Because Rogan was once a warrior of the kingdom, he had long maintained a close relationship with Viscount Novad.
When the viscount learned that Rogan had left the royal army to live a secluded life in the forest, he often sent his son, Soren, to train alongside Rogan's adopted child, Kyran.
Soren was a young noble, wearing around his neck a pendant, a magical catalyst, the essential medium for spellcasting.
He had awakened his Holy Power at the age of thirteen and had already reached the Seven-Star Intermediate Rank, the same as Kyran.
His Holy Power belonged to the Fire Element, his swordsmanship was sharp, and his personality was fiery, straightforward, and full of vitality.
A great opportunity was approaching, the Royal Army Recruitment Trial, a prestigious examination held once every few years to select promising new warriors for the kingdom.
For many young dreamers, it was the first step toward achieving the honor of joining the Seven Holy Knights of the Realm.
"Didn't you say your dream is to become the strongest warrior?" Soren asked, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"The Royal Capital is holding the recruitment trials soon, you can't afford to miss it!"
Kyran blinked in surprise.
"The recruitment trial? You mean… we're leaving now?"
"Exactly. I'm worried we'll be late if we don't hurry." Soren clapped him on the shoulder, grinning.
"My family said it's safer if we travel together. If we go alone and something happens on the road… who knows what kind of monsters we'll run into?"
Kyran smiled faintly. Soren's arrival was like a ray of sunlight piercing through his quiet, lonely world.
They had met years ago, when Soren got lost in the forest and was saved by Rogan from a pack of beasts.
Since then, they had become close friends, Soren curious and lively, Kyran disciplined and calm.
Different in background, but sharing the same burning dream to become the strongest warrior.
Soren proudly held up his silver pendant.
A flicker of flame glimmered around it as he said: "This necklace helps me stabilize my Holy Power. But you're special, Kyran… you can use magic without any catalyst at all."
Kyran merely shrugged, deep down, he didn't care whether others understood him or not.
What mattered was what he believed in.
The next morning, their departure was decided.
Rogan hugged both boys tightly, handing each of them some dry rations, a few parting words, and a small embroidered cloth an old keepsake.
"Be careful. The city will test more than your strength, it will test your heart."
Those words were both blessing and warning.
Fueled by Rogan's encouragement, the two boys bid farewell and set off on their journey.
The road out of the forest stretched across meadows and streams. Once they stepped beyond the canopy, the air felt lighter filled with birdsong, distant chatter, and the hum of civilization.
They laughed, exchanged stories, Soren bragging about his sword techniques while Kyran listened silently.
Yet in Kyran's chest, a quiet tension grew the awareness that the coming trial could change everything.
Before long, the path turned rugged.
A small stream ahead was blocked, and from the edge of the trees came a sharp, desperate scream.
A young girl, small, muddy, her hair soaked, eyes wide in terror, was surrounded by a pack of small, snarling monsters that prowled the roadside. Their fangs gleamed, claws scraping the dirt.
"Please… someone… help me!"
She stumbled, trembling, her voice breaking.
One of the beasts lunged toward her but before it could strike, Soren's pendant flashed.
A ring of flame burst forth, forcing the creature back with a pained shriek.
Kyran stepped forward, hand gripping his sword.
Before the blade could fall, the sky rumbled.
A bolt of lightning tore through the clouds, striking the center of the pack, the ground scorched black beneath its fury.
The girl froze, blinking in disbelief, then whispered weakly: "Th-thank you…" Her voice was clear but timid, carrying a quiet pride.
Kyran said nothing. He simply extended a hand and pulled her to safety.
After the chaos faded, Soren asked gently: "What's your name?"
"Mira…" She replied softly.
"I was heading to the capital to… to join the recruitment trial. I've reached Four-Star Rank, though I'm still not very strong…" She lowered her head, embarrassed by the rank.
Kyran studied her. Four stars low, yes but her eyes held determination that didn't match her fragile appearance.
Still, judging from how she had struggled against low-tier beasts, her combat skill was indeed weak.
Soren chuckled kindly.
"Then come with us. We're heading there too and don't worry, you'll be safe. Two seven-star guys can protect one four-star girl just fine." He winked playfully.
Mira blinked in surprise: "You two… are both Seven Stars?" She almost fell to her knees, unable to believe it.
"We're all Intermediate Rank, but the difference is… incredible."
Then, shyly, she asked: "Would it be all right if I travel with you? I'd really appreciate it…"
"Of course," Kyran and Soren said almost in unison.
And so, the three of them set off together, forming a small but fateful team.
Kyran, sixteen years old, 7-Star, Lightning Element, weapon: sword.
Soren, sixteen years old, 7-Star, Fire Element, catalyst: pendant, weapon: sword.
Mira, fifteen years old, 4-Star, Illusion Element, catalyst: platinum bracelet, weapon: Dream Fan.
As they traveled, Mira shared stories about her journey through the dangerous woods; Soren teased her playfully; Kyran, with his calm and few words, made her laugh despite herself.
But as the trio walked toward the capital, Kyran occasionally felt a strange unease, as if something far away was watching them.
Not curiosity… but something darker, searching.
Still, he focused on the laughter around him.
For now, there were only three young warriors, walking toward their shared destiny.
Three days later, the grand silhouette of the Royal Capital Lumeris appeared on the horizon, a city that rose like a shining mountain amid the plains.
Its metallic walls glimmered beneath the setting sun, banners of the empire fluttering proudly, and crowds surged like waves toward the towering gates.
Guards stood atop the walls, spears gleaming, eyes sharp as they scanned every passerby.
Kyran tightened his grip on the sword at his side, feeling the pulse of life and ambition all around.
Beside him, Soren was radiant with excitement, while Mira's wide eyes shone with wonder and awe.
"So this is the capital?" Mira gasped, eyes sparkling. "It's enormous!"
Soren laughed. "You're impressed already? Wait until you see the trials, that's where the real shock begins."
Before they could move any farther, a sharp, arrogant voice rang out near the gates.
"Out of my way! You filthy commoners, clear the path for me!"
A young man draped in a crimson silk cloak rode slowly forward on horseback.
He looked around seventeen, every movement dripping with noble arrogance.
A silver insignia gleamed on his chest, the crest of his noble house.
His eyes scanned the crowd with contempt, as though every person there was beneath him.
Two armed servants followed close behind, weapons raised to part the crowd.
Soren muttered under his breath, just loud enough for Kyran to hear: "Another pompous noble brat. Bet he's never fought a real battle in his life."
The young noble's gaze fell upon Mira, and his expression shifted to a cruel, mocking smile.
He halted his horse before her, leaning down with false courtesy.
"Well, well… a pretty face among the rabble. My dear, you don't belong with these peasants.
Come with me, and I'll show you what a true noble's world looks like."
Mira froze, face pale.
Kyran stepped forward, eyes cold as thunder: "Step aside."
The noble smirked: "A filthy commoner dares speak to me that way? Do you even know who I am?"
Soren stepped up beside Kyran, a flicker of flame dancing in his palm: "Doesn't matter who you are. What matters is, you're bothering our friend."
The air crackled with tension. The crowd whispered, stepping back.
"Trouble's brewing… commoners against nobles…"
"That boy's insane, standing up to a noble like that."
The noble sneered, ready to strike but before he could move, a new voice cut through the noise.
"Enough. You're being far too loud."
The crowd parted as a tall young woman stepped out from the city gates.
Her long hair flowed like silver-blue silk, her cloak of azure shimmered faintly with runes, and a glowing gem hung at her throat. Her eyes were sharp, calm, yet carried the quiet weight of authority.
Whispers rippled through the onlookers.
"That's Lady Lyra… the only daughter of Count Helvar!"