On the vast continent of Aurelia, beneath the looming shadow of palace walls, a child came into the world. His golden hair glimmered like sunlight spilling into the chamber. They gave him a name—Elias Thorn.
His father, Varian Thorn, one of the kingdom's most formidable generals, gazed into his son's eyes with pride he could not conceal. His mother, Lyanna Thorn, cradled him in her delicate arms and whispered softly:
"Elias… You will become the hope of this kingdom."
The boy's early years were filled with abundance and peace. Yet at the age of five, his father summoned him to the training grounds.
"Elias," Varian's voice carried both weight and authority. "The Thorn name is not honored by words alone. You must learn to carry the sword as well."
"Truly, Father? Will you teach me?"
"Yes. But remember—this is no game."
A wooden sword was placed in the boy's hands. His first strikes were clumsy; he stumbled and scraped his knee. Tears welled in his eyes as he turned toward his mother. But before Lyanna could move, Varian raised his voice:
"Stand, Elias. A warrior does not live in the shame of falling—but in the honor of rising again."
"…I will rise. I will never give up!"
From that day forward, his training began in earnest. Each sunrise saw Elias growing stronger, his strikes sharper, his resolve unshakable. Slowly, he earned the acknowledgment of the great general who was his father. And each night, his mother's gentle voice reminded him of another truth:
"Do not forget kindness, Elias. True strength is not measured by the blade alone, but by the heart that wields it."
"I will remember, Mother. I will become someone others can look up to," the boy vowed.
By the time he turned ten, Elias's swordsmanship had already reached mastery for his age. The long-awaited day of the Academy Trials finally arrived. In the grand courtyard, young hopefuls lined up—some trembling with unease, others brimming with arrogance. Elias inhaled deeply, the weight of his father's stern gaze heavy behind him.
The examiner called out:
"Next—Elias Thorn!"
The trial was divided into two stages: skill with the blade and strategy in combat.
First, Elias demonstrated his swordsmanship against moving dummies. His movements were precise—each strike swift, clean, and deliberate. Next came the labyrinth, a trial riddled with traps and lurking foes. With keen eyes and steady steps, Elias advanced, outmaneuvering obstacles and cutting down opponents with calm precision. Finally, he loosed his strike upon a distant target, his blade's throw landing true.
The judges exchanged quiet glances before declaring their verdict:
"Elias Thorn… you are accepted into the Academy."
Lyanna embraced her son, tears shimmering in her eyes.
"You have made me so proud, Elias."
Varian rested a heavy hand upon his son's shoulder.
"Do not be satisfied. This is only the beginning. The real battle starts now."
The boy's eyes shone with unyielding determination. At only ten years of age, Elias had stepped beyond childhood and into destiny—as a student of the Aurelia Academy.
A new chapter began, one that would lead him through bonds of friendship and rivalry, and into the path of trials that awaited his name.