The day began with a sparring match between Ryu and Kyros. Eager to test his limits, Ryu wielded his new, real sword. But the blade was heavy and unwieldy for his young body, and the strenuous effort left him exhausted, forcing him to sit down on the training ground, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
"Hey, Ryu, you shouldn't use a real sword yet. It's a foolish decision to burden yourself with such a heavy weapon," Kyros advised, his tone laced with concern.
"Yes, Brother Kai, you're right... I am still too young to properly wield it," Ryu conceded, his voice tinged with frustration.
"Let's rest for now," Kyros said, offering a reassuring smile.
Just then, the First Prince arrived. "Brother Ryu!You're performing remarkably well for your age!" Kael exclaimed with genuine praise.
"Thank you, Brother Kael," Ryu replied, catching his breath.
Kyros immediately kneeled, showing the proper respect to the royalty. "Young Master, have you met Ryu before?"
"Of course, we met yesterday. And please, Brother Kai, don't be so formal. You are my elder," Kael insisted.
"I couldn't, Young Master. Protocol is protocol," Kyros responded respectfully.
"Ah, just call me by my name, brother. It feels wrong when someone addresses me so stiffly," Kael implored.
"Very well... Brother Kael," Kyros acquiesced.
"Hey, Big Brother! What's going on here?" an arrogant voice called from a distance. The Third Prince had arrived.
"You, adventurer! I challenge you to a duel!" the Third Prince declared, his tone dripping with condescension.
"You insolent child! Do you even comprehend what you are saying? Apologize for your behavior at once!" Kael's voice was sharp with anger.
"Brother, I know my own standing! Why are you taking their side?" the Third Prince retorted petulantly.
"I will have you punished by telling Father... Ah, I am deeply sorry, Brother Ryu, Brother Kai, for his disgraceful conduct. He is but a foolish, brainless child," Kael said, bowing his head slightly.
"Ah, do not worry, Brother Kael. I do not take it seriously, for he is a prince. Very well, Your Highness, I accept your challenge," Kyros stated calmly.
"But, Brother Kai..." Kael started, concerned.
"Do not fret, Brother Kael. I will handle it," Kyros assured him.
---
The scene shifted to the knights' training arena. Kyros and the Third Prince stood facing each other.
"Adventurer, this is your last chance to withdraw with your dignity," the Third Prince sneered.
"No, let us fight," Kyros replied, his stance relaxed yet unwavering.
The duel commenced. The Prince launched the first attack, a reckless charge that Kyros evaded with minimal movement. In response, Kyros countered with a single, precise strike that the Prince barely managed to block, the impact jarring his arms. The exchange continued, with Kyros clearly holding back, parrying and dodging with effortless grace.
"You... you are crossing your limits!" the Third Prince roared, his pride wounded.
He unleashed his aura, channeling raw magic into his sword before launching a ferocious attack. This time, Kyros blocked it, but the force made him struggle for a moment, his boots scraping against the stone.
"Oh? So this is your true strength?" Kyros whispered, a flicker of interest in his eyes.
Then, the atmosphere changed. Kyros unleashed his own aura—a palpable, crushing pressure that seemed to distort the very air. He enchanted his blade with a flame attribute that roared to life, casting long, dancing shadows. With a single, devastating swing, he shattered the Prince's sword, and the concussive force hurled the young royal back, slamming him into the ground and creating a small crater with a web of deep cracks. The Prince, having barely activated a defensive shield in time, was left with minor injuries but his ego was in tatters.
"You! You tried to kill a prince! You will be severely punished!" the Third Prince shrieked, his voice trembling with a mixture of fear and fury.
Kyros's expression hardened, his eyes glinting with cold anger. "You may be a prince, but I do not fear you. Remember this: I hail from the Heavenly Kingdom. I do not fear any kingdom or their king, for I am a subject of the largest empire. And remember this too: I show respect only to those I genuinely care for. If you dare to ask anyone about me, you will learn exactly who I am."
"You—!" the Prince stammered, but was cut off as Kael intervened.
"Silence!" Kael's voice thundered across the arena, his face a mask of pure rage. "You have no idea who you are addressing! This is Kyros Flameworth, the 'Shadow of the Battlefield'! Do you understand that your foolishness could sour our kingdom's crucial relations with the Heavenly Kingdom? You deserve to be thrown into the gutter for disrespecting our esteemed guest so profoundly!"
"Brother Kai... you are really...? Why did you hide this from me?" Ryu asked, his eyes wide with shock and awe.
"Oh, Ryu, do not be so shocked. I am just a man, not a god. I wish to live my life helping others, so I do not flaunt my identity. Only Brother Kael, King Azel, and my teammates—Zara, Ava, and your late father—knew the truth within this castle," Kyros explained, his aura subsiding.
"Ah, Brother Kai, I am once again so sorry for his words," Kael said, bowing deeply.
"Worry not, Brother Kael. I merely taught him a necessary lesson. It is of no consequence to me," Kyros replied, his usual calm demeanor returning.
Just then, Zara and Akari arrived, drawn by the disturbance. "Is everything alright?We felt a powerful and disruptive aura burst from this direction," Akari asked, her eyes scanning the damaged arena.
"Ah, it's nothing. We merely had a duel," Kyros answered nonchalantly.
Zara's gaze fell upon the Third Prince, who was slinking away in humiliation. A slow, knowing smile spread across her lips. "It seems someone taught our arrogant little prince a lesson he won't soon forget."
"B-but what is the reason for this level of destruction?" Akari stammered, looking at the cracked ground.
"Ah, Kael got a little carried during their duel. Though he's usually playful, when he becomes serious, he can unleash power capable of decimating an entire knight's legion. That is why he is called the Shadow of the Battlefield," Zara clarified casually.
"W-what? The Shadow of the Battlefield?" Akari whispered, her shock evident.
"Well, you too can use some forbidden spells, can you not, Sister Akari?" Zara remarked with a sly grin.
"Yes, but that level of power is... insane," Akari conceded.
"Ah, let's not dwell on it. How about we visit the market district?" Zara suggested, changing the subject. "Of course,Sister Zara," Akari agreed.
---
Time passed, and soon it was the day for Ryu and his family to depart the palace. "Brother Ryu,you must visit again whenever you wish," Kael said warmly.
"Yes, I will, Brother Kael," Ryu promised.
King Azel turned to Amelia. "Amelia, please, if you ever need anything, do not hesitate to ask. I will provide whatever aid I can."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Amelia replied with a grateful bow.
"And Kyros," the King said, his tone turning solemn, "continue to protect Ryu and his family."
"On my life, Your Highness," Kyros vowed.
"Brother Ryu, I hope we shall meet again at the Academy in a few years," Kael said.
"Yes, Brother Kael. We will," Ryu affirmed.
With their farewells complete, they departed for the Royal Capital. The city was immense, its main thoroughfares teeming with people as if it were a festival day. They arrived at their new home—a large and beautiful estate.
As they settled in, Zara and Kyros prepared to leave for their inn. "Our task here is complete.We must be going now. Take care, Amelia," Kyros said.
"Must you go? Please, stay here. Why seek other lodging?" Amelia pleaded.
"Amelia, you know our life as adventurers requires us to travel. We cannot remain in one place," Zara explained gently.
"Then at least stay for tonight," Amelia insisted.
"Very well, but only for one night. We have another job awaiting us," Kyros relented.
The night passed, and the next day, they said their goodbyes.
"Sister Akari, what do you think?" Ryu asked later that day.
"Hmm? About what?" Akari replied.
"There are so many powerful people in the world. I've witnessed Brother Kai's true strength, and it makes me realize how formidable Father must have been. I am not even a speck in the power ranking he and his teammates occupied. Yet, they were only A and B-rank adventurers individually. It was only as a team that they reached S-rank. The world is far darker and more dangerous than I imagined," Ryu mused, his voice a complex mix of determination, sadness, and wonder.
"Ah, Ryu, don't underestimate yourself. You possess many skills. It doesn't matter that they are stronger now. You can already defeat an F-rank monster like a slime on your own, and you aren't even an official mage or swordsman yet," Akari encouraged him, gently patting his head.
"I promise," Ryu declared, his eyes burning with resolve, "that one day, I will surpass Dad. Not to boast of my strength, but to protect those who cannot protect themselves."
He sounds so mature, just like First Prince Kael, Akari thought to herself.
"Sister, did you say something?" Ryu asked.
"Ah, it was nothing, my little brother," Akari said with a soft smile, standing up. The breeze played with their hair as Ryu ran towards an open field.
"Sister, let's go train!" he called out, dashing ahead.
"Ryu, be careful! Don't run so fast!" Akari called back, chasing after him.
Ryu ran to the top of a nearby hill and stood there, silhouetted against the sky. "Sister, hurry up!"
"Coming!" Akari responded. As she ran, she thought, He truly is no ordinary child. When I faced similar hardships, I struggled immensely. Yet, he confronts every challenge with unwavering determination.
Their training session began. They practiced diligently, with Ryu learning new mana control exercises and attempting to properly harness the power of his ring. Then, something unusual happened. The artifact on his neck, a fusion of his father's armor and an ancient relic, began to glow. As Ryu cultivated, he started to float, and the pendant dissolved into a stream of light that flowed into the mysterious ring he and Akari had created years ago.
Akari watched in stunned silence, her eyes wide. Then, Ryu fell to the ground, unconscious. She rushed to his side, calling his name. When he finally stirred, he found himself lying with his head in her lap.
"Sister... what happened? I... I saw Father while I was cultivating," Ryu murmured, confused.
"Father...? I saw you lose consciousness. The two artifacts... they merged," Akari explained, describing the event.
They soon understood: the ring was not consuming the other artifacts but assimilating their energies and abilities, granting their combined power to the user. It had first absorbed the nightmare-protection artifact, and now it had integrated the one linked to Kenji, allowing Ryu to see a vestige of his father's spirit.
---
A month later, a joyous event occurred: Amelia gave birth to twin girls. Ryu and Akari were overjoyed at the sight of the two adorable babies. Amelia named them Hikari Leonheart and Sakura Leonheart, filling the house with a newfound happiness.
The cycle of their lives continued peacefully. They trained by day, played with the twins in the evenings, and every night, Ryu would secretly cultivate in the garden, with Akari secretly watching over him for hours. The house was slowly regaining its old warmth and joy.
Years slipped by in this manner. Ryu was now thirteen, on the eve of his birthday. That night, Zara and Kyros returned.
"Brother Kai! Sister Zara! It's been so long!" Ryu greeted them. He was noticeably taller, and his voice had deepened.
"Ryu! You've grown so much!" Kyros exclaimed.
"We've missed you all these years," Zara added. "And you've gotten taller than me!"
Everyone welcomed them warmly. When Zara and Kyros saw the twins, now four- five years old and chattering animatedly, they were enchanted.
"They're even more adorable than you described, Amelia," Zara cooed.
A greater surprise came when they revealed that Zara and Kyros were dating and planned to marry in a year or two.
"We nearly forgot! Kai, give them the letter," Zara reminded him.
Kyros handed a sealed letter to Akari and Ryu. It was from King Azel, inviting them to the palace before Ryu was to enroll at Yujin Academy.
The next day, they celebrated Ryu's birthday. Zara gifted him a finely crafted mage staff, and Kyros gave him a magic ring embedded with the core of a flaming bird. Akari's present was a grimoire detailing various complex magic circles.
Finally, Amelia presented him with a magic core that shimmered with a pure, white light. "This is from your father. He obtained this white dragon core on a mission with his team and asked me to give it to you on your thirteenth birthday."
Zara and Kyros recognized the core, their expressions turning somber as they remembered the fierce battle to obtain it. Ryu was deeply moved, his eyes glistening with tears at the tangible connection to the father who had thought of him even from beyond.
The following day, Ryu, Akari, and Kyros set out for the kingdom on horseback. They were greeted by King Azel that evening.
"Uncle Azel, I am here," Ryu announced.
"Oh, Ryu! I've been expecting you. You've grown into a fine young man," the King said warmly. He provided Ryu with a letter of recommendation for Yujin Academy and a royal pass, granting him free access and lodging across the continent.
The King also informed them that Kael was already at the academy, too busy with his duties to visit. "When you arrive, please seek him out. He will be thrilled to see you."
That night, as was his ritual, Ryu cultivated in the palace gardens with Akari watching nearby. The phenomenon repeated itself: the royal artifact glowed, merged with the ring, and Ryu briefly saw a vision of his father before collapsing. When he awoke, they further confirmed the ring's unique nature—a conduit that absorbed and refined the powers of other artifacts.
The next morning, they returned home to prepare for Ryu's academy enrollment.
That final night, Akari sought him out. "Ryu, do you remember our promise?"
"Yes, Sister. I must conceal my dark elemental affinity," Ryu confirmed.
"Good luck at the academy. And remember, learning there isn't just about listening. You must observe your teachers' every action and decode their intentions. That is the true exam," Akari advised.
"I understand," Ryu replied firmly.
---
The next morning, Ryu and Akari arrived at the prestigious Yujin Academy. As they entered the grounds, a magic teacher recognized Akari and approached them.
"Akari! What a pleasure to see you after all this time!" the teacher, Aki Kuroba, exclaimed.
"Teacher Aki! The pleasure is mine," Akari replied with a bow. "This is my brother, Ryu. Ryu, this is my former magic teacher, Aki Kuroba. She will likely be your instructor as well."
Ryu bowed respectfully. "Hello, Sensei. My name is Ryuken Leonheart, but please call me Ryu."
"Aki Kuroba. It's a pleasure to meet you. Leonheart, you say?" Aki's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you by any chance the son of Kenji Leonheart?"
"Yes, Sensei," Ryu answered.
"Truly? I can't believe it. He was the savior of my village. Once, a horde of monsters attacked, and he and his team drove them back. How is your father faring now?" she asked cheerfully.
Ryu's expression fell. "Sensei... he... he is no longer with us. He fell in a sudden attack by the Dark Cult four years ago."
"W-what? That can't be..." Aki staggered back as if struck, her face pale. Kenji had been her hero. "I... I am so sorry. I didn't know..."
"It's alright, Sensei," Ryu said softly.
"Ah, so that means..." Aki looked at Akari.
"Yes, Sensei. I am now a daughter of Kenji and Amelia Leonheart, not by blood, but by bond," Akari declared proudly.
"So much has changed... Well, let us not dwell on the past. Ryu, you are here for your entrance exam, correct?" Aki asked, recomposing herself.
"Yes, Sensei."
"Then follow me to the training grounds for the practical exam."
Aki led them to a table holding a complex magical device: a large central crystal orb surrounded by beautifully set stones representing the four base elements.
"Place your hand on the crystal. Its glow will indicate your mana capacity, and the elemental stones will light up to reveal your affinities," Aki instructed.
Ryu complied. For a moment, nothing happened, creating an tense silence. Just as doubt began to creep in, the crystal ignited with a brilliant light. Then, one by one, every single elemental stone flared up, signaling an affinity for all four base elements. Three seconds later, the light vanished, and as Ryu removed his hand, the crystal cracked audibly and shattered into countless pieces.
"S-Sensei! I'm sorry! I don't know what happened!" Ryu apologized in a panic.
"A-ah, don't worry about that! But... you possess an affinity for all four elements! And such a... significant amount of mana..." Aki stammered, her professional composure shattered as she stared at the fragments. "W-what? This is impossible! You shattered the measurement crystal! Your mana pool is... immense! You are truly a gifted one!"
"Sensei, there is something more," Ryu added hesitantly.
"What is it, Ryu? You can tell me."
"...I also possess the power to manipulate the light element."
Aki Kuroba stood utterly still, her mind struggling to process this revelation. "W-What? Truly?!" she finally breathed. "Ah... well, you are your father's son, so I suppose it is not entirely impossible..." she murmured, trying to rationalize the unprecedented.
"L-let us proceed to your combat skill assessment," she managed to say.
From the sidelines, Akari was stifling her laughter behind her hand, thoroughly enjoying her former teacher's series of shocks.
"Sensei, I have trained in both swordsmanship and magic," Ryu informed her.
"Somehow, that is the least shocking thing I've heard today," Aki replied weakly.
When asked to select a practice sword, Ryu declined. "I have my own, Sensei." He then summoned the sword gifted by the king from his dimensional storage.
Aki's jaw dropped. "Akari! Did you teach him dimensional magic? And he can use it without an incantation?!"
"Y-yes, Sensei. And this is just the beginning. Watch until the end," Akari said, her laughter barely contained.
"Just the beginning? What do you mean?!" Aki exclaimed.
Ryu faced a training dummy several meters away. He took a stance and executed a perfect slash through the air. An invisible blade of force shot forth, striking the dummy and leaving a deep gash in the wood.
"What?! An air slash from seven meters away! And it cracked the target! The power itself isn't overwhelming, but the technique is insane!" Aki analyzed, her shock compounding.
Ryu then stored the sword and summoned his mage staff. Magic circles materialized around the tip, layering and compressing to amplify the spell. He launched a fireball that struck the dummy and obliterated it in a small explosion.
"He can cast without chanting... and he instinctively uses compound magic circles to enhance his spells... Such talent is usually seen only in veteran mages!" Aki whispered in awe.
"Ryu, your potential is undeniable," she finally said, her voice firming with professional assessment. "However, your mana control is still unrefined. With proper training, you could multiply the power of your attacks exponentially."
"Yes, Sensei," Ryu accepted the critique.
"Akari, you taught him all this, yet his core control is lacking?" Aki turned to her former student.
"I have tried, Sensei, but there seems to be a... unique blockage. He cannot fully control the immense mana he possesses," Akari explained.
"I see. Do not worry. I will dedicate myself to solving this problem," Aki declared
A most impressive performance, young man," a new, authoritative voice interjected. The Headmaster of the academy had been observing. "Might I ask your name?"
"Ryuken Leonheart, sir."
"A pleasure, Ryu. You have passed the entrance exam. Congratulations."
"Thank you, Headmaster," Ryu said, before summoning the King's recommendation letter from his dimensional storage.
The Headmaster started at the display of spatial magic, then his eyes widened further as he read the letter. "This is a direct recommendation from His Majesty! With this, you need not have taken the exam at all!" Aki looked like she might faint from the continued revelations.
"You may begin classes tomorrow. Please collect your uniform from the reception," the Headmaster instructed before taking his leave.
As Ryu and Akari departed, thrilled with his success, a scene unfolded in a dark, hidden cave far away. A hooded figure knelt before another, more imposing one, addressing him as "General."
"General, a child has enrolled at the academy. He passed with exceptional marks. I observed a ring on his hand—a dark elemental artifact. I believe it may be connected to the magic teacher, Ava, who has been missing for years and remains a significant threat to our cause."
The General's voice was a low, menacing rumble in the gloom. "Investigate this child thoroughly. And if you find the woman... eliminate them both."
...