The playground swings creaked softly in the evening breeze.
Seig Pendragon sat curled on one of them, knees pulled to his chest, face buried in his arms. The celebration of the newly promoted Rank 3 knights echoed across the academy grounds — laughter, cheers, badges shining proudly in the fading sunlight.
Everyone had moved forward.
Everyone except him.
A few meters away, King Julius IV — the current and fourth King of Knights in the kingdom of Camelot came to congratulate the new Rank 3 magic knight he looked in his early 70 grey hair average height and slim by build wearing a white ceremonial garment — he stood beside Mrs. Lily. His regal armor glimmered faintly as he watched Seig with quiet intensity.
"Keep an eye on that boy," the king said calmly. "Trouble follows him… but so does potential. Sometimes the two walk together."
Lily didn't answer immediately. Her gaze stayed fixed on Seig.
"I already know," she replied softly.
Later That Evening
Seig wandered alone through the academy corridors, thoughts heavy, pride wounded. That was when a familiar voice called out behind him.
"Seig."
He turned. It was Instructor Tinubu — one of the senior teachers. His smile looked friendly, but something about it felt… off.
"Tough day, huh?" Tinubu said. "But you don't have to stay weak forever."
Seig frowned. "Easy for you to say."
Tinubu leaned closer, lowering his voice.
Tinubu "Say this might sound sudden bought I know a little secret that could guarantee you having a magic knight badge or maybe unlock your magic element that's been dormant for so long if you're interested.
Seig curious "I'm listening
Tinubu"There's a forbidden scroll hidden deep down in the academy vault,Ancient magic. Powerful enough to change someone's fate. If you learned from it… no one could ignore you again."
Seig's heart pounded.
"You really think I could become stronger?"
Tinubu nodded slowly. "I believe you can. Sometimes greatness just needs a push." All you have to do is steal it then bring it over at the town square.
Hope — desperate and reckless — ignited inside Seig.
He didn't notice the cold calculation behind Tinubu's eyes.
Night – Camelot City
Mrs. Lily paced outside their modest apartment, arms folded tightly. The streets were already dark, lanterns flickering softly.
Seig wasn't home.
And that never happened.
Suddenly, a Rank 2 knight sprinted down the street shouting:
Mrs Lily curious " what happened what's all the trouble about?
"The academy vault alarm went off and forbidden scroll was stolen! So we're trying to find the suspect!" The only lead we have is that we saw small footprints in the room
Lily froze.
"It couldn't be…That idiot," she muttered, already moving. "Seig, what have you gotten yourself into?"
Rank 2 knight "hey where are you going?
Mrs Lily "To look for my brother
Town square Outskirts
Branches snapped under Seig's feet as he ran. The glowing scroll clutched in his hands pulsed with faint energy. His lungs burned from exhaustion.
Finally, he collapsed against a tree,he looked up at the moonless sky exhausted.
"I just need to learn one spell… just one… then everyone will see."
He unrolled the scroll.
Before he could get a fully good glimpse of what was inside—
WHOOSH.
An arrow sliced through the air.
A wall of water suddenly surged up, knocking it aside.
"Seig!"
Lily stepped in front of him, water dagger drawn, eyes blazing.
" What are you doing at the Middle of the night and why did you take the scroll or did someone put you up to this.
Seig blinked. "W-What?"
A slow clap echoed from the shadows.
Tinubu emerged, bow in hand, smiling thinly.
"Smart as always, Lily. Yes… I needed the boy to retrieve it. Less suspicion that way."
Seig's stomach dropped.
"What are you talking about tinubu Sensei You were… using me ?"
Mrs Lily on the defensive" why did you trick him what were you hoping to gain by stealing the scroll.
Tinubu chuckled.
"And there's something else you deserve to know, boy i wasn't the only one who's been lying to you. Don't you want to know The reason people avoid you. The whispers. The fear." It's not because your magic is dormant but because something else sinister.
Lily stiffened.
"Don't," she warned quietly.
But Tinubu continued.
"You've heard stories of how the 3rd king of knights of Camelot bravely sacrificed his life thirteen years ago to to protect the kingdom from the dragon king,well surprise surprise The Dragon King is sealed inside you. The same dragon that destroyed countless of lives and family burnt houses to the ground even Lily's family on that same night has been sealed inside you as a vessel all this time since when you were born Lily didn't tell you That's why she watches you so closely. Not love… fear." It would have been better if we're just killed that same night when you were still a baby.
Silence crashed down.
Seig's voice trembled.
"…Big sis… is that true?"
Lily's expression broke — guilt, pain, hesitation.
"I never told you because I didn't want you to carry that burden. You're not a monster, Seig. You never were."
Tinubu lifted his bow again.
"Touching. Now hand over the scroll."
Lily Seig run away from here now and take the scroll with you.
Seig hesitant at first quickly took haste
Five arrows flew at once.
Lily blocked two with a surge of water — but three slipped through.
Time slowed.
She stepped forward.
The arrows struck her back.
A quiet gasp escaped her lips before she collapsed.
Seig drops the scroll on the floor with shock
"BIG SIS!"
Seig rushed to her, panic flooding him.
"Please… wake up… I'll behave, I swear… just don't leave me…"
Her breathing was shallow.
Weak as blood was soaked the bricked ground.
Fear twisted into rage.
Heat built in his chest — unfamiliar, overwhelming something faint was awakening inside him like a spark of flame. His skin tingled. His teeth clenched. Flames sparked around his fists.
Tinubu stepped back slightly.
"…So it's real, don't tell me you've finally awakend your magic element you monster.
Seig rose slowly, eyes burning.
"You hurt her." I'll make sure you pay
Tinubu frightened shot five more arrows three missed,one stabbed his leg and he caught the other one in his hand and burnt it to ashes.
Not being aware of the pain and letting his emotions take over he sprinted towards tinubu
Tinubu inner thought "impossible i shot him in his leg and he's still moving that fast.
Seig engulfed his fist with his flames and in an heartbeat landed a hard feiry punch on tinubu face.
A massive blast of flame erupted forward from the impact roaring like a dragon's breath,as if all the pent up frustration and emotions in him had disappeared. Tinubu collapsed on the floor unconscious.
Then silence.
The aura faded.
And the flames on Seig fist extinguished as he had some burnt marks and smoke oozing out his hand.
Seig came back to his senses again and thought of something quickly as collapsed beside Lily again.
Remembering her water dagger, he gently removed the arrows from her back and used her water dagger which had healing properties as he'd been taught in the academy class by Lilly pressed it against her wounds. A faint blue glow spread slowly, stabilizing her breathing.
Minutes later, she stirred.
Her eyes opened to see him asleep beside her, exhaustion finally claiming him.
A weak smile touched her lips.
"You reckless kid… but you never give up. That's your strength."
Aftermath
Other teachers and reinforcements arrived soon after, drawn by the explosion, Lily explained the situation to everyone and promised to take full responsibility for Seig actions,The scroll was secured again, and both Seig and Lily were taken home and tinubu was arrested and sent to prison.
Back at the apartment where they both lived
Punishment came quickly.
One week grounded for your actions.
Seig accepted it without argument.
But before he went to his room, Lily stopped him.
"Close your eyes," she said.
Confused, he obeyed.
When he opened them again, she held out a gleaming metal badge.
Seig thinking it was a dream "big sis what are you?
Lily "You've proven your courage… even if your method was terrible," she said with a small smile. "Welcome, Seig. You're officially a magic knight ."
His eyes filled instantly with tears.
He hugged her tightly.
"I love you, big sis. I swear I'm going to become king of knights one day and then I'll make you proud.
"I know," she replied softly.
But deep down Lily was afraid of the problems and enemies Seig would have to face because the road of being a magic knight isn't easy Seig would have to face and endure but she still believed in him and saw a bright future in Seig even though everyone looked down on him.
A few days later, once the grounding ended, they celebrated quietly at home — food, laughter, relief.
But deep inside Seig, questions burned hotter than any flame.
A dragon sealed within him.
His magic element awakening.
And a future he still didn't understand.
The first crack in his curse had finally appeared.