The Imperial Palace of the Valtherion Empire was already awake.
Servants hurried through marble corridors, guards stood like statues along the golden halls, and nobles gathered quietly in the observation balconies.
Today was a special day.
It was Guardian Selection Day.
For most royal children, it was a moment of pride.
For some… it was the beginning of greatness.
But for Leon Aurelion, it was something else entirely.
The Hall of Guardians was one of the largest chambers in the palace.
Massive stone pillars rose toward a ceiling painted with ancient murals depicting the founding of the empire by Caelus Aurelion.
At the center of the hall stood a circular platform.
Around it were seats reserved for the empire's most powerful warriors.
And today…
Most of them were present.
Generals.
Archmages.
Legendary knights.
Members of the empire's elite forces.
Their combined presence filled the room with overwhelming pressure.
Even seasoned soldiers would struggle to breathe here.
The massive doors creaked open.
Leon stepped inside.
The moment he entered…
Dozens of eyes turned toward him.
Some curious.
Some indifferent.
Some slightly amused.
A few nobles watching from above whispered quietly.
"That's him?"
"The illegitimate prince?"
"He looks… ordinary."
Leon felt the weight of their gazes, but his face remained calm.
He walked forward slowly toward the center platform.
Each step echoed across the hall.
Leon glanced around the chamber.
To his left sat the Five Titled Generals, commanders of the empire's legendary armies.
Their armor alone radiated terrifying power.
Nearby stood several members of the Twelve Elemental Swords, warriors famous across the continent.
Their reputations were so great that entire nations feared them.
Further back stood high-ranking knights and archmages, each powerful enough to rule a small kingdom.
Leon knew the truth.
Most of them were here for the other princes and princesses.
Not for him.
Suddenly a loud voice echoed across the hall.
"Well, look who finally showed up."
A tall young man stood from one of the royal seats.
His black hair was tied behind his head, and his crimson cloak marked him as the empire's heir.
Prince Draven Aurelion.
The Crown Prince.
The most famous warrior among the younger generation of the royal family.
He grinned as he looked down at Leon.
"You're late, little brother."
Leon stopped in front of the platform and bowed slightly.
"My apologies, Your Highness."
Draven laughed.
"Relax. Today's your day."
His sharp eyes scanned the warriors seated around the hall.
Then he spoke loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Let's see who's brave enough to become the guardian of the forgotten prince."
A few warriors chuckled.
Others remained silent.
An elderly court official stepped forward.
He carried a long silver staff — a symbol of imperial authority.
"Prince Leon Aurelion," he said.
"You may now select your guardian."
"You have three choices."
"If all three refuse…"
"You will proceed without one."
The hall became silent.
Even the watching nobles leaned forward slightly.
Because despite Leon's status…
He was still a member of the royal family.
And today they would see how the empire's strongest warriors responded to him.
Leon slowly raised his head.
He looked around the hall.
At the generals.
At the knights.
At the archmages.
Most of them avoided his gaze.
But one figure caught his attention.
At the far end of the chamber sat a man dressed entirely in black.
He sat slightly apart from the others.
His presence was quiet.
Calm.
Yet strangely terrifying.
It felt like looking into an endless abyss.
One of the Twelve Elemental Swords.
The one known across the empire as the most mysterious of them all.
The Sword of Void.
Leon took a step forward.
Then he raised his hand.
And pointed.
Directly at the man in black.
"I choose him."
The entire hall froze.
The warriors followed Leon's finger.
And realized who he had chosen.
Murmurs erupted instantly.
"He chose him?!"
"That's impossible…"
"Why would he pick the Void Sword?"
Because the man Leon had chosen was known as the most dangerous member of the Twelve.
The warrior whose true strength no one had ever fully witnessed.
The man called…
Aether.
For several seconds, the hall remained completely silent.
Then slowly…
Aether opened his eyes.
Dark, calm eyes that seemed to swallow the light around them.
He looked at Leon carefully.
Studying him.
Judging him.
The entire hall waited for his answer.
Even the Crown Prince leaned forward with interest.
Finally…
Aether spoke.
His voice was quiet.
Cold.
And carried easily across the chamber.
"Prince Leon Aurelion."
"You have chosen me as your guardian."
He paused.
Then asked a single question.
"Why?"
High above the hall, hidden behind a balcony screen, Caelus Aurelion watched silently.
And for the first time in centuries…
The First Sovereign was genuinely curious.