Prelude to Inter-Academy Festival III

In terms of change over time, the Eastern continent had undergone the most significant transformation compared to the rest of the world. Once steeped in tradition, the East had seen its power structures evolve dramatically. Now, eight dominant forces stood at the top: three great sects and five great families.

At the head of the three great sects was the Mount Hua sect, renowned for its mastery in swordsmanship and ancient techniques. The most powerful of the five great families was now the Kagu family, whose influence had only grown stronger with time. These two forces—Mount Hua and the Kagu family—stood at the pinnacle of power, governing the East with unmatched authority.

But the East was not always like this. Historically, it had been a region deeply rooted in its own culture, resistant to outside influence. However, globalization and increased exposure to the West, especially in the late 2020s, brought about westernization. This was most evident in the adoption of Western first names by families for their children.

Yet, some families resisted this change. Seol-ah Moyong's family was one of them.

The Moyong family remained conservative, driven by the overpowering influence of their elders and the fragile state of their position among the five great families. Unlike the other families or sects, the Moyong family had never been able to rise to the top. In the East, swordsmanship reigned supreme, and competition was fierce. The Namgung family had once been hailed as the best in the world before the rise of the Heavenly Demon, and after his fall, the Mount Hua sect and the Kagu family came to dominate.

The Southern Edge sect and Wudang sect also focused heavily on swordsmanship, further crowding the field. This fierce rivalry in the mastery of the sword meant that the Moyong family, despite their long-standing tradition, had never broken out from the shadows of these greater powers. They lacked the prestige of being the "best" at anything.

That was what made Seol-ah's existence so legendary.

Her unprecedented talent in swordsmanship was something the Moyong family had never seen before, a prodigy who defied the limitations of her lineage. In a world where her family had always been overshadowed, Seol-ah's brilliance was a beacon that could elevate the Moyong name beyond its historical struggles. Her potential was vast, and her rise was nothing short of remarkable, stirring whispers throughout the East.

She possessed the Heavenly Sword Soul Body, a Gift that, in terms of pure swordsmanship, had no equal. While other Gifts enhanced overall martial prowess, Seol-ah's Gift was uniquely tailored to the sword—it was only for the sword.

Lucifer's Yin-Yang Body, for example, was a versatile Gift that could enhance any martial art. He chose the sword because of his natural talent, not because his Gift was bound to it. But Seol-ah was different. She wasn't just talented with a blade; she was designed for it.

Her Gift existed solely for swordsmanship, an extremely rare phenomenon. Most Gifts were broader in nature, enhancing a wide array of abilities. Even powerful Gifts like Rachel's Saintess, which was specialized for light and healing magic, weren't as singularly focused as Seol-ah's. 

This singularity made her a rarity—a genius so great in swordsmanship that many believed she would one day surpass the title of Sword Empress and be hailed as the Sword Goddess. In her hands, the sword wasn't just a weapon—it was an extension of her soul, an unstoppable force that defined her existence.

Seol-ah was more than just a swordswoman. She was destined to transcend the limits of swordsmanship itself.

Currently, Seol-ah, one of the rare White-ranks at her age who completed the first stage of Integration process, sat with a calm expression on her face as her friend chattered excitedly beside her.

"Aren't you a bit too excited, Ava Peng?" Seol-ah sighed, her onyx black hair falling perfectly around her face.

Her eyes, deep orbs of pure gold, gave off an almost divine aura to anyone who met them. But Ava was used to it, having been around Seol-ah for years.

Ava, in contrast to Seol-ah's calm demeanor, could hardly contain her enthusiasm. "Excited? Of course I'm excited! We're going to Mythos Academy, Seol-ah! Do you even realize what that means? The competition, the prestige, the potential to meet some of the greatest talents in the world!"

Seol-ah smiled faintly at her friend's uncontainable energy. "I know, I know. It's just another academy... though I suppose it's a little more significant than the usual gatherings."

Ava rolled her eyes dramatically. "Only you could be so indifferent about Mythos Academy." She nudged Seol-ah playfully. "Come on, this is huge. Aren't you even a little excited about showing off your skills? You'll be fighting against people who have no idea what's coming."

Seol-ah's gaze softened as she looked out the window. "I'm more interested in how the others will perform," she said quietly. "There's always more to learn, even from those who think they're the best."

Ava scoffed. "Always so humble, aren't you? Well, I, for one, am ready to show those Mythos elites what we're made of." Her excitement was infectious, and despite herself, Seol-ah couldn't help but smile.

"Come on, Seol-ah, don't act so distant," a voice snapped her out of her daze.

Seol-ah turned, her usually stoic expression barely shifting, though a small crease on her brow hinted at the formation of a frown.

It was Aria Gu, the brilliant fire mage of the Gu family.

Like Seol-ah, Aria was an unprecedented genius for her lineage. The Gu family, once hailed as the most powerful in fire magic, had long carried the pride of that title. Of course, they wouldn't dare say that in front of the Viserions, the dominant fire magic family of the South, but many still considered the Gu family second only to them.

"Aren't you being a little arrogant, Aria?" Seol-ah responded coolly.

In Seol-ah's eyes, there was no room for arrogance—not after what they had witnessed.

Everyone had seen the Sovereign's Tournament.

Especially the finals.

The sheer power of Lucifer and Arthur... it was beyond anything she had imagined. It wasn't just impressive; it was *transcendent*. 

Seol-ah had never trained with Ren or Seraphina in the East, given how guarded their families were, so the Sovereign's Tournament had been her best chance to gain perspective.

And what she saw was monstrous.

She still got goosebumps thinking about it—the swordsmanship, the magic, the complete mastery of combat. Seol-ah was confident in her abilities with the sword, but watching them, she had realized something harsh: while she might be unmatched in pure swordsmanship, she was woefully outmatched in every other way.

A duel in this world wasn't just about skill with a blade. 

Aria scoffed, her usual confidence unwavering. "I don't know what you're so hung up on. You've got the best swordsmanship in our generation. That's more than enough to stand toe-to-toe with anyone."

Seol-ah shook her head slightly. "Swordsmanship alone isn't enough anymore, not when there are people out there who can insta-cast spells from all around you."

Aria crossed her arms, her fiery eyes gleaming with a competitive spark. "Maybe. But we're not just anyone either, are we?"

Seol-ah didn't respond immediately. She was still processing the gap between her current self and those like Lucifer and Arthur. Even with her Heavenly Sword Soul Body, she knew that raw power wasn't something to underestimate. It wasn't enough to simply excel in one area; the world demanded more.

But one thing was clear—she wouldn't back down from the challenge.