Scene shifts to three years later, Kazuki now eight years old, seated at his desk in the grand academy halls built within the royal palace walls. The seasons had turned, and the boy who once stood nervously before the sacred ceremonies now faced a different kind of trial — education in the arts of battle, spirit summoning, and spiritual force manipulation.
Kazuki glanced at the leather-bound book in front of him, its title Introduction to Spirit Combat and Spiritual Theory shining in silver script. He smiled to himself. So it begins…
Classes had changed drastically from the simple reading and arithmetic he was taught in his earlier years. Now, there were new subjects: Spirit Training, Swordsmanship, Force Manipulation Theory, History of Holy and Chaos Beings, and Tactical Combat Strategy. These were the disciplines for those destined to stand above others, the heirs of power. And Kazuki — though only eight — was already considered a prodigy in the making.
Scene shifts to later that day.Kazuki's first combat sparring lesson had arrived, though no teacher had dared agree to fight him after witnessing the results of his earlier ceremonies. Reluctantly, his own combat instructor, Sir Vellan, stepped forward to be his opponent.
The rules were simple:Sword-only combat. No spiritual energy allowed.Weapons: Wooden practice swords — harmless, meant only to test reflexes and form.
Kazuki bowed slightly, mirroring the ceremonial greeting his father had drilled into him countless times. Sir Vellan returned the gesture, though beads of sweat gathered at his brow. The match began.
Kazuki made the first move, his small frame darting forward with practiced ease. His strike aimed for Sir Vellan's midsection was blocked — but the moment their swords clashed, Kazuki pivoted with a smooth sidestep, his feet light against the ground. In one swift motion, Kazuki aimed a gentle but firm strike to his instructor's legs.
The older man fell, his balance lost.
A hushed silence filled the training yard.
Kazuki lowered his wooden sword and politely spoke,"Sorry, Sir. But you once said never to hold back in a fight."
Sir Vellan sighed, brushing the dust off his robes as he chuckled."You did hold back, though, didn't you? You could've gone for my head or chest… but you chose my legs. It seems even prodigies have a kind heart."Kazuki only smiled softly in response.
Scene shifts to hours later.Back in the classroom, Kazuki sat among his peers, listening intently to a lecture on spiritual capacity control. Around him, other children whispered about the earlier match, though none dared look him directly in the eye.
Kazuki paid them no mind. His attention was focused ahead, on the diagrams of spiritual veins drawn on the chalkboard.I need to learn faster. The stronger I get, the better I can handle what's waiting for me… and what's inside me.
His fingers unconsciously brushed against the pendant around his neck — a small, unassuming charm given by his mother. Unknown to anyone else, it glowed faintly, reacting to the power buried within his soul.
The path ahead would be long. But Kazuki was ready.