By the time I reached the throne hall, the massive doors were still closed.
Two imperial guards stood watch on either side, their armor polished to a cold gleam.
As soon as I stopped before them, one of the guards pulled the door open and announced in a loud, clear voice, “The Seventh Prince Aluric has arrived for the talent examination!” His voice rolled through the hall.
I stepped across the threshold, and the moment I entered the throne hall, my pace slowed on its own.
Banners of the Kray Empire’s vassals hung from the walls, each one displayed beneath the shadow of the empire’s main standard, which towered above them all at the far end of the chamber.
The hall was filled with nobles, vassals, and representatives from neighboring states, all gathered to witness the examination of the imperial heirs.
At the center of the hall stood two thrones.
My parents were already seated upon them.
Emperor Drey and Empress Mayf.
My gaze settled on my father first.
He wore dark blue armor, and in his hands rested a greatsword, its tip planted firmly against the stone floor.
Beneath that armor was the body of a warrior marked by countless scars.
He possessed no magic, yet through monstrous strength and unparalleled mastery of the sword, he had become a nightmare to the enemies of the Kray Empire.
Seated to his right was my mother.
Dressed in a blue gown, with a scepter resting in her hand, she looked like the embodiment of cold authority.
Her pale blond hair was tied into a high ponytail, revealing the slightly pointed ears inherited from her high elven blood.
Behind the thrones stood my brothers and sisters—the heirs of the Kray Empire, and my greatest rivals.
I approached the thrones, lowered myself onto one knee, and bowed my head.
“Emperor Drey.
Empress Mayf.
I, the Seventh Prince of the Kray Empire, have arrived to undergo the magical talent examination.” “Rise,” my father said calmly.
I stood and took my place behind the thrones beside my brothers and sisters.
The emperor struck the tip of his sword against the stone floor.
A dull clang echoed throughout the hall, silencing every whisper at once.
“In accordance with the ancient covenant, today the princes and princesses of the Kray Empire shall undergo testing for magical affinity,” he began.
“Based on the results, each heir will be sent to an academy suited to their gift.” The emperor paused briefly.
“Bring forth the Mana Stone.” A girl in snow-white robes entered the hall, carrying a sphere that shimmered with countless shifting colors.
She touched the ring on her finger, and a pristine white table appeared before her in a soft glow.
With careful movements, she placed the Mana Stone at its center.
The sphere’s surface turned white, leaving only dense mist swirling within.
“Your Majesty, the Mana Stone is prepared for the talent examination.” The first to step forward was Nreu.
When my eldest brother placed his hand upon the stone, a vivid crimson light spread through the sphere.
Fire.
The color was clear, strong, and unmistakable.
Admiration passed through the hall in a quiet wave.
Next came Heia.
The moment her hand touched the Mana Stone, one half of the sphere turned pale green while the other burned deep crimson.
Air and fire appeared together, two affinities balanced so perfectly that, for a moment, stunned silence filled the chamber.
Then the whispers began.
An exceedingly rare talent.
A gift worthy of the imperial bloodline.
Then it was my turn.
An unpleasant tension gathered inside me.
I took several deep breaths, trying to calm myself, but it did little to help.
My hands clenched into fists as I slowly walked toward the Mana Stone.
Each step sounded far too loud in my mind.
It felt as though the entire hall had narrowed around me, as though every gaze, every breath, and every thought in that chamber existed only to watch what would happen when I touched the stone.
By the time I reached the table, my shirt was already clinging unpleasantly to my skin with sweat.
I placed my palm against the smooth surface of the Mana Stone.
It was freezing cold.
Closing my eyes, I stood motionless, not knowing what I was supposed to feel.
Warmth, a tingling sensation, some kind of response—anything at all.
But nothing happened.
There was only the coldness beneath my palm and the deafening silence surrounding me.
A second passed.
Then another.
My heart pounded so loudly that it felt as though the entire hall could hear it.
At last, I opened my eyes.
The stone remained white.
Pure white.
Without the slightest sign of reaction.
For a brief moment, something inside me broke.
Even though I had prepared myself for this outcome, seeing it with my own eyes was far harder than I had imagined.
Slowly, I withdrew my hand and stepped back.
Breathing became difficult.
Turning toward the thrones, I lowered myself onto one knee and bowed my head.
It took several seconds before I could force myself to look up, but even before I raised my eyes, I could already feel the emotions directed at me: contempt, disappointment, and the cruel satisfaction of those who had been waiting for this moment.
When I finally looked at my parents, their expressions remained calm.
Too calm.
There was no anger in their eyes.
No contempt.
Only cold indifference.
And for some reason, that was the most terrifying thing of all.
I rose, circled behind the thrones, and returned to my place beside my brothers and sisters.
The gazes in the hall had changed.
Some looked at me with poorly concealed disdain, others with pity, and a few did not even bother hiding their satisfaction.
The emperor struck his sword against the stone floor three times.
The dull metallic sound echoed throughout the hall.
After a short pause, he spoke.
“The examination for magical affinity has concluded.” His voice was calm and even.
Far too calm.
“By my command, the Mana Stone is to be removed.” At his words, the girl stepped forward once more.
Dropping to one knee, she bowed her head and touched the ring on her finger.
The pristine white table was enveloped in a soft glow before vanishing, drawn back into the spatial artifact.
The girl carefully lifted the Mana Stone into her hands.
Its surface once again shimmered with countless shades, as though what had happened only moments ago held no significance whatsoever to the ancient artifact.
Without lifting her head, she turned and walked toward a side door.
The doors opened only wide enough to let her pass, and the moment she disappeared behind them, a guard silently shut them again.
The ceremony was over, and with it, perhaps my life as a prince of the Kray Empire had ended as well.
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