The next morning, the academy was quiet.
Students still talked about the dungeon incident.
But Eiden stayed silent, just like always.
He walked to class like nothing happened.
But something did happen.
Inside him, something had changed.
---
He kept remembering the dream from last night.
The burning city.
The girl crying.
The spell he used.
"Aeterna Tempus—Bind Eternity."
That was not just a dream.
It was a memory.
A real memory from his past life—as Arkanos.
---
"Why now?" Eiden thought.
He looked at his hand.
The small circle-shaped mark was gone now.
But he could still feel it.
Like a heartbeat under his skin.
"Did the Chronos Loop really work?"
---
At the same time, deep underground—
Far below the academy—
The sealed vault began to shake again.
The crystal inside it pulsed with light.
Magic symbols appeared on its surface.
The creature inside opened its eyes.
It smiled.
---
A shadow walked near the vault.
It was a tall man in a long coat.
Half his face was hidden under a mask.
He looked at the crystal and bowed.
"So, you've awakened," he whispered.
---
Back at the academy…
Elara stared at Eiden from her seat.
She didn't talk to him.
But she watched everything.
How he walked.
How he moved his hand when holding a pen.
Too perfect.
Too calm.
---
Sera, sitting nearby, giggled.
"Still watching him, Elara?"
"I'm just being careful," Elara said.
Sera smiled.
"Well, I like him. He's interesting."
Elara didn't answer.
But her eyes stayed on Eiden.
---
Later that day, Eiden went to the training yard.
Not many students were there.
He stood alone.
Sword in hand.
He moved slowly.
One step.
One slash.
Again and again.
---
Each move was smooth.
Precise.
Not flashy—but powerful.
He didn't need strength.
He had control.
Years of control, hidden inside a young body.
---
But as he trained…
He felt a pull.
Like something calling him.
From below.
From deep underground.
"It's starting," he whispered.
---
In his old life, Arkanos sealed many things.
Old magic.
Ancient monsters.
Even pieces of himself.
Now those things were waking up.
---
That night, in the vault—
The seal finally broke.
CRACK.
The crystal shattered.
And something stepped out.
Not fully human.
Not fully monster.
Its eyes glowed with red fire.
And it whispered one name:
"…Arkanos…"