Born of ashes and war.

The House of von Dirshtein

Alric von Dirshtein — heir of an ancient lineage, son of the mighty and stern Margrave Wolfgang von Dirshtein, and the cold yet noble Iseria von Dirshtein. His younger sister, Lucina, was the soul of the family — elegant, refined, and blessed with a rare magical aura.

Their household was once filled with warmth, light, and respect.

But nothing lasts forever — especially not in the year 450 of the Age of Magic and Blade, in the height of the 45th Magical Epoch.

---

War

War erupted between the mighty Vartan Empire and the proud Kingdom of Altheim.

The Empire, backed by an industrialized magical army, surged forward in a relentless assault. Altheim, famous for its academies and its classical schools of military strategy, was ill-prepared for this new kind of warfare.

For most citizens, it was a nightmare.

For Alric, it was the end of his childhood.

"Mother..." whispered eleven-year-old Alric. "Will our kingdom survive?"

Iseria gazed out the window, her voice soft.

"If only words could solve everything… But now, it’s too late. All we can do is fight. But remember this — your father is strong."

She smiled faintly, balancing fear with dignity.

---

A Genius Among Steel

By 451, the Empire had seized a quarter of Altheim. Defeat seemed inevitable.

But that was when Alric von Dirshtein first made his name on the battlefield.

At just twelve, he was already the most skilled swordsman among veteran knights — and more than that, he independently analyzed the tactics of a Vartan commander, exploited a critical weakness, led a detachment behind enemy lines, and personally executed the enemy general.

The severed head of that commander was laid at the feet of King Arterius Elgard Valdenrein.

The king — Keeper of the Mana Covenant and Judge of the Four Academies — was stunned.

"This boy… no, this strategist… thinks like the masters of ancient war. He surpasses many of my generals, not in title, but in mind."

The king offered him the title of Captain of the 12th Division.

Alric refused.

"I don’t want a title. I want you to trust my plans."

Many mocked him. “A child,” they said. “A lucky brat.”

But the king declared:

"Follow Alric’s command. No objections."

---

The Masterstroke

Alric's strategy was radical. Risky. Unorthodox.

“This isn’t a plan — it’s suicide!” one knight shouted.

Alric remained calm.

“If they attack the seventh corps, you must wait.”

“Wait?! Men will die!”

“More will die if you break formation.”

When the enemy struck from the north, Altheim’s forces were on the brink of collapse — but then the trap sprung. Hidden runes erupted from beneath the earth, cutting off the Vartan battalion. Arcane energy surged, obliterating their ranks.

"You predicted this... how?!"

“I simply read their fear. The enemy is afraid of chaos. So I gave them order — and they trusted it.”

---

Truce and Betrayal

The Empire requested peace talks.

At the negotiation table sat King Arterius, General Wolfgang, Chancellor Lucretius, and Alric. From the Empire came Emperor Caelis, strategist Cyrik Vale Morvant, advisor Morian, and General Valar.

All were stunned to see a twelve-year-old tactician.

Still, the talks succeeded. A truce was signed. The war ended.

But not for Alric.

---

Tragedy

Months later, the Dirshtein estate was attacked.

This was no robbery. It was a setup.

Their target: Lucina. Her rare mana made her a coveted prize among envious scholars.

Alric traced the faint residue of her aura… but he was too late.

Her body lay cold. Her mana — stolen to the last drop.

“Why...”

His scream shattered the silence.

But he didn’t cry.

He froze.

"Who said you’re leaving here alive?" he whispered, gripping his sword.

They laughed. One cast a sleep spell. He collapsed. They fled with his sister’s stolen power.

---

Ash

At the funeral, no one spoke.

Iseria stood silent, frozen tears on her cheeks.

Wolfgang flew into a rage, striking down all in his path.

Alric said nothing.

And vanished.

He left no trace. No name. Only a vow burned into his soul.

> “The world believes in justice.

But justice belongs to those wh

o write the story.

And I — am the new author.”

---

Now, he stands among the best of the Magic Academy.

And this… is only the beginning.