Shattered Destiny : Fate

Almost two years had passed since Ajax began training with Professor Rushford. During that time, Regalia hosted a grand festival to celebrate 500 years of peace between the three nations. Unfortunately, Ajax couldn't attend due to a fever, but he heard all about it.

There were lively celebrations and a tournament won by a beast with incredible strength despite having no magic. His skin was impervious to swords, and magic seemed to have no effect on him. The city was filled with powerful magical displays, and someone even set their entire body on fire without getting burned—though the fire did damage the auditorium. The Sacred Six gave a speech, and their presence was so overwhelming that it left the crowd in awe.

A lot had changed since then. Storm, who had once felt left behind, poured himself into training with relentless determination. He sharpened his magical abilities, swordsmanship, and combat skills, becoming one of the most feared students at the academy. No longer just a supportive friend, Storm had transformed into a formidable force, capable of defeating most Alpha Ranks in battle.

Ajax, on the other hand, had become a legend. Since being recognized as an Alpha Rank, countless challengers had come for him, hoping to test their strength against the boy they thought was too young for such a title. But each duel ended the same—with Ajax's effortless victory. His reputation grew until even the Alpha Ranks were hesitant to face him. Ajax wore his strength quietly, but the weight of his victories only added to his mystique.

Amidst the duels and his growing reputation, Ajax had a brief break to return home for a week. He spent most of his time visiting the spot where he used to meet Emy, but no matter how many times he went, she never appeared. Each visit left him with a quiet ache, wondering where she was or if he would ever see her again.

Berry, too, had been working on herself. Although she wasn't as strong as Storm or Ajax, she could more than hold her own in a fight. Her determination had earned her respect, and she continued to grow stronger with each passing day.

One afternoon, Ajax and Storm were summoned by the school authorities. They were ushered into the office, where a serious conversation awaited them.

"We've received a transfer request for both of you," one of the officials began. "It's from one of the most prestigious schools in the nation, Crownshard Academy at Regalia—the royal capital. They've been requesting you for a while now, but we wanted to wait until Ajax turned ten, so you could go together."

Ajax and Storm exchanged surprised glances, but there was no hesitation. They trusted each other completely, and as long as they had each other's backs, they could face anything.

In the corner of the room stood another figure—a girl, about Ajax's age. She looked vaguely familiar to both Storm and Ajax, but they held their curiosity until the officials finished speaking.

"You'll be transferred in a week's time, so prepare yourselves," the official concluded, his eyes moving from Ajax to Storm and then to the girl.

As soon as they left the office, Storm couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. "I know I've seen you before. Where do I know you from?"

Before she could answer, Lucius spoke in Ajax's mind. "She was there during your duel with Berry. The girl who was sitting alone in the auditorium."

The girl smiled and nodded. "My name is Lisa. I come from a third-class noble family." She explained. Her parents were commoners who worked their way up, but because of their status, she'd always been alone. That's why she was sitting in the auditorium by herself that day. But like her parents, she was skilled. She possessed wind and fire magic, and her dream was to become a hero so she could raise her family's status to second-class and silence the critics.

Storm and Ajax, despite knowing her status, weren't phased at all. They immediately befriended her, their connection solidified by shared ambitions and strength.

The three of them spent the rest of the day bidding their goodbyes. Ajax made a point to visit Professor Rushford to inform him of his imminent departure. Upon hearing the news, Professor Rushford was both proud and overjoyed. As a parting gift, he gave Ajax three of his favorite books on spell creation, encouraging him to continue his studies wherever he went.

Berry, now thirteen and on the verge of graduating, had not been included in the transfer. Her journey was set on a different path—soon, she would begin her career as a mage at the royal palace, a goal she had diligently worked toward since childhood. When it came time to say her farewells to Ajax and Storm, Berry shared all the advice she could muster, her words laced with both wisdom and affection.

"Keep pushing yourselves, but don't forget to rest. And Ajax," she added with a playful smile, "no more keeping secrets, alright?"

Ajax chuckled and nodded. "No more secrets, I promise."

The three of them—Ajax, Storm, and Berry—stood together for a moment, knowing that this was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. They promised to meet again, no matter how much time passed or how far apart they were.

As the week drew to a close, Ajax, Storm, and Lisa prepared for their journey to the prestigious new school. The road ahead was uncertain, but with new friends and old promises, they were ready for whatever came next.