Chapter 1 – The White Flame of Luther
The silver bells of Luther Academy rang with solemn clarity as banners bearing the sigil of a white sword on gold fluttered across the training grounds. Students in navy and ivory cloaks stood at attention beneath the watchful gaze of instructors, Elders, and Envoy Knights clad in radiant armor.
Among the gathered ranks stood Jean Luther, her long white hair glowing faintly under the morning sun—a mark of her bloodline, pure and unbroken. The youngest daughter of the Luther Clan. The only one born after the tragedy that took their parents. And now, the top graduate of the Academy.
Her breath was steady, but her thoughts ran wild.
"Is this how it begins?" she thought. "The path to becoming stronger than them… stronger than all of them."
"Jean Luther," the voice of Master-General Halric boomed, drawing the silence taut. "Step forward."
She obeyed, stepping onto the dais where a gleaming sword of judgment—Lumina Tempestus—awaited her. A ceremonial blade used to test the resonance of a student's aura.
"Place your hand on the hilt," Halric ordered, watching her closely.
She did. The sword lit instantly in a burst of radiant white, blinding and pure. The gathered crowd gasped. Most swords flared blue, green, or amber. White meant divine alignment.
Halric's eyes narrowed. "...The Light of Celeste runs strong in this one."
A murmur ran through the crowd.
That was when Jean heard the voice—not from the sword, not from the crowd—but from within.
"My Emissary... You are ready."
She staggered slightly, but didn't release the hilt. The light pulsed once more, then receded.
Halric stepped back, unsettled. "Jean Luther, you are hereby declared a graduate of Luther Academy. Effective immediately, you are conscripted into the two-year assessment as an Envoy Knight candidate. May your sword honor the clan."
The students clapped, some proud, others jealous. Among them, her half-brother Darien sneered. A talented swordsman, but never the heir. Not with white-haired Jean still breathing.
As Jean descended the platform, the wind stirred unnaturally. She paused.
From the forest edge beyond the Academy gates, a pair of golden eyes watched her.
A wolf.
No… something more.
Its presence crackled with divine power.
Jean's fingers curled around the hilt of her real sword. Something was beginning. Something far greater than graduation.
And in her soul, the Light stirred awake.
---