Year 1052:

In a room within the Imperial Castle, an aged man walked back and forth before two children sitting in front of him, holding a scroll and reading aloud.

“In the year 239, after the tragedy that we refer to as the 'Collapse of the Heavens', the Eiloong continent was formed, merging all the landmasses into a giant continent.”

“Jomin-” the brown haired boy started to say.

“Airen Casteya, while in this hall you will refer to me as 'Teacher', how many times have I repeated myself?” Jourmind faked a sigh and lightly hit Airen on the head with the scroll.

“Hehe, you got scolded, Airen” the girl sitting next to him teased.

“But teacher, we've already talked about the Eiloong continent” Airen protested, hands rubbing his head. “And Yuli, you called him Jomin sometimes too!”

Jourmind hit Airen on his head again. “My name is Jourmind, Airen. Not 'Jomin' and your sister's name is Yuelei-- not 'Yuli'. But you are right, I have the wrong scroll.” He put down the scroll and picked up another from the mahogany cabinet behind him.

“In the year 423, after two centuries, five countries firmly established themselves on the Eiloong continent. First off was our country, the Kingdom of Macha. Then came the Red Slate Republic to our southwest, the Holy Land of Ecclisa to the north, the Dew Plains to our east, and the Kingdom of Four Winds to our south. There are also some minor countries that still exist that haven't been swallowed by one of the five countries yet, but as the prince and princess, those will be the ones you will have to deal with eventually.”

“Teacher, are they just like our country?” Yuelei asked.

Jourmind chuckled. “Not at all. The Red Slate Republic's lands are rocky, full of hills and mountains, the Holy Land of Ecclisa has its own unique religion, the Goddess Ecclisa, and it is covered in snow. The Dew Plains are vast, larger than all of the other countries put together, and the Kingdom of Four Winds has four separate rulers and half of it lies in the ocean. Luckily, our Kingdom of Macha is right in the middle of all these countries and has the best lands for farming.

“But if our lands are so appealing, and our country is right in the middle of all the other countries, wouldn't we get attacked?” Airen frowned.

“Of course we would-- But the Kingdom of Macha has the strongest troops of all the countries, and we’re also a vital trade spot for the other countries. Our country's tongue is Elonian, which is the common tongue throughout the Eiloong continent. There are areas near the borders of our countries that are teeming with monsters, and our country controls the few safe roads that go through those areas.”

“If our legions are so powerful, how come we don't just exterminate the monsters?” Yuelei questioned. “Then we can take over those lands and increase the size of Macha!”

Jourmind waved his hands around him. “Throughout the recorded history of the Eiloong continent, there have been several large scale expeditions to exterminate these monsters, In 460 -- the Ecclisa Knight-Templar Order launched an invasion into the Whitefrost Mountains to our north. Their numbers consisted of several hundred rank five weapon masters, fifty or so rank six mages, a couple of rank seven sword-masters, and a rank eight grand-master of the Soul-Scorching Sword School. It was said that day three days into the endeavor, they had lost over half their forces and were forced to retreat. The Order issued a vow of silence, and to this day, we are not sure what forced them to retreat.”

“Didn't they have a grand-master on the expedition?” Airen exclaimed. “Wouldn't that person also be at least a rank six mage as well?”

“Indeed, that person was a rank seven mage of the light affinity. However, he did not return from the expedition. They likely encountered monsters of ranks nine or higher. Rumors were that there were sightings of a Divine Beast during their expedition. Tell me Airen, what is the difference between a Divine Being and a Divine Beast?”

“Both refer to an individual of the tenth rank that have mastered both their weapon arts and magical affinity,” came the reply “Divine Beast is our term for magical creatures that have reached that level, while we refer to our own kind as Divine Beings”

“Correct, there are several rank ten individuals, but only six named 'Divine Beings' on the Eiloong continent, Yue, name them”

“Lord Dumeis, the 'Sword Emperor', dual wind and fire affinity. Priestess Geisla, the 'Soul Saint', pure Light affinity. Magus Telsi'n, the 'Necromancer', dual earth and dark affinity. Lady Elumia, the “Huntress”, pure wind affinity. Sage Grendel, the “Ocean Gaze”, pure water affinity.” Yuelei smiled, “...and Lord Father, Macha, the 'Fist of the Heavens', dual earth and light affinity.

“Very good Yue. Airen, name their weapon choices.”

“Lord Dumeis uses a sword, Priestess Geisla and Magus Telsi’n use a staff, Lady Elumia a bow and a spear, Sage Grendel a staff-twinblade, and our father uses gauntlets.”

“Correct, so you were paying attention after all, Airen. Continuing on, in 510, the Kingdom of Macha attempted to cut down the Sel Forest separating us from the Dew Plains, However, after the first day of lumbering, all of the trees grew back overnight. When we sent our Mages’ Guild to cast fire magic to burn down the unnatural greenwood, all of their spells backfired against them. It is said that a voice echoed from the forest warning them that next time 'it would not be so lenient.' ”

“Teacher, magical creatures and monsters can talk?” Yuelei asked.

“There are no records of talking creatures, but it isn't conceivable that high-ranked creatures or Divine Beasts would have such an ability. Because of that voice, we stopped our plans. And unlike the Ecclisa order, we made this knowledge public, called these new type of creatures 'spirit beasts', which is one of the reasons why our Kingdom of Macha and the Dew Plains have such a good relationship. But that was the last time any kingdom attempted to invade any of the monster infested areas, including the Hero's Desert to our south, and the Sea of Voices to our west. There are likely other areas, but since they’re not near our borders, we can ignore them.”

“Why do they call it the Hero's Desert?”

“Legend has it that the barren wasteland was formed after ten 'Divine Beings' fought with all their strength before the 'Collapse of the Heavens'. If you wandered for long enough in the desert and managed to survive against all of the monsters that dwell beneath the sand, it's said you can see grave-sites dedicated to each hero, or giant skeletons of their magical beast companions and mounts.” Jourmind replied as he walked in front of Airen, who was fast asleep. “It's said that those grave-sites hold great treasures” he whispered.

“Treasures?” Airen's head shot up. “Where!?” Down came the scroll again but this time Airen caught it between the palms of his hands. “Heh, not today Jomin” he said, just as a chop came from Jourmind's other hand.

“Less sleeping in class, Airen.”

“Sorry.” Airen mumbled as he rubbed his head.

Jourmind sighed.

“Sorry. Teacher.”

-

“Yuli, Yuli, Lord Father is coming back tomorrow, right?” Airen asked. They had just returned to their room after dinner.

“Yes, Airen.” Yuelei replied, sitting on her bed across the room.

Airen stared at his sister. Despite the fact that they were the same age, they looked vastly different from each other at twelve years of age. Yuelei had long black hair, a fair complexion and black eyes, but he had stiff and messy brown hair, a slightly lighter skin tone and brown eyes. He was the older one, but he didn't act like an older brother at all. Yuelei was usually the one pampering him.

“Good, then maybe we can finally tell him about step-mother.” Their mother died giving birth to them, or so they were told, and their father had only remarried two years ago. The new queen, Empress Xeina, was rather negligent and cold towards them.

“Say Airen, the Hidden Potential Ceremony is going to be in a week’s time, right? What sort of combination are you hoping for?” The Hidden Potential was a country-wide event where youths would be tested by high ranked mages and weapon-masters for their magic affinity and weapon of choice. Receiving a high review meant being invited to famous academies, and both Yuelei and Airen were hoping to enter a renowned school far away from the Imperial Palace.

“Hmmm, I don't really care for magic, so any elemental affinity is fine with me. It would be nice if I had potential for multiple weapons though. How about you, Yuli?”

“I don't really care for weapons, but I am rather interested in being a mage.” Yuli smiled. “Warriors win battles, but mages win wars.”

“....sometimes sis, you can be pretty scary.”

“Hehe, as your older sister, who else is going to protect you when you become king?”

“But I'm the older one” Airen grumbled. Nevertheless, he was quite happy with Yuelei's words. “I think you would make a better ruler than I would, Yuli. You're the brains while I'm more like the brawn. You have a certain grace as well, while I'm more of a free spirit.”

Yuelei walked over and patted Airen's head. “I don't have that aura or dignity that would make people want to follow me. I'm also not as considerate as you are.”

“But you're probably going to be stronger than me sis, you are always studying and practicing with such vigor and dedication. I.... I'm just doing it because I have to.”

“You say that but you're nearly as good as I am when you actually stop daydreaming and focus.” Yuelei admonished. “Don't worry elder-brother, you will become a great king one day.”

“Hopefully that day would come later rather than sooner. May father be long lived like the other Divine Beings, and I be free to roam the world for a while.”

“You really are too free-spirited sometimes, Airen. I wouldn't be surprised if you find out that you have wind or water affinity during the Ceremony.” Yuelei teased.

“And you, my dear sister, would have fire or earth affinity.” Airen replied.

“Oh, why would you say that?”

“Because we're total opposites, sister.” And a few seconds after, “...Not like that's a bad thing.“

-

The next day.

In a small courtyard, Yuelei and Airen were standing side by side, facing Jourmind. In their hands were two wooden rapiers.

“The Casteya Clan's weapon of status is a heavy rapier. Even after you two young ones go for the Hidden Potential Ceremony and find out your chosen weapon of choice, as a member of the Casteya Clan, you will always have the rapier to defend yourself.” Jourmind lectured. “Although the rapier is mostly a weapon for duels, today the both of you will spar with me. Victory to the one that lands the first hit.”

“Yes Teacher!” Yuelei and Airen shouted and readied their stances. Yuelei held the rapier to the left of her chest, the tip pointing straight up, her left foot and shoulder forward. Next to her, Airen held the rapier forward with one arm extended, his right shoulder forward.

“So Yuelei is the defense, and Airen the offense, eh?” Jourmind was an eighth-ranked duelist, and he observed them closely as he deflected the first thrust from Airen, and followed up with light swing which was promptly blocked by Yuelei.

“Hmm?” Jourmind exclaimed as Yuelei suddenly changed her stance and aggressively stepped into the swing and traced her rapier along the edge of his, the blade quickly closing in towards his face. He flicked his blade and knocked Yuelei off-balance. Just as he was about to counter-attack Yuelei, two well-timed thrusts flew past Yuelei’s shoulder forced him to defend.

“Not bad”. Jourmind took two steps back to put some distance between them. Yuelei had recovered and was standing next to Airen again. Jourmind had limited his attacks to that of a second-ranked duelist as to not harm the two, and after five more similar skirmishes, he decided that they were able to stand on par with him as long as he wasn't using any of his ranked weapon arts.

“Brace yourselves!” Jourmind took a stance with the rapier held horizontally and pulled back, like an arrow nocked onto a bow. Airen and Yuelei were familiar with this stance and jumped backwards. A rank one duelist weapon art -- Sonic Thrust. Jourmind released the art as the rapier thrust forward, and two bullets of force shot towards Airen and Yuelei. Yuelei managed to dodge the long ranged thrust of force, but Airen blocked it head on and was sent flying. He flew a few meters before falling to the ground. Seeing this, Jourmind closed the distance between him, and Yuelei and attacked.

“I had thought that your brother was the better one when it came to determining decisions, but seeing that he blocked the art, I suppose I was wrong.” Jourmind said as he traded blows with Yuelei, carefully controlling his power so she could block his attacks, but still enough to overwhelm her. “Unlike your brother who feints and attempts to outwit the enemy, you refine your moves to match the enemy. If it was your brother who was dueling with me now, I doubt that he would have lasted this long.”

“Thanks for the praise, teacher, but you must not underestimate Airen” Yuelei smiled and dodged to the left of Jourmind 's thrust with a light spin and attacked with a thrust of her own.

“He's already out of the fight, think of this as a supplementary lesson for you.” Jourmind replied, twirling her rapier out of her hands and onto the ground. “But it seems like this lesson is also over.”

“I think not.” Yuelei's eyes were smiling.

“?” Jourmind sensed a fast approaching object and turned around to see Airen finish releasing a Sonic Thrust at him. He stood his ground as the bullet of force flew towards him, blocking it easily with a flick of his weapon. “A... a Sonic Thrust?” Jourmind had never taught him the ability, thinking it was too soon. As he stood in shock, Yuelei had retrieved her rapier and lightly poked his behind with it.

“Teacher, I think we won.”

-