In the heart of the capital of Lemuria, where classical buildings stand lined up like artistic paintings, and narrow roads shine with their cleanliness, the city witnessed unusual movement today. Every corner was pulsating with life: the sounds of vendors, children's laughter, and the smell of delicious food filling the atmosphere.
In the squares, women were displaying sweets and food dishes, while folk music blared from musical bands amidst the crowds. The melodies mixed with dance and joy, but all of this was merely a backdrop for one scene that stole the attention: Rose Street.
Dozens of shops line up there, displaying small boxes inside them containing rose petals of various colors; red, blue, violet… and many more. Everyone is crowding, hands are reaching out, and eyes are gleaming… as if those petals carry a special magic.
And suddenly, a gentle breeze blew, carrying with it petals flying in the air. They danced above heads, then descended slowly to the ground to form a natural painting adorning the street.
Everyone headed to one place: the Grand Arena, with a soaring height reaching two hundred meters and stands accommodating tens of thousands. Yes, today is the day of the great Coronation, where a young hero will be crowned among the Knights of Order, the most powerful squad in this world.
The stands began to fill with people, conversations scattering here and there; some of them talking about the greatness of the achievement, and some doubting this young hero's joining, accusing him of collusion with his friend Aethera, one of the Seven Knights, because of their extreme closeness.
At the entrance leading to the arena, the hero stood nervous, repeating to himself in a trembling voice: "Dammit… don't be nervous, dammit… don't be nervous…"
And suddenly he was pushed from behind, it's his friend Don: "Go, you fool! Everything is going according to your plan. And finally, you will join the Knights. This is your dream… so don't ruin it, or else I'll smash your head myself!"
And before he could reply, a girl's voice rose from afar: "Doooon! Wait for meee!"
Don sighed: "Here comes the dumb one…"
Luna approached with a bright smile, saying: "Believe in yourself, we are always with you. Amaze the spectators and prove them wrong. Show them that you deserve to be among the Knights."
She raised her thumbs in a "Ganbare!" gesture, so Shinzo smiled and replied likewise: "Count on me. And now… wish me luck!"
He set off with steady steps towards the exit leading to the arena. His face reflected his tension and confusion, his breaths grew heavy and his heartbeats accelerated.
And the moment he exited, the crowd's voice roared: "Shinzo! Shinzo!"
Thousands chanting his name, and rose petals falling onto the arena in a beautiful spectacle. His features relaxed slightly, and his heart calmed under the magic of that moment.
Then came a majestic voice filling the surroundings: "Advance, Shinzo, forward."
That was the Commander of the Knights, standing in golden armor decorated with red lines, and a royal red scarf swaying behind him. Behind him, seven chairs on a magnificent platform, each chair belonging to one of the Seven Knights.
Shinzo muttered, stunned: "Dammit… they are much more fabulous than the pictures and statues…"
An elegant man holding a golden staff stepped forward, his voice reverberating through the arena: "Ladies and gentlemen! I am Orman, from the Jinn race, the official announcer of the arena. And I know you are longing for this day… and today we will witness the greatest event of this century: the presentation of the Seven Knights of Order!"
The cheers of the masses rose, while Shinzo's eyes widened in amazement.
"First… the Sorceress, owner of the strongest forbidden techniques in this world… Vyper!"
A girl in her twenties stepped forward, her black hair tied back, and her sharp purple eyes piercing through the crowds. Her black armor is studded with purple lines, and on its chest, a spider symbol protrudes.
The announcer shouted mischievously: "It seems she has more admirers than me…"
But a deadly look from him made him step back laughing: "Haha… just a joke!"
(Shinzo thinks): "The strongest user of forbidden techniques… but she is also very beautiful."
"And now… the Master of Elements, the man who controls all forces of nature… Yan Wei!"
A man with calm Asian features stepped forward, his long black hair flowing over his shoulders, and in his eyes, a strange pupil resembling broken glass. Silence prevailed among the crowd under his majesty.
(Shinzo thinks): "He can control all basic elements… and even most sub-elements."
"And now… the Elf Princess, Lady of Nature and the strongest user of healing magic… Lian!"
Lian stepped forward with confident steps, her captivating beauty stole the gazes. The crowds' shouts rose more than ever before.
Someone shouted from among the rows: "Lian! Thank you for saving our village! We love you!"
Her cheeks reddened shyly as she waved to them gently.
(Shinzo thinks): "So this is the Elf Princess… kind-hearted, and also beloved by everyone."
"Then with you… Radous… the sole survivor of his race, and owner of strange and mysterious abilities!"
Radous stepped forward with steady steps. His white skin easily distinguishes him from the human race, and his purple eyes reflect a mysterious coldness. He was wearing a white robe, and on his back, a black sword that seemed like a living creature, as a red eye in its center moves slowly and watches those around it.
"And now… the Mysterious Queen, bearer of the Light element… Estrea!"
A majestic woman stepped forward with slow steps, her features unnaturally perfect, surrounded by an aura of solemnity and mystery.
(Shinzo thinks): "A race from the higher races… her abilities are unknown."
But the announcer smiled mischievously, and tilted his head as if searching the horizon: "And finally… our sixth Knight, whose greatness seems to have made him late for his appointment with history!"
Then he whispered in a faint, inaudible voice: "Where is that fool… Aethera? Never mind, I'll cover his absence this time. But the price for silence will be a fancy dinner… with the best drinks, hehehe!"
All the Knights advanced beside their Commander in a single line in a grand scene, so the voices and applause of the masses rose.
The Commander tilted his head very slightly towards Estrea, his lips didn't move, but his voice suddenly launched in her head:
(Commander speaks in Estrea's mind): "Aethera… where is he? Didn't you locate him? How could he miss such a day?"
(Estrea replies in the Commander's mind): "I couldn't pinpoint his location… it seems he is completely outside this world. This is his nature… you might find him fooling around somewhere."
The Commander tightened his fist behind his back, maintaining his apparent composure.
The announcer said: "And now it's time for the official inauguration of Shinzo joining the Knights. We will leave you with the greatest spectacle of this century… you were with the announcer Orman!"
The Commander spoke in a loud voice and a majestic tone, so a complete silence prevailed throughout the arena:
"You have proven, Shinzo, during these two years, your high ability and competence in accomplishing missions. And your intelligence and wisdom shone in the most difficult situations despite your young age. Today is the day you will be crowned and become the owner of the seventh seat in the Knights of Order."
And at the peak of the celebration, the sky's clarity dispersed. On high, a young girl with black horns appeared. A hysterical laugh from a she-demon. "Finally, it's war time! I'm so bored!"