Preparing for Journey to the Empire of Ardenta

Three months had passed since Felix, Lumina, and Rene trained under the guidance of Matale da Luna on the remote island of Mataland. Now, the time had come for them to embark on their journey to the Empire of Ardenta—a grand dominion that opens its gates only once every seven years, hosting the most prestigious tournament for the strongest youths across the world. A legendary event known as The Summit of Youth. This was the path to greatness... the climb to true power and maturity.

"The Summit of Youth will be held one year from now in Ardenta," Matale said, seated before the three of them. "It is a sacred rite, a trial by fire, where you stake your lives for the throne of strength. But the path is far from easy. Unlike other empires, Ardenta opens its doors to anyone reckless enough to try. And you... you must leave early. You don't have direct invitations. Your path will be winding and unforgiving."

"But Master," Rene interrupted, "isn't Lumina a princess of the Celestian Empire? Doesn't she qualify for an invitation?"

"Rene?" Lumina snapped. "Are you really still that dense?"

"Huh? What? I'm just stating the facts! You're royalty—you deserve a place!" Rene defended himself.

Matale gave a faint smile. "Aren't both of you fugitives? Rene, you're a prince. The ticket should have been yours too."

"Right... I almost forgot," Rene muttered. "But for Lumina, it's all Felix's fault. That's why she lost her chance."

"What?! Don't you dare blame Felix, you jerk!" Lumina shouted.

"But you were punished for protecting him! If not for him, you'd be happily in the palace with your ticket in hand!"

"Enough! I chose this path. I'm no puppet of the palace, Rene. I can fight for myself. And Felix is not the reason I'm here." Her voice rang sharp, like thunder breaking through a storm.

"Calm down, both of you!" Matale cut in. "This journey will be filled with arguments like this—but remember, your goal is the same: to enter The Summit of Youth. What I've taught you may not be enough. The world will teach you more—your identity, your heart, your strength of mind. Now... I will grant each of you a protection spell."

She began chanting softly. A swirl of blue water rose around them, wrapping their bodies in a veil of sacred mist.

"Holy Water of Veledra," she intoned. "A soul-bound enchantment. It will shield you from physical and magical attacks. But remember—this protection holds only seven times. The eighth strike will break through. Avoid small hits whenever you can. Save it for the moments that truly matter."

"Thank you... truly, Lady Matale," Felix said respectfully.

Matale met their eyes, one by one. "Felix, you carry the Rod of Drakhal. Within it lies the Black Flame—powerful, untamed, even I don't fully understand it. Never flaunt it. Use it only when your life truly depends on it. Lumina, the Hadrian Ring on your hand will protect you at the edge of danger. But with great power comes greater risk. Lose control... and it may consume you."

Rene remained silent. Then, in a low voice, he muttered, "So... both of them inherited great power from their bloodlines. What about me? Do I even matter...?"

Matale stepped closer and placed a firm hand on his shoulder. "Rene, you are my only disciple. Lumina and Felix were shaped only by what I could offer. But you—I've poured my very soul into unlocking your latent magic. And this..."

She handed him a gleaming, bluish-silver object.

"This is the Elvarien of Valor. A top-tier cloaking device from the Empire of Zarthas. It grants physical invisibility for a limited time. Use it wisely."

"What?! Elvarien of Valor?! This is... one of Zarthas' most valuable arcane technologies! Master—where did you get this?!" Rene gasped in disbelief.

Matale gave a small smile. "I once had a dear friend in Zarthas. Grandmaster Tomoki. He passed away long ago... but his friend, Master Leon, gifted me this as a token of friendship."

"You knew Master Leon? So... you're connected to the great figures of Zarthas?!" Rene's eyes widened.

"Not exactly. But this world is smaller than you think, Rene," Matale replied, eyes gazing into the distance.

Their feet were now set upon a new road—one that led toward Ardenta.

At dawn, the day of their departure arrived. In the final moments, Matale handed Lumina an ancient map. Its ink was faded, but its magical aura still pulsed.

"Lumina, listen closely. This map leads to Ardenta, and only you can read the ancient Celestian script. The front shows the current era—the modern imperial age. But on the back... is the map of the Age of Darkness—when borders vanished and empires collapsed into chaos. Many lands remain untouched there. But look at this," she said, pointing to half of the back that was already marked. "It means that some of the world's greatest explorers have already conquered those unknown lands. This map... is more than a guide. It's a living record of history."

As Lumina unfurled the map across the table, Felix leaned in, his eyes scanning every detail. He froze as his gaze landed on a tiny mark in the far west.

"Is that... Pafilia?" he murmured, pointing to the faint symbol of a small, distant town.

But more than that—something stirred deep within him. He searched for the land of his origin—the island where he had once been found by the giant turtle, Bora. The continent of Blasic. Yet on the map, that place was unnamed… just a blank space lost between myths and margins.

Rene peered over his shoulder, curious. "What's with Pafilia, Felix? As far as I know, it's just a tiny town on the far western edge of the Dominion Valthorian Empire."

Felix turned quickly. "You know it?"

Rene shook his head. "Not really. But my mother used to brag about this pearl—Pafilian Pearl—it was a gift from the emperor. It shimmered like moonlight on water. Absolutely beautiful."

"Like this one?" Lumina asked, opening a small box. Inside lay a pearl, soft in hue, glowing faintly as if cradling the light around it.

"Wha—?! That's a real Paphilian Pearl?!" Rene gasped, nearly choking on his breath.

"Yes," Lumina replied softly. "It was given to me by Zen Felix."

Rene stared at Felix, wide-eyed. "So... you really are from there?"

Felix didn't answer. He stood still, as if a thousand memories had come crashing into him all at once.

"Enough. Let's go," he said quietly, but with newfound resolve.

Matale nodded calmly. "Go now. I've prepared a boat for you at the shore. The path to Ardenta is yours to choose. It will depend on your courage... and your unity."

With only modest supplies and blazing determination, the three of them prepared to venture into the world. Their destination: Ardenta—the land of the grand tournament for the world's finest youths, The Summit of Youth.

Before they departed, Lumina stepped forward and embraced Matale tightly. Her tears fell freely.

"Grandmother… I wish I had more time with you. These three months felt like a heartbeat, yet after so long, I finally felt your love again. From when I was just a toddler in the Celestian palace… to now. You left the empire to live in solitude on this island, but I always missed you. I'm sorry—for hiding Felix, for forcing you to come and save me from that castle prison. I know you'd do anything for me. Thank you… for everything, Grandma Matale."

Matale gently stroked her hair. "My dear child… Ever since your grandmother—my twin sister, Marale da Luna—passed away, she entrusted you to me. But your grandfather, Emperor Hadrian, lost his mind with grief. I was the one who sealed his power and retired, choosing exile over watching the empire crumble further. I made a vow to protect you, even if I couldn't name you my heir… out of the same promise I made to Marale. But now, you've grown. I can't hold you back anymore. Especially now that there's someone you trust so deeply. Promise me, Lumina… come back stronger. Let me fulfill my vow—by seeing you rise among the strongest nobles of Celestia… even if not through my power."

Their emotional farewell turned into tears. Rene, who had been watching silently, wiped his own eyes.

Felix stepped forward. Matale met his gaze—sharp, yet kind.

"Felix… I entrust Lumina to you. She believes in you… and so do I. Protect her. And protect each other."

Felix gave a firm nod. "I will, Lady Matale."

"And I'll return too, Master!" Rene called out, his voice alight with resolve. "I'll become your greatest student!"

Matale chuckled. "Rene, trust your friends. Learn from the world through their eyes. Carry my name—Matale da Luna—with pride."

"Yes, Master! But you must take care of yourself too!" Rene shouted as he stepped aboard the boat.

The vessel slowly drifted away, leaving the shores of Mataland behind. The wind caught their sail, carrying them into the great unknown.

The three of them—Felix, Lumina, and Rene—waved in unison.

And Matale… stood alone at the edge of the shore, smiling softly, her eyes shimmering with tears.