1 1. The World of Mages and Knights

Renias is a world filled with mages and knights. Its scenery contains beautiful landscapes and a peaceful demeanor. Most of the reason this world is peaceful and beautiful is that ten people govern the world as a whole.

Ten people stand at the top and known to the world as masters. These masters are all different from each other. Some are knights, and some are mages. Most are diverse in race and color, but they all have the same role, to protect the world from chaos.

There are kingdoms all around the world. Each has its people and diplomatic relationship. The masters don't control nor interfere with these kingdoms unless some reckless decision causes them to.

Wars, for example. There have been many wars since the creation of the kingdoms. Unless these wars cause a large amount of death or an unstoppable nation with a thirst for battle, the masters leave them be.

The masters' highest priority and the most significant goal is to protect the world from harm. If any high-level beast were spotted, it would be their job to stop it. If a demon-lord ever started rampaging in a kingdom, it would be their job to stop it. Though they protect the world, they also create world-level decisions.

If they have to, they can manipulate kingdoms so that their decisions are acknowledged. Each nation also had a vote, but it was the masters' final call. For example, one choice was the birth of a demon lord. Kingdoms of humans and beastkin all voted to eliminate the demon lord, but those of demon blood voted to keep him.

The masters voted and made the final call to keep the demon lord, but to watch him closely. Two kingdoms didn't like this choice and decided to team up and retaliate. Other nations who agreed with the domains only supported giving them supplies.

The masters sent only three people. Two of the masters were sent to the retaliating kingdoms, while one master got sent to manipulate the other kingdoms' views. In the end, the supporting kingdoms' stopped supporting the two domains, and those kingdoms suddenly stopped retaliating after one year. Let's say some cities were missing from the map.

After this incident, all the kingdoms supported the masters. Since then, no other events have occurred. Even the demon lord decided to follow the masters. Though the masters didn't live forever...

Usually, the master who left their position left it with their heir. This has been customary for years, allowing the masters always to be diverse. Although this has been customary for years and years, the masters decided to change it.

"People of Renias, hear our call! Hear, on the 10th; we declare a change of the masters. We will be leaving our positions and giving them away to the new generation of people who have immense powers. All are welcome to try out. Race, gender, and statue, none of these are required to try out.

"The only requirement is that of a young age dependant on your race. Those who wish to try out must attend Renias's Academy. Then, once the new freshman reaches seniors, those who are at the top will become the modern masters! Even if your a newcomer by that time, if you reach the top, then you too will be a master.

"Again, you must attend Renias's Academy! Due to the size, only 1,000 new freshmen are allowed into the school. This means only 4,000 people will have the chance to reach the top. If the new masters are lacking, we will return!"

And thus, the world came into an uproar. Kingdoms started rusting to send high mages and knights to Renias's Academy, which is a school that mainly hosts the masters' children. However, the nations didn't just send mages and knights but beautiful girls and handsome men. These people are only used to get romantically involved with future masters. If they succeed, they will also become famous and popular just by being the significant partner of the masters.

The Renias Academy taught these children, getting them ready to become masters. There were other students too. The school is known for its highly developed teachings and immense knowledge for magic and fighting.

Since this school is known for its teachings, only a couple of thousands try to attend. After the announcement, however, millions upon millions applied to the school.

Now then, five days have passed since the masters' announcement, making today the 15th of the last month (Decim). Only 15 more days remain until the start of the Renias's Academy entrance exam.

Those have already started preparing, except for one boy. That boy is named Iko Kuniaki. He has a fascinating history with a heart filled with magic and battles. His tale starts from a different world, one that didn't have magic. After dying at a young age, he was reborn into this world.

Most of Kuniaki's knowledge from his old world, Earth, has been forgotten. Even so, he knows that he used to live there. In this new world, he devoted himself to learning magic and the sword.

Kuniaki is now turning 15 today. Since he escaped the house before seeing his parents, he is unaware that his 'gift' will send him into the battle of becoming a master...

With that, a new book will be written to honor modern masters. The book will contain the stories and deeds each master did during their battle for the top. Love, pain, and sorrow awaits most of the contenders, but those who made it to the top will understand what all the feelings were for...