"Charge!" the head of the Imperial Guards growled at the demons as he raised his sword. The hundreds of men behind him shout atop their lungs to signal that they're ready to fight until the end. A final stand against the demons to protect Humanity from peril.

You can smell the blood in the air as the demons slaughtered the small army trying to resist them. Gurgled screams and grunts is the only thing you can hear. As the last guard fell, the demons set their eyes on the castle before them. The last symbol of Humanity's hope, and the demons will make it crumble to the ground. Suddenly, a flash of light emanated from the windows of the castle and everyone froze.

Inside the castle, the King gave his life to cast a powerful time spell to lock everything and everyone ,within a kilometer radius, in a time loop. It basically meant that he gave up his life to save humanity. The remaining humans that were hidden, finally set out and established communities and slowly developed their technologies. Without the demons, humans are now free to roam and are no longer in danger.

It's now almost 3000 years since the demons have disappeared. They are nothing but myths and legends to scare naughty children into behaving properly. "If you don't behave, the demons will come at night and take you.", this is the most popular way to scare children to behaving. 3000 years of peace doesn't always mean progress and prosperity in all aspects of society though. Martial and Mystical Arts has declined since and is not as widely used or practiced. But today is a special day, because today the Demons return.

"Hyaaah! Hooaaah!", a little boy screams as he swings his wooden sword in the air. This is Verde, a young 5 year old boy under the house of the Vanguard family. The Vanguard family are the descendants of an Imperial guard that was assigned to look after the civilians in the Last Great War. Everyone in the family is good with a sword and is a reserve troop of the Elite Imperial Guards that are tasked to protect society in dire needs, which rarely happens. "Verde, come now and get dressed. Your father will fetch you soon for your first recognition badge.", his stepmother called onto him. Today, he is tasked to acquire a Pathfinder badge to start his journey into the Imperial Army like the rest of his family.

"Verde! Come now! We must go", his father shouted. Verde hurriedly ran to his father and as he passed his stepbrother, Verde tripped and ruined his clothes. Desmond has always hated Verde and always bullies him when he gets the chance. Verde didn't mind his brother and went to see his father. His father saw that his clothes were dirty and disorganized. Ability, Boldness, Conduct, and Discipline. These are the principles that the Vanguard family uphold and Verde simply doesn't have these qualities. His father scolded him lightly and they went on their way. After an hour if travel in horseback, they finally arrived at a ruins that has amazingly stood the test of time. "Today, you must draw a map of this castle and bring it to me. You must complete this task by 12 midnight or you will stay here until the next day.", his father sternly warned him. Verde nods in agreement and his father rides off into the distance leaving his young son to fend for himself and also complete his task.

Verde looks around the ruins to find a good starting point and to scout the place. The ruins look really old but the bricks are still sturdy. No plants grow anywhere nearby but moss are still stuck on some parts if the building. Verde finds a huge door and uses it as an anchor point for his map. He starts drawing on a piece if paper he brought with him and then looks around to check his surroundings for any significant detail the map might need for reference. After a few hours of sketching and moving around he already has a rough sketch of the place and evey detail one might need to find their way using the map. Verde starts climbing a pillar near the entrance he found earlier to get a better vantage to check if he missed anything and he notices a window slightly hidden in vines near the top if the old ruins. He got curious and climbed up to reach the window and found a room with a candle still lit on a table. "This is peculiar.", said the boy and touched the flame. It isn't warm. He was amazed by this fact and kept playing with the flame and he eventually got bored. As he turned around the flame from the candle went out and the room got dark. A voice pierced through the darkness. "Boy, what is your name?", the voice asked calmly. Verde was so scared he couldn't move.

Verde suddenly felt a stinging pain from his stomach. He gasped and put his hand out and was able to grab clothes in front of him. The candle was lit again and Verde saw who was in front of him. It was his stepbrother, Desmond, holding a dagger in his right hand. Desmond had a sinister smile as he watched Verde curl up while holding his stomach. Blood pooled around Verde's body and Desmond quickly left the ruins. Life was slowly leaving the boy's body and the candle suddenly went out again. "Boy, I asked you your name.", a cold and commanding voice resounded inside the empty and dark room. "Verde", he answered softly. "What do you feel right now, Verde?", the voice asked. "I. I f-feel. Cold", Verde answered slowly. "Do you not feel fear or anger?", the voice asked again. "No. O-only. Re-gret." Light suddenly filled the room, and a tall figure towered over Verde. As the boy looked up, the figure spoke, "What do you regret?"

Verde couldn't speak. He was too amazed at what he is seeing. "I-is this the afterlife?", he asked to figure. "No, my child, not yet. You didn't answer my question. What do you regret?" Verde answered quickly, "I regret not being able to solve my mother's death. She died in her sleep while my father was away.", Verde answered firmly but with sadness in his eyes. "Very well, I can help you with that. But, on one condition.", the figure spoke with intent. Verde can faintly see a kind smile on the mysterious man. "I will solve your mother's mysterious death in exchange for your body. I will live in your body" Verde paused for a few seconds and then firmly agreed. "Yes! I accept!". The figure put his hand forward to shake the boy's hands and Verde did as well. As they're hands touched, the dark figure suddenly burst with light and he was blinded.

Verde's body is no longer his own. It is now owned by Humanity's first King. King Charles Heinrich!

To be continued...

I hope you liked the first chapter of this novel. Keep reading, the story is just getting started. See you on the next chapter!

Verde's appearance:

"Desmond, you're home early.", his Father said while staring at the view outside of their balcony.

"Yes father. I have just returned from my mission at Hunter's Ridge.", Desmond answered proudly.

"Good. Take a bath and prepare for dinner."

Desmond bowed his head and closed the door gently.

While walking to his room his mother gave him a questioning stare and Desmond responded with a subtle smile and nod and proceeded to his room. "Finally, that annoying little brat is out of our lives!" Desmond screamed into his pillow with excitement. He will now be the sole heir of the Vanguard family and will be set for life.

Meanwhile, Verde and Charles are still at the ruins.

Charles is feeling his new body. It's small and quite fragile but it'll have to do. 3000 years of sitting and maintaining a spell has made even his soul weak. He checked his new body's capacity and potential and he smiled with satisfaction. Verde's body is full of vitality and has a significantly large Mana Shell.

"What a great body, a large Mana Shell and great vitality. You could've been a top notch Magic Swordsman Verde", Charles exclaimed.

"You will keep your promise right?", Verde asked timidly.

"Of course child. I, King Charles Heinrich, invoke the spirits of the abyss to grasp my heart if I break my word.", Charles cast a binding spell on himself and dark veins appeared on his left chest near his heart.

"W-what did you do?", Verde asked worriedly.

"I cast a binding spell on myself to prove to you that I don't and will never go back on my words.", Charles's eyes were glowing with conviction.

Verde understood quickly that this person is trustworthy and kind, that he should be by his side no matter what. "Okay. I understand. We should get back to mapping out the ruins. My father will be back soon.", Verde's voice is calm and collected now. It shows a sign of maturity despite his young age.

After a few minutes...

"Verde, come out! It's time for your assessment.", a growling voice resounded throughout the ruins.

"Here father, I am done.", Charles showed his work to his father.

His father carefully examined the map and noticed something was wrong. "Verde, this map says that there is a stairway where we stand but there clearly is none. You will spend the night here and I will collect you tomorrow morning." His father was obviously disappointed.

"Wait father, I can prove to you that this map is indeed correct and complete."

His father gave Verde a curious look. "Alright, prove it to me child", he asked with authority.

"Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust. Sands of time hear me and trust. Erodo sandarium!" Verde chanted a spell and his eyes glowed with mana.

The sand shifted under their feet and slowly revealed a hidden portion of the ruins that was buried underneath. It was some stairs connecting into the main hall but due to time the passage had collapsed.

Verde's father was stunned and amazed. Not only did his son discover a new part of the old ruins but also has the potential to become a magic swordsman. His amazement was evident and as soon as he realized this he composed himself and turned to Verde.

"Well done Verde. You pass. Let's go back."

"Yes father", Verde bowed to his father and got onto the back of the horse.

Charles was very happy. Verde's body was capable of casting a spell even without a magic circle inscribed onto his body. Magicians usually have magic circles inscribed on some part of their body to fully utilitize the mana in their bodies. This also represents the level of competency the user has.

"I need to inscribe a magic circle soon to fully make use of this body", Verde whispered onto himself.

While all if this was happening, because Charles has transferred into Verde's body, the spell that binded the Demons to be locked infinitely in a time loop has started to break. This means that their demonic powers have started to leak little by little.

Once Verde has gone home he was immediately sent by his father to take a bath and to rest. Tomorrow will be the welcoming ceremony for children that will enlist into the Imperial Army. The Imperial Army is the first line of defense of the nation against any threats. They are also the lowest ranking military troops and are responsible for recruiting and maintaining the numbers of armed defense forces of the country.

Once morning comes, Verde immediately fixed himself up for the welcoming ceremony and sat at the dining table for breakfast. His father was already seated at the helm of the table reading what seems to be a large piece of paper with the latest events from their city.

"What are you reading father?", Verde asks.

"Don't you see? It's a newspaper, child.", his father answered as he flipped to the next page.

Charles was confused. He has never seen anything like this before. He closed his eyes and concentrated his consciousness onto his soul to speak to Verde.

"Verde, wake up." Charles patted the child on his shoulders.

"Just give me 5 more minutes.", the child said with his eyes still closed and turned away from Charles.

"Get up!", Charles tossed the child and Verde simply floated.

"Fine, fine. What is it?", Verde said half yawning and rubbing his eyes.

"What's a Newspaper?" asked Charles.

"You don't know what a Newspaper is?"

"No, I don't. That's why I'm asking"

"It's basically a small collection of events that happen around the city or the continent. It usually has the most interesting stories at the front page." Verde explained in detail.

"I see. That's a very useful tool. Thank you." Charles quickly said goodbye and returned his consciousness.

At the dining table, Verde sat up and asked his father politely.

"Father, may I read the newspaper as well?"

"Hmm... Sure, after breakfast." his father replied.

Verde sat quietly and ate all his food. Today was special because they will be going to the capital. Today is the day he enlists into the Imperial Army.

"Verde! Come, let's hurry or we'll be late to the ceremony." his father shouted outside the house.

Verde came rushing downstairs.

Verde wore a brown and blue leather chest piece and black boots. A small scabbard is fastened at his side and a sigil of the Vanguard family is engraved on the hilt of the dagger.

Verde quickly jumped up to the carriage that will take them to the Capital.

"Verde, do you still remember what I said about the Imperial Army?" his Father questioned him with a stern look on his face.

"Yes, Father. Always keep a low profile. Tall trees are cut down first"

"Very good. When you arrive at the Capital Hall, look for Aunt Imelda immediately and she will take you to the assessment grounds."

Verde nods in acknowledgment and his Father never spoke until they arrived.

"Here we are son. Don't be a disappointment." His Father's last words. Cold and distant, and not expecting much.

Once Verde gets out of the carriage he immediately heads to the Capital Hall. He's steadily staying near the side of the road, close to the stalls and buildings when he was suddenly tugged from the side into a dark alley.

"Give me all your belongings and you'll be able to see your mom and dad." A low growl and threatening voice spoke from behind Verde.

Verde felt a sharp object pushed onto the side of his neck. A knife. Newly sharpened. This guy knows his stuff.

"I-Im sorry mister. I only have this dagger with me." Verde answered sounding scared.

The criminal looks at the dagger and sees that it looks quite expensive.

"Alright I'll be taking that now. Don't move or you'll be fed to the dogs." the criminal slowly reaches for the dagger and slightly releases pressure from holding the knife.

Verde takes the opportunity to head butt the thief on the chin stunning him. Then he takes the dagger quickly and throws it up.

"From sand to soil, from soil to rock, from rock to mountain. Grande Masso!" Verde quickly chants a spell to make the dagger a thousand times heavier and it quickly fell down into the thief's skull causing instant death.

"You should always have your victims drop the items you want and not take them immediately. But I guess this advice is useless for you now." Verde smirked and fixed himself up and picks up the bloody dagger, cleans it with the clothes of the man he just killed, and walked away.

Map of the Capital: