Ifechukwu smiled.
"Follow me."
Chima frowned."I don't follow strangers."
Ifechukwu raised an eyebrow."You're literally 30 years old. Don't be scared."
Chima scoffed."And you're like 70. That's a forty-year gap."
Ifechukwu laughed softly.
Then his laughter stopped.
His eyes changed—stern, fearful, ancient.
"Just follow me," he said.
Before Chima could react, the world blurred.
His body froze.His thoughts slowed.His eyes went empty.
Chima woke up with a sharp breath.
He was lying on a mat inside a quiet room filled with strange symbols carved into the walls.
"What happened?" Chima asked, sitting up."Where am I?"
"You are in safe hands," Ifechukwu said calmly.
Chima's eyes narrowed."How the hell did you bring me here?"
Ifechukwu did not hesitate.
"My magic is called Ime ka mmadụ nọrọ n'okpuru mmegharị uche," he said."Mind domination."
Chima went silent.
"I see," he muttered.
Ifechukwu continued."This place is called Ịchịkwa Anwansi Igbo. We find magic users… and we train them."
He stepped closer.
"I've worked here for over 40 years. It is safe. You are safe."
Chima hesitated."…You trained others?"
Ifechukwu nodded.
"We trained your mother."
Chima froze.
"You really did?" he asked quietly.
"Yes," Ifechukwu said."Amara. We trained her before she fell into a coma at twenty-nine."
Chima swallowed hard.
"She should be fifty now," he whispered.
"You're right," Ifechukwu said softly."I really miss Amara."
The room felt heavier.
And Chima realized—
His life had just changed forever.