Rumors spread quickly throughout the kingdom of Rheloria about the descendants of Eldenwood. Whispers filled taverns, streets, and training grounds about the blonde-haired Mia, who had become the top apprentice of Archmage Meloria, the king's right hand. Only a year ago, she had arrived in the kingdom knowing nothing of magic. But now, she was the rising star of the court's elite mages. People marveled at her rapid progress, crediting it to the legendary magical talent of Eldenwood's bloodline.
Then there was her brother, Kael, the son of Eldenwood. Though he showed little promise in magic, his skills with a sword were unmatched. No knight-in-training could rival him, and only the oldest, most experienced warriors could face him with any hope of victory. His prowess with a blade was the talk of the knight Academy.
Kaels stay at the Academy had been a good distraction from the truth that the kingdom had kidnapped them and killed their parents. He met and made friends though they were obviously a bit awkward with him. He suspected they were spying on him but whatever. He didn't need friends anyways. He had occupied his mind with training. He had learnt and mastered the Rhelorian knights swordsmanship at what others said was an unnatural pace. Many students often called him a workaholic as they watches him practice his precise swings in the training grounds. Kael found himself enjoying his training as he learnt the techniques. After learning the techniques however he put his sights on higher goals. The knight Academy were for students aged 18 and above. Kael had entered a year younger and was already considered equal to the 3rd year sudents. A fear rarely heard of- a first year equal in prowess to a 3rd year. After he was 18 and eligible to learn techniques in the academy related to mana.
In the dim, candlelit room of the knight apprentice grounds, Kael sat cross-legged in deep meditation. He was attempting once again to absorb the magical energy that swirled around him. The knights academy had taught him the Rhelorian mana absorption technique, but to fully graduate from the academy, one had to form a mana core—a crystallization of refined mana that could fuel enchantments and spells. As a knight he would continue to absorb mana his whole life, further strengthening his body and empowering his sword techniques.
Mia, his younger sister, had already done it. She had formed her mana core months ago and was excelling in ways that made her the talk of the kingdom. In her case she was casting spells. Everyone spoke of Eldenwood's magical prowess flowing through her veins. Kael, on the other hand, felt as though he were being left behind.
Sitting there, with his eyes shut tight and his breath steady, he couldn't help but feel a pang of frustration. He wanted nothing more than to protect Mia, to stand by her side as an equal. But as the weeks passed, it became painfully clear that her magical talent far surpassed his own. The idea that he could fall behind his sister filled him with a sense of dread, and his desire to grow stronger became an obsession. Not for glory, but for her.
As he focused on the technique, he tried to pull in the ambient mana that permeated the air. Yet, no matter how hard he tried, he could only barely see the faint outline of magical particles. His mentors often said that once you could see the mana, you could pull it in. But for Kael, it remained elusive. His progress was painfully slow.
Compared to Mia, who had already mastered seeing and differentiating mana particles by color, Kael felt small. He had asked her once how she did it. She had smiled softly and told him, "It's like seeing the world in a new light, in a whole new dimension." It was something that came naturally to her, whereas Kael had to struggle with every step.
Still, the other knights-in-training envied him. Few could even perceive mana in the air, and even fewer could sense magical particles at all. He was considered fortunate, even talented, but it wasn't enough for him. Not when his sister was already leagues ahead.
Tonight, he had decided to push himself harder than ever before. He focused with all his might, pulling every ounce of his concentration into sensing and absorbing the mana around him. Hours passed, and sweat beaded on his forehead as the night deepened. He could feel a change—something shifting deep within him.
Suddenly, in the pit of his abdomen, where his dantian was supposed to be, he felt a surge of energy. A warmth, like a glowing ember, began to form—a mystical ball of energy. His breath caught in his throat as he realized what was happening. He had done it. He had finally formed his mana core. A warmth flowed throughout his body, filling it to the brim with energy. He felt lighter and stronger. He immediately got up and picked up his wooden sword and began practising a basic kata. The light swished of his sword filled the room for a while before Kael sat, satisfied with the results of forming a core.
The next day, the whispers that had surrounded Mia turned toward Kael. Rumors of the best knight-in-training having formed his mana core within a year spread like wildfire throughout the kingdom. The name Kael Eldenwood was now spoken with the same awe as his sister's, as the kingdom's citizens marveled at the talents of the Eldenwood lineage.
But the excitement would not end there. That morning, both siblings received summons to the king's palace.