The warmth of the Celestial Peaks was a distant memory as I stood overlooking the sprawling capital city of Astella. The mountain range, with its familiar embrace, had been replaced by the cold, unyielding presence of the city. Astella was a city of grandeur, its architecture a testament to the power and prestige of the nobility that resided within its towering quartz crystal walls. The walls themselves seemed to hum with ancient energy, encasing the city in a protective barrier that also served as a reminder of past wars and the sacrifices made to keep the kingdom safe.
"This city… it's nothing like home," I murmured to myself, feeling the bone-chilling aura that seemed to seep from the very ground. Unlike the welcoming warmth of the mountain range, Astella was a place forged in battle, its people hardened by the trials of war and the cold reality of power.
Eclipse's voice echoed in my mind, a constant presence over the years.
[Status Plate]
Name: Kairos Solari (formerly Ichibei Sukejuro)
Age: 15
Race: Human (Aurelian)
Title: [??], [Star Child] - 60%
Affiliation: House Aurelius, Astella City
Attributes:
Strength: 40.0
Dexterity: 45.0
Endurance: 42.0
Intelligence: 50.0
Wisdom: 48.0
Charisma: 38.0
Luck: 35.0
Mana: 50.0
Skills:
Movement Mastery Lv. 8 (Evolved from Crawling Mastery): Mastery over fluid and efficient movement, allowing for rapid and controlled mobility.
Swordsmanship Lv. 10: Proficient in the art of sword fighting, capable of executing complex techniques and maneuvers.
Intermediate Celestial Magic Lv. 1: Access to a higher tier of celestial magic, unlocking more powerful spells and abilities.
Observation Lv. 5: Enhanced ability to notice and analyze details in the environment and opponents.
Mana Manipulation Lv. 6: Skilled in controlling and shaping mana for various purposes, including combat and magic.
Celestial Magic Lv. 10: Mastery over celestial magic, allowing for the manipulation of cosmic energies and light.
Special Abilities:
Eclipse: A mysterious system granted by the dark god, serving as a guide and companion.
Memory Retention: Ability to retain memories from past life with exceptional clarity.
Galaxy Step: A Sword Art that combines celestial magic with swordsmanship. To obtain this skill, focus on applying celestial magic to your swordsmanship and see where it leads. Mastery Lv 0
"Kairos, your progress has been exceptional. Your swordsmanship has reached a peak, and your celestial magic has grown stronger. There is a special mission available, should you choose to accept it."
"A mission?" "What is it, Eclipse?"
"The mission is to obtain a Sword Art known as Galaxy Step. The parameters are simple: you must apply your celestial magic to your swordsmanship. By focusing on both, you can unlock this powerful technique. Galaxy Step will elevate your combat skills, allowing you to strike with the power of the stars."
"Galaxy Step... It sounds incredible." "I'm ready. I'll take on the mission."
"Astella may not be welcoming, but it is a place where strength is recognized. You will find no pity here, only challenges that will test your resolve."
I nodded inwardly, knowing the truth of Eclipse's words. The people of Astella were diverse, a mixture of races and cultures that had come together over the centuries. Humans, Aurelians, and various beast-kin walked the streets, each marked by the noble crests that signified their family's contributions to the war that had ravaged Eldoria over fifty years ago. Yet, despite the diversity, the city guards were constantly busy, their hands full with the injustices that still plagued the capital.
As I walked through the city, I couldn't help but notice the lingering tension in the air. The citizens moved with purpose, their expressions guarded, as if ready to defend themselves at a moment's notice. The capital had a reputation for being a place where power was everything, and those without it were quickly crushed underfoot.
"The Star Dragon Trial," I whispered, the name alone sending a shiver down my spine. It was a trial that loomed over the heads of every noble family, a test of strength and endurance that few survived. The trial was not just a test of magic, but a rite of passage, and for the Aurelius family, it was mandatory.
Eclipse spoke again, his tone serious. "Your ancestor, Aurelius, fought against the dragons under the command of the Dark God. The Star Dragon, in particular, was a formidable foe, capable of consuming celestial magic. It was Aurelius who branded the dragon with the Star of Contempt, binding it to the northern range, where its spirit remains trapped to this day."
The northern range, now overgrown and wild, was a place of fear and legend. The spirit of the Star Dragon was said to haunt the forest, making it the perfect setting for the trial that bore its name. I had heard tales of those who entered the forest, never to return, their names etched into the annals of history as a warning to others.
My aunt, Alice Aurelius, had taken me from my mother 15 years ago. The memory of that day was as vivid as ever—the pain in my mother's eyes mirrored in Alice's. She had been tasked by my grandfather to raise me, just as she had raised her own sons, who were no longer here in Eldoria. They had faced the Star Dragon Trial when they turned 15, and like so many before them, they had not returned.
Alice was a strict teacher, a master of celestial magic. While she wasn't as powerful as my mother, her knowledge was enough to be respected as a master in her own right. Under her tutelage, I learned to wield celestial magic with precision and power. But it wasn't just magic I was taught.
Gant, the towering Templar Knight who had once thrashed my older brother, became my swordsmanship instructor. Gant was a man of few words, but his presence was overwhelming. Born on the battlefield, Gant had learned to swing a sword before he could read or write. His body was a canvas of scars, each telling a story of survival in the face of death.
"Your stance is too open, boy," Gant would say, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder. "A stance like that will get you killed before you can even swing."
Gant's training was brutal, unyielding. He would drill me relentlessly, forcing me to repeat the basics until they were ingrained in my very being. Under his guidance, I honed my skills, learning to move with the fluidity and precision of a seasoned warrior. He was a harsh teacher, but I could tell he wanted me to survive—to succeed where so many others had failed.