Naming

Within an excessively large hall, A young man with broad shoulders and a muscular physique kneeled on a wooden stage, 17 other young men and women watching him from the ground behind.

Before the man stood two others, each of significant positions in the Kingdom. Head Instructor Nicholas, and Eudes Clarke. Behind them stood every royal instructor present in the estate.

"Eight-Thirteen." Eudes began, speaking to the kneeling man before him. "In the past ten years, since the time you were but a boy you have shown an incredible talent for battle and cultivation, surpassing our every expectation of you. I have seen you cultivating beneath the light of the sun, and hold great expectations for your future.

"With those thoughts in mind, today, Eight-Thirteen, I grant you your true name, may it bring you ever closer to your fullest potential.

"Open your heart and accept what I say now as truth. You are no longer Thirteen. From this day forward, your true name is Lucian, meaning light. May you continue to outshine all expectations of you, until the moment none dare guess at your potential any longer."

Thirteen did as he had been instructed, opening his mind to the fact that he was no longer Thirteen.

"You are Lucian"

""You are Lucian"" Every one of the instructors said at once, a strangely compelling intent in their voices.

As Eudes Clarke stepped back and Lucian remained kneeled before them, Nicholas took a step forward to speak.

"For bearing through these tough years, and proving yourself worthy of the King's expectations, on behalf of the royal crown, I grant you your family name of Valaran, may you bring valor to your line.

"In awakening five physical attributes, you have proven your potential beyond a doubt, and King Magnus IV recognizes your talent. From this day forth, you are a Knight of the great Demia Kingdom, and shall bear the name Moretti.

"Now rise, Lucian Moretti Valaran, and claim your rank as Fist of the King."

Lucian rose from his kneeled position, his point of view rising until he found himself looking down at the top of Nicholas' head.

Now a young man of 15 years of age, Lucian had almost finished his vertical growth, standing at 6'3" with an intimidating physique and long wild black hair. His stark blue eyes looked down to the cloth covered board in Nicholas' hand, and the two metal badges resting on it.

Helper Melia approached from the side of the stage and smoothly picked the badges off the cloth, attaching them to his breast. A Platinum pin depicting a gauntleted fist before a throne, and a golden pin displaying two crossing swords backed by a knight's helm.

Melia stepped back as did Nicholas, before he spoke.

"Lucian Moretti Valaran, welcome to the fold."

Nicholas extended a hand towards Lucian, and with smooth motions that hid his surprise at the gesture, Lucian gave it a single, firm shake.

A small applause rang from the instructors, followed by the many helpers lining the sides of the hall, and then the other students whom Lucian returned to stand next to as his friends were called on stage one by one.

"Eight-Four, in the past ten years you have proven more than your physical or mental strength, but also your strength of character. As the oldest left among the eighth generation, and the most straightforward and honorable of your peers, I grant you the name of Tyrius, may your strength hold true in the years to come."

Eudes displayed none of the disdain Thirteen, or rather Lucian, had seen him express for Four previously. Evidently he took the naming ceremony very seriously.

"You are Tyrius"

""You are Tyrius"" The instructors echoed.

Soon thereafter, Nicholas declared his full name and title as Knight of Demia and Fist of the King, bestowing two badges like Lucian's own.

As time passed, everyone belonging to the Clarke Estates eighth generation was named and titled.

"Eight-Ten, for your efforts in honing your blade and dispatching threats to the crown and kingdom, I grant you your titles and name you Tess.

"Eight-Nine" … "Rise now as Theodorn, and accept your badges."

"Eight-Forty-five" … "From this day until your last, your name is Delia."

When every one of the eighth generation had been named, they all stood in formation as Nicholas concluded the ceremony.

"It has been a great deal of years since I started instructing children at the Clarke Estate, and I have noticed a trend of late. Every generation proves themselves more talented than the last. Every generation awakens more attributes than the last. Every generation is more crucial to our kingdom, than the last.

"I want every one of you to remember not just the hard challenges and rigorous training we put you through, but also the sheer amount of knowledge and resources we have entrusted to your futures. Just a simple look around this room will reveal over a dozen Royal Instructors and even more experts of the kingdom. We each remained here for 10 years, doing everything we could to ensure your futures, and I hope each of you will remember that sacrifice."

Nicholas glanced at the smiling Eudes Clarke for a moment before he continued.

"No matter what others may say or do to make you neglect this fact."

After a short pause, he continued in a louder, more formal voice.

"As we promised you ten years ago, those of you who made it through to this day will be given the freedom to return to those towns and villages you came from and reunite with whoever it is you may know in those places.

"I hereby grant every one of you, the final 18 of the eighth generation, one year to do as you wish and see the world. You are all the King's men now, and I expect to see every one of you back here a year later to accept your assignments.

"Good luck, children, and live well."

As Nicholas stepped back, Instructor Diores called out.

"Formation! Row one, salute! Dismissed.

"Row two, salute! Dismissed."

One by one the four rows of students saluted with a hand over their heart, over the badges pinned to their chest, before filing out of the great hall.

The moment he left the great cultivation hall, Lucian's lips twisted into a smile.

He had done it.

His name was Lucian Moretti Valaran, and he was both a Knight of Demia and a Fist of the King. The latter was a title given to every graduate of the estate, and represented his identity as a direct subordinate of the royalty, an individual of great skill employed wherever needed.

"Lucian, huh?"

A heavy voice called out from behind him and Lucian turned to find Four, or rather, Tyrius, throwing an arm around his shoulder.

"How's that huh? Three of the four Knights came from our group! I knew I had a good eye all those years ago."

Lucian thought back to the first time he met what had become his lifelong friends. Four had walked over to him with Ten and Nine who he met just a minute or two earlier and introduced himself.

Back then Ten was a shorty, somewhat emaciated from a lack of food, while Nine seemed shy and reserved. Four… hadn't changed much, Lucian realized. He was still the same straightforward, large figured boy from all those years ago, only now a mature, caring personality and a fierce will rested behind his easy going exterior.

And he had gotten bigger.

'Much bigger' Lucian thought as he realised his eyes were looking the tiniest bit upwards to meet Tyrius' own. Lucian's height had been skyrocketing all throughout his growth, being as large as adults like Fane and Ron two years ago when he was still in the midst of growth. But to have not one but two freaks like them in the 18 remaining students was amazing.

"So now I have to call you Tyrius huh?" Lucian clicked his tongue "I'm so used to using one syllable, it feels like i'm droning on. How about Tyr?"

"Only if I get to call you Lu" Tyr smiled.

"No… I'm good." Lucian said with a wry smile, he really didn't like the sound of that.

As they were talking, Lucian suddenly smiled, having a feeling someone was behind him.

The next instant, a young woman with long black hair and bright blue eyes seemingly materialised behind him, feet of the ground as her arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders.

"We're free!" Tess called as she hung from his back, smiling brightly at him and Tyrius.

"A whole year, I don't even know where I'll go in that time." Nine, now Theodorn, said as he approached in a calm manner.

Tess had grown to 5'6" tall, a bit above average, with long black hair down to her waist and strangely pale skin for a woman who trained under the sun. Theodorn had grown too, to a total of exactly 6', and had a well toned body. If Lucian could be called jacked, and Tyr was approaching amateur bodybuilder levels of mass, Theo was lean and fit, appearing quite agile.

"Will you finally head back to Rehall Thir– Lucian?"

"Right…" He responded, somewhat absentmindedly.

Lucian remembered missing home so much when he first came here, but now? He couldn't remember even thinking about Rehall in the past few years. He had what he felt was a strong image of the place in his head, but when he thought about the details it was lacking any.

"I guess I will." He finished after a moment. "What about you Tyr, what will you do."

"I like Tyrius more," He grumbled. "I don't know. I don't really have anywhere I care to return to, I might just go explore for a year, or join a mercenary company and see real battle?"

Lucian nodded before catching sight of Delia, looking around for them. She had been in the fourth row that left last.

After using his large stature to signal her with a wave, he looked to Tess who had dropped down beside him.

"Hm? I don't really know. I don't have an orphanage to go back to, I lived in the slums before coming here."

Lucian knew this, but was missing a step in her journey, so he figured he'd ask.

"How did you end up here then? Who found out you were a meta?"

Tess pursed her lips for a moment before replying. "I may have, accidentally… stolen from a cultivator?" She turned her head to the side slightly, averting her gaze as if embarrassed at Lucian's wry look.

"H-how was I supposed to know? I didn't even know what a cultivator was at the time. When he caught me reaching for his coin pouch, I hit him in the belly" She smiled at the last part.

"Ahah so that was it" He responded with a chuckle. Tess, or whatever name she went by at the time, was a strength meta. Even though her mutation was new and she lacked cultivation to multiply its effects, that still would have hurt if the man in question was only in the fundamental realm."

As he chuckled, Delia, formerly Forty-five, reached them. "So that sucker sent you here for the reward? Why don't you go find him and rob him properly?"

Tess was shocked at the words and slightly confused. "Why?"

"What? For sending you here! What else?"

"But he helped me?"

"Huh?" Now it was Delia who had no idea what the other was going on about.

"If I'd not been sent here then I'd still be starving." Tess said, "Besides, look at me now."

She stretched her hands out wide as if showing off something.

Delia's eyes found their way to Tess' modest chest and looked even more confused as to what she was on about, causing Tess to retract her hands and lean away, clicking her tongue.

"I meant I'm healthy…" She grumbled.

Before Delia could feel awkward at her misunderstanding, Tyrius lowered himself to whisper to her, delivering a warning of good-intent.

"I know you still feel some discontent with this place, but we're done, and our futures are guaranteed. You need to let it go, for your own sake.

Okay?"

He pressed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed slightly with the final word.

"Fine… I know." She whispered in response.

As they talked in hushed voices, Theo spoke to his roommate.

"Lucian, do you still have that gourd from years ago? From the crater monkey."

Lucian's lips pressed into a thin smile of anticipation "I do indeed."

"What's this?" Tyr asked, having finished whispering with Delia.

"A gourd of wine, 5ft tall and incredibly potent."

"We drank a bit when we got it but…" Tess trailed off.

"We hadn't drunk before, so it was overkill" Lucian finished.

"Oh?" Tyr seemed strangely interested as Theo spoke up once more.

"Nicholas had said to leave it for the day we graduate, so why don't we meet up tonight?"

"Sure" Delia answered. "I'd like a final night before we all part ways."

Her words came out unintentionally sad as everyone remembered the fact that they would split up the next day.

Trying to salvage the mood, Lucian spoke in a deliberately excited voice. "Why don't we go into the woods tonight? The helpers, instructors, and other students will still be around and I'd rather spend the night with just us."

"Good." Tyr announced with a deep voice. "Then let's meet at dusk, the gate west of the estate into the woods.

"Tonight then." Delia continued after Tyr. "I'll see you all then."

As she turned to leave, Tyr too nodded at the others before making his exit back to the dorm to begin packing. Tess parted with Theo and Lucian, returning to her dorm with Delia, while the remaining two walked back in silence.

Lucian and Theodorn had been roommates and friends for a decade now. They weren't very similar, and there were times they clashed, but the two were close. To part ways now felt so sudden that neither knew what to say as they walked the halls back to their dorm.

When they arrived and began packing whatever essentials they needed, Theodorn finally spoke up.

"There will be plenty of time to work together in the future. And I doubt we'll be given no time to have lives of our own."

Lucian smiled as he turned to look at Theo, extending a hand to him.

"We'll always be brothers, estate or not."

Theo shook his hand firmly "Of course." and Lucian pulled his brother in for a hug before slapping him on the back and separating.

When he resumed packing everything he needed into satchels and boxes, he grasped one of the pins at his chest with his forefinger and thumb, rotating it to look at the thing. The golden pin, marked by crossing swords before a closed face helmet, was the insignia of a Knight. Both insignia's were roughly 4cm in diameter and bordered by a circle ring, though the swords on this one formed an X that cut through that border.

Releasing it and looking at the luggage piled on his bed, Lucian tried to exercise his will to activate the badge.

A cultivator's will had power. Qi cultivators were the first to make use of this, using their Qi as a medium to transmit that will, but in the fifth stage of body cultivation, Augmentors would often cultivate the will directly, forging it into a tangible force.

Before that point, augmentors could still cause effect with their will, but it was a difficult and painstaking thing to learn, bearing results far inferior to what a Qi cultivator could achieve in a fraction of the time. There were art's like those practiced by Tyrius that let one train their will early in the path of cultivation, but that's another story.

Because their will was inefficient and capable only of simple things, Augmentors needed built in gestures to manipulate magic artifacts, incapable of performing the complicated activation sequence without the flexible Qi to carry their will.

High end artifacts, however, were an exception to this. They were built capable of bonding one persons individual's will to the item, and allowing that person exclusive, swift control of its function. To make an artifact like this was very difficult, and so only the master artificers in Demia were capable of it.

The two metal insignias on his breast now were each capable of this, and with but a thought, his luggage vanished, stored within a very large spatial pocket linked to the Knight's badge.

Looking at the 5ft tall gourd, it too was deposited into the badge's space.

Lucian took a deep breath as he looked around his mostly empty room. He felt a strange mix of sadness and excitement swelling within him.

It was time to leave.