The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was King Patrick. His dark eyes seemed unfathomable, and his silver hair shone under the light. He was robust, of medium height. When I saw him, I thought he must have been training since birth.

Beside him stood a blonde mage named Dayanne. She had violet eyes, an athletic build, and seemed to embody all the beauty in the world. Dayanne was apparently the one responsible for summoning us to aid in the fight against the demons of the West.

However, before I could understand the situation, I heard King Patrick speak:

— Welcome to our Kingdom of Light. Our motto is to help others. Feel free to enjoy your time here.

To this day, I remember those words perfectly. That’s how they tried to start brainwashing us.

— Hypocrites.

When I came to my senses, my eyes were drawn to a spectacle of vibrant colors. The gold of the ornaments and the emerald green of the gemstones intertwined in a mosaic, creating a cozy yet almost surreal atmosphere.

The air, perfumed with incense and exotic flowers, carried a mystery that sent shivers down my spine. Looking at the stained glass window behind the king and the mage, I noticed the ancient runes seemed to pulse with their own light.

Glancing to the sides, I saw four other young people: one woman and three men. I, along with them, was one of the chosen ones of the season to help these people.

Dayanne, the beautiful mage, explained that in this world, there exists a magical system that grants special attributes to those chosen by the gods.

She explained that magic could develop in different ways, but not all users were suited to receive the gift. At first, she would analyze the affinities of the chosen ones.

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Of the five candidates for the season, two gained affinity as soldiers, one as a tank, one as a mage, and one had no magical affinity at all.

Dayanne said:

— Based on your affinities, you will train with the commanders of your respective areas.

My magic manifested as that of a mage, with mana circulating through my body that could be transformed into matter. It was something unique but also terrifying, as if my body was merely a vessel for something far greater.

Dayanne explained that mage magic is divided into two major categories: attack magic and support magic. This occurs because mana—an essential energy that permeates all existence—seems to have a sort of “will of its own.” From choosing who can wield it to how it will be used, it’s as if mana decides its purpose within each person.

This energy flows through both the environment and living beings, but its manipulation is neither universal nor standardized. On the contrary, it adapts to the needs and limitations of each user. It’s this adaptability that gave rise to the two main branches of magic: Attack and Support.

The division between these two types reflects how mana condenses and flows through the body. Attack Magic is directed toward offensive objectives, such as defeating enemies or breaking defenses. This branch transforms mana into explosive and destructive energy. Conversely, Support Magic, also called defensive magic, is essential for protecting allies, healing damage, or amplifying abilities, ensuring strategic advantages in prolonged battles.

I broke into a huge smile, almost bursting with happiness. Having magic was anyone’s dream, even if it was only for support.

What I didn’t know was that magic was incredibly complicated. Studying spells was extremely tedious, especially because it required an understanding of Latin. Another problem was that mages stayed in the rear, meaning it was mandatory to stay at the back of the army or your group during combat because they claimed mages were fragile. Fragile is the face of that phony king.

— Focus! — Lívia’s deafening shout pierced into Claude’s mind.

— Okay.

After Dayanne’s evaluation, the troop captains arrived at the palace’s main hall, and the king gave a brief introduction of each to the summoned ones.

The first to be introduced was Rafael, the captain of the soldiers. With hair as golden as the sun and silver eyes that reflected his determination, he stood out for his colossal stature and the imposing nature of his presence. His figure was so intimidating that many compared him to a true monster of strength.

Next, the king presented Marta, the captain of the mages. Despite her short stature, which left her overshadowed by the other captains, Marta was a living legend. Famous for having defeated an entire troop of dragons on her own without exhausting her mana, her aged appearance only reinforced her wisdom and the magical power she possessed.

Finally, Felipe, the captain of the tanks, was introduced. His short hair, a deep navy blue, perfectly matched his eyes of the same color, which conveyed a calm that was almost lethal. Although he wasn’t as tall as Rafael, Felipe compensated with a robust physique and dense musculature that reflected his strength and resilience.

Each of the captains, with their unique characteristics, made it clear to the summoned ones that they were in the presence of true legends.

The summoned were reassigned to their areas along with their respective leaders, leaving behind only the young man who had no affinity with magic.