"The Path Of Kings?" Questioned Leon.

"Oh... You still don't know what the Path of Kings is in the first place. Let me start from the beginning: The Path of Kings is an ancient trial left by Noah himself many, many Millennia ago, when we humans first arrived on this continent. The Path of Kings is a trial where the participants go through trials decided by the 'Name Stone'."

Leon nodded, he understood what the Name Stone was; The Name Stone was a treasure that Noah discovered when he was young, it is the most precious treasure left behind by Noah for his clan members and his descendants. Every single blood descendant is named by the Ancient Name Stone, which is where it's name comes from. The stones uses are unknown, but there is one thing every single clan member knows: This stone contains a Will and holds many secrets.

"The Name Stone also decided that the next trial will take place in a month's time... The test for the Path of Kings has also been decided, this time it's a simple tournament."

Leon was shocked, The Path of Kings has never been so simple. All the records of the clan has displayed tasks such as: surviving a month inside the Forest of Origins, Fighting against Prime beasts, traversing through deserts and the Ice Lands, etc. It has never been so simple like now, a tournament.

"Leon in this tournament, you'll participate in it as well." said Izak seriously.

Leon was shocked and quickly asked, "Father why me? Aren't I too young?"

"No. You have gained enough power to participate and I have very high expectations." Said Izak.

"I also need to tell you that in this tournament many, many people from across the Kingdom will come here. Noah allowed outsiders to participate so that we the Kaiser clan will be forced to try harder, obtain what is rightfully ours and rise in ranking." Izak spoke with a degree of unwillingness to give a chance to outsiders.

"Many Schools, Corporations, Organisations and Companies will come this time, because of the prize: The Ancient Name Stone will give the winner 'The Heavenly White Wing Armour', a special armour that allows the user to fly, it's ranking is unknown, however any armour that allows a person to fly will have a high ranking. All the giant organizations are thirsting for such a treasure, so there will be more participants than ever before and there will even be representatives from the big organisations coming to recruit impressive participants."

"Leon, I know it will be hard, but I want you to try your hardest to win the 'Heavenly White Wing Armour'." Said Izak earnestly.

Leon nodded even though he didn't know why Izak was asking with such an earnest expression. "Yes Father."

"Leon I'll be leaving, I hope you spend some time resting, it'll be really helpful." Said Izak thoughtfully

Leon nodded.

Izak then turned around and walked back. Izak hid something from Leon; the reason why Leon was to participate in the Path of Kings: It was because the Name Stone revealed Leon's name. It desired Leon to participate in the upcoming trial. The higher ups in the clan including himself were overwhelmed by such an event, for the first time the Will of the Name Stone sought after a person to participate in the trial.

Leon stood there while Izak was going back into the mansion. Hm, I think spending the rest of the month stabilising my power and increasing the efficiency of the power should be the best for the tournament .Leon thought to himself.

Leon spent the rest of the time increasing his control and spent time reading books. For Leon reading books was a leisure activity, however he still sought after books because he thirsted for the unknown and for knowledge.

During this time a month quickly passed.

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On the seventh month of the year 99996 of the Sarien calendar, Thousands of people streamed into Reon through the teleportation field in the city, coming in groups or alone.

After nearly a hundred thousand years, technology has increased to unimaginable heights, however the discovery of Visions suppressed the advance of technology, however it still advanced very far. Compared to the other kingdoms on this continent, the Sarien Kingdom vastly outstripped the other countries in this aspect.

The many groups of people were all travelling to the same place, to the Coliseum at the centre of the city.

"Look at how many big names have come: Darius Corp, The Scorching Fire Tribe, Lucius Group, The Dual Sword school, they're all here."

"Amazing, these are all the branches of the biggest forces in the kingdom." Spoke another, the entire city was lively as the huge forces entered the city.

Suddenly a great flash arose from the Teleportation Field and a group of Five people walked out of the field, lead by an old man wearing a white long robe, short white hair and a short beard, his arms held behind his back. He was followed by a young man and three middle aged men all wearing violet robes. On their shoulder sleeves there was a crest with a book in front of two swords crossing each other and two angelic wings on the sides.

"The Sarien Institute!" The huge crowd of people instantly went into an uproar turning into a large hubbub, this group instantly eclipsed the uproar brought by the other huge powers . Despite this the crowd instantly dispersed leaving a path for the group of five coming from the Sarien Institute.

"That's Elder James, from the Sarien Institute... This isn't a branch of the institute, they've come directly from the institute itself!" cried out a man in the crowd.

" That's the Institute that's backed by the Royal Family itself." Roared another

" Are they hear for the trials or to scout potential candidates to join the institute."

Everyone gazed in awe at the group of people coming from the Sarien institute.

" Elder James, why are we coming here, to such a worthless, trashy place as this." Whispered the young man arrogantly, to the old man.

"Watch your Mouth, Niel! The younger generation have no respect these days, this is the land of the Kaiser Clan. The Kaiser Clan may have fallen and lost their power over the years, however they are protected by the Royal Family, whom are eternally grateful to Noah. We from the Sarien Institute are also grateful to Noah, a brat like you has no say." Replied Elder James sharply at Niel.

The arrogant boy Niel was astonished and didn't say another word, a simple question brought up a cold response from the usually calm Elder. Niel was from a powerful family, but compared to Elder James and the Institute, it was a force that they couldn't go against. Rumour even has it that Elder James is said to be as old as the Kingdom itself, and is greatly respected by those in the Sarien Institute and even by the Royal family.

"We are here to recruit potential students, to either the technology department or the Vision Department." said Elder James.

The three middle aged men followed behind without uttering a word.

------------------------

Inside the Mansion, Izak was strolling around the castle followed by Leon talking casually while heading towards the Coliseum . Suddenly a servant rushed in, "Master" he said breathlessly.

"What is it?" frowned Izak.

"Many groups of people have come from around the Kingdom... and...and... the Sarien Institute have come themselves, led by Elder James himself." Spoke the Servant, his face reddened by excitement.

Izak was astonished. "Quickly go and welcome them with utmost care," Izak said quickly.

------------------------------

Izak and Leon rushed towards the entrance of the coliseum, There was a huge crowd of people blocking the entrance. In the middle of the crowd there stood a group of five with the Sarien Institutes badge on their shoulder sleeves, led by an Elder that looked like he was in his sixties. The crowd of people stood five metres away in every direction, the group of five from the Sarien Institute were greatly revered.

"Elder James, It's great to have you here," said Izak as he bowed his head slightly, he motioned Leon to do the same.

Elder James turned around and saw Izak, "Ah... It's you Izak boy... How have you been?." Elder James tone suggested he was a very amiable person in Leons opinion.

"I've been very well recently," replied Izak.

Elder James gaze moved from Izak to Leon, assessing him, Leon felt a very warm aura observing him. "Izak you haven't introduced that boy yet."

"Ah... I'm very sorry Elder, this is my son, Leon introduce yourself." Izak motioned Leon to go forward and introduce himself.

"Hello Elder, my name is Leon Kaiser." Leon introduced himself as he bowed slightly.

"hm, Leon... what a good name. Leon are you going to participate in the trial? If you are I hope you stand down, I think it would be impossible for you to win."

"Yes Elder I am going to participate. Elder you don't have to worry about me, I am just going there to gain experience," Leon said with a smile.

"Oh is that so, well I hope you can surprise me" Elder James raised his eyebrows with a smile on his face. "Izak let's not stand here in the middle of the streets, lead us inside."

"Yes Elder." As he spoke he led the group of five into the Coliseum. Izak turned to Leon as they were walking, "Leon go to the participants rest area, I've already registered for you, remember you're participant number is One in group 1 so you'll be the in the first match, don't disappoint me."

Leon nodded and turned walking in another direction leaving the group of five when they entered the coliseum.

As Leon took off, the young man called Niel in the group of five whispered to Elder James, "Elder, why did you digress that boy into not participating?"

"It's because he doesn't have a Vision, but he is still confident, I want to see how he's going to surprise us." Remarked Elder James with a slight chuckle.

Niel was astonished and he just stared off at the distant Leon and he came to the conclusion that the kid was just being arrogant and didn't know what true power really was.

-------------------------

The Coliseum was enormous, able to seat over a hundred thousand people, it was built to be very sturdy. Comfort was a main aspect for the audience and there was a huge screen that projected the fight for the audiences viewing. There were separate booths for privileged groups of people such as the Darius Corp, The Scorching Fire Tribe, the Lucius Group, The Dual Sword school, they all sat in their own booth. Izak lead Elder James and his group into a booth and sat themselves down.

The group of five and Izak were casually chatting when suddenly Lerdo walked in with the previous head of the clan Aster. When they saw Elder James they immediately greeted him respectfully and sat themselves down.

Lerdo turned to Izak, " Izak remember Leon has to win this tournament or he loses his right to become the next clan leader." said Lerdo.

"Lerdo..." Warned Aster.

"Father don't worry and yes uncle I do remember. I think today he'll give you a nice surprise, I guarantee." Izak smiled.

"Hmmph... Just because your son was nominated by the Name Stone doesn't mean he'll win." remarked Lerdo.

Name Stone... Izak boys son was nominated by the Name Stone... Interesting. As Lerdo mentioned the Name Stone it piqued Elder James interest and he started to observe Leon attentively.

"Elder, what's the Name Stone?" asked Niel.

Elder James turned to Niel and explained, "The Name Stone is an heirloom left by Noah for his descendants, its origins are unknown, even Noah couldn't completely understand the mysteries of the stone. It holds many secrets and it's also a treasure vault, however there is no key to the vault, but it gives out a treasure to the winner of the Path of Kings."

"A treasure vault," murmured Niel, as his eyes glittered, but he was disappointed at the fact that it couldn't be opened.

"Haha... If the Kaiser Clan were able to open the vault they would be the most powerful force in the kingdom or maybe even on this continent." Chuckled Elder James. "Legend has it that Old man Sarien participated in this tournament and gained a treasure, however there is no concrete proof and the only people that can participate in this tournament are those that are 20 years old or younger, so many youngsters participate in this tournament... Oh it seems the tournament is beginning" said Elder James as he turned towards the ring.

Niel was dumbstruck, if the Kaiser Clan could open the Vault they'd be the most powerful force on the continent... Niel hid his thoughts. Niel was even more shocked when he heard Elder James calling the ancestor of the Royal family as 'old man'.

In the Arena there was one big main ring for the finalists and ten smaller rings for the preliminary rounds.

"There are two thousand individuals in this tournament this time round, this is the largest number we've ever had in a Path of Kings Trial. The tournament will last five days, the two thousand fighters will split into ten groups of two-hundred fighters for the preliminary rounds, the top twenty in each group will then join another qualifying stage. The top two hundred will then further split into a group of ten with twenty participants in them and then the top four in each group will be the finalists for the last round. There is One rule that everyone must follow, Killing is Not Allowed. " Izak explained to the group of people in the booth. After he explained an announcer came out to explain the rules to the spectators and participants.

-------------------------

Leon entered the fighters rest area, it was huge with space enough to fit around ten thousand people, the whole room was filled with barely any furniture and the walls were covered with bricks. The architect who designed the Coliseum wanted to preserve the simple nature of the Coliseum while allowing comfort for the spectators and keeping the participants rest area to remain simple and barbaric in a sense.

Over a hundred participants were gathered in the rest area, either in groups or alone sharpening their weapons or practising skills. Leons gaze swiftly swept through the groups of people, and then his gaze stopped in front of two people his eyes widened with hatred, they were none other than Kline and Ed from the Rauber Clan. He moved his gaze trying not to catch their attention, but Kline had already caught sight of him.

"Hahahaha, Master Ed looks it's that trashy Kid from the Kaiser Clan I beat a few years back, he's here again."

Ed didn't seem interested he just nodded. They both moved towards Leon walking through the crowd of people.

"Kid from the Kaiser Clan are you here again to get beaten up again... Wait are you here to join the Path of Kings... Hahahaha that's too funny," Kline burst into laughter as he mocked Leon. "You have no Vision and you dare participate you piece of Trash, your clans Era ended many Millennia ago, you're just a minor clan now." Roared Kline, bringing attention to himself, the other fighters started to snicker as well.

"Shut up, you can talk crap about me but not the Clan, You're Clans the trashy Clan. Even at our lowest point, your clan still can't surpass us!" snarled Leon furiously.

"What did you say?" Kline asked his expressions darkened, he started concentrating energy on his fist.

"Stop... No fighting over here!" shouted a kid that was as tall as Leon, he had blonde hair, blue eyes and had a slim stature, he wore a plain brown robe as he walked towards Leon.

"What. Who are you? A commoner dares talk back to a member of the Rauber Clan." Snarled Kline, Ed just watched the boy coming towards them with some interest.

"It' s not for you to know, If you have a problem with that kid, you can meet each other in the ring and duke it out." said the boy, since he was closer Leon could see his face clearer. He was fairly handsome and he looked like he was 12 years old.

"What did you say?" growled Kline, but suddenly Ed put his hands forward to block Kline and he shook his head in disapproval. "hmmph fine... Kid you're lucky, I hope you survive in the ring so I can take care of you." he stared at Leon as he said that, he licked his lips deviously and walked off with Ed.

Leon turned towards the boy that helped him, "Thank you, May ask you, your name?"

The boy turned to Leon and smiled, "My name is Lumios, I am a mere commoner, young master Leon."He spoke very politely.

"Thank you again for helping me, would you like to stay with me." asked Leon

"That would be wonderful, young master Leon" replied Lumios.

"Ah... Please don't call me 'young master' Leon, call me Leon," said Leon embarrassedly.

"Okay... that title was rather long, wasn't it Leon," smirked Lumios

These two boys were very compatible with each other, Leon found out that this boy was 12 years old, a year older than him, he also found out that Leon was his benefactor, because three years ago, Leon protected his father, a member of the guards of the Kaiser Clan from the Rauber Clan.

Suddenly... "Participant number One and Number two, prepare yourselves."

Number One, that's me I should go now. Leon said bye to Lumios and went in the direction of the Ring.

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In the arena, standing at the centre was a Referee who was a member of the Kaiser Clan.

The referee announced using a voice amplification stone: "Ring One - Match One Leon Kaiser Vs Erik Helder From the Lucius Group!"