Arriving at the chamber, our guide opened the regular-sized doors, causing the field of Auras to multiply greatly, hitting like a wall, making my palms sweat and ears ring for a moment.
Usually, I don't like to boast, but to keep myself from passing out, I was left with no choice but to project an Aura of my own. Earning me a few glances from the others seated at the table.
Our guide directed us inside, showing me to my seat. I was placed at the close end of the long table, near the doors, on the King's side of the table, with the king and queen seated far at the other end. Sir Chiron stood behind my chair, leaning on the wall in nonchalance.
The room was not very large, many times smaller than the meeting hall back at my estate. But since the king owns a castle with meeting rooms specific to the people participating, my one room seems trivial.
The room was quiet with the murmurs of private conversations, indicating that the meeting had yet to start. My annoyance nearly showed.
Seated comfortably in a fancy chair at the head of the table, side-by-side, were the king and queen, easily recognisable in their own home, wearing extravagant robes matching the colour of their castle. King Jannik, brown hair combed over. Respectable man with well-informed insight into his kingdom. He may have inherited his position, but he sits on the throne as an ideal representative. The only part he lacks is stricter control over his Lords.
His wife, Queen Kleas, and her snow-white hair. Inspiring the adoring King's obsession with the hue. She's a lovely lady to the kingdom, personally overseeing political advancements and strife in the Lower Districts. Fixing problems behind the scenes, supposedly near a breakthrough, to eliminate some of the financially straining aspects in the Districts.
Together, they are a politically powerful duo, doing more to combat internal problems than most other Kingdoms on the continent. Where they fall short, however, are advocates for their high-priority change. You cannot exactly make zen if you are spending it all on the poor.
They were both engaged in conversation with Headmistress Aurelle, director of Quincy Academy, who was seated to the right of the Queen, opposite from my side of the table.
Despite being a Vestige, she prefers the title 'Headmistress' taking her role as the Academy director as more important.
The King and Queen have taken great importance in education ever since their children began attending her Academy. Becoming more involved after this year's earlier catastrophe. Adding to the fact that Quincy Academy is one of the most prestigious academies on the continent.
Headmistress Aurelle is not exactly young, but due to her Lord Will, she is not considered old either. Her once vibrant green hair has gone many shades grey, and while looking frail, she is anything but. You don't earn the title 'Vestige' by being feeble.
The great Recovery Vestige Vera Aurelle, pioneering the 'Wiplash' technique. Even Sir Chiron envies her Recovery-Will manipulation. I look back to see him staring, silently measuring her.
Across from Headmistress Aurelle is the Von Leer Head and Lady. They train the Elite Guards in the kingdom. A step above the 'official' Grimwald role. They train soldiers who directly defend the royal family and handle high-stakes criminal investigations within the kingdom.
They can be spotted from a mile away, recognisable by their fiery red hair. Lord Blake, short hair, trimmed beard. Lady Mary, long hair, vibrant red, piercing eyes. Three kids, the oldest of the three, Kei Von Leer, 19 years old, headed into his last year at Quincy Academy. The twins, 17-year-old son and daughter, Silvio and Luiza Von Leer, headed into their third year at Quincy Academy.
They say Lord Blake's red cosmetic attributes come from a long lineage of powerful Fire Beast Wills. Lady Mary, hailing from a distant kingdom, with the same mindset.
However, strong is an understatement; both Blake and Mary are Holders of powerful Lord Wills. Not Vestiges, however.
Their children, the twins lack their parents' fire in martial adeptness and Will manipulation. They are not terrible, but enough to disappoint.
The only others making requests today were the Wittrock Head, the Oberfell Head, and the Eisler Head. All are at lower standings.
The Wittrock Head, a man on the… bigger side, was placed in the middle of the table on the Queen's side. He oversees all construction in the Service, Middle, and Upper District. If something is being made for the Kingdom, he is the one to go to.
Most construction in the Lower District is handled by area-controlled representatives who don't get paid enough to perform quality checks.
The Wittrock Head is a Lord Earth-Will Holder, but not a Vestige. It is clear he has let money and social standing affect his life, his rough skin, unkempt nails and teeth, and his balding head, all signs he is unconcerned with his looks. As long as he has a full belly.
The Oberfell Head is sitting to my right. Lord Mind-Will Holder, or more befitting of his title, Mind Vestige Othmar. Pioneer of 'Sentinels', specialists in mind-linked communication. Vital to passing critical information during war times. The only reason he's sitting so far from the King is because the Kingdom is at peace. He's been in the game a long time, one of the oldest Lord Will Holders. He's been alive for almost 200 years, and wrinkles are only now starting to show.
Overseeing the deployment of soldiers during war, no man has experienced more than him. He is a masterclass tactician.
Lord Oberfell is a quiet man, keeping to himself mostly. Now, in a time of relative peace, he spends it with his family.
"Have you come prepared, Elgin?" Lord Oberfell spoke in his deep, resonating voice. He was looking over some parchments in front of him, likely going over our request for later.
"Do I seem the man who comes empty-minded and handed to you?" I glanced at him through the corner of my eye.
"Watch your tone in this room, boy. You still need to make up for your father's mistakes before making requests." He took his eyes off his scrolls, gazing over me. "You're lucky to have me." Finishing with a half smile. "Make sure you're prepared." Turning back to his scrolls.
I have not had the pleasure of interacting with any other Vestige, yet. Hopefully, they have more life than this old man.
The only other Vestige in attendance today is the Wind Vestige, Hugo Blawen. Standing behind the King and Queen, he acts as their personal emissary. They say he can move a dozen meters in the blink of an eye, and has the stamina to run the circumference of the world multiple times over before getting tired.
Blond hair in a middle part, with clean sharp features. He reminds me of Leo, having a Supplementary Attribute of Elite-Sound. He often wears white to signify his close allegiance to the royal family.
The last person not currently in attendance is the Eisler Head, Master of Coin. Tracking the finances of the royal family and all important Heads of the kingdom. When the Kingdom is funded by nobles, the Eisler head will make budgets and plan the events.
A few seconds after my conversation with Lord Oberfell, a boy comes crashing through the doors, carrying dozens of scrolls.
"Apologies, I'm lat…!" Falling to the floor, along with all his parchments.
Picking himself back up to his knees, ignoring his scrolls, he knelt to the king. "Forgive me, your grace! I only ask for leniency!" His youthful voice cracking.
The debacle earns the boy chuckles and murmurs from the seated nobles.
I don't recognise him.
The King rises from his chair, a slight grin on his face. "Be at ease, Lord Eisler." He says softly. Addressing the whole room, "Everyone in attendance, this is James Eisler, son of Norn Eisler. He will be acting Master of Coin in the Kingdom while his father is on a political embassy to the Haldon Capital. He is not expected to return for at least a few years."
I scanned the faces of everyone in the room, and from their reactions, it was clear they had no knowledge of Norn Eisler's departure from the Kingdom.
The king began walking towards the kneeling boy, continuing his announcement, "I can see your confusion. The reason his departure was not announced was at the request of the Capital. So, I'm informing you now, highlighting this severity. I'd rather not risk a leak. The Haldon Capital has been keeping track of financials for the past few decades now, and it's clear the current currency cannot keep up with the increasing population and financial demand of each Kingdom. Henceforth, they are considering a new currency system. Which will be used in conjunction with the current zen currency. The call of all Masters of Coins was requested to create new regulations."
His announcement sparked a strain of whispers from the attendees. Reaching Lord Eisler, the King helped him to his feet, and directed the two closest nobles to help pick up all the scrolls on the floor. When James Eisler's debacle was cleaned up, he was directed to a seat near the edge of the table, on the Queen's side.
Returning to his chair, the King addressed the room once again, "Now then, shall we begin!?"