As I approached the throne hall, I noticed that the massive doors were still closed.
Two imperial guards stood watch on either side.
One of them pulled open a door and loudly announced,
"The Seventh Prince Aluric has arrived for the talent examination!"
His voice echoed throughout the hall.
I stepped across the threshold.
The moment I entered the throne hall, I instinctively slowed my pace and glanced around.
Banners of the Krey Empire's vassals hung from the walls, while at the far end stood the empire's main standard towering above all the rest.
The throne hall was filled with nobles, vassals, and representatives from neighboring states.
At its center stood two thrones.
My parents were already seated upon them.
Emperor Drey and Empress Mayf.
My gaze settled on my father.
He was clad in dark blue armor, and resting in his hands was a greatsword, its tip planted firmly against the stone floor.
Beneath the metal was the body of a warrior covered in countless scars.
He possessed no magic.
Yet through monstrous strength and unparalleled mastery of the sword, he had become a nightmare to the enemies of the Krey Empire.
Seated to his right was my mother.
Dressed in a blue gown, a scepter in hand, she looked like the embodiment of cold authority.
Her pale blond hair was tied into a high ponytail, revealing slightly pointed ears—the inheritance of high elven blood.
Behind the thrones stood my brothers and sisters.
The heirs of the Krey Empire.
And my greatest rivals.
As I approached, I lowered myself onto one knee.
"Emperor Drey. Empress Mayf. I, the Seventh Prince of the Krey Empire, have arrived to undergo the magical talent examination."
"Rise," my father said calmly.
I stood and took my place behind the thrones beside my brothers and sisters.
The emperor struck the tip of his sword against the stone floor.
A dull clang echoed throughout the hall, silencing everyone at once.
"In accordance with the ancient covenant, today the princes and princesses of the Krey Empire shall undergo testing for magical affinity," he began. "Based on the results, each heir will be sent to an academy suited to their gift."
The emperor paused briefly.
"Bring forth the Mana Stone."
A girl in snow-white robes entered the hall, carrying a sphere shimmering with countless shifting colors.
Touching the ring on her finger, she summoned a pristine white table and carefully placed the Mana Stone at its center.
The sphere's surface turned white, leaving only dense mist swirling inside.
"Your Majesty, the Mana Stone is prepared for the talent examination."
The first to step forward was Nreu.
My eldest brother displayed a vivid crimson affinity for fire, drawing admiration throughout the hall.
Next came Heya.
When one half of the Mana Stone turned pale green while the other became a deep crimson, stunned silence fell over the chamber.
Air and fire.
Two perfectly balanced affinities.
An exceedingly rare talent.
Then it was my turn.
I felt an unpleasant tension building inside me.
After taking several deep breaths, I tried to calm myself, but it did little to help.
Clenching my hands into fists, I slowly walked toward the Mana Stone.
Each step echoed heavily in my mind.
It felt as though the entire hall was watching only me.
By the time I reached the table, my shirt was already clinging unpleasantly to my body with sweat.
I placed my palm against the smooth surface of the stone.
It was freezing cold.
Closing my eyes, I stood motionless.
I didn't know what I was supposed to feel.
Warmth.
A tingling sensation.
A response.
Anything at all.
But nothing happened.
Only the coldness of the stone and the deafening silence surrounding me.
A second passed.
Then another.
My heart pounded so loudly that it felt as though the entire hall could hear it.
At last, I opened my eyes.
The stone remained white.
Pure white.
Without the slightest sign of reaction.
For a brief moment, something inside me snapped.
Even though I had prepared myself for this outcome, seeing it with my own eyes was far harder than I had imagined.
Slowly, I withdrew my hand and stepped back.
Breathing became more difficult.
Turning toward the thrones, I lowered myself onto one knee and bowed my head.
It took several seconds before I could force myself to look up.
Even before raising my eyes, I could already feel the emotions directed at me.
Contempt.
Disappointment.
Schadenfreude.
When I finally looked at my parents, their expressions remained calm.
Too calm.
There was no anger.
No contempt.
Only cold indifference.
And for some reason, that was the most terrifying thing of all.
I rose, circled behind the thrones, and returned to my place beside my brothers and sisters.
Now, the gazes of those present felt different.
Some looked at me with poorly concealed disdain.
Others with pity.
A few did not even bother hiding their satisfaction.
The emperor struck his sword against the stone floor three times.
The dull metallic sound echoed throughout the hall.
After a short pause, he spoke.
"The examination for magical affinity has concluded."
His voice was calm and even.
Far too calm.
"By my command, the Mana Stone is to be removed."
At the emperor's words, the girl stepped forward once more.
Dropping to one knee, she bowed her head and touched the ring on her finger.
The pristine white table was enveloped in a soft glow before vanishing, drawn back into the spatial artifact.
The girl carefully lifted the Mana Stone into her hands.
Its surface once again shimmered with countless shades, as though what had happened mere moments ago held no significance whatsoever to the ancient artifact.
Without lifting her head, she turned and walked toward a side door.
The doors opened only enough to allow her passage.
The moment she disappeared behind them, a guard silently shut the door.
The ceremony was over.
And with it, perhaps my life as a prince of the Krey Empire had come to an end as well.