CHAPTER 29: GOLDEN SHADOWS
The city lights stretched endlessly before Shen.
America.
Even after arriving several hours ago, it still felt unreal.
Towering buildings reached toward the sky.
Massive roads crossed through the city like rivers of steel.
Countless people walked through the streets.
Everything felt larger than life.
Shen stood beside a hotel window.
His eyes scanned the city below.
"So this is America..."
Behind him, Ryulga was lying on a couch.
Sleeping.
Or pretending to sleep.
Shen wasn't sure.
Suddenly—
A dark aura appeared around Ryulga.
His eyes opened instantly.
"Get ready."
Shen frowned.
"For what?"
Ryulga slowly stood up.
His expression had become serious.
"The first lesson."
Shen immediately became excited.
"Finally."
Then Ryulga punched him in the stomach.
BOOM!
Shen crashed through a nearby wall.
"WHY?!"
"The lesson has started."
"I hate you."
"I know."
A few minutes later...
The two stood outside the city.
A massive abandoned training ground stretched before them.
Broken buildings surrounded the area.
Ancient magical symbols covered the ground.
Shen looked around carefully.
"This place feels strange."
"It should."
Ryulga crossed his arms.
"Many powerful mages trained here."
Shen nodded.
Then suddenly—
Golden light exploded from the sky.
A massive magical circle appeared overhead.
The clouds split apart.
Shen immediately activated Dark Mage Form 2.
Black armor covered his body.
Dark shadows swirled around him.
"What is that?"
Ryulga smiled.
"Looks like our guest arrived."
BOOM!
A figure crashed into the center of the training field.
Dust exploded everywhere.
Golden energy spread through the air.
Shen narrowed his eyes.
A young man slowly stood up.
Golden hair.
Golden eyes.
A royal-looking black and gold coat.
The moment the dust cleared...
The young man pointed directly at Ryulga.
"YOU!"
Ryulga blinked.
"Me?"
"YES YOU!"
The young man marched forward.
"You kidnapped me!"
Shen looked confused.
"What?"
The newcomer pointed at Ryulga again.
"This old man suddenly appeared inside my kingdom!"
Ryulga scratched his chin.
"Oh."
"Oh?!"
"I remember now."
The young man's eye twitched.
"You remember now?!"
Shen looked between them.
"Can somebody explain?"
The young man took a deep breath.
"My name is Nolan."
Golden magic slowly gathered around his body.
"Prince Nolan of Althuria."
Shen's eyes widened.
"A prince?"
Nolan nodded proudly.
"The future king."
Then his expression darkened.
"Until this idiot dragged me through a portal."
Ryulga shrugged.
"You were important."
"THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT BETTER!"
For several seconds...
Nobody spoke.
Then Shen laughed.
Nolan looked at him.
"What?"
"You sound exactly like me."
"What does that mean?"
"It means Ryulga probably annoyed you too."
Nolan immediately pointed at Shen.
"Exactly!"
The two looked at each other.
Then both pointed at Ryulga.
"He's the problem."
Ryulga sighed.
"Children."
Suddenly...
Golden energy erupted from Nolan's body.
Shen immediately became serious.
The power was incredible.
Pure.
Bright.
Ancient.
Unlike any magic he had ever seen.
Nolan noticed his stare.
"What?"
Shen pointed.
"Your magic."
Nolan looked down.
"Oh."
Golden light flowed around his fingers.
"This?"
Shen nodded.
"It's beautiful."
Nolan smiled slightly.
"This is Golden Mage magic."
The moment those words left his mouth...
Even Ryulga became interested.
Golden Mage.
One of the rarest magical powers in existence.
A power said to rival ancient Arcane Lords.
Shen stared.
"So you're strong?"
Nolan smirked.
"Very."
Shen grinned.
"Want to test that?"
Nolan grinned back.
"Absolutely."
Ryulga stepped backward.
"Oh no."
Shen and Nolan looked at him.
"What?"
Ryulga smiled.
"I think this will be fun."
Golden energy exploded.
Dark shadows surged.
The air itself trembled.
For the first time...
The Dark Mage and the Golden Mage stood facing each other.
Future rivals.
Future allies.
And perhaps...
The two people who would one day decide the fate of the world.
TO BE CONTINUED...