Chapter 3: Eclipse of Envy
Eight years ago…
A small boy with messy black hair stood on a cracked playground wall, fists planted on his hips like he owned the entire kingdom.
"I am Tenryū Kamikaze Kuraido!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. "And one day I'm going to be the strongest protector this kingdom has ever seen!"
A passing old man chuckled. "Shut up, kid. You're nothing special."
Kuraido's eyes blazed. "You shut your mouth, old man! In eight years, every single one of you is gonna look up to me!"
Present day – Teivac City
Kuraido shoved his hands into his pockets as he cornered Shinji in the narrow alley behind the market.
"Oi, dummy," he sneered. "Still dreaming about becoming a sorcerer? You? A kid with zero mana? Pathetic."
Shinji stood still, shoulders tense. "Kurai-chi…"
"Don't call me that!" Kuraido snapped. His right arm ignited with swirling flames — half burning orange, half icy blue. "This is for you!"
He drove his flaming fist straight into Shinji's stomach.
The impact sent Shinji crashing into the wall. Pain exploded through his body, but he refused to scream.
Kuraido laughed loudly, but the laugh sounded forced. "See? You can't even fight back. You never could. So stop pretending you belong in our world."
Shinji slowly lifted his head, eyes glistening but steady.
"…Why are you doing this to me, Kuraido?"
The question hit harder than expected.
Kuraido froze. For a split second, a memory flashed across his mind.
Eight years ago…
A younger Kuraido had tripped hard on the same playground, scraping his knee badly. Tears stung his eyes, but he bit them back.
Then a small hand appeared in front of him.
"Hey, Kurai-chi… do you need a hand?"
Kuraido glared up at Shinji, cheeks burning with shame.
"Huh? No way, dummy! I don't need help from anyone!"
He slapped the hand away and forced himself up, limping off without another word.
Present day
Kuraido clicked his tongue in irritation. "Tsk… Don't call me that stupid nickname anymore."
He turned sharply and walked away, shoulders rigid with anger he couldn't explain.
Deep in the nearby forest, far from prying eyes, Kuraido unleashed his fury.
"This isn't enough… This power isn't enough!" he roared, slamming his flaming fist into an ancient tree. The trunk cracked and charred under the force of his Eclipthermal Arc.
"Why does it feel like he's better than me?!"
His voice cracked.
The witches had nearly killed him yesterday. He — the boy who swore he'd become the kingdom's greatest protector — had been helpless, on his knees, until Shinji of all people came running in like a madman. The embarrassment burned hotter than any flame.
Kuraido punched the tree again, harder.
"I'm supposed to be stronger… So why did that powerless idiot have to save me?"
An hour later, Kuraido stood in front of his empty house. The lights were off, as always. He pushed the door open and whispered into the silence:
"Mom… Dad… I'm home."
He flicked on the lights and walked straight to the mantelpiece. There, a single framed photo showed two smiling faces — his parents, taken before he was even born. He gently wiped the dust from the glass with his sleeve.
"Mom… Dad…" His voice trembled. "I hope you're proud of me. Next week I'm taking the entrance exam for A.M.A. — the best academy in the kingdom. I'm going to become a sorcerer. A great one."
He swallowed hard, fighting the lump in his throat.
"I know you tried to hide how you really died. I know it wasn't just an accident. But I promise… I'll become strong enough to protect everyone. So please… watch over me. Guide me. I don't want to be alone anymore."
A single tear escaped despite his efforts. He quickly wiped it away, embarrassed even though no one was watching.
After a quiet moment, he boiled water and made himself instant ramen. Sitting at the small table alone, he clasped his hands.
"Itadakimasu…"
The noodles tasted like nothing.
The next morning, loud knocking woke him.
Kuraido groaned, still half-asleep, and shuffled to the door. When he opened it, his eyes flew wide open.
Standing there in a crisp black-and-crimson coat was Helliard Takeguchi — the Arcflame Sentinel, Number 2 Sorcerer in the entire Limana Kingdom.
"Good morning!" Helliard said with an easy grin.
"AHHHHH?!" Kuraido stumbled backward. "The Number 2 Sorcerer?! Helliard Takeguchi?! What— Why are you here?!"
Helliard chuckled. "Relax, kid. I saw your biodata after you registered for the academy. Your Arc — Eclipthermal, right? Half solar heat, half lunar frost. Quite rare."
Kuraido nodded quickly, still starstruck. "Y-Yes, sir! But… I still can't activate the lunar frost part. It just won't come out."
Helliard nodded thoughtfully. "Our examiners had a theory. Your power doesn't just control temperature. It channels celestial forces — light and darkness, radiation, even molecular stability. The lunar frost is probably locked because of emotional imbalance or trauma. But we'll work on that."
He stepped closer, eyes serious but kind.
"That's why I'm here. I want you to become my apprentice. My successor. If you pass the entrance exam, I'll train you personally."
Kuraido's mouth fell open.
Helliard continued, pulling out a small data crystal that projected glowing text.
"This is the core concept of my power — Infernaut. Hyper-dense Arcflames that burn through matter and spirit alike. They evolve with emotion, movement, and will. I'm showing you this so you know I'm serious."
Kuraido stared at the projection in awe, heart pounding.
"Amazing…"
Helliard smiled and ruffled the boy's hair.
"Get ready for the exam, kid. I'll be watching. Don't disappoint me."
As the Number 2 Sorcerer walked away, Kuraido stood in his doorway, chest tight with a warmth he hadn't felt in years.
For the first time in a long time, the empty house didn't feel quite so cold.
"This…" he whispered, a small, genuine smile breaking across his face, "is the best day ever."
Yet even as hope bloomed, a shadow lingered in his heart — the image of Shinji standing up when he should have stayed down.
To be continued…