The world was changing rapidly, and there was a small person who saw in this change a hidden opportunity.
While the Iron Legion waged a brutal war against the Sacred Kingdom of Milis, an institution unlike anything the world had ever known was born.
It was called Star Rise, founded and conceived by none other than the first disciple of the Beast God: Aisha Greyrat.
In the tis she lived in Tinaver, Aisha did not stay still for a single second.
At only eight years of age, it was evident to everyone that that girl was more than just her leader’s disciple.
Aisha was talented, charismatic, and brilliant.
Every small action of hers seed planned with cunning and clarity.
She excelled at everything she attempted, earning considerable respect in Tinaver, even if many did not know exactly how to treat the young disciple of the Beast God.
Aisha had a natural talent for leadership, as well as for everything else.
She spoke with conviction and softness, always knowing how to approach each individual in the most effective way. Her commands ca naturally, but they did not sound authoritarian.
On the contrary, they felt like sincere appeals for a greater good, and those who listened found themselves quickly involved in her words, carrying out tasks with focus and purpose.
It was as if Aisha managed to give aning to everyone’s work.
With the help of so of the most experienced leaders, Aisha founded Star Rise as both an orphanage and a school, to shelter the war orphans of Milis, who would certainly be many.
And even before the war ended, the first mbers had already been received. It was a place of shelter and learning.
The academy’s teaching thod included essential historical topics, such as the secular oppression of the human race over the demonic races.
But more than that, the environnt promoted coexistence: humans, demons, beastkin, elves, and many other races studied together, side by side.
Every form of ingrained discrimination was discreetly suppressed and eliminated, often with Aisha personally intervening and resolving the situation.
The children received education, guidance, and a real context about the war and its causes. Of course, this was easier said than done.
There were deep pains, traumas, anger, and fear. But with Aisha leading, no complication lasted long. She seed capable of solving any problem.
Besides being talented, Aisha had been guided from a very early age.
She learned from her Master and her friends to always give her all in everything she did.
Now that she could be considered relatively strong, Rygar gave her a certain freedom to act on her own.
In fact, Aisha had always thought she would be Rygar’s personal assistant, walking by his side and helping him with everything.
But he vehently denied that idea, saying it would be a waste of her talents.
So Aisha decided to discover new hobbies, explore her interests, and set her own goals.
Rygar believed deeply that she could achieve great feats in this world, and Aisha trusted that conviction, because her Master was rarely wrong.
She began experinting with new magics of all kinds, but mainly those linked to manipulating the nature around her.
She trained in swordsmanship diligently and made friends wherever she went.
She also delved into herbology and alchemy. Even if Rygar was not exactly a master in those fields, he knew enough to guide her.
And even though he was not focused on the Water God Style, he was still a powerful Emperor and his knowledge was infinite, and that was enough to provide everything she needed.
Aisha learned so much from Rygar that, at tis, she found herself confused about what she really wanted to do. The number of possibilities was overwhelming.
But that indecision did not last long. In the absence of a clear choice, Aisha simply decided to do everything. And she did it with excellence.
She used everything she learned and absorbed everything that presented itself.
Over ti, the inhabitants of Tinaver began to call her "Prodigy of All Things."
It was an affectionate nickna, but also frighteningly accurate. Until then, there was nothing Aisha Greyrat could not do.
And, above all, she was still only eight years old.
If there was sothing that had generated dissatisfaction in Aisha in recent months, it was her half–sister on her father’s side, Norn Greyrat.
Aisha was a bit apprehensive before their eting; she would not deny that.
Both she and her older brother, Rudeus Greyrat, were considered prodigies completely off the charts.
According to what she had learned from her mother Lilia, and now from Zenith, her older brother had never cried as a baby, and had always been much smarter than any other child.
He learned to read on his own and to cast Interdiate Magic at the age of three.
Although he had gone through hardships that made him decline sowhat, such as being suddenly sent to the Begaritt Continent, Aisha could understand.
It was an experience that certainly would have shaken anyone.
Nothing needed to be said about herself. Her talent was evident, sothing that surpassed any common comparison. In every sense, Aisha was an extraordinary child.
It was not arrogance to claim that; it was just an honest analysis based on everything she had experienced.
She only knew one person who, at eight years old, had accomplished more than her: her Master, Rygar.
Therefore, naturally, she had expectations regarding her sister. If Rudeus and she herself were so exceptional, then Norn must be sothing, right?
Wrong.
Norn was... ordinary.
Aisha was not bothered by ordinary people.
After all, her mother, Lilia, was a relatively ordinary woman, and she loved her deeply.
But Norn was not just ordinary. She was also arrogant, petty, tantrum–prone, and inconsiderate.
There was a mixture of childishness and presumption in her personality that left Aisha genuinely frustrated.
The way she had been raised—as a spoiled little noble of Milis—had certainly left so screws loose.
And Aisha did not know how to deal with that. It was... exasperating.
On the other hand, Zenith proved to be everything Aisha had imagined her to be.
Kind, attentive, gentle in her words and gestures. There was a deep sadness in her eyes due to Paul’s death, a weight that seed permanent, but she smiled whenever she looked at Aisha.
She seed happy that Aisha was well.
In the absence of a better solution to deal with Norn, Aisha simply suggested that her sister join the Star Rise Institute.
Thus, at least, she would not have to deal with her constant presence. The suggestion seed to work, in part.
Norn agreed, albeit with an air of disdain and reluctance, and began attending classes.
Aisha still noticed her occasional bad mood, but at least now she had enough space to breathe and focus on what really mattered.
After all, she had more important things to do than be a nanny for her tantrum–throwing, crying sister.
---
Watching the city of Tinaver in constant motion were Verdia and Rygar. In the training courtyard below, Eris and Ghislaine faced each other with swords in hand.
Ghislaine, with her feline posture, instructed Eris in the most advanced techniques of the Beast God Style.
Eris, with her natural impulsiveness now more tad, followed the movents intensely, absorbing each lesson like a sponge.
anwhile, Rygar and Verdia sat side by side on an elevated balcony overlooking much of the city.
Verdia rested her head on his shoulder, her long, shining golden hair falling like a waterfall, and her body slightly relaxed against his.
Rygar sipped a strong ruby–colored liquor, its burning, woody taste giving him a rare mont of peace.
"When do you intend to found it then?" Verdia asked softly.
"In a month at most. as soon as everything is a bit calr," Rygar replied.
Verdia nodded slowly.
"A Beast God Style dojo will be quite famous... Will you be able to manage it while you are still king?"
Rygar smiled.
"At first it will be complicated... but I’m not going to sit on this invisible throne for much longer either."
There was no castle or palace built in his honor. Rygar had refused from the beginning any attempt to erect a personal monunt for his royalty. He preferred to live in his ho, which was already sowhat extravagant.
Verdia then spoke, a little hesitantly:
"Do you think Gustav is the right choice?"
Rygar gave her a calm, thoughtful look.
"He is Ghislaine’s father, who is my wife... and can also be considered royalty of the Great Forest."
He looked at the movent in the distance.
"But the real reason is the leadership he demonstrated in the years I was away. Even at his age, he adapted to changes, led his people wisely. And, above all, he is respected as the official leader of all the tribes of the Great Forest."
At that mont, Ghislaine and Eris approached, their hair still slightly sweaty from training. Ghislaine comnted:
"It’s a bit strange that I’m considered royalty now... it feels like I’m out of place."
Eris sat down in front of Rygar, leaning back against his chest, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Verdia still lay against his shoulder. Eris spoke:
"Is it? It doesn’t seem that different to . It seems like I was the one who changed the most during this ti, actually..."
Ghislaine smiled and sat down on the opposite side, leaning on Rygar as well.
Verdia tried to slip out of the embrace for a mont, sowhat embarrassed by the presence of the other two won, but Rygar pulled her back firmly, making her nestle again.
The trio of won stayed there, hugging Rygar as they watched the city. Then Eris asked, eyeing the Phoenix Elegant Dragon Sword at her waist:
"Verdia... do you know anything else about Orsted?"
The ntion of the na imdiately made the atmosphere tense.
Verdia and Rygar were working on a containnt for her powers, but they had not yet had ti to focus on it.
For now only Rygar knew that she was a Miko. But they had shared that she, sohow, knew the whereabouts of the Dragon God.
Verdia replied:
"I don’t know... and actually, I think that’s lucky. We couldn’t face him in battle at the mont."
Eris frowned. Ghislaine shifted, clearly uncomfortable. Rygar, always serene, ran his fingers through Eris’s hair.
"Everything in its ti, Eris... We still have Hitogami to consider. And the other kingdoms too. We resolved Milis, but we still have much to do. If everything goes as it should, we will now enter a period of several years of peace. We must take advantage of this precious ti to strengthen ourselves even more."
Silence fell for a mont, until Ghislaine spoke suddenly:
"And children?"
Both Eris and Verdia paid imdiate attention.
Rygar coughed, taken aback.
"Of course... children too."
The truth was that he was as anxious as he was nervous about it. He had never had children, not even in his previous world.
And now, in this world where there were people who could open seas or destroy mountains, he was sowhat confused about how he should raise his children.
Eris spoke, excited:
"Will our children have cute ears?"
Rygar laughed softly.
"Well... if they look like you, that’s fine too."
Ghislaine seed to fall into silent reflection.
Rygar looked at Verdia and asked:
"Are the preparations for our departure ready?"
Verdia nodded with a calm smile.
"Yes. Tomorrow we depart for the Beast territories."
Eris beca a little nervous at the idea. Ghislaine comnted:
"I can’t imagine what your mother must be like."
Rygar pulled the three closer. He had many reasons to return to the Great Forest, but the main ones were to introduce his wives, except Verdia, and to et his little sister, Ruby.
The rest of the afternoon passed between conversations alternating between serious matters and trivialities. The intensity of the past years made the current peace almost surreal. But they were quite busy.
There was so much to be done, so much to live. The night fell softly. They departed at dawn.
The journey was peaceful. The days in the new Kingdom of Gaia passed with serenity. The weeks brought the Rainy Season; the months brought back the sun.
The mating season arrived along with technological and magical advances. Rygar’s life ran with peace won by blood, sweat, and determination.
And so, quietly, a year passed.
---
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