"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

The giant gates of Ryuki Dojo creaked open as the morning light hit them, and all the mage units began marching toward it. One after another, they entered. The dojo's great hall was now filled — shoulder to shoulder — with mages in uniform, their eyes reflecting both duty and tension.

Kaen came running through the crowd, searching, pushing past taller mages.

"Brother! Brother!" he shouted, panting.

Veon turned his head. "I'm here."

Kaen stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath. "I heard... I heard we're going to fight tomorrow. I want to go!"

Veon stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Kaen's shoulder.

"You can't go," he said calmly. "You're just twelve. The minimum age to join a battle unit is sixteen."

Kaen's brows furrowed. "Please... I want to fight. I'm strong too! I'm already a sub-elite!"

Veon's expression tightened. He crouched down slightly to look Kaen in the eyes. His voice lowered, filled with both care and firmness.

"Kaen... listen. This is not your time. But your time will come."

Kaen, trembling, looked away. "But... brother—"

"What I said... is said." Veon's voice turned final. Kaen froze, lips trembling, then nodded reluctantly.

Elsewhere…

At home, Ryden sat on a wooden chair in silence, sipping his tea. His eyes stared into the floor, his mind distant.

Lisa stepped in from the kitchen, wiping her hands. "Ryden, where are the kids?"

"Veon and Kaen are at the dojo," Ryden said without looking up.

Lisa stood still for a moment. "Did you... Did you see Auren?"

Silence.

Ryden didn't answer.

Lisa's voice became softer, but heavier. "Why do you hate to say his name?"

Ryden clenched the armrest. "The weak... do not have a name."

Lisa looked at him, disbelief in her eyes. "He's your son, Ryden."

"You're bringing this up again?" Ryden's voice rose slightly.

"Accept him."

"Destiny does not accept him," Ryden replied coldly. "So why should I?"

Lisa's eyes widened, pain forming behind them. "You only care about mage capability... but you never looked at his human side, his heart."

Ryden's hand tightened into a fist. The house trembled slightly — cups rattled in the kitchen.

"Stop this topic," he said in a low, sharp voice. "And do as I say. Do not pay attention to that weakling."

Lisa didn't flinch. She stepped forward, her voice cracking but steady. "I know you, Ryden. You weren't always like this. Why are you doing this… all this time?"

Silence.

But in Ryden's eyes — something flickered.

A pain buried deep.

Knock knock.

Lisa left the kitchen, wiping her hands, and walked toward the main door. As she opened it, a soft breeze entered with a sweet scent of morning flowers.

Standing there was a cute girl with a flower tucked in her hair, her bright blue eyes blinking with curiosity.

Lisa tilted her head slightly. "Hey… who are you?"

The girl smiled politely. "I'm Rose."

Lisa's eyes lit up instantly. Her mood changed in a flash — from calm to joyful. "So you're Rose?" she said, delighted. "You look so beautiful! Come inside."

Rose, unsure but polite, nodded. "Okay."

She stepped in quietly, eyes glancing around the house.

"Where's Auren?" she asked softly.

Lisa, still smiling, closed the door. "Oh, Auren? He left with Sunny. I don't know where exactly… but you can stay here for a while."

From inside the house, a voice called out.

"Who's there?" It was Ryden.

Lisa turned slightly, calling back. "It's Rose. She's Auren's best friend."

She glanced at Ryden, searching his face, watching for any reaction.

Ryden stood in the hallway and looked at Rose with a calm smile. "So… you are Rose?"

"Yes," Rose replied, a little shy.

Ryden nodded, stepping forward. "Please, have a seat on the sofa."

Rose raised her hands politely. "No, no, thank you. I just came to see Auren."

Ryden's voice stayed gentle. "He'll be back soon. Please, sit."

Lisa, watching this entire moment unfold, let her mouth open slightly in surprise, then smiled warmly. I knew it, she thought. There must be something special…

Rose sat gently on the sofa, placing her hands on her lap, still a little unsure.

Ryden sat nearby. "So… where did you meet Auren?"

Rose smiled. "On the mountain cliff… that's where we first met. After that… we became friends."

Ryden leaned back slightly, nodding. "That's great."

Rose – "Who are they? In that picture?"

Lisa – "These are pictures of brothers. The middle one is Veon, on the right side it's Auren, and on the left side, it's Kaen."

Rose – "So Auren has two brothers… he never told me." (She stared at the photo — the three boys smiling with eyes full of light. They seemed happy in the picture.)

Ryden stood in silence, his gaze locked on the frame, his face unreadable.

Lisa – "Yes… It's a picture from childhood." (Her voice turned softer, touched with memory.)

Rose – "Can I see Auren's room?"

Lisa – "Come with me." (She gave a gentle nod and turned toward the stairs. Rose followed.)

They walked up the steps. The house was quiet, filled with an old warmth.

Lisa opened the door of Auren's room. The wooden door creaked slightly, and a soft breeze fluttered the curtains.

Rose entered — her eyes widened with delight.

Rose – "Wow, aunty… this room is so beautiful! You know… I've seen that place for real." (She pointed at the painted walls — blue waterfalls, pink trees, floating stones...)

Lisa – "Oh, is that so?"

Rose – "Yes. We saw this on Scholar Plateau… Whirlpool Mountain."

Lisa – "Hmm..." (She smiled gently, watching Rose look around.)

Lisa – "So… tell me, what do you think about Auren?"

Rose – (paused, then smiled softly) "He's my best friend. He always seems happy…"

Lisa – "What a great thing to hear." (Her eyes warmed, her voice carrying a silent relief.)

Rose – "I should go now. I will come tomorrow to meet him."Lisa – "Well, I guess… I don't know how much time they'll take. Will you come tomorrow for sure?"Rose – "Yes. Thanks for your time."Lisa – "Rose, listen… what are your feelings about Auren?"Rose – "Huh? What do you mean?"Lisa – "Nothing."

They step down the stairs. Lisa opens the gate.

Rose – "Thank you for your time."Lisa – "Nice to meet you, Rose."

She closes the gate, then turns around.

Lisa (in her mind) – She's so beautiful… Auren is lucky.

She walks toward the main hall. Ryden is still looking at the picture.

Lisa – "I know there's some reason… You can tell me, Ryden. Don't hide it from me."Ryden – "Whatever I'm doing… it's for the pride of Ryuki. That's all I can say."