The Awakening

The golden city of Luxveria, the heart of the Kingdom of Solmara, gleamed under the twin suns. Towering spires infused with Luminara energy cast radiant beams across the landscape. At its outskirts, the grand walls stood as the kingdom's first line of defense. But today, a monstrous threat approached.

A colossal Aetherfang Beast, a creature of shadow and malice, charged toward the gates, its obsidian hide shimmering with corruption.

Atop the battlements, a lone figure stood, his silver hair glistening in the sunlight. Caelum Astralis, the prodigious hero of Solmara, faced the beast with an unwavering gaze. Though only fifteen, he was already a legend—a warrior who had never once lost a battle.

The crowd gathered below, watching in awe. Among them stood a boy with messy golden hair and bright amber eyes—Lucian Solis. Unlike the others, his fists clenched in frustration. He had yet to awaken his Luminara, the power that defined strength in this world. And yet, before him, Caelum stood—a warrior at the peak of mastery.

"Can he really defeat that thing… alone?" someone in the crowd murmured.

Lucian didn't ask. He knew the answer.

Caelum moved.

In a single step, he vanished from sight, reappearing above the Aetherfang. His hand shimmered with blinding light.

"Solar Dominion."

A radiant explosion engulfed the battlefield. When the dust settled, the beast was gone. Not even ashes remained.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

Lucian stood frozen. He's… unstoppable.

The boy turned away, fists tightening. I can't just sit here and watch. I need to get stronger.

He sprinted home—not to wait for his awakening, but to train.

---

The Fight Before the Fight

Deep within the alleys of Luxveria, three older boys surrounded a frail-looking kid.

Elias Vale pressed his back against the wall, his violet eyes darting in fear.

"You got Luminara or not, weakling?" one bully sneered. "If you do, fight us."

Elias trembled. He didn't have Luminara. He didn't have anything.

One of them raised a fist—

A gust of wind.

The next thing they knew, a golden-haired boy stood between them.

Lucian Solis cracked his knuckles. "That's enough."

The bullies sneered. "You? You don't even have Luminara either."

Lucian smirked. "Then you should be ashamed when I beat you without it."

The first bully lunged forward—Lucian sidestepped effortlessly. A quick palm strike to the gut sent the boy reeling. The second tried to charge, but Lucian ducked, sweeping his legs in a single motion.

The last bully hesitated. Lucian *tilted his head*. "Still want to fight?"

The boy turned and ran.

Lucian exhaled, stretching his arms. "That was a good warm-up."

Elias stared in disbelief. "H-How…?"

Lucian offered a hand. "I train every day. Luminara or not, I don't plan on being weak."

Elias took his hand hesitantly. "T-Thank you…"

Lucian smiled. "Don't worry about it. Just my duty."

Then, realizing the time, he paled. "Crap, I'm late!"

He sprinted away, leaving Elias standing there, watching him disappear into the streets of Luxveria.

---

Solmara Grand Academy

Morning light bathed the grand marble halls of Solmara Grand Academy. The greatest warriors of the kingdom had trained here, and now, young talents like Lucian studied within its walls.

Lucian strode into his class, only to hear an all-too-familiar voice.

"Looks like you're still a weakling, Solis."

Darius Vex, the self-proclaimed elite, leaned against his desk, a smirk playing on his lips. His crimson eyes gleamed with amusement.

Lucian sighed. "Morning to you too, Vex."

Darius chuckled, folding his arms. "Still haven't awakened your Luminara? You're already behind. I bet you'll be the last in our class to awaken it."

Lucian shrugged, unfazed. "Maybe. But I'll still be stronger than you."

Darius scowled, but before he could retort, the academy bell rang.

Class began.

---

*The Awakening*

During lunch break, the academy grounds trembled.

A monstrous Umbra Wraith—a specter of corrupted energy—descended upon the academy courtyard.

Students screamed and scattered. Darius froze, his hands trembling. "T-This thing…"

Lucian stood frozen at first, his heart racing as the wraith's shadowy claws slashed through the air. He could feel its dark energy in the pit of his stomach, pulling at his very being. No Luminara. No power. Just his raw, human strength.

"I have to protect them," Lucian muttered under his breath, his fists clenching.

Without thinking, he charged forward. The wraith swung its claws at him. He ducked under the first strike but the second caught him in the shoulder, sending him tumbling to the ground. Pain shot through him. Blood seeped through his clothes as he gasped for air, struggling to regain his footing.

"This… this is impossible," Lucian panted, his vision blurry. His body screamed at him to give up, but he refused. He couldn't.

The wraith towered over him, darkness swirling around it like an impenetrable cloud. Lucian stumbled to his feet, sweat dripping down his face, his chest heaving.

With every ounce of strength, he dodged another swipe, rolling to the side. But no matter how fast he was, no matter how hard he fought, it wasn't enough. The wraith was too fast. Its ethereal form passed right through him, every attack cutting deeper, every hit weakening him.

"Why… why can't I do this?!" Lucian shouted, his voice breaking.

His limbs felt heavy. His vision narrowed. He could barely move, his energy drained. He was fighting a monster of darkness, and it felt like the darkness was fighting him back, feeding on his every moment of weakness.

Then, through the pain, there was a flicker. A warmth.

Lucian's chest tightened. His heart pounded harder, faster. What is this…?

His hands trembled, and for the briefest moment, he thought he saw a light—like a distant sun, shining through the black clouds. But it flickered, barely there.

The wraith's claws came again, a final strike aimed at his heart.

No...

Lucian's body moved on instinct. His hand shot out, grabbing the wraith's claws with bare hands, his fingers burning. He pulled. The light inside him flared—a single burst, a golden radiance—and the darkness recoiled.

In that instant, the wraith shrieked in pain, its form flickering. The golden light exploded from Lucian's hands, burning away the suffocating shadow.

His body flooded with raw power—overwhelming, radiant, yet unfamiliar. His Luminara had awakened.

Lucian's body hummed with power, but his mind was in chaos. He didn't understand what had happened, but he knew one thing for sure: He couldn't let the wraith escape. Not when he had the strength to stop it.

With a burst of speed, he moved faster than he ever had before, appearing behind the wraith. His fist, now glowing with pure Luminara, drove into the creature's heart.

The wraith screeched one last time and shattered into particles of darkness.

Silence fell.

Lucian stood, panting, his body trembling as the light from his hands faded. The adrenaline coursed through him, but the pain was unbearable. His limbs felt like lead. Every breath was a struggle.

Then, he heard footsteps. Caelum Astralis, the hero of Solmara, arrived—too late. The damage had already been done.

Caelum's golden eyes scanned the scene, lingering on Lucian. A small smile tugged at his lips.

"Congratulations," he said, his voice steady, the admiration clear. "You did well."

Lucian's heart pounded, but it wasn't from exhaustion this time. It was excitement. And something else—an urge. A need to prove himself.

"Caelum Astralis," Lucian called out, his voice shaking but determined. "I challenge you to a duel."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Darius's eyes widened. "Are you out of your mind, Solis? He's the strongest there is! You've seen what he can do!"

Lucian didn't flinch. His eyes were locked on Caelum, unwavering

"I don't care," Lucian replied, his voice growing louder. "I want to fight him. I want to prove that I'm worthy."

Caelum's golden eyes studied him, then a slow, approving smile spread across his face.

"…Alright."

The crowd gasped. The stage was set. The challenge had been issued.

The duel of the century was about to begin.

To be continued…