Morning – Arthur's Resolve
The golden rays of dawn poured through the window as Arthur shot upright in bed, heart pounding with purpose. This was it—the beginning of real training. No more sulking. No more doubts. He bolted from his room, scarfed down breakfast with Liana, Mira, and Luca, and raced out the door before anyone could blink.
Trees blurred past as he dashed through the woods, breath sharp, eyes burning with determination.
He reached Kael's cottage—but the door was wide open.
Arthur's steps slowed. "Kael?" he called out, voice cautious.
A rustling came from behind. He turned—
"GYAAAAAAAH!" Arthur screamed, grabbing the nearest wooden stick and swinging with full force.
THWACK!
"ARGH—STOP, YOU IDIOT!" came the muffled groan from a figure drenched in leaves and river slime.
Arthur blinked, lowering the stick. "...Kael?"
"You damn brat!" Kael shouted, ripping off the leaves. "You nearly broke my nose!"
Arthur gawked. "Who sneaks up looking like a swamp monster?!"
Kael shook like a wet dog, flinging water everywhere. "It was an accident! I fell into the river during important—ahem—research."
Arthur raised a brow. "Research? Or spying on girls again?"
Kael's eye twitched. "It was research."
Arthur snorted. "Yeah. Sure."
"GET BACK HERE!" Kael lunged, chasing Arthur in circles before finally yanking him by the ear.
"OW! OW! Okay, I'm sorry!"
"Hmph." Kael let go, fixing his robe. "Training. Five minutes. Get outside."
Arthur rubbed his ear, but his grin never faded. He stepped outside, took a deep breath, and rolled his shoulders. That fire in his chest—it was back.
---
Kael returned holding two wooden swords. "No more jokes. This is real training. Focus your mana. Draw out your emotions."
Arthur planted his feet, eyes closed, fist clenched. Cold wind coiled around him as he tried to summon it—that feeling from before.
A flicker of blue light danced across his palm.
Kael leaned in. "That's it…"
But the glow vanished.
Arthur growled in frustration and tried again.
Hours passed. Kael came and went, tossing rice balls at Arthur, occasionally smacking him when his posture slacked. But Arthur didn't give up. Sweat poured from him. His body burned. Yet he pushed on.
Then—
The temperature dropped. The wind howled. Blue light flared in Arthur's hand.
Kael stood still, his eyes wide. "...No way."
With a flash, a blade burst forth from Arthur's palm—sleek, silver-blue, cold mist curling around its edge. And then… it shimmered again, shrinking, shifting—into a small dragon of frost.
Arthur gasped. "A dragon?"
The tiny beast curled around his wrist, letting out a soft purr.
Kael blinked. "...Well, that's new."
Arthur grinned. His blade wasn't just a weapon. It was alive.
The screen appeared in front of him:
BLADE: ———
MAGIC ATTRIBUTE: ICE
LEVEL: BEGINNER
STRENGTH: 20
BLADE FORM: Ice Dragon (Dormant)
Kael crossed his arms. "Tomorrow, we train again. Next step—unlock its name."
Arthur nodded, eyes blazing.
---
Luminara Estate – Seraphina's Duel
Elsewhere, beneath a marble balcony, Seraphina stepped onto the dueling platform. Sunlight caught her silver hair as she faced her father—Duke Draven Luminara, wrapped in regal battle robes.
"Manifest your weapon," he said coldly.
She closed her eyes. Light burst around her like a solar flare. A radiant blade formed in her hand, golden and divine.
Draven unsheathed his sword. "Attack."
She moved like lightning.
CLANG!
Sparks exploded as their swords collided. Seraphina spun mid-air, her sword carving a golden arc. Draven parried without flinching and summoned a glowing magic circle with one hand.
"Light Magic—Holy Swords of Convention."
Dozens of radiant blades hovered in the air around him. They launched at her in a blinding barrage.
Seraphina leapt, flipped, and slashed, dodging as best she could. Her eyes narrowed.
"Glimmer Flash!"
A sudden burst of light blinded Draven. She dashed forward, blade aimed for his heart.
But before she could land the strike—his sword was at her neck.
"You lose," he said calmly.
Seraphina collapsed to her knees, panting. "You… saw through Glimmer Flash?"
Draven gave a small nod. "My eyes aren't my only guide."
Despite her defeat, Seraphina smiled.
"I'll do better."
Draven helped her up. "Good. Let's move to advanced training."
---
Common Realm
Meanwhile, Felix was in the forge, helping his father carry sacks of metal.
"You should be training," Orin grunted.
"I am. Just warming up," Felix replied, wiping sweat off his brow.
He bolted through the village toward Ronan's home.
"You're late!" Ronan called out as he stepped out, already geared for battle.
"Needed time to prepare," Felix smirked.
They ran to their usual clearing. No words were exchanged—just blades drawn.
---
Felix vs. Ronan
CLANG!
Their swords collided like thunder. Felix pushed forward, flames igniting around his blade.
Ronan danced backward, his blade sharp and swift. He came in low. Felix blocked, then countered, heat swirling from his strikes.
Sweat dripped from their brows. Their breathing became ragged.
Ronan charged, yelling, "Fire Blade—Burst Slash!"
A fiery arc soared toward Felix. He braced himself, twisting to the side, the flames grazing his arm.
Felix gritted his teeth. "Not enough!"
He surged forward with Flame Fang, a low, burning strike that knocked Ronan off balance.
They paused, breathing hard.
"Again?" Ronan asked.
Felix nodded. "Until we collapse."
They charged once more.
---
The Valley of Death – Leo's Trial
Far across the land, Leo stood at the edge of the Valley of Death.
Jagged cliffs. Boiling rivers. The air shimmered from heat.
Atop a black stone stood his father—Magnus Ironheart.
"Summon your blade," Magnus ordered.
Leo closed his eyes. Fire burst around him like a storm. A crimson sword formed in his hand, flames coiling wildly.
Magnus remained still.
"Attack me."
Leo roared, charging forward. His blade came down like a meteor.
Magnus caught it. Bare-handed.
Leo's eyes widened. "Impossible!"
With one push, Magnus sent Leo flying backward.
And then—
Magnus summoned his weapon.
"Rage—Kagaribi."
The sky darkened. A heatwave exploded outward.
Leo struggled to breathe. "This power…"
But he gritted his teeth.
"Fire Magic—Spiral Flames!"
A vortex of fire tore through the valley toward Magnus.
And yet—
SWOOSH!
Magnus sliced it apart with a single swing.
And then—
WHOOSH!
He vanished.
Leo blinked.
"Behind me—!"
Too late. Magnus's blade stopped just at Leo's throat.
"You're dead."
Leo collapsed, gasping, defeated.
But Magnus offered a hand. "You did well. I'm proud."
Leo's heart skipped. He took the hand, smiling faintly.
---
Nightfall – A Shared Dream
As the sun set across the kingdom, four young mages lay in different places, staring at the stars.
Each beaten.
Each bruised.
Each burning with resolve.
Arthur whispered, "Tomorrow… I'll name my blade."
Felix muttered, "Ronan won't beat me again."
Leo clenched his fist. "I'll surpass him."
Seraphina looked up, her eyes glowing. "I'll shine brighter."
Far above, the stars twinkled like swords.
Their journey had just begun.
And the fire inside them was only getting started.