Three days had passed since Dan's triumphant victory in the preliminary exams.
At Dan's House
Dan stretched lazily, yawning as the sunlight poured into his room.
"What a beautiful morning," he muttered to himself, rubbing his aching shoulders. "Ouch, my body still hurts."
Before he could get comfortable, his older sister Sofia burst into the room.
"Hi hi, how are you doing?" she greeted, giving him a playful smack on the back.
"Ouch!" Dan winced. "I'm doing good… but take it easy, will you?"
Sofia crossed her arms, pretending to pout. "I still can't believe today is your last day here." Her eyes filled with tears as her voice cracked. "You're really leaving to become a knight."
Dan smiled warmly. "It'll be fine. I'll come back to visit, I promise."
Sofia wiped her eyes and gave a small laugh. "Oh, great. You'd better keep your word!"
"I will," Dan reassured her. "But for now, I need to get going. I've got an award ceremony to attend."
Sofia pointed a finger at him. "Don't forget to come back in time for your goodbye party!"
"Yeah, yeah," Dan replied with a grin as he headed out the door.
At the Town Square
The town square was alive with excitement. People gathered in droves to witness the ceremony.
Mr. Richmond, a noble in charge of the country, stood proudly at the podium, addressing the crowd. "Hello, everyone! Today, we are here to celebrate the winners of the preliminary exams! These individuals will advance to the main knight exams!"
The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Yeahhhh!"
"Go, go, go!"
Behind the stage curtain, Dan peeked out at the energetic crowd. "Wow, what a turnout."
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Hey there, lightning kid," said a young man approaching him.
Dan turned around. "Yo. Do I know you?"
The man chuckled. "Not really. My name's Ulys. I've been watching your matches. I gotta say, I'm impressed. For a kid two years younger than me, you fight like a seasoned warrior."
Dan smiled. "Oh, thanks. That means a lot."
Ulys tilted his head, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "But… I found it a bit strange that you're here alone, without your family."
Dan hesitated, his expression faltering. "It's… a long story."
Ulys quickly held up his hands. "It's fine. You don't have to explain if you don't want to."
On Stage
Mr. Richmond continued speaking. "Before we introduce the winners, let's first give a round of applause to the man who supervised our tournament, Greg Denver, from the 13th branch of the Fire Nation!"
The crowd went wild.
"Wooooo!"
"That's one hot man!"
Greg stepped forward in a sharp suit, exuding confidence. "Thank you all for having me."
Dan, still behind the curtain, couldn't help but marvel. "Wow, he looks good in a suit."
The ceremony proceeded, with Mr. Richmond calling the names of the 19 winners one by one. Finally, it was Dan's turn.
"And now," Mr. Richmond announced, "our final winner—a surprise contestant who gave us some of the best fights we've seen in a long time! Let's hear it for Dan Mori!"
The crowd erupted.
"Dan, my man!"
"This boy made me rich!"
Dan stepped onto the stage, overwhelmed by the cheers. Wow, the crowd really loves me.
He accepted his award—a certificate and a bag of gold—with a wide grin.
Greg approached him, giving an approving nod. "Nice matches, kid."
Dan smiled back. "Thank you."
After the ceremony, the winners were invited to a grand party at Mr. Richmond's house.
"Heck yeah, I'm going!" Ulys said enthusiastically, rallying the other contestants.
Dan, however, declined with a polite smile. "You guys go ahead. I've got other plans tonight."
Ulys shrugged. "Suit yourself. Let's go, everyone!"
As Dan walked through the bustling streets, he muttered to himself, "What a day. Maybe I'll stop by Damon's place."
Before he could go far, a familiar voice called out to him. "Dan."
Dan turned to see Greg standing a few steps ahead. "Huh? Oh, it's you. What's up?"
Greg grinned. "Come on, Dan. Let's have a little chat."
Dan hesitated but eventually nodded. "Sure. What harm could one little chat do?"
Later at a Bar
Hours later, Dan found himself in a noisy bar. Greg, now drunk, was laughing loudly with a group of women surrounding him.
"Hahaha! What a fun day! Keep the drinks and the girls coming!" Greg exclaimed.
Dan, sipping on a glass of juice, looked uncomfortable. "Uh, Greg… are you sure you haven't had enough?"
Greg glared at him playfully. "Huh? You talkin' to me like that?"
Dan shrank back. "Eek! Sorry, sorry!"
Greg burst into laughter. "Relax, kid! I'm just messing with you." He clapped Dan on the back. "You're a funny one."
Dan sighed internally. Why did I decide to hang out with this maniac?
Greg leaned closer, his expression suddenly serious. "So, boy, what do you want to achieve as a knight?"
Dan straightened up. "Well… before I discovered my abilities, I just wanted to be a regular knight. But now, with this chi, I want to do something no one's ever done before—I want to become the Lightning King."
Greg laughed heartily. "Hah! Ambitious, aren't you? But do you even know the ranks of the knights?"
"Of course," Dan replied confidently. "Private, Vice-Lieutenant, Lieutenant, Vice-captain, Captain, Vice-commander, Commander, Vice-general, and General."
Greg smirked. "You forgot the Imperial Knights. And here's the kicker—only the princes and princesses from each nation can compete for the King or Queen role."
Dan froze. "Wait… what?"
Greg leaned back, his eyes glinting. "Yep. Since the Five Nations were created, there has been Five rulers of the air nation, Three rulers of the ice nations, Two rulers from the fire nation but Only the weapons and lightning nations ruler that has never been changed,That title has never changed hands. If you really want to become the Lightning King, you've got your work cut out for you."
Dan stared at him in shock. "What the what?!"
Greg laughed again. "I like your spirit, kid. But you've got a long way to go. Learn how to use your abilities properly. You'll figure it out during the main exams."
Dan frowned. "Wait, what do you mean?"
Greg waved him off. "You'll find out soon enough. Anyway, I'm off to the next bar. I'm partying all night!"
Dan sighed as Greg stumbled away. This guy… I feel bad for his health.
At the Goodbye Party
Dan rushed back home just in time for the farewell party.
"You made it!" Sofia cheered.
"Welcome, knight boy!" Damon added.
Dan grinned. "How could I miss this? Let's eat!"
The night was filled with laughter, food, and celebration. Dan spent time with his foster parents, his karate teacher, classmates, and his best friend Damon.
Later, Dan and Damon sat on the roof, staring at the stars.
"What a day, huh?" Dan said, leaning back.
Damon nodded. "I can't believe this is the last time we'll do this."
Dan frowned. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you're off on your knight journey, and I'm traveling to see the world," Damon replied.
Dan smiled. "Don't say never, my good man. I'll come back to visit. We'll write letters to each other."
Damon laughed. "Sure. I'll write to your branch once you get drafted."
"Good," Dan said with a grin.
Meanwhile, at the Edwin Household
Ezekiel, the noble's son who had lost to Dan in the first preliminary match, sat in his room, seething with anger.
"Damn him," he muttered. "I deserved to be there, not him. He just beat me by luck."
A voice emerged from the shadows. "Anger… hatred… it reeks off you."
Ezekiel spun around. "Who the hell are you?"
The voice chuckled darkly. "I wouldn't attack if I were you. My master sees something in you."
Ezekiel growled. "Who is your master?!"
Another voice, smaller and more sinister, joined in. "Hello, Ezekiel."
Ezekiel's eyes widened. "You…"
The smaller voice chuckled. "Shush. I have a proposal for you. Join us, and you'll have the power to take what's rightfully yours. Become a king in a new world order. The choice is yours,If you want to take what is rightfully yours, be a king, you will join us. If you want more time to decide i will give you a week to choose"
Ezekiel glared at the shadowy figure, his fists clenched. "Wait... I already know what I want." His voice dripped with resentment and determination. "I..."
The shadowy voice cut him off, its tone low and commanding. "Good. If that is your choice, then you will serve our purpose well. But remember, Ezekiel... there is no turning back."
Ezekiel's heart pounded as the weight of the words sank in. The room fell silent except for the faint rustling of the night breeze. Whatever path he was about to choose, he knew it would forever change his destiny.
And as the figures faded into the darkness, a sinister grin crept across Ezekiel's face. "Dan Mori... I'll make sure you regret ever crossing me."