Part 1: The Massacre
As the tree continued to burn, a group of dark figures rushed toward the castle. One of them suddenly halted, his eyes narrowing as he glanced up toward Velion's window.
"I'm sure I felt a murderous intent watching us," he muttered, but brushed it off, thinking it was just his imagination. Unbeknownst to him, their death was already perched in the shadows, watching from the trees.
The group stopped at the front gate of the castle. Their leader, a tall and bulky man, stepped forward and spoke with a deep, commanding voice.
"Listen, my soldiers. Our mission tonight isn't going to be easy. We must execute our plan with precision. The plan is to assassinate Queen Olivia of Eldrich, a mission bestowed upon us by King Elbris so he can conquer the Kingdom of Eldrich and become the most powerful ruler in the world."
He paused.
"But, as I said, it won't be easy. Lilian, one of the Seven Knights, works here as a maid after retiring. If we don't complete our mission quickly, she will be our doom. We will separate into groups of four and infiltrate the castle from every side. Let's move."
The group split into teams and ran at full speed toward the castle. What they didn't know was that Velion had overheard every word. He silently tailed the team led by the bulky leader.
Suddenly, a fiery blast blocked their path.
"What the hell is this?!" the leader exclaimed, panic slipping into his tone.
A voice sliced through the flames.
"You thought you could come here to kill my mother and get away with it?"
"Who's there?!" the leader growled, thunder forming in his hands.
Velion stepped out of the flames. The leader's eyes widened. A child?
"You can call me a kid if you want," Velion sneered, his tone thick with sarcasm. "But you won't be able to say much in a few minutes."
"You brat. You think you can defeat me?!"
"Actually, yes. That much I'm sure about."
Furious, the leader barked, "Kill that little brat! Show him his place!"
But it was already too late. A magic circle ignited beneath them.
"Flaming Tornado," Velion whispered.
The leader leapt back in time to escape, but his men weren't so lucky. A vortex of fire consumed them, and when it dissipated, only ashes remained.
The leader screamed in horror. "IMPOSSIBLE! How can a kid like you kill Advanced Graders?! Even if you have an advanced-grade element, it shouldn't be possible!"
Velion's voice dripped with amusement. "A monkey can't understand the power of a king. But I'm feeling generous, so I'll tell you. My flames aren't normal. Tell me can you comprehend flames burning hotter then sun. Even my basic spells carry that heat. That's 10-20 times cooler than my true flames."
The leader fell to the ground, heart pounding in terror. "W-Who are you?"
"I'm Death. Your death," Velion replied, voice deep and menacing.
"Please! Don't kill me! I'll tell you everything! Just don't kill me!"
Velion approached slowly. "Fine. I'll let you live. But only if you answer every question."
He conjured a flaming chair and sat.
"Who sent you, and why?"
"King Elbris! He's the ruler of the second strongest kingdom after Eldrich. He wants to become the most powerful by killing Queen Olivia. But he knows the Seven Knights are a threat, especially Lilian, the strongest among them. No one dares attack Eldrich because of them."
Velion chuckled. "So, your monkey leader—a gorilla, really—thinks he can take over our kingdom and the world by killing my mom? That's not going to fly."
"I told you everything. Please, let me go."
Velion's eyes narrowed. "Who said I was going to let you live?"
Flames burst from Velion's hands.
"You promised!" the man screamed.
" Stupid monkey. You should never trust a motherfucker"
He incinerated the leader on the spot.
Meanwhile, the rest of the attackers were either frozen or sliced apart. Lilian sat atop the pile of corpses, her expression emotionless, eyes void of life.
"They dared to harm my Queen. Fools."
In a blink, she appeared before an ocean two miles away and tossed the bodies in. She returned just as swiftly.
Part 2: The Awakening Ritual
Morning came as though nothing had happened. Velion walked downstairs where his mother, Queen Olivia, was already eating. Lilian set food in front of him.
"Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well?" Olivia asked, warmth in her voice.
"Good morning, Master," Lilian chimed in, smiling brightly. "I made you 20 tuna fish like I promised yesterday. I'll feed them to you myself."
She placed Velion on her lap and began feeding him. Minutes later, his face was purple, belly bloated.
"There. All done. A prince must stay healthy," she said, hugging him from behind.
"You remind me so much of my brother," Lilian whispered sadly.
Velion looked at her. "Is that so? Why do you think that?"
"It's just... your voice, your actions. They're so much like his."
Olivia chuckled and said, "No need to be emotional now. It's a special day for Velion. Don't want him to be late. You can cry tonight hugging him if you want."
Lilian wiped a tear away. "No, it's fine."
Soon, all three were dressed. A carriage waited outside.
"Ready to see what you awaken today, baby?" Olivia asked, her red hair flowing like fire, eyes sparkling.
"Yes, Mother," Velion said, wearing a white outfit Lilian had stayed up all night sewing.
"If I remember it's your first time leaving the castle, right? Enjoy the view," Lilian said, dressed in a pristine white maid uniform, her silver hair glowing in the sunlight.
They rode through the kingdom, Lilian explaining that the ritual had been held in the Kingdom of Orbis for 70 years. It replaced the Kingdom of Velarion, once the largest in history—26,000 square miles wide—but rumors say it was erased from history during a battle between the Dragon King and the Hero of the World.
"I thought it was just a normal kingdom," Velion thought, pride welling up in him.
Upon arrival in Orbis, Velion marveled at the bustling streets and vibrant life.
"Wow, it's beautiful," he said.
They reached the ritual grounds, packed with children from around the world. An old man greeted them.
"Welcome, Queen Olivia," he said, bowing.
"Mother, who's this?" Velion asked.
"This is Van Veldor, Headmaster of Orbis Academy. He conducts the ritual."
"Ah, the strongest knight in history, Lilian," Veldor said. "Even in retirement, your legend lives."
Lilian smiled. "I'm just a maid now, for my young master."
Veldor laughed. "Well, we can't ignore how you used to conquer nations on your own. but leaving that aside let us begin."
Using a voice-enhancing artifact, Veldor addressed the crowd.
"Ladies, gentlemen, and children. Today we witness the future heroes of our world. Step into this circle and it will absorb your mana to reveal your element."
He continued.
"Two children may awaken special-grade elements today: Prince Velion Astra and Prince Shin Zakin, son of King Elbris."
At the mention of Elbris, Velion's blood boiled. He turned to see a man with purple hair and eyes. A cocky boy stood beside him.
"Pleasure to see you, Queen Olivia," Elbris said, bowing.
"You don't need to be so formal."
"It's respect between equals. I hope our sons become friends."
Shin looked at Velion arrogantly.
"Bow to me, lowly being. I'll awaken the Light Element like Hero Lucen Argrave."
"Shin! Apologize!" Elbris snapped.
But Shin walked away. Elbris ruffled Velion's hair. "Sorry about that."
"Let the princes step forward," Veldor called.
Shin went first. The circle glowed blindingly bright.
"LIGHT ELEMENT! SHIN ZAKIN HAS AWAKENED LIGHT!"
Cheers erupted.
"That monkey has potential," Velion muttered. "But he's annoying."
Now it was Velion's turn.
As he stepped into the circle, the sky turned black. Thunder rumbled. Purple lightning struck Velion. The world shook. People who have grade lower then advance started to fainting on the spot.
"EVERYONE TAKE COVER!" Veldor shouted.
The crystal glowed with a purple light.
"THUNDER ELEMENT! VELION ASTRA HAS AWAKENED THUNDER!"
Velion staggered, breathing heavily. Olivia and Lilian rushed to him.
"Are you okay, baby?!"
"Feels like my life force was sucked out," he whispered.
Veldor offered his home for rest. Elbris approached.
"Quite the show. Thought you'd awaken a special grade."
"Not now, Elbris," Olivia snapped.
Shin pointed at Velion. "What trick did you use?!"
"No trick," Velion retorted. "Your power doesn't compare."
"Wanna fight?!"
"Keep dreaming."
Velion fainted.
He woke later, Lilian by his side.
"You're awake!" she cried, hugging him.
"I'm okay," he reassured, stroking her hair.
Veldor and Olivia entered.
Olivia rushes and hugs Velion. 'Thank god your alright , I was so worried about you." Tears formed in her eyes.
Veldor steps forward and said.
"Would you like to enroll in my academy? Shin will be there too. You two could become legends."
"Your choice," Olivia said wiping her tears.
Velion nodded. "I accept."
"Excellent. You'll be in the same class as Shin."
After they left, Olivia said, "This is your path now. You'll live here, but you're always welcome home."
Velion lay back, thoughts racing, a storm of destiny swirling in his young heart.