Five years had passed since Drakon Arclight had returned to the world with memories of betrayal and death branded into his soul. Though his body was still small, his will was unyielding, and each day had been spent in quiet defiance—secretly cultivating his breathing technique from his previous life in the shadows of the nursery.
And now, the day of the Ragnarok Tournament had arrived—a sacred tradition of the Arclight family, where all children under the age of ten, including those from collateral branches and even commoners under the family's patronage, would test their strength. For the direct descendants of the Arclight line, participation was not a choice. It was a duty. An expectation.
Among the participants were three direct heirs: the 10-year-old twin siblings—the Eleventh and Twelfth children of the Patriarch—both already at 1-Star Advanced Knight rank, and, surprisingly to most, the youngest: Drakon, barely five years old.
No one expected the child to last a moment.
Round One: The Aura Test
The stands of the grand coliseum were filled to the brim, nobles and warriors gathering like vultures, eager to watch the young falter and the strong rise. Even the Patriarch of the Arclight family, the formidable 25-Star Knight and one of the five strongest men on the continent, had come to observe from his high throne.
A hooded examiner wheeled in a glowing orb-like device—a tool that could measure the quality of one's Aura Affinity. The rankings were simple and clear, and all known throughout the continent:
Black < Green < Orange < Blue < Red < Silver < Gold < White
Most children, even from noble families, barely reached Black. Some, on rare occasions, reached Green.
The twins stepped forward first, placing their hands upon the crystal one at a time. The crowd hushed. The orb pulsed once... then blazed in a bright Orange hue. A murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd. Orange! Both twins had reached Orange—a feat rarely seen in children.
Then came the turn of little Drakon.
The crowd whispered, some scoffing.
But the moment his small hand touched the orb, a blazing Blue aura surged from it, bathing the arena in light. A silence deeper than any spell fell across the spectators.
Even the Patriarch leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. Then, for the first time in public, he gave a subtle grin.
"A Blue... at five?" he murmured, almost to himself.
Round Two: The Battle Royale
Of the many who had participated, only one hundred remained. And from these, only two finalists would advance to the final duel.
The battle royale commenced.
Alliances quickly formed. Chaos erupted in waves. As expected, the main targets were the twin siblings and the unexpected threat: Drakon.
The twins stood back-to-back, fending off twenty-five attackers. Drakon, isolated and without allies, was surrounded by fifteen.
He didn't panic. Drawing upon the instincts of his former life, and his years of hidden training, Drakon unleashed swift, calculated counterattacks. His breathing technique flowed through his limbs like wind through steel, enhancing his small frame.
One by one, they fell.
He dispatched thirteen before his knees buckled from exhaustion. Two opponents remained, closing in fast. The audience watched, holding their breath.
Then—like lightning from a clear sky—Drakon launched a final, desperate flurry.
Both opponents fell unconscious.
And Drakon collapsed.
He was immediately carried off to the infirmary by the butler, his breathing shallow, but stable.
The crowd roared with disbelief.
The final round was now set:
Drakon Arclight vs. the Eleventh Sibling—his own brother.
A duel between a ten-year-old star knight... and a five-year-old genius reborn.
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EXTRA -- World Building 101
World Setting: Aerifuerta
The world of Aerifuerta is divided into two massive continents:
1. The Demon Continent – A dark and treacherous land ruled by demon clans.
2. AERTHROS – The primary human-inhabited continent where our protagonist, Drakon Arclight, resides.
These two continents are connected by the narrow but deadly Strait of Blaskhos, the location where the Demon Invasion first erupted fifteen years ago.
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The Continent of AERTHROS
AERTHROS is divided into five distinct kingdoms:
1. The Holy Kingdom – A land ruled by the Church and Divine Knights.
2. The DRAKOS Kingdom – Home to the Arclight family and where Drakon lives.
3. The Alfabetos Kingdom – Known for scholars and magical research.
4. The Dwarven Kingdom – A non-human domain of master craftsmen and earth magic.
5. The Elven Kingdom – A non-human realm filled with nature spirits and ancient magic.
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The DRAKOS Kingdom: Core of the Human Defense
The DRAKOS Kingdom is led by the Drakos Royal Family and upheld by three great noble houses, each forming a pillar of strength:
Arclight Family – Masters of swordsmanship and the strongest warrior bloodline.
Zekros Family – Supreme magic users and arcane scholars.
Hua Family – Peerless martial artists, keepers of balance.
Arclight and Zekros families are long-time rivals, locked in a cold war of prestige and ideology. The Hua Family remains strictly neutral, acting as a stabilizing force. The Royal Family also maintains neutrality, ensuring balance among the powers.
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