Chapter 5 – The Origin of Seila
By the time I turned five, I was finally able to communicate properly.
No more crying when I was hungry.
Now, I simply tugged on Yuki's dress and looked up at her with what I had perfected into an innocent expression.
"Food."
She laughed every time.
"You're getting smarter, Young Master."
She pinched my cheek gently before preparing warm milk.
I accepted it without complaint. Acting childish was necessary.
After finishing, I looked toward the hallway.
"Library."
Yuki blinked.
"You want fairy tales again?"
I nodded eagerly.
At this age, curiosity was natural. No one would question it.
She eventually agreed, escorting me to the library and reminding me, "Stay here. I'll return after I finish my cleaning duties."
I nodded obediently.
The moment she left, my expression changed.
Fairy tales could wait.
I walked toward the history section.
The kingdom I now belonged to was called Arsia — known as the Nation of Swords and Magic.
But it had not always been that way.
According to the texts, centuries ago, Arsia was ruled by demons.
At that time, humanity possessed no mana. No aura. No refined magic.
Only crude swordsmanship and physical strength.
It was not enough.
The demons wielded what was recorded as Devil's Arcane — a sinister power disturbingly similar to dark magic… yet far more corrupted.
It was not merely destructive.
It attacked the mind.
Records described soldiers who collapsed screaming without visible wounds. Warriors who turned their blades on allies after claiming to see horrors that did not exist.
Illusions.
Mental interference.
Madness.
Humanity stood no chance.
Until mana was discovered.
The texts described it as a "mysterious blessing" found within the human body — a power that resonated with one's nature and personality.
Most could learn to cultivate it with effort.
But only a rare few possessed extraordinary potential.
Those few became the first Great Mages.
The first Archmages.
With mana came elemental control — fire, ice, wind, and nature.
Later, aura was refined into weapon reinforcement for knights.
Humanity pushed back.
The war was long.
Bloody.
Victory did not come quickly.
But slowly, territory was reclaimed.
Demons were driven into the shadows.
Magical beasts were contained.
Civilization stabilized.
And then came the solution that would define the future.
Queen Selia.
The first monarch to propose the creation of an academy dedicated to honing exceptional talent from a young age.
Her vision was simple:
If demons could produce monsters—
Humanity would create its own.
The academy was later reinforced by royal decree under King Porpoise, who restructured it into something harsher. More ruthless.
Its purpose was no longer simply education.
It was weaponization.
Thus, Seila Academy was born.
Its system was intentionally brutal.
Competition over cooperation.
Strength over sentiment.
Potential over morality.
The weak would fall behind.
The strong would rise.
Only those capable of surviving its pressure would be worthy of standing against the darkness.
I closed the book slowly.
So that's why it's designed that way.
Not cruelty for cruelty's sake.
Efficiency.
A system created in response to extinction.
It made sense.
Cold.
But logical.
If demons attacked the mind…
Then humanity sharpened the strongest wills.
I leaned back in the chair, organizing the timeline in my head.
Demons.
Devil's Arcane.
Mana discovery.
Elemental expansion.
Seila Academy.
And somewhere within that system…
A principal who would twist it further.
If history created Seila out of necessity—
What is it becoming now?
The door creaked open.
Yuki entered, carrying a small plate of neatly cut food.
"You've been very quiet, Young Master."
I quickly adjusted my expression and smiled.
"Story good."
She laughed.
"I'm glad."
As she fed me, I kept my thoughts to myself.
Seila Academy was not simply a school.
It was humanity's answer to fear.
Which meant—
It would tolerate no weakness.
Good.
Then I will give them none.