Sadi trudged out of the elemental arenas; it was a training center that was designed to stimulate different elemental conditions, such as fire, water, earth, and air, where students needed to practice under various environmental challenges.

It was a difficult training, but not for everyone. Some of them passed the challenges smoothly, but some of them could not, and Sadi was one of them who failed. He could not complete the challenges, and as a member of Draconis, he was a failure; comparing himself to his brothers and other boys of the realm, he was the least powerful boy.

The Draconis realm was known for bringing the fiercest warriors out of every normal boy and girl, stimulating their dragon power to tame their dragon by the time they reached adulthood. But at 20, Sadi still could not stimulate his summoning power.

Since childhood, Sadi had been taunted because of his lack of magical talent and martial arts. Even his family taunted him. His two brothers, Hiro and Luca, were the top warriors of Draconis and selected competitors against other realms.

Sadi was walking toward his home; his face was solemn. Suddenly he heard a girl's laugh; he recognized that laugh instantly.

It was Sophia, his fiancée.

The engagement had been arranged years ago; they were from the same realms. Sadi's father had pushed for it, knowing that Sadi's lacking power and strength would have little hope of finding a match outside their realm.

Sadi spotted Sophia and her friends were coming the same way he was leaving. When Sophia was about to pass Sadi, she noticed him as well as her friends. Sadi put on a small smile, but Sophia gave him a disdainful look, as if he was a stranger to her.

But one of her friends, Emi, teased, "Hey, Sophia, here is your worthless fiancé; won't you greet him?"

Everyone laughed.

While looking at Sadi, Sophia narrowed her brows, but his gaze was down.

"Do you want us to leave, Sophia?" Luna mocked.

Sophia crossed her arms and sneered, "Of course, after all, he is my would-be husband. So, I need some privacy with him."

Sophia's friends walked while whispering, leaving Sophia and Sadi on the path.

"You did not pass again, right?" Sophia's eyes bore into Sadi.

Sadi looked up at her and answered, "It was not like that. I will pass next time."

Sophia arched her brows, clearly unimpressed as she heard him.

"I don't know why my father agreed to this engagement. It's all because of your father. Being a head of the Draconis, your father buys everyone."

Sadi lowered his gaze, her words pressing him down. He could not bring himself to argue and simply stood there, taking in her scorn.

"Your father thought his friend's daughter was perfect for his worthless son."

Sadi raised his gaze and said, "Sophia, I respect my father's decision."

"Just give me some time; I will be the man you can be proud of."

Sophia chuckled as she heard Sadi.

"Oh, really?" She could not resist mocking.

You're nothing more than a burden, you know?

Sadi chose not to respond to Sophia's hurtful comments. He turned back, watching as Sophia rejoined her friends to leave, their laughter ringing in his ears.

Sadi returned home; after two days, his brother Hiro would be going to get married to a girl from Eldoria Prime. Eldoria Prime was the top realm of martial arts and magical mastery.

Sadi slipped past everyone, unnoticed, and made his way to his chamber. He shed his long shirt and wore something casual. He sat on the wooden chair and started writing something. Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

Sadi quickly closed his diary and answered, "Who?"

"It's me, Sadi."

"Mother!" Sadi said.

His mother, Laura, slid the door open and came inside with a smile. Sadi smiled. "You could have sent me a message by a maid, mother. I would go to you."

"It's okay, son."

"How is your training?" Laura asked in a soft tone.

Sadi exhaled deeply, and Laura understood the meaning. She put her hand on his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze, saying, "Don't feel blue, okay? Next time, you will do better."

Sadi smiled faintly, appreciating his mother's kindness.

His mother had been a haven for him, who had never compared him to his brothers or judged him.

The day slowly passed to night; after having dinner, the household settled down to their chambers for rest. But Laura was still awaiting her husband, Antonio's, return from an important meeting in the Celestoria realm.

As midnight crept in and Laura's eyes were almost going to close, a sudden cracking sound startled her awake. She spotted Antonio quietly putting down his shoes. Laura stepped ahead, asking, "I thought you would be out longer tonight."

Antonio quickly looked outside and said, while not stepping inside the chamber, "Where is Sadi?"

"He is in his room."

Antonio walked out of his chamber and made his way to Sadi's chamber. Sliding the door open, he saw the lamp flicking on the table, casting shadows across the walls. The bed was empty; Sadi was not in his chamber.

Antonio stepped out into the yard, and then, with a fluid motion, he jumped onto the rooftop of the house. The moon was hanging high in the sky, illuminating the surroundings with silvery light. As he walked across the rooftop, he soon found Sadi sitting at the peak.

Antonio approached him, standing beside him to observe his son. The icy breeze ruffled his hair, but Sadi remained frozen, engrossed in deep meditation. The night was crisp, but Sadi seemed untouched by everything, as if he was a different person totally. Antonio did not dare interrupt his son's medication.

But before Antonio could decide whether to speak or not, Sadi broke the silence with a cold, controlled tone.

"Father!"

Sadi cracked his eyes open slowly and turned his face to Antonio. Antonio sighed.

"They have fixed the date of final selection."

"I hope you have mastered all the strategies."

Sadi nodded; it felt like father and son were trying to hide something.

"Okay, father. It is time to move the cloud from everything."

"Everybody will know eventually."

Sadi's words were heavy with a secret meaning.