Chapter 3: The Divine Awakening
The gentle morning breeze fluttered through the silk curtains of the imperial bedroom. Light spilled onto the golden floor tiles, and the subtle fragrance of moon orchids perfumed the air.
"Your Highness, please wake up. It's the Day of Revelation," came a soft voice.
Eleonaria stirred beneath her veiled sheets. Her silver-white hair shimmered under the sunlight as she slowly blinked her eyes open. Standing beside her bed was Sun-hee, her loyal handmaiden, bowing with a composed smile.
"The Day of…?" Eleonaria's voice was husky with sleep.
"Your talent will be revealed today, Princess. The Grand Church has already begun preparations," Sun-hee said, gently helping her sit upright.
The name tugged at Eleonaria's memory. In this world, talent wasn't simply a gift. It was fate itself.
Inside the imperial carriage, rumbling gently across the cobblestone roads, Eleonaria gazed out at the ancient city of Loongjue. Towers of dragonstone and cloudswept spires stretched into the sky.
Sun-hee continued, her tone excited yet reverent. "Do you remember the stories of Hyun-woo? He awakened with a Mythic-grade talent—'Moonlight Techniques'. They say he can absorb moonlight to create devastating sword waves. Now he leads the Knights of Kevenriah under the Emperor's direct banner."
"Amazing," Eleonaria responded, her tone dry, yet her eyes slightly narrowed. Hyun-woo… that was the so-called "protagonist" of this world, she thought to herself.
Arriving at the Grand Church of Gaia, the twin marble doors opened like the jaws of a sleeping titan. Bishops and nuns bowed low as the Princess entered.
"It is an honor, Princess Eleonaria," greeted Pope Leo Ni, a dignified man whose eyes shimmered with reverence.
The hall was vast—cathedral ceilings adorned with floating glyphs and holy murals. One by one, young nobles approached the Divine Circle, performing the Rite of Awakening. Beams of light danced, revealing their talents—some mundane, some rare.
Finally, it was her turn.
Eleonaria stepped forward, her face calm and uninterested. She knew what was coming.
'In Chapter 5, my talent is supposed to be Domination Eye… It's mythic-tier. Nothing surprising.'
She placed her hand upon the ancient stone.
A moment passed.
Then, the world exploded into light.
A flash of cosmic blue and violet burst from her body, causing the entire cathedral to gasp. The walls trembled. Sacred symbols lit up the ceiling. Even the Pope staggered.
In her mind… she was no longer in the church.
She stood in a vast realm of stars.
Before her, a woman hovered, draped in flowing silks made of moonlight and stardust. Her presence was majestic and terrifying.
"I've waited for you, Eleonaria," she said with a gentle smile.
"…You're…?" Eleonaria's eyes widened.
"Gaia," the woman replied. "Creator of this world. Goddess of Balance. I couldn't interfere directly, but now… I ask you to protect my creation."
Eleonaria hesitated.
"Your role was meant to awaken Domination Eye, yes. And you shall. But as a gesture of my apology and hope…" Gaia raised her palm.
From her hands, three radiant sigils floated.
[Domination Eye] - Mythic Grade.
[Hand of the Ruler] - Mythic Grade.
[Cosmical Technique] - Unknown Grade.
"These are your gifts. No more. The laws of the Divine Realm forbid me from bestowing more than three."
Eleonaria, ever the strategist, tried to request more—but Gaia chuckled and declined firmly.
"Even you, little soul, are bound by the rules."
When Eleonaria opened her eyes, she was lying on the divine stone once more.
Gasps filled the hall.
Her father, King Xingluo LoongJue, had tears streaming down his face. "The Lotus of Divinity… has chosen my daughter," he whispered.
On Eleonaria's palm, a silver lotus bloomed, its roots entwined with threads of golden light.
Pope Leo Ni fell to his knees. "A Child of Divinity! Chosen by the goddess herself!"
The nobles murmured in awe and fear.
Eleonaria blinked.
She didn't understand most of what they said… and honestly didn't care.
She simply smiled and nodded like a good princess.
But deep inside…
"The game has changed... "