At Ryan's Office
A girl stepped into Ryan's cabin. Her name is Liora. "Sir, our stocks are dropping drastically," she said. "And something's wrong with the company system. It's like someone has taken control—not just over our data, but also over the minds of the employees managing the stocks."
The mention of "mind control" made Ryan tense. His expression shifted, and he stared off as if lost in thought.
Suddenly, a shadowy figure emerged from the wall and lunged at Ryan. But before it could reach him, Liora summoned her glowing sword and slashed through the darkness, saving him just in time.
Liora possessed a rare power: the ability to sense changes in the environment and detect presences invisible to others.
Ryan sat motionless, eyes wide in shock. He had seen something in the shadow's eyes.
Jace, his loyal assistant and former royal soldier, noticed the change. "Sir, what happened? Why do you look so shaken?"
Ryan responded, his voice low. "In its eyes... I saw the magical tree. The same one from the great battle centuries ago."
Jace leaned in, concerned. "But what does it mean, sir?"
"I don't know yet," Ryan said, standing up. "Liora, I need you to investigate this immediately. Find out everything you can. Something's not right."
He turned to Jace again. "Also, prepare for the company's 100th-anniversary party tomorrow. We're signing contracts with several companies. And make sure Ealina's company gets an invitation."
---
At Ealina's Office
The manager gathered everyone. "We received an invitation from The Art of Life company for their 100th-anniversary celebration. Since I have a business meeting that evening, some of you will attend on our behalf."
He looked around. "Ealina, Aren, Lyra—you three will go."
Ealina frowned. "Sir, I'd rather not go."
The manager raised an eyebrow. "Why not? This company has always been your dream workplace. What's the issue?"
"I have my reasons, sir," she replied, trying to stay calm.
He shook his head. "Listen, Ealina. I don't care what your personal problem with that company is. You're an employee here, and this is for the company's future. I need you to go and finalize the contract. That's an order."
Aren and Lyra stepped in to calm her.
"Come on," Lyra said gently. "The manager never gets this serious. It must be important."
After a moment of hesitation, Ealina sighed. "Fine. I'll go."
---
At The 100th Anniversary Party
Ealina, Lyra, and Aren arrived at the grand venue. As they walked in, Aren accidentally bumped into someone. It's Liora.
Their eyes met for a moment, and Aren was instantly captivated. But Liora narrowed her eyes, noticed his gaze, and stomped on his foot before walking away.
The party began in full swing. Music played, glasses clinked, and guests mingled.
But Liora suddenly sensed something off. "Jace," she whispered, "something's here."
The two slipped away to investigate. The dark energy grew stronger and eventually took form—a shadowy demon, this time in human shape, that launched an attack on Ryan.
Ryan summoned his flame sword and destroyed the entity, but the surge of power sent him into a state of uncontrollable rage.
Liora and Jace were watching him from outside and were about to enter, but he stopped them and said, 'You know what might happen, so stay back until I gain control over myself.' Jace refused and was about to step in when Ryan hurled a flame toward him and shouted, 'Stay outside!'
Meanwhile, Liora sensed that someone was watching them, so she goes to find out who it is and sees Aren hovering nearby.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
He dodged her question. "I was... just looking around."
Before he could leave, a demon emerged behind Liora and attacked. Aren stepped in and froze the demon midair.
Liora looks shocked after seeing that Aren also has a superpower.
Aren says, 'Are you just going to stand there in shock, or kill him? I only stopped him—he's not dead yet.'
Liora gasped. "You have powers?!"
"Yes," he replied, calmly. "I can stop time and movement temporarily. Now finish him!"
Liora summons her sword and slays the demon."
Liora, confused, asks him, "How did you get your powers?"
Aren replies, "What do you mean, how did I get them? I got them the same way you did—through our lineage."
She narrows her eyes. "You've known about us from the start?"
Aren nods. "Yes, from the very beginning. I also know about the Magical Tree and the Seed of Power."
Liora stares at him. "Then why are you spending time with Ealina and Lyra? They're normal humans. You should be with us."
He shakes his head. "First of all, they're not just normal humans."
Liora frowns. "What do you mean?"
Aren says calmly, "They're my friends. And whether I have powers or not, I'm human too. We all are. Powers don't change that."
---
Elsewhere in the Party
Lyra and Ealina wandered through the crowd.
"Where did that idiot Aren go?" Lyra huffed. "He's probably stuffing his face somewhere. If I catch him, I'll kill him."
"Forget him," Ealina said. "Let's find Ryan, sign the contract, and leave."
"You go ahead," Lyra said. "I'm going to find our disappearing clown."
Ealina tried to stop her, but Lyra had already disappeared into the crowd.
Ealina sighed and went to find Ryan herself. As she searched, a waiter accidentally spilled juice on her dress.
Embarrassed, she slipped away to find the guest restroom. As she passed a hallway, she heard groaning from behind a door.
She hears a sound of pain—a groan coming from outside the room. Curious and concerned, she opens the door and finds Ryan bound in chains. He has chained himself to prevent hurting anyone.
"Ryan?!" she gasped.
She steps toward him, but he immediately stops her.
"Leave," he growled. "Now."
She doesn't listen. Ignoring his warning, she moves closer and reaches out to touch the chains, trying to free him.
But he yells, "Stay away!" and pushes her back—not out of anger, but to protect her. He doesn't want to hurt her.
But his flames are so intense that they injure Ealina, knock her off her feet, and force her to stumble back in pain.
---
Lyra & Aren
Lyra found Aren and tugged his ear.
"Where were you?!"
"I was right here! You two vanished! And where's Ealina?"
"She went to find Ryan to sign the contract."
Aren's face went pale. "Why did you let her go alone?!"
The two rushed off to find her.
---
Back to Ealina & Ryan
Ealina forces herself to her feet, trembling but determined. She reaches for the chains binding Ryan, her fingers brushing the searing metal. Despite his protests, she begins to release him.
"Don't!" Ryan warns, his voice hoarse. "You don't know what I might do—stay away!"
But she doesn't listen. She steps closer, her touch gentle yet fearless. And then... something changes.
Ryan gasps, eyes wide. The fire raging inside him calms. His body no longer burns with chaos.
For the first time in what feels like ages—he's in control.
But before he can speak, Ealina collapses into his arms, her strength giving out.
He gently held her, calling her name softly.
"Ealina?" he whispers, shaking her lightly. "Wake up... please."
Suddenly, Aren barged in and punched Ryan hard across the face.
"Stay away from her!" Aren growls, his voice thick with rage.
Blood trails from Ryan's lip.
Without another word, Aren lifts Ealina into his arms. He turns to leave, but Liora steps in front of him.
"You owe Mr. Ryan an apology," she says sharply.
Aren doesn't even glance at her. "Not today," he mutters, brushing past her with Lyra at his side.
Liora moves to block him again, but Ryan quietly places a hand on her shoulder.
"Let them go," he says softly, his voice almost a whisper.