Explosion bodies lying on the ground with pools of blood spreading across the empire. The lives of countless people were taken by the unexpected arrival of the creatures.
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Chaos ensued as the once thriving empire was plunged into darkness. Buildings crumbled, fires raged uncontrollably, and the sky itself seemed to darken with the smoke rising from the destruction.
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Desperate screams filled the air as survivors fled, but there was no safe haven from the relentless assault. The creatures, monstrous and unforgiving, tore through the city with ruthless precision, leaving nothing but devastation in their wake.
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Ermis, who was lying on the ground as the creature left, heard the cries of people hugging their loved ones. As the empire’s knights and the holy temple’s healers helped the citizens ,the duke who saw Ermis on the ground, he carried him in his arms.
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"That child..." the emperor said.
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"I saw him lying on the ground," the duke said, as they both looked at the ground, where a huge hole was left by the explosion that had happened earlier.
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"This... the sea of hope," the emperor said, as the entire orphanage had been wiped out, with the bodies of children lying on the ground.
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"This child... I think he's the only survivor," the duke said, his voice heavy with disbelief.
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"Are you going to keep that child?" the emperor asked, his gaze piercing through the duke.
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The duke didn't respond. He looked down at Ermis, whose fragile body lay limp in his arms, his once bright eyes now clouded with pain and confusion. The silence stretched between them, filled with the weight of the emperor's question.
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The emperor studied him carefully, his expression unreadable. "If you choose to keep him, you must understand the consequences. This child could be the spark that ignites something far greater than we are prepared for."
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The duke nodded slowly, his mind racing with the implications.The emperor sighed, turning his gaze toward the distant horizon.
____
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"Ermis..." Voices echoed through the room. As Ermis woke up, he felt a heavy, cold presence in the dark; there was no light, but a familiar voice was calling his name.
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"Ermis, Ermis, Ermis," it repeated as he wandered through the darkness. Suddenly, he saw a girl lying on the ground, wounded.
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He went over to her, and as he placed his hands on her head, she suddenly grabbed his wrist, her eyes wide open, spilling tears of blood.
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"Have you forgotten about me, Ermis?" she asked.
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Ermis recoiled in fear, pulling away from her, but she crawled toward him. "It's your fault I died!" she screamed as he turned to run for his life.
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Dark shadows seized him, pulling him deeper into the darkness. He reached out desperately when, suddenly…
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"Ermis!!" A familiar voice called to him, a light appeared, and someone pulled him from the shadows.
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He couldn't see who it was—only a blurred figure—but the sweet, familiar fragrance surrounding him calmed his uncontrollable powers.
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"Ermis," another voice called out, snapping him back to reality. He was sitting on the branch of a tree.
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"Same old dream," he thought.
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"What are you still doing there? The entrance ceremony is about to start. Let's go," a girl said.
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---
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Five years had passed since that incident, and much had changed. Aeron, Caelum, and Ermis had already gone to the prestigious boarding school, "Seléanemos," the most renowned university in the entire empire.
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It was not owned by the emperor, but by the Asterlayna family, since the history of the Lychnis Empire was first written. Aeron, who had begun studying swordsmanship and politics at the age of seven, was now 12
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Caelum, who started learning sorcery at the early age of six, was now . 11 Ermis, who had been adopted by the Duke Evigheden, was given a chance to study.
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He chose swordsmanship, politics, and magic. Now, at 12, he was in his final year, while Valen, now 10, remained at the palace to study swordsmanship.
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Throughout the years, everything had been peaceful. Although monsters still lurked, the knights continued to protect the empire. The temple had not made any moves, nor had the mother of demons.
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As the days turned into months, Aeron and Caelum excelled in their respective studies at Seléanemos. Aeron, with his disciplined approach to swordsmanship and politics, quickly became known for his quick reflexes and keen strategic mind.
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He often sparred with older knights, impressing them with his precise technique and unyielding determination. It wasn't just his skill with a blade that earned him respect, but his ability to think several moves ahead, anticipating his opponent's next step.
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Caelum, on the other hand, displayed an innate and awe-inspiring talent for sorcery. His natural affinity for the elements was unlike any seen in his age group.
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He manipulated fire, water, earth, and wind with fluidity, but it was his command of the Sun a rare and dangerous elemental force that truly captivated his instructors and classmates.
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Ermis on the other hand, His control over this dark energy, once thought to be lost, drew the attention of powerful figures within the academy, some curious, others wary of the implications of such power.
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At the palace, Valen trained diligently under the guidance of the kingdom's finest knights. His commitment to learning the art of swordsmanship was unmatched, earning him respect from even the most seasoned warriors.
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Though he was younger than Aeron, his potential was undeniable, and he quickly gained a reputation as a fierce and skilled swordsman. During his visits home, he often sparred with Aeron, their bond growing stronger with every clash of their blades.
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Together, they formed a formidable duo, united not only by blood but by a shared dream to protect the empire they loved.
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Ermis, however, seemed distant. While his step siblings from the house of Evigheden he thrived in their respective paths, he often felt like an outsider.
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Adopted into the noble house of Evigheden, Ermis had chosen to study swordsmanship, politics, and magic. But despite his natural talent, there was always a shadow in his heart—a sense of being out of place.
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He could excel in the art of war and magic, but something deep inside him pulled him toward a mystery he couldn’t yet understand.
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The dreams, the whispers, and the girl with blood-red tears haunted him, especially now as the empire seemed to teeter on the edge of something unknown.
___
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Upon arrival, the headmaster introduced the newest student with a respectful tone, "Presenting the sole princess of the empire, Lethyxia Noxveil Lychnis, now an official student at this university."
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All eyes turned to Lethyxia as she entered, her presence commanding attention.
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Suddenly, Ermis felt an overwhelming sensation, something strange and unfamiliar. Flashes of blurred memories surged through his mind, disorienting him. Among the chaos of images, one stood out—a figure with silver hair, strikingly similar to the princess's.
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His heart raced as he tried to make sense of it. Was it a memory? A dream? Or something more? The connection between the princess and the figure seemed undeniable, yet the meaning eluded him.
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"Emris? Are you okay dude?" His friend ryuu asked.
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"Yeah," he replied.
____
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The headmaster now introduces the successful teams that ranked at the top in the university.
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"Now, let us welcome them. Of course, everyone already knows who they are: CIRO and The Kings," the headmaster announced, his voice filled with pride.
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The room filled with enthusiastic applause as CIRO and The Kings took the stage, their confidence and camaraderie evident.
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When Aeron, the leader of CIRO, known for his calm demeanor and sharp intellect, stepped forward to the podium, the crowd quieted, anticipation hanging in the air.
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“Thank you, Headmaster,” he began, his voice steady and confident. “We’re truly honored to be recognized today. This journey wasn’t easy—there were sleepless nights, challenging moments, and times when each of us felt like giving up. But through it all, we had each other.” He glanced back at his teammates, who nodded at him encouragingly. “We learned that success isn’t just about individual skill; it’s about trust, unity, and pushing each other to be the best we can be.”
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The crowd applauded warmly as he finished, and a few whispers of admiration could be heard.
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Next, Ermis, one of the strongest members of The Kings, approached the podium, flashing a confident smile. “Battles are ugly affairs,” he began, before the team leader quickly covered his mouth with a grin, prompting a wave of laughter from the audience.
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Recovering, the leader of The Kings stepped up with a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Well, The Kings are all about taking risks and breaking boundaries. We don’t play it safe, and maybe that’s why we’re here today. We might have stumbled along the way, but every setback pushed us to come back stronger. To anyone out there thinking of giving up, just remember: setbacks are only setups for a comeback.”
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A wave of applause followed his bold words, and the audience looked on, impressed by his spirit. Both teams had brought something unique, inspiring everyone in the hall in their own ways.
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As the speeches concluded, the headmaster raised his hands for silence. "Let this be a reminder to everyone that with courage and dedication, anything is possible. CIRO and The Kings have shown us what true commitment looks like."
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With that, the ceremony came to a close, but the inspiration it sparked lingered in the room. Many left that day not only in awe of CIRO and The Kings but with a renewed drive to chase their own dreams and strive for excellence.
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