Leon sat at his desk, the soft glow of a lamp casting long shadows over the surface. A few books rested to one side, their covers worn from frequent reading. Next to them sat a sleek wrist device, its screen dimmed but ready to relay messages or search for information. Scattered around were trinkets he'd collected over the years: a polished stone from the family courtyard, a small wooden carving of a phoenix, and a metallic coin engraved with intricate patterns—a keepsake from his father.
He leaned back slightly, his gaze shifting to the coin. 'The White Dragon Aspect,' he thought. It was one of the most renowned Aspects of the Tharvyn family. In recent generations, many Aspect Masters in his lineage had awakened this Aspect, each bringing glory to the family. Leon was one of those who hoped to inherit it. The White Dragon, as its name suggested, symbolized strength and majesty, a mark of their family's legacy.
On the other side of his lineage was the Azure Sword Aspect. The Jian family, his mother's side, was famed for their unparalleled skill with the sword. They had built their legacy through their faith in the Sword Path, a subpath of the Battle Path. The Azure Sword Aspect embodied precision and power, making its wielders deadly in combat. His grandfather, in particular, had always championed the Sword Path and had once hoped Leon's mother would dedicate herself entirely to it.
Leon smirked as he remembered the stories his mother had told him. She and his father had first met during an expedition to explore an ancient ruin. Their partnership had begun out of necessity, but over time, their bond grew stronger. It had caused no small amount of annoyance on the Jian side, especially for his grandfather, who wanted her to focus solely on the Sword Path. But after years of resistance, his grandfather eventually gave up and accepted their union.
'No matter which Aspect I awaken,' Leon thought, 'I'll make the most of it.' Both sides of his family carried strong legacies, but the future was his to shape. Regardless of his Aspect, he'd soon be joining the Celestial Nexus Academy, one of the most prestigious institutions for training Aspect Masters in the nation. He'd heard countless stories of the academy's rigorous training and fierce competition. 'I'll make sure to make the best of my time there. No matter what it takes, I'll become strong.'
A soft chime from his wrist device broke his train of thought. The screen lit up faintly, displaying a message.
Mom: Dinner will be ready soon. Come down when you're finished.
Leon let out a small sigh and shook his head, a smile tugging at his lips. 'Guess I'll save the rest of these thoughts for later.' He stood, glanced one last time at his desk, and headed toward the door. Tomorrow would mark the start of everything. For now, dinner awaited.