Chapter 1 - The Path to Power

"Great performance as usual Oliver," said a man garbed in a greenish gown.

"Much thanks father," I replied stoically.

"Think nothing of it, still your aegis could use some polishing up. It disrupts too easily and the mana distribution throughout the shield isn't an even ratio," he criticized.

"I apologize for my incompetence father I’ll try to master it."

"Don't get ahead of yourself boy, mastering the aegis isn't no menial task. Even the greatest of wizards, Lionel the dementor couldn't accomplish it. Don’t assume you could,” he replied coldly.

"Well, Lionel may have been one of the greatest magicians of all time but he wasn’t a Kai. While I am. Anything is possible for our bloodline," I calmly stated as if though it was a fact.

While narrowing his already thin eyes he responded with a drawl, "Although that may be true, too much arrogance will lead to your downfall. Remember that boy.”

"I will keep that in mind, father. " I replied.

"Moving on, Oliver your acceptance letter came in yesterday. Go to your room and pack your bags, you will be leaving via teleportation tomorrow afternoon."

"So, soon." I said a bit surprised.

"The Imperial Wizard Academy isn't so simple boy. For it to produce the greatest of wizards is a testament to that. That’s why I’ll be sending you a week early to not look like a blundering fool on the first day," he said preparing to leave.

"Thank you for your forethought and consideration, father."

"Think nothing of it, I just don't want a member of the Kai bloodline to flail around like a commoner on the first day. " He replied throwing a stern look my way before leaving through the open hallway.

"Of course father knowing you I doubt you would care about me at all. Of course unless I did something to dishonor the bloodline." I muttered coldly under my breath.

Leaving, I calmly went in the same direction as father, but rather than go towards his study on the first floor. I headed to my bedroom which was located on the second floor. Taking my time I slowly walked up the wooden stairs, which went spirally upwards. As I walked towards my bedroom, I sensed intense fire attribute energy in my older sister's room as I passed by. Without giving it much heed I quickly entered my bedroom. Looking at impeccable condition my bedroom was in my complacent smile dropped. Only to be replaced with a sinister sneer. "I truly will destroy them all one day." I say with vehement conviction. Laying down on my bed, I thought back to the hell hole I call a childhood.

I am Oliver Kai, son of Lord Cillian Kai and Lady Morgana Kai. We're one of the ten major houses of the 'Empire' a superpower on the continent of Alvernon. It dates back a couple thousand years ago when elvish invaders from the east of Alvernon attacked us. At the time the ten major houses were split and warring. With each houses being their own kingdom. When the invasion started however, many of houses had many casualties and were on the brink of disaster.

In a last attempt to survive they all came together to form a coalition, putting their past grudges behind them. They each sent their strongest representative to create a council called the 'The Council of ten.' With the formation of the coalition and creation of 'The Council of ten' they easily pushed back the elvish invaders winning what was dubbed the Faery Invasion.  

After the war, to combat any future threats they kept the coalition and the council of ten. Which eventually lead to the formation of the superpower known as the Empire. Still, weary for future battles the ten houses delved into the deep abyss of magic, to empower themselves, and their future generations. They developed magical tattoos, sacrificial rituals, and demonic summonings using them all without hesitation to gain power. As for the Kai family they nonetheless did the same. Going as far as to tattoo the eldest son from birth to increase his mana pool. Instinctively raising my hand up to the left side of my face. I trace my finger around a green colored tattoo going across the left side of my face. Unfortunately for me I am the eldest son.

No longer thinking about my childhood I cross my legs to enter meditation. You need strength to change your life and without it you can't change anything. So, I will gain that strength and change it I thought to myself. Closing my eyes I focused on my center. As I entered meditation a distinct brownish energy gathered around my body. Slowly little by little the specks of brown enter my body settling in my abdomen, where my mana pools lied. This process continued for at least an hour until I filled my mana pool with the brownish energy.

No longer needing to meditate I stand up stretching a little. The reason I don't meditate for a longer period of time is because I want the earth elemental energy I gathered to fuse with my mana pool. Even though this process sounds slow it isn't. Since I meditated for an hour I will only need double the amount of time before the energy fuses with my mana pool. This method allows my earth spells to be more powerful and pure. Walking towards my shelf to find a book to read, I hear the sound of the door opening.

"Hey Oliver I heard your acceptance letter came in. Why don't we exchange pointers to prepare you for the academy," said my elder sister Irene as she stepped inside. Looking past her golden hair, along with her piercing green eyes. My hazel eyes narrow as they settle on the spiral red tattoo marking her otherwise flawless face.

"Don't jest sister I'm still an initiate mage, while you're an adept. A duel between us won't benefit you in the slightest," I calmly reply.

"Don't bother lying, younger brother. I know your skills better than anyone else. Other than for the fact that you haven't been tested at the academy yet. You would be considered an adept as well." She said staring into my eyes as a small smile creeped onto her face.

Sighing I reply "Fine, if we must battle let’s do it on the courtyard."

"Alright brother," She replies before quickly forming some complex hand gestures.

"We don't need to teleport," I say before the surround area transitioned into a wide courtyard surrounded by fluted columns. It was a spacious area which was located in the middle of our house. It also had a magical array to prevent damage against the ground and the house itself.

"It's faster that way. Anyways let's begin the time limit is an hour. Is that okay," She asks looking eager to begin.

"It's fine, let's go," I said as I clasped my hands together quickly. A thin, blue shield surrounds me. This was the most basic of arcane defensive skills the 'aegis.' She does the same, both of us staring each other down. We start to chant and form complex hand gestures. Finishing my spell first I mutter "Magnetic Aura." She opens her eyes wide when a shimmering brown shield overlaid my aegis. Not able to cancel her spell without backlash she shouts "Flame Swathe." An abnormal amount of fire coalesces surrounding my shield in spiral formation.

That's when the special ability of 'Magnetic Aura' comes into effect. Using the power of magnetism it could reflect any spell within a certain rank back. The swathe of flames is sent spiraling backwards to Irene. She quickly does some hand gestures before a weapon made of flame materializes in her hand. She cuts the swathe of flames and rushes towards me with her flame weapon in hand. Backing up quickly I complete the spell that I already started 'Quagmire.' And medium size portion of the ground she's walking on turns to mush trapping her in. "Bloody hell!" She yells before I cast another spell called 'earth grasp.' It was an huge hand comprised entirely of earth that I was able to control as I wish. "I give up! Oliver stop!" She yelled in indignation before it could reach her.

Even though earth spells lack power in general. They have one of the most unbreakable, and unique defenses. Allowing earth mages many opportunities to counter attack. Though if we were to compare attack power with fire it's inferior. So, it would be unwise to go against a fire mage in a head collision.

As I slowly absorbed the ambient mana around me. Irene came over with a slight blush on her face. "How?!' She yelled stomping her feet.

.

Acting indifferent, "Oh, what do you mean Irene," I ask coldly laughing at the embarrassment written all over her face. With a stutter she replied, "You know what I mean! How could you cast 'Magnetic Aura,' it’s an master level spell. Even if you could cast it, it would take at least all of your mana leaving you with nothing to spare! It's not possible to have enough mana left over to cast two other spells."

"Oh, but that’s where you're wrong dear sister. With the help of this tattoo right here anything is possible." I said pointing to the spiral tattoo going across my face. "Not only will it increase your mana pool, but it’ll also decrease the amount of mana required to cast a spell." I said with a small smile plastered across my face, "But you must've not found out about that nifty feature yet."

Narrowing her eyes to an almost impossible degree "Relying on that 'thing' Oliver, will only stunt your future potential." She replied coldly before strutting off in the direction of the dining hall. Lowering my voice I reply coldly "As much as you hate our parents Irene, it doesn’t hurt to take advantage of what's given. " she glanced back a she walked throwing me a sneer and continued walking. Whatever being so high and mighty wouldn’t allow you to change your fate. Only true strength will.

It was time for supper, and skipping would only bring about punishments by father. Painful...punishments. Shaking my head to clear my thoughts, I slowly entered the dining hall, glancing at my parents before taking the seat on my father's right.

"Good evening Oliver, how was your day?” my mother ask in a tone that suggests she could careless.

"I’m doing well mother! My acceptance letter came in and I'll be going tomorrow afternoon," I reply with a bit of fake eagerness in my voice.

"That's wonderful, but make sure not shame your father and I. Don't misbehave otherwise we will be informed. Understand," She replied coldly.

"Yes, mother," I reply nodding meekly.

"Moving on, how are your studies Irene?" She asks turning to Irene who sat to her left.

"I’m also well, mother." she replied expressionless.

"Irene! You better answer more clearly than that. If you don't want to be punished." Yelled my father, interrupting the conversation. I could see a hint of fear pass through Irene's eyes, before she quickly responded "I'm sorry mother and father, "

"No matter, Cillian forgive the girl this once, but watch your words next time Irene." My mother said pacifying father while glancing at Irene. "So, again, how are your studies? Dear," She asked again.

Almost replying instantly Irene replied "Well! My grades in magical history and art are top of the class."

My mother curled her lips before she responded "History and...art. Don't take such useless subjects next time. Focus on dueling and combat classes. Our Kai bloodlines weren’t meant to be historians. We're meant to be conquers."

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Irene drooped her head slightly before he replying fearfully "I will change my classes."

With a snorth my mother replied, "Good!' Ending the conversation with a awkward silence.

Finishing my supper quickly I ask my father "May I be excused?"

Looking up, he stared at me for a whole minute before replying "You may, but...make sure to see me later. We have much to discuss." My face scrunching up a bit, I asked him "What will we be discussing father?" A disgusting smile crept up his face before replying "Oh, you'll find out."

My back broke out in a cold sweat before I quickly left the dining hall. Rushing towards my room I shut the door behind me. I breathed heavily a few times before sliding down to the floor. Every time we had to 'discuss something.' It was just him venting his anger out on me. This happened every time I couldn't grasp a new concept instantly. After I adapted to the usual torture. It became sort of his hobby to find new and improved ways to punish me. I don't fight back mostly because I can't, not even now. Even with all the adept spells in my repertoire as well as the unique master level ones I have. Fighting him would be suicide, I wouldn’t even be able to reach his knees. That’s what it meant to be an Arch-Magus of Earth.

To gain the title means having mastered all the spells of earth. There can be only one Arch-Magus of each element. Just showing how much his strength surpassed mine. That's why I'll wait, wait until I have enough power to defeat him and tear down The Ten Houses...

**

I hate them, all of them especially my brother. Even though we both despise our parents. He's more like father then he thinks he is. I know in the future he'll become another power hungry Kai. That's why I'll grow more powerful than him, than all of them. A lofty dream considering my father's prowess and Oliver's latent talent but I will accomplish it.

I have something neither of them could ever imagine having. As I opened my palm a pale scarlet flame danced across my finger tips, flickering in darkly lit hall. I have a true flame. A type of fire essence that appears in a people with high affinity with fire. Even though it's not powerful in the beginning every person with a true flame has special property gained with it. The special property my flame has is dominance.

Which is the property of turning people burned under my flame into puppets. It's greatest strength lies with quantity. Oliver dreams of killing father, while becoming the head of the Kai house knowing him he too will tread the path for power, leading to nothing but destruction. But I-I will destroy all of them, and create a land where women aren't undermined and children tortured. I too will need power for my dream to be accomplished. But I'm not as blessed as Oliver, he only has to defeat father and become the head to reach his goal. For me to ever be in a position of power. I must destroy the council of ten and tear down the Empire itself.

**

Stepping out into a dimly lit hallway, I slowly walked to my father's study. Going the down the stairs, my every step seemed heavier than the last. Stepping in front of my father's study I opened the door handle taking one foot in before an overwhelming pressure washed over me. I was used to this pressure, so I put my palms together letting a mini shield cover my consciousness. This skill is called Soul awareness, being a mage is not only about memorizing chants and casting them. Anyone could do that, but what matters is understanding the mechanics behind magic. The most important mechanic is the soul, it’s what helps us will magic into existence. It's what helps us live longer than our common man. The  soul is what helps you control the mana to produce what’s called magic. So, without having any awareness of your soul you won't be able to cast magic.

Using my soul awareness I cover my brain and heart in a thin purple shield. When your soul awareness gets to an high level like Arch-Magus. You can use it to disrupt other chants causing backlash. Backlash will sometimes not only stun you but paralyze your control over mana. The only way to defeat soul awareness is to use soul awareness.  So, I heavily fortified the most important parts of my body with my soul. My father steps out of the darkness of his study with a small smile. "Nicely done," he said. "Th-thanks father..." I reply grimacing slightly from the pressure. "Oh Oliver. You have much to learn," he said letting up the pressure on me. Before I could even be at ease the surroundings changed. Instantaneous teleportation, its being able to teleport without the use of incantations or hand gesture.

Looking around I see nothing but granite walls with a tinge of blue surrounding them. "Fuck!" I mentally yell. "Calm down Oliver, no need to look so agitated." He said with a smile. "I know your combat abilities are lacking so I made this special room just for you." Putting his two palms together his golden tattoo lights up. I sense an abnormal amount of earth elemental energy gathering. Slowly bit by bit they coalesce into multiple earthen replicas of himself. "This lesson will be our last before you go to the academy. So, I plan to teach you something incase you fight with the other heirs." He said while the earthen elemental energy slowly stopped fluctuating. "Our bloodline tattoo has so much more to offer than you can imagine, Oliver. Not only can it lower the mana cost of each spell as well as decreasing the amount required. It can also help you increase your affinity with your element."

"But isn't affinity fixed at birth, father." I say a bit confused at this. After all it was a well known fact that affinity was fixed at birth and nothing could change it. "Don't be naive, Oliver. Nothing is set in stone and do you think that our bloodline tattoo is so simple that it can only help you mana pool. " He replied with a sarcastic tone. Thinking back how could it be so simple. The other houses techniques are powerful sometimes making me doubt how our tattoo could fight against them. For example the Lazarus house specialize in turning themselves into their elements. It would be difficult to fight against someone who is pretty much made of water. "So, what's the special ability of our tattoo then." I ask a bit anxious to find out.

Looking at my eager face he smiled before replying "The tattoos of the branch members don't have any power actually. Only the head family has them, which is us. Also no tattoo is the same, the ability you have must have not manifested yet so today I plan to speed up the process."

A bit confused I ask "So, does Irene have a tattoo ability." Out of nowhere he explodes with a thunderous laugh while saying "Oh Irene, Irene. She does have a tattoo ability but I've known she would never use it due to her personality. So, I've imprinted it in her mana pool instead of the tattoo. So, it'll appear as an actual ability, not an remnant of her tattoo. Oh, she must be thinking of exploiting me with her ability." He continued laughing before calming down enough to say. "But for you, your ability is a bit special so it won't appear without proper motivation." A cold smile appeared on his face before his stoic, earthen replicas started attacking me. He teleported out with a satisfied smile covering his face "See you tomorrow and survive." He said before fading out.

Grasping my hands together I try to cast a spell but something gets in the way. The walls must be blocking me from using external magic I thought. Glancing at the earthen dolls of father, it'll take more than that to break me down. Using my soul I guide my mana around my body fortifying it. Before I finish, a doll is already in front of me. I throw out my palm hitting its chest. Nothing happens for a few seconds before it suddenly flies back. I just used 'Shock fist' a type of martial art technique. Usually warriors fortify their body and use martial arts instead of magic. It may seem less powerful and it is. Though on One on one it’s almost impossible for a regular mage to win against a similar level warrior. The ten houses are an exception to this rule though. I don't know about the other houses but my father taught me his own set of martial arts he created with a base around earth. So, I could use them in conjunction with earth.

The martial art is called Earth-bending. It’s built around defense and creates a type invisible bubble that I can sense any movement with. It only extends to only about five meters though. The earthen dolls keep on attacking while push them back with earth bending. This is not going to get me anywhere I thought. Putting my two palms together a thin, earthen crust covered it. I guess it can't block all magic. Then again this earth crust was a simpler version of earth armor.

Using the my earth hardened hands I keep on throwing out palms. One by one I destroy all of the earthen dolls, finally relaxing I feel the earth elemental energy coalescing again. Instead, of forming dolls again though a wolf like creature is formed. Damn I thought fighting enemies who cooperate is much harder than ones who don't. After the wolves form they immediately form into formation preparing to attack me. I truly hate my father I thought. How will fighting weak enemies help me understand my tattoo ability. Putting my hands together again I form a thin 'Magnetic Aura' around my hand which I call magnetic hand. The wolves quickly surround me I quickly activate my bubble and they start attacking. With perfect coordination one goes for my throat while the other goes for my legs. Unfortunately for them they're inside my bubble and I can sense anything within it.

Using my magnetic hand I reflect the wolf heading for my throat towards the one going for my legs. They smash together and break. Luckily for me these aren't magical beasts. I swiftly deal with the other wolves pouncing on me. Reflecting their attacks back at each other. This is why I mastered this master level spell first instead of the other more powerful ones. It can not only reflect attacks back, it can also use magnetic force to push or pull enemies. It allows me to control my enemies movements which is a great advantage when fighting against multiple opponents.

Finally, destroying the last earth wolf, I try to recover my mana since using spells like these drain my mana. Before I can even ease up though. The surrounding elemental energy fluctuate again coalescing again to more giant like figure. "Fuck, Fuck, Fuck!" I yelled. The coalescing energy form a huge humanoid made of earth, a golem. There's no way to defeat this many I thought. Golems are one of the hardest earth constructs to defeat, they possess near inexhaustible stamina as well as regeneration. Not slow regeneration either fast regeneration. Am I going to die I thought. Stealing my heart I will the little remaining mana I have again into my hands forming my magnetic aura. Instead, waiting to be attacked, I rush out to meet them. I throw a punch at one of the golem's face destroying a part of it before it regenerated. This is going to be a long battle I thought to myself darkly.