Seventeen years had passed since the War of the Heavens shook the realms. The world had found a tentative peace, and the kingdom of **Elaris** had emerged as a symbol of harmony between magic and technology. It was a place where towering spires, pulsing with arcane energy, stood alongside sleek, metallic structures powered by science. Streets bustled with life as people moved seamlessly between their magical and technological devices.
In Elaris, the defense systems were strong and well-organized, ensuring the kingdom's safety from threats that lingered beyond its borders. The police, military, and other security forces worked in unison, but none were as revered as the **Ranger Officers**. These highly trained individuals possessed powerful magic abilities and were tasked with defending the kingdom from the dark creatures that lurked in the shadows—devil monsters and other ancient threats.
Deep within the heart of the bustling city, amidst the hum of technology and the glimmer of magic, a young man sat lazily on the sturdy branch of a tree. His back rested against the trunk, one leg dangling carelessly while the other bent at the knee. In one hand, he held a bunch of grapes, plucking them one by one and tossing them into his mouth. In the other, he balanced his phone, his eyes scanning the screen with casual interest.
It was **Asher Starline**, now 17 years old.
Gone were the cries of war that had echoed at his birth. Asher had grown into a carefree young man, the dangerous prophecy of his origins all but forgotten by most. He seemed like any ordinary teenager—except, of course, for his heritage and the divine seal still protecting him.
His dark hair tousled slightly in the wind, and his bright eyes—eyes that held both the spark of the divine and the shadow of the abyss—shifted from his phone to the sky above. But what truly caught attention wasn't the device in his hand or the lazy grin on his face—it was the magazine he had perched on the branch beside him.
The cover of the magazine, easily recognizable, was filled with glossy pictures of... models. Magical Girls Monthly—a publication with a focus on enchantresses and mage warriors, highly popular among certain types of readers.
Asher smirked to himself, clearly entertained by whatever he was reading. "Heh, these ranger officers don't stand a chance against this issue," he mused, taking another grape.
Despite his carefree attitude, Asher had long been a standout in the Ranger Officer academy, where magic users were trained to protect Elaris. He had a natural talent for combat, though he preferred to avoid the responsibilities that came with it. The truth was, Asher had always been different. His lineage set him apart, even if he didn't fully understand it yet.
In the distance, the sounds of the city buzzed with life. Cars that ran on both fuel and arcane energy hummed along the roads, while citizens chatted, laughed, and moved through their daily routines. Above, magical drones flew through the air, monitoring the safety of the kingdom.
Asher glanced back at his phone, flipping through the next page of his magazine. He knew he was supposed to be training with the other recruits that day, but lounging under a tree seemed like a much better use of his time.
"Well, maybe I'll show up… eventually," he muttered, tossing the last grape into his mouth.
But Asher's peaceful day was about to be interrupted.