On the Southern end of the Grandiel continent, in a clearing in Hailhollow Forest on the Eastern outskirts of the rural town of Sharrow, were a group of twenty-odd children and a single immortal. The children were kids from Sharrow that yearned for adventure, excitement, and power. Naturally, with the advent of an immortal, news travelled quickly, and many sought and begged the tutelage of Julius within moments of his arrival. However, Julius would only agree to teaching children, with his stern mindset of “If your level of power is that low at such an age, you’re already hopeless.”

Julius was, in fact, a prodigy of an immortal that broke through to S-rank at the age of 19, and had allowed himself to age until his appearance reached his twenties, and before him was a group of children that looked upon him with awe and admiration.

“First, everyone should sit, close their eyes, and try to enter a meditative state,” Julius said with a gentle and caring smile.

Following Julius’ words, the children, Zieg included, sat where they stood, closed their eyes, and began meditating.

“Try to feel for the elements, and focus on the ones that you feel has the strongest connection towards you,” Julius spoke to the meditating children, and began gathering the elements enmass. He changed the constitution of the ground beneath the children, intensified the water vapor in the air, heated other parts in the air, and varied the air pressure. As the children meditated, Julius’ expression instantly became cold as his gaze swept the group for a moment, before immediately reassuming his gentle expression.

The children began glowing different colors, from green, red, brown, and blue. Some children even flickered between several colors.

(More than I suspected…) Julius thought to himself.

“That’s enough, you may stop,” Julius commanded, and released the elements. He pointed to several of the twenty-odd children.

“You four and Hope, I’m willing to teach you, as for the others, I apologize, but I am unable to provide you guidance,” Julius said, with a feigned sorrowful expression.

“But why?!” a child that looked to be under ten cried out.

“I became an immortal through the understanding of elements, as such, I am only willing to teach those that possess a high affinity to at least three or more of the four basic elements. The rest of you only possess affinity for one or two. You may come back to request for my guidance after you reach an understanding in the other elements, and reach a minimum of being able to attune to three,” Julius said with a kind expression, knowing that the odds of that ever happening were extremely low.

The children that were unable to be taught by Julius were sullenly escorted back to the village before all that remained was an immortal, and the five children that stood before him.

Julius eyed each child carefully, analyzing minute details, and stared a particularly long time at Zieg before breaking his gaze. At the same time, Zieg was analyzing Julius just as much for their inevitable clash in the future. Julius was inwardly surprised that Zieg had reached the peak of D-rank at five years old, and possessed affinity for all four of the basic elements. He was excited at the prospect of another potential genius just like himself, and for that potential genius to be the son of his late friend. He smiled sincerely at that thought, unlike his previous mask-like feigned smiles.

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Aside from Zieg, the other kids were two boys and two girls. One of the boys had messy short hair, a bulky frame and tan skin, possessing the elements of Earth, Fire, and Wind. The other boy was the polar opposite of the previous, a thin, pale child with glasses and neat hair that possessed the elements of Water, Fire, and Wind. As for the girls, one of them had a tall figure with short hair styled into a bob cut, with tanned skin and possessing the elements of Wind, Water and Earth. And lastly, the final girl had pale skin much like the boy with glasses and Zieg, with long, black and straight hair, possessing an affinity for all elements.

Truthfully, Julius had not expected to see these many potentials in such a modest and rural town.

“For now, I’ll explain a bit about the four basic elements…” Julius began speaking to the five before him.

“Those that possess the element of Fire are usually suited for more naturally aggressive abilities and styles, defensive for Earth, speed and technique for Wind, and support and tactical styles for Water. Of course this is not an ironclad guideline, and those truly proficient with the elements use them any way they see fit. Practically any immortal that uses elements entirely ignores this. For all of you whom possess at least three elements, your potential should be rather high, and you should be able to create your own paths in the future, but I must warn you...” Julius paused, looking into the eyes of each of the five. His eyes finally rested onto Zieg, and Zieg received the gaze unflinchingly.

“My guidance is not easy, nor simple. If you do not have the resolve, leave now. You may even die, or worse, continue to live in a state wishing you were dead. I will guide those who wish to undertake my training for several years, and during this time, you will be stripped of your freedom, unable to meet with your family or friends. I’m sure each of you have your reasons for seeking me. Ask yourself this: What are you willing to sacrifice to achieve your goals?” at the question, Julius reminisced about his own past, and wryly smiled at the nostalgia, while the five looked to be deep in thought.

“The answer to that question, is it everything?” Julius finally asked with an expressionless face after several moments of silence had passed.

Each of the five nodded their heads, and before him no longer stood five children, but five resolute people.