Chapter 3: Chapter 03: The Exile
As Seren Drakoria approached his third year of life, the time for his departure to the Exiled Land drew near. Despite living among the grandeur of the Drakoria family, not a single sibling, nor any member of the extended family, had ever spoken to him. Seren's only anchors in this world were Elara, his gentle guardian, and Master Eldrin, the wise elder of the castle library.
Over the past year, Seren had honed his reading and writing skills to perfection. The knowledge he possessed was a blend of his studies on Earth and the insights he had gained from the 300 books he devoured in the castle library. He had explored the basics of history, geography, mathematics, and alchemy, immersing himself in the foundational knowledge of Solvera.
Through his relentless pursuit of understanding, Seren had read extensively about the history of Solvera, the 11 empires, and the continents. His dedication was rewarded when a new status opened in his system window: Perception, with 1 point, and his Intelligence increased to 5 points. Yet, all other functionalities remained locked, a reminder of the journey still ahead.
The day of the ceremony arrived, marking Seren's departure to the Exiled Land. He stood alone, his small wrists encased in metallic medieval handcuffs, the broken bronze chains dangling from the cuffs. Dressed in a simple plain white blouse, Seren faced the assembled family members who had come to witness his departure. Yet, no one spoke to him; their disdain was palpable. Only Elara and Master Eldrin watched with concerned eyes, careful not to reveal their emotions.
Lord Zephyros Drakoria stepped forward, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "From now on, you are Seren. You cannot bear the family name. Your life is in your hands. Enjoy it well in the Exiled Land."
With that, he yelled, "Disperse!" and the crowd began to scatter.
Seren climbed into a small boat, where a lone figure awaited him. As his father swiftly drew a magical array, Seren felt the world shift around him. In an instant, he was teleported to the entrance of the Exiled Land, a dark, primitive island with towering snowy mountains, dense forests, and unknown lands beyond the peaks.
The island, vast and foreboding, was said to be a ten thousand times the size of Elaris, the city where the Drakoria family resided. Its name was whispered with fear and awe: Shadowmire Isle.
At the small port where Seren arrived, an old man awaited him. His eyes were covered with a bandage, yet he seemed to see more than most. As Seren stepped onto the dock, the old man spoke, his voice a raspy whisper.
"Welcome, young exiled one, to Shadowmire Isle."
Seren stood at the threshold of his new life, the weight of his past heavy upon him. Yet, within him burned a flicker of hope, a hope that he might uncover the secrets of his heritage and forge a destiny of his own making.