The Day of August

In an old building, that looked to be on the brink of breaking down, there was an old man sitting on a chair retelling story to a group of starry-eyed children on the floor.

"Eight Hundred Years Ago, in the Ancient Times of Humanity, the Crown Prince lead the Constructs against the Endless Demons! Each Construct was as strong as a hundred Endless Demons! The Constructs were piloted by those who had---"

"Spiritual Energy!". Answered all the children listening to the story. 

Before the old man could continue, he was brought off by an influx of words, "Grandpa Li, tell us a different story!". 

"You tell us the same every time!".

"This is the fifth time this week!". 

Laughing, the old man, Grandpa Li, then chose to reply as he always did, "That's because I have hope that you'll all one day pilot a Construct, or at least become a Mana Caster! Now give your Grandpa a hug!". 

The children then pushed themselves onto their Grandfather to hug him, this then forced his chair to slip and his head to hit the concrete, however rather than his head breaking, the concrete was left with a head shaped hole of impact.

"Ow, ow, ow, my head!" Complained Grandpa Li as the children then began to hug him. 

"There's no way that hit your head, your thick skin should have protected you from it!". 

Grandpa Li looked at the new voice then replying with a smile,"Ah, Chen'er, give your Grandpa a hug!". 

Just as Grandpa Li finished his words, the sound of footsteps could be heard, and they became quicker and quicker to the point that whoever it was, they were running, and running quickly, very quickly.

As the sound of footsteps became quicker and quicker as well as closer, the smile on Grandpa Li's turned to a frightened look and quickly all the children hugging him swiftly moved away without a care. 

The next moment, a figure could be seen jumping, it was a young boy wearing well-stitched rags, which made it hard to tell they were actually rags, with an average face and slightly above average height with raven hair and amber eyes.

The figure was jumping towards Grandpa Li, with a fist held out which seemed intent on punching the poor Grandfather. 

Fortunately, Grandpa Li managed to dodge and the floor hit the floor, creating a two-meter sized impact hole which began to shake the entire building. 

"Hold it, Chen'er... You were trying to kill me just then weren't you!!!". Asked Grandpa Li, looking at one of his grandchildren, Li Chen, who replied, "You spent all of the children's money on gambling again, didn't you!".

"Uh, no, I just... Misplaced it! Let me just--- Ye'er help!". Li Chen pretending as if he didn't hear his Grandfather, simply went in for another punch, which was blocked by his Grandfather, with ease.

After which came more and more punches, each creating a greater impact than the one before, eventually Grandpa Li was unable to block one of them, and it threw him back to the wall. 

Laughing as he was thrown back to the wall, Grandpa Li complimented Li Chen. "Twenty meters... That's how far you threw me, Chen'er, you're really becoming strong now!". Unfortunately, he didn't notice the figure next to in front of him, until he stopped laughing and regained focus.

"Alright Chen'er, if you want it like this then, let's go!".

Seeing Li Chen in the air and the wall behind him, he could easily dodge, but he chose to play along this time instead. 

As he got into position, his right fist which he chose to use, had two glowing circles in front of it, both a bright gold in colour. 

"Class 2... Never thought I'd use a---"

Before he could finish, his body began to shiver, as looking upon Li Chen still in the air, something inside of him snapped. 

An old memory, a familiar presence, Li Chen's figure was replaced by another. 

It was at the size of at least three meters with dark crimson skin and it was holding a sword up in the same way that Li Chen's fist was positioned.

On its forehead were three horns and there was a strange type of fur on the ears with hair that looked as if it didn't belong on the head, but what struck out to Grandpa Li was the eyes, they were completely black...

"Class 3..."

Grandpa Li's fist then added another glowing circle of the same colour and proceeded to match his fist with Li Chen, and with ease, Li Chen was blown up into the ceiling by the match of their punches.

Then realizing what he had just done, Grandpa Li, started to mutter to himself. 

"That Physical Presence... I thought he was a Berserker Class Endless Demon for a second..."

Still wondering what he had just done, he failed to notice the fall of Li Chen's body, though, Grandpa Li even if he noticed, wouldn't care as much, knowing that a single Class 3 Mana Enhanced Fist wouldn't kill Li Chen. 

Though as Li Chen's body was fallen down, it began to slow down, and by then, Grandpa Li noticed it and caught it, then yelling out, "Great Job Ye'er!". 

Then appearing, was a young girl, slowly levitating, she seemed to be around a bit older than Li Chen, with her curves just developing as were her other assets, though her height seemed to have developed already quite well, being at least an inch or two taller than Li Chen.

It could be said that her appearance far outplayed her worn-out clothes, which whilst didn't look to that of a poor person's were certainly below a person doing well. 

As she made it to Li Chen, she then squatted down, and began to poke him, "Wake up, wake up, little brother~~~" 

"Just wait, Ye'er, I think he might be---'

Before Grandpa Li could continue, Li Chen's snoring was heard by both the young girl that was Li Ye and Grandpa Li.

At this time, Li Ye continued her pokes, unforgiving and relentless in their pursuit to wake him up using only pokes. 

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Grandpa Li then got ready to kick to Li Chen, who managed to just wake up moments before, Grandpa Li was about to kick. 

Li Chen looking at Grandpa Li exiting his kicking phase was about to say something, until he saw, Li Ye. 

"Ah, it's little sister, Ye'er". Joked Li Chen, as he knew that despite being the same age, Li Ye always wished to show herself as the older. 

Li Ye's body then began to glow and in front of her hand was a single golden circle. 

"Wait, wait, no older sister, Ye! I'm sorry, don't do it!". 

However, Li Chen's words held on nought as Li Ye then pointed towards the hole that he made when Grandpa Li dodged.

"Uhh, it's Grandpa Li's fault for dodging?!". 

Li Chen then disappeared in a flash, and Li Ye began to levitate extremely quickly to chase after Li Chen. 

"Class 3 Levitation already? The two of you, no... All of you are already incredible..." Muttered Grandpa Li as he looked to the both of them in astonishment and laughing to himself, knowing what would happen to Li Chen. 

He remembered adopting Li Chen and Li Ye and the seven children... 

"Seven... Why did I adopt every child, I saw, that needed help? Guess, it's because, I'm such a good samaritan, hehe". 

Of the nine children, he called his own, none were related by blood except for Li Liu and Li Qi who were twins. 

When he found Li Chen and Li Ye they were both together in the same abandoned orphanage, 

Unknowing to both Li Chen and Grandpa Li when Li Ye joined, they were unaware that she was a girl and was given a boy's name, which she chose to keep, seeing it as better than her old name, Ai. 

As for the other seven, they were individual except for the eight and ninth child. 

Except for getting enough food, water and what could barely count as a shelter, though still did, Grandpa Li was lazy at everything else. 

Choosing to name the seven children, as by numbers. 

Li Yi, Li Er, Li San, Li Si, Li Wu, Li Liu and Li Qi. (One, two, three, four, five, six and seven.

Even their age was mixed up...

Eight Years Ago

"Alright, you are Li Yi, Li Er..."

"Grandpa Li, why'd you name them after numbers?". Asked Li Chen, confused as to why his Grandfather would. 

"Because, I'm the Grandfather, and my word is law!". Replying with authority, Grandpa Li said. 

"Ok..." Replied Li Chen, whom as still young, lacked the drive, power or idea to disobey his Grandfather who had done more to him than anyone else except for Li Ye in his entire life. 

"Also, you are all two years old, from now on."

"Grandpa Li... That's not really..." Nervously asking Li Chen, even more confused. 

"Alright, for that, Chen'er, Ye'er, is now the older sibling." Said Grandpa Li as if it wasn't anything important at all.

"Yah," The only reply said by Li Ye and the only reply that was necessary. 

"..."

At the same time, Grandpa Li didn't notice that today was the day that Li Chen began to disobey his Grandfather who he before used to follow as if he was a God Incarnate. 

Present Time

"I really wonder Chen'er, you used to listen to everything I say, but one day, you just stopped and began to obey me less and less..."

As he finished his thoughts he chose to come closer to watch Li Ye chase after Li Chen. "Stay, Stay Still, Stay, Stay Still".

"No, no, no..." Famous Last Words of Li Chen moments before he was caught by his Elder Sister, Li Ye. 

As Li Ye got in position, Li Chen shouted, "Grandpa Li spent the children's money on gambling again!!!". 

Grandpa Li hearing this coming closer began to get ready to run, however suddenly remembered that he had to tell Li Ye something important...

"Uhh..."

Fortunately for Grandpa Li, he was saved by, Li Liu, who came to his Grandfather's rescue. 

"It's ok... The children at the school always bully us! Big Sis Ye, always teaches us better than the teachers there!". 

Li Ye then levitating towards Li Liu, patted him on his head, whom then proceeded to hug Li Ye, though missing and going for the leg instead, he seemed more than content. 

"Good Job, Li Qi, you're my favourite son from now on!". Grandpa Li accidentally calling Li Liu, over her twin brother, to which Li Qi or Li Ye didn't care.

"Get your eyes checked, old man! That's Li Liu, Li Qi's twin sister!" Replied Li Chen who said it to annoy his Grandfather rather than for the defence of his siblings, that he knew, didn't care that much.

"Haha, Chen'er, how could my eyes ever deceive---" Then came an awkward silence as Grandpa Li realized the truth of Li Chen's words. 

"Well, anyway, I managed to win big at gambling today, and got a Scholarship for the Imperial Academy!". 

Hearing this, Li Chen couldn't help but immediately ask, "How could you win?? Don't they call you Loser Li?"

Hearing this Grandpa Li replied, "Hey hey, your the Grandson of this Loser- wait no... Winner!". 

Grandpa Li then got something outside of his clothes, which were a mix of ragged and alright, it was a letter. 

Unopened, Grandpa Li gave it to Li Ye who then opened it and a bright light enveloped the room, with words. 

"To whoever carries this Letter, they are given a Scholarship to the Imperial Academy on the Recommendation of an August or a Construct Overseer. Thus as is the Fourth Rule of the Imperial Empire."

Li Chen and Li Ye knew at that moment that the letter was real, how could it not be?

On Li Ye's right hand came a Platinum Bracelet, it was the symbol of a Scholarship and it bypassed the Bronze, Silver and Gold Bracelets.

Bronze Bracelet which meant that one entered through the written exam only.

Silver for those that entered through the written and physical exam. 

Gold for those who acquired a recommendation from Class Six Mana Casters or Construct Lords.

Platinum, from an August, or a Construct Overseer...

"How in the world did you get this??". Asked Li Ye who then proceeded to hug her Grandfather, who replied, "A friend... A good friend..."

"Tell him, I love him!". Said Li Ye, before Grandpa Li could reply to her. 

"It better not be that type of person..." Commented Li Chen, however, Grandpa Li then replied, "It's a woman..."

"Oh... So she's..."

"No! Chen'er, you have a dirty mind for thinking about that!". 

"Hehehe". Li Chen began laughing however as he did, he could hear something behind him and it was Li Ye who began to power up. 

"Wait, wait, noooo"

Li Chen was, fortunately, left without any permanent injuries, as he was surprisingly hugged instead of punched.

"So, you got anything for me, if you got something for Elder Sister?". Asked Li Chen, wondering what Grandpa Li got for him, as he would normally get something at least. 

"Nope, I got you nothing." Answered Grandpa Li seemingly uncaring about the question.

"Wait, what? Anything at all?". Li Chen then began to wonder if this was simply a mind game to play with him.

"Chen'er what was your dream again?". Grandpa Li asking his Grandson, remembering the very day he asked. 

Five Years Ago

"Li Ye'er what's your dream?". Asking was Grandpa Li, choosing to do so, as they finally found a somewhat appropriate shelter to live in. 

Well excluding all the graffiti which Li Ye vowed to get rid of and later force Li Chen to help. 

"To have a bigger house!". 

Grandpa Li accepted it and thought to himself, "Going to have to work on that..."

Then looking towards Li Chen he asked, "What's your dream then, Chen'er?". 

Li Chen hearing this, simply ignored his Grandfather, whom then asked again, "Chen'er, what's your dream in life?"

Given the silent treatment again, Grandpa Li waited a few minutes and as Li Chen and Li Ye were cleaning the graffiti off the walls, he asked Li Chen again, "Any goals, anything at all?". 

Li Chen just sighed and walked away to clean elsewhere. 

As Grandpa Li followed and ask, again and again, Li Chen eventually stopped, and as memories of his dream being mocked and told he wasn't able to become such, he chose to first ask a question. 

"Grandpa Li, I have a question..."

"Yes, Chen'er?"

"Is it possible to..."

Present Time

"Become an August, that was always my dream..."

Recalling all the training both he and Li Ye had done, Li Chen couldn't help but pat himself on the back. 

"Alright, I kind of well, uhh..."

There was a silence, as Grandpa Li looked to Li Chen and finally finished his sentence. 

"Lied... You can't become an August..."

The words spoken by his Grandfather caused for Li Chen to fall backwards, creating a man-sized hole of impact. 

As he got back up, he asked, "What... Do you mean, I can't?". 

"You have no concentration whatsoever, you're just plain stupid, you have no control of strength whatsoever, so if you ever became a strong August, you would be a walking and ticking bomb. Also, I don't have another Letter and most importantly..."

Taking a deep breath, Li Chen waited for the most important part.

"You have virtually no Spiritual Energy... The most vital entity of using even the smallest Construct, which is also the reason you can't use the Spells that I and Ye'er use..."

"But, hey, look at the bright side..."

At that point, Li Chen fell again and fainted, realizing his dream was impossible. 

"Grandpa Li, shouldn't you have told him about Physical Presence first?". Asked, Li Ye confused.

"Hehe, probably." Answered Grandpa Li with a large grin on his face, looking towards his eldest Grandson, "Tomorrow, your training really begins..."