by : BlackbeardtheBear
Shinna listened to the story with a sense of boredom, as it was something she had heard repeatedly. Each time she heard it, she questioned the beauty and grandeur of each dragon. To her, they seemed more frightening and repulsive than majestic.
When the lecturer finished, Shinna packed up her books and left the classroom. She headed to the school's library to find something to read to pass the time until the end of the term and her journey home.
The royal academy Shinna was invited to attend was a boarding school, allowing students to return home every term. Since Shinna had started her studies a few months before Largas, she was ahead of him by one term. Although she knew that Largas was now residing in the capital, she was unaware of his experiences before arriving. She didn't even know that her father had been burned alive by the red dragon. All she knew was that there had been some trouble, which had led to Largas arriving in the capital in a frail state.
Shinna walked into the quiet library and began searching for an interesting book to pass the time. As she wandered past shelves filled with books about dragons and various legends, her eyes landed on a dusty, old book.
(Why have I never seen this book before?) Shinna wondered.
She picked up the book and walked to a reading table, opening it up. The text inside was written in a strange, unfamiliar language. She couldn't understand a word, but the book contained illustrations. The drawings depicted a war between humanity, with one side consisting of mages and swordsmen, and the other side comprising humans mounted on dragons.
"Reading about the Great War, are you?" a mysterious male voice asked from behind her.
Startled, Shinna turned around to see a young man with silver hair and red eyes, his face handsome and angelic. He had a warm smile reminiscent of Claire's. His name was Thorn Knightross, a prodigious young mage who had reached level 5 by the age of 14 and was the son of two grand mages of level 8, Assel Knightross and Roman Veren.
Thorn was a figure who seemed more suited to a novel, yet here he was, right in front of Shinna.
Shinna felt a bit nervous meeting Thorn Knightross, a famous student known not only for his magical prowess but also for his captivating appearance.
"Um... but I can't read this language," Shinna replied with a dry smile.
Thorn smiled and sat down at the table opposite her. "That book is in an ancient language. It's rare to find books like this, and they're usually kept in specialized research rooms."
"This is the first time I've seen it in a place like this, haha," Thorn chuckled lightly.
Shinna was curious. "Can you read this language?"
Thorn nodded. "Yes, I can. I learned the ancient language from my parents since I was young. Would you like me to translate it for you?"
Shinna smiled widely. "If you could, that would be great! I'd love to know what this book is about."
Thorn took the book and began to translate the text softly. "This book records the story of the war between the continent of Silveria and Maragon, a fierce and brutal war. One side consisted of mages and swordsmen, while the other side was humans who used dragons as mounts…"
As Thorn translated, Shinna listened attentively. She began to visualize the brutal and devastating scenes described. The dragons she had seen in her lectures now seemed even more fearsome and terrifying.
"In this war, Maragon had the most powerful dragon, named Veridian, the Dragon King from the icery continent of Iseret," Thorn continued. "He was an emerald dragon with supernatural powers, capable of controlling nature and creating storms. He led the fight, battling without a rider."
"But he was betrayed by his own human commanders and was driven out of the war, losing his title as the Dragon King," Thorn said. "After Veridian disappeared from the war, Silveria gained the upper hand. The war ended with three level 10 grand mages destroying and killing all the humans who could ride and command Maragon's dragons."
Shinna listened with increasing interest. "Veridian was betrayed by the humans he once allied with… how tragic."
Thorn nodded. "Yes, it's a sad story, but it's also a common tale in war. It shows the uncertainty and distrust that can arise in conflicts."
Shinna felt a pang of curiosity. "And what happened to Veridian after he was driven out of the war?"
"Hmm… It's said that he died after fighting Fei Long, the Dragon God. However, it's not confirmed because Veridian's body was never found," Thorn answered gently.
"I see. What about the level 10 grand mages? Are they still alive?" Shinna asked further.
"They are still alive. It seems that they have longer lifespans after reaching the pinnacle," Thorn replied.
"But no one really knows for sure, because only three people in world history have reached that level," Thorn added.
"Really? But you should be able to reach it too, since you're already a level 5 mage," Shinna said with a sincere expression.
Thorn laughed softly. "Haha, I'll try my best. But you're amazing too, with the legendary saint's magic of the Golden Spell."
Shinna blushed slightly at Thorn's compliment. "Thank you, Thorn. But I still have a lot of training to do. I'm only at level 2 right now."
Thorn smiled gently. "Everyone has to start from scratch. Don't worry."
Shinna nodded. "Well, good luck with your training, Thorn."
They both smiled at each other before Shinna returned the book to its place. Thorn watched her with care. "If you want to know more about magic or dragons, feel free to ask me anytime."
"Thanks a lot, Thorn. I'll keep that in mind," Shinna replied.
As she left the library, she reflected on Thorn's smile and voice, realizing why he attracted so much admiration from those around him.
When Shinna arrived back at her dorm room, she saw her roommate, Diana, already there. Diana was a commoner like Shinna, and they had quickly become close friends. Diana was slightly plump and petite.
"Hey, Diana, you're back!" Shinna exclaimed, running over to hug her.
"Haha, yes, I'm back, Shinna. You really like hugging my chubby self, don't you?" Diana smiled at Shinna.
"Chubby? More like soft and cuddly!" Shinna retorted with a playful expression, giving Diana's soft belly a gentle poke.
"Alright, alright. Hurry up and pack your things. We're heading home today," Diana said, pinching Shinna's cheek.
Shinna laughed softly as Diana pinched her cheek. "Yes, I'm going home today. I've missed home so much."
Diana smiled. "I've missed home too. Safe travels, Shinna."
Shinna nodded. "Thanks, Diana."
After packing her things, Shinna left the dorm with her suitcase and headed to the school's train station, where students were preparing to return home for the break. The train was a magical one, capable of traveling quickly and safely.
At the station, Shinna saw many students waiting for the train as well. She found a seat and placed her suitcase down, looking around and thinking about her family, especially her brother Largas, who was now in the capital. She wondered how he was doing and how things were at school for him.
The magical train arrived, and Shinna boarded, finding her seat and settling in, excited to return home. During the journey, she looked out the window and admired the beautiful natural scenery, gradually approaching the capital city.
The capital of the kingdom was named Arakeel, a city that blended medieval beauty with modern magical advancements. As she entered the capital, the first thing that caught her eye was the grand castle perched on a hill. The castle, made of white marble with high walls, was the residence of the royal family and the seat of the royal court.
The streets of Arakeel were paved with gravel and lined with magical lanterns that lit up at night. Shops lined the streets, selling everything from local goods to magical items, including enchanted jewelry and potions.
The buildings in the capital combined medieval architecture with modern magical enhancements, such as self-opening windows and roofs that reflected sunlight during the day and glowed at night.
The city square was a bustling center with a magical fountain that spouted water in various shapes and colors according to festivals. The market in the square was lively, with traders from all over the world selling and exchanging goods.
The transportation system in Arakeel was advanced with magical technology, including floating carriages powered by magic, making travel around the city convenient and fast. Additionally, there were floating bridges connecting various buildings, allowing people to cross with ease.
The magical academy and research institutes were located in one part of the city, where students and researchers gathered to study and explore magic. The institute buildings were beautifully designed and equipped with modern magical tools.
The streets of Arakeel were filled with life, with magical musicians creating music, performers showing magical tricks, and public magical duels being held.
Arakeel was not only beautiful and grand but also a hub of culture and advanced magical science, leaving visitors impressed and awe-struck.
When the train arrived at the station, Shinna disembarked and saw her family waiting for her. Her mother Claire, who had always been kind and supportive, and Erik, her stepfather, were smiling and waving at her.
"Shinna! We missed you so much!" Claire ran over and hugged her.
"I missed you too, Mom," Shinna responded with a smile.