After the big flash that covered the whole world, even time itself seemed to forget how to move.
A sound of people murmuring, a rushing crowd—then, an eye opened, staring up at the bright sky.
He was a boy, around the age of ten, with eyes shaded in black and purple. He wore a black outfit lined with white, his clothes neat despite the strange stillness of the world around him.
At a short distance, a voice called out,
"Hey! You're here! Grandpa and I were looking for you!"
Another boy, also ten years old, appeared. He wore the same outfit, his white hair slightly tousled, and his eyes dark green.
Aelric called out, his voice light and excited.
"Hey, Zevril! The King and Queen are arriving soon. Let's go to the grand festival—and guess what? There'll be a battle for the Seventh Royal Knight place!"
Zevril's eyes lit up, his energy sparking to life.
"What? Is that real? Who is he? What type of mage is he?" he asked in a rush.
Aelric blinked, clearly caught off guard. He looked puzzled and shrugged.
"I don't know... I just know there's going to be a battle.
At that moment, their grandfather appeared, his voice warm and firm.
"Hey, kids! What are you doing here? Aren't you going to watch the fight?"
He smiled, a proud glint in his eyes.
"She's really strong—and stunning. Her skills are perfect for a warrior.
Zevril's eyes widened in surprise.
"She? The challenger is a girl? What kind of magic does she use?"
Their grandfather chuckled, shaking his head.
"Well, she hasn't used her magic yet. But if you go now, you'll get an idea—because she's about to challenge one of the Royal Knights. She's in the final selection. Go on, kids, hurry!"
The two boys arrived at the stadium where the battle was already underway. As they hurried to find a spot, Aelric turned to Zevril.
"If she passes the final, who do you think she'll challenge for the Royal Knight place?"
Zevril thought for a moment.
"Maybe the weakest one among the Seven Royal Knights. But even the weakest Royal Knight is still insanely strong."
They continued chatting as they ran, finally reaching the massive stadium. At the highest point sat the King and Queen, watching silently from above. Before them stood the Seven Royal Knights, lined up in formation, guarding their liege with unwavering presence.
And then—
She stood on the battlefield.
The fog parted, revealing a girl with gray hair and piercing black eyes. Her skin was a deep brown, and she held no weapon in her hand—yet stood tall, victorious. Her cold, sharp gaze swept the arena.
Zevril and Aelric stood frozen, stunned by the intensity in her eyes.
The King rose from his throne, his voice calm yet commanding as it echoed through the stadium.
"Hmm… Defeating my knights with mere hands... You've proven your worthiness. Your fighting skills are impressive."
He paused, eyeing the girl with curiosity and respect.
"Now, you have a choice. If you wish to become a Royal Knight, you must fight one of these seven. But know this—if you lose, you walk away with nothing…Or... you can choose to lead the Knights of the North into battle."
A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. Gasps and whispers filled the air.
Even Zevril and Aelric were stunned
"Knights of the North?!" they exclaimed in unison.
The girl said nothing. Not a single word escaped her lips.
She simply lifted her hand... and pointed.
Her finger aimed at one of the Royal Knights standing tall before the King and Queen.
A tense silence fell over the stadium as the girl raised her arm, her finger pointing unwaveringly at one of the knights.
Gasps erupted from the crowd.
She wasn't pointing at the weakest.
She had chosen one of the strongest among the Seven.
With a voice steady and cold as steel, she spoke.
"I am Velmira Ironveil. I challenge you to a duel."
Her words rang through the arena like the sound of a drawn blade—sharp, direct, impossible to ignore.
The knight she challenged, a towering figure clad in obsidian armor, stepped forward. The ground seemed to quake beneath his boots. His eyes narrowed as he studied the girl before him—this young warrior who had dared to point at him without fear.
Zevril's breath caught in his throat.
"Did she just—?"
Aelric finished the sentence for him, stunned.
"She's insane… That's one of the strongest knights in the entire kingdom."
From their thrones above, the King and Queen exchanged glances. Interest gleamed in the King's eyes.
Velmira didn't flinch. No weapon in her hand,only armor protecting her body. Only resolve.
And the battlefield waited.
The Royal Knight stepped forward, his voice firm yet tinged with confusion.
Royal knight said, "I am the Knight of Storms. I accept your challenge," with a slight anger and confusion in his voice as he moved forward.
Now, the battle would begin in just a few minutes.
Zevril said, "Wow, he's the strongest! That's why they call him Storm."
Aelric replied, "Yeah, I don't even know his real name—or the other knights' names, to be honest."
Zevril and Aelric exchanged glances while some people in the crowd laughed at Velmira for choosing such a powerful opponent.
Suddenly, Zevril noticed a strange statue completely covered in cloth. He was about to ask Aelric about it when—
The battle began.