(Set up :In the quaint village of Oakridge, nestled between rolling hills and shaded by ancient oaks, stood an orphanage that served as both a sanctuary and a crucible for the lost children who dwelled within. Among these forgotten souls was Lucas, a boy with yellow hair that caught the sun like golden wheat and eyes shimmering with unspoken dreams.
Orphaned at a tender age due to circumstances shrouded in mystery, he had been raised by this humble institution that brimmed with both sorrow and warmth.
Life within the orphanage was marked by daily challenges; each child bore their own tale of loss and resilience. The days unfolded under the guidance of their master, a man in his thirties whose passion for teaching rivaled any noble warrior's ambition. He dedicated himself to imparting knowledge not just about combat but also about honor, loyalty, and survival—values essential to thriving in an empire where strength often dictated fate.
Among Lucas's closest companions was Leo—the strongest boy among them despite their mere seven years. While Lucas struggled to keep up during training sessions filled with clashing wooden swords, Leo seemed almost invincible; he moved through drills with grace and power that belied his age. His muscles had already been forged from countless hours spent honing his skills—a natural talent evident even when they squared off against one another.
Whereas Lucas grappled to lift his practice sword high enough for an effective strike, Leo effortlessly parried blows from older boys who dared challenge him. The bond between them transcended mere friendship; it became a steadfast companionship rooted in admiration as well as unwavering support amidst hardship.
Often they dreamed together beneath starlit skies about becoming valorous warriors someday—champions who would defend their empire against any threat looming on the horizon of their small world—a world governed by tradition yet overshadowed by uncertainty.
Despite being surrounded by misfortune as an orphan cast aside by fate—and acutely aware of how far behind he lagged compared to Leo—Lucas found solace in knowing there would always be someone stronger fighting alongside him: Leo—the embodiment of hope amid despair. Together they navigated those childhood years under steady tutelage within Oakridge's embrace—not only seeking mastery over martial prowess but learning what it truly meant to belong somewhere when everything else felt ephemeral in this vast empire beyond their small village borders.)
Story:
"That day is carved into my memories,I can see it happening right in front of me"
A mirage from 7 years ago appears before Lucas's eyes
His younger self stumbles through the corridor, heart pounding. He rounds the corner and freezes.
The air hangs thick, acrid with the smell of smoke and something far more sinister. Lucas's heart hammers in his chest, a frantic drum echoing against the walls of the dim corridor. He stumbles back, feet sliding on the slick floorboards stained crimson; it feels surreal—like a nightmare he can't wake from. *What happened?* The question spirals through his mind as he grapples with disbelief.
Leo, Lucas's closest friend stands there, eyes wide but unfocused, lost in shock or perhaps horror. Blood drips from their master's motionless body onto Leo's hands—clutching them like an anchor to reality while everything else crumbles around him. For a moment, they lock eyes—a silent understanding passing between them that sends chills racing down Lucas's spine before Leo abruptly turns away.
In an instant, Leo bolts past him into darkness, leaving nothing but echoes of hurried footsteps behind as he sprints toward freedom beyond those cursed walls. A gut-wrenching realization hits Lucas like a tidal wave: *Leo killed their master.* With adrenaline coursing through his veins and dread settling heavily in his stomach, Lucas rushes forward to kneel beside their fallen mentor—the warmth of blood seeping into his fingers amplifying the horror unfolding around him.
"L-Lucas..." The master's voice, barely a whisper. Lucas kneels, trembling hands hovering over the sword still buried in the old man's gut. "Don't... let Leo... darkness..." A rattling cough, flecks of red on pale lips. "Save him..."
The words galvanize Lucas. He scrambles to his feet, sprinting after Leo. Out into the night, heart pounding, lungs burning. But Leo's always been faster. A flash of shadow, a whisper of wind, and he's gone. Lucas falls to his knees, a scream of anguish tearing from his throat, "LEO".
Seven years have passed since that fateful day, the shadows of Oakridge no longer looming as ominously over Lucas's heart. Now fourteen, he stands at the cusp of a new chapter—an era where dreams intertwine with reality. The warriors' ranking trials await him, promising an opportunity to break free from the chains of his past and prove himself in ways he never imagined possible.
With determination igniting his spirit like wildfire, Lucas steps outside for the first time into a world beyond familiar borders. The sun bathes everything in golden light—a stark contrast to the darkness that once enveloped him. Each breath tastes different here; fresh air fills his lungs while scents of wildflowers and distant rivers dance tantalizingly around him. He gazes at towering trees lining the path leading out of Oakridge—their branches whispering secrets lost to time.
As he ventures further away from home, excitement thrums beneath his skin like a heartbeat—each step drawing him closer to uncharted territories brimming with possibility. Hills roll gracefully ahead; valleys cradle unknown wonders waiting patiently for discovery. Lucas can feel it—the call of adventure beckoning sweetly as if inviting him into its embrace...
The bustling streets blur past Lucas, a vibrant tapestry of color and sound unfurling around him as he races toward the testing grounds. Heart pounding in his chest, each footfall echoes with excitement—*thud-thud-thud*, a rhythm that matches the exhilaration coursing through his veins. The trials loom ahead like a beacon of hope, calling to him with promises of glory and recognition. He can almost taste it—the sweet tang of victory mingling with the scent of fresh earth.
Suddenly, an unexpected commotion draws his attention—a swell of voices rising above the usual din. Curiosity piqued, Lucas skids to a halt near the central square where a massive crowd has gathered; faces are animated with anger . His heart quickens again—not just from eagerness but from an instinctive need to know what stirs such fervor among those around him.
With adrenaline still surging through him, he weaves between bodies—each step fueling his impatience.
Curiosity piqued, Lucas edges closer. Angry voices rise above the din. "How could the king let Gordan retire?" "We need our strongest warrior!" The shock of the news hits Lucas like a physical blow. Gordan, the legendary five-star warrior, stepping down? It seems impossible.
At the test site, Lucas's eyes land on a boy about his age. Shaggy dark hair falls over brooding eyes as the stranger leans against a wall, radiating an aura of detachment. "Can you believe it?" the boy – Shawn, Lucas learns – mutters. "Gordan retiring. The whole system's going to hell." Lucas nods, an uneasy feeling settling in his gut. What did this mean for their world, for the tests they were about to face?
Shawn's question cuts through Lucas like a knife, reopening old wounds. "Why do you fight?" Even though Shawn's intention was to tease, the words hang heavy in the air, forcing Lucas to confront memories he'd rather forget. His master's dying words, Leo's betrayal – they flash through his mind in a dizzying whirl.
Lucas opens his mouth, then closes it, struggling to articulate the burning need for justice, for answers, that drives him. But before he can respond, Shawn shrugs nonchalantly. "Me? I'm just strong. Figured I'd see how far I can go." A cocky grin spreads across his face. "Aiming for at least three stars, you know?"
The casual arrogance of Shawn's statement leaves Lucas momentarily stunned. "Three stars? For a beginner? It's absurd". He can't help the derisive snort that escapes him, even as a part of him wonders if this gloomy boy could actually back up his boast.
Both of them go a seperate ways to attend this test,
as a beginner proctors usually don't judge one's ability to use magic, or their inner power/energy but if one can do it they are appointed a high star, unfortunately for Lucas he didn't knew magic.
Lucas's heart pounds as he enters the testing arena, a vast circular space lined with stone bleachers. The air crackles with nervous energy from the other candidates. He flexes his fingers, acutely aware of his inability to manifest any magical prowess. A twinge of doubt gnaws at him – will raw determination be enough?
Proctors in crisp uniforms call out names, directing hopefuls to various stations. Lucas watches as some candidates produce flickering flames or swirling gusts of wind. Others, like him, rely on physical prowess alone. He reminds himself that this isn't unusual for beginners, but Shawn's boastful words echo in his mind.
"Lucas!" His name rings out. Taking a deep breath, he steps forward. The proctor's eyes are sharp, assessing. "Show us what you've got, kid." Lucas nods, pushing aside his anxiety. Magic or no magic, he'll prove his worth. He has to – for his master, for Leo, for the answers he desperately seeks.
The testing object – a reinforced dummy – looms before Lucas. His fist clenches, knuckles white. Shawn's arrogant smirk flashes in his mind, mingling with the echoes of his master's dying plea. "Don't let Leo... darkness..." The conflicting emotions swirl within him, a tempest of frustration, determination, and lingering grief.
With a cry, Lucas unleashes his pent-up feelings. His fist connects with brutal force, far beyond what he thought himself capable of. The impact reverberates up his arm, a shock wave of raw power. The dummy shudders, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.
CRACK! The dummy splits clean in two, pieces clattering to the ground. A hush falls over the arena. Lucas stares at his hand in disbelief, then at the destroyed target. The proctor's eyebrows shoot up, scribbling furiously on his clipboard. "Did he just...?" In that moment of emotional turmoil, had he tapped into something more?
Lucas blinked, his mind struggling to process what had just occurred. The shattered remains of the dummy lay at his feet, a testament to a strength he didn't know he possessed. Whispers rippled through the arena, punctuated by the furious scratching of the judges' pens.
"Remarkable," one judge muttered, peering at Lucas over wire-rimmed spectacles. "Potential elemental manifestation under duress. Clearly untrained, but..." He trailed off, exchanging meaningful glances with his colleagues. Lucas felt his heart racing, equal parts exhilaration and fear coursing through his veins.
After a tense deliberation, the head judge approached. "Lucas, we're placing you in the hall of uncertainty," he announced, his tone carefully neutral. "You'll undergo additional testing to determine the nature and extent of your... abilities." Lucas nodded numbly, still staring at his hands. What had he awakened within himself?
Lucas began walking towards the uncertainty side everyone was looking at him whispering more about Leo than Lucas,
"They say, this Lucas kid was in the same orphanage as that Outlaw, Leo."
"What if he's dangerous, just like Leo is"
"Be in your guard he also might attack us, you saw him get all angry and tough there?"
Lucas's steps faltered, each whisper landing like a dagger in his gut. The excited murmurs morphed into something darker, more sinister. His shoulders hunched involuntarily, trying to make himself smaller, less visible.
"...just like Leo..." The name hung in the air, poisonous. Lucas felt his chest tighten, memories threatening to overwhelm him.
A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Lucas clenched his fists, nails digging into his palms. The world seemed to tilt, voices blurring together. "...might attack us..." He wanted to scream, to explain, but his throat constricted.
Lucas stood in the doubt hall of uncertainty, his jaw clenched and eyes burning with barely contained fury. Each murmur about his former friend only strengthened his resolve. He would prove them all wrong – he wasn't like Leo, he was the one who would bring Leo to justice.
Movement at the edge of his vision caught Lucas's attention. Another boy, close to his age, was being directed to the hall of uncertainty. This newcomer exuded confidence, his muscular frame on full display thanks to an unusual top that left his chest exposed, fabric only covering the sides of his torso. The garment seemed designed to showcase his impressive physique.
As the boy took his place beside Lucas, an air of intrigue settled between them. Lucas studied him from the corner of his eye. What could have landed someone so physically imposing in the hall of uncertainty? Lucas felt a spark of curiosity wondering if this stranger might be a friend – or rival – in the challenges to come.
The boy leaned in slightly, breaking the invisible barrier that often kept strangers apart. "So, where are you from?" he asked, voice warm like sunlight spilling through clouds after a storm.
Lucas hesitated for just a moment; his past felt heavy on his tongue. But something about this new kid—made him want to share more than he usually would. It was as if kindness radiated from him, wrapping around Lucas like a comforting blanket amidst the chill of doubt surrounding their trials.
"I… I'm from Oakridge," Lucas finally replied, feeling an unexpected ease wash over him. The name hung in the air between them—a simple word laden with memories both bitter and sweet.
The newcomer nodded thoughtfully. There was an unspoken bond forming—a flicker of connection igniting within the uncertainty of their surroundings—and for the first time in what felt like ages, Lucas allowed himself to believe that perhaps not everyone viewed him through a lens clouded by suspicion or fear.
The boy leaned back slightly, arms crossed with a relaxed confidence. "I came from a village not too far from here," he said, voice steady and warm. "They think I don't have any elemental power either—just like you." He chuckled softly, the sound brightening the heavy atmosphere around them.
Lucas felt compelled to explain himself further. "I'm not an anomaly like you," he began, glancing down at his feet. "They put me in doubt because they believe I have locked potential—something that only activates under certain triggers." His tone was tinged with frustration; it irked him how little control he seemed to wield over his own fate while others passed judgment so easily.
"Locked potential?" The boy's eyebrows lifted in intrigue as Lucas continued speaking about the whispers he'd heard during trials—the murmurs suggesting that something deep within him lay dormant but could erupt if provoked just right. There was an understanding flickering between them now—a shared experience of being underestimated by those who were supposed to recognize their true worth.
"Yeah," Lucas replied slowly, allowing hope to thread through his words despite lingering doubts gnawing at him inside. "That's why I'm stuck here."