Kaelen sat by the wide crystal window of his room, eyes half-open as the soft moonlight reflected against his sapphire-gold irises. The palace was quiet now — the faint hum of magic circuits beneath its marble floors the only sound that accompanied his thoughts. He leaned back in the chair and exhaled.
"Guess I'll just sleep... I've got a long week ahead," he murmured, dragging his gaze toward the distant spires of the Imperial Palace.
The following morning unfolded like calm routine — breakfast with the attendants, a few greetings from the maids, and then straight to the palace courtyard where Emperor Rudra awaited him. The man stood with his arms crossed, a familiar smirk tugging his lips, while Velgrynd stood elegantly beside him, her fiery aura restrained but ever-present.
Rudra gestured toward two wooden swords resting on a rack. Without a word, he picked one and tossed the other toward Kaelen.
"Let's have a spar," Rudra said. "I want to see your current level."
Kaelen caught the sword, flipping it once before gripping the handle firmly. A faint grin crossed his lips.
"Alright... go easy on me, master."
The instant his words ended, Kaelen lunged forward — a blur of motion that split the air. His strike came down from above, fast and clean. Rudra parried effortlessly, the wooden blades cracking together. Kaelen followed up with a flurry of precise slashes, but Rudra's defense was unshakable, his movements flowing like water.
Kaelen leapt back, breathing lightly.
No use, huh... guess I need a new angle of attack, he thought.
Rudra's smile widened.
"Is that all? Then it's my turn."
He moved — almost disappearing from sight — before striking upward from the ground in a diagonal arc. Kaelen reacted instantly, bringing his sword down from above. The impact rang through the arena — crack! — but Rudra's sheer power sent Kaelen's arm flying upward. Before he could recover, a swift kick landed squarely on his stomach, sending him tumbling backward.
But Kaelen twisted mid-air, spinning gracefully and landing on one knee, his free hand and legs steadying him against the ground. The wooden sword still firm in his grasp.
Then, with a sudden blur, Rudra appeared in front of him and tapped the top of Kaelen's head with a light punch.
"And you lost," he said with a teasing grin.
Kaelen exhaled, brushing the dust from his tunic.
"I thought I might've lasted a little longer... guess not."
Rudra laughed heartily.
"Then to reach that level you imagine, do you want to start training now or later?"
Kaelen's lips curled upward.
"Why wait? Let's start right now."
"Very well," Rudra replied, the grin on his face sharpening. "Let's begin."
The training that followed lasted deep into the night. Rudra's strikes were merciless, his lessons sharper than any blade. Kaelen's body collapsed multiple times, muscles screaming from overuse, but he healed each time — flames of the Phoenix Reignition mending his stamina, while Ultra-Fast Regeneration knitted torn muscles within moments.
By midnight, the courtyard was quiet except for the echo of their breathing. Guards bowed as Velgrynd entered, her steps echoing lightly against the marble.
"We greet the Marshal!" the soldiers announced.
Velgrynd waved them off and approached the two, her sapphire blue hair gleaming faintly under the moonlight.
"Your Highness, it's already midnight. Please continue the training tomorrow," she said sternly.
Rudra sighed, stretching his shoulders.
"Very well... he's still a growing boy after all. Rest is necessary."
He turned to Kaelen.
"Kaelen,for the rest of the week, until the day of your departure, you'll stay here in the Imperial Palace. Your house is too far away. I'll send a letter to inform them of your stay."
Kaelen nodded respectfully.
"Alright, master."
Rudra smiled faintly.
"Velgrynd, take him to a room. I'm sure there are plenty available."
Velgrynd inclined her head. "Yes, Your Highness."
Then she turned to Kaelen. "Come on, kid."
Their footsteps echoed down the long marble corridor. The silence was awkward — the only sound being the rhythm of their boots against the floor. Annoyed by the stillness, Kaelen broke it suddenly.
"Do you... have a crush on master?" he asked casually, a mischievous smirk on his face.
Velgrynd froze mid-step, her cheeks blooming a faint red. She coughed, composing herself quickly before speaking in a softer tone.
"Is it... that obvious?"
Kaelen grinned.
"Nope. I just guessed — seems like I hit the bullseye."
"Jeez..." she muttered under her breath as they reached a large door.
"Here's your room. If you need anything, call the maids or come next door."
"Oh? My next-door neighbor, huh," Kaelen teased.
Velgrynd narrowed her eyes.
"Don't get any weird ideas, brat."
Kaelen chuckled as she turned away. The door closed softly behind him.
The room was spacious — a queen-sized bed draped in gold-stitched sheets, shelves lined with spellbooks, and a large window overlooking the training grounds. He ran his hand over the polished desk near the window and glanced toward the neatly stacked books — lightning, wind, and ice tomes, along with several records of magical creatures.
He skimmed through them, searching for information about True Dragons and Great Holy Spirits. Nothing useful. In fact, he realized he already knew more than the text provided.
"These books are outdated..." he muttered, shutting the last one and stretching. He lay on the bed, exhaustion quickly overtaking him.
The week passed in relentless training. His swordsmanship improved at a frightening pace — his movements refined, instinctive. By the end of the week, his proficiency rivaled elite knights. A faint notification appeared before him :
[Weapon Comprehension: 25%]
Rudra nodded approvingly.
"Tomorrow, you'll depart for the Dwelling of Spirits. Good luck on your journey."
Kaelen bowed.
"Thank you, master."
He left the palace the next morning in a carriage Rudra had prepared. Upon reaching home, he spent the afternoon with his mother, shared swordsmanship pointers with Allaric, and taught Lyra about mana control and conservation. By sunrise, they were ready — Kaelen, Lyra, Allaric, and Selianne.
Their destination: The Kingdom of Ingracia.
It took weeks to reach it from the Empire, and even longer to approach the Ulg Nature Park where Ramiris resided. Kaelen had already informed her of their arrival, and she had given them instructions on how to enter the Dwelling of Spirits.
hidden within an enormous, moss-covered tree, was a faintly glowing portal. The bark pulsed with emerald veins of mana — an ancient gate humming with life.
Kaelen stepped closer. "This is it."
They entered — and the world changed.
The air shimmered with prismatic mana, light particles drifting like stardust. Great stone pillars stretched endlessly into the sky, their surfaces engraved with golden runes that pulsed like living veins. The sound of flowing ether echoed faintly — as if the realm itself breathed.
In the distance, an ornate path led toward colossal doors forged of sacred stone.
As they stepped forward, a mischievous, high-pitched laugh rang through the chamber — not from around them, but directly inside their minds.
"To summon a spirit, you must first pass the trial before you!"
The same voice rang directly into their minds — clear and playful.
Kaelen sighed.
"Ramiris! Let us through!"
The laughter continued.
"Hehe~! Even if you have a contract with me, Kaelen, I need entertainment! if you want You can pass, but not the others!"
Kaelen groaned.
"Ughhh fineee..."
The group pressed on. One challenge after another, they cut through the random fodder and traps . Kaelen, however, stayed back — letting his siblings and Selianne handle the battles to sharpen their instincts.
Finally, they reached the last chamber, where the final opponent awaited — a massive Magisteel Golem, its body layered with magic-forged armor.
Kaelen cracked his neck and stepped forward slightly.
"Your turn, huh..."
He vanished — appearing behind the golem with no sound but a whisper of air. His hand glowed as he murmured,
"Drago Nova."
A four-pointed star of black and blue light flickered before his palm... and then vanished. The spell failed.
Kaelen frowned.
"Founder, why did it fail?"
Founder's calm voice echoed in his mind.
"Master does not possess the core or essence of the Star King Dragon. The spell Drago Nova uses stardust as fuel. You cannot manipulate stardust yet."
Kaelen sighed.
"Then how did I use it before?"
"In that dimension, stardust filled the environment. You drew from it directly. Here, it's scattered — and you must gather it yourself."
"Ahh... that makes sense, I suppose."
He reappeared beside his group, lifting his right hand slowly.
Dozens of glowing ice chains erupted from the space behind kaelen, coiling around the golem's limbs, binding it tight. The metal creature roared, struggling to move — but the chains jammed into the earth, locking it completely.
Kaelen stepped forward, his expression calm. Frost crept across his arm as an ice glove formed around his hand, shaping into sleek, draconic claws.
"Subzero Talon," he said coolly.
He placed his clawed hand against the golem's torso.
A burst of chilling power erupted — the air turned to frost, freezing the massive construct instantly. The golem's molten veins dimmed to black as it was encased in dark-blue ice, the surrounding hundred meters transforming into a frozen wasteland.
The others watched in stunned silence as Kaelen stood amid the frost, his breath forming a thin white mist.