1 The Beginning

9 Descim 1107.

In the morning, the bright sky shone over the Alvestia Academy, where the tournament for youths under the age of 12 was being held.

Two young boys were fighting, one with dark hair and the other with yellow hair. They were evenly matched, blocking punches and kicks. The difference between them was that the dark-haired boy, Shu Wastle, was only 10 years old, while the other boy, Evan Hanstein, was 12 years old.

Evan started to use magic spells, shouting, "Fire BALL!" Shu dodged it and released a straight punch, but Evan kept spamming fire balls at him. Shu, with his nimbleness, kept avoiding the fire balls. At some point, Evan became tired. That was when Shu realized it and slammed the floor with his leg, launching himself towards Evan. "Take my punch!" Shu shouted. With a fast dash towards Evan, Shu's punch finally hit Evan in the face. BAM! The sound of the punch landing echoed through the court.

With the power of Shu's punch, Evan flew out of the court. The audience stood up, everyone seemed shocked. "Wow! A 10-year-old boy beat a 12-year-old!" they exclaimed. Evan was actually the most prodigious student in the Empire Martial School until Shu arrived.

The referee announced that Shu was the winner of the 102nd Alvestia Academy Youth tournament. Shu raised his hand with a happy smile. At the same time, a group of parents at the main view smiled and cried; they were Shu's parents. But beside them, there was an angry smile on the face of the king of the Alvestia Kingdom, Evan's father, King Hanstein the 3rd.

Shu's parents are General Andrian Wastle and Princess Latina Hanstein, the most trusted general of the kingdom. Shu's mother is the sister of the King, Latina Hanstein."

On the podium, Shu received the medal from the King. "Congratulations," said the King with a smile. Inside, he was grinding his teeth with an angry expression. He looked at his son with sharp eyes, while Evan looked down with sadness. The crowd was divided, with some being happy and some being sad. Envy and jealousy began to build up among some of them.

"Congratulations, son!" said Andrian as he put his hand on Shu's shoulder. Latina hugged Shu with tears in her eyes and said, "You are the best, Shu." Shu's face turned red with embarrassment.

And Shu's friends came to the podium, shouting "Congrats Shu!" There were three of Shu's best friends: Sauri, a 10-year-old girl, Fedd, a 10-year-old boy, and lastly Gants, also a 10-year-old boy. They all greeted Shu with big smiles.

As time passed and night fell, a masked man entered the King's chamber. "Your Majesty, we are ready to complete your task. Just give us the order," said the masked man.

"Andrian keeps rising in power. I am afraid he will rebel against me. Soon his family will vanish!" The King said through gritted teeth and with anger in his voice.

To be continue...