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Ch 1: Fallen Heros, Rising Fury

Year 1315, the 315th year of the Battle of the Endless Races.

In the Broken Star Alliance's frontier city of Xiye, a solemn atmosphere hung heavy in the air. The silence was broken only by the mournful tunes of musical instruments, which seemed to sing a song of farewell to the fallen heroes.

Coffins could be seen everywhere on the vast land that used to be empty. Each one of these coffins was draped with the flag of the Broken Star Alliance, and carried by soldiers in gray uniforms. Their heads were down as they marched slowly. The coffins were being taken to the Hero's Memorial Grounds.

Beside every coffin stood a child who was no more than six or seven years old. He was struggling to read the deeds of those who lay inside the coffins with trembling voices and teary eyes.

"Mirak Valos, 18 years old, fell at the Seventh Defensive Line of the Battlefield of Endless Races. He was a fifth-level wind-attribute ability user and a member of the Combat Division's 77th Assault Squad. He single-handedly held off three Dread Beast Generals. His remains were never found, only his weapon was found."

Boom!

A sound echoed as another red coffin was placed on the ground. It was covered with a blood-stained flag and a memorial wreath. Moreover, anyone can access the entire life stories of these soldiers by scanning the QR Code which is later inscribed on their graves.

"Gemin Rox, 21 years old, perished at the Seventh Defensive Line. He was a sixth-level earth-attribute ability user and a part of Combat Division's 30th Suicide Squad. His power detonated an entire mountainside, collapsing it on the enemy’s advance. He ensured the safety of his comrades but left no remains."

Tears fell from the eyes of a young girl as she struggled to read the words on the page. Along the streets, every citizen of Xiye stood in silence, wearing white clothes of mourning. Their eyes were red from crying.

"Noman Starfall, 48 years old, fell at the Sixth Defensive Line of the Battlefield of Endless Races. He was a Sixth-level Fire-attribute ability user and a member of the Combat Division's 34th Assault Squad. He chose to sacrifice himself by exploding, taking along a group of Shadow Wraiths. He only left behind a short dagger."

The snow was falling gently from the sky. There were at least two hundred coffins in the procession, and as the white flakes covered them, it seemed as if the entire city was weeping for its lost sons and daughters.

After the ceremony ended and the wreaths were placed, the people began to move toward the recruitment plaza in the heart of the city. A loudspeaker broadcasted the words of City Lord. His voice was filled with a mixture of sorrow, anger, and determination.

"315 years have passed since the start of the Battle of the Endless Races. Three of our ten defensive lines have been overrun. In these 315 years, the Broken Star Alliance has lost countless brave souls. The reserves of conventional weapons are nearly depleted, and now, even our elite ability users are being sent to the frontlines. For the sake of our homeland, recruitment will officially commence today!"

"For our families, for our cities, and for our world; join the ranks and protect what is ours. It is the highest honor to serve!"

His voice echoed throughout the City of Xiye. Coffins lined the roads and people’s hearts were filled with bitterness, for those who had passed were the sons and daughters of the City of Xiye and the Broken Star Alliance. The air was thick with unspoken grief. People were left with nothing but overwhelming grief and sadness.

Across the city, nearly all the young men and women marched toward the recruitment plaza. Even elderly and disabled people joined this march. Schools had already sent their students early. All of them were lining up in silence.

This time, the recruitment center exuded not enthusiasm but a deep sense of pain, sorrow, and anger. The air itself seemed to vibrate with resentment and despair, casting a gloomy shadow over the city.

Standing in front of the recruitment plaza, the students struggled to maintain composure, for their hearts were burning with anger. All of them were trembling with suppressed fury. Among them, many couldn’t hold back their rage.

"This is too much..."

"We can't let them get away this time. We must strike back and avenge our fallen brothers and sisters!"

"We must fight back! We must destroy them! We must make them pay for what they did!"

The voices of all the students were filled with fury and sadness. As they shouted in anger, some emitted sparks of fire, while some erupted with bolts of lightning and ice spikes. These students were blessed with abilities and are known as ability users. There is another term to call them—Espers.

The loudspeaker crackled once more. The City Lord, Lord Valtor was a towering figure with only a single arm. He had been a formidable warrior once and fought gloriously on the battlefield, but a grievous injury in the ninth year of the war had forced him to retire.

He stood before the crowd and said, "With the fall of the Sixth Line of Defense, dozens of border cities are at risk of invasion. If the Fifth Line falls, our City of Xiye will be next under the invasion of myriad races. Our ancestors left us these lands, these mountains and rivers. Will we let it all fall into the hands of invaders?"

"So, tell me, people of Xiye, what will we do?"

A roar rose from the gathered crowd and echoed in the air like a collective cry of defiance.

"We will Fight!"

"We will join the ranks and defend our homeland!"

"Join the ranks! Defend our homeland!"

The voices of more than a hundred thousand students, along with the shouts of the citizens, filled the air. Young and old, rich and poor; everyone in the City of Xiye roared as one.

"Old and those under 18 will stay behind to support logistics and production. Only those fit to serve will enlist," Lord Valtor continued to speak. His voice was unwavering as he spoke, "Anyone with disabilities or critical health issues is exempt from enlisting."

"Now, form lines! Schools first, then civilians! After registering, everyone will proceed to physical examinations and then be assigned to a squad!"

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