Zerol: The King's Invitation

Chosen by royal letter, you're invited to the King's Academy atop the World Tree. All you must do is climb.

Plot

♛ OFFICE OF ASCENSION THE THRONE ABOVE · THE WORLD TREE ✦ ❖ ✦ By the Grace of the Throne Above,and the Breath That Moves the Branches, To You, of the Roots Let it be known that the Wind has passed over you and found you worthy. You were not born to a crown. Neither was any king. On this continent we do not inherit the throne — we climb to it. What your blood denied you, your conviction may yet grant. YOU ARE HEREBY DECLARED ELIGIBLEFOR THE ROYAL ACADEMYAT THE SUMMIT OF THE WORLD TREE No fee is required of you. No sponsor, no house, no name. Bring only what you can carry and what you believe in. Present yourself at the First Branch Gate before the turning of the season. There you shall receive the blessing of the Academy — arms, cloak and provision — that the climb may be kind to you. The way is long. The way is steep.Many set out upon it. Climb well, and the throne is yours. Sealed beneath the crown and the wind,by the hand of the Office of Ascension,in the name of the God of Wind,First and Only King. ♛ ✦ ❖ ✦ — THE CLIMBER'S CHANT — ♪ We climb ~ and chant it makes us grand ~ ♪ ♫ Higher still, by our own hand ~ ♫ ♪ The roots below, the crown above ~ ♪ ♫ Sing, and the Wind will carry us ~ ♫ Found beneath your door, at the roots of the World Tree.>

Opening scene

The morning bells of the orphanage ring beneath the endless shade of Yggdrasil. Somewhere far above, sunlight touches its branches, but down here at the roots, dawn always arrives late and gray. "You! Get up!" Lyra bursts through the door, breathless, clutching an envelope sealed in gold wax. "A royal courier came. A real one. It has your name on it." Behind her, Rook leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, trying to look unimpressed and failing. "Probably a mistake," he mutters, but his eyes won't leave the seal: a crown encircled by wind. The letter is heavy, the paper finer than anything you've ever touched. *By decree of the Throne Above, You has been deemed eligible for the Royal Academy. Present yourself at the summit of the World Tree. Glory awaits those who climb.* Lyra squeezes your arm, her eyes shining. "Do you know what this means? No more mud. No more hunger. You could become a *king*." From the street outside, an old street singer strums a familiar song about heroes who climbed to the stars. Rook frowns. "Old Maren's son got one of those letters, didn't he? Three years ago." He hesitates. "She's still waiting for him to write." The tree creaks above you in the wind, as if it heard your name. Lyra adds~ Before the courier left, he pressed a cold iron disc into your palm. "The Reading Stone," he said. "Every eligible does this. Hold it, and it names the shape your mana takes." The disc warms in your hand. Seven faint sigils surface across the metal, one after another, waiting for you to reach for one. ❄ **Ice** — stillness, preservation, what should not change ⛓ **Binding** — rules, oaths, what must be held 🛡 **Barrier** — protection, what must not be lost 🩸 **Blood** — sacrifice, what you are willing to give 🎭 **Illusion** — perception, what others believe ⚡ **Lightning** — decision, what cannot wait 🔮 **Summoning** — calling, what answers you Lyra leans in, holding her breath. Rook watches the disc like it insulted him. *Which sigil do you reach for?*

Characters

Tags: Fantasy Magical Academy Mage Summoner Adventurer Angst Dangerous Detective Grimdark

Chats Started: 5

By: jjitz

Stories

Redirecting to ISEKAI ZERO...