3rd Pov
The sun settling upon the destroyed battlefield, Eleonor and Lucas just arrived on the scene where Ruberios and the Giant's force fought.
They were tasked to investigate the aftermatch damage and Horizon's whereabouts.
Lucas : This is a total mess...you can easily guess what kind of battle happens here.
Eleonor : Yeah...the giants must have dominated most of the battle.
They could some barricade typical from Ruberios's army, all of these construct were destroyed...the giants being naturally robust and tanky.
They must have charged in and taken Ruberios off guard.
Eleonor : And this is when Horizon stood up...
Looking around, the most noticeable damage on this entire plain was the large print left by the king of giant and Horizon's fight.
A large crater, some residue of magicule and more...it was truly a clash that exceeded human norm...
Lucas : It seems he really gave his all...and still, Horizon lost...
This was a bit disheartening as Horizon was the second strongest among their group, you might not like him but that was an undiened fact.
So his losing meant that no one beside their leader had a chance against Dagruel who isn't even among the strongest demon lords.
Eleonor : Cover me, I'll start reading the memories of this battlefield.
Lucas : Do it fast, I got a bad feeling...
Nodding Eleonor immediately started, using her unique skill : Clairvoyance, she watched the past of this plain.
The roaring battle between human and giant...and the demise of a hero, after around an hour, Eleonor woke up and took a deep breath.
Lucas : So ?
Eleonor : It's as we thought, Horizon was taken by demon lord Dagruel...he fought until, not even after both his arms were torn apart...
Clenching her fist, the state in which Horizon was at the end of the fight was deplorable...it was a miracle he could still stand...
No, it was pure willpower...the true miracle was that he survived by earning the giant's recognition...Horizon managed to trade blows.
He lost both his arm and a leg, and in exchange he managed to tear one of Dagruel's arms...
Eleonor : After that, they left...we should get back to Ruberios for now...going further alone will be dangerous.
Lucas : Tch...so we have to retreat now while Horizon is suffering ?!
Eleonor : Why are you rebelling now ? Besides, even if we managed to get the location, there is no way we'll succeed in rescuing him.
Among every member of the Genesis knight, Lucas was the most likely to betray them...his loyalty wasn't to joke at.
But he was closer to Horizon than the rest, so when he was tasked to go there...he had already planned to go help his friend no matter what.
Lucas : We just have to rescue him...no need for fighting.
Eleonor : You...
Her eyes narrowing dangerously, she already knew where this was going...Lucas was determined to rescue Horizon.
But that won't do...Eleonor isn't dumb and knows her limits.
Eleonor : Sorry but I'll have to stop you there.
Lucas : !!!
Instantly, a bind made of silver light appeared and caught Lucas off guard...the bind tightening around his body.
He was immobilized and his magicule quickly decreased.
Eleonor : Take a good nap, we're going back to Ruberios.
Lucas : The Silver chain...you went ahead and predicted I would rebel now ?
Silver chain, an unique grade weapon which drains the magicule of its prey...it's a hunter item that belongs to the many experimental weapons Shu had created.
Eleonor : We are never too cautious, you are the most irrational man I know.
Grabbing him, she lifted his binded body and quickly ran away...at least, she was able to stop this idiot before he did something that could have hindered them in the future.
Back to Dawn, he had already landed on the island...now walking through a dense forest, he could already tell that any sort of civilization had left this land for a few millennia now.
Dawn : What more is that...there is no magical beast or monsters...in fact, the state of magicule here is very poor...
It's almost as if the very land was trying to get rid of the magicule...
Dawn : Anyway, I think I found it.
Looking down, he was in the middle of nowhere...but the ground was soiled in magicule, the sole place on the island where the flow was normal.
Dawn : Mmh, an illusion spell...
Placing his hand down, he quickly found the mechanism...it was a primitive yet ingenious way to cast an illusion.
Slowly, the ground shook slightly before a gateway was dug underground...
Dawn : In fact, I don't think anyone in this era could have formed such a gate, the one who built it was a pure genius.
Jumping down, the hole extended hundred meters underground...being this far down reminded him of some sour memories.
Particularly his fight against Luna 2000 years ago where he had to hide underground for the win.
Dawn : It's getting colder...
The more he fell down, the colder it got...but not naturally cold, it was freezing and this feeling wasn't unfamiliar.
Dawn : Snowie ?
Snowie : (Yes master, I can feel a very similar energy to my own covering the entire hole.)
This was odd, but soon enough he will have all the answers he needs...after a long minute, his feet finally hit the ground.
Negating the potential fall damage, he then looked up...shock sized his mind as he realized how big this place was.
In front of him was a large cave, the entire structure was extending under the ocean...it was big enough to pretend to be a small city.
But only one building was present...this was certainly the laboratory of Origin Averion.
Dawn : I see now...this entire place is originally a battlefield.
Looking around as he walked forward, he realized the impact and damaged wall, the entire cave's ceiling was artificially made.
As the sea covered the land, this large crater was preserved...no at this rate, the theory of land submerged by the rising ocean was wrong.
The island on top itself was formed by magic and artificially made
Dawn : The amount of magicule and knowledge needed is insane and the most impressive part is that this was probably done Millennia before my birth...
At that time, surely the concept of magic itself must have been controversial...
Finally, the main part came as Dawn entered the laboratory...instantly after he set foot inside, he felt danger creeping from everywhere.
And as his instinct kicked in, he drew his sword out and pointed it toward the presence he just noticed.
Dawn : (I didn't expect someone to be here...)
The presence wasn't actually apparent, it was invisible but Dawn's instinct never got him wrong until now.
???: There is no need to be wary, I am not your enemy.
Dawn : Difficult to say when all I sense is dread.
As if it was trying to prove itself to Dawn, the presence took it's material form...particule of freezing ice generated within the air.
A humanoid body was formed, starting from its core...it extended from the arm and legs, finally ending with its head.
A pure white haired lady who wore a white armor made of ice...
Dawn : Snowie ?
A realization hit him as the person in front of him was an exact copy of Snowie aside from their ice color.
Snowie being Crystal blue while this new one was pure white.
Exalia : You are half right and half wrong, I am indeed related to the spirit known as Snowie but my own name given to me by my master is Exalia.
Dawn could feel Snowie shaking inside his soul...the spirit before him wasn't normal, her appearance was just the tip of the iceberg.
Her magicule and essence was the same as Snowie...
Dawn : Can't you explain more ?
Exalia : I think it would be better for you to see it yourself.
Turning her head toward a specific room, Exelia pointed her finger toward a very special and distinguished book.
Exalia : This is the diary of my master.
Dawn : You...aren't a spirit, right.
Ignoring her words, he continuously analyzed the spirit or rather, the being known as Exalia.
Exalia : As expected, you have a good eye...indeed i am not a spirit, rather Snowie is the spirit part while i'm the other half.
Dawn : I see...so are you a sort of guide and guardian to this place now ?
Changing the subject, he looked around...the entire place was slightly covered with Exalia's magicule...
Dawn hadn't noticed before but everything was too well preserved...time can damage anything, and eventually any structure man-made will deteriorate over time.
But it wasn't the case for this place.
Exalia : My main body was sealed at the core of the Laboratory of Eden, you could call me guardian but I'm more of a weapon waiting for its master.
Dawn : Laboratory of Eden ? Is this the name of this place ?
Exalia : Yes.
Dawn was perplexed, he had some doubt thinking that Exalia was an enemy created by the Author but she seemed overly honest.
Dawn : You said I should read your master's diary...is this a trap ?
Exalia : Negative.
Dawn : How can I trust you ?
Exalia : ...i have nothing concret to prove myself.
Dawn : Then is your master...Origin Averion ?
Exalia : I cannot answer.
Dawn : Why ?
For a moment, Exalia's cold eyes shone with sadness...
Exalia : Because I don't want the reunion with my master to be like that.
Dawn : Huh.
Exalia : You see, the day I met my master and was named by him were my most prized memories...i don't want our reunion to be one-sided.
Dawn : You are basically confirming my question...
Exalia : But you can't be sure...not until you remember everything.
Dawn : I see...and for that, I have to go through the diary.
Nodding, Exalia once again pointed her finger toward the study room.
Exalia : This diary isn't normal...perhaps it will help you trust me a little if i gave you the details over what will happen once the diary is opened.
Dawn : Not normal you say ?
Exalia : Yes, this diary was made by someone very special...it's law goes against time and has only one purpose, to help the hero chosen by fate regain his former glory.
Dawn : Go against the law of time, heh...this reminds me strangely of a certain mask.
Turning around, Dawn slowly walked toward the study room...once he had arrived in front of the main desk where the diary was obviously showcased.
He placed his hand on the cover, a nostalgic yet powerful feeling emerged within his soul.
Exalia : The diary acts as a time travel machine...all your memories will be erased and you will be reborn as the protagonist of the diary.
Dawn : It's really risky...it's basically asking me to let myself be subject to mind attack.
Exalia : You will surely wake up in 5 days afterward.
That means, once he opens this book...he will become Origin Averion again, without his memories as Dawn Arceid.
Dawn : (Snowie, Dusk...what do you think?)
Dusk : (I'm against it, master...memories are what constitute a person, you cannot lose them!)
Snowie : (I agree with Dusk...but the master's decision is the final say.)
Dawn : I see...then-
His hand previously holding the cover slided downward as he gently pried open the diary.
Dawn : (I'll see you two in five days then.)
Smiling, his eyes turned toward Exalia for a moment...she had a look of anticipation...
Dawn : I'm really surrounded by beautiful people.
As he said, he closed his eyes...the first page of the diary bursted into light as Dawn's consciousness and soul was sucked into the book.
His decision was purely made on instinct...Dawn had felt the warmness of the diary as if it was calling him.
The current him could barely fight the upper echelon of the world...he couldn't waste more time and had to get stronger and more complete.
For that, he also decided to make this gamble...was it a mistake ? He couldn't know, even his eyes of Fate couldn't calculate this...
He just had to see, this was a battle for himself...
In a faraway past, long way before the foundation of the Eastern empire or even the birth of the Storm dragon.
The cardinal world was very much different...having 5 continents, what was known as the mainland in the future was called at that time, the continent of Xarica.
Where power was divided in 3 main forces...the empire of the West, the united nation of the East and the independent nations scrapped everywhere else.
Among those nations, only a few managed to get through the course of time...Silberia being one of them.
Now, within the empire of the West, the furthest territory in the north which had the greatest monopoly over maritime commerce.
The largest territory within the empire, the dukedom of Averion...a place who held great power over the entire continent.
It's worth was considerable as they were not the only link the empire had toward the northern continent where the High human lived.
The dukedom also wielded the 3 main ports of the empire...this is why among the 3 duke families of the empire, Averion was the most important.
Harmony, peace and order...those were Averion's virtues and nothing seemed to be able to change them...not until a miraculous day where a certain heir was born.
The first son of the duke of Averion, named Origin Averion...he was born during the cold winter and as the first heir, the entire empire had celebrated his birth.
A man born with characteristic white hair and pale blue eyes...that cold day warped by the freezing winter...
Origin Averion had opened his eyes to the world for the very first time...
Origin Pov
3 years had passed since my birth, I had quickly realized that my life won't be like the others...
I was the sole heir to the dukedom of Averion, my existence held a greater importance to many others.
I was educated from an early age to become the next duke...my father, Christopher Averion, was a strict and cold man.
He sure showed pure happiness when i was born but after that, he had quickly realized or maybe he always intended to make sure i will become the next star for this dukedom.
My mother wasn't better, she was kind to me but i realized that she only ever gave birth to me so she could stay in the duke family.
This is why, as I grew up and reached my 3 years...I felt empty and cold.
Watching the horizon as each passing day was a copy of another, only when the dawn of the day happened did I feel at ease.
Staring at the rising sun, I wonder how I would look once my life would reach its mid day.
3rd Pov
3 years old, that year was important as it was the first time Origin's hand was laid on a sword...
He had accidently reached the training ground of the knight order and touched a blade for the first time.
A 3 years old kid who held significant importance for the future shouldn't go near a deadly weapon at such an early age.
Yet Origin found himself immersed, and this fascination was soon revealed to be a gift...Origin Averion was a genius like no other.
At the age of 5, he had already the qualification to become a knight...the only problem was his child body.
But in terms of technique and pure sword skill, he was already dominating the dukedom...this news didn't go unnoticed as more expectations were put upon his shoulders.
His heart sinking slowly before freezing totally, he had earned the title of Frozen prince.
A child without emotion who will one rule the strongest land within the empire...
Time then passed and at his 7th birthday, a large party was held in the duchy of Averion.
As the most influential family aside from the imperial one, pretty much every important guest was conveyed.
Among them, a certain lady who happened to be the third daughter of another ducal family of the empire.
Both of them meeting for the first time, they couldn't know that their fate would tangle on itself.
Origin Pov
Seven years...that's the time I spent living this life.
My heart just kept freezing, I honestly didn't feel joy or happiness toward this birthday, not like I felt anything or the past few years.
All I liked or I supposed I liked was swordsmanship...my education also proceeded, from politics to territorial management...
I was praised by the other while continuing to walk forward the path my father had drawn for me.
Even now, I was standing there...in the middle of my birthday party, shoulder up and head tall.
I could hear the whisper and stare of those that surrounded me...the lower rank consisted of knights and honorable warriors who grinded the echelon, to the middle ranked nobles who inherited titles from their ancestors.
And lastly, the high ranked nobles...i couldn't understand them, despite being of slightly inferior status to mine or some equal.
I couldn't understand why we were so different...for example, the son of Marquis Reichwald was a complete weirdo.
Despite being the birthday party organized by the dukedom of Averion, he was walking and acting as if he was the most important person.
Flirting with every lady and not even greeting me when his father did...
On the other hand, the family of the weakest dukedom of the empire was completely different...
When the adults were focused on talking business and forging bonds, the Wisdon family stayed with themself.
The duke was a famous tactician while the duchess was one of the leading female figures in chivalry...they have 5 childrens who all came.
They are known as the weakest family because of their involvement in politics...anyway, while staring at them, I lost focus for an instant.
And let myself be found out, the duchess and third daughter turned their attention upon me.
Avoiding eye contact now would be a sign of weakness...so I just keep locking eyes with them before nodding my head slightly faking a greeting.
We are of the same rank so it's a believable excuse.
Father : Origin, you should go talk with the other kids, forging relations early is always a good call.
Origin : As you wish, father.
My voice falling cold, it didn't bother the duke...instead he shrugged it off satisfied and walked off...
He was surely waiting for the last important guest of this party which is the emperor and the imperial family.
Leaving me alone, I found myself contemplating...forging relations with other nobles is crucial but I couldn't see any benefit I could get with the people present.
Even if I approached the others, they seemed too childish to discuss business...I could try to get in touch with the holders of titles which are the adults.
But it would be akin to me stealing my father's authority...
Noble : So this is the heir of Averion, he seems quite dull to be honest.
Noble : Fufu, he just turned 7 right...he should join the academy in a few years.
Noble : But gaining his favor early on would be synonymous to success.
Noble : I heard he was quite talented with the sword, the future of Averion is secure.
Their constant whisper appeared quite bland to me...because they were all talking but no bite.
Chatting with themself or people from the same side, they couldn't bring themself to do the same in front of me or the duke.
Sighing, I decided to act now or it will never end...but as I was about to take a step toward a small group of nobles composed of count and viscount.
Someone approached me and cut down my escape route instantly...
???: May I have some of your time ?
Turning around, I kept a straight face and nodded...long black with a shine of purple hair and amethyst like eyes.
The third daughter of duke Wisdon, Catherine Wisdon...her name isn't much stated as her siblings shine more.
Origin : Sure...
But I could tell she wasn't normal, there was something about her that could make anyone nervous.
Looking around briefly, all eyes were on us now...surely, the fact that the neutral family Wisdon had made the first move with the heir of Averion.
This mere fact alerted the whole room, even my father had his eyes fixated on us...
Catherine : Should we move to another place ? I'm not really comfortable with crowded places.
Origin : Su-
But before we could even walk away, the room fell silent as the most important guests finally arrived.
The guards announcing the arrival of the imperial family, I excused myself to lady Catherine and walked away to join the duke.
I couldn't tell what expression Lady Catherine had at that moment but her silence seemed quite heavy in a sense...
Anyway, afterward I had met the emperor of the empire, Creid von Arcania, the supreme ruler of the Arcanian empire.
And his two heirs, the first princess which is the indirect heir and the first prince which is 2 years younger than the princess.
Both are respectively, 11 and 9 years old...but their presence couldn't be compared to the other of our ages.
3rd Pov
The party ended as the name of Origin Averion spread, his growth had just started...5 more years then passed as nothing much happened.
The commerce between Averion and the northern continent seems to have deteriorated for some reason though.
But that wasn't a decrease worth considering the gain Averion had generated from their other partners.
Now 12 years old, Origin was sent to the capital city of the empire, Shredbond...where the glorious and noble Academy was located.
This is where all nobles from the lowest rank to the imperial family had to prove themself to the world.
Grades, relation, reputation and fame...if you successfully graduated from the academy, you will instantly be put among the stars of the next generation.
These years had some promising names, the heir of the dukedom of Averion, the third daughter of Widson family Catherine Widson, the heir to a big merchant group, the childrens of many competent knights who gradually raised the rank.
It was surely a golden era to the academy...and now, Origin was on his way to the prestigious academy.
The long journey from Averion to the capital was a 3 weeks travel in carriage...at this point of time, he was already a sword master having learned everything he could from the knights and his own father.
Once his body is fully grown, not many will be able to stand in front of his blade...
Dawn : The academy welcomed many promising students this year...
Being from the dukedom, he was naturally privileged and given more information, the entrance exam's test.
The different facilities and events the academy will propose and more...the academy itself never proclaimed to be neutral.
They were an extremist group for nobles, this is why no commoners are found there.
Dawn : Catherine Wisdon...
This name brought him a sense of déjà vu, after his Seventh birthday party and how they were interrupted.
He hadn't seen or heard of Catherine Wisdon for years, nor did she appear in the next few birthday parties, perhaps she was offended by their last and unique encounter.
Dawn : I was just tasked to end up first in the academy overall program...this surely won't be hard.
Tossing the documents aside, Origin closed his eyes and decided to rest for a while.
He still had a long way before reaching the capital, his personal sword close to his hand, he slowly drew himself to sleep.
Several weeks later, the academy year started...all kinds of nobles and influential children attended, and the entrance exam ended the same day.
The exam itself wasn't worth much, it was just a way to put every name on the hierarchy, even if you failed as you long your family could back you up either financially or bribery or was just that powerful.
You could still attend the academy, still the entrance exam is like a ladder...the higher your name is the better your standing becomes.
Naturally, the top name in both written and physical tests ended up with the same name...Origin Averion.
With two perfect scores...it wasn't much for him but for the other nobles, it was a confirmation, the rumors about the little genius and frozen prince of the dukedom were true.
While everyone was busy gossiping about the recent results...another topic surfaced.
Noble : Did you hear ? A commoner managed to get himself into the academy...
Noble : Yes, how shameful for us to breath the same air as them !
Noble : Not only that ! He finished first equal to his highest Origin Averion in the physical test !
This was a bigger deal than the exam's result, a commoner here was first...and judging by the exam result, that commoner was just that talented.
Noble : Wait, shut up ! His highest future duke is here !
Noble : What ?! Let me see !
In the midst of the crowded corridor, a natural pathway was formed as only the sound of one man walking could be heard.
Having deposited his luggage in the newly opened dormitory, Origin was now on his way toward his first class...it was still early but he would rather be in the classroom early for some peace.
He didn't want to check his score as he expected to be placed first though the rumor of someone standing at his equal reached his ear.
But that didn't bother him much...the only important thing was to focus on himself, if they are equal then next time he just has to be better.
Noble : Whoa...he is really handsome...
Noble : His appearance matches his name, the Frozen prince...
Noble : I-I'm a bit scared to approach him...isn't murder legal for the duke family ?
Noble : But at the same time...he is the only heir to the dukedom so if we become friends...
Noble : We are destined to success !
All kinds of remarks were whispering around him, Origin just kept his head straight and continued his walk without stopping.
He was used to this now...all talk but now bite, no one will dare approach him during the first few weeks.
Or so he thought...
???: Oho, you seem quite the big deal, mind if we become friends ?
A voice called him out from behind, under the eyes of everyone...a man stood there as if he was owning the pathway formed for the heir of the dukedom.
Origin himself froze for a moment, his composure wavering slightly as he couldn't expect such an approach when his name was on every mouth.
Turning around, he looked straight toward the one man who did such a blunt move...clothes rather ragged that breathed commoner, yet this person had some sort of majestic aura surrounding him.
Origin : ...
Long black hair and similar pale blue eyes to Origin, it was easy to spot that he was the only commoner that was accepted as everyone else either wearing luxury clothes or famous designed dress.
Origin himself was wearing a Black/Gray military like uniform...
Well this was the first day, after the first weeks...everyone beside those from the marquis rank and above will have to wear the academy given uniform.
Noble : Who do he think he is ?!
Noble : That's the commoner for you !
Noble : Do he think he can talk to the duke heir like that ?!
Outraged by his action, no one aside from Origin noticed the particular aura surrounding this commoner.
He was confident and not bothered by the crude remark that was raining on him...no, instead he grinned and shamelessly approached Origin before extending his hand for a handshake.
Velda : My name is Velda, I'm sure we'll be great friends.
His confident smile and composure impressed Origin, out of everyone he had met in his 12 years long life.
This man in front of him was surely the most impressive.
Origin : Velda, huh...i'll remember your name.
Not accepting his handshake, Origin was still a noble and this Velda a commoner in the academy.
Their social standing gap was just far too big...but that didn't bother Velda as his grin deepened when Origin turned around and started leaving.
Velda : (He is really interesting, I knew it! Coming here undercover to play as a commoner student was a good idea ! I'm really a genius.)
His hair shining with stars for an instant, Velda or from his true name Veldanava...this academy life was bound to become interesting.