Luca and Finn arrived at Drakemore, tired and both went to their rooms to rest. After settling in, the day of departure came quickly. All the boys who had reached the Essence Flow stage gathered by three horse-drawn carts.
The boys who hadn't reached that stage stood by, waving and wishing them well. Despite the envy on their faces, Instructor Aldric's encouragement seemed to fill them with a new determination to keep training and reach Essence Flow themselves.
Instructor Aldric called out to the group. "This journey will take seven to ten days, so make sure you've packed everything you need."
After a quick check that everyone was ready, Aldric gave the signal, and the carts set off down the road.
The first day passed smoothly. Luca watched the scenery as they travelled, amazed by the green fields and forests that sped by. At night, they stopped to rest under the stars, then continued on in the morning. Each day brought new sights, and finally, on the eighth day, they arrived at their destination.
As Luca climbed out of the cart, he stared in surprise. There were army tents everywhere, as far as he could see, lined up in rows like a massive campsite.
In the distance, a high wall loomed. Luca's heart sank; he had thought the kingdom was at peace. For thirty years, Waldria had been safe, with treaties in place with all neighbouring kingdoms. People called it the "Age of Peace," a time with no wars or even small battles.
But the sight of the soldiers and tents made him uneasy. He felt like everything he thought he knew about Waldria might not be true. Lost in thought, he and the other boys followed their escorts to a large tent where they would be staying.
Instructor Aldric gathered them around and spoke firmly. "You are from Drakemore, a respected family. This is where the kingdom's strongest gather. Don't embarrass Drakemore by causing any trouble here. Understood?"
"Yes, sir!" the boys replied, trying to sound confident.
"Good. You'll learn more about this place tomorrow. For now, get some rest," Aldric said, then left the tent.
The next morning, Aldric led them to the high wall. As they walked to the other side, Luca felt a chill. What he saw took his breath away.
Beyond the wall, the land was nothing like the forests and fields they'd seen on their journey. The ground was cracked and barren, stretching endlessly without a single tree or plant. The mountains in the distance, once known for their beauty, were shrouded in a strange, dark mist that made them look haunting.
Aldric's voice broke the silence. "What I'm about to tell you is secret. If you speak of it to anyone, it will be considered treason."
He looked each of them in the eye, making sure they understood.
"These are the Caldruva Mountains," he said, pointing. "They used to be known for their beauty, rare herbs, and mystic creatures. But years ago, a corruption began to spread, turning the land barren and poisoning everything in its path. Even the mystic creatures lost their sacred nature and became mindless, dangerous beasts."
Luca's stomach tightened as he listened. The sight of the ruined land made it hard to believe this was once a place people admired.
"The Radiant Core practitioners of our kingdom worked hard to keep the corruption from spreading further," Aldric went on. "They can't restore what's already been lost, but they can hold the corruption back for now."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "The creatures attack in waves, trying to break through the defences. Most Essence Flow practitioners, and even higher-ranked ones, are stationed here to keep them from reaching our towns and villages."
He turned to look at them all, his face grim. "Thirty years ago, only the most talented were taught the knowledge of Luminis. But the kingdom is in dire need, so now even more of you are being trained."
The boys shifted nervously, realizing just how serious this was.
"Here, you will have the chance to reach the Harmonization Stage, even the Radiant Core Stage. But nothing will be handed to you. You must earn your place, your resources, and your knowledge. Only then will you gain the power to make a difference."
Aldric's voice softened slightly. "For now, you won't be sent into danger until you reach Harmonization Stage. But the kingdom will eventually require you to prove yourselves."
Luca thought of his mother and their quiet home. He shivered at the idea of these creatures reaching his village.
Instructor Aldric gave the boys a moment to take in everything he'd just told them. After a few moments of silence, he looked around at each of them.
"If any of you want to go back," he said, his voice steady, "speak up now."
The boys shifted uncomfortably, glancing at one another, but not a single one of them spoke. They were afraid, sure, but they were also determined.
"Good," Aldric said, nodding with approval. "From here on out, your training will be much harder. It won't be like what you're used to back in Drakemore. You'll be training alongside seasoned veterans, who have been fighting to protect this kingdom for years."
"Also," Aldric continued, "I won't be the one training you anymore. From now on, you'll have new instructors who will push you even harder. They'll expect nothing less than your best."
The boys exchanged uneasy looks. They'd grown used to Aldric's training, and the thought of working under someone new, someone who might not be as understanding, made them uneasy.
"Remember," Aldric added, his gaze sharp, "you are Drakemore's own. Don't forget where you come from."
"Tomorrow, someone will be assigned to you as your new instructor," Aldric said. "Be ready. They'll expect discipline, focus, and strength. Rest well tonight, you're going to need it."