Evelyn resumed reading The History of Aristynne from where she had left off, her expression serious and her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
[ "Aristynne, a kingdom brimming with magical creatures, enchanted weapons, diverse species, and powerful hybrids, thrived in harmony. Situated to the far south of Cristiane and somewhat near the Karstein Empire, it stood unchallenged. No one dared to invade its borders. Over time, it grew vast and powerful, earning the title of the 'Magical Kingdom'—a realm not only teeming with diverse races but also home to rare species and magical artifacts."
"Its most renowned institution is the prestigious Aristynne Academy. Known for its unparalleled education, the Academy welcomed anyone with talent, regardless of their background. Every year, the Academy produced rare geniuses, and every graduate left after some grueling years."
"Though the entrance exam wasn't exceedingly difficult, the Academy conducted competitions every six months, ruthlessly eliminating those unable to prove their talents."
"One of Aristynne's most legendary places is The Averoth Forest, teeming with dangerous beasts. Many ventured inside, seeking to tame a beast as their familiar, thereby increasing their strength. However, no one dared approach the forest's center, as it was overrun by ferocious creatures."
"Curiously, the Academy itself was hidden deep within Averoth Forest. Its location was unknown to outsiders, and only those with special permission could transfer directly to it."
"But long ago, Aristynne was far from the powerful force it is today. The Averoth Forest was forbidden, considered too dangerous. The Academy had not yet been founded, and Aristynne was just a small, insignificant kingdom, rife with chaos and bloodshed."
"Aristynne was a lawless land. Murder and theft in broad daylight were daily occurrences, and even illegal activities flourished openly. Peace was but a myth. Its rulers would pit their own children against one another, The royal family upheld a barbaric tradition—each ruler ascended the throne only after surviving a brutal power struggle against their siblings."
"The 12th ruler of Aristynne was infamous for killing all 21 of his siblings, brutally displaying their severed heads at the entrance gates—an ominous show of dominance. He is recorded in history as the cruellest ruler to ever exist."
"But despite its lawlessness, few dared attack Aristynne. Criminals roamed freely, unafraid of death, making it too unpredictable for conquest since nobody wanted suffer any damage over a small kingdom."
"The turning point came 230 years ago, when the 24th princess, Reinelle de Aristynne, ascended the throne at the mere age of 15 after slaughtering 28 siblings in a ruthless battle for the throne."
"The emperor had many concubines who bore him 25 children. His queen gave birth to four—though the firstborn survived only five years before being poisoned. Reinelle was the second. When she was eight, her mother died giving birth to twins, who were the youngest among the emperor's childrens."
"In total, the king had 29 children. By the end of the bloodshed, only one child survived—Reinelle de Aristynne."
"After slaying her siblings in the merciless battle for the throne, she spared no mercy for her father. With a single, unwavering strike, she severed his head from his shoulders, cold and unfeeling, sealing his fate and claiming the throne as her own.
"It is said that the day she ascended the throne, she was soaked in blood—her clothes, face, hands, and sword, even the very ground beneath her. Corpses lay scattered around her as she sat upon the throne bathed in blood, her gaze cold and unyielding, betraying not a shred of emotion. Thus, she forged a legacy steeped in blood and death, forever etched in the annals of history."
"Rumors claimed that even her twin sibling disappeared under mysterious circumstances. It was whispered she had killed them too in the battle for the throne."
"Yet, Reinelle, dreaded and reviled as 'The Bloody Queen,' left an indelible mark on Aristynne. To those beyond the kingdom's borders, she was whispered of as 'The Butcher of Aristynne,' a title that carried with it the scent of death and destruction. The youngest to ever ascend the throne, she became a figure of terror, known by many names—'The Devil,' 'The Cruel Slaughterer'—her very existence a symbol of unrelenting power and merciless rule. her blood-soaked reign marking an era of unrelenting fear and domination."
"However, she wasn't merely cruel—she was brilliant. She transformed Aristynne into the powerful empire it is today. She founded the Aristynne Academy, opened Averoth Forest for training, constructed trade routes, built a Mage Tower, and established necessary teleportation gates. She treated every citizen equally."
"Law and order were introduced, and Aristynne transformed into a land where only one's ability mattered—identity, origin or status meant nothing. Its knights were notorious for being ruthless, earning them the fearsome title: 'Monsters of Aristynne.' They would kill without hesitation, without mercy in battles."
"In the beginning, Aristynne's knights were bold but not yet strong. Reinelle subjected them to brutal training, posting them at Averoth Forest's boundary, commanding them to slay any beasts that emerged, preventing chaos from spilling into the kingdom. Over time, they grew more powerful, eventually becoming the legendary "Monsters of Aristynne."
"Later, she revealed that she'd delayed setting up a protective barrier around Averoth Forest intentionally—forcing the knights to harden themselves in blood and battle."
"She allowed anyone, regardless of background, to enter the forest to train if they wants, resulting in the rise of powerful mages, summoners, spiritualists, and swordmasters."
"Her strict laws eradicated crime and immorality. Notices were posted everywhere, clearly listing her decrees, followed by this declaration at the bottom:
{{ These are the laws and rules that every subject of Aristynne must abide by.
If you wonder who Aristynne's subjects are, know this:
From the moment you step inside Aristynne's territory, you become its subject and must obey its laws. Whether you are a king from another kingdom or empire or a beggar, everyone must follow Aristynne's laws and rules inside Aristynne.
This is itself a rule of Aristynne. So, don't attempt or even think of breaking it.
Written by The Queen of Aristynne,
Reinelle de Aristynne.
}}
"She even gave advice about life—words so revered that after her death, they were turned into guiding principles:
{{
1.
'Judge not by face, nor by name,
Not by birth, nor species, nor age's claim.
Weigh them instead by skill and might,
By talents bright and knowledge's light.'
---
2.
'Walk a mile in another's shoes,
Feel their pain, their joy, their views.
Before you judge, take the time to see,
The heartache that could be you or me.'
---
3.
'Bow not to titles, wealth, or race,
Not to beauty or a noble place.
If you must bow, then bend the knee
To ability, craft, and creativity.'
---
4.
'Look inside and know your soul,
Strive to mend, strive to grow whole.
Better the world, but better yourself,
For wisdom begins when we know ourselves.'
---
5.
'Keep your feet firm, your gaze not high,
Look not down when others pass by.
Today you scoff at humble tread—
Tomorrow, you may seek their stead.'
---
6.
'If born in wealth, be kind, not vain,
Don't scorn the hands with labor stained.
The rich may hire, the poor endure,
Yet both are fleeting, nothing's sure.'
---
7.
'There's no such line of high and low—
Just hearts that beat, and blood that flows.
No noble crown nor common brand
Can change the life in every hand.
---
8.
'Call no one low, no soul impure,
For emperors beg at healers' door.
An empress seeks a tailor's art,
A princess learns from common hearts.
Today they may seem small to you—
Tomorrow, they'll hold power too.'
---
9.
'If charity you give with pride,
Hide disdain, let kindness bide.
For what's a token gift for fame,
Might light a fire, ignite a flame.
A beggar saved may pay the price—
Their life exchanged for your sacrifice.'
---
10.
'Gratitude, the light that clears the haze,
Focus on blessings, not what you chase.
What you have is worth more than you know,
Richness lies in what you let grow.'
---
11.
'Not all things come in a hurry,
Sometimes stillness brings the worry.
But in the quiet, wisdom's found,
In patience, life begins to resound.'
---
12.
'Judge not the poor, the weak, the old,
Nor stories that remain untold.
You know not scars beneath their skin,
The battles lost, the wars within.
So hold your tongue, and cast no stone—
For struggles lived are theirs alone.'
–––
"P.S. — These are not rigid laws nor commands that demand obedience. They are simply thoughts, shaped in moments of reflection, offered as gentle advice. Take them as you will—consider them, question them, or set them aside if they do not resonate with you. But if even a single word lingers in your mind and brings a moment of clarity, then perhaps they have served their purpose." }}