1217-01-16
The sun peeked over Venedoma Academy, casting its warm light on the towering spires of the main building.
Instead of sleeping, I spent the hours reading The Lion, the Serpent, and the Spirit Within over and over again.
Even though we'd only been at the academy for a week, I had already fallen into a comforting rhythm of preparing for classes and cooking meals with Agatha. But those peaceful days were about to end. Classes were starting today, and I knew my free time would shrink to almost nothing.
That thought must have been why I stayed up all night reading. I wanted to soak in every word of that book before my schedule became too hectic.
It wasn't long, but it captivated me in ways I couldn't explain. This was my third time reading it that night—front to back, back to front, skipping chapters and diving into my favorite parts. Every word seemed to sparkle, no matter how many times I read it.
"Spirit is an ability first discovered during the War of 1214 between Ahk and Wara. However, during the following year of peace and prosperity, it was refined and studied. Spirit is often described as a deeply personal, almost selfish ability tied to the very essence of the user's soul. It only manifests during moments of extreme emotional definition or through deep meditation. For example, my wife, Lillian."
In the book, Adrian delves into this fantastical ability, explaining how it enables people to wield powers tied directly to their souls. For instance, a librarian's Spirit might manifest as a book. The Spirit becomes a physical manifestation of the soul, often accompanied by a unique ability tailored to the individual.
"There are three powers that govern this world: Dragon Pacts, for those who follow the Serpent; and Lion's Armor, for those who align with the Lion, and the power that connects these two systems is Spirit."
Adrian elaborates on these powers and his belief that they are mutually exclusive. He recounts a time during the battle of kima when Wara's emperor attempted to force a Dragon Pact upon him. As someone aligned with the Lion, Adrian explains, the pact failed. According to him, those devoted to the Lion cannot form pacts with dragons, as the two powers are fundamentally opposed.
Dragon Pacts, he explains, grant elemental abilities linked to the dragon's biome. For instance, a dragon from a sand region might bestow its partner with sand-based powers.
Knock.Knock.Knock.
The book's final pages conclude with a dire warning:
"People of the world, I urge you to side with the Lion. Dragons are nothing more than vessels of destruction—demons that thrive on pain and suffering. And those of you who choose to side with yourselves? Beware, for both the Lion and the Serpent will spit you out of their mouths."
While his biases are clear, his grasp of history makes the book all the more compelling.
However, Adrian's portrayal of dragons as inherently evil is overly simplistic. Holy Knights, for example, are warriors who form pacts with light-aligned dragons. Even King Milton once remarked that Adrian—the One-Armed King—lost his arm due to a Dragon Pact gone wrong, not from the malice of a dragon itself.
It's a shame that these powers Adrian speaks of—Spirit, and Lion's Armor—are nothing more than fiction.
Knock.Knock.Knock.Knock.
I quickly shoved the book under my pillow just as Agatha burst into the room. She seemed completely carefree, her energy buzzing as she flung the door open.
"Are you ready?!" she yelled, knocking over a few things in her excitement.
"Ready for what?" I laughed as she yanked me off the bed.
"Orientation!" she shouted back, her voice full of urgency.
"Ready for what?"
"Orientation?"
I quickly adjusted my blanket, tucking it neatly over the pillow to better hide the book. Meanwhile, Agatha was already at my closet, rifling through my clothes with the determination of someone on a mission.
"What about this one?" she asked, holding up outfit after outfit before finally settling on a dress.
It was simple yet unique—a small dress with a floral design. At the bottom, the flowers appeared wilted and lifeless, but as the pattern climbed upward, they bloomed vibrantly. The stark contrast made it seem almost magical.
"I must've packed my mom's dress," I muttered to myself before smiling at Agatha. "I like it."
"Good! Hurry up!" she grinned, tossing the dress at me before rushing out.
Once she was gone, I quickly swapped the book's hiding spot. I wrapped it in a blanket and stashed it securely under my bed. Satisfied that it was safe, I put on the dress and stepped out of my room to find Agatha waiting in the small kitchen. She had somehow managed to make breakfast—eggs with toast.
"Where'd she get the food?" I wondered silently.
While we ate, she asked, "Have you checked your classes yet?"
"Not yet, sadly."
"That's fine. Today's only orientation anyway," she said with a shrug.
"I'd have no idea if it wasn't for you," I admitted with a laugh.
"I hope we have classes together," I added, smiling.
"Me too," she replied, her face lighting up.
We hurried down the halls, moving at a near-frightening speed. Finally, we reached the fields behind the main building. Hundreds of chairs were set up, and just as many students were already seated, their varied outfits creating a sea of colors. All of them faced a grand balcony attached to the main building. Judging by the chatter around us, the event hadn't started yet.
"We made it," I mumbled, sitting down heavily.
"Yeah, we did," Agatha mumbled back, settling into the chair beside me.
I noticed a boy from before—black hair, piercing blue eyes. I wanted to say something, but I didn't know what. He must have noticed because he broke the silence first.
"I saw your fight," he said casually.
I blushed from embarrassment. "Really? That was so humiliating."
"It wasn't a bad fight," he said with a small smile.
"You think so?"
"Definitely. You were at a disadvantage and still almost won."
"Thanks," I continued "What's your name, by the way?"
"My name's Jude, but you can call me Jay," he replied.
"Nice to meet you, Jay. I'm Mary."
"We should spar sometime, Mary. This time on even grounds," he laughed.
Before I could respond, a hush fell over the crowd. The students all turned their gazes upward, and I followed suit.
Standing on the balcony was King Milton. His long blond hair and striking red eyes seemed to glow in the sunlight. His presence was both commanding and slightly unnerving.
The murmurs of conversation faded completely as he waited for silence. Then I noticed someone standing behind him—a familiar figure.
It was my sister.
King Milton stepped forward. His voice was steady, clear, and carried a weight of authority.
"Welcome, everyone. Today marks the beginning of a journey—your journey—as the future protectors of Maranona. Tomorrow, you will begin your training as Holy Knights, and though the path ahead will be challenging, it is one that will shape not just your lives, but the future of our nation.
Thanks to the bravery and dedication of Holy Knights like those before you like Lucia—Maranona stands strong. Our borders remain secure, and we have kept the forces of Tobe and Shatar at bay. Because of them, you are able to sit here today, safe and free, ready to take up the mantle of their legacy.
Students of Vene, I urge each and every one of you to form a pact with a dragon for the safety and security of our kingdom. Not all of you will forge a bond with a dragon of light, and that is perfectly fine. What matters most is that we stand together, building a force of dragon knights to protect our homeland from the enemies that rise against us.
I look forward to seeing what you achieve. May you rise to this challenge and prove that Maranona's future is in good hands."