CHAPTER 8 — The Four Crowns of the Continent
The continent was called Aetherion.
A vast landmass where mana flowed like unseen rivers beneath mountains, forests, and cities alike. For thousands of years, it had been ruled—not by unity—but by balance.
A fragile balance maintained by four great powers.
I. THE HUMAN KINGDOM — LUMINARY EMPIRE
At the heart of Aetherion stood the largest and most politically aggressive power.
The Luminary Empire.
A sprawling human kingdom of stone cities, academies, and noble houses stacked like ladders toward power. Humans lacked the long lifespans of elves, the bodies of dwarves, or the blood of dragons—
So they compensated with ambition.
And numbers.
Characteristics
Ruled by King Albrecht Valerius
Noble hierarchy strictly enforced
Baron → Viscount → Count → Marquise → Duke
Academy-centered society
Obsessive focus on ranks, talents, and titles
At the empire's center stood the Imperial Arcane Academy, where all races—by treaty—were permitted to study.
That academy was where fate would collide.
And where Lucien Vale would step onto the stage.
II. THE ELVEN QUEENDOM — SYLVARAE
To the west lay a land untouched by industrial stone.
The Sylvarae Queendom.
A nation of endless forests, glowing flora, and cities grown—not built—around living trees.
The elves were ruled by a Queen, not a king.
Not because of tradition—
But because the World Tree itself recognized only queens.
Characteristics
Matriarchal governance
Ruled by Queen Aelthariel Sylvaeris
Mana harmony-based cultivation
Extreme disdain for reckless magic
Elves believed power should flow, not be forced.
Which was why they feared humans.
"Humans tear mana from the world,"
the elven scholars often said.
"And someday, it will tear back."
Elarion Sylvaeris, newly awakened, was destined to leave Sylvarae—
And walk into the very empire elves distrusted most.
III. THE DWARVEN KINGDOM — IRONHOLM
Beneath the northern mountain ranges lay Ironholm.
A kingdom carved directly into stone.
Dwarves did not build upward.
They dug deeper.
Their cities were labyrinths of forges, rune halls, and magma channels. Every child learned to wield a hammer before learning to write.
Characteristics
Ruled by High King Durak Ironvein
Strength-based meritocracy
Rune-smithing supremacy
Absolute loyalty to contracts
To dwarves, magic was not mystical.
It was engineering.
Brom Ironvein's awakening had shaken the Iron Council.
An A-rank forge physique at sixteen?
That meant only one thing.
"The era of legends returns,"
the elders whispered.
Ironholm had already agreed to send select youths to the Imperial Academy.
Brom would be one of them.
IV. THE DRAGON KINGDOM — SKYREND
Far above mortal lands—
Floating islands wrapped in storms and flame—
Existed Skyrend, the Dragon Kingdom.
Not all dragons lived there.
But all dragon authority originated from it.
Characteristics
Ruled by the Dragon King Vorthyrax
Bloodline supremacy
Absolute strength hierarchy
Minimal diplomacy
Dragons respected only power.
Treaties existed only because it was inconvenient to destroy everyone else.
Kael Dravaryn's awakening sent shockwaves through Skyrend.
An S-rank ancient bloodline awakening—
In a half-blood.
"Either he will kneel,"
the elders said,
"Or he will burn the throne."
Kael was sent to the Academy.
Not to learn.
But to be tested.
THE TREATY OF FOUR CROWNS
Centuries ago, the four realms signed a fragile accord:
No full-scale war
Shared Academy education
Mutual monitoring of awakened anomalies
The Academy was neutral ground.
Which meant—
When monsters appeared…
When students vanished…
When forbidden experiments began…
No kingdom could interfere directly.
That responsibility would fall on the students themselves.
FORESHADOWING — A GODDESS WATCHES
From beyond the sky, a single gaze swept across Aetherion.
"Four kingdoms."
"Four races."
"One anomaly."
The Goddess of Sight smiled faintly.
"Let the board be set."
Lucien Vale did not know it yet.
But the continent had already divided itself—
Around him.