I watched intently as Aria and her teammates performed their magical demonstration. The combination of lights and spells was impressive, and I couldn’t help feeling a mixture of admiration and longing. I wanted to be like them—to master my magic and protect those I loved.
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned to see my mother, Lysa, smiling at me with tenderness.
“Kaion, come with me,” she said, extending her hand.
I started to walk with her, but Ragna approached my side.
“Your eyes are extraordinary; they hold a power that is rare here, Kaion,” he said quietly, with a thoughtful expression. “I can sense something in your soul, something different. Have you ever felt anything similar?”
I pretended not to understand what he was talking about and gave him a confused look.
“I don’t know what you mean, Ragna,” I replied, shrugging. “My eyes have always been like this.”
Ragna studied me for a moment longer, as if trying to decipher me, but in the end, he simply nodded and walked away.
“Perhaps it’s just my imagination,” he said, sounding unconvinced, before moving on.
My mother led me through the crowd, leaving Ragna and Nara behind. We made our way to one of the village elders, who was observing the celebration from a higher vantage point. His gaze was wise and serene, and I felt small under his scrutiny.
“Great Elder, this is my son, Kaion,” my mother said, introducing me with pride.
The elder studied me intently before speaking.
“Kaion, I’ve heard about you,” he said in a deep voice. “My name is Eldric, one of the guardians of Profundia. I wanted to see you up close.”
A knot formed in my stomach as Eldric examined me. His penetrating gaze seemed to see beyond what I showed, yet I stood firm, determined not to reveal my secret.
“It’s an honor to meet you, Great Elder Eldric,” I said respectfully, using the same title my mother had given him. From that, I deduced he was the leader of the village.
Eldric nodded with a smile, his eyes gleaming with a hint of curiosity.
“Your mother tells me that you’re very mature for your age and quite skilled in magic. I’m interested to see how you develop in the coming years. Profundia needs talented young people like you.”
“I’ll do my best to bring pride to my village and my family,” I replied, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination.
Eldric nodded again, his gaze never leaving mine.
“Remember, young Kaion, that true power doesn’t only lie in the magic you can conjure but in how you choose to use it. Always keep your heart and mind in balance.”
“I’ll remember that, Great Elder Eldric,” I said seriously.
While my mother and Eldric continued talking, I couldn’t help but think about what Ragna had said. Though I didn’t want anyone to know I was reincarnated, I knew my abilities and connection to mana made me different. I’d have to be careful and keep moving forward without revealing too much.
After my encounter with Elder Eldric, I was ready to rejoin my friends. The music and festivities were still in full swing, and I felt relieved to have passed the scrutiny of the elder’s gaze. However, before I could join the crowd, Aria intercepted me.
“Kaion, can I talk to you for a moment?” she asked, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
I nodded, following my sister to a quieter spot, away from the bustling celebration.
“What’s wrong, Sister?” I asked, trying to keep my voice calm, though her concerned tone was starting to worry me.
“I just spoke with Ragna,” she began, frowning. “He mentioned he had a conversation with you. What did you talk about?”
A knot tightened in my stomach. I didn’t want to lie to Aria, but I also didn’t want to worry her more than necessary.
“He just made a comment about my eyes,” I replied, shrugging. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
Aria looked at me closely, trying to read my expression. After a moment, she sighed, seeming to relax a bit.
“Alright, Kaion. But there’s something important I want you to know about Ragna,” she said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. “He has a bit of a rivalry with me because… well, we’ve had our differences.”
I was surprised to hear that. I couldn’t imagine anyone having issues with my extraordinary sister, but the seriousness in her eyes made me understand the depth of the situation.
“Ragna is a Qi user,” Aria continued, “and he cultivates the Death Edict. His methods on the battlefield are… unconventional, to put it mildly. He’s not someone you should take lightly.”
The worry in her expression deepened as she spoke, and I felt a surge of affection for my older sister. She had always been a strong and protective figure in my life, and now she was trying to shield me from a threat I didn’t fully understand.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Ragna just seeks to bother me because he can’t stand that I surpass him in areas he can’t master,” Aria explained. “If he messes with you, tell me immediately. I don’t want anything bad happening to you because of him.”
“I will, Aria,” I said, trying to reassure her. “Don’t worry.”
Though I didn’t give her the details of my conversation with Ragna, she seemed to believe me. Her face softened, and a small smile appeared on her lips.
“Good. Now, come with me. I want to introduce you to my teammates,” she said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
As I followed her back to the plaza, I felt a mixture of gratitude and admiration for Aria. She was always there for me, ensuring I was safe and guiding me through this complex and dangerous world.
The night continued, filled with laughter, music, and magic. But what I treasured most was the sense of belonging and the unconditional love of my sister, who would always be there to guide and protect me.
We arrived at the plaza, filled with lights and music. The energy of the festival was contagious, but my attention focused on the group of young people from different races gathered around Aria. She led me to them with a smile.
“Kaion, I want to introduce you to my team. Everyone, this is my little brother.”
1. The Protector: Thalor, the Dwarf
Thalor, a sturdy dwarf with a braided beard and deep blue eyes, was the first to speak.
“Hey there, little Kaion. I’m Thalor, the team’s shield. I make sure nothing and no one harms us,” he said in a booming voice, giving me a pat on the back that almost made me stumble. “Great to meet you!”
2. The Rogue: Selene, the Dark Elf
Selene, a lithe dark elf with lilac eyes, approached with a charming smile.
“Hello, Kaion. I’m Selene, the scout. I make sure this group avoids traps and stays one step ahead,” she said, moving with impressive agility. “You seem as curious as I am. Welcome.”
3. The Qi User: Zephyr, Qi Beast
Zephyr was an owl-type Qi Beast with black feathers and large, piercing eyes. His movements were graceful, almost as if he were floating instead of walking.
“Kaion, I’m Zephyr. I use the power of wind to move quickly and control the air,” he said in a calm tone, his voice soft as a whisper on the night breeze. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
4. The Mage: Aria, the Ancient
Finally, my sister Aria, with her commanding presence and silver hair, smiled as she introduced herself.
“You already know me, but I’m Aria, the team’s mage. I ensure we work in harmony and cast the necessary spells to keep us safe,” she said, looking at me with pride. “I hope you feel inspired by all of us.”
I felt a mix of excitement and nerves as I met them. Each of them had a unique personality and impressive abilities. I knew I had a lot to learn from them.
Months had passed since I last spoke with Aria about the exam and the academy. Now, at four years old, my curiosity and interest in the place where my sister trained were growing. While we ate in our cozy home in Profundia, my thoughts drifted to the stories I had heard.
The food, while nourishing, couldn’t compare to the flavors of my previous life. Still, each bite reminded me of the strength of my new family and the purpose I had to fulfill in this world.
Aria, Lysa, and I were sitting around the table. My mind wandered to the academy I had always heard about but now wanted to know in more detail. Curiosity led me to ask a question that had been on my mind.
“Aria, can you tell me more about the academy you belong to and what you do there?” I asked, trying to imagine the place where my sister honed her skills. My voice reflected the excitement and curiosity I felt.
Aria looked at me with a smile filled with love and pride. Her green eyes sparkled in the magical lamplight.
“Of course, Kaion. The academy is called the Royal Academy of Magical and Military Arts of Profundia,” she began, settling into her chair. “It’s one of the three main centers for training elite mercenaries in our underground world. The other two academies are located on different continents, but all share the same goal: to train the best mages and warriors for critical missions that maintain balance and peace in our realms.”
My eyes widened with surprise and admiration. I hadn’t imagined that the academy had such a broad and prestigious connection. Before I could say anything, my mother, Lysa, added more context.
“Each of these academies is essential for the safety of our world. They train students in advanced magical arts, military tactics, and complex strategies. They handle missions ranging from neutralizing magical threats to overthrowing corrupt governments,” she explained, her voice resonating with authority. “The ranks within the academy reflect students’ progress and experience.”
Aria continued, describing the ranks with clarity and excitement:
* Reaper: “This is the highest and most prestigious rank. Reapers lead the most critical missions and direct global strategy. They are respected for their wisdom and power. They’re known as the relentless protectors of the innocent or beacons of hope in difficult times. It’s said that if a Reaper appears somewhere in the world, something significant is about to happen,” Aria explained, her eyes shining with a hint of aspiration.
* First-Rank Cadet: “Advanced mercenaries with extensive combat and magical tactics experience. They’re on the brink of reaching the highest rank and often lead teams on dangerous missions,” she continued, her tone filled with respect and seriousness.
* Second-Rank Cadet: “Intermediate mercenaries who have developed considerable skills. They play important roles in missions and operations and continue to enhance their abilities,” she said with an encouraging smile.
* Third-Rank Cadet: “New recruits in training. They’re learning the foundations of magical and military arts and preparing for greater responsibilities to come,” she added, reminding me of hopeful, energetic beginners.
* Aspirant: “They’re cadet prospects. To become an aspirant, you must be five years old and pass a test with instructors according to your energy type and compatible element. Here, they’ll learn the basics of magical and military arts until they turn twelve, when they’ll become cadets if they pass the established tests. Each academy has different tests, but only in Profundia are there aspirants due to the hostile territory we face.”
Aria looked at me seriously, but also with pride in her eyes.
“Kaion, I’m a First-Rank Cadet. I’m one step away from becoming a Reaper, and my main task is to protect our community and ensure the success of our missions. The academy doesn’t just teach us to fight; it also teaches us to think strategically and to understand magic, Qi, and Aura in their deepest essence,” she said with conviction. “My responsibilities also include guiding the younger ones and making sure we’re all prepared for any challenge.”
I felt a mixture of admiration and determination. My sister was not only a formidable mage but also a leader and mentor to many.
“That sounds incredible, Aria. I want to be a Reaper someday,” I said, my voice filled with resolve and ambition. “I want to learn and make a difference in this world.”
Lysa smiled, her gaze full of love and faith in my future.
“Kaion, you have the potential to achieve great things. With time, proper training, and your innate curiosity, I’m sure you’ll find your path in the academy and beyond,” she said, her voice gentle but firm. “Always remember that knowledge and responsibility go hand in hand.”
And so, as we continued our dinner, I felt more inspired and determined than ever. I knew that my path to the Royal Academy of Magical and Military Arts of Profundia would be challenging but also filled with opportunities to grow and discover my true purpose in this vast and mysterious underground world.