I woke up in my bed, slowly opening my eyes and staring at the ceiling as I tried to piece together the dream.
That dream had followed me since childhood.
Me and that strange girl.
It was always the same place—the same campfire, the same night, the same silence between us.
I didn't know why, but I always felt strangely calm there. No fear. No tension. I never sensed any danger, neither from her nor from that place itself.
At first, I didn't understand what it all meant.
But over time, I began to suspect the dream wasn't ordinary.
Even so, I still had no idea what it meant—or who that girl was.
Pushing aside thoughts of the strange dream and whatever influence it had on me, I tried to remember what day it was.
And immediately wished I hadn't.
Today was the day I had been dreading.
Unlike my brothers and sisters, I had never shown any affinity for magic. Not even the faintest sign.
Many people in the castle already looked at me as though I were refuse someone had forgotten to throw away.
Today was the talent assessment.
Mine, my brother's, and my sister's.
I let out a quiet laugh at the thought.
I was still a prince of the Kray Empire.
Though for how much longer—that, I didn't know.
I remembered the rumors servants and courtiers whispered to one another.
Throughout all of history, they said, only my father had ever been born a prince without magical talent.
I had heard his story countless times.
A prince born without magic, training until his body gave out, drenched in sweat, mastering the sword because he had nothing else.
When it was officially confirmed that he lacked magical talent, he was sent away to escort and guard his brother's fiancée in another kingdom.
Most people would have surrendered to fate.
Not my father.
He honed his swordsmanship relentlessly.
And when internal unrest in that kingdom threatened their lives, he took command himself and displayed monstrous talent with a blade.
That day, many mages fell beneath his sword.
The king and emperor reportedly argued for a long time afterward.
The king insisted he would only give his daughter's hand to the man who had saved both her and himself in their darkest hour.
The emperor spent a long time trying to remind him of the previous agreement.
The king refused to yield.
Eventually, even the emperor had to give in.
In time, my father continued refining his skill, and eventually—
claimed the throne.
Thinking of all that did little to improve my mood.
The magical talent assessment had existed since ancient times and was held every year.
It determined who possessed magical aptitude and was conducted once a person—or member of another race—reached eighteen, the age when one entered maturity.
The test itself was performed using a mana stone.
Or, as the light elves called it—
the Stone of S'gu.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts.
After I gave permission, several servants entered.
They wore white shirts and black trousers.
All of them were former soldiers, each carrying a dagger at their waist that they clearly knew how to use.
After bowing, they stood silently, waiting for me to get out of bed.
With a deep sigh, I pushed myself upright.
One of the servants stepped forward, holding folded clothes in both hands.
Judging by the colors, I already knew what they were for.
"I take it I'm expected to attend the talent assessment wearing this?" I asked sleepily.
From his posture and the look in his eyes, it was obvious he was one of those who believed I had no right to be here.
"You are correct, Prince Aluric. This is the attire designated for your talent assessment," the servant replied, trying very hard to sound respectful.
After they helped me get dressed, the servants left the room.
I walked over to the mirror.
I looked… odd.
A white shirt, black trousers, both embroidered with the crest of the Kray Empire—two crossed swords, while a dragon coiled between them, flames spilling from its jaws.
The same crest was stitched onto the shirt as well.
My sleepy eyes stared back at me from the reflection.
Loose strands of pale hair kept falling over them.
With an irritated sigh, I brushed my hair back and headed for the door.
The moment I stepped outside, I saw two guards standing on either side.
Their armor covered nearly every part of their bodies, and the imperial crest was engraved across their breastplates.
As soon as they saw me emerge, both men bowed silently and took their places at my sides.
Together, we began walking toward the throne hall.
As we moved through the corridors, I watched servants rushing about while guards stood stationed along the walls.
Today was an important day for the Kray Empire.
Today, vassals and allied nations alike would witness firsthand what talents fate had granted the princes and princesses of the imperial family.
The Kray Empire had been built through conquest—through the subjugation of neighboring kingdoms and rival empires.
But after the Great War, or as it was now called, the Outcome of the Five Races, a treaty had been signed.
No empire or kingdom was permitted to invade lands belonging to those five races.
If anyone violated the treaty, all kingdoms and empires were obligated to unite and destroy the offender.
So now, there was peace.
Or at least the kind of peace built on mutual threat.
Passing by the castle's outer corridors, I could already see crowds gathering beneath the walls.
Commoners.
All eager to witness the imperial family's talents.
Through magical stones, every trial of the assessment would be broadcast for the public to watch.
As we approached the throne hall, I noticed the doors were still shut.
Two imperial guards stood watch before them.
Unlike ordinary guards, imperial guards were considered the elite among court warriors.
Many noble families dreamed of having their children serve at court.
But more than that, they dreamed of one day becoming an imperial guard.
The guards noticed my approach and immediately stopped whatever conversation they had been having.
One of them stepped forward and opened the massive doors leading into the throne hall.
As I passed, the imperial guard pressed a hand against the crest engraved into his armor.