The Ice Spirit let out a deep growl.
The ground beneath its paws froze, and cold vapor spread through the air.
In front of it…
the Emperor Dragon spread its massive wings.
Blazing flames poured from its mouth, burning the surrounding air.
Two immense powers…
Ice and fire.
For a few seconds, no one breathed.
Then Kais said calmly:
"So… we fight."
The Ice Spirit suddenly leapt forward.
BOOOOM!
The courtyard ground cracked beneath it.
The dragon flapped its wings and soared into the sky.
Hot wind and freezing air clashed at once.
The Ice Spirit charged at unnatural speed and slashed the dragon's chest with its icy claws.
CRAAASH!
The dragon's fiery scales sparked.
The dragon roared and opened its mouth.
"RRRRAAAAAH!"
A pillar of fire shot straight toward the Ice Spirit.
But the Ice Spirit dodged swiftly.
The flames melted the courtyard ground.
Kais shouted:
"From above!"
The Ice Spirit spun midair and slammed its icy horns into the dragon's wing.
BOOOOM!
The dragon lost its balance for a moment.
Students stepped back in fear.
One shouted:
"Stop! The school is getting destroyed!"
Varan stood on the dragon's back.
He said:
"Very good, Kais… but it's still not enough."
He raised his hand.
"Emperor's Breath!"
The dragon took a deep breath…
Then unleashed a massive flame like a solar explosion toward the Ice Spirit.
Kais shouted:
"Absolute Ice!"
The Ice Spirit opened its mouth.
A wave of pure cold burst out.
Fire and ice collided in the sky.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive explosion shook the entire courtyard.
Windows shattered.
The ground trembled like an earthquake.
Dust filled the air.
When the smoke slightly cleared…
the Ice Spirit and the Emperor Dragon still stood facing each other.
Both wounded.
Both ready for the next attack.
Kais said angrily:
"I won't step back…"
Varan replied:
"I know."
At that moment—
a deep, powerful voice echoed through the courtyard:
"Enough."
A heavy pressure suddenly fell on everyone.
The Ice Spirit stopped.
The dragon folded its wings.
Everyone turned toward the voice.
The courtyard gates opened.
A tall man in royal robes walked in.
Dark hair…
a heavy gaze…
and a presence that stole the breath from everyone.
Several teachers immediately bowed.
"Your Majesty…"
The students whispered in shock:
"The King…"
He stopped there.
His gaze moved from the dragon…
to the Ice Spirit…
and finally… to Kais.
His voice was calm but undeniable:
"Kais."
The boy froze for a moment.
The King continued:
"Stop this… right now."
A few seconds of silence passed.
Kais clenched his teeth…
but said calmly:
"…Yes, Father."
The golden light around him dimmed.
The Ice Spirit let out a low growl and began to fade.
The Emperor Dragon slowly disappeared as well.
The courtyard fell into silence.
But the King was still staring at Kais.
Then he asked slowly:
"Now tell me…"
His gaze sharpened.
"Who dared to injure my son…
and take his brother?"
Kais still stood on the shattered courtyard ground.
Dried blood stained his lips, and his breathing was heavy.
When he heard the King's voice, he froze for a moment.
His eyes slowly turned toward the man who had just arrived.
His father.
The King of Shomrok.
Kais said in disbelief:
"…Father?"
But something troubled his mind.
His brows furrowed as he asked:
"How did you… know that Ashlor was taken?"
The courtyard fell silent.
No one spoke.
Suddenly, the soft sound of a cane echoed on the stone.
Tap… tap… tap…
The old principal stepped forward.
His long white beard rested on his chest, and his sharp eyes gleamed beneath thick brows.
He stood beside the King and said calmly:
"I told him."
Several teachers looked at him in surprise.
"The principal…?"
Some students exchanged shocked glances.
Kais frowned deeper.
The principal glanced at everyone and said:
"Don't look at me like that."
He tapped his cane lightly on the ground.
"This is my duty."
His gaze slowly turned toward the forbidden forest.
"That boy…"
"He is the eldest son of our King."
He paused.
"And also… our future crown prince."
At the word "crown prince," whispers spread.
"The crown prince…"
"Prince Ashlor…"
But at that moment—
the King slightly lowered his head.
His eyes rested on the ground for a brief moment.
There was no anger…
no pride…
only a heavy silence.
Varan noticed this and slightly raised his eyebrows.
The principal also watched him briefly.
A gentle wind blew through the courtyard.
Dry leaves shifted across the ground.
Kais was still staring at his father.
There was anger… and worry in his eyes.
He said firmly:
"It doesn't matter whether he's the crown prince or not."
He clenched his fist.
"He's my brother."
His gaze turned toward the forbidden forest.
His eyes sharpened again.
"And I… am going after him."
A heavy silence fell once more.
Kais clenched his fists tightly.
Golden light still flickered around his body as his footsteps echoed on the broken stones.
Without looking at anyone, he walked straight toward the forbidden forest.
Students moved out of his way.
No one dared to stop him.
One whispered:
"He's really going alone…"
Another murmured:
"Even teachers don't go there alone…"
Varan stepped forward.
"Kais, wait—"
He reached out to stop him.
But at that moment—
a tall shadow fell before Kais.
Kais stopped.
Slowly, he raised his head.
The King.
His father stood directly in front of him.
His royal robe moved with the wind, and his heavy gaze locked onto Kais.
The courtyard fell silent.
Kais looked at him for a few moments.
His eyes still burned with rage.
Then, in a low but pressured voice, he said:
"Father…"
He took a deep breath.
"Please… step aside."
Some teachers looked at each other nervously.
Varan muttered:
"Kais…"
But Kais continued:
"Ashlor is inside that forest right now."
He clenched his fist tighter.
"Inside a monster."
His eyes trembled slightly.
"And I can't just stand here."
He took a step forward.
But the King did not move.
Kais lowered his head and said, his voice mixed with anger and pleading:
"I don't want to fight you…"
Then he raised his head again.
Meeting the King's eyes.
"So please…"
His voice hardened.
"Move aside."
A gentle wind passed through the courtyard.
The principal's white beard swayed.
Varan held his breath.
The King looked at his son for a few seconds.
Then said calmly:
"If you go into that forest now…"
His voice was heavy.
"You may not return."
Kais answered without hesitation:
"It doesn't matter."
Several people held their breath.
Kais continued:
"If my brother is going to die there…"
His gaze sharpened.
"Then I'll either come back with him…"
His fist trembled.
"Or not return at all."
Silence consumed everything.
The King still stood in his way.
But his gaze… slowly changed.
The King calmly stepped aside.
Without the slightest hesitation, he cleared Kais's path.
His voice was firm:
"Then… make me proud."
Kais froze for a moment.
His eyes burned with golden light and rage.
He looked at his father…
and without a word, clenched his fists again.
Everyone stood in shock.
Varan, covered in dust and blood, could hardly believe what he had heard.
"This… is impossible…"
The old principal smiled:
"You haven't changed at all, King Shomrok… the same pride, the same authority…"
Kais slightly loosened his fists.
His eyes still burned, but he was calmer.
The King said to the others:
"Everyone, step back. This child is my son… and this mission is his."
The atmosphere grew heavy.
Everyone understood—
something unstoppable had begun.
The King continued coldly:
"If you fail this mission… you no longer deserve to be a prince."
Kais paused.
His fists still clenched, his gaze full of determination.
"I only want to save my brother…
Being a prince doesn't matter to me."
His eyes turned toward the forest.
Silence.
Then—
with a powerful leap, Kais rushed into the forest.
Golden light burst from his body, illuminating his path.
The King stood still, watching.
Worried… yet certain.
Everyone knew—
what awaited in that forest was beyond any human.
But only Kais…
could face it.
The King turned back.
His heavy gaze fell on the crowd.
His voice was cold:
"You still haven't answered… who injured my son?"
Silence.
No one dared speak.
Then—
Varan stepped forward.
"I did."
Shock spread.
The King stared at him.
"You?"
Varan continued:
"I only wanted to stop—"
Suddenly—
A crushing wave of magic fell on him.
The air grew heavy.
The ground cracked.
"I can't breathe!"
Varan's body trembled.
His knees weakened…
The King hadn't even moved.
But his presence alone felt like death.
Then he said:
"Kneel."
The pressure intensified.
"I said… kneel."
The ground beneath Varan sank.
His body could no longer endure…