---
The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden glow over the training grounds of the Kurogane Clan. The air was filled with the rhythmic clashing of steel and the occasional burst of fire as Kaito Kurogane faced off against his two closest friends, Ren and Aiko. It was a rare sight—a 1 vs 2 sparring match—but Kaito had always been stronger than both of them combined. Today, however, they were determined to prove him wrong.
Kaito stood at the center of the training ground, his sword resting lazily on his shoulder. His posture was relaxed, almost careless, but his eyes were sharp, tracking every movement of his opponents. Across from him, Ren adjusted his stance, his fingers twitching as he prepared to cast a spell. Beside him, Aiko spun her spear in a fluid motion, the weapon moving like an extension of her body.
"Ready to lose, Kaito?" Aiko teased, her voice light but her eyes focused.
Kaito smirked. "You two couldn't beat me if I was asleep."
Ren chuckled, his hands already glowing with mana. "We'll see about that."
The match began with a burst of fire as Ren unleashed a Fireball, the spell hurtling toward Kaito with surprising speed. Kaito sidestepped effortlessly, his movements almost lazy, but his eyes never left his opponents. Aiko was already on the move, her spear darting toward him like a striking serpent. Kaito parried the attack with a flick of his wrist, the force of the impact sending a shockwave through the air.
"Too slow," Kaito said, his tone teasing.
Aiko didn't respond, her movements becoming even more fluid as she pressed the attack. Her spear danced through the air, each strike precise and deliberate, forcing Kaito to stay on the defensive. Meanwhile, Ren chanted another spell, his voice steady as he summoned a Wall of Flames to cut off Kaito's retreat.
Kaito's smirk widened. "Not bad."
He leaped over the wall of fire, his sword glowing with a faint blue light as he channeled his mana. The blade sliced through the air, forcing Aiko to retreat and Ren to abandon his next spell. For a moment, it seemed like Kaito had the upper hand, but his friends weren't about to give up.
Ren's voice rang out again, this time casting a Fire Whip that lashed toward Kaito. The spell was designed to disrupt his movements, and it worked—Kaito had to dodge and weave, his usual lazy demeanor replaced by focused intensity. Aiko seized the opportunity, her spear striking like lightning. Kaito blocked the attack, but the force of it pushed him back.
"Getting serious now?" Kaito asked, his tone still light but his breathing slightly heavier.
"You bet," Aiko replied, her eyes gleaming with determination.
The sparring match continued, each side pushing the other to their limits. Ren's spells grew more intricate, combining fire and wind to create a whirlwind of flames. Aiko's spear movements became even more fluid, her attacks coming from unexpected angles. Kaito, for all his skill, was starting to feel the pressure.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Kaito made a rare mistake. He misjudged the timing of Aiko's strike, and her spear grazed his arm. At the same time, Ren unleashed a Fire Nova, the explosion of heat and light forcing Kaito to retreat. He stumbled, and Aiko was on him in an instant, her spear pointed at his chest.
"Got you," she said, a triumphant smile on her face.
Kaito sighed, dropping his sword and raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright. You win."
Ren and Aiko exchanged a look before bursting into laughter. Kaito couldn't help but smile as well, despite his loss. They had been training together for over a year, ever since their families had met and the three of them had become fast friends. Kaito had always been the strongest, but today, for the first time, they had managed to beat him.
---
After the sparring match, the three friends were called to the Blessing Ceremony, a sacred event held once every few years for children of noble families. The ceremony was a chance to receive a blessing from one of the 12 Origin Goddesses, an honor that could change the course of a person's life.
Kaito stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his ceremonial robes. He couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest. The ceremony was a big deal, and while he tried to act nonchalant, the thought of not receiving a blessing weighed heavily on him.
"You'll be fine," Aiko said, appearing beside him. She was already dressed in her ceremonial attire, her spear slung across her back. "Even if you don't get a blessing, you're still the strongest of us."
Kaito forced a smile. "Yeah, I know."
Ren joined them a moment later, his robes pristine and his expression calm. "Let's go. The ceremony is about to start."
The three friends made their way to the Rite of Sight, a grand temple where the ceremony was held. The temple was filled with nobles and their families, all gathered to witness the event. Kaito's unease grew as they took their seats, his mind racing with thoughts of what might happen.
The ceremony began with a speech from the high priest, explaining the significance of the blessings and the role of the goddesses in shaping the world. Kaito barely listened, his attention focused on the altar at the center of the temple. One by one, the children were called forward to receive their blessings.
Ren was called first. He walked up to the altar with his usual calm demeanor, his hands clasped in front of him. The high priest chanted a prayer, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, a soft glow enveloped Ren, and the symbol of the Magic Goddess appeared above his head.
The crowd gasped, and cheers erupted as Ren stepped back, a faint smile on his face. He returned to his friends, his eyes shining with pride.
"The Magic Goddess," Aiko said, her voice filled with awe. "That's amazing, Ren!"
Ren shrugged, but his smile betrayed his excitement. "I guess she saw something in me."
Next was Aiko. She walked up to the altar with her usual confidence, but Kaito could see the faintest hint of nervousness in her eyes. The high priest chanted the prayer, and this time, the glow that enveloped Aiko was brighter, more intense. The symbol of the War Goddess appeared above her head, and the crowd erupted into cheers once more.
Aiko's face turned red as she hurried back to her friends, her spear clutched tightly in her hands. "I can't believe it," she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement.
Kaito forced another smile, but his heart sank as he realized it was his turn. He walked up to the altar, his steps heavy. The high priest chanted the prayer, and Kaito closed his eyes, hoping against hope that something would happen.
But nothing did.
The silence stretched on, and Kaito opened his eyes to see the high priest looking at him with a mixture of pity and disappointment. The crowd murmured, and Kaito felt his face burn with shame. He stepped back, his head bowed, and returned to his friends.
Ren and Aiko were quick to comfort him, but Kaito couldn't shake the feeling of failure. He had always been the strongest, the one they looked up to. But now, without a blessing, he felt like he had fallen behind.
---
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. Kaito barely paid attention as the other children received their blessings, his mind consumed by his own thoughts. When it was finally over, he excused himself and made his way to his favorite tree, a quiet spot where he could be alone.
He sat beneath the tree, his back against the trunk, and let his thoughts run wild. He had always prided himself on his strength and skill, but now, without a blessing, he felt like he was nothing. The thought gnawed at him, filling him with a sense of emptiness.
Eventually, Ren and Aiko found him. They didn't say much, just sat beside him in silence. After a while, Aiko spoke up.
"You're still the strongest, Kaito. A blessing doesn't change that."
Kaito didn't respond, but her words helped ease the weight in his chest. He forced a smile, trying to push aside his disappointment. "Yeah, I know."
---
Far to the west, in the Empire of Valyria, a similar ceremony was taking place. The twin prince and princess, Liam and Lila, stood before the altar, their faces filled with anticipation. The high priest chanted the prayer, and the glow of the Holy Goddess enveloped them both.
The crowd erupted into cheers, but the twins barely noticed. They exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with determination. The ceremony was just the beginning, and they knew that their journey was far from over.
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End of Chapter 2