Inside one of the most luxurious mansions within the Noble District of Kalin City, a middle-aged man was seated on an elegant chair within the main hall.

He wore a black robe that emphasized his black hair, and he possessed an elegant and dignified air, identifying him as a noble, but his eyes were fierce enough for a warrior. This was not a man to be taken lightly, both in status and in personal power. He was none other than Gomez Kalel, a Duke of the Djage Empire and the head of House Kalel.

“Kaleb explained everything to me from the magic battle assessment without skipping a single detail” he said as he looked at his two sons, Clyde and Kaleb, standing in front of him.

Kaleb was the top senior mage of the Kalin Magic Academy, a late 5th rank ice mage, and stood calm and composed. Clyde, on the other hand, was pale as he stood in front of his father. “As your punishment, you will spend the next year meditating on Frost Island, and are not allowed to return until you break through to a 4th class mage.” continued Gomez as he looked at his son with disappointment.

“Don’t put too much pressure on the kids, Gomez.” Before Clyde could respond to his father, the Vice Dean of the Kalin Magic Academy burst into the hall. Michael Kalel was an 8th rank ice mage and the ancestor of the Kalel family. He was also known as the third most powerful man within the Empire.

“Father!” shouted Gomez when he saw the Vice Dean, but he was interrupted before he could continue.

“Gomez, don’t blame Clyde for losing the fight against that brat. That freak has already broken through to a 4th class mage.”

“What?!” shouted the other three Kalels in unison. This was new information to them, and their reaction caused the Vice Dean to sigh.

“Are you sure, Father” asked Gomez with a hint of skepticism.

“Absolutely certain. It still a secret, as even the old ghost was surprised when he found out during Clyde’s battle. I’m pretty sure that not even the Emperor knew.”

“Impossible! He is only 15 this year,” said Gomez disbelievingly. It was only natural, someone of that age breaking through to a 4th class mage was simply unheard of.

The Vice Dean had trouble believing it as well, but he had witnessed it himself. He shook his head and said, “Gomez, you need to stop using common sense when it comes to that freak. He is by far the most frightening person within the Imperial Family. Although I don’t know any specifics, I’m fairly certain that he’s carrying a secret with him that not even his family is aware of.”

“What should we do, father?” After hearing his explanation of Shad, Gomez began to feel uneasy. While a 4th class mage was normally considered someone just powerful enough to be noticed, when the words “fifteen years old” were added, then it became a different story. Every other power on the continent would desire such a prize, the youngest 4th class mage in history. Who knew what heights someone of such talent could eventually reach?

“Nothing. Don’t do anything rash, and don’t allow any details of this conversation to leave this room. That little brat wanted to keep it a secret, and the old ghost wants to as well. So don’t mention this information to anyone. Unlike the other Imperial juniors, this brat has no hatred towards us or anyone, and has no ambition to ascend the throne. Not to mention, he saved your foolish son from casting a 4th class spell without the proper strength. Don’t provoke him in any manner and everything should be fine,” explained the Vice Dean.

“Father, Shad is still a recently ascended senior mage. I don’t think there’s any need to be so wary of him. We can easily deal with him before he becomes powerful enough to cause us any trouble,” said Gomez in disagreement. It was painfully obvious that he was wary of Shad’s future potential, and favored solving the problem now.

“While it’s true he’s still a new senior mage, age is not everything. Anyone who takes him lightly will lose in the end,” said the Vice Dean before leaving the main hall.

After the Vice Dean’s exit, Gomez sent his two sons away and sat alone in thought. Eventually, he came to a decision and wrote something down before speaking again.

“Shadow,” he murmured. A black cloaked man quickly appeared in front of him, as if he had been there all along.

“Yes, my lord,” a cold voice said from within the depths of the cloak.

“I need you to contact the Chronos Organization and give them this set. Don’t let them know your identity or your connection with me,” said Gomez resolutely as he handed the man a piece of paper. With those orders, the black cloaked man sank into the ground before disappearing completely.