The Hall of Guardians slowly emptied.
Nobles whispered among themselves as they left the balconies, while warriors of the empire returned to their duties.
Yet one topic dominated every conversation.
The forgotten prince.
And the man who had chosen to stand beside him.
Aether — The Sword of Void.
No one in the empire expected him to accept a disciple.
Especially not Leon Aurelion.
Near the center of the hall, Crown Prince Draven leaned against one of the marble pillars, watching Leon and Aether quietly speak.
A wide grin spread across his face.
"Well," Draven said loudly, "this turned out to be far more entertaining than I expected."
Several other royal siblings stood nearby.
One of them, a graceful girl with silver hair, folded her arms.
"You're enjoying this too much, Brother."
This was Princess Seraphina Aurelion, one of the empire's most talented young mages.
Draven laughed.
"Of course I am."
He looked toward Leon.
"Our quiet little brother just made the boldest move in the hall."
Seraphina studied Leon thoughtfully.
"Or the most reckless."
Leon stood in the center of the hall beside his new guardian.
Up close, Aether's presence felt strange.
He didn't radiate overwhelming power like the generals.
Nor did he feel like a powerful mage.
Instead…
Standing beside him felt like standing next to a silent abyss.
Leon finally spoke.
"Thank you for accepting me."
Aether looked down at him.
"I did not accept you out of kindness."
"I accepted you because I am curious."
Leon blinked.
"Curious?"
Aether nodded.
"When you entered the hall, I felt something unusual in your presence."
"Something hidden."
Leon frowned slightly.
"I don't understand."
Aether simply said,
"You will."
As they began walking toward the exit, several warriors of the Twelve Elemental Swords approached them.
The man with flaming red hair — the Sword of Flame — laughed loudly.
"Well well! Looks like the quiet one finally took a student!"
He crouched down slightly to look at Leon.
"You've got guts, kid."
Another warrior, the Sword of Lightning, spoke more seriously.
"Void Sword."
"You understand what taking a royal disciple means."
Aether nodded.
"I do."
The Lightning Sword glanced at Leon.
"Then train him well."
"Because enemies of the empire will not care whether he is legitimate or not."
Leon and Aether stepped out into the vast palace corridors.
Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, illuminating ancient tapestries that told the history of the empire.
For a while, neither of them spoke.
Finally Leon asked,
"Where will we train?"
Aether stopped walking.
Then he looked at Leon seriously.
"You will not train here."
Leon blinked.
"Not in the palace?"
"No."
Aether's voice remained calm.
"The palace is full of comfort."
"Comfort weakens warriors."
Leon hesitated.
"Then where?"
Aether turned toward one of the palace exits.
"To the edge of the empire."
Leon's eyes widened.
"The edge of the empire?"
"That's where monsters and criminals gather."
Aether nodded.
"Exactly."
Leon swallowed nervously.
"You're serious."
"Very."
Aether continued walking.
"If you wish to become strong, Prince Leon…"
"You must face death."
High above the palace courtyard stood an ancient balcony that almost no one used.
From there, a tall figure watched the two of them leave the palace gates.
The legendary founder of the empire.
Caelus Aurelion.
The old ruler's eyes glowed faintly as he observed Leon carefully.
His senses reached deep into the boy's bloodline.
And once again…
He felt it.
That strange power hidden within Leon.
A power that even he could not immediately identify.
Caelus smiled faintly.
"Void Sword…"
"You've chosen an interesting path."
Because if Leon truly awakened the power sleeping in his blood…
The balance of the empire itself might change.
Outside the palace gates, Leon looked back one last time.
The massive golden towers of the Imperial Palace stood proudly against the sky.
This had been his home his entire life.
Yet now…
He was leaving it.
Beside him, Aether spoke quietly.
"From this moment forward, your life will change."
Leon nodded.
"I understand."
Aether looked down at the boy.
"No."
"You don't."
Then he turned toward the distant mountains beyond the capital.
"Your training begins tomorrow."
"And by the end of it…"
"You will no longer be the forgotten prince."
Leon tightened his fists.
For the first time in his life…
He felt like his future might truly begin.