"Ash Phantom: The Legend Reborn"

The whole ship was trembling. Everyone fell to the ground.

"What's going on here?" someone shouted. "We're all going to die!"

"Mama!" a child cried out in fear.

Vivi and Auren couldn't control their legs — they collapsed to the ground. Ravi and his wife rushed toward the balcony, their eyes filled with worry as they looked toward Auren's room.

Vivi's mother shouted, "Vivi! Auren! Stay safe!"

And then, a moment later… something massive emerged from the sea —A giant sea monster, looking like a monstrous snail, slowly rose above the waters. Its grotesque eyes struck fear into everyone's hearts. People couldn't believe what they were seeing.

Screams echoed across the ship. Many stood frozen, their eyes widened in pure shock.

The snail-like sea monster let out a terrifying roar — its voice echoed violently through the ship. It lunged forward, its massive head coming fast, ready to strike.

But in that moment… something inside Auren changed.

His eyes closed tightly."When I'm here… how can you torture someone? When I'm here… I won't let you kill anyone."His teeth clenched. His body trembled. His head vibrated as if energy surged within him.

Vivi, watching closely, stared at him with growing unease.

"Auren… what's happening to you?" she whispered, worried.

Without a word, Auren placed one hand on the railing. And in a blink, he jumped from the balcony.

"AUREN!!" Vivi screamed, her eyes wide in disbelief.

Midair, Auren opened his eyes. Flash — THUDDD!

Silence. A quiet moment froze across the ship.

Then —A burst of purple and pink energy exploded from Auren's eyes like a divine flare. Ravi, watching from his balcony, was struck speechless by the sensation.

The sea monster stopped. It let out a furious, painful scream…And then — it retreated.

The beast vanished beneath the water, its massive body trembling as it sank below the waves.

Everyone on the ship stood frozen.

Someone shouted, "LOOK! That boy… he did something. He used his power for a moment…"

Another voice echoed: "He saved us… but he's unconscious now!"

"Auren, are you okay? Hey… wake up!"Look, look—he blinked!"

Auren's eyes fluttered open. Everything was blurry. He groaned. "Ugh… the pain…It's in my head. What… just happened?"

He slowly looked up.

He was lying on the open deck. Around him stood Vivi, Ravi, her mother, and a crowd of people — all staring at him with wide eyes.

The sky above sparkled with stars and distant nebulas. It was around 6:40 PM — night had just begun to settle.

"What did I do…?" Auren mumbled, holding his head."Why am I in pain, Vivi?"

Vivi leaned down beside him, her smile gentle and full of pride."You saved us all, Auren."

Auren looked confused. "Saved you? How? What just happened?"

Vivi's eyes lit up. She stood, acting out the whole moment like a storyteller."You closed your eyes like this—"She shut her eyes dramatically."Then you grabbed the balcony like this—"She mimicked his grip with both hands."And then you went FUSHHH!"She jumped a little. "And just like that, you leapt into the air! Everyone was screaming, the monster was attacking, but you… YOU stopped it!"

Auren still looked puzzled, but the crowd around him began to whisper with admiration.

"You saved us…"A boy from the skies…"Was that magic? Or something else?"

Auren slowly sat up, still holding his forehead, trying to process it all.

Ravi grabbed Auren's hand and gently helped him stand.

"Thank you…" Auren whispered, still unsteady on his feet.

From the crowd, voices began rising.

"You're awesome, kid!"I didn't know a mage of that level was on this ship!"That sea monster was massive — if you hadn't shown up, we'd all be dead!"Yeah, this kid… he's amazing."

Auren looked around, overwhelmed. His voice was soft, confused.

"What's happening…? Did I really do something?"

An old lady stepped forward, her eyes filled with gratitude. She held out a simple bracelet.

"Kid, you saved all of us. Please… take this from me."

Auren hesitated. "No, there's no need for this—"

But the old woman gently took his hand, placed the bracelet on his wrist, and closed his fingers over it.

"Take it, child. You'll make this old woman happy."

Before Auren could say anything, a group of passengers rushed forward, cheering.

"Hey kid, what's your name?"Uhh… It's Auren."

"Auren!" someone shouted. "This kid's name is Auren!""Yeeeeah, Auren!" the crowd roared.

Suddenly, they lifted him into the air, tossing him up and down like a hero."Whoa—wait—stop!" Auren laughed awkwardly, flustered, but couldn't stop them. Laughter and cheers echoed across the open deck.

On the side, Ravi stood smiling proudly.

Meanwhile, Vivi was still in her own little world, dramatically reenacting Auren's jump with flair and excitement—completely unaware that no one was watching her performance anymore.

*********************

Morning.

Auren got up, brushed his teeth, and stood in front of the mirror.

"Just one more day... after tomorrow night, I'll reach Baku City."

He turned toward the bed, eyes drifting downward. Beneath the pillow, he noticed a parchment.

He picked it up. The address was written clearly:

"Baku City — Hollow Mountain lies between Baku and Eito Town."

He held the parchment in his hands for a moment… silent.

"That night… when they all praised me. I was half-awake, drifting in and out of sleep.That praise… the one I wanted for so long…But why didn't it feel good?Why does it feel so empty?"

He looked up again, staring at his reflection in the mirror, voice quiet:

"Did I... become a grown-up?"

Knock, knock.

Auren glanced toward the door."Must be Vivi," he muttered, heading over.

He swung the door open—But it wasn't Vivi.

Standing there was a man in a full black suit, a wide-brimmed black hat casting a shadow over his face. In one hand, he held a wooden cane, tapping it gently against the floor.

He smiled—a little too widely.

"Hello, kid. How are you today?"

Auren's body stiffened. Something felt… off."I don't know you," he said firmly, eyes narrowing.

The man let out a soft chuckle and adjusted his hat, tilting his head up just enough to reveal a cold glint in his eyes.

"Haha… You'll know me soon, kid."

Their eyes locked. Auren's heart skipped a beat—That smile. That voice.

Before he could react,SMACK!

The wooden cane cracked against Auren's head. Everything blurred.