Once upon a time, in a land surrounded by four kingdoms, where magic and sword ruled, lying in the shadow of mighty mountains, a child was born whose name was not mentioned even in the wind of the small villages. His name was Kael. Misfortune followed him when he was a baby; He lost his parents in a plague epidemic. He was raised by his grandfather Arthon and his grandmother Elira, who lived in their stone huts on the edge of the village, and despite the years they spent in poverty, they did not spare him their love.
Kael's childhood was spent in the wind-dancing fields of the village, but he could not have a cheerful playmate like other children. From a young age, others would call him "orphan" and make fun of him. Still, his grandfather instilled hope in him. Arthon was a former warrior who often said to his grandson, "In life you must learn to endure every blow, Kael. "The strength is not in not falling, but in getting up," he said.
The year Kael turned eleven, the village priest suggested sending him to the great academy in the capital Altherion. His grandfather and grandmother saw this opportunity as a ray of hope for Kael's future. While the two old warriors sent their grandchildren to the capital in tears, Kael was carrying only a few clothes and an old medallion that his grandfather had given him.
The Cold Face of Altherion
The capital was not the place Kael had imagined. Not only did he feel lost among the huge stone buildings, he was also ostracized by the other children at the academy. The nobles' children made fun of Kael's poor peasant background, using him as a servant instead of including him in their games. He remained hungry most of the time and sometimes slept on the floor. But he never complained; He remembered his grandfather's advice and relied on it.
One day, as the winter sun was barely peeking through the clouds, Kael went for a stroll around the city. The streets were as complicated as ever. However, he noticed a commotion in the corner. A young girl was trying to protect her belongings among the crowd. Around her, several thieves were hiding their faces with cloaks and attacking the girl's bag. The anger inside Kael suddenly flared up.
He picked up a stone he found on the ground and threw it at the nearest thief. The stone hit the man hard on the shoulder. "Let him go!" Kael shouted, his voice shaking but determined. When the thieves saw the unexpected courage, they left the girl's bag and quickly ran away.
The girl looked at Kael with fear and surprise. Her bright green eyes were in harmony with her simple dress decorated with gold embroidery. Kael felt that this girl was different from the cold stones of the capital.
"Thank you," said the girl, bowing slightly. His voice carried a warmth he hadn't heard in a long time. Kael smiled involuntarily. However, that moment was interrupted when guards filled the area. The crowd gathered around the girl, stunned. A guard turned to Kael, "Do you realize, boy, who did you come to help?" he asked.
The guard smiled as Kael shook his head in surprise. "To Princess Lyria!"
To the King
The incident spread quickly in the palace. The next day, Kael was taken inside the palace surrounded by huge stone walls. The stern but fair face of King Eryndor, seated on his gold-emblazoned throne, greeted Kael.
"You saved my daughter with your courage, son," said the king. "If you have a wish, say it."
Dozens of thoughts ran through Kael's mind. But one wish stood out among them all. Gathering his courage, he said, "I want to study at the palace and work here." But he couldn't say the real reason; He buried in his heart the desire to always be close to Princess Lyria.
The king thought for a while, then nodded. "Your wish is granted. But the palace easily crushes those who are not used to difficulties. I hope a boy as brave as you can handle this."
Kael bowed his head, his heart filled with happiness and excitement. Now, his life would take a completely different direction. But he didn't know where this road would lead...
Kael's New World
As Kael walked through the stone corridors of the palace, the excitement he felt on the first day was replaced by a vague boredom. The palace was both impressive and overwhelming with its size. Under the stunning mosaic walls and gold-embroidered chandeliers, Kael felt like a tiny shadow.
The other children at the palace school excluded Kael as soon as they learned of his peasant background. These children, who came from rich and noble families, constantly made fun of his rude behavior, shabby clothes and accent. Kael was used to Altherion's cold face, but things were different here. Now he had to fight not only a physical but also a spiritual battle.
Earning Respect
The first months were difficult for Kael. But he never thought of giving up. The palace's training program was both physically and mentally demanding. Sword training, which started at the first light of the morning, continued with history, politics and literature lessons. Kael strived to prove himself in every field.
Over time, he began to show the difference in endurance that the hard work and harsh life he did with his grandfather in the village had given him. He impressed his instructors with his speed and agility in sword training, and made it a habit to hit the target in archery. He shined in lessons with his memory and determination to study. Over time, other children began to admire him rather than despise him.
Another strong point of Kael was his personality. He put aside the cold rules of the palace and joked with people, bringing them joy. Seeing their smiles eased Kael's loneliness a little. However, over time he realized something: He was constantly changing himself in order to make people accept him.
Now Kael seemed like the perfect student known for his funny jokes, but this role made him question who he was. He used to feel like no matter what he did, he wasn't good enough. Now he had reached somewhere by giving everything he had, but it was as if this new Kael was completely different from the old Kael. "Who am I really?" he thought often.