CHAPTER 5
WRITER COLLINS COLLEX
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CAPITAL CITY OF IRON PEAKS
In the bustling capital of Iron Peaks, a young man sat alone at a dimly lit tavern, holding a tankard of ale. Sails Voltcrest, the first grandson of King Meli Voltage, was a man of immense power and promise. A Six-Star mage and the rightful heir to the throne, he had recently returned from the neighboring kingdom of Gazing Glades. His father had passed away when he was still young, a victim of a tragic illness. Upon his return, Silas had acquired a powerful beast familiar and joined his friends at the inn, where the evening passed in laughter and camaraderie.
Sails had always been in fierce competition with his younger brother. His brother's exceptional talent in magic and the affection he received from their grandfather had stoked Sails's competitive fire. Their silent struggle for the throne had been a constant presence throughout their lives. As members of the Voltcrest family, they wielded the formidable powers of earth and metal, making them exceptional defenders. The Voltcrest family had long been one of the kingdom's most powerful, second only to the elusive Arclight family.
Sails held a deep resentment toward his brother and the proud Arclight family, who seemed to defy the kingdom's traditions. He swore to eliminate them once he claimed the throne. His desire to marry Cara Arclight, a beautiful woman he had fallen for during the kingdom's peace celebration, was blocked by her family's refusal. Silas had been captivated by her elegance and grace, but Cara, a prodigy with the lightning element, had surpassed him and his brother in power from a young age. That first encounter sparked a rivalry that would continue to grow.
Sails's initial love for Cara turned to bitterness when she confessed her love for his brother. Years later, he sought her hand in marriage, only to be denied by the elders due to an ancient law that forbade unions between the Voltcrest and Arclight families. This law, unknown to Sails at the time, shattered his hopes. Despite his efforts to defy the rule and convince Cara, he was rejected. Though the pain lingered, he had moved on.
Sails's brother, Sezo, had always been his superior in strength, skill, and charisma, making him a constant threat in both their childhood rivalry and their present-day struggle for the throne. Sezo had even won Cara's heart, intensifying Sails's bitterness. With their grandfather's health failing, Sails had begun to take measures to secure the throne for himself. He formed alliances with three powerful families, ensuring that Sezo would not be named heir.
Through promises of land and resources, including those controlled by the Duke Flame family, Sails had earned the support of these families. They were ready to go to war for him. One Great Family, known for their mastery of water and wind magic, had long desired control of the seaport, which Sails promised them in exchange for their loyalty. With their support, he had gathered a powerful army, including two other Great Families and a growing bandit force of over 2,000 men.
As the commander of the kingdom's elite Metal Mage army, Sails had spent countless hours training and perfecting his skills. Stationed in Iron Peaks, the army served as the kingdom's protectors. With a sly grin, Sails thought, Let's see how my brother reacts to all of this.
The Kingdom of Iron Peaks was renowned for its ability to train both mages and warriors, making it one of the most powerful kingdoms in the continent of Zenith. Beyond the influence of the Great Families, there were others within the kingdom who held significant power. Achieving S-rank as a mage was an extraordinary feat, attainable only by the royal and Great Families, and even then, only one or two individuals per generation. This rarity made S-rank mages highly sought after across the planet Nexus. In contrast, training S-rank warriors was a more achievable goal.
Across Zenith, few human warriors had reached the prestigious Sword God rank. There were also a few Sun Sword warriors and over 300 Sword Saint warriors, highlighting the rarity of such martial prowess. Iron Peaks boasted more than 40 Sword Saint warriors, a key source of the kingdom's strength. These warriors served a variety of masters, including the Great Families and independent lords.
Aware for some time of King Meli's impending death, the leaders of the Great Families convened in a grand chamber adorned with intricate tapestries and polished stone. As the ailing king posed the critical question of succession, the room erupted into heated debate, with each leader supporting a different candidate. Recognizing the brewing power struggle, the king gave the Great Families the authority to determine the future of the kingdom.
Three families—Wind-Whisper (masters of water and wind magic), Song (skilled in water and ice magic), and Tange (proficient in water and plant magic)—voiced their support for the eldest son. Meanwhile, the Nomad family, masters of air and sound magic, remained neutral or backed other candidates. The Duke Flame family, known for their mastery of fire and illusion magic, backed Sezo, the second prince.
Frustrated by the chaos and indecision, the king rose from his throne and exited the room.