Tuk-Tuk. The sound of the shovel hitting the ground echoed loudly. Izzul buried his family with a heavy heart and anger, his emotions a swirling mix. "Mother, Grandpa, Misha... Izz is leaving..." Izzul said as tears streamed down his face. His expression was flat, showing nothing. Thud-thud-thud sounded as five horses galloped quickly towards the village. "What really happened in this village?" asked a military commander. "Sir, there is one boy who survived," reported one of them. The soldiers approached the boy. "Hey kid, what happened to this village?" "Are you one of those foolish government soldiers who want to destroy this village too?" the boy retorted. "Oh, forgive me. I am Zeus, the commander of the Nyxara Kingdom's army. If you could, please tell me your name, boy." "I am Izzul, a farmer in this village and the son of Mila, a former magic school teacher in the Nyxara Kingdom." Zeus was taken aback upon hearing Izzul's words.
"Hey Izzul, do you hate the kingdom that destroyed your village?" "If I say I hate it, I hate the whole world," said Izzul, glaring at Zeus with a murderous intent. "Those eyes..." Zeus whispered to himself, slightly startled.
"Izzul, come to our land. We are not like other kingdoms; our land is more peaceful. Come on, Izzul. I will prove that peace exists; we just happen to be in the wrong place," said Zeus as he mounted his horse. With a hint of hesitation, Izzul climbed onto the horse. He wasn't sure if his decision was right or wrong; he was merely following a gut feeling that told him he had to go to his mother's homeland. "Let's move," Zeus ordered the others.
Atop a hill surrounded by lush green forests stood the Nyxara Kingdom, a land as beautiful as a dream. Its majestic palace stood elegantly in the middle of the city, made of gemstones that reflected the morning sunlight, creating a rainbow-like shimmer. Along the city streets, wildflowers bloomed at every corner, spreading a captivating soft aroma. Clear rivers flowed gently around the city, their waters sparkling under the sunlight, harmonizing with the songs of birds perched on tree branches. The sky was always clear, adorned with slowly drifting white clouds, shielding the city from the harsh sun. The inhabitants lived in harmony and joy, walking along the cobbled paths while smiling and greeting one another. In the palace, the guards and residents worked together to maintain the safety and beauty of Nyxara under the protection of the wise queen who led with love.
In the capital Lumoria, at a small shop, "Hey beautiful, are you alone? How about I treat you to a meal?" said the first young man. "You're not worthy of me," replied the girl. "Tch, acting high and mighty. What if I gave your pretty face some 'decorations'?" said the second young man, brandishing a sharp knife. Without hesitation, the girl drew a sword from her left waist. The sword was so thin it was nearly invisible. "Toy weapon... HAHAHA..." mocked the second young man. The girl dashed towards him, and before he could react, both his hands were severed. "People like you don't belong in this land. Leave before I end your life and that of your entire lineage," the girl declared. "W-who are you?" the first young man asked, his face filled with fear. "I am Rin, daughter of Zeus, the commander of the Nyxara Kingdom's army." Rin was a former student of the Nyxara magic school who left at the age of 14 and had now become the deputy chief officer of the Nyxara Kingdom. The two young men fled in terror. "They run well... I wanted to behead him. Luckily my mood is still good today," Rin sighed. Suddenly, a boy ran in with news. "CAPTAIN ZEUS HAS RETURNED!!" He ran around the city spreading the news.
"Woahhhh!" The crowd cheered, giving way to the army. "Hey, who's that kid behind Captain Zeus?" The crowd wondered. "Who cares who he is, as long as he's handsome," said a group of girls. Rin saw this unfold and returned to the palace with the troops.
Upon arriving at the Nyxara palace, Zeus approached the Queen and bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, I have fulfilled my duty, but sadly, Morning Dew Village has been destroyed without a trace. Only one boy survived," reported Zeus with full respect. Then Izzul came and lowered his head. "He is the genius son of Mila, the former magic school teacher of this kingdom. Your Majesty, do you want me to repay my debts to Mila?" Zeus continued. The Queen was shocked to hear this. "Did you mention Mila?" asked the Queen. "Yes, Your Majesty," replied Zeus. The Queen rose from her throne and hugged Izzul, crying, surprising everyone present. "Queen Karina?" Neiji, the commander of the kingdom's forces, was startled and wondered who Mila really was. Still crying, Queen Karina released her embrace and asked Izzul, "Will you stay with me in this palace? Be my adopted son. Zeus, let this child be with me; let me repay my debts to him. Mila and I were very close, like siblings." Hearing this, Izzul fled from the place. The Queen was saddened to see him go. She then ordered, "If you find that child, treat him well and bring him to me."
Rin, who was relaxing in the garden, saw Izzul running. "Isn't that the boy who was with my father earlier?" Rin chased after him. "Hey, wait..." Rin called while pursuing, but Izzul continued running, ignoring her call. Observing his behavior, Rin used her signature move. "Lumoria first form... SHADOW SWORD." The technique struck Izzul accurately, knocking him unconscious.
At the Queen's throne, "Do you really want to adopt that boy, Your Majesty?" asked Neiji. "Do you know that the boy has no mana in him? He hasn't had the chance to use magic. What resides in him is not magic, but a curse," replied Queen Karina. "Isn't that dangerous, Your Majesty? He might destroy our kingdom," Neiji retorted. "True, but that curse has already been sealed. More precisely, it was Mila who sealed it. Even if Izzul can use his curse, it won't harm him... Mila, until the end of her life, continued to protect her child," said Queen Karina with a smile, happiness and sadness mingling.
Izzul regained consciousness on Rin's lap. "Hey, are you awake?" Izzul got up from her lap. "Who are you?" he asked coldly. "Isn't it more polite to introduce yourself first?" Rin replied, blushing a bit, but Izzul remained silent. "Alright, I'm Rin, the deputy chief officer of the Nyxara Kingdom and daughter of the army chief, Zeus," Rin answered with a hint of pride. "I am Izzul," he replied expressionlessly. "Alright Izzul, do you want to meet Queen Karina?" Rin asked. "If I wanted to, I wouldn't have run earlier," Izzul said as he stood up. "Hey, where are you going?" Rin grabbed Izzul's hand. "This land is too peaceful for someone filled with vengeance like me. I can't stay here." Izzul released Rin's hand and walked away.
Upon reaching the exit of the Nyxara kingdom, Chief Zeus, Chief Neiji, Queen Karina, and several ministers stood at the gate to bid farewell. Queen Karina approached Izzul and asked with a concerned tone, "Izzul, where are you going?" "Kalzareth," Izzul replied firmly. The name of the kingdom shocked everyone present—Kalzareth still held many hidden secrets. "Izzul, if you face problems, come back to this kingdom. We will always welcome you. This land is now your homeland," said Queen Karina, hugging Izzul tightly. "Wait!" A girl's voice rang out as Rin ran to them. "Father, Chief Neiji, Queen Karina—allow me to accompany Izzul," she said while carrying her supplies. "Have you gone mad, Rin? This boy is going to Kalzareth. Besides, you have no reason to go," Neiji responded. "I have my reasons," Rin insisted. "I want to uncover the truth about what happened in Morning Dew Village. Besides, I know who Izzul really is. I am a former student of teacher Mila, and what happened to my teacher is my reason for going." Rin said confidently. Neiji, still unsatisfied with her reasoning, but Zeus, seeing his daughter's determination, finally said, "Alright, go ahead, Rin. Izzul, I entrust my daughter to you." Izzul simply nodded and replied briefly, "It's up to you." Queen Karina then held Izzul's hand and handed him a small ring, "Izzul, this is a gift from your mother when I was still young. Take care of it, and remember, I love you as your mother loved you." "Thank you, Queen..... Mother," Izzul whispered softly while putting on the ring. With a heavy heart, he and Rin set off. Queen Karina watched them, her eyes filled with hope and a hint of doubt, and she whispered softly, "Safe travels... my child."