Alex and his father stood at the edge of a vast estate just outside Rome, where the morning light bathed the ancient grounds in gold.
From here, one could barely see the bustling life of the Eternal City.
Instead, the land was a sprawling expanse of rolling hills, tall cypress trees, and ancient stone buildings.
This land, once tied to the legendary Knights of the Round Table, had been in possession of the Du Lac family even before the Arthurian times, a place where tradition, legacy, and magic intertwined.
Today, it served as the training grounds for those seeking to join the ranks of the Church's Holy Knights.
Before Alex, dozens of young men performed their daily routines – grueling exercises designed to forge their bodies into weapons.
Some, aged between 18 and 24, ran laps while carrying weights; others sparred under the watchful eyes of instructors.
Their muscles gleamed with sweat; faces set in grim determination as the air was thick with the sounds of effort – grunts, clashing steel, and labored breathing. Alex's gaze lingered on them, feeling both anticipation and trepidation.
"They don't have the gifts you do," his father, Lord Adrien Du Lac, said, his voice calm but firm. "But look at them, Alex. Their bodies will become their magic. Before you even think of becoming a Holy Knight, you must first earn the title of knight."
Adrien's eyes swept over the recruits with practiced ease, an aura of authority surrounding him that silenced the sounds of the training grounds. His father turned toward him, giving him a hard look.
"Your test begins now."
Alex nodded, squaring his shoulders. He knew this moment would come. Magic alone wasn't enough to carry him here.
Knights earned their place through sheer force of will, and today, he would begin to understand the price of that path.
The first challenge was a test of endurance. The course stretched out before him – a series of obstacles designed to push the body to its limits. Alex sprinted forward, his feet pounding against the uneven ground.
He leapt over ditches, ducked under hanging branches, and scrambled over rock formations with his limbs burning from exertion. His chest heaved as the course took its toll, his breath became haggard; but he pressed on.
Next came the test of speed. Pillars were arranged in a circular formation, each bearing a target.
His task was simple – strike each one in rapid succession without using magic.
Alex darted from pillar to pillar, his movements sharp but increasingly becoming fatigued. Sweat drenched his face, but he forced himself to focus, striking each target with precision.
Finally, the test of strength.
A massive shield was handed to him, its weight far greater than any shield he'd held before. Alex was ordered to hold it above his head while ascending a steep set of stone stairs that led to a hilltop.
His arms trembled, muscles screaming under the weight, but he kept going. Every step was agony, but he refused to lower the shield.
When he reached the top, his body was shaking, his breathing ragged.
Small things like physical fatigue had never phased him, he had been used to pushing his body to damn near it's limit each and every single day in his past life.
'I've become complacent' Alex thought to himself as he realized that he had started losing his touch.
His father stood at the peak, watching. Alex glanced at him, hoping for a sign of approval, and after a moment, Adrien gave a small, satisfied nod.
"You may be a wizard," Adrien said, his voice steady, "but even a wizard needs strength. The body must be as strong as the magic within."
Alex, too breathless to respond, merely nodded.
'I need to grind again' Alex thought, he never liked weakness, especially within himself when he knew he could be strong.
"Follow me" His father said as he complied.
Together, they descended the hill and entered the large stone building that served as the center of the training grounds.
Inside, the squires and knights-in-training fell silent, bowing respectfully as Adrien passed. As one of the three Holy Knights, his presence commanded reverence. He was more than just a Knight – he was a living legend.
Adrien addressed the room. "For the next two months, I will personally oversee your training."
There was a collective intake of breath, and a murmur of excitement rippled through the gathered knights and squires. Even the instructors, seasoned warriors in their own right, exchanged looks of awe.
The Holy Knights were figures of near-mythical stature, and for one to offer personal instruction was unheard of.
"I don't believe it…" one of the knights whispered. "We'll be learning from Lord Du Lac himself."
Adrien acknowledged the knight's words with a simple nod before turning to Alex. "Let's continue. There's more for you to see."
Alex followed his father deeper into the building, where older squires sat meditating in quiet rows. These men were the senior trainees, nearing the end of their journey to knighthood.
But something about them caught Alex's attention – a strange energy in the air, faint but unmistakable.
"Mana," Alex muttered, frowning. "How?"
"They aren't like you," Adrien said, guiding Alex toward a quiet alcove where they could speak. "They don't have the natural ability to wield magic. Knights, unlike wizards, aren't born with the capacity for magic. But here's the difference – they gain it."
Alex's brow furrowed in confusion. "How?"
Adrien gestured to the meditating squires. "Through the 'Lake of Life.' The lake grants them the ability to sense and control mana, but only in a limited way. They can't cast spells like a wizard. Instead, they learn to channel this magic through artifacts."
"Artifacts?" Alex asked.
"Divine Magic," Adrien clarified. "A different form of magic, given by God. Wizards use their innate mana to cast spells, shaping the world through their own will. Knights, however, wield artifacts that have been blessed with Divine Magic – An ancient power that flows from a higher source. It is purer, stronger, but also restricted. They can't shape it as freely as wizards do, but when harnessed properly, it's far more powerful in battle."
"So, the artifacts act as a conduit for Divine Magic?" Alex asked, now more intrigued than ever.
"Exactly. The artifacts themselves are alive in a way – they have their own will, their own ego. They don't just accept anyone."
"A knight must prove himself worthy to wield such power. That's how you become a knight. And it's only when you bond with an entire set of these artifacts that you rise to the rank of Templar."
"And beyond that?"
Adrien gave a small smile. "Beyond that are the Paladins, strongest of Templar knights, risen through their power, merit and service."
"But that's not where it ends, does it?" Alex chimed, as his father continued with a smile "Then there are the Holy Knights, they are different from the rest"
"The Holy knights are chosen through the 'Trials of the Past,' a blood ritual that tests the descendants of the original Knights of the Round Table. If you prove worthy, you are granted access and the ability to wield the legendary Holy Artifacts – objects of immense power left behind by the greatest knights in history, blessed by the lord and containing the power of Divine Magic"
Adrien led Alex to a small, isolated room, unbuckling the sword strapped to his waist as he pulled it out of its ordinary looking scabbard.
It looked plain, almost unremarkable, but Alex could feel the air vibrating with its latent energy. He took a step closer, sensing the sword's ego, its own will.
"This is the Sword of Strange Hangings," Adrien said softly. "Sir Galahad's blade."
Alex's hand instinctively wandered near the sword, but he didn't dare touch it.
He could feel the ancient power within, a presence far older and far wiser than anything he'd encountered at Hogwarts.
The magic here wasn't neutral, nor was it dark or chaotic like the magic of magical creatures. This was Divine Magic, and it thrummed with purity and ancient power with direct connection to something far beyond this world.
"Why can I sense its magic?" Alex asked. "I'm a wizard. These artifacts should reject me."
Adrien smiled. "That's because you're not just a wizard, Alex. You're a Du Lac. Our bloodline traces back to Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad, knights who were blessed by the Lake of Life and the Lady of the Lake herself" he said, his voice becoming serious as he looked into Alex's eyes.
"You are one of the few wizards who can wield these holy artifacts, not because of your magic, but because of your lineage." His father said, Sheathing the blade that glowed with exceptional brilliance.
"Blood," Alex whispered, as the realization hit him. "So I'm here because – "
"Because you, unlike other wizards, have the potential to use both normal and Divine Magic," Adrien confirmed.
"Holy artifacts reject most wizards because their magic conflicts with the purity of Divine Magic. A wizard's mana is too chaotic, too individual. But in you, there is harmony. The blood of our ancestors allows you to use both."
Alex's mind whirled. "And that's why the church doesn't train wizards as knights."
Adrien nodded. "Exactly. It's not just about strength – It's about compatibility. Wizards rely on their own magic, while Divine Magic flows through the artifacts. A wizard's mana would taint these artifacts, rendering them useless. But you, Alex... you are different."
"And what about the Lake of Life?" Alex asked. "What exactly is it?"
Adrien gave him a knowing look. "In time, Alex. The Lake of Life is ancient, older than even the Church itself. It holds the power to bless those deemed worthy. When you see it, you will understand."
Alex remained silent, the weight of everything sinking in.
He was more than just a wizard. He was part of something ancient, something that transcended the world of Hogwarts and wizards. His bloodline, his magic, his destiny – It was all intertwined with the legacy of the Knights of the Round Table.
But with that realization came more questions. What exactly was Divine Magic? How could he use it? And what role would he play in the future of both worlds?
His father's calm smile offered no answers, only more mysteries. "You'll understand it all when you see it."
Alex looked at his father as he realized what awaited him.
Power and Responsibility.
His mind churned with questions, each one leading him further into the unknown.