The Royal Capital
Yozaro stood silently before the massive gates.
The city was unlike anything he had imagined.
Stone roads stretched endlessly.
Magic lamps floated above the streets.
Merchants shouted from colorful stalls.
Knights in silver armor patrolled every district.
Even the air felt different.
“So… this is the Royal Capital.”
Fenrir wagged his tail excitedly.
Lyra smiled.
“Welcome to the heart of the Kingdom of Aetheria.”
With Elder Rowan’s recommendation letter, Yozaro and his mother rented a small house near the Adventurer District.
It wasn’t large.
Two bedrooms.
A tiny kitchen.
A small backyard.
But Elena smiled warmly.
“It may not be much…”
“…but it’s our home.”
Yozaro smiled back.
“As long as we’re together, it’s enough.”
The next morning, Yozaro woke before sunrise.
He ran through the empty streets until he reached the public training grounds.
Dozens of teenagers practiced swordsmanship.
Some nobles laughed when they noticed the small eight-year-old carrying a wooden sword.
One blond boy smirked.
“Did someone lose their little brother?”
Laughter echoed around the field.
Yozaro ignored them and began practicing alone.
Slash.
Step.
Turn.
Slash.
His movements were calm and precise.
An old instructor watched from a distance.
“Hmm…”
The blond boy walked over.
“My name is Cedric Ashford.”
“The Ashford family has served the kingdom for generations.”
He looked Yozaro up and down.
“You don’t belong here.”
Yozaro calmly answered,
“I’m just here to train.”
Cedric scoffed.
“Then prove you’re worthy.”
He pointed his practice sword.
“Fight me.”
The crowd quickly formed a circle.
“He’s dead.”
“Poor kid.”
Yozaro sighed.
“I don’t want to fight.”
Cedric charged anyway.
Cedric attacked with quick, powerful strikes.
Yozaro didn’t counter.
He simply dodged.
Left.
Right.
Step back.
The crowd became confused.
“Why isn’t he attacking?”
Cedric grew frustrated.
“Stop running!”
He lunged recklessly.
Yozaro saw the opening.
One smooth movement.
Tap.
His wooden sword gently struck Cedric’s wrist.
The noble dropped his weapon.
Silence.
Yozaro picked it up and handed it back.
“You rely too much on strength.”
Cedric’s face turned bright red.
The spectators burst into laughter.
He stormed away.
“This isn’t over!”
From that day forward…
Cedric became Yozaro’s first rival.
As everyone left, another boy approached.
He had messy green hair and bright amber eyes.i
Instead of mocking Yozaro…
He grinned.
“That was awesome!”
“I’m Kael Draven.”
“My dream is to become the world’s strongest swordsman.”
He extended his hand.
“You wanna be friends?”
Yozaro smiled.
“Sure.”
The two shook hands.
It was the beginning of a friendship that would last a lifetime.
A few days later…
Yozaro wandered into the Royal Library.
Books lined shelves that reached the ceiling.
While searching through the history section…
He noticed someone standing on a ladder, struggling to reach a book.
She had long silver hair tied in a braid and striking sapphire-blue eyes.
She stretched higher.
The ladder wobbled.
“Oh no—”
She slipped.
Yozaro reacted instantly.
For a moment…
Their eyes met.
The girl blinked.
“…Thank you.”
Yozaro gently helped her stand.
“You should be more careful.”
She smiled.
“I suppose I should.”
“I’m Elenia.”
She didn’t mention that she was actually the kingdom’s princess.
Yozaro simply replied,
“I’m Yozaro.”
Neither of them realized that this small meeting would one day change both their lives.
After Yozaro left…
A royal knight appeared.
“Your Highness.”
Princess Elenia smiled softly.
“Interesting…”
“He’s different from the nobles.”
“He didn’t recognize me.”
The knight nodded.
“Should I investigate him?”
She looked toward the library entrance.
“…No.”
“I’d rather meet him as an ordinary girl.”
That night…
The cave appeared again.
This time…
The Book of Envy trembled.
A voice whispered,
“Every heart desires something another possesses.”
“Power…”
“Love…”
“Freedom…”
“Can you overcome envy…”
“…without losing yourself?”
Yozaro reached toward the book.
Before he could touch it—
A loud roar echoed through the cave.
The seven books slammed shut.
The mysterious cloaked figure turned toward the darkness.
“…It has awakened.”
Deep below the Royal Capital…
Something enormous opened one glowing crimson eye.
Chains thicker than castle towers began to crack.
CRACK…
A deep growl echoed through the underground ruins.
The hooded man from the temple smiled.
“The seal weakens.”
“And the Child of Desire has arrived.”
“Soon…”
“The real story begins.”