In the midst of the Seven Great Lands and Four Mounts, the rain fell like whispers from the heavens, an eerie calm that contrasted sharply with the chaos inside a secluded wooden house.
Sunlight filtered through its narrow windows, casting pale reflections in the eyes of a young man.
Blood stained the floorboards. Severed heads lay among lifeless bodies.
'Ha... What a terrible way to start the day,' the young man muttered, brushing blood from his shirt.
He looked no older than fifteen. Long white hair draped down his back, untouched by time, untouched by the violence around him.
Meanwhile, in the heart of Dummer…
The Kingdom of Asteria, the largest and most powerful realm on the continent, sat like a crown upon Dummer's eastern shore. Known for its towering white walls, golden spires, and centuries of swordsmanship legacy, it was a land where strength carved fate.
This year, Asteria was ablaze with excitement.
The Grand Sword Assembly, held once every ten years, had returned.
Warriors, mercenaries, wandering swordsmen, and noble heirs from across the Seven Great Lands gathered within the colosseum—a grand arena that echoed with legends of blades and blood.
Trumpets roared. The banners of a hundred clans danced in the wind.
Within the towering walls of Asteria's royal palace…
Clashing steel rang out in the garden courtyard.
Servants and knights stood in silence, watching as a figure danced like wind and lightning.
Her blade moved too fast to follow—each strike precise, each step flawless.
Princess Seraphina Asteria, heir to the throne and hailed as the "Moonblade of the Kingdom," stood at the center, her breathing steady, her eyes sharp as a drawn sword.
She was only seventeen, yet already known across the continent as a prodigy in swordsmanship—having defeated knights twice her age by the time she turned twelve.
The Grand Sword Assembly wasn't just a spectacle for her.
It was a stage.
One she intended to dominate—not as royalty, but as a swordswoman.
"Another one," she said coldly, her sword still gleaming.
The captain of the royal guard hesitated before stepping forward, sweat forming on his brow.
Behind her, whispers spread among the nobles and generals gathered to watch.
> "She's inherited the First King's bloodline…"
"They say her sword is faster than thought itself…"
Meanwhile, in the distant lands of the Hunger Clan…
Nestled in the harsh and unforgiving mountains of Dummer, the Hunger Clan was renowned for its brutal training methods and unmatched mastery of swordsmanship. Though they lived in the shadow of Asteria's grandeur, their reputation as fierce warriors rivaled that of any kingdom.
Among the Hunger Clan's children, Alder Hunger stood out.
The fourth son of the Hunger Clan's patriarch, he was not the oldest, nor the youngest, yet his blade was a force to be reckoned with. Despite his youth, his skills with the sword were said to rival even the most seasoned warriors. His cold demeanor, sharp eyes, and unshakable will made him a terrifying presence in any arena.
Today, as he stepped onto the training grounds, the clang of steel echoed through the air. His sparring partner, a skilled veteran of the Hunger Clan, stood ready, sweat glistening on his brow.
Alder's sword danced in his hands, faster than the eye could follow, yet his movements remained fluid and deliberate, each strike carrying with it a quiet power that felt like the calm before a storm.
"You're holding back," Alder's voice was like ice, piercing the tension in the air. "Again."
The veteran hesitated, unable to meet Alder's relentless onslaught. But before he could recover, Alder's blade struck with a final, controlled motion, leaving the sparring partner on the ground, disarmed and defeated.
"Take a break," Alder said, turning to walk away. "I need to speak with my father."
As he made his way toward the clan's central hall, whispers followed him. His duel with Princess Seraphina was a topic that never faded, one of the few battles where the two had fought to a draw. Despite the rivalry between the two, there was an unspoken respect—one that both knew could never be fully captured by mere words.
Alder's eyes narrowed as he entered the hall. Asteria's Grand Sword Assembly was fast approaching, and the invitation had already been sent.
The question was: Would he join the tournament to claim victory, or was he seeking something far more dangerous?