The Soceror Supreme, Lord Aaric, stood before the gathered royals and nobles, his voice amplified by the red rune crystal floating before him. "I have gathered you all here because we, meaning I and the Minister of War, Inferno D Lugard, have realized the need to increase our nation's military power."
The room fell silent, with all eyes fixed on Lord Aaric. "Furthermore, 12 Magic Knight Divisions will be established, and the current Berserk Knights in the army will join these divisions."
A murmur of curiosity spread through the room, with one of the royals speaking up, "Sorry, if I may say, what will happen to the captains of the Berserk Knights currently?"
Lord Aaric smiled, "Good question. The 5 acting captains of the Berserk Knights will become the Minister of War's personal knights."
Another royal chimed in, "Lord Aaric, doesn't that mean the Minister of War, Lord Lugard, will hold all the power of the military?"
Lord Aaric's expression turned serious. "Don't get me wrong; the Minister of War is the pinnacle of our military power. Our main HQ will be located within the four walls of his kingdom, but the military will be controlled as it has always been."
He continued, "He will be like a pillar, uniting the 12 divisions like a 13th squad."
A royal asked, "Okay, but who will be the captains of these Magic Knight Divisions, and can we trust them with such a task?"
Lord Aaric's eyes sparkled. "Not to worry, they are honorable young men and women who have all ascended to the White Core."
Just then, a royal spoke up, "Lord Aaric, if I may say, this military system you and Lord Lugard conceptualized is not bad, but why isn't Lord Lugard here with you?"
Lord Aaric smiled mischievously. "Who said he isn't?"
A smoke cloud appeared behind Lord Aaric, and Lord Lugard emerged, accompanied by 22 participants. "Sorry I was late to make my introduction sooner, but here, with me, are the participants who will occupy the posts of the new 12 Magic Knight Divisions."
The participants stepped forward, introducing themselves one by one. There was
Domas Von Travis, a Royal and Augmenter at the White Core Tier 2
Bart Von Reggie, a Royal by birth and Conjurer at the White Core Tier 1
Adam D Adonis, a Grand Royal and Conjurer at the White Core Tier 5 and many others.
The last participant to introduce himself was Felix Von Damian, a Duo emitter and Royal, who never boasted being at the peak of the White Core. He had no form of arrogance as his humility was met with a mixture of amazement and ease from the crowd.
Lord Lugard concluded, "As I was stating earlier, these are the participants, and in a week's time, they will be fighting against one another to determine who will be the 12 Magic Knight Division captains."
The gathering dispersed, with the participants departing to their individual residences.
Later, in a large room, the participants waited for the arrival of the Soceror Supreme. Tensions ran high, with some participants already showing signs of rivalry.
Adam D Adonis and Felix Von Damian got into a heated argument, which almost escalated into a fight. The Soceror Supreme arrived just in time to intervene, stopping Felix's attack with a barrier created from his pinky finger.
"Now, now, if you wish to fight, wait for the tournament. There, you can run wild and end your lives."
The Soceror Supreme announced, "After the tournament, I have arranged places for you all to learn and upgrade your fighting skills."
The participants looked at each other in excitement and anticipation.
As the Soceror Supreme departed, he whispered to himself, "I know you all will evolve into greater beasts before the tournament."
The day of the tournament finally arrived, and the Soceror Supreme, Lord Aaric, stood before a massive projection rune. The rune glowed brightly, amplifying Lord Aaric's voice as he addressed the civilians from across the 21 kingdoms.
"My dear citizens of the Empire," Lord Aaric began, his voice echoing through the land. "Today marks a momentous occasion, one that will shape the future of our great Empire. The tournament, which is about to commence, is not merely a spectacle of magic and might, but a celebration of the bravery and skill of our finest young warriors."
The projection rune cast Lord Aaric's image across the skies, allowing every citizen to witness his words.
"The 24 participants, who have been chosen to compete in this tournament, are the crème de la crème of our Empire's youth. They hail from noble families, royal bloodlines, and even humble beginnings. Each of them possesses unique abilities, honed through rigorous training and dedication."
As Lord Aaric spoke, the projection rune began to display images of the participants, showcasing their names, backgrounds, and magical abilities.
"Among them, you will find Adam D Adonis, a Grand Royal and Conjurer of unparalleled skill; Felix Von Damian, a Duo emitter with the power to manipulate darkness; and many others, each with their own strengths and weaknesses."
The citizens watched in awe, their attention captivated by the Soceror Supreme's words and the images of the participants.
"Throughout this tournament, these young warriors will clash in a series of magical duels, each one pushing their limits and testing their resolve. The ultimate goal is to determine which 12 among them will become the captains of our newly formed Magic Knight Divisions."
Lord Aaric's voice grew more solemn, his words filled with a sense of purpose.
"This tournament is not merely a contest of magic, but a celebration of our Empire's diversity, strength, and resilience. It is a testament to our commitment to fostering the next generation of leaders, who will shape the destiny of our great Empire."
As the Soceror Supreme finished his address, the projection rune dissipated, leaving behind a sense of excitement and anticipation. The citizens of the Empire eagerly awaited the start of the tournament, knowing that they were about to witness something truly extraordinary.
The attention of the Empire shifted to the 24 participants, who stood ready to face the challenges ahead. Their names were on everyone's lips, and their actions would soon become the stuff of legend.