REAL WORLD
The crisis was only escalating.
Newspapers across the world were in turmoil.Headlines contradicted one another. Opinions clashed.
Should Eruasert's weakness be exploited and turned into an invasion?Or should its silence be respected, allowing it time to heal?
The kingdoms began taking sides.
The Kingdom of Icle, land of beasts and raw instinct, refused any interaction with humans.Their answer was simple.
— Let humans slaughter each other.
On the opposite end stood the Kingdom of Iange, inhabited by nomads ravaged by the world's diseases.They openly opposed any attack.
Eruasert had once extended a hand to them.They would never forget.
The Kingdom of the Twin Kings, Tar, proved far more opportunistic.The twins harbored deep resentment toward Eruasert's current king.
Seizing the central kingdom meant gaining access to the Lawless Zones…And to forbidden resources.
The Kingdom of Poly, blessed with near-infinite resources, announced that in the event of war, all supplies would be cut.
A silent—but terrifying—pressure.
The Kingdom of Penta, realm of games and entertainment, applauded the idea of conflict.
To test their weapons.To count the dead.To laugh.
Only one kingdom remained capable of tipping the balance.
Ccare.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF KING ISAAC
On a vast public square, King Isaac of Ccare stepped forward under the gaze of the entire world.
Charismatic. Calm. A master of his image.
— What a heavy responsibility… he declared. I wish I were not king to bear it. But fortunately for this world… I am.
A respectful silence followed.
— I oppose this war, at least for now. Other priorities require my attention…
A shiver ran through the crowd.
Suddenly—
The air distorted.
An overwhelming presence manifested instantly on the royal court.
A masked being.An aura so dense that even the cameras seemed to tremble.
An Emperor.
He stepped forward, took the microphone—and spoke in Isaac's place.
— There will be no war.We have decided so.
Then he vanished.
As if he had never existed.
A murmur of shock rippled through the crowd.Who could interrupt a king so casually?
Isaac clenched his teeth, but remained composed.
— People of Eruasert, he proclaimed immediately. I am your savior. Allow me to enter your land and rebuild it. Through our scientific government, we shall uncover the mysteries of this world.
Thunderous applause erupted.
Isaac turned his back to the crowd, a faint smile curling his lips.
I am several moves ahead… even of the Emperors.
He knew one thing.
One day, he would perish.
But his ideas would live on.
— Prepare a meeting with the Einstein Class, he ordered his advisor.
He raised his eyes toward the sky.
The Council of Emperors is approaching…It's time to keep a low profile.
PRESTIGIOUS HIGH SCHOOL OF CCARE
Among the spectators of the announcement were several students from Ccare's elite academy.
Some already dreamed of walking alongside the king.
But to do so, they had to pass the final exam.Reach the Einstein Class.Touch the secrets of the world.
A few days later, an anatomy lesson took place in an icy classroom.
The professor manipulated a skeleton, explaining each bone with precision.
When the class ended, three students remained.
Charles.Rose.And Jay.
As far as the exams were concerned, their paths were clear.
Charles was destined for the Einstein Class.Rose and Jay aimed for Newton, without much concern.
Suddenly, Jay frowned.
The skeleton… had moved.
He blinked.
Nothing.
Yet the more he stared at it, the stronger the feeling became.
Something was watching him back.
— Are you okay? Rose asked, worried.
Jay felt it.
A presence.A fourth one.
— Leave… he whispered. I'll catch up.
They obeyed.
Alone, Jay approached the skeleton.
A rough, broken voice whispered into his ear:
— I… am… not… dead…
Jay screamed and fled the room, shaking.
Later, Charles returned.
Nothing.
Everything was in its place.
— You must have hallucinated, he concluded.
Jay nodded…
But he didn't sleep that night.
Days passed.
At every class, his eyes locked onto the skeleton.
During another lesson, he answered the teacher's questions brilliantly, earning an impressed look.
— The exams are approaching, Rose said. The results will be announced just before the king's absence.
Jay looked up.
— How do you know that?
Charles smiled.
— My father is Einstein Class. Confidential meeting. When I become one too… I'll know everything.
Jay murmured, his gaze distant.
— You have no idea…