“Leaving the town?” Ryan was so surprised that he began to stutter. “Le..leaving the town, Master Jalip, you mean to say…..”
“Draenor, you just came back from the imperial capital so it’d be better if you explained it.”
“OK” Draenor took the lead in the conversation and said to Ryan “ Son, the eagle must fly in the sky even if it loves the earth. When you grow up, your stage won’t be here.”
Draenor felt that his throat was dry, so he cast a small water ball and drank it. “Look, son, Magic is everywhere and can make life easier.” “ Well, when people grow old, they become more emotional.” Draenor shrugged and continued “ I will tell you a story before talking about your rite of passage.”
“About 200 years ago, an army of evil undead creatures invaded Eslar continent. In the face of the limitless legions of the undead, human race was extremely weak. Death and fear covered the continent, but humans didn’t lose hope.
A brave knight stood up and raised the resistance flag. His name was Bede Fernando. He rallied the human race and managed to gather more than 200,000 soldier from the survivors of the seven countries and then formed an alliance with the elves and dwarves to fight together against the undead army. This was later known as the holy alliance.
Finally, at the sunrise city to the east of the continent, the alliance fought a decisive battle against the undead army, which was known as the battle of sunrise. In the end, all their hard work paid off, and justice prevailed over evil, and the alliance defeated the undead army.
After the war, Bede Fernando unified the human race and founded the Holy alliance empire and was crowned as the first emperor.
To make sure that the future generations won’t forget about their struggle, Fernando I ordered that the day of the sunrise battle would be an annual holiday and to be celebrated as the victory day. And to raise people’s fighting spirit, he decided to hold an annual tournament in the imperial capital Fernando to find talented fighters.
The imperial tournament was held year after year, and a large numbers of talents were recruited by the empire. Countless strong warriors, pious knights, wise magi and nimble rouges joined the imperial army.
In just 10 years, the imperial army became unrivaled. Fernando I wielded this sharp sword for vengeance. Orc tribes trembled at the sight of it. The orc tribes that were living on the south Tarren plains for hundreds of years were expelled by Fernando I’s army. In order to survive, the orc tribes migrated to the north Tarren plains which was poorer in resources.
Now, human territory extends from the southern tarren plains to the north, the vast sea to the east, Hengduan mountains to the west and the silent forest to the south. This territory contains about half of the fertile land of Eslar continent.
However, as the time went by, The imperial tournament lost its original meaning as people discovered a loophole and began making use of it.
The tournament was held every year at the imperial arena of the imperial capital, Fernando city. As the tournament was held on a fixed location with a one-on-one duels, not all the classes could show their true potential.
For example, an advanced mage can wield magic with enormous power, but they need sometime to gather mana. In a fierce competition who would give their opponent the time to cast spells.
Sharp shooting archers wouldn’t be able to fight at a close range with warriors, rogues or even magi.
Nimble rogues who are forced to duel against warriors in a frontal manner, won’t stand a chance at all.
In the end, the one to win the tournament almost every year wasn’t a strong and brave warrior but a pious knight. So the tournament lost its original goal of selecting all kinds of talented fighters.”
“What happened after that?” Ryan couldn’t help but ask.
“Well” Draenor smiled and continued “ The imperial tournament remained unpopular for a long time. But 20 years ago, The current head of the imperial knights, general of the empire and supreme commander of the imperial capital army, Holy knight Orlando, won the tournament. After he won, he proposed a reform of the imperial tournament. Because of his status as the champion and the embarrassing situation of the tournament, the reigning emperor -Fernando XII- accepted his proposal.”
“In fact, his reform plan was simple and that was to transform the tournament from a one on one duels to a team competitions with each team consists of 5 members. This reform allowed magi to take the time to cast spells under the protection of the warriors. Also some classes that didn’t appear on stage before made their debut. Priests who can only use healing and recovery magic, sharpshooting archers who can take down the opponent team’s rogues from a distance and the summoners who could summon powerful magical beasts, found their place on the arena.
Not only that, but team competition allowed those who were talented in planning and strategies and commanding to shine. And like this, the imperial tournament regained its popularity.”
Ryan said: “While listening to Master Draenor, I became excited and can’t wait to find friends with whom I will share life and death on the arena together.”
Jalip smiled and said : “Draenor and I participated in the Imperial tournament before. But it was really boring at that time. I did okay. With my speed, I wasn’t afraid of stronger opponents. But Draenor was miserable, he didn’t have the time to cast a fireball, finally, he floated in air using a flying spell and tormented the warrior by throwing fireballs at him. Now I think about it, It was funny, seeing the face of that poor warrior.”
Ryan was curious about his 2 masters’ past. It was the first time he heard them mentioning anything about it. But Jalip stopped speaking and left Ryan with a head full of questions.
Draenor said to Ryan : “Well, Ryan, story’s time is over and it’s time to discuss your rite of passage.”
Ryan directed his attention to Draenor.
“In fact, it’s very simple.” Draenor said slowly “ Participate in the imperial tournament and achieve a good result.”
Jalip added “It may simple, but it isn’t easy. Firstly, you’ll have to live on your own after leaving the town. You will have to use the skills that we taught you, to support yourself. And you will have to search for 4 partners who you could get along with. It is important that you and your teammates understand each other.”
Ryan became excited and his blood boiled when he heard that. He imagined that maybe one day he would be like the heroes in the legends, fighting side by side with their teammates for honor and glory. “No problem. I like this trial for my rite of passage.”
“Don’t be excited so fast” Draenor said “Go home first and think about it and discuss it with your father when he return from hunting in a few days. This a big decision after all, and the tournament won’t be held until 4 months later.”
“OK” Ryan said with a serious face “I will think about it.”
Jalip said “Well, you go first, no need to put this face. Young people should be full of vigor.”
“Understood.” Ryan shouted. As he reached the door of the hut, the sun shined on his body. He stretched his muscles and put on a relaxed face and left.