"Luckily, the two of you managed to be picked, or else it would have been Arnold alone who went to the temple."
Beside Arnold were Kevin and Karson. Initially, only Arnold was supposed to be picked, but due to some unknown circumstances, the temple decided to pick two more children.
And so, they picked Kevin, who fought in the finals, and they also picked Karson, who was the opponent of Kayla.
Karson showed a decent fight against a prodigy like Kayla. Though he inevitably lost, he still held out against her, which was far more impressive than Kevin and Kaden's fight.
Kayla was supposed to be the one, but she and the duke refused, and the temple couldn't do anything about their decision.
"Good luck, the three of you. May the Goddesses guide you in the temple," the duke said farewell to the three of them, and they went to the temple.
A few days of travel, and they arrived at the capital where the temple is. The three of them were greeted by the paladins and priests.
"Welcome! Children of Paisley, it is our honor to house the three of you who have the potential to grow but..." the head priest glanced at Arnold.
"They said there was a child who couldn't use magic; certainly, it must be you."
"That is me. Since I don't have magic, does that mean I'm not qualified?"
The head priest shook his head in denial.
"To live in this world is to not only rely on magic but to rely on one's own strength and will. Magic may be a starting point for most people, but maybe you have a different destiny set out for you."
The three of them were quiet while the other two children were looking around since this was the first time they went outside.
Arnold looked at the priest with curiosity; it was like he understood his exact words.
'Isn't this child 13 years old? Though my words are simple, it's like he was listening and understanding what I said,' the priest was curious about Arnold as well.
"Alright, everyone, the knights will guide you to your individual rooms, and servants will assist you later on," the head priest ordered them, and the children were taken to their own respective rooms.
"I might be able to see the birth of a new prodigy," the priest thought as he looked at Arnold walking away.
9 year's later:
"Arnold! Hold your weapon calmly, don't grip it too hard or slash too roughly. Just breathe and cut, that's it."
"Alright, alright. I'm just getting used to this kind of weapon."
Karson and Arnold are training with each other. Over the course of three years, they developed a bond that wasn't shown in the past.
"Alright! Let's take a break."
Karson threw a towel at Arnold and he caught it. He wiped off the sweat on his head and body, and they both drank a glass of water while sitting under a tree in the training grounds.
"Nine years, it's almost time for me to go back home." Karson developed well in the temple as he discovered his potential in magic. Within five years of training and learning, he was able to cast two elements at once.
"That much time has passed? I'll be lonely here, so when you go back, I should leave as well."
"Huh? Leave? Didn't father say that you will only leave if you fully reached your potential?"
"I reached my limit here. The only experience I need is about the outside world. Plus, father already has Marcus as his successor, so there's no need for another son to return, right?"
"Speaking of brother, I wonder where he is."
"Looking for your greatest and most powerful brother?"
"Well, speak of the devil!" A tall man wearing a paladin's uniform came up to them. They already knew who he was; it was their brother, Kevin.
After seven years of learning, studying, and decision-making, Kevin decided to become a paladin of the temple. Of course, the duke was informed, and he agreed.
So now the three of them had roles they had to fulfill, but Arnold was still unsure of his role.
"While I was out on duty, I happened to receive a letter from the Paisley household. So I decided, why don't we open it and see together?"
Surprisingly, Kevin's attitude towards Arnold changed majorly, so the three of them were now real brothers.
"Okay, I'll open it now"
My sons,
This is your father. I don't usually send letters like this, but this is an urgent matter. I'm sure Kevin is aware of the situation outside, but the two of you may not have heard of it. I already asked the head priest for permission so that you could leave. I want the three of you back home so I can tell you the details here.
Duke Paisley.
"What's going on outside? Tell us, Kevin!"
"I...", he couldn't find the words to describe the situation in the most calming way, so Kevin answered.
"Father will tell you everything. I'll tell the servants to get the horses. Get your things; we will leave immediately."
'Is the situation really dire for father to send a message directly to us, and why was Kevin panicking with his words?' Arnold was thinking about what the situation could be.
He soon found out when he and the others arrived back home.
"O-our siblings are engaging on the battlefield right now?"
Kevin and Karson were sitting down on the chairs, looking at Arnold. He was bold and brave, facing the duke and even slamming the table in front of him.
"The empire needs them. No... The entire continent needs them. The demon God's army is making a move, so we had to send troops to help them."
"And? Those troops you're referring to are my 22-year-old siblings! Father, they didn't even train in the temple!"
It was only 9 years ago that the boy in front of the duke couldn't speak a word; now he has the guts to rebuke any words the duke says.
"It's only a matter of time before the three of you go out as well."
"So you called us back only to send us to our potential deaths?"
The duke was silent; the entire room was quiet. The duke knew the danger, and even the three of them knew, but it was inevitable; it's bound to happen.
"Alright, send me to where those demons are, and I will personally end this war myself."
They were not aware that three heroes would arrive a year later after the war started.