The grand academy opened its doors for the first time this year.
Hundreds of students poured in from all corners of the kingdom—sons of commoners, sons of merchants, and sons of noble families.
Everyone dreamed of finding their place here, where the path to glory begins.
In a vast courtyard, where the academy's flags fluttered above, stood the elderly headmaster in his dark formal attire.
He raised his magic wand and commanded silence.
"New students! Today you join the greatest academy in the kingdom's history. Here, heroes are forged, combat skills are honed, and the names of future leaders are written."
Behind him stood seven students, their elegant robes gleaming against their bodies, radiating an inspiring energy.
Whispers filled the courtyard: "They are the sons of noble families!"
In this world, ten noble families rule kingdoms and states. Eight kingdoms are allied with two. The kingdoms that have allied themselves and been granted entry to the academy are:
1. The Luin family—the Dark Lords, the most powerful in secret and in public.
2. The Asterion family – Princes of the sky and stars.
3. The Valks family – Princes of wind and speed.
4. The Ignis family – Bearers of Hellfire, their leaders ruthless yet loyal.
5. The Aqua family – Princes of the waters, skilled healers and warriors of the sea.
6. The Luminara family – People of light, priests, and holy warriors.
7. The Navarra family – Princes of ice, mysterious beings who dwell in the far north.
8. The Draconis family – Descendants of ancient dragons, their blood carries the power of the dragon directly.
The director began introducing them one by one:
"This is Princess Elaisa of the Luminara family."
"And this is Princess Camellia of the Ignis family."
"And this is Prince Kyle of the Valks family."
"And this is Prince Rhyn of the Draconis family."
"And this is Princess Selena of the Aqua family." "And this is Princess Star of the Asterion family."
"And finally, this is Prince Lucian of the Navarre family."
They all stood proudly, heads held high, as if they were born to lead. But when the names were finished, the students began to whisper:
"Wait... aren't there eight families?!"
"Where is the heir of the Luin family?!"
The headmaster raised his hand to calm the crowd: "Regarding the heir of the Luin family... he will be away for a while."
The room froze in astonishment.
But the headmaster offered no further details.
Flashback: In a dark room a few days earlier, Saruto's father stood before the headmaster.
"I want to keep my son's identity a secret. Treat him like any other student... he received an exceptional scholarship.
He will be among the students, but no one will know who he is. I placed him in the advanced class that brings together the heirs of the eight families."
The headmaster frowned. "Are you sure about this decision?"
"This is the only way for him to hone his strength without relying on his family's status," the king replied firmly.
The scene returned to the present.
The students were divided into classes.
The sons of the seven noble families were directly selected for the Advanced Class, the academy's elite.
Meanwhile, Saruto... with his purple hair and hawk-like eyes, stood disguised among the commoners.
His name was registered as "a commoner who received an exceptional scholarship."
But to everyone's surprise... he, too, was accepted into the Advanced Class!
It was then that Saruto knew his journey had begun—a journey to become the strongest and to fulfill his promise to his mother by completing everything at Hartz Academy.