Dustmih, the central estate of the Dragonlancer family.
The Dragonlancer estate was the size of a small city with multiple residents.
Although most of the residents weren't part of the family, they were servants and warriors who acted under them. The Dragonlancer family was known for its kindness to those who were suffering.
The city was constructed on flat land, with the vast majority of it covered in grass, except for the places where the houses were.
This made the place look like a luscious paradise, as the building, the castle, and the house of the family stood out.
It was a magnificent castle constructed out of white pearlescent stone, as dreamy as the rest of the place.
At this moment, a young girl exited the castle, dashing through the working residents. Seeing her run by them, the people laughed at her actions and waved at her, greeting her in the process.
The young girl greeted them back, giving them a toothy grin.
The girl seemed to be around eleven to twelve years old, with long blond hair and bright blue eyes, just like the rest of the Dragonlancer family members.
She had a cute and petite face, making anyone who stared at her mesmerized, no matter the age.
The girl's name was Regina Dragonlance, the older sister of Alvin Dragonlance. Regina had three brothers, Alvin being the youngest. The oldest brother was called Paul Dragonlance, while the second was called Rasiel Dragonlance, this generation's Hero of their family.
Her parents were named Gerald Dragonlance and Deborah Dragonlance, Gerald being the eldest son of the previous Hero of their family, Herbert Dragonlance.
Regina ran towards the stables with a smile on her face, where her favorite horse, a pure white mare named Snowflake, was waiting for her. She had promised Snowflake that she would take her for a ride, and she was determined to keep her word.
As she approached the stables, she could hear the familiar sound of horses whinnying and neighing. The stable hands were busy cleaning the stalls and grooming the horses, but they stopped when they saw Regina.
"Good morning, Lady Regina."
One of the stable hands said, bowing respectfully.
"Good morning, everyone, is Snowflake ready?"
Regina replied, smiling at them.
"Yes, Lady Regina, she's been groomed and fed, and she's waiting for you."
Another stable hand answered.
Regina thanked them and hurried to Snowflake's stall. The mare nickered when she saw Regina and nuzzled her hand.
"Hey, girl, Are you ready for a ride?"
Regina said, patting Snowflake's neck.
Snowflake whinnied and shook her head as if saying yes.
Regina saddled Snowflake and mounted her, feeling the horse's powerful muscles beneath her. She urged Snowflake forward, and they galloped out of the stables and into the open fields.
The wind rushed past Regina's face as they rode, and she felt exhilarated. She loved the feeling of freedom that riding gave her, and she knew that Snowflake felt the same.
As they rode, Regina saw something in the distance that made her worry. It was a group of carriages driving towards the estate. She frowned and turned around, not knowing who these people were.
Regina knew that she had to warn her family, so she turned Snowflake around and galloped back to the castle as fast as she could.
As she reached the palace gate, she found her parents, her little brother, and her uncle and aunt waiting at the entrance.
Seeing her come rushing with her horse, her parents questioned.
"Regina, what's the matter? Why are you in such a rush?"
Regina stopped Snowflake and jumped off her back, landing on her two feet gracefully. She opened her mouth and responded after getting a bit closer.
"Mom, Dad, I saw a group of carriages approaching at a fast speed, so I was worried and rushed back."
Hearing her words, her parents didn't seem worried; instead, they looked expectantly towards the place she had just come from.
Not long after, the carriages arrived at the gate of the Dragonlancer estate. The carriages came to a stop, and a group of elegantly dressed individuals stepped out.
The leader of the group, a middle-aged man with a regal demeanor, approached Gerald and Deborah Dragonlance with a warm smile.
"Gerald, Deborah, it's been too long. I trust you and your family are in good health."
He greeted them, extending an arm out for a handshake.
Gerald nodded and shook hands with the man.
"Scholar Harrington, it's a pleasure to see you again. We are indeed in good health."
Deborah smiled politely and curtsied.
"Scholar Harrington, it's an honor to meet you again."
Lord Harrington's gaze shifted to Regina, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Ah, and who is this young lady?"
Gerald chuckled at his question, answering with a lighthearted smile.
"This is our only daughter, Regina. She has a spirit as wild as the wind and a heart full of kindness."
Regina blushed at the praise but held her head high, trying to appear composed in front of the distinguished guest.
Scholar Harrington's eyes sparkled with amusement as he observed Regina.
"A spirited young lady, indeed. I can see the Dragonlancer will in her eyes."
He said this, his gaze changing focus to the most petite figure, an eight-year-old boy.
Gerald gestured towards his younger son.
"And this is our youngest son, Alvin. He has a mischievous spirit but a good heart."
Lord Harrington smiled warmly at Alvin, ruffling his hair playfully.
"You must be a handful, young man. But I'm sure you bring joy to your family."
Alvin grinned and nodded enthusiastically.
This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.
"Yes, sir! I try my best!"
After the introductions, Scholar Harrington explained the purpose of his visit.
"As you know, we are gathering people for the protection of the god spirits, so I came to pick up the members of the Dragonlancer family. However, that's not all."
He said, his gaze falling towards Regina, a small smile forming on his lips once again.
"Our Magic Kingdom is also looking to nurture talented mages to deal with the ever-encroaching demonic forces."
Understanding his words, Gerald's eyes shone. He knew his daughter, Regina, had great potential as a magician, but they didn't have the right conditions for her here. Since they primarily focused on combat and Aura, they weren't as good at training mages.
"What are you suggesting, Scolar Harrington?"
He asked, already having an idea in his mind.
"We are thinking of looking for people outside of our domain for the Marinus Mage Academy. This also means that the students must be fourteen; otherwise, they won't be able to partake in the exams and enter."
Harrington was a teacher at the Marinus Mage Academy, the highest-ranking mage academy in the world, located inside the Magic Kingdom.
Regina's eyes widened with excitement at the mention of the Marinus Mage Academy. She had always dreamed of becoming a powerful mage, wielding magic and delving into the mysteries of the arcane. This was a chance for her to pursue her passion and receive proper training.
Gerald and Deborah exchanged glances, silently discussing the opportunity before them. They knew that sending Regina to the Marinus Mage Academy would mean being apart from her for an extended period, but they also understood the importance of providing her with the best education and training possible.
Finally, Gerald turned to Scholar Harrington with a determined look in his eyes.
"Scholar Harrington, we are grateful for this opportunity. We believe that Regina has the potential to become a great mage, and we are willing to support her in pursuing her dreams."
Deborah nodded in agreement, her voice filled with love and pride.
"Regina, if you wish to join the Marinus Mage Academy, we will fully support you. But remember, this is a great responsibility, and you must dedicate yourself to your studies and training."
Regina's face lit up with joy and gratitude. She couldn't believe that her parents were willing to let her go and chase her dreams. She threw her arms around them in a tight hug.
"Thank you, Mom and Dad! I promise I will make you proud! I won't waste this opportunity!"
Scholar Harrington watched the heartfelt moment between the family, a soft smile on his face.
"I am glad to see such support and determination. Regina, I have no doubt that you will make a great mage, however, don't get your hopes up already. You have to first take the exam, which you have to take when you are at least fourteen, so for now, try studying these books and try to improve your comprehension."
Saying so, he waved his hands, and a pile of books manifested before him, making Regina open her large blue eyes wide.
"Now, let's leave young Regina to read in peace and talk about our own matters."
Said Scholar Harrington, signaling to move away, leaving the young Regina mesmerized by the books before her.
Regina's eyes sparkled with excitement, she couldn't wait to dive into the world of magic and start her studies. With Scholar Harrington's guidance and her family's support, she knew that she had a chance to fulfill her dreams of becoming a powerful mage.
Her elder brother had always been the sole attention of her entire family thanks to him awakening the hero aspect of their bloodline. This placed great stress on her since young, since all she ever wanted was the attention and love of her close ones. She felt that her elder brother was getting far more attention thanks to his incredible feats.
She picked up the first book, feeling the weight of knowledge in her hands. As she opened it, the pages revealed ancient symbols and diagrams, that she couldn’t understand yet, but she could still sense the power contained within those words. Regina's curiosity and eagerness fueled her as she began reading and absorbing the information.
She instantly ran off to her older brother’s training quarters to brag, finding him swinging a comically large spear with his small frame.
Her older brother’s name was Rasiel and he possessed a similar appearance to the rest of their family. Blond hair and bright blue eyes, paired with a beautiful face. Rasiel was 14 this year, which meant by the time Regina entered the academy, he would be entering the Hero party.
“Regina? What’s the matter?”
Rasiel paused his training, glancing at his younger sister with clear intimacy and care. The giant spear vanished from his hands as if it was never there, while a small amount of aura radiating from his body dried off the sweat and cleaned him thoroughly, removing any foul smell.
Regina bounded into the training quarters with an excited gleam in her eyes, clutching the books Scholar Harrington had given her.
"Rasiel! Rasiel! You won't believe what just happened!"
She exclaimed, practically bouncing with enthusiasm.
Rasiel chuckled at his sister's excitement, setting aside his training for the moment to give her his full attention.
"What is it, Regina? You look like you're about to burst with excitement."
Regina waved the books in front of him, her eyes shining with glee.
"Scholar Harrington came to visit, and he offered me a chance to join the Marinus Mage Academy!"
Rasiel's eyes widened in surprise and pride at his sister's news.
"The Marinus Mage Academy? That's incredible, Regina! I always knew you had the potential to become a great mage."
He said, genuine admiration and support evident in his voice.
Regina beamed at her brother's words, feeling a surge of confidence and determination welling up inside her.
"Thanks, Rasiel! I'm so excited to start studying magic and become a powerful person like you!"
Rasiel approached her and ruffled her hair affectionately, a fond smile on his lips.
"I have no doubt that you'll surpass me in no time, Regina. Just remember to work hard and stay focused on your goals. I'll always be here to support you."
Regina's heart swelled with gratitude and love for her older brother. She knew that she was truly fortunate to have such a supportive and caring family.
"Thanks, Rasiel. I promise I won't let you down!"
With renewed determination and excitement, Regina returned to her quarters, eager to dive into the world of magic and embark on her journey to become a mage.
Rasiel watched her go with a smile that soon turned into a frown as soon as she left his view.
“Aegis, Gungnir, will my sister be in danger if she starts practicing magic? Should I perhaps stop her?”
His question would normally be weird since there was no one around. Suddenly, the spear he was swinging earlier, as well as a golden shield appeared before him, floating freely without any support.
“That little lass is indeed quite talented. A quadruple elemental mage, with affinity to both light and darkness. She should be able to easily master her main elements as well, do not worry [Demon Slayer].”
A deep male voice came from the spear, resounding inside Rasiel’s mind.
“Don’t be too overprotective of her, she needs to learn more about the world. She’s already twelve, when you were her age you had already killed multiple people…”
This time a soothing female voice came from the shield, similarly resounding inside Rasiel’s head.
Rasiel sighed, feeling conflicted about his sister's future. He knew that Regina was capable and determined, but he couldn't shake off the worry and sense of responsibility he felt towards her.
"Aegis, Gungnir, I know she's talented, but the world can be a dangerous place, especially for a young mage. I just want to make sure she's safe."
He said, his voice tinged with concern.
The spear, Gungir, responded with a reassuring tone.
"I understand your concerns, Rasiel, but you must trust in Regina's abilities and instincts. She has a strong will and a kind heart, and she will find her way through any challenges that come her way. As her older brother, your role is to support and guide her, not to shield her from every danger."
Rasiel nodded, acknowledging's wisdom.
"You're right, Gungnir. I'll trust Regina and support her every step of the way. But I'll also keep an eye on her, just to be safe."
Aegis chimed in with a gentle reminder.
"Remember, Rasiel, that being overprotective can sometimes do more harm than good. Regina needs the freedom to grow and learn on her own. Trust in her abilities and have faith that she will make the right choices."
Rasiel took a deep breath, feeling a sense of reassurance wash over him.
"You're both right. I'll trust in Regina and let her follow her own path. But I'll always be there for her, no matter what."
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Days turned into weeks and weeks into months as Regina delved deep into her studies. She spent countless hours pouring over the books, practicing spells, and honing her magical abilities. With each passing day, her understanding of magic grew, and she could feel her powers awakening within her.
During this time, Regina's family provided her with all the resources and support she needed. They arranged for the best tutors and mentors to guide her on her journey. She attended private lessons with renowned mages in their domain, who taught her advanced techniques and shared their wisdom. Regina's progress was remarkable, and her talent for magic shone brightly.
However, her education was limited in their domain due to their specialty lying elsewhere.
As she neared her fourteenth birthday, Regina knew that the time for the exam at the Marinus Mage Academy was drawing near.
On the day of her fourteenth birthday, Regina stood before the entrance of the Marinus Mage Academy, her heart pounding with anticipation. The academy's gate towered above her, a testament to centuries of magical knowledge and tradition. She took a deep breath, reminding herself of all the hard work and preparation she had put into this moment.
At that moment, a young man walked beside her, lightly bumping her shoulder. Taken aback by the situation, Regina glanced at the young man, who had turned around with a slightly bowed head, apologizing.
After saying his sorry, the young man returned to his usual posture, his long brown hair cascading at the sides of his face and his cold green eyes staring directly at her soul. He had an ever-present smile on his lips, making him look devious. He could be called devilishly handsome.
His pale white skin, combined with the way he carried himself, gave off the vibe of someone of high standing, while his cold gaze sent you spiraling in fear.
After saying his apology, the young man continued walking towards the gate, not caring about Regina's dazed expression.
It was only after a few more seconds of staring in a daze that Regina regained her bearings and rushed towards the gate, worried that she might miss the examination.