Volume 1: The Call of the Competition
Chapter 2: Echoes of the Void Monarch
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A thousand years ago, a legend was forged in blood and shadow. A man rose whose power eclipsed the monarchs of the world — an existence so unfathomable he was called by many names: Voidrend, Harbinger of Death, the Void Monarch. His authority bent the limits of magic, life, and death alike.
But when he clashed with Aurelios, the Heavenly Dragon of Light, the world was spared their wrath only by their sudden disappearance. Yet even in whispers, the legend endured: the Void Monarch would return in a thousand years' time.
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Present Day — Royal Arena
The sun cast its light on a colossal arena overflowing with expectant roars. Thousands had gathered to witness the greatest test of might and lineage — but none awaited more eagerly than the moment Kaito would appear.
He did not disappoint.
In an instant, space itself folded — and Kaito stood at the center of the battlefield, his arrival marked by the shimmer of ancient teleportation magic, long lost to history.
A hush swept the arena. A Royal stepped forward, arrogance painting his smile.
> Unknown Royal: "Trying to run away, non-Royal? It's only natural to fear your betters."
Kaito's eyes narrowed, his voice sharp enough to cut through stone.
> Kaito: "You Royals cling to your titles to excuse your weakness. I didn't run. I was preparing… to erase you."
A dark aura gathered, swelling above him, swallowing the daylight in flickers of abyssal shadow.
The Royal, insulted and enraged, lashed out with a storm of lightning. But with a flick of his wrist, Kaito summoned the Wind Guardian, scattering the lightning like dust.
His voice rang out across the hushed crowd.
> Kaito: "Arise, Voltára."
From the void ripped open behind him, a massive Demon Dragon unfurled — Voltára, a being of black flame and swirling emptiness. Its roar silenced even the boldest jeers as it rained shadows upon the trembling Royal, burning him until only Kaito's will spared his life.
Kaito approached the smoldering figure, his presence alone forcing the Royal to the edge of unconsciousness. But instead of a killing blow, Kaito's hand glowed with pure white light.
A spell so rare few alive could wield it — Vitalis, Seraph-tier healing magic — mended the Royal's broken body. The audience gasped at the miracle performed by a boy who should have been far too young, far too ordinary.
When the official declared him the winner, Kaito's knees gave way. Exhausted, he collapsed upon the battlefield that could barely contain the truth of what he was.
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In the Royal Box
High above, King Helios Vendor watched with eyes wide in dread.
> The Void Monarch… in the form of this boy… could the legend be true?
Composing himself, he rose, voice thundering calm reassurance.
> King Helios Vendor: "Rejoice! What we witnessed is proof of our children's boundless potential! We stand behind them, as they carve paths to greatness!"
The crowd roared in blind agreement — unaware that behind the King's calm mask, his mind raced with fear.
> "The secrets of the Void Monarch must remain buried… for now."
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The next match
Emily, a mage born without a crown but with power all her own, faced down a Royal Mage sneering at her very existence.
Chains of binding magic coiled around her — only to dissolve against her Ooze Shield, which devoured the spell's energy.
> Emily: "You underestimate me."
When the Royal Mage cast a Dimensional Seal, hoping to trap her forever, Emily's rage poured into a spell of acid and shadow — Slime Expansion, collapsing the dimension from within. The Royal Mage fell to her feet, ensnared in her final spell.
> Emily: "This will drain you dry until I decide otherwise. Do you yield?"
Crushed by pain and fear, the Royal Mage surrendered. The crowd erupted again — another non-Royal proving her worth where titles meant nothing before true power.
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The Final Match
The final clash brought Kaito face to face with Prince Aldric, blade against blade. Steel clashed in a blur — Kaito's Bladestorm Sword met Aldric's icy blade in sparks of frozen wind.
> Prince Aldric: "Impressive. But it ends now. Sovereign Light!"
> Kaito: "Light Summoning: Beast Crawler!"
Threads of spectral light entangled the Prince, binding him helplessly. One final strike — Elementary Strike — and victory was his.
The arena thundered with Kaito's name as the final champion of the Royal Tournament.
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In the Courtyard
Outside, Kaito, Yamato, and Emily gathered, sharing exhausted smiles.
> Yamato: "We really did it. Kaito, that dragon… that was insane."
> Emily: "Your strength saved us all."
Before they could catch their breath, a striking young man approached. White hair, crimson eyes, and an aura of authority wrapped in mystery — Takumi, vice-chairman of the Royal Academy.
> Takumi: "Congratulations. I was looking for you three. Follow me — it's time you're officially welcomed to the Royal Academy."
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The Magic Assessment Room
Inside a chamber of runes and relics, the surviving competitors lined up before a giant crystal mirror.
The Royals tested first — numbers shining bright: 500, 450, 550. The non-Royals — 300, 320. Yamato — an astonishing 400. Emily — 380.
Then came Kaito.
When his hand touched the mirror, the entire room darkened. A figure of shadow flickered behind him — the mirror dissolved into nothing.
> Kaito: "What just happened?"
> Takumi: (grave) "In all my years, this has never happened. But when the device fails like this… it means your power exceeds its measure. Kaito Hiroto — you are far more than we thought."
As the others filed out, Takumi lingered, staring at the space where the mirror had vanished.
> Takumi (to himself): "The Void Monarch… I saw it. I must watch him carefully. Kaito Hiroto… that name will echo through history."