Chapter 3: Echoes of the past
After a long, silent gaze between them, the door of the room suddenly opened. A slender girl with green hair and yellow eyes stepped in, wearing simple maid clothes and carrying a breakfast tray. She looked at Daniel and spoke in a soft voice:
«Sir, have you woken up?»
Oh… it's Bianca.
Daniel replied instinctively:
«Yes, I just woke up now.»
She gave him a gentle smile and placed the tray beside him.
«Well, sir, here is your usual breakfast.»
The meal consisted of fresh fruits, grilled eggs, venison, and a cup of white tea, the rare kind found only in the Northern Empire.
Daniel smiled faintly and thanked her.
As usual… Bianca hadn't changed.
Bianca Vincent.
Daughter of Count Vincent… or rather, the former Count.
Her family had fallen and dissolved entirely after the Four Great Powers discovered their involvement in the slave trade and dealings with demons.
Well… they deserved it, but executing them all was a bit excessive.
Bianca was the only one who survived. The youngest of her siblings, and the cleverest.
She hid this truth well… but I discovered it in my past life.
I could consider Bianca a childhood friend.
She had been with me for over ten years, after all.
«Thank you, Bianca. I'll go take a bath first.»
«Of course, sir. I've prepared the bath in advance.»
The Four Great Powers are divided into four forces, each ruling one of the four continents.
First: The Mamluks, located in the southern continent.
A power renowned for its vast numbers and mastery of the Absolute Sword, channeling Space Aether to manifest their aura.
They are ruled by the royal family, Cladomor, under King Teviz Cladomor, ranked second among the top ten strongest in the world.
…A monster. Overcoming him in my past life was nearly impossible.
Second: The Holy Empire, in the western continent.
Its name says it all.
They strictly follow the ruler's law, which is absolute.
They wield influence considered the greatest in the world, known for their unusual manipulation of the aether and their mastery of healing and sacred magic.
No one dares to interfere with them, and they do not intervene in the affairs of the other three continents.
Third: The Eastern Continent…
Unlike the first two, it is governed not by a country, but by an organization: The Tower of Magic.
A colossal tower visible from thousands of kilometers away. Some say it was built for show; others say it was built to house forbidden labs and experiments.
A magical barrier surrounds it, nearly impossible to penetrate.
It was created by the genius mastermind George Astaros, who breached the Nine-Star Barrier at just thirty years old… and inventor of Star Magic.
Even though he relied solely on magic and Space Aether, he reached the fourth rank among the top ten strongest.
Finally: The Northern Empire.
Its name is simple, but its weight is unmatched.
It rules the northern continent under the strongest leader,
Ranked first among the top ten:
Arnold Lionhard, nicknamed The Strongest.
Among all the Great Powers, the Northern Empire is the mightiest.
But why?
Because of influence? No.
Because of sheer numbers? No.
It is because of the diversity of their powers and their mastery.
The Northern Empire is the only one to include aura sword knights, offensive and defensive magicians of seven- and five-star ranks.
But the real reason… is the academy.
Oxford Academy for the Elite.
It recruits students from all continents and has multiple unparalleled specializations.
And… that is me.
Daniel Lionhard,
Third son of Arnold Lionhard,
And the first heir to the throne.
«Well… I suppose I should speak with Sylvia.»
After finishing his bath, Daniel immediately went to his room.
He found Sylvia standing by the window, staring outside with an unreadable expression.
He sighed and said:
«So… how are you? It's been a long time… or maybe it hasn't.»
Sylvia waited a few seconds before responding quietly:
«Maybe…»
Of course, she did not speak out loud.
Their souls were connected, communicating silently.
«Come on… what's wrong? Why are you upset?»
Her reply came, controlled yet sharp:
«Upset? You act like it doesn't matter… but it does to me.
How long are you going to keep doing this, for heaven's sake?!»
He looked at her with a hint of doubt:
«Well… you already know, don't you?
Until we reach the ****.»
She lowered her head quietly:
«Who knows… maybe you're right.»
Daniel gave a faint smile and patted her small head:
«Alright. I promise… this will be the last time.
It has to be.»
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