phoenix, I'm truly sorry to bring such news, but Flam had an ability rampage a few days ago."
"A rampage? Why all of a sudden? How badly is he hurt? Any damage to the academy?"
"Fortunately, we suppressed it immediately. It was a close call, but a combination of factors prevented any of the disasters we feared."
He'd been stunned when he received that call from Principal Ludwig Rich. Flam Phoenix—his son who resembled him the most, not just in looks but in talent for abilities and even personality. That's why his expectations for Flam were sky-high. He firmly believed that when his own sun set, Flam would rise as the new one to lead the family.
In fact, Flam had shown promise long before enrolling at the academy. He was already hailed as the next top pyrokinesis user, and his skills and talent had proven it. Word was that even after entering the academy, he was displaying his gifts without restraint.
Of course, with so many exceptional students there, he wouldn't always claim first place. But that was for the best. Staying at the top forever could breed arrogance, and a single fall might shatter him beyond recovery.
Lord Phoenix didn't want that for his son and heir.
But that doesn't mean I wanted him to suffer an ability rampage, either.
Rampages weren't common, but they were a real phenomenon. When an ability user pushed beyond their limits—especially if mentally unstable and unable to control it properly—that was called a rampage. Most cases ended with the user exhausting themselves and collapsing. But severe ones could devastate an entire area, harming others and themselves alike. And skilled users often leaned toward the latter.
Learning Flam had rampaged had shocked him to his core. That's why he was rushing to the academy now, setting everything else aside.
That kid. He acts tough on the outside, but deep down, he's probably agonizing over his mistake, regretting it, blaming himself. He's just like me in that way too.
It would be great if he made a good friend at the academy and opened up to them. Just like he had. But Flam would likely swallow his flames alone, keeping them bottled up inside. Worried that sharing might harm others, he'd try to handle it himself.
That's why he had to go to the Continental Academy. To offer advice, check on his condition.
"...Hm?"
Lord Phoenix suddenly sensed a familiar yet unpleasant aura. From a carriage approaching from behind.
"Whoa, whoa!"
The coachman halted his carriage in front of Lord Phoenix's group. The other ability users following frowned at the sight. His own escorts reacted no differently.
"...Ah."
"Damn."
Not all ability users got along, just like not all people did. Differences in personality, region, nationality—and for ability users, one more: their abilities. Especially when they were polar opposites.
"Lord Phoenix, those guys are..."
"Master Sparrow."
Stepping to the front, Lord Phoenix addressed the carriage decked out in blue. The door opened, revealing a middle-aged man with striking blue hair—the opposite of the redhead's. About the same age, he let out a heavy breath.
"Lord Phoenix. Didn't expect to see you here."
"Same to you, Master Sparrow."
The newcomer was Jecob Sparrow, the supreme hydrokinesis master. Unlike the Empire-born Phoenix, he hailed from a kingdom just below it. His sudden appearance here left Lord Phoenix puzzled.
"What's brought you all the way out here? Looks like you're headed to the Continental Academy too."
"Do I really need to explain between us?"
"Ah, true. Of course."
Fire and water—utterly opposing elements. Two masters at the peak of their domains. Neither weak; both the absolute best. Their ironclad confidence and pride left no room for yielding. The tension rippled to their escorts, thickening the air.
"...I rushed to the Empire over my son."
Master Sparrow yielded first. Fitting, since he'd bristled initially. Lord Phoenix gestured for him to continue.
"You know my son, Portus."
"Of course."
"He rampaged during an exam a few days ago."
"...Your son too?"
"Yes. Just like yours, Lord Phoenix."
Lord Phoenix's face twisted. How long had he known their news? It had seemed odd how readily he'd shared his own son's rampage. They were in the same boat, after all. Otherwise, he'd have kept it hidden.
"Rushing to the Empire for your son. Quite the father."
"You're no different."
The two middle-aged men—the pinnacle fire and water masters—smiled.
They both knew. Neither was showing all their cards. It wasn't just fatherly worry drawing them here.
Lord Phoenix and Master Sparrow—still called the strongest, but no longer truly so. Two decades had passed since their reign. Their primes were long gone. They held on only because no worthy successor had emerged yet. But that wouldn't last.
And now, their sons—Flam and Portus—were showing tremendous growth, prime candidates for the title.
To them, sons and heirs. The future of their houses. Rampages during exams? No wonder they came running. They wanted to pass that throne to their boys.
"Hm. This break's over. Time to move."
"Since we're here, why not travel together? We'll meet there anyway. Better than sending mixed signals to the young ones."
"..."
Lord Phoenix pondered briefly, then agreed. Annoying how Sparrow always seemed a step ahead, leaving a bitter taste. He hoped Flam beat Portus—at least a little. But the rampage complicated things.
"Still, I'm curious. What on earth happened to our sons?"
"Me too."
The two carriages rolled side by side, windows open for their exchange. A perfect fire-and-water standoff—never mixing, never yielding the lead.
Soon, the ability user groups reached the Continental Academy. Knights, forewarned of their visit, escorted them courteously. As they followed toward the interior...
"...?"
"Hm?"
As if by agreement, Lord Phoenix and Master Sparrow turned toward one spot. A distant building—where club rooms clustered. No one visible.
Yet the two powerhouses stared long and hard.
This is quite the... impressive presence. Who could it be?
Has another top-tier from our era shown up here?
"Ah."
He'd accidentally sliced a large leaf clean off. Is my mental discipline training lacking? Yelling in frustration, Abel shot to his feet.
Looks like he needed to go sweat it out somewhere.