A long time ago, an ancient land called Earth fell into ruin, crumbled to dust, and disappeared from the world map.
Not long after, one man, along with his six friends, revived the land using their power, known as Aetherium.
From their efforts, the land rose again, divided into seven distinct realms, each embodying a unique concept and power: Yamashiro, Valladoria, Eldarion, Virelia, Drakenthal, Zaravosk, and Xianling.
These seven individuals founded their own kingdoms and united under one banner—the League of Nations (LON).
With only seven nations under one flag, they thrived and lived long, prosperous lives.
One day, as this new Earth entered a new era, it was suddenly attacked from the skies. This event marked the beginning of what came to be known as The Age of the Sky War.
The people of the new Earth stood to defend their lands with magic and swords. However, despite their efforts, they ultimately lost the war.
As hope and faith dwindled, seven young leaders, each representing their nation, rose to take charge. They inspired the people to fight back, and together they triumphed, winning the war.
But no one could have foreseen that the same catastrophe would strike again. The same forces once again cornered the people of new Earth.
This time, however, the people were fully prepared. They fought bravely and, under the leadership of the Seven Leaders, emerged victorious once more.
As the people celebrated their hard-earned victory with grand festivals, a rift suddenly appeared in the sky, growing larger and larger.
The crowd stood speechless and dumbfounded as a young man in a dark robe emerged from the rift.
"So, this is Earth? Pathetic," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt.
The Seven Leaders quickly flew into the sky to confront the intruder.
"Stop right there, invader!" shouted one of the Seven Leaders.
"Invader? Hmm, that's a fitting name," the young man replied with a devilish smile. "Yes, we are the invaders!" he declared, raising his hand.
From the rift behind him, hundreds—no, thousands—of soldiers poured out and began a full-scale assault on the people of new Earth.
Caught off guard and unprepared, the people faced yet another invasion.
A few centuries later...
Thud!
In one swift motion, a young man sent an older man sprawling to the ground. "Finally, I won!" he shouted, his voice bursting with excitement.
"Yeah, yeah, you won... barely," the old man replied, brushing dirt off his clothes. "At least you're showing some improvement, Shin."
Shinichi Asano, or Shin for short, stood tall, his dark hair matted with sweat and his dark brown eyes gleaming with pride. His toned, sweat-soaked body bore the evidence of countless hours of training. For the first time, he had defeated his grandfather.
"Sore loser, Grandpa! Winning is all that matters, hehe~" Shin teased, flashing a cheeky peace sign.
The older man smirked, ruffling Shin's hair with a mix of affection and pride. "You've outdone yourself today. Truly impressive, Shin."
Shin's cheeks flushed slightly, a bashful smile breaking across his face. "Thanks, Gramps," he murmured, leaning into the warm, reassuring touch of his grandfather's hand.
After an intense morning of training, Shin and his grandfather headed back inside their modest home for breakfast. Inside the small, cozy house, most of the chores were handled by Shin. Whether it was cleaning, laundry, or cooking, it had always been his responsibility—a "suggestion" from his grandfather that had quickly become routine.
In exchange, his grandfather taught him the ancient and rare art of Martial Arts Spells. Why, you might ask? Well, why not? It was a fair trade, or so his grandfather always said with a cheeky grin.
After some time bustling around in the kitchen, Shin emerged carrying a tray laden with simple yet hearty dishes. He set the miso soup, rice bowls, and dried fish on the dining table—a typical breakfast for their family of two.
They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, the clinking of chopsticks and the soft rustle of fabric the only sounds in the room. Finally, his grandfather broke the quiet.
"So, Shin," he began, his tone casual but with an undertone of seriousness, "have you packed up your bags and everything you'll need?"
Shin paused mid-bite, placing his chopsticks down and swallowing his food properly before responding. "Yeah, I did it all last night," he said confidently.
His grandfather nodded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "Good. I hope you haven't left anything important behind. You know how easy it is to forget the little things in the rush of excitement."
Shin chuckled softly. "I'm not a kid anymore, Grandpa. I've double-checked everything. Clothes, supplies, essentials—they're all in the bag."
His grandfather raised an eyebrow. "What about the offer letter? You can't afford to lose that. Without it, they won't even let you in."
"Don't worry," Shin replied, his tone firm but reassuring. "It's right in my bag, tucked between my training scrolls. I know how important it is."
His grandfather leaned back slightly, satisfied with the answer. "Smart. You've grown sharper, Shin. But remember, this isn't just about physical strength or even magical prowess. This journey will test your character and resolve. Are you ready for that?"
Shin straightened up, his dark brown eyes meeting his grandfather's with determination. "I am. You've prepared me for this moment my whole life. I won't let you down."
The older man gave a small, approving smile before returning to his meal. "Good. Then all that's left is for you to prove it out there."
With that, the conversation tapered off, and the room fell into a comfortable silence once more. They both focused on finishing their breakfast, the quiet punctuated only by the soft sounds of chopsticks against bowls.
Shin couldn't help but glance at his grandfather now and then. There was pride in his heart, but also a flicker of sadness. He wasn't just leaving on an adventure—he was stepping into a world unknown, away from the safety of their home and the man who had raised him.
His grandfather must have sensed it because, as they both stood to clear the table, he rested a firm hand on Shin's shoulder. "You'll do fine, kid. Trust in yourself."
Shin smiled softly, nodding. "Thanks, Grandpa."
After breakfast, Shin unrolled his well-worn Inventory Scroll on the small kitchen table. With practiced precision, he channeled his energy into it, causing his belongings to vanish into the magical parchment. One by one, his essentials disappeared, leaving only faint ripples of light as evidence of their transfer.
"Got everything?" his grandfather asked, leaning against the doorway with arms crossed, his tone casual but his gaze watchful.
Shin double-checked the scroll before rolling it up tightly. "Yup, I think that's all of it." He paused, looking down at the scroll in his hands before glancing up at his grandfather. "Thanks for everything, Grandpa—for taking care of me, raising me... for teaching me everything I know."
The old man's expression softened, though he quickly masked it with a smirk. "Don't get all sentimental on me now, boy," he said, his voice gruff but betraying a hint of emotion.
Shin smiled, shaking his head slightly. "I mean it. I wouldn't be who I am without you."
For a moment, his grandfather didn't reply. Then, without warning, he stepped forward and pulled Shin into a tight, firm hug. It was rare for him to show such open affection, and Shin was caught off guard. His eyes widened, but he quickly relaxed and wrapped his arms around the older man, returning the embrace.
"Who's being sentimental now?" Shin teased, his voice slightly muffled as he tightened his grip.
His grandfather chuckled, the sound low and warm. "Ah, shut it," he muttered. But his hand lingered on Shin's back, patting it gently. "I'm proud of you, kid. You've come a long way, but remember, this is just the start. The world out there isn't as forgiving as I've been."
"I know," Shin whispered, his voice steady but tinged with emotion. "I'll make you proud, Grandpa. I promise."
The embrace lingered for a moment longer before they both stepped back, their eyes meeting in mutual understanding. The bond between them spoke louder than any words could.
"Alright," his grandfather said, clearing his throat as if to brush away the weight of the moment. "You'd better get going before I change my mind and keep you here."
Shin laughed softly, slinging the scroll over his shoulder. "Wouldn't dream of it."
With their goodbyes exchanged, Shin turned toward the door, his heart heavier than his steps. The world awaited, vast and unknown. And as he stepped outside, he felt the weight of his grandfather's pride and love carrying him forward, steadying his resolve.
After walking for a while, Shin's ears perked up at the sound of a sharp scream tearing through the silence of the evening. It came from a dark alley nearby. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted toward the sound, his instincts urging him forward.
Skidding to a stop at the entrance of the alley, Shin spotted a group of bandits cornering a young blonde girl. Their mocking laughter echoed off the grimy walls as they closed in on her, their weapons glinting faintly under the moonlight.
"Hey!" Shin called out, stepping forward boldly. "Leave her alone!"
One of the bandits turned to face him, sneering. "Huh? Who the hell are you, kid? This ain't your fight. Walk away before we make you regret it."
Shin clenched his fists, his eyes darting toward the girl. Her trembling form screamed helplessness, but her gaze was oddly steady, almost detached. Shin tightened his grip on the hilt of his training blade.
Before he could take another step, the atmosphere shifted. A chilling gust swept through the alley, making Shin stagger slightly. The wind seemed to pulse, growing heavier and sharper with each second.
"What the—?!" one of the bandits cursed, his voice faltering.
"That wind… is it… Cosmos Power?" another bandit stammered, his face pale. "She's a Star Holder?! Impossible!"
The blonde girl raised her hand slightly, her fingers trembling as the wind coalesced around her. Her hair whipped violently in the storm, and her previously fearful eyes now burned with an eerie glow.
Shin instinctively stepped back, shielding his face as the gale intensified, throwing dust and debris into the air.
"Stellar Wind," he muttered under his breath, recognition dawning as the swirling air sharpened into deadly, shimmering currents.
The bandits, now fully gripped by panic, scrambled to retreat. "Wait! We didn't know—please! Spare us!" one of them begged, dropping his weapon.
But the girl was beyond hearing. The wind surged forward, slicing through the air with a deafening roar.
Reacting instinctively, Shin moved, lunging at one of the bandits who had turned to flee. With a swift tackle, he knocked the man out of the spell's trajectory just in time. A razor-sharp blade of wind struck the wall behind them, carving deep gashes into the stone.
The remaining bandits weren't as lucky. The wind tore into them mercilessly, sending weapons clattering to the ground. Screams echoed as they were battered by the relentless storm, their movements growing weaker until they collapsed.
Shin, panting heavily, pulled himself to his feet. His hand instinctively brushed his face, wiping away a streak of blood—not his own. He turned to the girl just as the winds began to die down.
She stood unsteadily, her glowing aura flickering like a candle in the wind. Her body swayed, and her breathing came in ragged gasps.
"I… I didn't mean to…" she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of exhaustion and horror. Her knees buckled, and Shin barely managed to catch her before she hit the ground.
"It's okay," Shin said softly, holding her steady. "You're safe now."
The girl looked up at him with tear-filled eyes. "I… I did it again," she murmured before her strength gave out entirely, and she fainted against his chest.
Shin glanced around the alley, his heart pounding as he took in the aftermath of the chaos. He didn't know who this girl was or why she carried such dangerous power, but one thing was clear—her life was entangled with his now, and the danger was far from over.