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Azur Heart

Kapitel 1: Goals

Nezereth has just survived the biggest Mythic cleansing to ever happen to their world. They have mostly recovered from the Frigid Desolation, their 10th Mythic Cleansing. This world has adapted interestingly to the changes brought to their world by the Frigid Desolation. I watched from the heavens as Nezereth returned to a stable state. The souls of legends from the depths of hell, has resurfaced to enter reincarnation once again. An important event will soon take place in Nezereth.

There are many countries in the world of Nezereth. One of the most powerful, Arcadium or also known as the Mage Country is famous for having the highest concentration of mages in the continent of Patrium. 80% of their population have magical abilities. Having this huge concentration of mages in their country is what makes them one of the most powerful countries in the world.

The students of the Alastair Academy swarmed out of the academy in hundreds. It was graduation day, so naturally everyone was gathered in the academy. All the students of the academy wore a blue coat, an indication of their connection to the Mage Country. The blue coat symbolises the relationship between the country and mana. Caerum was overwhelmed by the crowds of students as he tried to exit the building and he found it difficult to move because the students of the academy were huddled closely together. He was annoyed of all the pushing and shoving and was washed away by the crowds of students. Suddenly Caerum felt a strong grip on his hand someone. Startled, he turned around only to find that it was his best friend, Fulrian. Fulrian pushed through the crowds of students, dragging Caerum as they rushed out of the exit.

"Are you alright Caerum? You looked like you were getting thrashed around pretty badly in that crowd". asked Fulrian.

Caerum was too tired to answer him and only smiled back at Fulrian, grateful to have escaped the crowd. Fulrian wore a silk blue coat outlined with a brilliant yellow, the sunlight reflected off her short, lustrous red hair. Fulrian releases Caerums' hand seeing as it was now unnecessary.

"As I thought, you gotta be more careful next time! Mmkay?" scolded Fulrian.

"Yeah." Caerum muttered softly out of his lips.

"Come on, let's go celebrate our graduation."

Fulrian ran down the bustling streets of the Arcadium city, leaving Caerum staggering far behind. The streets were lively today as it was graduation day for many students across the capital. Caerum couldn't keep up with Fulrian because of his weak build. On top of that, it was a hot, cloudless day and does not improve his situation. Caerum was covered from head to toe with sweat as the strong sun rays beamed down onto his bare skin.

Fulrian finally stopped at Mira square, a popular spot for business and trade in the capital. It was named after the famous Saint Mira, who perished at this very spot. Caerum panted heavily, he didn't have enough stamina to keep up with his much more energetic friend.

"Come on!" Fulrian shouted, "we're almost there!"

Caerum finally caught up to Fulrian. Feeling utterly exhausted, Caerum slumped against Fulrian's shoulders. Fulrian didn't seem to mind and so continued to casually enter the restaurant, Magus' eats. The restaurant was well known for using all kinds of ingredients gathered from the dangerous, yet mystical Magus Forest. Ranging from blue apples to Arblast foxes. The restaurant had a high-spirited atmosphere. It was peak hours, waiters and chefs worked with great efficiency to satisfy the massive amount of eager and hungry customers. Luckily for Caerum, Fulrian had already called for a reservation in advance. Fulrian rested Caerum onto his seat and she sat comfortably opposite him. She planned to have an extravagant feast with Caerum in celebration of their Alastair Academy graduation.

She was naturally very excited, of which contrasted to Caerum's worn out condition.

"So what ya gonna eat Caerum?"asked Fulrian with great enthusiasm

"Uh, I'll just eat..." replied Caerum tiredly.

Caerum strolled through the large menu in front of him, having trouble deciding his meal. Most of the meals listed were created solely for mages to consume. Scratching his head, he closed the book undecided.

"I don't know, why don't you choose for me?". answered Caerum.

"Kay I'll get something good."

Fulrian waved over a nearby waiter to their table.

"I'd like to order two medium Arblest fox steaks, both with some blue apples on the side". Fulrian carelessly threw several mana shards at the waiter as payment. The waiter caught the shards flawlessly and left them to attend other customers.

"Um, do you think it was really necessary to order an entire Arblest fox steak?" asked Caerum.

"Of course, look at you! You gotta eat a lot more meat to grow, you know?" scolded Fulrian.

Fulrian talked as if she was a mother, lecturing her child on picky eating habits.

"Whatcha gonna do now that you've graduated school?" Falrian asked while twirling her knife around her thumb.

Caerum shifted his position as he suddenly felt uncomfortable in the direction the conversation was heading. He forced himself to look straight into her bright red eyes.

"Well, I don't really, wanna tell you." stammered Caerum.

"Come on Caerum, just tell me" replied Fulrian.

Caerum felt pressured, he didn't want to reveal his goals, knowing that it was impossible.

"I-I want to explore the Ultramarine Ocean" Caerum finally answered carefully after a long pause of uncertainty.

Fulrian was so taken aback that she dropped her knife. She quickly regained composure and placed her knife next to her empty plate. She laced her finger together and sat straighter.

"You're still thinking of going to the Ultramarine Ocean? I thought you grew out of these kind of things!" Fulrian chuckled as she half mocked Caerum. "But seriously don't try to cross the Ultramarine Ocean, there hasn't been a person who's gone in and outta there alive."

"W-well then maybe I'll be the first to do so?" replied Caerum uncertainly.

Fulrian let out a chuckle at Caerums retort, before Fulrian could think of a proper reply a waiter served their medium rare Arblast Fox steak in front of the two conversing Teenagers.

"If you're gonna be like that than why don't ya join the silver wolves with me" Fulrian challenged Caerum as she cut her steak. "If you aren't able to complete the Silver wolf trial you'll never be able to survive the Ocean. It ain't to late to chicken out"

She then placed a large piece of Arblast fox steak into her mouth. Caerum didn't know how to reply to her challenge, he knew that Fulrian had said all of this to protect him, knowing him for so long Fulrian had a good grasp on his personality. Unfortunately for her, Caerum was dedicated to his cause.

"Then I will become a silver wolf and have you accompany me to the Ultramarine ocean" Caerum fired back.

Fulrian was slightly shocked at Caerum's answer, she hadn't expect Caerum to be so determined in his pursuit for his dream. He'd always seemed so passive in these situations. Seeing Caerum being unusually determined, she gave up on trying to persuade Caerum.

"Well if that is what ya want then I won't stop you, I'll help you become a silver wolf. Oh and don't forget to eat your food" Fulrian said calmly.

Caerum hadn't eaten a single bite since they have arrived at the restaurant because he was too engrossed in the conversation. Caerum looked at his untouched Arblest fox.

"um, I think I should just eat the apple, the Arblest fox has too much mana for my body to handle" Voicing his worries Caerum jabbed his fork into the apple "I'll be okay just eating the apples" and plopped an apple slice down into his mouth.

After ingesting the last of her steak Fulrian took Caerum's steak, seeing as he wasn't going to eat it.

"Make sure you get well rested tonight, cause we're gonna be having intense training tomorrow. Don't want ya to be dozin off in the middle of a training." said Fulrian after swallowing a big piece Caerum's steak.

Caerum remained silent as he snack on the blue apples. Finishing off the rest of the steak Fulrian rose for her seat, pushing it back in place.

"I'm stuffed, remember we got trainin tomorrow". Fulrian reminded Caerum as she strolled silently out of the restaurant.

Caerum exited the doors of the restaurant after sitting in his seat silently for a few minutes. What met Caerum outside the restaurants door was a big commotion. As tired as he was, curiosity got the better of Caerum and he went to investigate. A small group of earth mages wearing blue coats; each of them having a badge with a mountain on it and green stripes lining their arms. They were part of the lower earth division in the Arcadium Military. Running from these patrolling soldiers was a man dressed in white, carrying a radiant, pure white spear. "Stop that thief!" Just when it looked as if the man was about to escape, more mages appeared out of the alleyways. They wore a badge showing a picture of a gust of wind, they were the mages from the lower wind mage division. The wind mages whipped up a layer of wind that surrounded the man and he was left with no escape routes.

"Shit!" the thief cursed.

Desperate, the man was forced to use his hands. He raised the stolen spear, pouring his mana into it.

"ANGEL DESCENT!".

"Get back! Everyone, now!" The leader commanded.

Caerum watched the entire scene unfolded, thinking to himself. Would he really be able to become part of the Silver Wolves? Most of the magical organisations required people to be mages first in order to join the military, to be part of the Epic enforcers. Watching them in action gave the impression to Caerum that not a single person in the military was without magical abilities.

The spear wielding man unfurled his newly formed wings, using the chaos brought by his angelic transformation to hastily escape. Powerless to stop him, the mages could only watch as the man tried escape.

Then out of nowhere, a purple distortion appeared beside the thief. A man shrouded by a purple cloak leaped out of the distortion, it was another epic enforcer, evident by his purple cloak lined with the colour gold. Taken by surprise, the angelic man was not able to react quick enough and got his spear knocked away from his hands. Having his spear knocked out from his hand,he completely lost his angelic form. The epic enforcer grabbed the man and spear before warping onto the ground. The warp mage handed the criminal over to the military silently, leaving the thief for the military to handle, before warping away.

The crowd lingered for a moment before dispersing completely after the criminal was caught. Gossip started about the mysterious warp mage, praising the ability of the warp mage.

Caerum felt a bit dejected, he wasn't born with magic ability. He wasn't strong or a strategic guy. With all these mediocre qualities, how was he going to stand out against all the other mages of the magical nation? These unreachable heights that even Legends, couldn't overcome. Caerum shrugged these thoughts off, he didn't need to think about these things for now. Nevertheless he couldn't help but feel a small feeling of hopelessness in his heart.