In his past life, Kai had awakened a Light Soul Domain, including a hidden sub-talent of Illusion manipulation.
His genetic potential had been Mythic level, a high level talent yes, but nothing less was expected of pure royal blood.
At his best, he would've been a force to be reckoned with, especially with the subsidiary illusion domain, a talent that most light mancers would only dream of possessing.
In short, Kai had met the expectations, even as he was nowhere as strong as his brother . And everyone had expected Kion to surpass him.
It was a different kind of shock when Kion was found to be soulless.
A different kind of disappointment.
"Without further ado, we would initiate the procedures for our princes. One of pure royal blood, the other of merely corrupt half-blood."
Snickers rang through the courtroom as elders and advisors alike sneered and chuckled at the priest's subtle mockery.
Kion finally realised one thing. That he was not respected even behind these castle walls.
He would be more than happy to shove their doubts down their throats when he actually awakened.
As custom demanded, the crowned heir Kai was the first to go, standing within the mana circle that would unlock his meridians to ensure proper flow of dormant mana and energy throughout his body.
An ancient chant began, ensuring that his meditation procedure was pristine.
The meditation of the said awakened individual was usually the most important phase of an awakening ritual. One's mind had to be clear from all impurities, as they entered a state called "enlightenment" which involved learning and re-learning of ancient techniques and skills of past ancestors, physical and genetic changes, and the final phase, which was soul branding, involved the identification of the newly acquired soul domain as well as its rank and subsidiary domain if any.
It was a sacred process that usually took between 7-10 minutes. It was so important that the priest also had several apprentices surround the subject, ensuring the procedure went well.
The first few minutes usually didn't take much toll on the individual. That was until the second stage came, and beads of sweat could be visibly seen on Kai's forehead. It usually demanded more concentration, as the enlightenment one would go through at this point was very intense.
It was like jamming old scrolls, techniques, memories of wars and battle instincts, in the head of someone all at the same time. If proper care wasn't taken to ensure circulation of mana, one could lose himself in this phase to a permanent bout of madness.
This was why the priests and his apprentices increased the immensity of their chanting, ensuring that Kai's meridians were properly unlocked and that his mana was flowing to all the right places. His mental battle was his to fight alone.
The third stage finally came, as in the final minutes of enlightenment, Kai could be seen visibly shaking, his mouth muttering some incomprehensible words which were widely rumoured to be the language of his ancestors.
A gold coloured symbol of the sun appeared right above his head, signifying that he'd gotten a legendary grade light domain.
The light domain was a rare find among all elementary domains. It was also powerful if used well.
The courtroom murmured their approval and praise as a second symbol appeared next to the sun. The mirage symbol of illusion, also gold in colour
Kai had gotten a dominant light soul core with a sub-domain of illusion power. Both legendary in rank.
It was the same souls of the former timeline yes, but of a higher grade.
Kion wondered within himself whether the goddess had decided to give his brother all the edge he could possibly have over him.
There was no other sign needed to determine that Kai indeed was of Monarch-level talent.
But when the symbol of a golden rune appeared above his head, confirming the widely suspected fact, the entire courtroom couldn't help but descend into cheers.
The crowned heir was not a failure, but a force to be reckoned with.
Ten minutes had finally elapsed, and Kai slumped forward in a daze of consciousness, the awakening procedure taking a toll on his mortal body. An apprentice rushed to help him stand, supporting his figure on her shoulders.
The physical changes, while they were hardly observed as he sat down, could be seen clearly as he stood. His golden blonde hair had grown down his neck. His iris dilated, the shade of orange within almost like an ethereal glow, and he had gained a solid set of inches in height.
Kai may have been easily 6'1" before, but currently, he could've been said to be a standard 6'4".
As the apprentice escorted him away, Kai's eyes opened for a brief moment, roaming to where his brother, Kion, stood.
Even in his dazed state, he couldn't help but smirk at his fortune, knowing that his brother's demise came next.
"Good luck." He mouthed, as the apprentice led him through the doors to his quarters.
With Kai gone, everyone in the room turned to Kion.
Even through their disinterested gazes, their doubts of his ability to match up to his brother shining forth, Kion was sure of one thing.
It was time for his Awakening.