Eldora—a world bathed in endless beauty and mystery. Lush green forests stretched beyond the horizon, their emerald crowns swaying gently under the touch of a magical breeze. Towering mountains pierced the sky, their peaks crowned with snow that glistened like silver under the morning sun. Rivers, infused with mana, shimmered with hues of blue and violet as they weaved through valleys, nourishing the land and its people. Magic was the lifeblood of this world, flowing unseen in the air, merging with every living thing. It was power, destiny, and the very essence of survival.
But above all, Eldora belonged to one woman—Empress Shia Eldora.
To the people, she was more than just a ruler or Empress; she was a goddess for people of Eldora who had reigned for centuries with unmatched power. Her name was whispered in respect, her rule absolute. Under her, the world thrived, and yet, the weight of power was cruel—it divided people into those blessed with magic and those condemned to servitude. Without the Will of Eldora's blessing, one was nothing.
And in the southern lands of Eldora, nestled in the lap of nature, lay Valeria City, —a bustling hub of trade and culture. Its stone-paved streets teemed with life, from merchants hawking exotic wares to travellers seeking adventure. Vibrant banners fluttered in the breeze, perfumed by the scent of freshly baked bread, roasted meats, and rare spices. The laughter of children mixed with the rhythmic clatter of horse hooves, creating a melody that belonged only to thriving cities.
At the heart of Valeria stood the grand estate of Viscount Thorne, the noble ruler of this domain. The estate was a masterpiece of architecture—elegant white stone walls surrounded by emerald gardens, four separate mansions forming a crescent around the main hall. Each mansion housed different members of the viscount's family, but within one particular mansion's garden, under the glow of the Evening sun, a lone figure moved with grace and precision.
Surrounded by towering walls and adorned with pristine gardens, the estate was divided into four manors, each a symbol of noble heritage. And within one of these grand manors, in a secluded yet breathtaking garden, the golden hues of the evening sun bathed the garden in a warm glow. Vibrant flowers swayed in harmony with the wind, their fragrance mixing with the fresh scent of the earth. A young man, seventeen years of age, stood beneath an ancient tree, his shoulder-length bluish-white hair shimmering like the sky on a winter morning. His sharp features, smooth skin, and deep blue eyes held a charm that could make any woman's heart race. He is Orion Vale, third and disgraced son of viscount vale.
Yet, in this moment, his focus was elsewhere.
With a decent-looking sword in hand, he swung gracefully, his movements fluid and precise. Each slash cut through the air with purpose, his muscles tensing and relaxing in perfect rhythm. Beads of sweat trickled down his skin, glistening under the last light of day, only amplifying his striking appearance.
Swish! Swish!
The blade sliced through the air, accompanied by the soft rustling of leaves.
Just as he prepared another swing—
Click. Click.
Footsteps.
Orion paused, his grip firm on the hilt as he turned toward the sound.
And there she was.
A young woman, graceful and elegant, approached with measured steps. Her long black hair cascaded down her back, flowing like silk in the evening breeze. Her deep blue eyes, identical to his, held warmth, and her fair skin seemed to glow under the golden light. Her figure was delicate yet refined—not overly slender, nor overly voluptuous.
Her beauty was natural, effortless.
A soft, melodious voice broke the silence.
"Brother, are you still practicing?"
She smiled, a gentle curve of her lips that carried both admiration and concern.
Orion, still catching his breath, wiped the sweat from his brow and offered a small, calm smile.
"Yeah, Elara."
His only sister, Elara Vale.
She frowned slightly, stepping closer. "But, Brother… tomorrow is the Blessing Ceremony. What if you exhaust yourself and perform poorly?"
Orion chuckled, shaking his head. "I'll be fine. Also, tomorrow is your ceremony too."
Elara hesitated, biting her lip before stepping closer. "I know… but I just—" She looked down, voice quieter. "I just want you to succeed this time."
Orion reached out, ruffling her hair gently. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."
Her frown softened into a smile, trusting his words.
The sky had begun to darken, the last remnants of daylight fading. Orion let out a soft sigh, gazing at the horizon. "Come on, let's head inside. I need to freshen up before dinner."
Elara beamed, her worry momentarily forgotten. "Okay!"
Together, they walked toward the grand Vale Manor, its towering presence casting long shadows over the estate.
At the entrance, they parted ways. Orion ascended the stairs to his room. His room was spacious yet simple, decorated with a deep blue carpet, wooden bookshelves filled with ancient tomes, and a large window overlooking the vast estate. A single sword rack stood in the corner, displaying weapons he never got to wield in real battle.
With a soft sigh, Orion stepped into his bathroom, stripping away the sweat-soaked fabric. As warm water cascaded over his body, his thoughts wandered.
Orion's room was grand, yet simple. A large bed, a bookshelf lined with old tomes, and a window overlooking the city. The soft glow of candlelight flickered against the darkened walls as he stepped inside.
With a sigh, he removed his shirt and stepped into the bathroom, letting the cool water wash away the sweat and fatigue.
As he leaned against the stone wall, his thoughts wandered.
In Eldora, power was everything.
Those blessed by the Will of Eldora could harness mana, wield magic, and shape their destinies. Those who failed… had no future. They would either live under the protection of others or become victims—slaves to those who possessed power.
His two stepbrothers had already been blessed, accepted into the Voss Academy of Magic and Sword, one of the most prestigious academies in Eldora. They looked down on him, mocked his inability to awaken. Their words echoed in his mind.
"You'll never be one of us."
"A failure like you should just disappear."
I've already failed twice… Every person in this world had three chances to receive the Eldora Will's blessing—at ages 15, 16, and 17.
Orion had already failed twice.
Tomorrow would be his final chance.
Tomorrow was Orion's final chance.
Without it… he would never be able to cultivate, never wield mana, never touch the power that swirled so freely in the air around him.
He finished his shower, dressed in clean robes, and descended the stairs and go straight to dining for dinner. In the dining hall, a beautiful woman awaited him. Celia Vale, his mother—the Viscount's second wife. She looked no older than her late twenties, her bluish-white hair and blue eyes mirroring his own. Her beauty was elegant, serene, her presence warm. and a cultivator at the Peak Apprentice Level.
As soon as she saw him, she stepped forward, cupping his cheek gently asked, "Son, are you hungry?"
Orion smiled. "Yes, Mother."
She smiled in return. "Good. I'll send a maid to call your stepmother and sister."
Moments later, two figures entered.
One was Elara, his ever-supportive sister.
The other was Sera Vale, his stepmother, and Celia's elder sister—the Viscount's first wife. and she also a cultivator at the Peak Apprentice Level like his mother, Celia. More stunning than even his mother, Seraphina carried herself with a grace that turned heads. Her deep blue eyes held wisdom, and though her figure was more curvaceous, there was strength in her presence.
As they sat down, she smiled at Orion. "Dear, how was your day?"
Orion returned a small smile. "Good, Mother. And yours?"
Sera chuckled playfully. "My days are always good when my children's days are good."
Dinner continued with light hearted conversation. But halfway through the meal, Celia's voice softened.
"Son… tomorrow is your final Awakening Ceremony. Are you ready?"
A brief silence followed.
Orion's fingers tightened slightly around his utensils before he forced himself to relax. He nodded. "Yes, Mother."
Celia's gaze flickered with worry. "Even if you don't receive a blessing… nothing will change. You will always be my son."
Sera nodded in agreement. "Your mothers will always stand by you, Orion. No matter what."
Elara leaned forward, determination burning in her eyes. "Brother, don't worry. I know you'll succeed this time!"
Orion felt warmth spread through his chest. Gratitude.
"Thank you, Mothers… Elara
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That night, standing by his window, Orion gazed at the moon.
His blue eyes darkened, distant.
If he failed tomorrow… there would be no future for him in this world.
But even beyond the ceremony, beyond the humiliation he had suffered for years, something else burned in his chest. Something old.
A name. A memory. A betrayal.
His lips parted, his voice barely more than a whisper against the wind.
"I called you my star, my light in the darkness… yet you were the one who cast me into the abyss."
His fingers curled into fists.
"Tell me, Shia… was I really nothing to you?"
The wind howled, but no answer came.
Then, in a voice filled with unshakable resolve— "No matter what… tomorrow, I will receive the blessing. I will become strong. And I will come for you."
With that, he turned and lay down, drifting into sleep.
Tomorrow… everything would change