From Ruin to Reign

er flowing down a river. Ma

away fallen leaves, wiped down the practice weapons, and made sure everything was

about sword techniques, energy cultivation, and warrior history. While cleaning, Marcus

d read about. He couldn't train openly because Grandfather Octavius had rules. Students under ten yea

y night he trained in secret,

him one morning. She was now eleven and had grown taller. Her skil

competition to find the strongest student under seventeen. The winne

with people. Students, teachers, and even vi

e knows why we're here. We will find our strongest talent today. The win

!" the students

od, but one person caught his attention. A boy named Juli

to win," Marcus w

ere are many strong

s true strength. Everyone thinks he has 100 circles of energy

Marcus... how can you tell?

w these things. A ten-year-old who never trai

ckly. "The way someone stands, how they brea

convinced but di

edicted, Julian dominated every fight. He ma

er student named Lucas. Lucas was sixteen an

e got!" Lucas shouted, char

y attack without much effort. It was

exploded outward. Now everyone

g his power this whole

e. "You're already a

ament." Julian moved like lightning and struck Lucas's sw

en burst into cheers. Ju

hrough the noise. "Octavius! What

im. He wore expensive robes and had an arrogant face. This was Cornel

ned. "Cornelius, what are

atch. But now that I see your champion, I want to test him. My student

between the two academies. Cornelius had a son working in the imperial

ists. He couldn't refuse without lo

. Dante was also fifteen, with cold eyes and a cru

carefully. His eyes n

ong?" Lydi

than Julian. And look at the way he moves-he's planni

have to wa

s? I'm just a kid wh

he arena to face Dante. Julian sensed

. I don't hold back," Dan

t Dante was clearly superior. He blocked every strike easily,

r academy has?" Dante

ed. His sword became a blur. Julia

se and struck his ribs hard. The crack o

ll to the ground

aiming for Julian's shoulder. If that strike la

veral peop

s sword down anyway,

l figure appeared between Dante and Julian

as M

two fingers, stopping it comp

far too old for his young face. "That's enough. If yo

r-old boy had just stopped a powerf

d in his seat, his eyes wide. "Mar