Osborne came running into Amitrochates’ office,In his hand was a letter made of gold.

  The moment Amitrochates saw it,he already understood why Osborne had rushed in.

  “So,” Amitrochates said calmly, “a letter from the Hastovar Empire? What made you run like this?”

  Osborne stepped forward and handed him the letter without another word.

  Amitrochates opened it and carefully read its contents.

  Osborne finally asked, “What is written in it, Your Majesty?”

  Amitrochates lowered the letter slowly. “The five princes and wife of previous king now queen dogwar have been found. The previous king—and the elder brother of the current king—is dead.”

  Osborne stiffened.

  “The five princes are ten years old,” Amitrochates continued. “We have been invited to their grand welcome ceremony. Sir Eldravar wrote this letter himself.”

  He placed the golden letter on the table and leaned back in his chair.

  “The Emlarz Continent will soon face great trouble,” he said quietly. “Trouble big enough to shake the entire continent.”

  He paused, then said. “Send the foreign minister with many valuable gifts. Along with my letter

  Amitrochates picked up his pen and began writing a reply. When he finished, he sealed the letter and handed it to Osborne.

  “Give this to the foreign minister,” he said. “He must read it aloud in front of everyone when he presents the gifts.”

  Osborne nodded and left the room.

  Alone now, Amitrochates sighed and whispered to himself, “The future of this continent is going to be messy.”

  Far away, Grandmaster Aratha was sitting quietly in the library, Suddenly, a gust of wind entered through the window. Within it carried Androcottus’s message.

  Aratha read the words formed in the air.

  After finishing, he sighed deeply.

  “Things are going to become very bad in the near future,” he murmured.

  He looked out of the window toward the sky. “The Meaders royal family… both heirs are still young. Their future will be far more difficult for them.

  He folded his hands and whispered. “May the gods protect the Meaders heirs from every trouble that is coming.”

  Meanwhile, Androcottus returned to the Kathi Nation’s royal castle. Queen Kathi welcomed him along with her nobles.

  “Thank you for protecting my kingdom,” she said sincerely.

  Androcottus did not respond

  Later, in the royal hall, he spoke to her in private.

  “Be prepared,” he said.

  She looked at him in confusion. “Prepared? For what?”

  Androcottus’s expression was serious. “Your kingdom is weak. And right now, you are also weak. You do not know when the next trouble will arise. You cannot rely on me forever.”

  His voice was firm but not cruel.

  “If I keep saving you every time, you will never grow stronger. Not as a ruler. Not as a nation. You must become strong. Make your kingdom strong.”

  Queen Kathi lowered her eyes, understanding the truth in his words.

  “And the next time you call me,” Androcottus added, “I expect it to be for your wedding.”

  For a brief second, she was stunned.

  Without another word, Androcottus walked toward the window. He threw his sword out into the air. The blade hovered, glowing faintly.

  Then he jumped from the window and landed upon it, riding it into the sky toward the Batali Kingdom.

  His face was serious.

  He was worried about the future.

  Years passed, and Ashora is now four years old.

  He ran through the royal castle on his small feet, full of energy. He was a cheerful child who rarely cried. A bright smile was almost always on his face, and he was kind to everyone.

  One afternoon, Ashora was playing in the garden with a small wooden sword. He swung it around clumsily,

  Suddenly, Leona came running toward him.

  Her face was glowing with joy.

  “Ashora!” she called out.

  She had finally learned to control her power.

  Without thinking, she lifted Ashora into her arms and spun around happily. “Ashora, I finally controlled it!” she said with excitement.

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  Ashora did not fully understand what she meant. He simply smiled, seeing his sister so happy.

  Leona gently put him down and took his wooden sword. “Let me teach you how to use this properly,” she said proudly.

  She stood straight and showed him the Meaders family sword technique—first form.

  “First, get into a battle stance,” she explained. “Hold the sword with a strong grip. Step forward with your right leg and slash horizontally.”

  She demonstrated slowly.

  “Then move your left leg to match your right leg and slash upward. After that, step forward again with your right leg and slash vertically. Keep moving your legs in a systematic way. Horizontal, upward, vertical. Repeat.”

  Ashora watched her carefully. His eyes followed every movement of the sword.

  When she finished, Ashora picked up his wooden sword.

  he stepped into position.

  He copied every movement exactly as she had shown him.

  Right leg forward—horizontal slash.

  Left leg forward—upward slash.

  Right leg forward—vertical slash.

  The rhythm was perfect.

  Leona froze.

  Her eyes widened in shock.

  She screamed. “Grandfather!”

  Androcottus rushed toward her immediately. “Why did you scream?” he asked.

  “My soul left my body for a second!” she replied breathlessly. “Ashora—he—”

  Androcottus turned to look.

  There stood Ashora, calmly repeating the Meaders family sword technique’s first form.

  For a moment, even Androcottus was stunned.

  Then a wide smile appeared on his face.

  As soon as Ashora finished, Androcottus walked over and lifted him into his arms, laughing loudly.

  “My family is truly blessed!” he said proudly. “Leona was an unheard-of genius… and you, Ashora, are the same!”

  He picked up Leona with his other arm. “Come, let’s tell your parents.”

  Carrying both children, he went to Amitrochates and Tisya.

  He gently put them down and said with a bright smile, “Ashora is also a god-blessed genius.”

  Amitrochates looked confused. “What happened, Father?”

  Androcottus replied proudly, “Ashora performed our family’s first sword technique perfectly after seeing it just once.”

  Both Amitrochates and Tisya were shocked—and overjoyed.

  “Our family is truly blessed,” Amitrochates said softly.

  Ashora ran toward his mother and climbed into her lap.

  “Did I do good, Mother?” he asked innocently.

  Tisya placed her hand gently on his face and smiled warmly.

  “Whatever you do will be good, my son.”

  And Ashora smiled again,

  Androcottus begins training both Ashora and Leona himself.

  Years pass quietly under strict discipline and daily practice.

  Five years later, Leona and Ashora are standing in the training yard, clashing swords. The sound of steel echoes through the courtyard as both move swiftly, their strikes sharp and controlled.

  Tisya walks into the yard and raises her hand. “That’s enough for today,” she says firmly.

  Leona lowers her sword but looks unhappy. “Mother, I don’t want to stop,” she says. “Ashora has already sensed Sei.” She glances toward Ikshita. “Ikshita has sensed Sei too. She is already a one-star Sei warrior.”

  Ikshita sighs and shakes her head. “Don’t be like that, big sister. You are already a Stage 1 Awakener. If you also sense Sei and form a Sei core, then where will people like me go? Don’t be so greedy.”

  Ashora smiles gently. “Sister, you should rest. Tomorrow is important.”

  Leona knows they are right. After a moment of silence, she finally agrees and leaves the training yard.

  Ashora turns to Ikshita. “Why don’t you come and fight?”

  Ikshita jumps onto the stage without hesitation. From the very start, she releases her Sei. Her sword becomes covered in a bright yellow aura.

  Ashora grins. “Full power from the start?”

  He also releases his Sei. His sword shines with the same yellow aura.

  They clash.

  Their swords collide again and again, sparks flying as their movements remain steady. For half an hour they fight evenly, neither backing down.

  Finally, Ikshita loses her grip for a brief second. Her sword slips from her hand and falls to the ground.

  Ashora lowers his sword. “That was fun. You lost.”

  Ikshita stands up and dusts herself off. “Next time, I will win.”

  Ashora smiles. “We’ll see.”

  The next day, the royal family travels to the grand temple.

  The priest comes forward to receive them and bows respectfully. “Your Majesty, the blessing ceremony will begin in half an hour. Please rest until then.”

  They enter a massive hall. In the center stands a holy stone—the Blessing Stone—which connects a person to the gods.

  Amitrochates and the other royal members sit at the highest platform, watching quietly. Leona stands among the children who have turned twelve that year.

  The Pope of the temple enters. He is an old man with a calm presence.

  He looks at the children and speaks in a steady voice. “Children, today is one of the most important days of your lives. On the planet Prigaia, the gods bless every living being when they turn twelve. They will bestow powers that shape your future. Some of you will become warriors. Some will become priests. Some may not receive any special power.”

  He pauses.

  “But do not be sad if you do not receive what you dream of. The gods are equal to all. Even if you do not receive a special ability, the gods will bless you with a healthy and peaceful life. Our King Amitrochates did not receive any special power from the gods, yet he is still a powerful warrior. So do not fear.

  The hall fills with applause.

  A priest steps forward and calls names one by one. “When your name is called, come forward and touch the Blessing Stone.”

  The Pope places his hand on the stone and channels divine power into it. A golden light rises from the stone and shoots toward the sky.

  “It is time,” he says.

  Children step forward. Some receive divine weapons. Some are blessed as priests. Some receive only a gentle glow of blessing.

  Then the priest calls, “Princess Leona.”

  Leona steps forward calmly. She touches the Blessing Stone and closes her eyes.

  When she opens them, she finds herself in a different realm.

  Before her stands Goddess Zeravira.

  The goddess smiles gently and places her hand on Leona’s head. A divine energy flows into her body, cleansing and strengthening her.

  Then the goddess summons two divine beasts—a shining snake and a glowing butterfly.

  “The snake carries the power of the sun,” the goddess says softly. “The butterfly carries the power of the moon.”

  She presents them to Leona as her blessing.

  In the real world, the golden light around Leona fades. At her left side stands the divine snake. At her right side floats the glowing butterfly.

  The entire hall gasps.

  The royal family is filled with joy.

  The Pope steps forward. “Princess, you must name the divine beasts to form your pact with them.”

  Leona nods proudly.

  “I name the snake Aurelios,” she says.

  “And the butterfly Selenephira.”