# Twenty years after Rajendra's death.
NUSA — that's what people call this world.
A world where magic reigns above all else.
Magic is power.
Magic is hope.
And magic is the measure of a person's worth.
Nusa is a realm dominated by endless oceans, with no continents in sight — only countless islands scattered across three great seas. To travel between these scattered lands, ships are the only answer.
This year marks exactly Year 20 DR (Death of Rajendra).
The Era of Magic Guilds has swept across the world. Hundreds — even thousands — of guilds have risen, all driven by a single dream:
INANIS.
Only the strongest guild will reach INANIS at the edge of the world — that has become the unspoken law among mages, swordmasters, and adventurers alike.
Yet the explosion of rogue magic guilds has not gone unchallenged. To keep them in check, the World Government forged their own network of guilds — the Government Magic Guilds.
Today, magic guilds fall into three factions:
1. Government Magic Guilds — composed of noble guilds loyal to the World Government.
2. Illegal Magic Guilds — formed by common folk, outlaws, and rebels.
3. Dark Magic Guilds — shadowy, secretive, and still shrouded in mystery.
At present, the World Government struggles to reclaim the lands Rajendra once liberated — but they face constant resistance from ruthless, rebellious illegal guilds that still carry Rajendra's spirit of defiance. This conflict has become an endless war — a clash with no clear end in sight.
Yet within this chaos, a fierce rivalry thrives.
Three magic guilds now stand at the top of the world:
1. Blue Blood Guild (Noble Guild)
2. Hearth Angel (Illegal Guild)
3. Phantom Squad (Noble Guild)
These three guilds rule the seas. They dominate the oceans and frequently clash in brutal, spectacular battles for power and territory.
And so, the Era of Magic Guilds rages on.
***
# Year 25 DR (Death of Rajendra)
On a small island in the Yellow Ocean, a modest dock flies the flag of the Gild Dwan Magic Guild. At its edge stands an iconic statue of Rajendra, facing the endless sea.
This is Hammer Island, named after an ancient magic weapon — a legendary hammer said to be hidden deep within the island. But more than that, Hammer Island is sacred ground: Rajendra's holy land.
This island once served as Rajendra's refuge after his legendary battle with David Scarlet — a battle that would go down in history, won by Rajendra and his loyal companions.
High on a hill overlooking the ocean, a broad-shouldered young man with jet-black hair knelt in front of a freshly covered grave. His mind wandered back to his teacher's final words: "Never abandon this sacred land, Kael," his mentor had said with a warm smile.
But Kael was not one to follow blindly.
"Master, I'm sorry," Kael whispered, touching the grave marked Robert Andaluca. "I have to leave this holy land. Everything you taught me will be my strength."
Kael Luminous — twenty-five years old — a young man who dreams of becoming the strongest Guild Master in the world.
"I'll build the greatest magic guild in history and become the Khalifah Magic. INANIS, wait for me!" he shouted out to the sea.
The Khalifah Magic — the title once held by Rajendra, the world's mightiest mage. Every mage alive dreams of claiming that title. Whoever holds it can command the world, making kings and nobles tremble at their feet.
***
# Hammer Island Port
Kael stood at the edge of the dock, a small sack slung over his left shoulder. He'd been standing there for two hours, waiting for the passenger ship to arrive.
At last, he spotted a vessel on the horizon. He narrowed his eyes. Finally.
The ship docked, and a crewman lowered a rope ladder right in front of him.
"Hop on, kid — but don't forget your fare."
Kael looked up at the man and smiled. "Don't worry, Uncle. I've got money. But where's this ship heading?"
The crewman scoffed. "Hah! First time I've seen a passenger not know where he's going. Angelia Island."
Kael climbed aboard. For him, any destination was just the starting point of his journey.
"Unfurl the sails!" a sailor called from the crow's nest.
The ship pulled away from the dock and slipped into open waters.
Kael found a pile of burlap sacks, sat down, and leaned back to rest. But before long, a man came over and plopped down beside him.
Kael didn't react, but he sized the man up: young enough, yet with the greasy grin and restless energy of an old lecher.
"Hey, kid, mind if I ask you something?" the man said suddenly.
Kael nodded silently.
"What are you planning to do on Angelia Island?"
Kael paused. The truth was, he didn't really know — this was his first time leaving Hammer Island.
"I don't know. I've never been there," he said casually.
The man burst out laughing. "Hah! These days, someone who doesn't know Angelia? That's rich!"
Kael stared at him blankly. This guy's weird, he thought.
The man slung an arm around Kael's shoulder and flipped open a booklet that looked suspiciously like a risqué magazine.
"Seems like you need an education, kid. What's your name?"
"Kael."
"Alright, Kael. Listen close — Angelia Island is the biggest pleasure island in the entire Yellow Ocean. Look here — this is a list of the ladies there. Gorgeous, soft as mochi, sweet-smelling—haha!"
Kael looked at him flatly. "Pervert."
The word hit the man like an arrow. He forced a chuckle. "Hah! Kael, come on — don't play innocent! If you're boarding a ship to Angelia, you're there to have your fill of beautiful women, right?"
Without warning, Kael stood up. The man flinched. "Hey, what—?"
Kael climbed up onto the ship's railing. "I have no interest in busty, seductive women, Uncle. Thanks for the info — but I'm jumping ship. I'm not wasting time on some floating brothel."
The man gaped. "Wha—wait! Are you crazy? You'll die if you jump out here!"
"My goal is to build a magic guild and find INANIS. I don't have time to waste on a pleasure cruise."
Panic flashed in the man's eyes. He scrambled for an excuse. "Wait! Wait — there are strong people on Angelia too! Hear me out!"
Kael froze. "Is that true?"
"It's true! Angelia Island is controlled by the Mermaid Sun Magic Guild. Some real tough mages there, trust me!"
Kael stepped down and gave the man a firm pat on the shoulder.
"Thanks for telling me, Uncle. Mermaid Sun Magic Guild... I'd like to meet them."
***
"My name's Asfan," the man suddenly said, puffing out his chest as if expecting praise.
Kael glanced at him flatly. "I didn't ask."
Asfan froze, awkwardly scratching his head. Talking to this kid was like talking to a brick wall.
"You should know someone's name if you want to be friends with them."
Kael turned and locked eyes with him — an intense, unwavering stare that made Asfan stiffen like a startled cat.
"Wh-what is it now?"
"Uncle… you wanna be my friend?"
Asfan felt sweat bead at his temples. He had no idea where this was going. "Uh, y-yeah, I guess… but—"
Kael suddenly clapped him on the shoulder, his eyes shimmering like he was about to cry, then pulled him into a tight hug.
"At last… I finally have the first member of my guild!" he choked out, voice trembling with emotion.
Asfan pried Kael off him, scandalized. "WHAT? Who said I was gonna join your stupid guild?!"
Kael just smiled, completely ignoring his protest. "A friend is a guild member, Uncle. It's the same thing."
***
Thirty minutes later
For half an hour, Asfan did everything he could to refuse. But Kael just wouldn't give up. In the end, Asfan gave in with a defeated sigh.
"Fine. Whatever. I'll join," he grumbled.
Kael threw his hands in the air. "YES! My first guild member! Thank you, Uncle!"
"Asfan. My name is Asfan."
"Okay, Uncle."
"Asfan, you little—! Don't call me Uncle!"
"Okay."
"'Okay' what?"
"Okay, Uncle."
THUD!!
***
"So, what's the name of our guild, anyway?" Asfan asked, voice dull, having resigned himself to this nonsense.
"Doesn't have one yet," Kael said blankly.
Asfan's face went crimson, like a volcano about to blow.
"You insane brat! How the hell do you rope me into your guild when you don't even have a name for it?!"
Kael burst out laughing at Asfan's rage. "You're funny, Uncle."
"Asfan."
"Yeah, Asman."
"ASFAAAAN! My name is ASFAN!"
"Okay, Asfan. Uncle Asfan."
THUD!!
***
"Our guild's name is Dragon Butt. Cool, right?" Kael announced with complete confidence.
Asfan looked ready to pass out. This kid was hopeless at naming things.
"Rabbit Butt. Pretty Mermaid. Pooping Demon. Knight's Sword. Handsome Pig…" Kael kept tossing out ridiculous names like it was nothing.
"Enough!" Asfan roared, veins popping on his forehead. "I'll name the damn guild myself!"
Kael grinned like a puppy. "Okay. What's the name?"
Asfan puffed out his chest with absolute pride.
"Our name is Two Handsome Guys Who Love Busty Women."
THUD!!
Kael fainted on the spot.
Turns out Asfan was even more hopeless than he was.
***
They were hopeless. After an entire hour of throwing out one ridiculous name after another, Kael and Asfan still hadn't settled on anything. Two fools trying to name a guild — it was never going to work.
The journey from Hammer Island to Angelia Island took one full day and night. In the end, Kael gave up on naming the guild for now. Asfan looked exhausted too, so they decided to eat and rest. Even when the night grew late, Kael kept mumbling random names in his sleep — all rejected.
***
"Wake up, wake up!"
A ship crewman made his rounds, rousing the passengers sprawled all over the deck.
Kael opened his eyes and spotted Asfan still snoring away — drool pooling into a little puddle on the floor.
A mischievous grin spread across Kael's face.
"Whoa! A gorgeous big-breasted woman!" he shouted dramatically.
Asfan's ears twitched. In an instant, he bolted upright, eyes half-shut but scanning eagerly.
"Where? Where?!"
Kael clapped mockingly, his expression deadpan. "You really are a pervert."
Asfan's brain caught up. He realized he'd been tricked — again. He pouted and almost laid back down to sleep, but gave up when he saw the island's dock coming into view.
***
"Drop the sails!" the lookout shouted from the crow's nest.
The ship drifted into Angelia Island's bustling port. Sailors dropped anchor and tied the vessel down with thick ropes to keep it from drifting away.
A wooden gangplank thudded against the dock. Passengers streamed down, Kael and Asfan among them.
A striking sight greeted them immediately: a grand flag fluttered at the highest point of the harbor — a mermaid cradling a blazing sun.
Kael's eyes locked onto it.
"Is that the emblem of the Mermaid Sun Guild?" he asked Asfan, who stood beside him.
"Yeah," Asfan muttered. "Please, I'm begging you — don't do anything stupid here, Kael."
The Mermaid Sun Guild was a noble-run magic guild ranked among the top twenty strongest in the world. Doing anything reckless in their territory would be suicide.
Asfan shot Kael a sideways look. "You really are new here, huh? I thought you were just acting innocent — turns out you're actually this clueless. Seriously, you country bumpkin."
Kael ignored the jab. Without warning, he bolted forward at full speed. Asfan's heart jumped into his throat.
"Hey! Where the hell are you going?! Wait—!" he yelled, but Kael was already gone.
Kael sprinted through the crowd, then leapt effortlessly onto the rooftop of a nearby building. Asfan craned his neck, the sun glaring behind Kael's silhouette like an eclipse.
For a moment, Asfan saw someone else in that figure — someone he deeply respected. Master…?
Up on the roof, Kael spread his arms wide to the city below.
"Listen up! I'm Kael Luminous! I'm going to be the Khalifah Magic and find INANIS!" he roared.
"Hey! You maniac! Get off my roof!" the building's owner yelled from below.
Asfan rushed over, bowing repeatedly in apology. "Sorry! Really sorry about him — won't happen again!"
"Better not!" the man barked, still fuming.
Once the owner stormed off, Kael hopped down, completely unbothered. "What's wrong?"
Asfan stared at him blankly. "Nothing. Nothing at all. But listen — I need you to hear this, Kael. This place is crawling with pleasure houses. You'll see hundreds of brothels. But every inch of this island is under the control of nobles from the Mermaid Sun Guild. Do not do anything reckless."
"Are they strong?" Kael asked.
"Strong? They're insanely strong. They're ranked in the top twenty guilds in the whole world."
Kael clenched his fist, eyes blazing. "Perfect. Now I'm fired up—"
SMACK!
Asfan whacked Kael on the back of the head. "I just told you not to be reckless, you idiot!"
Kael winced. "Alright, alright, relax, Asman. I won't do anything crazy."
"Asfan."
"Yeah, Asman."
"…You're impossible."
***
From the docks, they wandered into Angelia's lively city center. Rows of medieval-style buildings lined the cobblestone streets. At the end of the main road loomed a tall building crowned with the Mermaid Sun Guild's emblem.
The main street buzzed with life — the island's economic heart. Brothels flanked both sides, neon signs and silk banners fluttering. Women in flashy dresses waved and called out seductively to passersby.
Asfan's face turned beet red. "Kael, you walk on ahead — I, uh… I need to check something real quick." He pointed at a bright pink brothel nearby.
Kael squinted, confused. "What do they sell there?"
"Mochi. Sweet, sweet mochi," Asfan muttered, voice trembling with excitement. "Mochi… I'm coming for you…" He bolted inside without another word.
Kael rolled his eyes and kept walking. He bought a few snacks along the way, nibbling on them as he strolled.
***
"Stop him!" a guard's shout suddenly cut through the noise.
Kael turned just in time to see a figure in a black cloak with golden trim charging through the crowd — straight at him.
Before he could react, the cloaked figure slammed into him. Kael tumbled to the ground, his food flying everywhere. The cloaked person landed right on top of him.
Annoyed, Kael reached up to push them off — but his hand grabbed something… soft.
Squish. Squish.
"Huh? Mochi?" he mumbled, squeezing absentmindedly.
"Pervert," came a cold voice — definitely a woman's.
BOOM!
A mana-charged fist smashed into Kael's face, driving his head straight into the ground — his legs stuck up like a cartoon.
The cloaked figure bolted as the city guards gave chase. A circle of curious onlookers formed around Kael's half-buried body.
"That little—!"
Kael ripped himself out of the dirt, eyes blazing. Without a second thought, he launched after the mysterious girl at full speed.