Chapter 1: Arvadia?
Seven years have elapsed since Maximus reunited with his grandfather, the mysterious figure and master of the Floating Fortress Of Hell who guided him on his journey. Alongside his grandfather and the formidable Demonic Emperor, Vladimir von Vamporia, Maximus underwent arduous training to master the pinnacle of swordsmanship - the legendary skill known as the Sword of Light: Fury of the Dragons. Through countless trials and challenges, a bond akin to that of master and student flourished between Maximus and the Emperor, as they honed their skills and unlocked their true potential together.
Under the strict tutorship of Vladimir, Maximus, Adrien, and Mira found themselves engaged in their daily regimen of swordsmanship training. With unwavering discipline, they practiced their basic stances and sword strikes under the watchful eye of their no-nonsense teacher.
As the day's training session drew to a close, the trio engaged in a friendly duel, putting their newly honed skills to the test. In the end, Maximus emerged victorious, as he often did, much to Mira's frustration.
"Ugh, why do I always lose?" Mira grumbled, frustration evident in her voice.
Maximus couldn't help but tease her in response. "Maybe because you're too busy admiring your own tail instead of focusing on the fight?"
Mira scowled, swatting at him playfully. "Shut up, Max!"
Adrien, ever the peacemaker, stepped in to diffuse the tension. "Come on, you two. Fighting won't solve anything. We're a team, remember?"
Despite Adrien's attempts to intervene, Maximus couldn't resist teasing Mira further, his playful jabs causing her to bristle with annoyance.
"Aw, come on, Mira! Don't be such a sore loser," Maximus teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Maybe if you focused more on your sword and less on your cat-like reflexes, you'd stand a chance against me."
Mira's eyes narrowed, a fiery determination burning within them. "I'll have you know, Maximus, my reflexes are what make me unbeatable! You'll see!"
Adrien, sensing the tension escalating, stepped between them, his voice tinged with nervousness. "Guys, let's not fight. We're all on the same team, remember? We should be supporting each other, not tearing each other down."
Maximus relented, his teasing grin softening into a sheepish smile. "You're right, Adrien. Sorry, Mira. I got carried away."
Mira's expression softened, and she offered a small nod of acceptance.
Even after apologizing, Maximus couldn't resist one last jab at Mira, unable to resist the opportunity for some good-natured teasing.
"Looks like even your cat-like reflexes couldn't save you from my sharp wit, huh, Mira?" he quipped, unable to contain his smirk.
Mira's eyes flashed with indignation, and before Adrien could react, she lunged at Maximus with a playful growl, intent on giving him a taste of his own medicine.
"Enough!" Adrien exclaimed, trying to intervene once more, but it was too late.
Just as Mira was about to pounce, a servant materialized before Maximus, delivering an urgent message.
"Master Maximus, your grandfather has summoned you," the servant announced, his voice cutting through the commotion.
Maximus's playful demeanor vanished in an instant, replaced by a sense of sincerity as he nodded in acknowledgment. "Understood. I'll be there immediately."
With a final glance at his companions, Maximus hurriedly followed the servant, leaving behind the scene of playful banter and camaraderie as he answered the summons of his grandfather.
"Aw, come on, Mira! Don't be such a sore loser," Maximus teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips. "Maybe if you focused more on your sword and less on your cat-like reflexes, you'd stand a chance against me."
Mira's eyes narrowed, a fiery determination burning within them. "I'll have you know, Maximus, my reflexes are what make me unbeatable! You'll see!"
Adrien, sensing the tension escalating, stepped between them, his voice tinged with nervousness. "Guys, let's not fight. We're all on the same team, remember? We should be supporting each other, not tearing each other down."
Maximus relented, his teasing grin softening into a sheepish smile. "You're right, Adrien. Sorry, Mira. I got carried away."
Mira's expression softened, and she offered a small nod of acceptance.
Maximus entered the grand and opulent throne room, feeling a strange tension settle over him as he approached his grandfather, a figure of majesty and sophistication. The older man wore bulky black armor, his long white hair flowing around him like a regal mantle, and his crimson eyes, so similar to Max's own, held a mixture of sternness and wisdom.
"Gramps!" Maximus greeted with a playful grin, but the response he received was a sharp glance that hinted at suppressed annoyance.
"Maximus," his grandfather replied, his voice carrying a weight that commanded attention. "There are matters we must discuss."
Maximus's grin faltered slightly as he sensed the seriousness in his grandfather's tone. "What's up, gramps?"
His grandfather sighed, a hint of weariness creeping into his features. "Maximus, it's time we talked about your future."
Maximus's brow furrowed in confusion. "My future? What about it?"
The older man's gaze softened, but there was a firmness underlying his words. "I've decided to send you to the Avalon Academy of Magic and Swordsmanship."
Maximus's eyes widened in surprise, then narrowed in protest. "But why? I don't want to leave!"
His grandfather's expression hardened, his crimson eyes meeting Maximus's with unwavering resolve. "It's not up for debate, Maximus. You will go to Arvadia, and you will excel."
Maximus clenched his fists in frustration, his mind racing with objections. "But what about my training here? What about everything we've worked towards?"
His grandfather's voice softened, a rare hint of sadness in his tone. "Your training here has served its purpose. Arvadia offers opportunities you won't find elsewhere. You'll learn magic, swordsmanship, and much more. This is an opportunity you cannot afford to squander."
Maximus struggled to swallow the lump forming in his throat, the weight of his grandfather's words settling heavily upon him. "When do I leave?"
His grandfather's gaze softened, a flicker of pride shining in his eyes. "Soon. But first, you must say your farewells. You won't return until you've graduated."
Maximus nodded, his heart heavy with the realization that his next journey would take him far from home, into the unknown. With a final glance at his grandfather, he departed the throne room.
Maximus entered the resting chamber, greeted by Mira's tomboyish question, "What took you so long?"
Maximus let out a sigh, dropping onto the nearest cushion. "Had to endure another lecture from Grandpa about the importance of discipline," he replied with a roll of his eyes.
Adrien, noticing Maximus's downcast expression, chimed in, "Yeah, you seem a bit off. Everything okay?"
Maximus hesitated for a moment before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "Actually, I've got some big news to share!" he exclaimed.
Mira raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Well, spill it already!"
With a dramatic flourish, Maximus announced, "I've been sent to improve myself further at the Avalon Academy of Magic and Swordsmanship in Arvadia!"
Both Mira and Adrien stared at him in stunned silence for a moment before erupting into excited cheers and congratulations.
But to break the tension, Maximus couldn't resist sharing an embarrassing incident involving Mira from their childhood. "Remember that time you tried to impress that cute knight recruit by challenging him to a sparring match, but ended up tripping over your own feet and falling flat on your face?"
Mira's cheeks flushed crimson as she shot him a glare. "Hey, that was one time!" she protested, grabbing a nearby pillow and hurling it at Maximus.
Laughter filled the chamber as the three friends engaged in a spirited pillow fight, their worries momentarily forgotten in the joy of their shared camaraderie.
As they finally settled down to sleep, Adrien couldn't shake the feeling of sadness gnawing at his heart. He couldn't help but wonder when he would see his dear friend Maximus again, a sense of uncertainty clouding his thoughts as they drifted off into the night.