In a world where people are divided, where the people at the top of a class system designed all the rules, would you change it if you could? Would you bridge the gap and change the world to make it better for everyone? What would need to do that? You would think "power" but in the end, if you get more power, it will just be for show. It's what's in someone's heart that makes the real difference: first you decide whether or not you're going to do something, and then you do it. And for a young warrior, and his team of unlikely heroes he calls his family, this is a lesson they'll need to remember. Our story begins in the world of Areon, a place of great wonder, but also great darkness, in one form or another. This is not a world you will likely not find today, as it is a world with Dragons, Elves and everything in between. Long ago, Areon was divided into two: The Demon Realm, a land of evil, and the continent of Tamriel, where creatures of light enjoy their lives in peace.
And at the centre of Tamriel, there is the Areon Academy, a school dedicated to training each generation of new magic-wielding warriors to be ready for a war with their impending enemies. In the year of 777, two months into the first semester of the year, a young teen, dressed in kneecap-length shorts and a red sleeveless T-shirt, and bandages covering his right arm, enters the campus grounds for his first day at this new school. "So, this is Areon Academy" he said, turning his scarlet eyes to the school "This should be fun." The boy then hears people shouting in the distance. He turns and sees what looks like another human getting rather close to a short-haired blonde girl. "This guy's a walking cliché" the new student thought. "Excuse me, is this guy bothering you?" he then said to the girl. The pair of them then turned to look at the new student. "Just who are you?" the perpetrator said. "I'm Shiro" the new student said "And you are?" "Such insolence! I am Kurt Von Bertre!" the person said. "That's kind of a mouthful for an introduction, don't you think?" Shiro said. The girl behind him then chuckles, making Kurt growl. "My point is, I am of the prestigious Von Bertre family, a family of nobles in the kingdom" he said. Shiro lets out an exhorted sigh. "Anyway, you ok?" Shiro asked the girl. "Yeah, I'm ok" the girl replied. "Are you ignoring me?!" Kurt said angrily. The three of them then heard someone say "Hey, Kurt. Come on, we need to go." They look and could see a group of fancy dressed people, hurrying Kurt along. Kurt growls again. "This isn't over" he said before leaving to join the other group. "Thanks for that" the girl said to Shiro "I can take care of myself, but it was very heroic of you try and help me like that." "It was nothing" Shiro said. The girl then notices Shiro bandages arm. "Whoa, is your arm ok?" she said. "Oh, this? Don't worry; it's nothing" Shiro said. There was then a gust of wind the blew the girl's hair revealing a pair of very pointed ears. "You're an elf? Wait, no. A High-Elf?" he then said. "Oh, yeah. Good eye. Not that many people can tell the difference," she said. "My dad taught me a lot about the different races, so it's not that hard" said Shiro. "Oh. Sorry for the late introduction. My name is Adora Greentree, it's nice to meet you" the High-Elf said, curtsying slightly. "My name's Shiro. It's nice to meet you, too" Shiro replied. "I've never seen you around here before. Are you new here?" asked Adora. "Yeah, I just started today" said Shiro. The two of them then hear a bell ringing loudly in the school. "Oh, that's the bell for class. I should get going" Adora said as she starts running away "It was nice meeting you! I'll see you later!" Shiro hums and then proceeds to the main building.
A few minutes later, Adora arrives in her classroom, to find the teacher yet to arrive and a buzz in the air. Adora walks over to her group of friends, Max, Dinah, Slivy and Gright, to find them talking as much as everyone else. "Hey, guys" she said "What's everyone talking about?" "Didn't you hear? We're getting a new transfer student," said Max. "It's a little weird to get a transfer so late after the start of the semester, isn't it?" said Gright. "Hey, this means we get a new friend," said Dinah. "Actually, I think I met our new transfer student just now" said Adora. "Really? Were they a boy? A girl? Were they nice?" asked Silvy. "It was a boy. I think he said his name was Shiro" a smiling Adora said "And he did seem really nice." Silvy notices her smile and starts nudging Adora slightly. "Looks like this new guy's court your eye" she said in a teasing voice. "Oh, shut up. That's how roomers get started" a blushing Adora said. Everyone else chuckles. The teacher of their class, Miss Emilia, finally enters the room. "Alright, class, please take your seats" she said. Unknown to the class, Shiro hears the voices in the classroom, leans against the wall and listens into the class. "Today, the principle wants for us to go over the introduction to Areon Academy," said Miss Emelia. A projection the school's introduction appears on the wall and Miss Emilia began the accompanying speech. "Thousands of years ago, our world was attacked by ancient creatures from a mysterious other world. Later on, these creatures would be named the Eldritch Terrors. These monstrous creatures wrought destruction and chaos everywhere they went, but eventually the inhabitants of Areon; Humans, Dragons, Elves, Giants, Dwarfs, Fairies, Lizardmen and Demons, banded together and drove out the invaders. But after we saved the world together, the world was betrayed; The Demon race attacked the other races for supremacy of the world. But even though we were still weak from the Eldritch creatures, we were able to defeat the Demon Race." The images on the board then change, now showing a map of the world. "Across the ocean, away from the continent of Tamriel, there is a large landmass with a seemingly endless mountain range. On the other side of the mountains is the place known as the Demon Realm: a place of darkness and monsters. It is inhabited by Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, Minitours, Dark Elves and, of course, Demons. For centuries, this place, that would later be named The Demon Realm, has been building up its military, waiting for it's time to attack Tamriel." A few people at their desks make nervous exasperations at the thought of this concept. "Excuse me, Miss Emilia? We've seen the monsters of the Demon Realm since then, haven't we?" a student said. "Yes, very good" Miss Emilia said "Every once in a while, raid groups show up in Tamriel, usually just raiding and pillaging towns and villages." The projections then change to an image of Tamriel, divided into eight sections. Miss Emilia then started explaining the areas of Tamriel. "Our continent of Tamriel is divided into eight different territories, each largely populated by a different race: High Rock, a mountainous area where the underground dwelling Dwarven people live. Elsweyr, a territory composed mostly of wastelands and grasslands, where the Giants call their home." "Excuse me, Miss Emilia? Hasn't that had an effect on the Giant race?" asked Gright. "That's right" said Miss Emilia "Giants have a natural ability to manipulate the Earth, so they have a literal home field advantage in places like that." A few members of the class then take notes. "Next is Morrowind, the homeland of the fairies. Morrowind is basically a giant mass of forests and trees. Now, the Black Marsh: as the name implies, it is a land of marsh and swamps and inhabited by the Lizardmen: a race of humanoid, reptilian people. Lizardmen are one the few races that chose not to be a part of Areon Academy. Now for Valenwood, homeland of the elves." Adora then proudly sits up at the mention of her homeland. "Valenwood is very similar to Morrowind in that the area is a huge forest. Though, Valenwood has a main area of much larger, hollowed out trees that serves as the residence of many elves, including the elven royal family." Miss Emilia carried on "Valenwood is a dynasty that has dated back to the days of the Eldritch terrors. Which can be confirmed by our resident royal elf: Adora Greentree." "Wait, what?" Shiro said outside the class. "Next, we have one of the most notable: Skyrim" said Miss Emilia. Shiro slowly learns forward. "Located to the north of Tamriel, Skyrim has a very low population of most races, but a single thriving culture: Dragons. Tamriel's Dragon population is solely concentrated in Skyrim. Years after the Demons were pushed back to the other side of the world, the Dragons isolated themselves to this colossal region. With its vast majority of grassland and the highest mountains in Tamriel, it has helped the Dragon race to thrive for centuries" said Miss Emilia "Similar to the elves of Valenwood, the Dragons are ruled by a king of their own race. This entity, known as the Dragon King or King of Dragons, is selected by proving to the rest of their race that they are the strongest. The last Dragon King was known as Igneel, the Fire Dragon." Shiro smiles, looking at a picture of the Dragon in the classroom. "Though, he has not been seen for about fifteen years now" said Miss Emilia "There were rumours that Igneel had a son, the Dragon Prince, but this was never confirmed." The board then changes to an image of the final territory to be covered. "And last but not least, Cindrill, the centre of Tamriel. Cindrill is one of the largest territories on this continent, second only to Skyrim, where the human population is located. Cindrill is also a monarchy, of the Darian royal family. Cindrill is also a very pro-nobility place, with high born individuals far more better off. And at the centre of Cindrill is our great Areon Academy, an inter-racial school that was founded to both train new young people in the art of magical combat, and to try to break down the wall of the class system of Cindrill" Miss Emilia was saying. A few noble students in the room then scoffed at her comment, causing Adora and her friends to scowl at them. "Way back since the days of the Terrors, the brave individuals helping with the fight, earned the unofficial title; Heroes. And ever since, the bravest, strongest and most heroic individuals also then become known as Heroes as well" said Miss Emilia "The last person to truly be called a Hero was Caliban Pendragon. He saved the people of Cindrill on multiple occasions, and despite coming from a family of commoners, was the greatest Hero we've ever had. But sadly, 16 years ago, he betrayed our country by conspiring with the Demon Race." A few students then begin talking about how Caliban was a traitor. Shiro growls angrily. A strange bell then started after they were finished talking. "Oh, that worked out well. We all need to get going," said Miss Emilia. "What's going on, Miss Emilia?" asked Silvy. "We're holding a welcome ceremony for a new student," said Miss Emilia. "Oh, it must be the guy you met before" Max said to Adora. "Yeah, probably" said Adora. Shiro disappears before the class enters the hallway.
Adora's class then meets up with the rest of the academy's students outside, leaving a path for the new student to walk down. After a few minutes, the Academy's principal, Principal Fang, stands in front of the students. "Hello, everyone. Thank you for coming. We are here to welcome a new student to the school," said Principal Fang. "So, without further ado, let us please welcome Shiro." A door then opens which Shiro walks through and down the path. On his way down, he sees Adora who is discreetly waving at him. Shiro then discreetly waves back. Now at the front of the crowd, Shiro could hear some of the students murmuring behind him. Shiro then hums and smiles. "Young Shiro, I am pleased to welcome you as a second-year student of the Areon Academy," said Principal Fang. Shiro then holds his hand up, telling the principal to stop. "Sorry, no" Shiro said "I don't deserve to be a student here. I'm not worthy." "What?" Principal Fang said in surprise. "At least, that's what some people here are inching to shout out" Shiro said. He then turns around and says out to the crowd "If you have something to say then say it to my face. I'll hear you out." People in the crowd whisper again until three people come out from the crowd, and Shiro recognizes one of them as the boy that he met while helping Adora. "We meet again" Kurt said "As you already know, I am Kurt Von Bertre. And this is Mark Bernard and this is Leo Anthony." "Oh. I could have sworn there were grumbling people here. But I guess for now, I only have three straight shooters" Shiro said "So, what's the problem?" "This academy was founded to train capable worriers for the future war against the Demon Realm. So, we can't accept some nobody joining our school just like that," said Mark. "So, we want to test the power of our new transfer student for ourselves," said Leo. One of the teachers next to the principal then moves next to Shiro and whispers "Kurt is ranked 6th strongest in the whole academy, while Mark is rank 5 and Leo is 4th." Shiro hums. "Well, Shiro? What do you say?" said Kurt with a smug look on his face. After a second of thinking, Shiro says "Ok, I'm game." "Wait, what?" Kurt said. All the students and teachers start talking in surprise. "So, who's up first?" asked Shiro. "I'm going first," said Kurt. Kurt then steps forward to face Shiro. "Let's do this, transfer" he said. Shiro turns to face Kurt. Kurt then quickly begins with a flurry of punches, so quick the crowd could barely see it. "That's Kurt's signature Speed Magic" Adora said in the crowd. It took a second for everyone to see, but Shiro was dodging all of Kurt's attacks. Kurt stopped the high-speed barrage and through a right hook towards Shiro, but Shiro blocks the punch with his left elbow and does a powerful right punch into Kurt's face. Kurt tries a left-hand punch but Shiro raises his leg slightly and redirects the punch so that Kurt punched his kneecap. Kurt yells from the pain of hitting Shiro. "Did the new kid use Speed Magic to keep up this Kurt before?" asked Gright. "No, I haven't felt any magic coming from him at all" said Dinah "Those must be his natural abilities." "I can't believe it. You actually have the nerve to injure a noble?" Kurt said angrily "We top students of noble families are rightfully next in line to be Heroes!" "Oh, please. A real Hero is someone who proves their power through combat and is ready to put their life on the line to protect people, no matter who they are. Their pedigree is irrelevant" Shiro said. Kurt chuckles slightly. "Of course, you think that. Those irregular blocking methods, the punches. That's the same fighting style of the last Hero, Caliban Pendragon, the traitor of Cindrill. How dare you?" he said. Everyone in the crowd starts whispering. Shiro scoffs. "I don't care what anyone thinks" he said. "What?" said Kurt. "I don't understand why he did what he did, but the man I heard of was a true Hero. Not only did he have the heart to try and always do the right thing, he also had the strength to back up that determination and see it through" Shiro said "I mean, you may have some strength but you're lacking right here, where it counts. And that makes you a failure if you ask me." Shiro points at his heart and stands firm during his speech. "Don't give me that! A real Hero needs two things: a high social rank, and devastating power to pulverise his enemies!" Kurt shouted as he let out an insane barrage of punches. "No, get out of there, Shiro! If you try to fight him for real–!" Adora starting shouting but then she saw that Shiro was blocking everyone of Kurt's attacks with his bare hand. After Kurt was done, he looks at his beaten and bruised hands and weeps slightly. "You know, I think you need to start all over again as a first year" Shiro said with a calm smile on his face. Kurt goes to headbutt Shiro but he counters with a palm strike to Kurt's forehead, sending flying backwards. Everyone starts saying "That was amazing" and "Who is he?" after seeing the fight. Mark Bernard then picks up Kurt and throws him on his shoulder. "So, who wants to fight me next?" Shiro asked. "Oh, don't worry. I think we've seen all we need to," said Leo. "Please carry on with the assembly" said Mark "We'll take our leave." Mark and Leo then leave, along with an unconscious Kurt. "So, where were we?" Shiro then said to the teachers. All the students stare dumbfounded.