6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbPAA7wBz5r
Kael knelt in the center of the vast training grounds, his sweat dripping onto the dry earth. As he drew ragged breaths, every muscle in his body throbbed with a dull ache; his master’s warnings had not been in vain. At that moment, Elowen marched toward Vaelmon, shaking her finger at him.
"My love, was it truly necessary to push the boy this hard? Look at the state of him!" Elowen snapped, her voice a mix of authority and maternal tenderness. She quickly knelt and took Kael by the shoulders. "Oh Kael, darling... Are you alright? Are you in much pain?"
Kael looked at his grandmother's worried face and managed a faint smile. "I’m fine, Grandmother... I just pushed my mana to its absolute limit, that’s all."
"Oh, you’re covered in dust and dirt! Come along, let’s get you inside and cleaned up," Elowen said, gently taking Kael’s arm and leading him toward the manor.
In the middle of the field, Zephyros and Vaelmon remained alone. Zephyros studied the rare expression on his father’s face. "Well... What do you think, Father? Kael has truly grown powerful this past year, hasn't he?"
Vaelmon stroked his long white beard and smiled. "Ha ha! To be honest, I didn't expect a fourteen-year-old to surprise me like this. Especially that last strike... It nearly bypassed my mana-perception field entirely. It slipped in like a shadow. Did you teach him that, Zephyros?"
Zephyros shook his head. "No, Father. I am a wind mage; I couldn't contribute much to his fire magic beyond the basics. That’s why we summoned two masters for him. One was our Pyros, and the other was... Grimm."
Vaelmon froze at the mention of the name. His eyes widened in shock. "Grimm? The legendary Swordmaster Grimm?"
"Yes," Zephyros said proudly. "He usually never takes students. I was surprised myself when he accepted Kael."
Vaelmon let out a deep breath. "Hah... Now the pieces are falling into place. Looking at the masters backing him, I was wrong to underestimate this boy’s growth. Come, let us head inside as well."
That evening, the fireplace in the manor’s great hall crackled warmly. Kael, Elowen, Zephyros, and Vaelmon gathered by the fire to discuss the future.
Vaelmon looked deep into Kael’s eyes and asked, "Kael, what do you plan to do from this point forward? The Academy is difficult, my boy. Most of those training there are children of noble families. Do you think you can handle it?"
Kael raised his head with determination. "Yes, Grandfather. I’ve set a goal for myself. I will become strong enough to obtain the Astra-Lumina."
The smile vanished from Vaelmon’s face the moment he heard the name. His gaze turned grave. "You... know about your mother’s illness then?"
"Yes. My mother told me everything. About my father, who I am, and why we are here..."
Vaelmon sighed, his voice softening. "I see... It must have been difficult to carry the weight of these truths, Kael."
"It’s alright, Grandfather," Kael said, a fire smoldering in his eyes. "I want to see my father too. One day, no matter what, I will go to him."
Elowen took Kael’s hand. "Kael, dear... Please do not throw yourself into unnecessary danger. The world is larger and darker than it seems."
"I know, Grandmother. I won't take that step until I am strong enough. Rest easy."
Vaelmon stood up. "Ah, by the way... I know your birthday passed a while ago, and we couldn't celebrate. This is a gift from us to you." He handed Kael a wooden box lined with velvet and embossed with the royal crest.
Kael opened the box with excitement. Inside lay a staff that seemed to illuminate the room with its elegance. The handle was carved from Crystal-Beech, a glass-like wood, and at its tip sat a colorless stone as clear as water.
"I know you use a sword, Kael," Vaelmon said. "But remember, spells cast through a focuser—a staff—are far more destructive and powerful. Do you see that colorless stone? That is an Ithilmor stone. It adapts to whatever magic you use. Use fire, and it turns crimson; use darkness, and it becomes as black as night."
Zephyros chimed in. "By the way, Kael, you’ll see many noble children at the academy with staves. Casting is simpler and stronger with one, but most of them rely solely on the mana stones in their staves instead of developing their own internal mana. That laziness irritates me—don't be like them."
Kael smiled as he took the staff. "Thank you, Grandfather. I’ve never used a staff before, but..."
Vaelmon let out a booming laugh. "Ha ha! No matter! We’ll have a few practice rounds before you leave!" A pained yet sweet smile formed on Kael’s face, as if he could already sense the training hell awaiting him.
At dawn, they set out. As a parting gift, Vaelmon fastened a silver bracelet to Kael’s wrist. "This is a Dimensional Storage bracelet." Kael placed his father’s sword and his new staff into the bracelet’s pocket dimension.
At the same hour, Knight Alaric stood before King Thalaron.
"Your Majesty," Alaric said, kneeling. "There are no heavy casualties in the area regarding the creature that attacked the center. Everything is under control, save for a few injuries."
King Thalaron stood up from his throne in a rage. "Alaric! How could a creature penetrate the very heart of the kingdom? Are the men guarding the walls asleep?!"
"Sire, we believe the Echidmer was intentionally brought in. There were charms on its neck indicating it was being controlled from afar."
The King’s eyes narrowed. "Is this the work of that wretched Ashen-Legion again?"
"We have no proof yet, Sire, but it is likely the work of the underground organization." The King leaned back with a sigh. "At least you managed to stop the beast before the people were harmed."
Alaric swallowed hard. "Actually, Your Majesty... The creature was already dead by the time we arrived."
"Did the patrols handle it?" the King asked. "Tell them they shall be rewarded."
"No, Sire... A boy named Kael killed it."
King Thalaron bolted upright, his angry voice echoing through the throne room. "Alaric! How dare you mock me!"
"Sire, I swear upon my honor, I saw it with my own eyes! A fourteen-year-old boy split that massive Echidmer in two with a single strike!"
The King slumped back into his seat in shock. "Intriguing... A fourteen-year-old? He must come from a powerful family. Who is this boy?"
"I saw him with the Royal Mage Zephyros, Sire. He might be a relative."
"I know Zephyros has no children," the King said thoughtfully. "Alaric, summon him to my presence immediately!"
"As you command, Your Majesty. By your leave."
Kael stood before the massive gates of Aetheris Academy, the pride of the Eastern Kingdom. The academy looked like a land of myths, with ivory towers stretching toward the sky and gargantuan mana rings rotating perpetually in the air. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of concentrated mana; it felt as if every stone and pillar breathed with magic.
Zephyros touched Kael’s shoulder. "Kael, this is where our paths part. Head toward Gate A for the entrance exam and show them this document. Do not forget what I told you."
"Thank you. I’ve carved your words into my mind. Don't worry about me."
As Kael stepped inside the academy, he was surrounded by hundreds of students his own age. Curiously, he released his mana-sensing field. He was enveloped by dozens of different types of mana—the coolness of water, the weight of earth, the speed of wind. Until... A sharp, piercing, and cold mana touched Kael’s soul like a blade.
Kael felt as if a knife had been driven into his heart and quickly shut down his sensing field. Leaning forward slightly while clutching his chest, he muttered, "What was that?"
Just then, there was a blur of movement beside him. "Hello! Are you here for the entrance exam too?"
Kael looked up to see a girl with vibrant red hair that shone like the sun, her eyes sparkling with joy. She beamed, showing her white teeth, and held out her hand. "I’m Lyra! What’s your name?"
Kael, startled by the positive energy she radiated, shook her hand. "I’m Kael... Nice to meet you. Yes, I’m here for the exam."
"Oh, I’m so nervous!" Lyra said, jumping in place. "I hope I don't mess up. My family sent me here with great hopes; I don't want to blow it!"
Kael responded to her natural sincerity. "Don't worry, Lyra. If you made it this far, you’ll definitely succeed. I believe in you."
Lyra’s eyes lit up. "Thank you! You don't seem nervous at all! Wait a minute..." Lyra’s gaze fell upon the sword at Kael’s waist. "Are you a knight?"
"Actually, I use magic," Kael said. "My goal is to become a Mage-Knight."
"No way! There are so few of them in the kingdom! It’s amazing that your goal is so high!" Lyra noticed the engravings on the sword and froze. "Wait a second... Is this... the Phoenix Fire?"
Kael was surprised. "Yes... A gift from my master. Do you know this sword?"
"Are you joking? I’ve seen this blade in books! My family comes from the Crimson Flame bloodline. The legendary blacksmith who forged it is actually an ancestor of ours!"
Kael didn't know what to say. "I... I feel like I’m carrying your family heirloom then."
Lyra burst out laughing. "Ha ha! Don't worry about it, Kael! Spirit blades choose their own masters. If the Phoenix Fire didn't want you, you wouldn't even be able to draw it from its sheath. It means you are worthy!"
Kael was stunned. "Choosing its master? No one ever told me that..."
"Are you serious? Kael, inside spirit blades, there are actual elemental spirits. Right now, you are carrying a living sword with a heartbeat at your waist!"
Kael tensed slightly as he looked down at his sword; he had never viewed it through that lens before. Just then, a booming voice rang out:
"ENTRANCE EXAM STUDENTS, ASSEMBLE!"
Lyra grabbed Kael’s hand tightly and began dragging him toward the crowd. "Oh, Kael, they’re gathering! Come on, let’s not miss the exam!"
As Lyra pulled him along, Kael glided into the gates of this new world with excitement.
ns216.73.216.141da2
and then Add to home screen.