“Whaa…”

The young child’s mouth twitched ever so slightly, surprised at what he was hearing. Raiden was shocked for two different reasons. The first was because he had believed his whole life that the Holy Dragon Empire was his home, which was the place he would go back to once his training was complete. He knew he had been born in the empire and thus he had an attachment to the idea of returning home someday to find where his parents had raised him before sending him to his uncle for training. Learning more about the place he had only heard in passing remarks of, gave him a sense of belonging, after all it was the place where his parents gave birth to him. The second, and the more shocking reason, was that his uncle’s tone was different. He had grown used to his uncle’s musical voice that seemed to touch his very soul. His voice seemed to mix itself with nature’s sounds as if it was a natural part of it, a melody that was accompanied by the sweetest of tunes. Yet now his Uncles voice was that of anger, it exuded pressure and fury. It made Raiden’s heart beat rapidly, his instincts seemed to try to make him run, to flee, because this being in front of him was dangerous. Never before had he felt such strong fear from anything in his short life. Almost as if a wave of pure compression was grinding him in his place.

Noticing Raiden’s frightened expression Yian immediately realized his mistake and tried to relieve his nephew.

“I’m sorry Raiden, my emotions got the better of me. If you only knew… If you only knew…”

Yian’s face contorted with pain and sadness. Memories he had though long forgotten flashed across his mind.

“Uncle Yian, its ok! I understand, you don’t have to be sad, I wasn’t that scared! Please I will do better next time!” I raised my head to see a worried Raiden.

This child… How I hope the world would allow you to stay as you are. To live with the kindness you possess and the innocence of a winged-priest. Yet life is never that sympathetic. You will have to become something more malicious, uncaring even at times. If only Leila was alive to see you now, her little nephew, as wild and untamed as she was. To think he was able to feel my Qi spike due to my emotions so clearly, he became pale. He might be even more talented in sensing Visary than both his parents combined. This world is truly unfair...

“Look Uncle! See I was just kidding! I wasn’t scared at all. I just wanted to play a joke on you!”

Raiden’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I turned to see this small boy who had come to me on such sad times holding onto my sleeves. Yet all he had brought was joy and a new purpose to this long and dreary existence of mine.

‘I wonder if it is not I who needed him more than him needing me.’ I smiled at him, which reassured him that everything was fine.

“It’s fine child, your Uncle just remembered some unhappy memories. Let’s not dwell in the past. How about we begin with what you know of the Dacia continent?”

“The Dacia continent is composed of four regions. In the northeast there is the Savage Plains, to the southeast there is the Kingdom of Berulia, to the southwest the Holy Dragon Empire and lastly to the northwest the Collapsed Paradise.”

Raiden answered with a beaming smile, waiting to be praised.

“Hohoho, little Raiden, I’m impressed that you remembered all that. We only ever talked about the continent once a few years ago. Seems like my nephew is a smart little tyke.” I extended my hand to pat Raiden’s head, his smooth black hair ruffling under my hand. I knew the child was interested in the world, if not why would he remember this information with such clarity? “Ok Raiden, now I’m going to tell you a bit about all the regions in our Dacia continent. Let’s start with the Berulia. They are the smallest of all the regions, roughly about a third of the Empire, but don’t be mistaken that is still a lot of land. They are renowned for their medicinal and herbal knowledge, though they are considered subordinates to the Holy Dragon Empire.”

“But Uncle Yian, aren’t they in two different places? How can they work for the Empire if they aren’t merged together?”

“Good question my boy, but to answer that we would have to go into the Hydrus Mountain Range. So, let me finish describing all the territories and then we can go into more detail how they interact with each other.”

“What’s intewact Uncle?”

“InteRact. With an R child, it’s how they work with each other and how they treat each other.”

“Ok!”

‘This child…’ I could feel a smile forming upon my lips as I continued. “Berulia is ruled by their King, Adrian Bovem the fourth, alongside 3 sects who support the royal family. One of these is led by an old friend of mine, Joel Beyer. He leads the Nine Lotus Sect who specialize in the medicinal properties of herbs. Then there is the Frigus Septum sect which specializes in poisons. While the Harmonious Disorder Sect specializes in alchemy using various other materials outside of plants. Now the reason why Berulia is considered to be a subordinate to the Empire is due to the tax they pay every year. It isn’t a tax of money but of resources. You see Raiden the Holy Dragon Empire is filled with different types of mystical metals. So, while they have an outstanding military force, along with magnificent blacksmithing, they have a lack of knowledge when it comes to medicines. So, the Empire gave Berulia a choice, face an invasion or send over formulas for their different medicines and their ingredients every year. Of course, the medicinal recipes have all already been gathered, but every year Berulia must send a batch of different herbs for the royal family and a few important nobles, along with any new discoveries they might make. Though along with this, Berulia was allowed to bring in merchants to sell some of the more basic herbs and medicines to the common people.”

I paused to see if Raiden had been able to process all the information. His eyes seemed to gleam with curiosity to know more about the world he had yet to see.

“Berulia isn’t overtly strong when comparing it to the Empire or the Verum, however they have an abundance of resources and money thanks to their trade with the empire. It is by far the most diverse land in the entire continent. Now since I already spoke a bit on the Empire I might as well finish. The Holy Dragon Empire is the second largest region in the Dacia continent. It is led by the Emperor Luiz Priston Fraider, a man of not only great strength but also a genius war tactician. He is not only the symbol of his country but he is the foundation that holds it together. Ever since he inherited the throne from his father, the empire has never been more stable. Although he may be a bit merciless at times, and cruel, his judgment is usually fair. The Empire is backed by the Holy Dragon Clan, which is just the royal family. Their clan has many branches and all the candidates for the throne are selected by the Emperor himself and the leaders of each branch within the sect. Then they choose the most fitting out of all the candidates through several tests. Rarely does the throne go to someone from outside the main royal family, but it has happened. While the Emperor may seem like a fair ruler that is just the mask he must wear as an Emperor. The truth is that while he plays the benevolent emperor, behind him the Holy Dragon Clan acts as his hidden blade. Vanquishing his and the sect’s enemies, bending truths and fabricating lies. The Holy Dragon Empire is nothing but their ‘farm’ which they use to increase their sect’s strength. If it was only to increase their strength and stay in their own land, then it would be fine. After all, if it weren’t for them being exceedingly stronger than all the other sects and noble families, then the Empire would be riddled in wars and conflicts. Unlike Berulia, the Holy Dragon empire is at least 3 its size. This in turn allows for many families to spring up and war is always an issue. With the Holy Dragon clan the conflicts are lowered to the bare minimum. Yet the Holy Dragon clan has always expressed their desire to expand, it’s the reason they forced Berulia to pay homage to them with herbs and their research, and it’s also why they dislike the various tribes of the Savage Plains. If it weren’t for all of us working together then the Holy Dragon Empire would have most likely ruled all the habitable places in the Dacia continent.”

I stopped to see if Raiden had any questions on the mountain of information that was given to him. He was just a child after all, there would be a lot of things he would not understand.

“Why does the Empire want to expand Uncle, and what about the Collapsed Paradise? Why don’t they want that land? You didn’t mention it when you were talking just now.”

‘Always the perceptive little rascal. Seems he will grow to be a smart kid.’

“Well, there may be various reasons why they want every region under their control. Really they can all be described as greed.”

“What’s greed uncle?”

“Greed is something every human possesses Raiden. It’s wanting more of something, whether its money, power, good food. The reason why the Holy Dragon Sect wants the other regions is because of this. They are greedy and want more because they think they’re entitled to it. Our world is such that those with power rule over the weak. Thus, the Empire believes they should rule over all other regions. Think of it as if swimming against the current, without the strength to go against the current you will just be swept away, but don’t confuse power and strength. Strength is a type of power, but magic and Qi are another form of might. As is your intellect and quick wit.”

Before I could continue Raiden blurted out in excitement. “Magic! Uncle tell me more about magic. How do we control it, how do we use it, what does it feel like!?”

“Calm down child. We will discuss Visary when you awaken to its gift. This may take a few years, but knowing about it will only make you more anxious to begin learning it.” ‘Oh Ning, if you could just see your child. It seems the apple truly does not fall far from the tree. This child will surely follow the path of magic in this life, though I suppose his mother would have a say against that. What kind of child will come from one of the strongest fire magicians in and his ice wielding berserker of a wife? I would not be surprised if he would awaken at the age of 9, or even earlier. Though that might be my own little bias for my nephew talking.’

“Ok…” Raiden’s head hung low, with unconcealed disappointment.

“Now cheer up Raiden. Before you know it, we will be discussing magic and Qi. You’re already close to being 8 years old. The earliest anyone has every awakened to magic is 9, while normally children will awaken at the age of 10 or 11. Anyways let us continue with our previous discussion. You asked why I didn’t mention the Collapsed Paradise. The truth is that the Collapsed Paradise is shrouded in mystery. Many hundreds of years ago it was rumored to be a great nation with peace and prosperity, welcoming all who desired a life without strife. Unfortunately, a calamity befell it, and the region is now but a shadow of its former self, or so the rumors go. Even the road to the Collapsed Paradise through the Hydrus Mountain Range collapsed. Every expeditionary team sent out to investigate the collapsed tunnel and beyond has never returned. No one knows what truly happed or if the people who even managed to cross over are still alive, without even mentioning those who lived there previously. It could be a desolate wasteland for all we know. Now before I go into the Savage Plains, since you’re probably wondering what the Hydrus mountain range is, I’ll explain it to you. Do you know why we speak of regions as if they are separated?”

Raiden open his mouth to speak and then closed it. After a few seconds he said with a little uncertainty.

“Doesn’t every country have a border? Like how you have your room and I have mine? So, they are all divided by their borders or walls, right?”

“Well, yes and no Raiden. You see, while it’s true that every country has their own designated borders, they were not established by themselves. You see the borders are naturally formed, by what we call the Hydrus Mountain Range. It is a long… well long doesn’t begin to describe it… it encompasses the entirety of the Dacia continent. This coalition of enormous mountains, of which the smallest ones are around 4000 meters tall, spans the entire width and length of the Dacia continent. From north to south they cover around 6,000 kilometers. While from west to east the go on for about 5,000 kilometers. Somewhat like an unsurmountable wall it separates the four regions of our great continent.”

“Wow! Uncle are you sure you’re not making this up?! That sounds like an impossibly long mountain range!”

“Of course I’m sure! Who do you think your Uncle is, some two bit hustler!? Listen Raiden, these mountains have been rumored to be here before even the dragons themselves! It is said that long ago, before even the mighty dragons, there were giant beast of untold strength. One of these such beasts was an Earth Hydra that is believed to be the ancestor of all the dragons we know of. This Beast was said to be so tall that its legs could reach the bottoms of the deepest oceans, so large that its visage blocked out the sun! Though just like this outrageous beast, there were many such like it. Many battles were fought, and one was on top of our very own Dacia continent. The result was the death of this Earthen Hydra, after losing one its heads, it put the last of its strength to eradicate its opponent. Though it managed to vanquish whatever was able to cause it such pain, it did not manage to live much longer after that battle. It is said that its 4 heads all fell in different directions thus forever separating our Dacia continent. This is how the Hydrus Mountain Range was formed. Though it separates all four regions, there are three, there used to be four but like I mentioned one collapsed, narrow passages that connect Berulia to the Holy Dragon Empire and the Empire to the Savage Plains. There is another location of importance but… well you’ll learn about that later.”

I decided to stop to see the face of my nephew. Much like I expected his eyes twinkled with excitement and a desire that every child his age felt at hearing this story.

‘If only eldest brother was alive. This child has as much spirit as both of us combined when we were his age. He will accomplish all you dreamed and more. I promise you I’ll make sure to help him grow into a being more capable than you or I could have ever been. If he truly has what those geezers were after, then… maybe he will bring about a new age of magic along with him.’

Letting go of my thoughts, I addressed Raiden once more.

“Well, our day is almost done. Let’s finish with your lesson after we discuss the Savage Plains.”