The World System and the demon that could not be king.

A couple of months ago, Mom had mentioned that she would soon be meeting with someone important. At the time, I didn't think much of it—definitely didn't imagine it had anything to do with a magic academy. She hadn't given me any details. Just told me to trust her, like always.

Of course, it wasn't unusual for Mom to have high-level connections. I'd heard rumors—even when I was little—that she had once worked alongside the king himself. And not just any king, but the one ruling over Central Capital—the very heart of the nation, where the world's most gifted students were trained. A place known for its brutal standards, but also for the greatness it produced.

How did Mom earn such influence? I never really knew. Maybe she'd been an extraordinary mage in her youth… or maybe she still was, just not showing it around me anymore. Either way, one thing was certain: her name still carried weight in places most people could only dream of reaching.

And now, just one day before my birthday, everything seemed about to change. From what I gathered, I wouldn't be spending that day with her.

I stood in silence, lost in thought, trying to process everything. That's when a sharp knock on my door pulled me out of my daze.

"Did you hear me, Kael? Pack your things right now," Mom said, her voice firm.

I stood up slowly, still stunned, and walked toward the door, hesitating before cracking it open.

"Wait, Mom… are you serious?"

She looked me straight in the eye—no teasing, no exaggeration in her expression.

"Kael, do you really think I'd joke about something like this?"

She had a point. She never joked about serious matters. But before I could reply, a calm male voice came from down the hallway.

"If I may," he said politely. "I'm the headmaster of the academy. Your mother has spoken highly of you, and after careful consideration, we've decided to offer you an official invitation. You may attend free of charge."

"Free?" I repeated, not quite believing it.

The man nodded with a serene smile.

"That's right. You're the son of one of the most influential people in the magical world. However, before finalizing your admission, I'd like to conduct a brief test. Nothing too difficult—it's just standard procedure."

The seriousness in his voice, the respectful tone… it all felt so genuine. Unexpected, yes, but undeniably real.

And in that moment, I understood:

If I truly wanted to discover my potential, I had no choice but to accept.

The offer was more than intriguing. So, without giving it much more thought, I stepped out of my room.

The man waiting by the door carried himself like a noble duke—his grayish hair neatly combed, subtle signs of age on his face, and an honest, steady gaze that inspired trust. Something about his presence made me believe I could trust him… at least, as long as Mom did too.

Beside him stood a girl. Her dark brown hair fell gracefully over her shoulders, and her deep sapphire-blue eyes caught my attention instantly. She carried herself with the elegance of nobility, but what truly surprised me was that she looked to be my age.

Our eyes met for a moment. Just a second… but it felt like much longer than that.

The man noticed our exchanged glance, and just as he was about to speak, the girl looked away, ever so slightly.

"Ah, right," he said with a warm smile. "Allow me to introduce us. I'm Grey Eduard, and this is my daughter, Valentina. It's a pleasure to meet you. Valentina, please, introduce yourself."

She gave a graceful bow, lowering her head politely. Her voice was neutral—almost cold—but not unfriendly.

"As my father said, my name is Valentina. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, yes—sorry. My name is Garieth Kael. Nice to meet you too," I replied, a little nervously.

I had barely introduced myself when the headmaster—Eduard himself—asked if I could demonstrate some of my magic abilities to complete the evaluation.

We went out to the yard, the same place where I had trained earlier. There was no need to go farther.

I had something simple yet effective in mind: combining fire and earth magic, one of my stronger talents. I focused my elemental energy—summoning flames in one hand and manipulating earth in the other. I then fused both elements, creating solid magma spikes that erupted from the ground.

Their reaction was immediate. Eduard's eyes widened with surprise, and Valentina stepped back slightly. Their expressions showed both amazement and newfound respect. Mom, standing a few steps behind them, crossed her arms with pride. Her look clearly said, "See? I told you he had talent."

I hadn't even finished my full demonstration when the headmaster raised a hand, smiling.

"Just as expected from the son of one of the greatest mages in the world."

Mom said nothing, but quietly turned and walked back to my room—most likely to finish packing my things.

And in that moment, I understood:

I was going with them.

The journey to the capital was official.

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A little while before my departure, Mom gave me plenty of advice. Her words were firm, but full of emotion. Then, suddenly, she pulled me into a tight hug, as if trying to etch the moment into her memory.

"I know your birthday is tomorrow, but since I won't be with you… let me say it now. Happy birthday, Kael. For now, I can only give you this."

She handed me a small object wrapped in cloth. It looked like a pendant. I didn't open it right away, but the weight in my hand told me how much it meant.

Near the carriage, Valentina and Mr. Eduard were already waiting. Mom walked with me to the door, and with a somewhat nostalgic smile, she offered one last parting remark.

"Take care of yourself… and when you come back, I expect you to bring me your future wife."

She said it with a teasing expression, clearly glancing sideways at Valentina, as if already plotting something in her head. I turned red instantly.

"Mom?! Isn't that asking a bit much?"

"No. I'm sure you'll pull it off," she replied, as calm as ever.

And so, with that ridiculous but heartfelt farewell, I climbed into the carriage.

A new chapter in my life was about to begin.

A new beginning.