(One year after the last event. Twenty years before the events of Rise of Kairon.)
The sun rose lazily above the Elite Academy Arena, casting a golden hue over the packed stands. The roar of the crowd echoed like thunder — an orchestra of cheers, fluttering flags, and hearts beating as one. It was the National Hero Draft Day, the event that decided who would become the future of humanity.
On massive floating screens, cameras broadcasted every detail to the entire world. The logo of the Hero Association shimmered in blue, bearing the words:
10th National Hero Draft — Where Legends Are Born.
In the royal balcony, four legendary figures observed the field: Lorien Valtier, leader of the Guild of a Thousand Lights; Diana Flamesoul, commander of the Phoenix Guild; Hayate Nami, master of the Vortex; and Rudius Eldara, head of Leviathan.Each of them carried not only power but a story — and today, they all sought the same thing: the future.
The Announcement
The lights dimmed.Suddenly, a commanding voice echoed through the speakers, ceremonial and strong:
"ATTENTION, EVERYONE! Welcome to the 10th National Hero Draft!"
The crowd erupted in applause.
"The Draft is the greatest tournament for young hero candidates! Every year, the best students with Primordial Aura compete in four trials that test body, mind, and soul.This is not just a competition — it is the event that determines who will stand at the front lines of humanity."
Spotlights swept across the field, focusing on the uniformed youths waiting in the preparation zone. Among them, three stood out like sparks ready to ignite the world.
The Young Heroes
Darius Valtier chewed on a protein bar, looking bored yet confident.His uniform hung loosely, revealing the pendant with the Valtier crest.He grinned and raised his fist.
"Showtime! Let's make history, Inavy!"
Inavy Stormbreak, his emerald-green eyes steady, took a deep breath. His name carried expectations — the son of Ray Stormbreak, the legendary hero who changed the world.But he didn't want to live in his father's shadow. He wanted to forge his own legacy.
"I just need to stay focused," he murmured.
Beside them, Rose Eldara watched the crowd. Her eyes reflected sheer determination.
"Kelvin Nox is up there," she said, gazing toward the top of the observation tower, where the Black Swordsman stood, watching the arena silently."The champion will face him… we'll need to be flawless."
The Final Rule
The announcer's voice thundered again, vibrating through the air:
"The winner of the final round will face last year's Rookie of the Year — Kelvin Nox, vice-captain of the Guild of a Thousand Lights!If the champion defeats him, they'll earn +500 points and the title of Guilds' Number One Pick!"
The crowd roared.
"The top three scorers will be known as:
1st Place — Number One Pick2nd Place — Number Two Pick3rd Place — Number Three Pick
and will be personally recruited by the leaders of the world's greatest guilds!"
The First Trial — The Weight of the Gods
"First trial: Physical Strength Test.No use of Primordial Aura will be allowed.Competitors must hold a steel bar weighing 300 tons, with the weight increasing every minute.Time limit: 5 minutes."
A heavy silence fell over the arena.Cameras zoomed in. The banners rippled in the wind. It was time for truth.
The first competitor: Darius Valtier.
The crowd exploded in cheers.
"Typical of a Valtier, isn't it, Lorien?" Diana remarked with a smirk.Lorien folded his arms, smiling faintly."That boy loves the spotlight… but he's got what it takes."
Darius stepped into the center of the arena.The bars were lowered onto his shoulders — the metallic clang reverberated through the stadium.The timer began.
5:00.
During the first minute, Darius smiled confidently.By the second, his muscles began to twitch.3:00.Veins bulged on his neck.4:30."Aaahhh! Damn, this is torture!" he shouted, making the crowd burst into laughter.
"Come on, Darius!" Lorien yelled from the stands. "Just two more minutes!"
Time crawled by.4:58… 4:59…And with only two seconds left, Darius collapsed. The bars hit the ground, cracking the floor beneath him. The impact made the arena tremble.
The crowd cheered wildly, and Darius, lying flat on his back, laughed breathlessly.
"I'm… still alive?"
The Other Competitors
The second competitor, Leon Ravel, lasted four minutes before falling.Many others didn't even reach the two-minute mark.With each attempt, the weight grew heavier — and the challenge crueler.
Then the name echoed across the arena:
"Next competitor: Rose Eldara!"
Rose walked forward in silence, every eye upon her.From the stands, Rudius, her brother, watched with clenched fists."Show them, little sister."
Rose gripped the bars firmly.One minute. Two. Three.The crowd began to rise to their feet as the timer approached the limit.At 4:58, she screamed and held on until the end.A new record.
The stadium erupted in thunderous applause. Rudius smiled with pride.
The Son of the Storm
"Final competitor… Inavy Stormbreak!"
The name echoed like thunder itself.The cameras zoomed in on the young man with silver hair and eyes that gleamed like restrained lightning.
In the stands, Ray Stormbreak watched silently.The black cloak of the former Supreme Hero fluttered in the wind.When Inavy looked up, Ray gave a faint smile and a single nod.
The timer began.
5:00.
Inavy breathed steadily. Each second felt like an eternity.The crowd shouted his name — "Stormbreak! Stormbreak!"
4:30.His arms trembled. Sweat streamed down his face.Pain screamed in every muscle.
"Focus…" he thought. "It's only five minutes. I can do this. I'm… Ray Stormbreak's son!"
4:55.
The crowd rose to their feet, voices joining in a countdown:
"Five! Four! Three! Two! One!"
For a moment, Inavy faltered — the weight nearly crushed him.But then he dug his feet into the ground, roaring against the pain, lightning flashing faintly in his eyes.
The timer hit zero.
The bars crashed to the ground. The arena exploded with cheers.Ray stood up, smiling with pride.Lorien glanced at Diana, astonished.
"Did you see what I saw?""I did," she answered, smiling. "That boy… truly is a Stormbreak."
The New Symbol of Hope
Inavy, panting, looked up at the stands.There stood Ray — the man who had built the modern world of heroes — now watching his son take his first step on that same path.Ray's smile was subtle, but filled with a quiet pride that words couldn't express.
"That kid… he's got the right blood," one commentator whispered."The storm still runs through this world."
The crowd chanted his name again and again, the sound shaking the air itself.
"Inavy! Inavy! Inavy!"
Ray closed his eyes for a moment, a thought crossing his mind:
"He'll go beyond me… He'll be the spark that reignites the age of heroes."
Inavy smiled — sweaty, exhausted, yet standing tall.And in that moment, the symbol of a new generation was born.