The events of this battle took place in the year 251. Hundreds of human soldiers lay dead across the field, their armor broken and their weapons scattered. Among them were the bodies of magical beings such as dragons, elves, and giants. The ground was burned, torn apart, and stained with blood, showing the great cost of the conflict.

  Despite this destruction, three warriors were still fighting.

  These figures were the siblings Henry, Alicia, and Leonard Viamnova. Henry Viamnova wore full plate armor, black in color and damaged from battle. Alicia and Leonard wore the robes of trained spellcasters. Together, the three were engaged in battle with a dragon, whose name has not been recorded.

  Henry charged forward and leapt toward the creature, shouting as he did,

  “The first rule of fighting a dragon is to cut its wings.”

  The dragon responded by breathing fire at him. However, Henry did not retreat. He struck through the flames and severed the dragon’s left wing with his great sword. The creature roared loudly as it fell to the ground in pain.

  Henry landed shortly after, but his victory came at a cost. His left arm suddenly burst into golden flames, spreading across his armor. Alicia Viamnova spoke immediately, reprimanding him.

  “The second rule of fighting a dragon is to never attack while it is breathing fire.”

  Leonard Viamnova casted a spell on Henry’s arm. The flames weakened and slowly faded. Leonard explained that the arm had been cursed by the dragon’s fire. He stated that once Henry’s mana was exhausted, the flames would return, and that there was no known way to remove the curse.

  Henry replied calmly that there was still a solution. He said that as long as he did not run out of mana, the curse could be controlled. Leonard would therefore need to ensure that Henry did not deplete his strength.

  At that moment, the dragon began to rise again, despite its severe injuries. Seeing this, Henry spoke once more. He ordered that the creature be killed so they could continue their advance toward the Spire.

  The three warriors prepared for battle again as the wounded dragon stood before them.

  This battle was only a prelude to the final and greatest conflict of the Great War, known as the Battle of Champions. It took place in what was then called the Spire, later renamed the Tower of Wisdom, a massive structure that rose higher than the clouds.

  It is said that the strongest warriors of every faction arrived at the Spire at the same time. Whether this is true, or whether the fighting lasted long enough for those who arrived later to join the battle, remains uncertain. What is known as fact is that the ultimate victors of the battle were the Viamnova siblings.

  While smaller conflicts continued for some time afterward, most historians agree that this moment marked humanity’s victory in the Great War. At the Spire, the Viamnovas obtained power sealed within it. The Power of Champions allowed a single individual to wield the combined strength of all humanity.

  With the Spire conquered, the armies of mankind advanced. King William the Second marched with them. Upon reaching the highest floor of the Spire, he proclaimed the Viamnova family to be the official protectors of humanity and named Henry Viamnova as Humanity’s Champion.

  The second proclamation was largely unnecessary, as Henry had already claimed the Power of the Champion for himself.

  On that day, nearly all races bent the knee to the Kingdom of Humans. All but three remained in defiance: the elves, the fairies, and the dragons.

  The conflicts that followed were brief but decisive. The elves were the first to fall. Though they were powerful in magic, their long lifespans made them resistant to reproduction, leaving their population small. As the war continued across three human generations, their numbers declined to catastrophic levels.

  In humanity’s first and final invasion of elven lands, led by Henry Viamnova himself, the elves were driven to extinction. It is recorded that Senex, the last Elven King, spoke his final words as follows: “We need a champion. Bring a human and make him our champion.”

  Radomina the Wise, Queen of the Fairies at the time, witnessed the fate of the elven race. True to her title, she chose submission over destruction and bent the knee to humanity.

  That left only the dragons, and it was here that humanity made a grave mistake.

  It was widely agreed that an invasion of dragon lands was impossible. The mermaids reported that the seas surrounding the region were boiling. Harpies and fairies could not hope to mount an aerial assault with so many dragons guarding the skies. The dwarves attempted infiltration through underground mines, but were stopped at every turn by rivers of lava.

  Despite this, the King of Humans chose a far bolder strategy. He ordered a full land assault, led by the Champion of Humanity, Henry Viamnova.

  The result was a massacre.

  Nearly eighty percent of the human forces were killed. Among the dead was King William the Second, the last surviving member of the royal bloodline. Also, among the fallen was Henry Viamnova, Champion of Humanity.

  Historical records agree that Henry did not die immediately in battle. Instead, he perished shortly afterward, when the dragon curse reignited, just as Leonard Viamnova had warned. Within mere seconds, his cursed arm burned completely to ash.

  Alicia Viamnova, one of the few survivors of the invasion, later stated that her brother did not fall without resistance. In her account, she recalls that when Henry realized he was mortally wounded and surrounded by enemies, he raised his sword one final time and charged his attackers.

  According to her testimony, in a single moment he severed the head of T-Uafásach the Terrible, Dragon Lord of that era. Because of this act, the dragons were denied a complete victory over humanity.

  Nonetheless, this defeat was a devastating blow to humanity. The Champion had been lost only a short time after his ascension, and the kingdom was left without a ruler following the death of King William the Second.

  In the years that followed, Alicia Viamnova never forgave her younger brother, Leonard, for his refusal to take part in the invasion of dragon lands. Records show that Leonard had also opposed the earlier invasion of elven territory. Prior to those events, he is quoted as saying, “The war is won. It is time for peace. Surely, surely we can find a way to make the elves understand that.”

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  The destruction of the elven race and the attack that followed convinced Leonard to refuse all future military actions.

  Alicia did not share this belief.

  Accounts describe their first meeting after the battle as bitter and hostile. Alicia is recorded as having called him a coward, accusing him of abandoning his duty. She blamed him for Henry’s death, claiming that he had failed to protect their brother. “It was your job to keep him alive.” According to one source, she accused Leonard of caring more for his pride than for his family.

  She is also said to have mock Leonard loudly in front of the whole nobility. “Henry used to call you Leonard the Lacking,” followed by the words, “How right he was.”

  At the same time, urgent action was required to maintain humanity’s dominance over the other races. Without a Champion or a King, the balance of power was at risk. The lords and generals of humanity agreed that the position of Champion needed to be filled before a new king could be chosen.

  Alicia Viamnova was widely considered the most suitable candidate.

  However, before any formal decision could be made, Leonard acted on his own. He traveled alone to the highest level of the Spire. There, he claimed the Power of Champions for himself, becoming the second Champion of Humanity.

  This event threw the forces of humanity into immediate disorder. The truth could not be concealed, for when a Champion is elevated, every member of the human race becomes aware of who now holds the title. Panic spread quickly among the lords and generals.

  Many of them reacted with fury. Records show that several plans were proposed to capture or even execute the new Champion of Humanity. Alicia Viamnova firmly rejected all such ideas. She is quoted saying, “Fools. Once one becomes a Champion, no one can stand in their way.” She insisted that Leonard be left to her, believing she could convince him to relinquish the power by proving he was unworthy of it.

  Leonard never gave her that opportunity.

  Immediately after claiming the Power of Champions, Leonard Viamnova moved alone into dragon territory.

  Very little is known about what occurred during this time. Both Leonard and the dragons rarely spoke of the events that followed. What is known is that Leonard met with Teach, who had become the new Dragon Lord after the death of T-Uafásach the Terrible. Through this meeting, Leonard succeeded in negotiating a peace treaty.

  Under the terms of this agreement, the dragons acknowledged the Kingdom of Humanity as the ruling power over most of the world. In return, the dragons were allowed to retain their lands and their sovereignty. Among humans, this treaty caused Teach to be remembered as Teach the Great Rebel. Among dragons, however, he was given a different title: Teach the Timid.

  When Leonard returned to the human encampment riding upon a dragon, many feared that he had betrayed humanity and joined their former enemy. These concerns were short-lived. Leonard addressed the gathered forces, explained the terms of the treaty, and formally declared the Great War to be over.

  Though some received this news with resentment and doubt, the vast majority rejoiced. The war had lasted for many years, long enough to span entire generations. Its end brought relief to a population exhausted by constant conflict. Those who remained dissatisfied with the outcome found themselves powerless to oppose it.

  Especially after what occurred that very night.

  Leonard Viamnova invited Alicia to meet with him to discuss how the future of humanity would be safeguarded. According to records, the meeting lasted through the entire night. When morning came, another proclamation was made.

  Leonard addressed the gathered leaders and soldiers, stating the following words, which have been preserved in multiple sources: “It seems that humanity wishes to follow the strong. I will not deny this. Is there anyone among you who could stand against me?”

  No one stepped forward. Those present later wrote that they could feel the overwhelming power of the Champion by simply standing near him.

  “Very well,” Leonard continued. “I therefore proclaim myself Sorcerer Supreme and ruler of humanity. However, I believe that no single human should hold all power.”

  He then declared that he would rescind his title as Champion of Humanity and grant it to his sister, Alicia Viamnova.

  Thus, the Second Champion of Humanity became the first Sorcerer Supreme, and the Third Champion of Humanity rose in his place.

  Many feared, or hoped, that once the title had been transferred, Alicia would imprison her brother as a traitor, claim the position of Sorcerer Supreme for herself, or even resume the war. She did none of these things.

  Historians continue to debate her reasons. Some suggest it was loyalty between siblings. Others believe it was respect for Leonard’s achievements. A more cautious interpretation proposes that Leonard, known even then for his foresight, had prepared a safeguard for his safeguard.

  What is known is this: Alicia never acted against her brother. Together, they ruled during what became known as the Era of Reconstruction. This period marked the beginning of humanity’s Golden Age.

  “And that will be enough,” the teacher said, closing the book. “Thank you for reading, Artie.”

  He looked up at the class.

  “Now that we have studied the Great War era, can anyone tell me which families from that time are still around today?”

  A girl with long, lustrous black hair raised her hand.

  “Go ahead, Priscilla,” the teacher said.

  Priscilla spoke in a clear, strong voice, carrying a quiet confidence. “My family, the Virinterviros. The Quiascendus. The family of the current Sorcerer Supreme, the Lumenpotens. The Semperoblitus. And, of course, the Viamnovas.”

  “Yes, indeed. Very well done,” the teacher replied. “Now, can anyone tell me why these are known as the Great Five Houses? Anyone other than Miss Virinterviros, please.”

  A large boy, very tall for his age and with a shaven head, answered without hesitation.

  “Because Sorcerers Supreme have only ever come from those five houses.”

  “That is correct,” the teacher said, “but please remember to raise your hand before speaking, Jurgen. I do not want this classroom to turn into a battlefield for the eternal struggle between Miss Virinterviros and Mr. Quiascendus.”

  A few students laughed.

  “So,” he continued, “let us have someone else answer this next question. Which of the five houses has produced the greatest number of Sorcerers Supreme?”

  “Oh, that’s easy,” someone yelled from the classroom.

  “Hands, everybody. Don’t forget to raise your hands,” the teacher said, though his voice was quickly being drowned out.

  “It’s the Viamnovas,” another student said. “Everyone knows that. They’re the strongest.”

  “Yes, be that as it may, you still need to raise your hand to share that opinion,” the teacher replied, attempting to regain control. “And please refrain from shouting.”

  “I don’t understand why they aren’t always Sorcerer Supreme,” a girl added. “They’re clearly the strongest.”

  The classroom erupted into overlapping voices, the teacher now powerless to stop them.

  “The Peacemaker Leonard.”

  “Enlightened Sully.”

  “Mermaid Conqueror Jason.”

  “Arcane Traveler Damion.”

  “All heroes,” someone said. “All Viamnovas.”

  “You forgot Sarah, Mistress of Men.”

  “And Vanessa, Dragon’s Bane.”

  “Rebecca too. The first woman Sorcerer Supreme.”

  Then the room went silent.

  It was the kind of silence that felt deliberate, as though the entire class had been waiting for this exact moment.

  “We have one of them here,” someone said quietly.

  All eyes turned to a single boy.

  His gaze was still fixed on his book, as though rereading the final lines of the chapter. He seemed unaware of the attention until the weight of so many stares became impossible to ignore. Slowly, he lifted his head.

  The boy’s curly golden hair caught the light as he raised his steely blue eyes. His smooth, pale skin and soft features made him appear younger than his age. He looked around the room to find himself watched from every direction.

  His eyes finally reached the teacher, who, after a moment of silence, spoke.

  “Yes. One of our very own Viamnovas. Mr. Cassian,” he said. “I’m sure you can help us by reading the next part of the text. You must be quite familiar with it.”

  Cassian took hold of his book and stood. When he began to read, his voice was calm and controlled, carrying easily across the room. A few of the girls exchanged quiet giggles, while several of the boys clenched their jaws in annoyance.

  “The budding Kingdom of Men,” he read, “the Trials of Leonard.”