Frostbound Flame: Legacy of the Forbidden Clans

Genre: Magical Adventure, Romance, Martial Arts, Mystery, Political Intrigue, Next Generation Saga

Time Skip: 12 years after the events of Volume 1

Location: Elarin's Rebuilt Harmony Academy

The morning sun filtered through ice-blossoms outside the Harmony Academy's main courtyard.

Young mages trained in mixed-elemental formations: water-dancers partnered with flame-speakers, windrunners practiced sky-step alongside earth-charmers.

At the center of the chaos stood a 16-year-old girl, arms crossed, blue hair streaked with silver, and eyes like cold steel wrapped in fire.

Her name: Aika.Daughter of Kaien and Yuki.Bearer of the Frozen Flame.

"Focus, all of you!" she shouted, sending a controlled blast of flame-frost into the air. It formed into a dragon made of ice-fire before shattering into snowflakes.

A few of the students clapped. Most just stared.

"Aika's scary again," someone whispered.

She ignored them. She always did.

Behind her, the Headmistress approached — Lira, still elegant, now older, her light magic calmer than before.

"You're too harsh, Aika."

"They need it. The world's been quiet for too long. I can feel it, Aunt Lira. The balance is tilting again."

Lira looked at her for a long moment.

"…Then it's time you saw something."

🌀 The Return of the Heptasoul

Lira led Aika to a hidden chamber beneath the school — a place sealed since the Void Dragon's slumber.

At the center of the room was the Heptasoul Core, resting in a cradle of old dragonbone.

Six of its rings glowed softly.

The seventh… had split.

Aika stepped back instinctively. "What…?"

"It cracked this morning," Lira said. "Just like it did… twelve years ago."

"But Father—he's—"

"Gone," Lira whispered. "He left to isolate the flame forever."

Aika's jaw clenched. "Then what does this mean?"

The Core pulsed.

And the seventh ring projected an image into the room — not Kaien…

But a boy in desert garb, golden eyes wide with confusion… and fear.

Aika blinked. "Who is that?"

"That," Lira said, "is the one the Core has chosen to replace your father."