GUARDIANS

V. Permanent Leader

Kingdom of Stap

The Kingdom of Stap lay far to the North, a realm shrouded in an unending, biting blizzard. The icy winds howled like wolves hunting in the distance, and the land was blanketed in thick, unyielding snow. The freezing temperatures made it a place where, to most, survival was impossible. Yet, the Stapians proved the world wrong. They found a way to thrive in this harsh environment, building the largest, most intricate heater ever seen across all kingdoms—a monumental marvel that supplied heat to every home, business, and establishment in the kingdom. It wasn't just a source of warmth; it was the lifeblood of the entire kingdom, generating electricity and keeping the people alive through the unforgiving winter.

If the Kingdom of Watch had UCA, the Kingdom of Stap had Nalia Academy, or simply NA. The name was simple, easy to remember—but not to be underestimated. While UCA was considered the more prestigious of the two, boasting its superior reputation, NA was known for its unique blend of intelligence and adaptability. Where UCA shined in fields of knowledge and innovation, NA excelled in navigating the brutal conditions of their frozen world, combining intellect with resilience. And, of course, they had the snow—the unrelenting, constant presence of it that shaped their lives in ways no other kingdom could fully understand.

Outside the warm embrace of the heater's reach, a lone figure trudged through the thick, powdery snow of the forest. A man, cloaked in a dark hood, moved with purpose, each step leaving a clear imprint in the pristine snow. The sky above was bright yet harsh, a pale, winter sun fighting through a blanket of white clouds. His ocean-blue eyes scanned the horizon as he approached a towering, ancient tree—its limbs heavy with the weight of snow, its bark as cold as the air around it.

The man paused, sitting down onto the thick layer of snow beneath him, staring out toward the distant kingdom. His thoughts drifted, contemplating the weight of the world, the challenges ahead. The air was still, save for the occasional gust of wind, but then—

He heard footsteps.

With the precision of someone accustomed to danger, the man's finger twitched. Snowflakes seemed to swirl around his hand as an ice spear materialized from the air, gleaming coldly. The sharp point of the weapon hovered in midair, aimed directly at the intruder's face.

"Whoops! I'm a friend!" The stranger raised both hands in mock surrender, his grin wide and easy, clearly unperturbed by the weapon aimed at him.

The man's gaze remained impassive, eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the newcomer. Slowly, the ice spear dissipated into the frigid air, transforming into delicate snowflakes that fluttered to the ground. "What are you doing here, Headmaster? Aren't you supposed to be at UCA?"

"Ah, Marcellus," the Headmaster replied with a chuckle, lowering his hands. "Good morning to you, too. I got a call from Professor Luxe. He wants the Four Academies Tournament here in Nalia next academic year."

Marcellus gave him a fleeting glance but said nothing, his expression unreadable. His attention remained fixed on the kingdom in the distance, the winds howling softly in his ears.

The Headmaster, undeterred, took a few steps closer. "You know why I'm really here, don't you?"

Marcellus' lips thinned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Was it because I saw something I shouldn't have?"

The Headmaster shook his head, his smile fading into something more serious. "No, not just that. The present is still out there. You've sensed it, haven't you? And the seal Divine placed—it's cracking."

Marcellus didn't respond immediately. His gaze moved from the Headmaster to the horizon again, where the snowstorm seemed to grow even more intense, swallowing everything in its wake. His voice was calm, almost detached, when he finally spoke. "You've told me every truth as if I'm the only one who could do something about it."