CHAPTER I: MARTIS
In the night where only the stars and the Moon offered their gentle and soothing light, a disturbing aura emanated from the plain at the foot of the Two Lines Mountain.
On this plain, eight people stood on the hill, displaying unwavering determination. These individuals represented great diversity: Erlang Shen, Nezha, the Four Heavenly Kings, the Dragon King of the East (Ao Kuang), and the deity Laozi. Facing them stood one of the most famous gods, Sun Wukong. However, Wukong was not at his peak; blood was flowing from his mouth, his face was marked by exhaustion, as if he had little time left to live. His body trembled from fatigue, and he spat blood before shouting:
« Ao Kuang! Nezha! Laozi! Erlang Shen! Why are you doing this? You have no reason to do it, I'm not like before, it's been millennia, so why? »
Ao Kuang gave a smile before turning it into a face filled with hatred. He pointed his spear, gripping it as if he was about to attack at any moment.
« Wukong, did you really think the humiliation you made us endure would be forgotten so easily? No, never. Buddha may have forgiven you, but not us! »
Sun tried to get up, but he felt a sharp pain in his chest that made him spit blood instantly. Seeing this, intense anger seized him.
« You filthy traitors, what did you do to me? »
Nezha looked at him confidently:
« We simply poisoned you. But I won't go into details... Now, we're going to kill you once and for all. »
Sun, listening to their words, remained silent for a moment, gripped his staff with all his strength, then for no apparent reason, burst into loud laughter as if he had gone mad.
« Ahahah, I reached enlightenment, I became a Buddha, I spent millennia meditating! I even helped defeat the great fox demons! And despite that, you don't trust me and want me dead? »
Then he raised his head, placed his staff on his shoulders, displaying a confident smile and said:
« Fine, fine, fine, so if I understand correctly, you want to eliminate me for good and you think you can do it? Fine!! »
He started laughing again, blood flowing abundantly from his mouth.
« Hahaha, did you see, I used "fine" five times in one sentence! I'm a genius. »
Then he took a dark tone.
« Ah. I see I still have to kick the gods' asses? Pathetic. »
Ao Kuang, annoyed by his behavior, sent four celestial soldiers to attack him.
« Eliminate that monkey! »
The four attacked at the same time, but Wukong, with a quick movement, sent them flying into the air. He placed his staff back on his shoulders then added a sentence that angered the gods:
« So, what's next? »
Just after these words, the eight gods leapt into the air, brandishing their weapons, then, with a swift movement, rushed directly toward Wukong.
At that precise moment, a young boy woke up screaming in his bed—what had just happened was in his dream. The young boy, sitting on his bed, tried to calm himself because the dream had terrified him.
« Oh my God, that same dream again, but why does it always feel so real! I had that dream again. »
This young boy had dark skin and curly hair, but the most remarkable thing was his golden eyes. He got up from his bed, then looked at the time on his watch: it was already 6:20. He sighed before saying:
« Oh Sun Wukong, who are you? »
He went into the hallway to go to the bathroom to wash up.
Today was a big day for Martis, because today he was going to enter the Defenders' Academy, an academy that only welcomes the most powerful young mages and fighters or mostly the noble bloods of the country of Solarus. To enter, one must be of noble blood or possess abnormal abilities for a normal mage or fighter.
Martis got out of the shower and went straight to his room to get dressed. He put on the Academy uniform, consisting of a jacket and pants of the same color, with the school's emblem on the left chest.
« Ah man, I don't like the idea of going to this academy, I have nothing to do there, but well, if it can make Father happy, I must at least do it. » he said, looking at himself in the mirror.
He took his bag from the table then went to the grand living room to announce he was leaving for the Academy.
Arriving at the stairs leading to the grand living room, he saw his father and mother waiting for him at the foot of the stairs. His father looked at him with an authoritative air, while his mother held her fan in front of her face as if trying to hide her emotion.
« Oh no, I suspected those two would be there. They're going to start ruining my life in 3... 2... 1... »
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, his mother jumped on him, hugging him tightly while crying with joy.
« Ooooh! My son is taking his first step into the Royal Academy of Magic! I can't hold back my joy. »
« Yes Mom, I know, but could you hug me a little less tightly? » he said in a weary tone.
His father came behind him and started patting him on the back.
« Ah my son, it's your first day at the Academy! You remind me of myself at your age. »
He managed to free himself from their embrace then began to move toward the exit.
« Yeah, I know, but if you keep blocking my way, I'll never get there! »
He looked around and noticed his older brothers weren't there.
« Hey? Where did Sinar and Nox go? » he asked.
« Oh, they went to register their names in the royal army, they won't be back for fourteen days. » his mother replied.
« Oh okay, well I'm going, see you tonight. » he said as he left.
His mother and father followed him to accompany him.
« But wait for us! We're coming with you! » exclaimed his father.
Outside the manor, a dozen butlers stood in front of the house. When he stepped through the door, all the butlers instantly bowed. He headed toward a black carriage inlaid with gold, and a butler opened the door for him. He entered, then the butler closed the door. His mother approached the carriage window.
« Oh my baby! I hope it goes well, make lots of friends and above all always stay first, okay? »
« Yeah Mom, don't worry. » he replied.
He followed with « Mister Ethan, let's go. » Ethan, the coachman, began to move to leave the manor.
In the carriage, he thought for a moment then said to himself:
« Pff, I don't even know how to smile, so making friends... Pff, me, finding friends? What next? Finding love? Ah... I don't feel good about this Academy. »
A few minutes later, Martis arrived in front of the Academy, a large eight-meter-high wall surrounded the building. Ten knights stood guard and checked the identity of each person entering the establishment.
Several noble carriages entered one by one into the establishment. Then came Martis's turn. A knight raised his hand to tell them to stop.
« Halt, sir! For diplomatic reasons, we check every carriage. Which family are we dealing with? »
The coachman showed the family crest on the carriage.
« This is the carriage of the Leomor family, and inside is the youngest son of the family. »
Upon hearing this name, the knight trembled with fear.
« Le... Leomor? »
« P... please forgive me, sir, I didn't see the crest. »
The knight immediately opened the way, letting them pass.
Inside, the Academy looked like a titanic seven-story castle. Outside, several students walked around the school grounds, proudly displaying the Academy's emblem on their uniforms.
The carriage parked and he got out. At that moment, the entire Academy had its eyes fixed on him because of his family's crest. He began to walk among them, and whispers rose among the students.
« Oh wow, it's a Leomor. »
« Wow, it's really a Leomor, he must be super powerful. »
« Pff, Leomor or not, he's just a human, he's nothing compared to us elves. »
« Look at that walk full of pride. »
Martis sighed as he walked forward with a blank stare.
« Ah, well, I wanted to go unnoticed, that's failed. I need to get out of this place right now, I knew me and this Academy wouldn't work. »
Then, without warning, a young boy with white hair and blue eyes jumped at him from a tree, fist clenched, shouting:
« Filthy Leomor! »
Martis, petrified, watched him rush toward him and thought to himself:
« Oh my God, what the hell is this? »