Takeshi

Takeshi had studied harder than most, but effort could only take him so far when the ancient language refused to settle in his mind. On the night before graduation, exhausted and close to despair, he was visited by Master Shujin, who placed a new scroll in his hands and told him to memorize it without worrying about its meaning. Takeshi obeyed, grateful for the chance to finally prove himself. The next day, standing before the elder mages, he whispered the incantation once and felt nothing. The second time, power answered. Dark amethyst vapor poured from his hands, swallowing the hall as a demonic portal opened above the gathered crowd. Panic followed instantly. The elders managed to seal the rift before it consumed the chamber, but Takeshi's dream of graduating ended there, replaced by chains and accusations of forbidden magic. Thrown into a dungeon before he could explain himself, he found a note waiting in the dark. It was from Shujin. The message was simple: impressive — but only the beginning.