"The venue is their Academy's arena, meaning they have the advantage over us to make a underhanded move and we can't do anything about it so please be careful" Father said with a worried look in his face. The buffalos with more energy than they had yesterday, were picking up the pace as we passed the Yoibo Empire, the final nation before reaching the Ar Dynasty's three nations .
I reply to Father saying,"If anything were to happen to me, it would be because I saved you so don't worry about me, I've done tons of whacky training in front of you and even beat you almost to pulp may i add so I know what to do but the question is, since they know what some of my abilities are— could they plan to use dark magic as a way to counter me?", I turned my eyes to look out of the window and watch the beautiful scenery that could've gone to war if I hadn't stepped in and made this challenge.
"This beautiful continent could've been crushed by those three idiot kings so I had to step in, one of my goals is to protect those dear to me so knowing that we might have three stupid monarchs in the largest nation doesn't sit right with me." I said continuing to look out the window, Father stared at me for a moment then started look out of the window too trying to see what I see.
In less than two hours, We managed to arrive in the Ar Dynasty and just as expected an ambush suddenly happened, I took a good look at how things were looking and after a minute of the soldiers fending off the bandits that's when Father took off and joined the soldiers and swiftly made quick work of them so I took a nap to save some energy.
"Report from the stealth team! They've apprehended the remaining bandits in our way. Thanks to His Highness's necklaces, they managed to do so unscathed." one of the 6 stealth members reported to the joy of the rest of the team which continued on for 5 more kilometres where we started to hear the screams and echoes of the crowd.
"We're early but the crowd somehow managed to arrive much earlier than we did, it's going to be tough having to not relish in the crowd reactions and suddenly make it more difficult for the five prodigies. What a drag, I know I asked for it but I might end my chances of having fun.", I thought to myself seeing hundreds of people filing up and crossing over stall after stall making things difficult for our assassins to spot us without being seen.
"This is an obvious trap but thanks to that, they might make their people dislike them more if one of their men tries to attack our carriage." Father spoke with a smirk thinking about how those idiots kings really live up to the nickname. As we approached the arena, we got off and made our way to the resting room reserved for us and before we went in, I sneakily purified the air around the perimeter in case they thought of poisoning us whilst we wait for the next three hours.
Back at home, whilst Mother was awaiting news of our arrival at the Ar Dynasty. She saw Ntsika casually trying to create a spell from one the elements he'd mastered, Water.
"Flooding the palace is something I expect your sister to do, not you. So what are you doing?" Mother asked him trying to figure out how he would clean up the mess he made already, Ntsika would calmly answer,"Brother made a spell were he can manipulate any solid resources and construct something he wants without any problems, that's mean I can do the same thing but by creating a spell that protect and wash away those who have evil intentions towards us".
His answer threw Mother for a bit but she quickly regained composure, wondering who made Ntsika think this way but in the process of losing herself in her thoughts. Ntsika threw a question of his own, "Do you think Brother will be alright? I mean I have no doubts he will but a part of me thinks that he's pushing himself too hard, and I know he said he wants me to be the crown prince but I feel like I might really need him by my side if Father proceeds with Brother's wish." his cries startle Mother who then comforts him and reassures him, "Your brother is stronger than what you think, I have faith he'll return back to us in one piece so all we have to do is wait for the news of his victory" .
Overhearing everything, Aya bolts out of the Palace and goes to where the soldiers are training to challenge them but they hesitate thinking that she's asking too much and she might not be able to reach my level but with a loud roar, she declares,"My brother may be some prodigy but he will need a rival or person to keep him on his feet in this kingdom. This kingdom will need a ray of hope when he's not here and I'm willing to give it all my and—" with flames and wind suddenly out, "become this kingdom's strongest!!!".
The soldiers feeling as if they are given no choice, they agree to her request and from there enter by groups of 5 with the weakest of the bunch going first.
One hour after settling down and going over the list of opponents again, I decided to take any useful material in the room and try to make a katana out of alchemy but realising that the people in the room would ask how I know about a katana, I decided to make a longsword instead as there were books about them in the royal library and the public one.
"How are you able to even create weapons without having to learn how to craft it?" Father asked being a little curious as to what I'm doing in which I responded, "Alchemy, its something I came up with after realising I can control the resources around like Aya does".
Puzzled though amazed, Father signals for me to come closer and lets the guards exit and guard the door so that he could speak with me in private.
"Son, I didn't mean to hide this from you but you remember the battle we had during training?" He asked in which I nod in agreement,"Well I wasn't going all out. It's true that you defeated me but I wasn't going all out as I know a technique or rather a type of magic that I'm supposed to teach you right after your initiation into manhood but I guess it might as well be time I tell you how our forefathers and the kingdom got to become one of the strongest nations of this continent".
Father futher explained and went deep into the story as he can remember but during the next hour before the bout, he made me learn the new utility to my arsenal and before we knew it, it was time for the show to commence.
As I getting ready to make my way, Father stopped and wished me luck showing some concern yet not yelding to despair then he went out the room first to make it to his seat.
A loud horn signal the beginning of the anticipated event and with the crowd hyped, the announcer started introducing the kings first before he went to introduce the five who were set to face me.
"And now, with grace, I now introduce to you our dynasty's prodigies!! First off from the Nile kingdom, an 18 year old who rivals even the best of the combined forces with grace and elegance, Ali Hassan!!", " Following him is a 17 yr old from the Aegis Kingdom whose love for combat makes him a beast not to be messed with, Ishmad Sar!!" the announcer continued.
"Wow they can go crazy for their young prodigies, but why are two times older than me though? what a drag." I thought to myself, "And now, with her dominant prescence and admirable looks, this 16 year old from kingdom will captivate you as she destroys her opponent today. The name of this heroine is, !!" the announcer resumed.
"Following her is a 15 year old wonder from the Nistu kingdom, with his incredible speed and sharp intellect, he may pose a problem today. This is, Faraan Dridi!!", " Up next is another young heroine from the Aegis kingdom. A 14 year old magician who can guarantee you an instant win. This is, Yasmine Saidi!!" the annoucer concluded with cheers erupting from the crowds.
"And now, introducing the brave opponent. The 1st prince of the Khosari Kingdom, Lulutho Thulane" they announced me with a gloomy expression as I come out to a chorus of boos and slurs being thrown at me .
"I wonder how mature are you really, son? Not only do you train your siblings but think about the kingdom and before that, your family. Your strength far exceeds mine and you'll grow even stronger, to the point that I might not be able to catch up, this feels surreal but give it all you've got, my son" Father thought to himself watching me step to the battle stage.
"So this is the prince we were preparing for? He seems weak to me, I might have to hand it to the juniors to crush him" Mika said with disdain in her eyes looking at me, "Mika, this is a prince so at the very least, treat him with respect" Ali calmly reprimanded.
"I'll give him the respect he deserves with my fist in his face" Ishmad chimed in with a smirk in his face, "Battle freak" Yasmine and Faraan remarked.
"Why should I give him respect when he seems like an ordinary person to me? he isn't even wearing any royal robe" Mika said frustrated, "Man, these people are crazy" I thought to myself.
"Now the let bout...BEGIN!!" the annoucer roared and the crowd shouting with all their might to the prodigies, urging them to beat me.
"I'm not one to begin stuff without having any honour so the name is Lulutho Ovayo Thulane, pleasure to meet everyone" I said assuming a battle stance with the longsword sheathed on my left hip, "Ali Hassan, a pleasure to be the one who will crush you today" Ali responsed.
"I'm Ishmad Sar, remember me as the one who'll beat you" Ishmad followed,"Faraan Dridi" Faraan plainly followed with Yasmine not saying a thing with her gloomy attitude.
"I have no obligation to introduce myself to you. If they fail to crush you, I'll be the one to stop you" Mika roared with pride, giving goosebumps as I remember how many I've heard my sister taking out boys her age whenever Ntsika and her would be bullied when they were out to play as normal civilians under my supervision.
"Tough bunch" I said and within a split second the front-liners charged at me to overwhelm with their speed and strength as they backed up by Yasmine using support whilst Mika just watched.
Ishmad and Faraan try to overwhelm with a series of combinations which I kept blocking and giving my own.
" You two make a good team but unfortunately for you guys, I can still catch up. When is he going to attack though?" I said dodging and blocking.
"You have two opponents in fronts yet wait the one behind, are you underestimating us?" Faraan frustratingly questions me but to his surprise, I manage to land a jab combo and avoid Ishmad's fist that also land on Faraan's face then turn to Ishmad to give him a roundhouse kick that sends him to the walls then pick Faraan and launched him in the direction of Ishmad.
Facing Ali, I realise that Yasmine and dominant girl are attentively watching now so I instinctively charge after them only to be stopped by Ali, "Spirits of this world who sent humankind the attribute of fire, on the name of Ali Hassan, may those who oppose me be torched to depths of Hell" he recited"as he launched an advanced Fire Magic spell 'Crismon Ball' at me.
"Don't hate me for charging after them, it's natural in battle to eliminate those who pose a threat isn't it? although that doesn't matter cause I have your attention now" I said smirking and with sudden movement, Ali swung his scimitar at me looking frustrated at the fact that I used the ladies as bait for him to charge at me.
"Now I'm certain you're a ladies man. Swinging at me for realising I played is quite a gentlemanly thing to do" I said sheathing the longsword and blocking his strike.
As he opened his mouth to say something, I flash-stepped behind him as both Ishmad and Faraan tried to ambush me whilst Ali occupied me in which they collided with each other and without wasting any time, stuck the sword into the ground and started cracking them with a series of boxing and muay thai combinations that would leave them blooded and unable to stand for a little while.
"Huh? Are you guys really letting this weak—" as Mika spoke, I interrupted her with a volley kick to her stomach which sent her into a wall and as she tried opening her eyes at the moment of impact, the truth became clear to her that I was stronger as my fist got close to her face.
"You've got to be kidding me. He looks like an ordinary person without any trace of hardwork. So what he's a prince? I'm stronger than the army commander of my nation, only rival to the Ar Dynasty's commander. How could this be?" She thought to herself as my fist connected.
As the dust was settling, a startled Yasmine looked too scared to speak, started looking around trying to see if she can do something.
"Its no use to look. I haven't even used magic yet and they look like the come from an all out. It's a shame, isn't it? I mean you guys are prodigies of the Ar Dynasty and yet I'm out here using my strength only. Let's change that with— Natural Selection" I said as the 2 columns of earth charged towards Yasmine but before the moment of impact, Faraan using the last of his strength, block one then let himself get launched into the ground by one, rendering himself out of the match. The crowd would then suddenly sound concerned and worried as they watched this 5v1 turn into a one man show.
Now it was 4v1 and I relentless made them all four of them resort to using magic, "Spirits of this world, in the name of..." they recited in efforts to use the four elements advanced spe..."Tornado Fist" Ishmad yelled, "Crismon Ball" Ali Hassan shouts, "Natural Selection" Mika roars and "Raging Trident" Yasmine shouts too.
As all 4 spells are about to land, I look up and suddenly find to be very slow.
"This is strange, so this is what Light Magic requires of me? I guess i have to cherish for a bit but let's not waste time...Energy Absorption" I calmly said as all their attacks suddenly crumbled as I absorbed their mana. The crowd watching this, suddenly fell silent.
"Son, the Khosari Kingdom and Zula Empire were both being formed as small chiefdoms at the time when a man who said to be from the Azhura taught both chiefs who went to be kings the same magic. This was why I was to be called the greatest king Khosari has had as I managed to take down the invading army of Sethi who were at odds with us which is how we have control over the river that separate us and their Empire. So now, I'll have to teach you about the magic known as..."
"Sun Magic, Star Strike" I said and within the next 5 seconds, all 4 of them were taken down and restricted of mana flow by the star arrow attacking them.
"You have the next 10 seconds to come with all you've got" I said to the four, watching them try to lift themselves from the floor and come at me.
"10, 9, 8, 7—" I counted down, waiting for them to make a move.
"This is truly over, Ahmad" Mohammed said, look at the king of Aegis with sadness.
"No!! Get up you four!! My life is on the life here!! Get that bastard and kill him now!! Anyone!!" Ahmad yelled as they crowd looked on with worry.
"6, 5, 4—" as I was counting, suddenly dark aura started form over the arena and started to shake the ground leaving everyone startled, crying and not knowing what to do.
Suddenly the aura went straight and started to posses Faraan to whom started going on a rampage with Dark Lightning Magic and laughing as people were rushing to escape the arena but just as I turned my head, Yasmine suddenly was in a chokehold with one hand by Faraan and with an errie accent, "What a lovely lady. I've been to possess a strong body so I can consume a pretty lady's mana and soul. I've scored big with this one" the aura within Faraan speaks but as it tries to make its move, the other 3 suddenly make a comeback and try to restrain him.
"Faraan snap out of it!!" Mika yells, "Losing composure because you lost makes you lose face as a man, Faraan!!" Ali snaps but their efforts have no effect as they get launched into the walls.
Just as the aura within Faraan turns to continue what it started, he suddenly finds that what it's been holding the entire time is a rock so wondering what happened, it looked around only to find that I had put everyone in a safe spot for any medical or rescue personnel to find and help them escape then signal to my father that he should run.
"No way I'm leaving you here!!" Father jumps from the VIP sections and lands right next to me, "what you're doing is reckless so I'm not going to leave you here and take it on alone" he scolds me.
"Fine, you better catch up cause I think we might to be fast in the beating whatever is inside him" I said looking ready to deliver a beatdown but the next second, Faraan suddenly came in range of hitting my face but Father then blasted him away with Crismon Ball and tossed me up so he could deal with the spirit alone .
Trying to figure out what just happened, i look down to find both of them giving each other a tough time but with the spirit gaining the upper hand .
"Sun Creation Magic, Sunblade" Father chants as he stabs the spirit with the Sunblade and lands two punches but suddenly the spirit regenerates then holds Father holds with wrist before dealing a fatal blow to the stomach.
Realising that it hadn't through completely, it tried going for a second try but I swoop in and without a single sound, cast Natural Selection to drive it away as I heal Father then place him in a safe spot .
"Sun Binding Magic, Solar Chain" I said with anger as chains hot as the sun restricted the spirit and without thinking, started to pummel Faraan instead of thinking about the spirit and it kept laughing which caused to throw more punches.
"You think you can get rid of me this way? think again boy cause you'll kill this boy and I may as well possess you, hahahaha!" the spirit laughs with joy at my frustration as I continuously pummel Faraan's face.
"Laughing at others pain is definitely something you demons like to do, hey. Be gone from this world and rest where other vermin are...Sun Attack Magic, Solar Flare" a voice said knocking me out and anihilating the spirit that turned out to be a demon.
Fading from being knocked out, I used the last of my conscience to heal Faraan's body then succumb to the energy loss.
"To think a child this young is a vanguard, guess this era will help bring change to the Holy War to be fought... honestly" I faintly hear the voice speak, "He looks familiar though, as if he is...no way. I must be imagining things...but then when his skill awakens, he might be His reincarnation. I think I'll have to make him the leader of this era's vanguards" it spoke again but this time as I slowly gain consciousness and wake up looking around at the destruction of the arena.
"You're awake. I'm guessing by your look, you can see me too" the being in front of me spoke, "Who are you? Why am I still here? Where's Father?" I continuously ask with the being seeming to be annoyed by the questions but answers them anyway.
"I'm a spirit who's in-charge of exterminating any demons, like the one you faced, from possessing anyone here in the central world. The name is Fen", "As for why you're still here, the personnel thought you and your father were dead so they left it to your team to come collect you although they are currently being interrogated by the military of this nation so don't worry, in these past 3 hours,nothing has changed" Fen reassures me.
"Good, I guess I'll need to go and rescue them after I send the carriage back with my father" I say trying to get up, "I'd advise to stay put for a bit, you just woke up and used massive chunks of mana trying to defeat that demon" Fen says.
"Anywho my time here is running out. Eat this and listen to me carefully" he says, handing a small bag of beans and necklace.
"You are to be the leader of the central world's Vanguards. That necklace proves that you are the leader and within each continent lies two vanguards. To find them they must be able to use Sun or Moon Magic and have a crest that shines from their upper body whenever you touch them. Once you journey to find them, remember to also find books that belong to Jinta Kubo and read them as they will give you clues as to where you'll find the 14 weapons that will awaken your skill and enable you to protect this world during the Holy War. Good luck on your finding and may you grow strong, Sunborn Vanguard"
These words from Fen made me feel dumb at first then seeing the seriousness on his face made me realise that I had an important job to fulfill but not trying to think about it too much I said, "I will fulfill the duties bestowed onto me, Lord Fen".
"Calling me Lord is too much but you'll understand more once you read the books" he says then continues on to say "Farewell, Lulutho".
Looking at Fen suddenly vanishing, I took a good look around and then at the necklace then swallowed three beans that suddenly restored my energy and fixed me up real quick.
I would then carry Father back to the carriage left outside by a miracle, gave him a bean then teleported back to the Sun Palace where Mother and Ntsika were waiting.
Panicking, Mother quickly called the guards to assist in carrying us both to a room to heal from our wounds but before I'd fade to darkness again, I told Banele about the team still stuck in Ar and told them to send a team to fetch them.
A week passed after the event and Banele successfully regain our men back.
Father woke three days after the battle but it took me the entire week as I exhausted everything within me to make it back home.
"You're finally awake, Son. I'm glad" Father said rejoicing, gripping my hands tight that they could break at any moment.
"Brother!! You're alive!!" the twins screams and as I tried to sit up, "Don't scare me like that again, I'll never forgive you" Mother cries, hugging me tight.
Surprisingly, the first time I've ever felt a warm feeling and knowing what love is again as in my past life, I had slowly lost all feeling and lived a gloomy life trying to find the meaning of love in others but feeling this warmth made me feel vulnerable and I couldn't help but let out my tears too.
"Dad, I have something to tell you and can everyone else to exit the room please" I said, after all the tears and gratefulness.
Once everyone moved out, I began to explain to the situation to Father by going about it the unorthodoxed way.
"Father, instead of having to spend my days in the forest. For my initiation next year, I need to travel the world and come back in 2 years times" I said, "I know it sounds selfish but I have a duty to fulfil from the Spirit realm and seeing as that you've somehow stored one of Jinta Kubo's books, you must know about the Vanguards" I continued.
"Vanguards? don't tell me..." Father asked looking puzzled but I show him the crest on my forearm and the golden necklace with the crests of every vanguard engraved on it to signify that I'm the leader.
"I've been chosen as its leader and I have to find the rest of the Vanguards to be able to assemble them when the Heavenly Realm and Hell clash and have a Holy War here in the Central World. So after we sort out the situation with the Ar Dynasty and wait for my 15th birthday, I'm to leave the kingdom so Ntsika will your crown prince" I continued.
"This is sudden but with every here being what you mention. I have no choice but accept what you say. To think you'd be the next Vanguard from this kingdom, that means the Zula Empire already has theirs born already so we'll move to find them there after we come back from the Ar Dynasty" Father said, with determination in his eyes.
Our conversation lasted 5 minutes with us talking about what happened after the battle with the devil that possessed and soon after left to have breakfast where the entire staff congratulated me on my victory as news spread that I had won, meaning that the three idiot kings were to abdicate their thrones.
Taking a stroll back to the fields, I suddenly wondered how beautiful the world might look like and how nice would it be to able to live a life of peace and prosperity.
"Man, this has become a typical isekai life, hasn't it? but this holy war seems serious, I wonder why this world has to have Vanguards?" I thought to myself.
"That said, I'll look for and guide them all into protecting this world to the best of my ability"