The royal palace hums with restless energy.From every corner of the Baitali Kingdom, ministers have arrived under the direct orders of King Amitrochates. The grand council hall, vast and majestic, is filled to its limits.
All five hundred and thirteen ministers are present.They sit in ordered rows, their robes of different regions and ranks adding color to the otherwise solemn chamber. Quiet murmurs pass between them as they wait, speculation filling the air.
No one knows exactly why they have been summoned so urgently.
Suddenly—
"Attention!"
A guard's voice echoes loudly through the hall.In an instant, every minister rises to their feet.The massive doors at the end of the chamber open slowly.
"The King of Baitali… and Her Majesty, the Queen… are entering!"
Amitrochates walks in with calm authority, his presence commanding the entire room. Beside him walks Tisya, graceful and composed, her expression serene yet powerful.
The moment they step inside—
All ministers and guards bow deeply.
"Welcome, Your Majesty! Welcome, Her Majesty!"
Their voices rise together, filling the hall with respect and loyalty.Amitrochates walks forward without haste, his gaze sweeping across the gathered ministers. Tisya walks beside him, her presence radiating quiet strength.
They reach the elevated throne.Amitrochates takes his seat at the center, while Tisya sits beside him.With a simple gesture of his hand, Amitrochates signals the ministers.
"You may sit."
The ministers obey immediately, returning to their seats.
After a moment, the Chancellor rises from his seat. An elderly man with sharp eyes and a composed demeanor, he bows respectfully.
"Your Majesty," he says, "may we know the reason for summoning all of us today?"
Amitrochates leans slightly forward.
"I have called all of you today," he begins, his voice steady and clear, "to discuss a matter of great importance for the future of Baitali."
The hall grows even quieter.
Every minister listens carefully.
"As you all know," Amitrochates continues, "both my daughter and my son have now completed their education.".
Then he speaks the words that shift the atmosphere entirely—
"It is time… to decide the future ruler of Baitali."
A wave of tension spreads across the hall.
Amitrochates sat upon the throne, his gaze steady as it moved across the vast hall filled with ministers. The weight of the moment was clear in his expression, yet his voice remained calm and controlled.
"I do not want any conflict over the throne," he said. "So I have already spoken to both Ashora and Leona. I asked them who wishes to become the next ruler, and both agreed to resolve it without dispute."
A faint murmur passed through the hall at the mention of their names, but it quickly faded into silence.
"Even so," Amitrochates continued, "I cannot leave such an important decision entirely in their hands. That is why I have called all of you here—to hear your opinions."
He leaned back slightly, waiting.
But no answer came.
The silence that followed was not one of hesitation, but of indifference.
The ministers seated in the hall had no personal stake in the matter. None of them were nobles—because nobility no longer existed in Baitali.
Long ago, when Androcottus rose to power and defeated the previous king, the kingdom had been fractured and weakened by the corruption of nobles who cared more for their own wealth than the people they ruled. Many had died in the war, but some had survived. Androcottus could have wiped them all out, but doing so would have plunged the already fragile kingdom into deeper chaos.
It was Aarath who had guided him then.
Instead of destruction, they chose transformation.
The noble system was abolished.
Titles were stripped, lands reclaimed, and power returned to the crown. The nobles resisted, furious at the loss of their status, and many rebelled. But they failed to understand one crucial truth—the people no longer stood with them. Years of suffering had turned public favor completely toward Androcottus.
Those who rebelled were crushed without mercy.
The rest had no choice but to submit.
Their lands and titles were gone, but they were allowed to serve the kingdom as ministers—administrators rather than rulers. Their duty was to collect taxes, maintain order, and resolve disputes among the people. Every five years, new ministers were selected through rigorous examinations, ensuring that only capable individuals governed the territories.
And to prevent corruption from ever rising again, Aarath imposed one final law—
No minister or their family could marry into the royal bloodline.
The throne would remain untouched by influence.
Because of this system, the ministers now present held no ambition toward the crown. Whoever became the next ruler would not change their lives in any meaningful way. Most of them would retire long before that day came.
And so—
They remained silent.
At last, one minister rose.
He bowed deeply, his fist pressed against his palm.
"Your Majesty," he said respectfully, "you are the wisest among us. We cannot compare to the wisdom of Grandmaster Aarath."
Another stood beside him.
"We trust your judgment. Whatever decision you make will be for the good of Baitali."
More ministers began to rise.
One after another, they echoed the same sentiment. Soon, the hall filled with the sound of fists striking tables in agreement—a rhythmic, unified acknowledgment of the king's authority.
Amitrochates watched them quietly.
This was exactly what he had expected.
There would be no debate.
No opposition.
This gathering was merely a formality—an approval required by law. For a decision of such magnitude, seventy-five percent of the ministers' consent was needed.
And this silence… this submission…
Was their consent.
"I understand," Amitrochates said at last.
His voice cut cleanly through the hall, and the noise immediately ceased.
"Since the matter has been addressed, we will proceed with today's council."
He clapped his hands twice.
At once, servants entered the chamber, each carrying bundles of documents. They moved swiftly and efficiently, placing a copy before every minister before withdrawing from the hall.
Amitrochates gestured toward the papers.
"Open them," he said. "These contain the matters to be discussed today."
His eyes once again swept across the assembly.
"Let us continue."
Leona sits alone in her chamber, her posture straight but her mind restless. The usual calm in her eyes is gone, replaced by tension she cannot hide.A soft golden glow appears beside her.
"Aurelios."
The spirit-like form of her contracted beast manifests, its presence warm yet perceptive."What troubles you?" Aurelios asks. "Your heart is unsettled." Aurelios can feel her emotions, her sadness effects him.
Leona exhales slowly."Father has asked Ashora and me to decide who will be the next ruler."
Aurelios studies her quietly."And you do not want it?"
Leona hesitates."I do… but not now."Her fingers tighten slightly."I want to become a ruler like Grandfather. Strong. Wise. Unshakable."Her gaze drifts toward the window.
"But this is too soon."A faint softness enters her voice."I also want to see the world… like Grandfather did in his youth."
Aurelios tilts his head."Then why not refuse?"
Leona shakes her head.
"I can't.""If I refuse, Father might make Ashora the next ruler."
"And he doesn't want it either."Silence lingers between them.
Aurelios sighs softly.
"I do not understand human affairs."He begins to fade."Call me when you need me."The golden light disappears, leaving Leona alone with her thoughts.
Elsewhere, in the training grounds, Ashora swings his sword again and again.Each strike cuts through the air with precision—but his mind is elsewhere.He suddenly stops.The sun is already setting.
"It's evening already…"He lowers his sword."What answer should I give Father?"
He frowns."Should I refuse?"\He shakes his head immediately."No… that will make things harder for Sister."
Frustration builds within him.He swings his sword again."What should I do…"
By evening, the palace grows quieter.Ashora and Leona stand outside Amitrochates' chamber.Neither of them speaks for a moment.
"Sis…" Ashora finally says. "What do you think we should do?"Leona exhales slowly.
"I don't know."I can't decide anything."
Ashora hesitates."Why don't we both refuse?"
Leona looks at him."No… we can't."
"That would hurt Father."
Ashora frowns."But is hurting ourselves any better?"
Leona falls silent.The weight of the decision presses heavily on both of them.After a moment, Ashora speaks again."Then let's refuse for now.""We'll tell him we're not ready yet… but maybe in the future."
Leona nods slowly.
"…Alright."
With tension in their hearts, they step inside.
Inside the chamber sit Amitrochates, Androcottus, and Aarath.All three look at them.
"What have you decided?" Amitrochates asks.
Ashora and Leona remain silent.Both hesitate.Ashora glances at Leona.What should we say?
Amitrochates' voice grows firmer."I asked—what have you decided?"
At that moment—
"I don't want to become the next ruler right now!"Both Ashora and Leona speak at the same time.
Silence follows immediately.Both of them lower their heads slightly, waiting.
They know their father well.He is kind.He loves them.But when it comes to the kingdom… he is a king first, a father second.
Aarath breaks the silence."Amitrochates," he says calmly, "let the children choose their own path.""You are still capable of ruling. There is no need to pressure them."
Androcottus nods."Master is right.""I thought about it as well.""It is better to let them grow freely.""In time, one of them will take your place."
Amitrochates remains silent for a moment.Then he speaks.
"I understand."
His tone softens slightly."As a father… I cannot force you to carry a burden you are not ready for."
He looks directly at them."But tell me this—"
"What is it that you want so badly… that you are willing to refuse the throne?"
Ashora steps forward.
"Father… I want to travel the world.""I want to see everything it has to offer.""If I become the heir… it will become a chain that binds me."
Leona speaks next."I want the same, Father."
Amitrochates listens quietly.Then he shakes his head.
"…Ambitious.""But I cannot allow it."
Ashora looks up in shock."Why, Father?"
Amitrochates' expression turns serious."Because you are too weak.
His words hit hard."If I let you roam the world like this, I won't know where or how you might die.""That is not something I can allow."
Aarath nods.
"Your father is right.""You are strong for your age… but the world beyond the kingdom is far more dangerous.""Strength decides survival there."
Androcottus steps forward slightly."The solution is simple.""Become strong enough that no danger can reach you."He looks at them firmly."I support your dream.""But we cannot send you outside Baitali like this."
Ashora and Leona's expressions fall.
Disappointment fills their faces.
Then—
Amitrochates speaks again."I will allow it."Both of them look up instantly."But on one condition.""What is it?" they ask together.
"Reach Stage Two of Awakening within two years."
The room grows quiet.
"That is the limit of the bloodline you inherited from me and your grandfather.""Beyond that… your growth depends entirely on your own effort."
He looks at them seriously."If you can reach Stage Two, I will have enough confidence in your strength to let you go."
Aarath nods approvingly."The difference between Stage One and Stage Two is enormous.""It is not something that can be achieved through training alone."
"It requires realization."
Androcottus smiles faintly."Awakening is not taught—it is understood.""But when your desire is strong enough…""Miracles happen.""That is how I reached Stage Two as well."
Ashora and Leona exchange a glance.
Determination fills their eyes."We will do it.""We'll reach Stage Two."
Amitrochates nods.
"Even so…""I must still announce a successor."
He looks at Leona.
"As the eldest, I declare you the temporary Crown Princess."
"Until the time comes for a final decision."
Leona bows.
"As you command, Father."
Ashora bows as well.
"Father, I will take my leave."
Both of them exit the chamber.
As they walk through the corridor, the tension between them fades slightly.Leona glances at Ashora."So… what now?"
Ashora grins."How about a bet?"
Leona raises an eyebrow.
"A bet?"
"Whoever reaches Stage Two first… gets to decide where we go on our journey."
Leona smirks.
"Alright."
"But be ready to lose."
Ashora laughs.
"Sister, I've never lost."
"And I won't lose now."With that, he turns and walks toward his room.Leona watches him go, a faint smile on her face.
"Little brother…" she murmurs softly.
"How confident."
She turns and walks toward her own chamber.