"Ding! The First Step Begins"

The sun had just peeked over the edge of the high cliffs around the Tower of Momento. A few white clouds drifted lazily across the sky. It was a calm morning. The wind whistled softly, carrying the fresh scent of leaves and baked bread.

But inside the tower?

Pure chaos.

"LUUUUI! RICK ATE THE LAST HONEY MUFFIN!!" yelled Iuro from the kitchen.

"I did not! It was Yuuv!" Rick shouted back with his cheeks full.

"Yuuv doesn't even eat fast! Look, he's not even here!" Iuro stomped across the kitchen in leafy green slippers.

Lui, the oldest of the six brothers, sighed as he tightened the straps on his light red tunic. "We have our entrance quest today. Can't you both stop shouting for once?"

Izumi sat on the window ledge with a book in hand, his gray eyes scanning the pages calmly. "If we don't find Yuuv in the next five minutes, we'll be late."

"I already looked in the garden," Ishi said quietly, leaning against the kitchen wall, arms crossed. His black eyes, as always, looked like they saw through everything.

Rick rubbed his chin. "Did we check the broom closet?"

"Why would he sleep there!?"

"...Because it's quiet?"

Suddenly, a loud clang echoed through the tower.

Everyone paused.

"Basement," all five boys said at once.

They sprinted down the spiral stairs, skipping steps, nearly tumbling over each other. Lui reached first and pushed open the heavy wooden door—

—and there was Yuuv.

Sleeping.

Inside a huge hay trey.

With a soft cloth pillow under his head.

"...How is that comfortable?" Izumi blinked.

Yuuv's soft blond hair stuck out like a golden halo, and his lips puffed with each sleepy breath. His small body fit perfectly curled inside the cauldron like a baby cat.

"Yuuv!" Lui called out, tapping the side of the pot.

"Hnn… five more minutes…" Yuuv mumbled, barely opening his bluish-cyan eyes.

Ishi stepped forward and poked his forehead gently. "You'll miss your own ranking quest."

Yuuv blinked, still half-asleep. "Oh… that's today?"

"YES!" everyone shouted.

After dragging Yuuv out, feeding him a hurried breakfast (which mostly went into his cheeks like a squirrel), and fixing their clothes, they lined up in the main hall.

Today was special.

They were turning nine.

And today, they would officially step into the world as E-Novices, the very first rank in the system for every knight, mage, and mage-knight.

They were still beginners. They only knew some punches, kicks, and a few small spells—like lighting up a fingertip, creating sparkles, or growing a small plant.

But they were ready to start their journey.

The huge double doors creaked open.

An old man with a long beard and golden staff walked in, smiling kindly. His robe shimmered faintly like starlight. His eyes were full of stories.

Tower Master Elard.

Their teacher. Their guide. Their grandfather figure.

"I see someone had a good nap," he chuckled, looking at Yuuv, who was holding a piece of toast with both hands.

Yuuv blinked sleepily and nodded. "I'm fully awake now. I think."

Elard chuckled again. "Before your ranking quest, there's something important to do."

He clapped his hands once.

Six boxes floated down from the air and landed gently in front of the boys.

"Your first magical gear," Elard said with a soft smile. "They are low-level equipment, but they are yours now. Consider it your birthday gift."

Each box opened.

Lui's box had a short sword with a red gem on the hilt. "It's light," he said, swinging it.

Ishi's held twin daggers wrapped in shadowy silk. "Sharp," he muttered.

Izumi's box opened to reveal a small wooden case with two silver-handled practice katanas. "Balanced."

Iuro's box had a twisted wooden staff, with a green stone at the top. "This looks cool!"

Rick's box held a blueish rod with a water droplet carved on the end. "Ohhh, pretty!"

And Yuuv's?

A tiny silver wand.

With a tiny bell at the top.

Ding~

Everyone stared.

Yuuv blinked and rang the bell again. Ding~

"I love it," he smiled.

Lui gave a small laugh. "Of course you do."

"I made it especially for you," Elard said warmly. "It channels energy gently. Since your magic flow is delicate, this will help you practice little by little."

Yuuv nodded slowly. "I'll take care of it."

"Good." Elard turned serious. "Now then. Go to the front plaza. The entrance test awaits. Complete it, and you will be granted your E-Novice ranks."

The boys stood straighter.

"YES, MASTER!"

As they stepped outside the Tower of Momento, the sun was fully up. The training ground ahead had a crowd of other kids, trainers, and officials gathered. Banners flew. Cheers echoed.

It was a special day for many.

Everyone was trying to take their first step into the rank system.

Some kids had come from distant towns. Others from nearby towers. But the six boys—Lui, Ishi, Izumi, Iuro, Rick, and Yuuv—stood out just a bit.

Their colored hair and eyes, their presence, even their sleepy little brother—they had something different in the way they walked.

They were still small. Still untrained. Still clueless.

But they looked like a group.

Like a family.

As they reached the registration table, a loud voice called out—

"HEY! Why is one of them holding a bell!?"

Yuuv blinked at the tall knight man and simply rang it once.

Ding~

Everyone stared.

Rick giggled.

"...This is going to be a long day," Lui muttered.