《The Missing Myth》


 The Opening Ceremony

    The grand hall of the United Continents Academy (UCA) was a masterpiece of elven design. Its soaring arches and intricate carvings glowed faintly with mana, the light shifting in mesmerizing patterns that symbolized unity among the continents. Banners representing the four great races hung from the walls, their colors vivid against the polished stone backdrop.Erik Miller stood among the crowd of first-year students, his eyes wide as he took in the grandeur of the hall. Around him, the murmurs of students mixed with the occasional burst of laughter or a sharp reprimand from senior instructors.


    The air was heavy with excitement and nervous energy.At the far end of the hall, a raised platform held a podium crafted from gleaming silverwood. Behind it stood the Headmaster, her presence commanding even from a distance. She radiated a serene authority, her emerald robes shimmering as though woven from starlight.A sharp gong echoed through the hall, silencing the crowd. The Headmaster stepped forward, her gaze sweeping across the assembly.


    ¡°Welcome, students, to the United Continents Academy,¡± she began, her voice calm yet imbued with a power that demanded attention.


    ¡°You are here because you possess the potential to shape the future of our world. Each of you comes from a different race, a different culture, but here, you stand as one. United against the darkness that threatens us all.¡±


    Erik felt a chill run down his spine. The stories of the demons¡¯ devastation were well known, their resurgence the reason the Academy had been established.


    The Headmaster continued, her tone softening. ¡°To inspire and motivate you, I would like to introduce the top three students among this year¡¯s first-years¡ªthose who have demonstrated exceptional talent and resolve even before setting foot in these halls.¡±


    A murmur ran through the crowd. Erik strained to see as the Headmaster gestured toward a side door.


    ¡°First, representing the elves of Eldrasil, Princess Aeliana Sylvari.¡±The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Aeliana stepped into the hall, her silver hair shimmering under the magical lights. Her emerald eyes sparkled with confidence, and her every movement exuded grace. Dressed in the UCA uniform tailored to perfection, she carried herself with an air of quiet authority.


    ¡°She¡¯s beautiful,¡± someone whispered nearby, and Erik couldn¡¯t help but agree.


    Aeliana bowed lightly to the Headmaster and turned to address the students. ¡°It is an honor to stand here with all of you,¡± she said, her voice clear and melodic.


    ¡°Our world faces a great threat, and only by working together can we hope to overcome it. Let us strive to be our best, not just for ourselves, but for each other.¡±


    Polite applause followed her words, and Erik couldn¡¯t help but feel a pang of admiration.


    The Headmaster¡¯s voice cut through the applause. ¡°Next, representing the mixed blood of human and ogre heritage, Gurg Balac.¡±


    A towering figure entered, his footsteps echoing in the silent hall. Gurg Balac was massive, his broad shoulders and muscular frame making even the largest humans seem small. His grayish skin and sharp features bore the unmistakable mark of his ogre lineage, but his intelligent eyes and confident stride spoke of discipline and control.Gurg gave a toothy grin as he stopped beside Aeliana, nodding to the crowd. ¡°Name¡¯s Gurg,¡± he said, his deep voice rumbling like distant thunder.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let my size fool you. I¡¯m here to learn just like the rest of you. Let¡¯s make it a good four years.¡±


    The students chuckled nervously at his casual tone, but Erik could see the respect in their eyes.


    ¡°And finally,¡± the Headmaster announced, ¡°representing humanity, Rodger Binter.¡±


    Rodger stepped forward, his neatly combed brown hair and unassuming appearance contrasting sharply with Gurg¡¯s imposing form. His uniform was pristine, and his movements precise, reflecting a disciplined upbringing.


    Rodger bowed deeply to the Headmaster and the crowd. ¡°It is a privilege to be here,¡± he said, his voice steady. ¡°I hope to prove that hard work and dedication can overcome any obstacle.¡±


    The applause this time was more enthusiastic, and Erik found himself clapping along. Rodger¡¯s words resonated with him.


    The Headmaster turned to the assembly once more.


    ¡°These three students exemplify the qualities we value at this Academy. But remember, greatness is not limited to a few. Each of you has the potential to stand where they do¡ªif you are willing to work for it.¡±


    Her words hung in the air, a challenge to every student present. Erik clenched his fists, determination surging within him. He might not be among the top three, but he wasn¡¯t going to let that define him.


    As the ceremony concluded, Erik couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that this moment marked the beginning of something far greater than he had anticipated.

 Class Alocation

    The air outside the grand hall was crisp and brimming with energy as the first-year students gathered in the massive training grounds. The arena stretched as far as the eye could see, its sections glowing faintly with the colors of the four primary powers used by the allied races: green for Nature Energy, blue for Mana, red for Ki, and golden-white for Aura.


    Erik stood near the edge of the crowd, his stomach churning. Despite his efforts during the demonstration, uncertainty gnawed at him. Around him, students buzzed with excitement or whispered nervously about their performances.


    ¡°All first-years, attention!¡±


    The sharp voice of Instructor Vayne silenced the chatter instantly. Standing on a raised dais, the scarred instructor exuded authority, his gray robes billowing slightly in the breeze.


    ¡°You¡¯ve all demonstrated your abilities,¡± Vayne began, his piercing gaze sweeping over the crowd. ¡°Now, you will be assigned to one of five classes: Class S, Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. These classes reflect your current level of skill and potential. They will dictate your training regimen, your instructors, and your dormitory. Remember, this is only the beginning. Your place today does not define your future.¡±


    A murmur ran through the students, and Erik clenched his fists.


    ¡°The top three students, who have already proven themselves to be exceptional, will be placed in Class S,¡± Vayne continued. He raised a scroll and began to read.Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    ¡°Aeliana Sylvari, Gurg Balac, Rodger Binter. Step forward.¡±


    The three students strode confidently to the front. Aeliana¡¯s silver hair gleamed under the sunlight as she nodded gracefully. Gurg towered over everyone, his presence commanding, while Rodger¡¯s disciplined stance radiated quiet confidence.


    ¡°The best of the best,¡± someone muttered behind Erik. He didn¡¯t need to turn around to know they were right.


    Vayne¡¯s voice broke the reverent silence. ¡°Class A¡­¡± He listed several names, each met with a mix of relief and disappointment from the students. Erik¡¯s heart pounded as Vayne moved down the list.


    ¡°Class B¡­¡± Another set of names followed. Erik¡¯s name wasn¡¯t among them.


    ¡°Class C,¡± Vayne finally announced. ¡°Erik Miller.¡±


    The words echoed in Erik¡¯s ears, leaving him stunned. Class C? A wave of disappointment washed over him. He¡¯d hoped to do better, to prove himself. But this placement... it wasn¡¯t the worst, yet it stung all the same.


    He trudged forward, joining the growing group of Class C students. Their expressions mirrored his own¡ªquiet determination, uncertainty, and, for a few, outright frustration.


    The sorting continued until the final names were read, and the Class D group was assembled. Vayne rolled up the scroll and addressed the entire assembly.


    ¡°Your classes are now set. Report to your dormitories for orientation. Dismissed.¡±


    Erik followed the other Class C students to their assigned dormitory, a modest stone building nestled near the edge of the campus. Unlike the grand halls and ornate towers of the upper classes, the Class C dorm was simple, almost humble. Erik didn¡¯t care much about the aesthetics; his thoughts were still swirling over his placement.


    Inside, Erik found his room: a small but functional space with a single bed, a desk, and a wardrobe. Dropping his bag on the bed, he sat down and ran a hand through his hair.


    Class C.


    The word felt like a brand, but Erik wasn¡¯t ready to accept it as his limit. He clenched his fists, determination flaring within him. This is just the start. I¡¯ll prove I belong at the top.


    For now, the only sound in the room was the steady rhythm of his breathing. Tomorrow, his journey at the United Continents Academy would truly begin.

 Shadow Of Recognition

    Erik Miller walked briskly down the bustling hallway of the United Continents Academy, the vibrant chatter of students echoing around him. He fidgeted with a small, shiny rock he had found weeks ago, absentmindedly rolling it between his fingers. It was smooth and glimmered under the warm light, a curious distraction from the thoughts swirling in his mind.


    As he approached the training hall, he couldn''t help but overhear snippets of conversation. A group of first-year students gathered nearby, animatedly discussing their rankings and aspirations. "I heard Aeliana Sylvari is already at the Adept Rank!" one exclaimed, eyes wide with admiration. "And Gurg Balac just unlocked his Aura manipulation!"


    Erik''s heart sank a little. Aeliana and Gurg were among the academy''s brightest stars, members of Class S, the elite group that set the standard for excellence. He often found himself feeling overshadowed, especially when the name "Claire Miller" was mentioned.


    Claire, his sister, was renowned as a prodigy, her skills in Ki manipulation earning her the prestigious Genesis Rank¡ªthe fifth rank in the hierarchy. Everyone admired her for her talent, and Erik was often introduced as ¡°Claire¡¯s brother,¡± as if he were just an extension of her achievements. He couldn¡¯t escape the feeling of being trapped in her shadow, a constant reminder of his perceived mediocrity.


    His father, a former army commander, had always held high expectations for both of them, but they had become a weight Erik struggled to bear. After being unfairly cast out from the army for a mistake he didn''t commit, his father poured all his hopes into Claire, seeing her as the legacy he had lost. The way he praised her, the way he lit up at her achievements, only deepened Erik¡¯s bitterness. He longed for his father¡¯s recognition but often felt invisible, as though his existence was overshadowed by Claire''s brilliance.


    As he continued walking, Erik spotted a few of his classmates from Class C, their laughter ringing out like a jarring reminder of his place in the social hierarchy. "Did you see Erik fiddling with that rock again? Maybe he thinks it will give him some special power," one joked, earning chuckles from the group.


    Erik clenched the rock tighter, trying to ignore the sting of their mockery. It was just a rock¡ªyet it had become a small source of comfort for him, a token of something he couldn¡¯t quite name. He felt a mix of anger and helplessness, emotions that churned in his chest as he approached the training hall door.


    The human ranking system was unforgiving. The Trainee Rank was where Erik found himself, a status he had accepted but never embraced. Around him, the echoes of the ranks rang clear: Novice, Initiate, Adept, Genesis, Master, and finally Transcendent. It felt like a distant dream, a world where he could stand tall among his peers instead of being relegated to the background.If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Pushing the door open, Erik stepped into the training hall. The room was expansive, filled with students practicing various forms of Ki manipulation. He observed them with a mixture of admiration and envy, the way they moved with confidence and grace. His gaze wandered to the instructor, a stern-faced man who was demonstrating an advanced technique.


    ¡°Remember, your Ki is an extension of yourself! Harness it and let it flow!¡± the instructor shouted, his voice booming across the hall. Erik felt a flicker of determination igniting within him. He wanted to learn, to grow, to prove himself¡ªnot just to others, but to himself.


    Finding a spot at the back of the hall, he took a deep breath, focusing on his own energy. He closed his eyes, letting the noise fade away, concentrating on the warmth of his Ki. He could feel it bubbling beneath the surface, a latent power waiting to be unleashed.


    As he attempted to connect with his Ki, his thoughts drifted back to Claire and their father. He knew his father believed in her, but the pressure of those expectations loomed large. What would he think if he knew Erik felt this way? Would he still see him as his son, or would he always be just Claire¡¯s brother?


    Suddenly, a voice interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Hey, Erik! You okay?¡± It was Rodger, one of his classmates. Erik opened his eyes, surprised to find Rodger looking at him with concern.


    ¡°Yeah, just¡­thinking,¡± Erik replied, trying to sound casual.


    Rodger shrugged. ¡°You should join us. We¡¯re about to start a sparring match. It¡¯s a great way to practice your Ki.¡±


    Erik hesitated, but something in Rodger''s genuine invitation sparked a flicker of hope. Maybe this was his chance to show that he could stand on his own.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s do it,¡± Erik said, a newfound determination settling within him.


    As he stepped onto the mat, he was paired against a dwarf named Thrain, known for his mastery of Mana. Thrain was stocky, his muscles bulging beneath his tunic, and his face bore a friendly but fierce grin.


    ¡°Ready to give it your all?¡± Thrain said, cracking his knuckles. ¡°Don¡¯t hold back just because I¡¯m a dwarf!¡±


    Erik felt a rush of adrenaline. Facing a dwarf meant he would encounter a different style of combat¡ªone based on the structured and powerful nature of Mana. The atmosphere crackled with energy as the two took their positions, each sizing the other up.


    As the instructor called for the match to begin, Erik watched Thrain intently. The dwarf focused his energy, summoning an orb of shimmering Mana in his hand. With a quick movement, Thrain hurled it toward Erik, the orb exploding with a radiant burst of light upon impact with the training mat.


    Erik instinctively stepped back, startled by the force of the Mana blast. He could feel the energy ripple through the air around him, and suddenly, a strange sensation stirred within his body¡ªa tingle that spread from his fingertips to his core. It was as if a dormant power had awakened, resonating with the energy in the room.


    He gasped, his heart racing, overwhelmed by the unfamiliar feeling. This wasn¡¯t just the warmth of Ki; it was something deeper, a connection to a power he had yet to understand. For a moment, he felt as if the world around him faded away, leaving only the pulsing energy that coursed through him.


    As Thrain prepared for his next move, Erik stood frozen, captivated by the new sensation within him. The chapter of his life that had felt constrained and unremarkable was beginning to unfold into something extraordinary.