1 Asuka

Arcane Calendar Year 944

Golden Sun, Present time

Wintervale, Capital city of Asuka Kingdom (Pic)

It was a peaceful day.

A diversified set of individuals flocked and buzzed around, doing their business. Colorful architectures with unique roof tiles, vibrant columns, and walls surrounded by trees, mountains, forests, and rivers –– distinguishing it among the four Kingdoms were its fertile soils that all crops and fruits in all variety thrived in abundant.

But this Kingdom housed beasts in the forests, mountains, and even the rivers. Rich in food, it was the best nesting ground for all sorts of creatures to live.

In Wintervale skyship station, one of the biggest skyship stations in the four Kingdoms with staggering hundreds of state-of-the-art ships, serving thousands and thousands of people each day, skyships made of timber in all sorts of shapes and sizes contented in design and technology. Most in the form of a boat with wings made entirely of wood and light materials. Holding it together in the sky was acres of fabric filled with hot air more than the size of the ship, with the Kingdom of Asuka's crest painted on all sides.

The Asuka Kingdom was famed for its rich, diversified cultures, so it wasn't surprising that the station looked like a street festival with vivid, vibrant colors. Colorful fabrics, all with Asuka's royal emblem stitched on it, decorating the walls, hanging in ropes up in the open ceiling for all to view. Colorful balloons in all shapes and sizes were flying freely across the sky as confetti's rain like showers, celebrating the opening of the school year.

Different languages were buzzing about. Different clothing added to the festive mood, and young and old people came to celebrate, sending their children and loved ones off.

Amidst the sea of crowds, young and ambitious youths lined its corridors. Mostly nineteen years of age in the same uniform, albeit different colors.

Two things were shared between these youths.

One, their cerulean-colored emblem, a symbol of Arcane. All elements in harmony and balance, all in one pattern in white and blue.

(Pic)

And two, those intricately silver metal on their limbs of what seemed like a piece of jewelry with a smooth shining cerulean-colored stone at the center, the Armalest.

Not far away from the bustling and hustling skyship bound to Arcane Academy, a striking lean youth was standing with straight iron back, listening to his parents' words of goodbyes and well wishes with a smile on his face.

His dirty white hair ruffled with the wind, a little longer in the front and short in the back. His silver eyes were a bit panic, unease even, but the kindness was brimming amongst the rest.

He was dress in a formal white collar shirt with a blue necktie under a red double-breasted four button jacket decorated in simple patterns, signifying a first year in Arcane Academy. An Arcane emblem was stitched on each upper side of his sleeve's jacket, and a cerulean emblem badge was pinned at the front of his left upper pocket. An intricately silver metal bracelet with shining cerulean stone at the center and a button below for communication was hugging his right hand – an Armalest.

Rain Rizwalde, famed son of House Rizwalde. (Pic)

Only son of Earl Raymont Rizwalde and Countess Althea Rizwalde in the small town of Springwater south of Asuka Kingdom.

The Rizwalde were not military men but just ordinary civilians. Only, due to their sword skills, they directly served the King and Queen of Asuka Kingdom. And due to the Rizwalde's strength and battle prowess, especially when it came to the swords, the King conferred the title of Earl and gifted the Rizwalde family lands to govern that was now the Springwater Town.

A simply dressed lady in her forties who garner some gazes, holding a handkerchief which she occasionally tapped on her misty eyes, was giving her heartfelt goodbyes to her only son.

Althea Rizwalde, wife of Raymont Rizwalde. The lady of Springwater Town.

"Rain, you didn't forget anything, did you? Call us once you arrive in Arcane Academy, alright?"

"Mother, don't worry." Rain made a side glance at his leather suitcase that was almost half the size of him as he tapped it with his hand. "With this luggage, the question you should ask is whether I have brought with me the entire house," he teased, trying to ease his mother's loneliness from their parting.

Althea stared at her son and tears blurred her vision once more. If she could, she would empty all their house belongings for him to live comfortably in the Arcane Academy's dorms.

It was a known fact that students of the said Academy were forbidden to leave the premises once the school started. They would only come back home during the end of the school year and breaks.

"Rain."

A deep voice, rough and hardened which commanded respect and authority, brought Rain to attention. His eyes shot in alert at the man who stood straight and powerful amidst the crowds. He stood tall with unspoken years of experience. His face hardened with hardship. He was like a sword, sharp, lethal, cutting anyone in his path.

This man is the lord of Springwater town and the man who trained Rain with the way of the sword.

Raymont Rizwalde, legendary swordmaster in the Four kingdoms. (Pic)

"Father," Rain replied, voice all formal.

The way his voice was soft and gentle towards his mother was the exact opposite towards his father. His back straightened more under his father's gaze.

"Don't embarrass the Rizwalde's name."

That was the only thing Raymont said, yet Rain felt like the whole world was sitting on his shoulders.

Pressure.

That was it. Plain and simple.

Rain nodded, eyes never wavered. His sight only softened when his little sister called for him.

"Brother, promise me that you'll call me every day," a lady chimed in, sniffling and hiccupping, trying hard to compose herself.

Elise Rizwalde, the little angel of light. (Pic)

"Every day . . . is a little . . ." Rain hesitated as his smile froze on his lips.

When Elise's chin trembled, he grinned and patted her head. "Alright."

Elise brushed off all the grace and etiquette of a noble lady ironed into her since young as she flew to his brother's embrace, garnering eyes towards them. Murmurs and gazes reciprocated the brother's and sister's affection, but the Rizwalde couple didn't bat an eyelid. This was a precious moment between their family. What's a minute of showing emotion compared to months of parting?

Ten meters away from the Rizwalde's, there was another family who was busy saying their goodbyes.

A pair of siblings. One, a lady in her twenties, dress in the finest silk, lace, and embroidery. Her face was soft and kind like an angel. Her aura and gestures were calm and well-mannered.

Natalia Hal, the noble lady in the east. (Pic)

She was hugging a boy who was just above her waist. It looked like she was clutching a kid with their height differences.

The boy was dress in the same red formal uniform of Arcane Academy's first-year student and had an Armalest ring on his pinky finger. His light brown hair was the same color as his eyes, and the softness of his features made him younger than his age.

Ethan Hal, shy boy of the ballad. (Pic)

The only son of General Durant Hal. One of the mighty generals in the Kingdom of Asuka. (Pic)

"Ethan, if you need anything, contact me as soon as you can, alright?" Natalia released Ethan and cupped his face, staring at it for the longest time, memorizing every inch.

The two of them were the only family left. Their mother died in an accident years ago while their father was always guarding the northern borders.

Natalia was a mother and father to Ethan, taking care of him since the tragedy. And now that her only companion would leave her and go to Arcane Academy, her heart swelled with both loneliness and pride.

"Sis, don't worry about me. I'm a man now. I can take care of myself."

Natalia restrained a giggle. If she wasn't feeling sad at their parting, she might laugh out loud. Seeing her only baby brother's innocent pouting face coupled with that soft, weak voice –– Ethan looked so adorable that she pressed him once more against her ample bosom, causing Ethan to struggle for air.

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A/N

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