📖 Volume 1: The Call of the Competition
✨ Chapter 1: The Call of the Competition
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The first light of dawn spilled through the modest window of a small wooden house at the edge of Elloria Village. Kaito Hiroto lay awake on his simple straw bed, watching golden beams dance across the ceiling.
Elloria was quiet — as always — the gentle hum of nature greeting him like an old friend. He rose slowly, stretching stiff limbs from yesterday's training, and stepped outside into the crisp morning air.
> In the tranquil village of Elloria, a young man named Kaito Hiroto begins his day with a sense of curiosity and determination.
He made his way to the nearby stream, bucket in hand. Birds chirped overhead, the sound of flowing water calming his mind. He bent to fill his pail, the cold liquid splashing against his skin.
> Another day begins, Kaito thought, gazing at his reflection in the stream. The peace and serenity of this village always rejuvenates my spirit.
Returning through the winding paths of Elloria, Kaito paused as voices drifted from the village square. A small group of villagers huddled together, whispering with unusual excitement.
Curious, Kaito stepped closer, careful not to draw attention.
"Have you heard?" one villager said, voice low but urgent. "There's a competition in the Royal Capital. They say the winner gains entry to the Royal Academy of Magic!"
Kaito's heart skipped a beat. The Royal Academy — a place of legend, where only the noblest and strongest magic wielders trained. For someone like him, a non-royal with nothing but raw talent and stubborn resolve, it felt like an impossible dream. Yet here it was — a door, however narrow, cracking open.
> The Royal Academy of Magic… a place where I could hone my skills and prove my worth as a summoner.
I must seize this opportunity.
Without another thought, Kaito dashed through the village lanes to find his closest friends — Yamato Renjiro, the stoic shadow magician, and Emily Haruka, whose calm demeanor hid her fierce loyalty. He found them near the training field where they often sparred late into the night.
"Yamato! Emily!" Kaito called, breathless. "I heard something that could change everything. There's a competition — in the Royal Capital. If we win, we can enter the Royal Academy!"
Yamato raised an eyebrow, brushing back his dark hair. "Isn't that school for royals only? Even if it's open, how do you think we'll make it in?"
Emily's gentle eyes clouded with concern. "He's right, Kaito. The royals' power and mana levels… they're on a different plane altogether. We're just commoners."
But Kaito met their doubts head-on, fists clenched at his sides. "I know. But I believe in us. We've trained harder than anyone in this village. Our bond — our resolve — it's stronger than any bloodline. Together, we can defy them all."
Yamato studied him, then smirked faintly. "Perhaps you're onto something. Our unity might be our greatest weapon."
Emily's doubt softened, replaced by a spark of hope. "If you believe in us, then so do I. Let's show them that true power doesn't come from royal blood — it comes from the heart."
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That night, Kaito sat across from his mother in their small, candlelit home. She watched him with tired but loving eyes as he hesitated with his words.
"Mom… I need your blessing. There's a competition in the Capital — if I win, I can enter the Royal Academy."
His mother's expression tensed. "Kaito, that place… it's meant for royals. Even if they let you in, how can you stand against them?"
Kaito met her gaze, unwavering. "Because I have trained for this. And I won't aim for second place, Mother. I'll fight with everything I have."
Silence fell between them, broken only by the flicker of the candle's flame. Then, her eyes softened with quiet pride. "If you're going to do this, do it for yourself. Let your strength come from your heart, not just your power."
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That night, sleep came fitfully. When it did, Kaito dreamed — a hazy figure stood in a timeless void, a warrior from centuries past who looked just like him. The figure smiled, as if passing a torch through time.
Kaito woke before dawn, the dream lingering like an echo. He rose, dressed, and stepped outside where Yamato and Emily were already waiting.
The journey to the Royal Capital was short, but the competition grounds were anything but humble. A sprawling arena buzzed with magic and chatter. Hundreds of competitors — nobles, commoners, outcasts — all gathered with the same fire burning in their veins.
Kaito looked at his friends, heart pounding. "Today we prove ourselves — not just to them, but to us."
Yamato's lips curled into a rare smile. "We've come this far. Let's show them our worth."
Emily touched Kaito's shoulder, her eyes bright with resolve. "Together. No matter what."
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The competition began.
Kaito felt the raw energy surge through the arena as battles broke out on every platform. Spells flared, weapons clashed. He fought with the flow of nature, calling forth a Wind Guardian to deflect a noble's blazing fire spell.
The royal sneered. "Impressive. But you can't dodge forever."
Kaito gritted his teeth. I'm done dodging. He raised his hand, summoning a magnificent blade of whirling energy — the Bladestorm Sword. Elemental power crackled in the air around him.
With a cry, Kaito swung — Elemental Fusion! Fire, wind, and water merged in a dazzling storm that swallowed his opponent's flames and left the royal sprawling in the dust.
Cheers erupted from the stands. Kaito stood, chest heaving, as sunlight caught the swirl of residual magic in the air.
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Elsewhere in the arena, Yamato faced down a C-ranked knight, shadows swirling at his feet.
"You talk big for a magic user," the knight sneered, sword gleaming.
Yamato's reply was calm, cold. "Shadow Veil."
In an instant, he vanished into darkness, reappearing behind the knight in a blur. Tendrils of shadow lashed out, binding the knight's limbs like iron chains.
"Embrace the darkness. Quicksand Whirlpool."
The earth beneath the knight roiled and sank, dragging him down. The knight's curses were swallowed by the shadows, leaving Yamato alone, untouched, as the crowd erupted in awe.
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Near the final stage, an unknown royal and a lone non-royal stepped forward. The tension thickened as magic clashed, raw and merciless.
Kaito watched, a chill crawling up his spine as the non-royal fell — blood on marble, magic dissipating in the air. The royal barely looked down at his defeated opponent.
Emily shivered beside him. "This is the strength of the royals… terrifying."
Yamato's eyes narrowed. "We must be cautious. There is more to this than power alone."
As the arena settled into an uneasy silence, Kaito clenched his fists at his sides. No matter their lineage… I'll stand above them.
The wind carried his silent vow into the night sky. The path to the Royal Academy had only just begun.
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End of Chapter 1