After two years of intense training, Imperial had finally reached the level where he could compete in the upcoming tournament. Under Master Kaien's unwavering guidance, he had honed his lightning-based techniques, pushing himself to his absolute limits every single day. Tomorrow marked the beginning of the tournament—a moment Imperial had been preparing for relentlessly, a day he had dreamed about for so long.
The sun had barely risen when Imperial woke up on the last day of his training before the tournament. The cool morning air filled his lungs as he stretched, feeling the crisp dawn settle over the quiet streets. His mind was already focused, mentally preparing himself for the final session. Today would be his last opportunity to refine his skills before stepping onto the grand stage.
He quickly got ready, the familiar weight of his sword resting comfortably at his side as he headed out into the early morning silence. The world around him was still cloaked in the soft hush of dawn, the streets empty except for the occasional chirp of waking birds. As he walked, the quiet was suddenly broken by a voice calling his name.
"Imperial!"
He turned around to find a familiar face—a girl running toward him, her voice breaking the calm of the morning.
"Are you going for training today also?" she asked, slightly out of breath but smiling.
Imperial nodded. "Yeah. What about you, Ari? What are you doing up so early?"
"Just a morning walk, that's all," she replied casually. Then, after a brief pause, she added, "Can I join you? I'd like to watch your training."
Imperial sighed internally. He knew Ari well enough to understand that even if he refused, she would still follow him. She was stubborn like that.
Before he could reply, she grinned and said, "Come on! We're getting late. Uncle Kaien is waiting for us."
Twenty Months Ago...
It was another grueling day of training under Master Kaien. Imperial stood before a set of large boulders deep within the forest, the blade of his sword crackling with electricity as he prepared to strike. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and pine, and occasional rumbles of thunder echoed faintly above. Sweat trickled down his forehead as he focused all his energy into the next attack.
He raised his sword high, muscles taut with effort. "Thunder slash!" he shouted, swinging the blade downward with fierce determination.
Sparks flew, and a jagged arc of lightning surged forward—but instead of a clean cut, his energy scattered chaotically, barely leaving a mark on the first boulder. The rocks seemed to shrug off the attack, their surfaces only slightly scorched. Imperial gritted his teeth in frustration.
"Again!" Kaien's voice broke the silence, firm but patient.
Imperial took a deep breath, centering himself. He closed his eyes briefly, trying to feel the flow of magic within him—the current of electricity that surged like a living thing beneath his skin. But every time he tried to focus, the energy surged out wildly, hard to control.
He glanced up to see Kaien watching intently, arms crossed. The older man's silver hair fluttered in the light breeze, and the faintest smile hinted at his lips—not of amusement, but of quiet confidence that Imperial just needed to find his rhythm.
Wiping sweat from his brow, Imperial gripped the sword tighter. "I can do this. I have to."
He charged again, channeling more magic into his blade. This time, the thunder roared louder, and the crackling lightning flared brighter—but still, his attack lacked precision. The boulders cracked unevenly, pieces chipping off in different directions, some shards scattering dangerously close.
Kaien finally stepped forward, placing a steady hand on Imperial's shoulder. "Take a break. Pushing yourself too hard will only make you reckless."
Imperial shook his head, determination hardening his eyes. "No, Master. I have to get this right."
The older man sighed but didn't argue. "Very well. But remember—the sword is not just power. It's control."
Imperial nodded, wiping his hands on his pants. The forest around them was quiet except for the distant rumble of thunderclouds and the occasional rustle of leaves stirred by the wind.
He sat down briefly on a moss-covered rock, trying to calm his pounding heart and steady his breathing. His fingers tingled with residual magic, the electric current that always left him feeling both alive and drained.
"Remember," Kaien's voice broke his thoughts, "magic flows like water. You can't force it to rush all at once. You have to guide it, let it move naturally."
Imperial closed his eyes, picturing the flow of his power. Lightning wasn't just raw energy—it was a storm, wild and unpredictable, but it had patterns, rhythms. If he could tap into that rhythm, he could wield it.
He stood and nodded to Kaien. "Okay. One more time."
This time, he moved slower. He swung his sword with deliberate precision, focusing on guiding the magic along the blade. The electricity hummed, vibrant but controlled. The first boulder cracked deeply, a sharp line splitting the stone. The second and third followed with clean fractures.
Kaien's eyes gleamed with approval. "Better."
Imperial let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "It's not perfect, but... it's progress."
Kaien nodded. "Progress is everything."
Imperial wiped his sweat again and then turned toward the next technique—Thunder quake. This was even more difficult, requiring not only magic control but mastery over his physical balance and stance.
He planted his feet firmly on the forest floor, gripping the sword's hilt tightly. Channeling his energy downward, he struck the earth. The ground trembled, sending a deep rumble through the clearing. But the effect was weaker than he intended; the tremor barely cracked the soil, and small stones merely shifted.
Kaien approached, his expression unreadable. "Your stance is too rigid. You must flow with the earth, not fight it."
Imperial adjusted his posture, loosening his shoulders and spreading his feet wider. He focused again, feeling the subtle vibrations beneath the ground—the heartbeat of the earth itself.
He struck again. This time, the tremor was stronger. The soil cracked open in long fissures, and several rocks scattered. Imperial's chest swelled with pride.
"You're getting closer," Kaien said, a rare note of praise in his voice. "But to master Thunder quake, you must learn to listen. The earth will tell you what it needs."
Imperial nodded eagerly, the hunger to improve driving him onward.
Suddenly, a scream pierced through the forest—a sharp, desperate cry that made both of them freeze.
Imperial's heart pounded wildly. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the sound, Kaien following close behind. Branches whipped past, birds scattered in alarm, and the thunderclouds overhead rumbled louder.
When they arrived, they found a girl about Imperial's age struggling to move a large stone pillar. Her hands were raw and bloody from gripping the cold surface. Sweat dripped down her determined face as she strained every muscle.
Imperial hesitated, confused by the unexpected sight.
Kaien stepped forward and asked calmly, "What are you doing?"
The girl looked up, her eyes pleading with exhaustion and urgency. "Please, help me move this pillar!"
Kaien examined the pillar carefully before instructing them to step back. Then, he planted the tip of his sword into the ground and activated Thunderquake. The earth trembled beneath their feet, and with a powerful jolt, the pillar shifted slightly, grinding against the soil.
Imperial and the girl exchanged awed glances, both impressed by Kaien's command of magic.
The girl rushed toward the pillar again, crouching near its base and wiping away dirt and grime with her sleeve, revealing an inscription carved deeply into the stone. The markings were ancient and mysterious, swirling in a script unfamiliar to Imperial.
Kaien studied the writing but frowned thoughtfully. "I can't read it... except for one line."
He pointed to the last few words, his voice low and serious: "Follow the thunder."
The girl whispered something under her breath, tracing the inscription with her fingers. Imperial watched in astonishment—she read it effortlessly, as if the words spoke directly to her.
Who was this girl? And what was this mysterious pillar doing here, hidden away in the depths of the forest?