The giant gates of Ryuki Dojo creaked open as the morning light hit them, and all the mage units began marching toward it. One after another, they entered. The dojo's great hall was now filled — shoulder to shoulder — with mages in uniform, their eyes reflecting both duty and tension.
Kaen came running through the crowd, searching, pushing past taller mages.
"Brother! Brother!" he shouted, panting.
Veon turned his head. "I'm here."
Kaen stopped in front of him, slightly out of breath. "I heard... I heard we're going to fight tomorrow. I want to go!"
Veon stepped forward and placed a firm hand on Kaen's shoulder.
"You can't go," he said calmly. "You're just twelve. The minimum age to join a battle unit is sixteen."
Kaen's brows furrowed. "Please... I want to fight. I'm strong too! I'm already a sub-elite!"
Veon's expression tightened. He crouched down slightly to look Kaen in the eyes. His voice lowered, filled with both care and firmness.
