Demad, Lion knight, and Fira were leaving the palace. As they passed by a waterfall, Demad found himself captivated by the gazebos and fruit trees that, alongside the bushes, enhanced the beauty of the green surroundings.
Lion knight: "Across the entire Kingdom of Light, thousands of people are assigned classes every year. But you and Fira were chosen among the four talents!"
Demad: "Wow… does that mean I'm really that lucky?"
Lion knight: "Yeah, kid!"
They walked past the palace grounds. Fira, smiling, admired the walls and fruit trees. They went down a set of stairs and headed toward the other side of the palace.
Lion knight: "Alright, we're getting close."
Demad: "What does our new home look like?"
Fira: "Hmm… I think it'll be interesting!"
Lion knight opened the gate, revealing a warm and welcoming environment. Several knights were stationed near the entrance. Farther ahead, hundreds of youths—likely around Demad and Fira's age—were training with swords, practicing archery, casting magic, and some were even summoning. A short, muscular, bearded man appeared to be the instructor, his shouts sending shivers through the trainees.
Demad: "Am I going to train here?"
Lion knight: "No. You'll train with me. We start tomorrow."
Fira: "I can't wait to show everyone my power."
As soon as the children saw Lion knight enter the academy grounds, they happily abandoned their training, surrounded him, and embraced him. Lion knight, delighted by the warm welcome, hugged them back and showed affection.
From a distance, a boy with red hair and piercing black eyes said, "Hah. Those four talents aren't any better than me."
A brown-haired girl standing beside him added, "Yeah. What a waste of our talent."
Demad heard them and glanced in their direction but said nothing.
Once Lion knight separated from the children, Demad and Fira followed him into a multi-story building whose stone architecture and wooden windows left them impressed.
Lion knight: "Room number four is yours. Fira, you're in room three, next to Demad. Miren and Zaran arrived before us—they're in rooms one and two. The other kids we saw downstairs have their rooms on the left side. Their situation is a bit different from yours, so don't mix too much."
Fira: "I'm going to check out my room. See you."
Demad: "See you."
Lion knight: "I'll see you kids in the morning. I've got to go now. Take care of yourselves."
With a wink, Lion knight left. Demad entered his room. He saw a soft, cotton-filled bed and happily jumped onto it. Sunlight streamed in through the window. A chest stood beside the bed. On a shelf to the left were several books, and nearby sat a desk and chair for studying.
In a hurry, Demad opened the chest. Inside were a beautiful sword, several sets of clothes, a pouch of coins, and various other items. But the most important thing was a package wrapped in a red band, labeled: (From the King).
Demad quickly opened it. A golden ring with a red ruby set in it fell to the floor. He picked up the ring and unfolded the note inside the package. It read: (In memory of him).
The inner voice—Al: "Hey, Demad. Hide that ring. Don't let anyone see it."
Demad: "Why?"
Al: "It's not an ordinary ring. It's something special. I'll tell you later. For now, bring it close to your left eye."
Demad obeyed.
Al: "Focus on it. Think about making it disappear."
Demad concentrated. Green particles formed around his eye, and suddenly the ring was drawn into it.
Demad: "Wow… it really disappeared!"
Al: "Now it's safe. I'm going to sleep. If something happens, wake me."
Demad changed into the academy uniform—a white outfit with a sun emblem at its center. The pants were made of thick brown fabric. As the rays of light gradually faded, Demad felt hungry. A knock echoed at his door. He opened it and saw Zaran.
Zaran: "Hey, how's it going? Let's head downstairs. It's dinner time!"
Demad: "Oh, okay!"
In the hallway, Demad saw Fira and Miren walking together, smiling and laughing. The four of them entered the dining hall. Numerous tables filled the space, and many students were eating.
Zaran: "Our table is separate from the others. Look over there—it's empty. That's ours."
Fira: "Wow, Miren, so you're a Ranger like Aunt Nila?"
Miren: "Aunt Nila? You mean Nila the Phantom?"
Fira: "Yeah. She's been friends with my mom for a long time!"
Miren: "Hmm… I didn't know that."
They sat around the table and began eating. From afar, the red-haired boy approached with a mocking expression. He slammed his plate onto their table.
"You trash think you're so different from us that you can't eat beside us?"
Demad stood and approached him. "Do you want to sit with us and eat?"
Red-haired boy: "Why don't you come sit with us?"
Fira, Miren, and Zaran frowned and fell silent. Demad pulled a chair over, pressed it against the table, and firmly seated the boy.
Demad: "Everyone has their place. We can't just change the rules. But if you really want us to eat beside you, then tomorrow we'll sit with you."
The boy stared at Demad. Hurt was visible in his eyes. Stubbornly, he turned away and lazily picked up a piece of lettuce with his fork. Others who had been watching the exchange gradually returned to their meals.
Demad sat beside him. "What's your name?"
"Arman."
Demad: "Wow, that's a cool name!"
Arman: "Yours is interesting too."
Fira: "Arman, what's your class?"
Arman: "Ranger. I'm also somewhat skilled at infusing light into my weapon. But not like Miren."
Miren: "It's fine. You didn't choose your power."
Zaran: "Let's be friends, Arman!"
Seeing how kindly the four new talents treated him, a soft smile formed on Arman's previously cold face. Suddenly, he felt two hands on his shoulders. He turned and saw Fiora—the same girl who had stood beside him during training that afternoon.
Fiora: "Hmm… I see you've gotten along quite well."
Arman: "Ah! Fiora, you scared me. No way—I still have a problem with them!"
Everyone burst into laughter at his obvious lie. Arman's face turned bright red. Fiora sat beside him and playfully pinched his cheek.
Later, Demad sat in his room, staring at the moonlight reflected inside. He stretched his hand toward the light, wrestling with his thoughts.
Al: "Hey. Tomorrow's training day. You'll be training with Lion knight. Aren't you happy?"
Demad: "I am… but it feels strange that they treat us differently from the others. I feel like a stranger."
Al: "Then what about those who have the power of darkness?"
Demad: "Aren't they bad people? Like you?"
Al: "Hmm… forget it. Don't get too caught up in it. One day you'll uncover the truths of this world. And one day, you'll know so much that you'll wish you didn't."
Demad ignored Al's words, lay back on his bed, and tried to sleep. Once more, the rays of light—like a kind mother—brushed across his face, signaling a new and tense morning.
With heavy eyelids, Demad woke and rubbed his eyes weakly. He rose from the bed and stood on the hard floor. He changed his clothes, the rustling fabric gradually waking him fully. He washed his face with water from the jug by the desk. Then loud knocking shattered the room's silence. He opened the wooden door.
Fira, Miren, and Zaran stood outside.
Fira: "Let's go train."
Demad: "Wait—I'll grab my sword."
He took his sword from the chest and descended the stairs with the others. A cool breeze gently caressed their skin like a lullaby, filling them with energy and hope. The training ground gradually came into view. The sun had not yet fully conquered the sky; traces of night still lingered. Hundreds of students lined up at the whistle and shouts of a mustached instructor.
The mustached man: "My name is Unico. Kids, just like yesterday, we start the morning with running. Line up! And woe to anyone who gets tired too quickly—you must give it your all!"
At Unico's shout, everyone began running. Demad and the others surged forward eagerly, as if determined to tear through the air with newfound speed. After some time, fatigue began to take hold. Heavy breathing mixed with Unico's harsh curses, filling the field. Several students could no longer even stand.
But Demad, Fira, Zaran, Miren, Fiora, and Arman were the only ones who kept running. At the sound of Unico's whistle, they finally stopped, breathing heavily. The others stared at them—some with admiration, others with envy.