...
In the Territory of the Kingdom of Victoria – Atop the Watchtower
The evening wind blew gently, carrying the scent of roses and wild grass growing around the magnificent palace of the Kingdom of Victoria. Standing atop the highest, proudly soaring tower was King Arpienes Victoria. He was a handsome and authoritative figure, clad in a royal robe of golden red—a symbol of his people's strength and prosperity. His sharp gaze was fixed straight toward the eastern horizon, where the mountain ranges of the Kingdom of Roses could be vaguely seen in the distance.
The sky in that direction still bore traces of dark clouds slowly fading away—the remnants of the massive energy explosion that had occurred several days prior.
Soft footsteps approached. King Arpienes turned to see his wife, Queen Luxaria Victoria—an elegant woman with a gentle face yet radiating firm resolve—walking alongside their eldest daughter, Flameni Victoria. Flameni possessed pale silver eyes, a distinctive trait of the Victoria royal lineage, known for their great talent in divination and perceiving the flow of destiny.
"You are still standing here all alone, Arpienes?" Queen Luxaria greeted softly, stepping to her husband's side and also gazing eastward. "Three days have passed, yet you have not stopped thinking about what happened there."
King Arpienes sighed quietly, his hand gripping the cold stone railing.
"How could I not think about it, Luxaria?" he replied, his voice low but firm. "That tremor... even here, hundreds of miles away, the ground of our kingdom shook as if struck by a giant's hand. The energy released back then was not the power of ordinary men. I fear that what occurred in the territory of Roses is the beginning of something far greater—something that could shake the entire land of Disidess."
He then turned toward his daughter, Flameni, who had been standing silently with a blank yet piercing gaze, as if seeing things invisible to ordinary eyes.
"Flameni," King Arpienes called gently. "You came here because you have already seen something, haven't you? Ever since the day of the incident, you have locked yourself away in your meditation chamber. Tell your father... what have you discerned from the threads of fate? What is the meaning behind that black-and-white light and the energy storm that swept through the mountains of Roses?"
Flameni blinked, then looked at her father and mother in turn. Her expression was calm, yet there was a glint of hidden worry within it.
"You are right, Father," Flameni answered in a soft yet clear voice, her tone rhythmic as if reciting an ancient verse. "When that energy exploded, the threads of destiny before me unraveled completely, then wove themselves anew into a different image. I saw a shadow of darkness slowly enveloping the skies of Disidess. It was an omen of a great catastrophe drawing near—one that threatens not just a single kingdom, but all seven nations of this continent."
Queen Luxaria furrowed her brow and reached out to touch her husband's arm.
"Will this catastrophe come from the direction of the Kingdom of Roses? Are Alderic and his people in danger?" the Queen asked.
Flameni shook her head slowly and pointed toward the sky where the traces of energy had vanished.
"It is not so, Mother. Within the darkness and destruction I witnessed... something changed. In the heart of that storm, I saw two lights shining with great brilliance. One was an unshakable blue light, and the other a rainbow light that brought balance to all things. These lights met with the golden light belonging to King Alderic, and together they shattered that shadow of death."
Flameni looked at her parents with her shining silver eyes.
"This was not merely an omen of danger, Father, Mother. It was the emergence of new hope. Those named Rovela Silvio and Eilis Mogina... their existence altered the course of destiny that would otherwise have led us to ruin. They are variables unrecorded in history—powers sent by the heavens to hold back the coming of the dark age."
King Arpienes fell silent as he listened. He looked once more toward the distant mountains, this time with a different outlook—more vigilant, yet filled with calculation.
"So then, what should we do, Arpienes?" Queen Luxaria asked quietly. "If this catastrophe is real, and hope lies with the Kingdom of Roses... should we move to support them?"
King Arpienes smiled faintly—the smile of a ruler beginning to understand the board and the game. He patted his daughter's shoulder, then held his wife's hand firmly.
"We shall observe and prepare," Arpienes replied decisively. "If they truly are this new hope, then the Kingdom of Victoria will not stand idly by while Disidess faces peril. But before that... I wish to learn more about these two individuals: Rovela and Eilis. Flameni, continue watching the threads of fate. We must know who our true enemy is, and how great this power that has newly risen in the northern lands truly is."
The wind blew stronger once more, carrying news yet unknown to the world. But atop that tower, one thing was certain: the balance of power in Disidess had been changed forever.
In the Main Council Chamber of the Kingdom of Roses
The vast, magnificent hall had previously been filled with the hum of serious discussion. At the long, gold-carved table, King Alderic sat upon his high seat, his expression grave yet edged with restrained frustration. Beside him stood Commander Evan, rigid and holding a territorial map, listening intently to every word the King spoke—though his eyes occasionally darted sharply toward one spot, filled with confusion and disbelief.
In the corner of the room, seated gracefully upon plush velvet sofas, was Queen Blossom. Her gown, a soft cream and gold, draped perfectly around her. In her hand she held a delicate porcelain teacup, which she lifted now and then to sip slowly. Her gaze, gentle yet keen, followed the proceedings and weighed every word spoken, though her lips wore a faint smile as if she were observing a uniquely entertaining sight.
And right in the center of the room, amidst all these important figures, lay Rovela Silvio, stretched out casually on his back atop a thick carpet woven with the kingdom's patterns. He was fast asleep, his breathing steady and audible, as if he were lying in his own bedroom rather than in the middle of a high-level council meeting.
Beside him sat Eilis Mogina, composed and cross-legged. Her gem-encrusted staff was placed neatly before her, and she watched her companion with an expression that was hard to read—a mix of embarrassment, resignation, and a hint of curiosity.
"As I was saying..." King Alderic continued, raising his voice slightly as if trying to capture the attention of anyone listening—especially the sleeping figure. "We must redraw our border defense routes, given that two unknown regions have begun showing strange activity. Furthermore, reports regarding the movements of foreign creatures are increasing in frequency..."
Commander Evan nodded slowly, but his eyes drifted back to Rovela, who snored softly. He opened his mouth as if to ask a question, but the words caught in his throat.
Before anyone could respond, Rovela's voice suddenly broke through the discussion.
"Khokkk....." Rovela cleared his throat in his sleep, his head shifting slightly from side to side.
Every pair of eyes in the room instantly turned toward him in unison. King Alderic cut himself off mid-sentence, his brows knitting even tighter. Commander Evan straightened up, looking stiff as he struggled between amusement and annoyance. Queen Blossom raised her cup a little higher, hiding an amused smile behind its rim, while Eilis simply lowered her gaze to the floor, wishing she could vanish from the situation entirely.
"Arg... Nov..... Ma..gic... khokk...." Rovela mumbled hoarsely, his lips moving strangely, his right hand swinging gently in the air as though casting a spell.
Absolute silence descended upon the chamber. No one moved. No one spoke. Everyone seemed frozen in place, waiting for the continuation of this sleep-talk—which, for some reason, felt deeply important to them in that moment.
"Slu... m... Mag... khokk... ic..."
The words tumbled out in fragments, their meaning unclear—a jumble of sounds resembling "magic," "novel," "blanket," or whatever else was playing out in his dream. Yet his tone was utterly serious, as though he were revealing the universe's most closely guarded secrets.
Commander Evan blinked rapidly, then looked at King Alderic as if asking: "Is... is this part of his plan? Is he teaching us something through his dreams?"
King Alderic stared blankly at Rovela, exhaling a long, heavy breath. He glanced slightly toward Queen Blossom, but she merely nodded faintly as if to say: "Let him be. It looks like he's busy fighting enemies in the dream realm."
Seated nearby, Eilis closed her eyes for a moment, praying silently that Rovela wouldn't shout out anything even more embarrassing. In that strange silence, one thing was certain: no one dared to continue the meeting until this "Sleeping Leader" had finished delivering his cryptic dream-message.
The strange silence still hung heavy in the room as Rovela's indistinct mumbles echoed softly. Eilis Mogina, who had been sitting cross-legged this whole time, her face tight with suppressed embarrassment and frustration, finally reached her limit. Her face flushed bright red, her breathing quick and heavy as she struggled to contain her overwhelming irritation.
With a sharp, decisive movement, Eilis stood up straight. Her voice rang out loud and clear, shattering the quiet, filled with restrained fury that resonated in every corner of the chamber.
"YOU... WHY... ARE YOU NEVER SERIOUS?!" she shouted, her eyes glaring sharply down at the figure still lying comfortably on the carpet.
She stepped closer to Rovela, then slowly lifted one foot high into the air. The spiked heel of her shoe glinted menacingly, aimed perfectly straight at Rovela's chest and face as he continued to sleep soundly.
Meanwhile, in the world of his dreams, Rovela sensed something had changed. The air around him suddenly felt scorchingly hot, as if he were standing right next to a massive furnace. The heat drew closer and pressed down harder, disturbing his peaceful slumber. With great effort and reluctance, he pried his eyelids open just enough to see a blurry glimpse of what was happening.
Through his hazy vision, he clearly saw a pair of beautiful legs clad in high heels—sharp and pointed—now raised high and poised to land directly on his face. Rovela's eyes instantly flew wide open, all trace of sleep vanishing in an instant, replaced by pure panic.
"HUH?! EILIS?! WHAT ARE YOU—"
Before Rovela could move even an inch or utter a single word to beg for mercy, Eilis's raised foot came down fast and hard.
"THUD! THUD! THUD!"
"AGH—!!"
A series of heavy impacts rang out. The sharp heel struck his chest, his stomach, and finally pressed down hard right over his heart. Eilis didn't stop at just one blow; she stomped and ground her heel into her companion's body over and over again, her face twisted with frustration, as if she were crushing away every bit of exhaustion and humiliation she had endured that day. In a matter of seconds, Rovela's eyes rolled back, his body stiffened for a brief moment, then went completely limp and helpless. He fainted dead away right where he lay, his mouth hanging slightly open with a thin line of foam forming from the sudden shock and pain.
The whole scene had unfolded so quickly and unexpectedly. King Alderic, Commander Evan, and Queen Blossom, who had watched the entire incident from start to finish, remained frozen in silence. Their mouths hung slightly open, their eyes staring in disbelief at Rovela, now lying motionless like a log, and Eilis, who stood calmly adjusting her dress as if she had just done something perfectly ordinary and normal.
King Alderic let out a long exhale, sounding heavy and weary, while Commander Evan slowly shook his head, covering his face with his right hand as if he could no longer bear to watch the antics of these two.
"Enough... nothing surprises me anymore," King Alderic murmured softly, his voice filled with resignation. "It seems this is just how they communicate with each other."
In the corner of the room, Queen Blossom slowly set her teacup down on the small table beside the sofa. She stood up gracefully, smoothing the folds of her dress which fell perfectly around her. Her face still held a faint, unreadable smile—equal parts amusement and sympathy. She walked over to King Alderic, still seated in his high chair, then leaned slightly forward to speak in a soft yet composed tone.
"For me, today's sights have provided more than enough entertainment, my husband," said Queen Blossom, glancing briefly at the unconscious Rovela and Eilis, who had calmly sat back down cross-legged as if nothing had happened at all. "I think you and Commander Evan can continue this meeting on your own. I shall go down to the palace gardens for a while; I wish to see the noble children playing there. The atmosphere there is sure to be far more peaceful than it is in here."
King Alderic simply nodded in resignation, offering a faint smile. "Very well, go then. Enjoy that peace while you can. I believe I have to deal with this 'problem' right in front of me for a while longer."
Queen Blossom smiled graciously once more, then turned and walked out of the room with light steps, leaving behind a council chamber that felt more chaotic than ever, yet still brimming with the distinct warmth and character of the Kingdom of Roses.
– Moments Later
Rovela's consciousness slowly returned. His vision was still blurry and distorted, as if he were seeing the world through a sheet of water. A dull, throbbing pain lingered in his chest and stomach—a leftover reminder of the "special treatment" he had just received from Eilis. With great effort, he opened his eyes little by little, trying to bring his surroundings into focus.
Before him, three figures stood gathered around him. King Alderic leaned against the table with his arms crossed over his chest. Commander Evan leaned slightly forward, his brows furrowed. And there was Eilis Mogina, standing tall with a flat expression, though her eyes burned sharply, as if still waiting for the slightest mistake so she could punish him again. Their lips moved as if speaking—perhaps laughing at him or discussing his outrageous behavior. But to Rovela, their voices sounded distant and muffled, like the hum of bees far away, unable to penetrate or register in his still half-conscious mind.
'What... what are they saying...?' Rovela struggled to hear, his head still heavy and spinning.
While trying to gather his strength and wits, Rovela slowly turned his head away from the three of them. His gaze fell upon the large, clear glass window overlooking the palace courtyard. Normally, the warm glow of the afternoon sun streamed through it—but this time... something was different.
Outside the glass, a strange light appeared—an intensely blinding silvery-white radiance. It pulsed slowly, then gradually changed shape. From an amorphous mass of light, it elongated, sharpened, and formed a distinct, clear shape: A Giant Spear made of pure energy.
Rovela blinked rapidly, trying to convince himself whether this was a hallucination from fainting or reality. But in the very next instant...
"CRANGG!!!!"
A deafening crash shattered the silence! The thick, sturdy window pane shattered completely into fragments, spraying shards all across the room. At the same moment, the spear of light shot inward at unimaginable speed, slicing through the air, and heading straight for the chest of King Alderic Roses—who stood with his back to the window, still looking at Rovela with an expression of bewilderment.
King Alderic's eyes widened in shock. Surprise froze his body in place for a moment. He saw the object coming, but it was far too fast, far too sudden. He realized that, at such close range and in his current position... he did not have even a fraction of a second to dodge or draw his weapon.
King Alderic's expression turned calm. He took a long breath, then closed his eyes slightly, as if resigning himself to this unexpected fate.
"So... this is how it ends..." he murmured softly, almost inaudibly.
Yet, in that exact same second, Rovela's survival instincts—honed over years of training—kicked in with lightning speed. Dizziness, pain, and drowsiness vanished instantly, replaced by an explosive surge of adrenaline.
Without thinking, without waiting for a signal, Rovela's body moved on its own. He leaped up from his lying position with speed that seemed impossible for someone who had just fainted. His right hand shot through the air, catching the shaft of the energy spear just mere inches away from King Alderic's chest.
"BRAAAAKK!!"
A thunderous impact echoed! The floor beneath Rovela's feet cracked and split lengthwise under the immense force of the spear's momentum. Rovela was driven backward several steps, his feet scraping across the stone, yet his hand remained firm, gripping the deadly object and holding it back—not allowing it to move even a millimeter closer.
"HUAAAA!!" Rovela shouted, straining against the massive weight. Veins bulged prominently in his arms, his face flushed red as he fought to contain the explosive energy struggling to break free.
Commander Evan and Eilis Mogina both watched the scene, their eyes wide with shock, their bodies stiff and frozen. Their breath caught in their throats. They finally realized fully what had almost just happened.
"WHAT IS THAT?!" Commander Evan exclaimed in a hoarse voice, instantly drawing his sword from his waist, his eyes fixed sharply on the shattered window.
Eilis Mogina stepped forward swiftly, her magic staff already gripped tightly in her hand, ready to unleash a defense or attack at any moment. She glanced at Rovela—still holding back the spear—with disbelief, then shifted her gaze to King Alderic, who remained standing motionless, his face pale.
King Alderic slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the spear of light now held inches from his face, then at Rovela's trembling hand gripping it, and finally into Rovela's eyes—now sharp, alert, and watchful once more.
The atmosphere in the room had transformed completely. What had been a chaotic, almost comical council meeting had instantly turned into a battlefield filled with danger and mystery.
Inside the Council Chamber – Chaos Erupts
Rovela gritted his teeth with all his might. His hand, gripping the shaft of the glowing spear, felt as if he were holding iron freshly pulled from the fires of hell. A searing heat spread from his palm up through his entire shoulder, accompanied by a piercing, bone-deep ache—as if the spear's energy were slowly eating away at his flesh and blood. Thin wisps of smoke began to curl up between his fingers.
"Damn it... what kind of energy is this?! It burns from the outside and the inside!" Rovela growled through clenched teeth. His feet sank slightly into the wooden floor under the relentless pressure of the spear's thrust. He realized that ordinary physical strength would never be enough to hold back an attack clearly meant to kill a King.
Breathing heavily, Rovela closed his eyes for a moment, focusing every ounce of his strength and every last reserve of power into his core. He whispered a short incantation meant only for his own ears.
"Magic: Power Wild... Activate! Fivefold amplification!"
DRANGGGG!!!
As if an explosion had erupted inside his own body, a dark red aura streaked with gold burst forth from every pore of Rovela's skin! His muscles, previously unremarkable, swelled and hardened; his veins throbbed violently as they pumped pure strength—five times his normal limit. In that very second, Rovela's hand, which had been steadily pushed backward, came to an absolute and sudden halt.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Rovela shouted, his voice deepening and thundering with power.
With his newfound strength, he gripped the spear even tighter, causing the energy surrounding it to vibrate violently. Then, he forced it downward until the spear's tip was driven firmly into the floor.
DURRRR!!!
A shockwave exploded from the point of contact between Rovela's hand and the glowing spear! Violent winds surged in every direction within the enclosed room. Heavy books flew from shelves and tables, their pages fluttering wildly. The remaining window curtains were blown backward, and the sturdy wooden floor cracked and splintered outward from where the spear was embedded, creating a clear web of destruction.
King Alderic, Commander Evan, and Eilis Mogina were forced to raise their arms to shield their faces from the gale-force wind. They stumbled back several steps, pushed by the sudden change in air pressure. Their eyes widened in indescribable shock—not only because of the sudden attack, but because of the incredible power displayed by someone who, moments ago, had been fast asleep and getting stomped on.
"Such... immense power?!" Commander Evan muttered in disbelief, unable to take his eyes off the red aura still blazing around Rovela. "He just multiplied his strength five times in the blink of an eye?! What exactly is he?!"
Before the atmosphere could settle, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed from the corridors and stairwells. The Palace Knights, having felt the tremors and the massive surge of energy, sprang into action. The council doors were thrown wide open; dozens of knights with drawn swords rushed in, their eyes scanning sharply for the threat.
"YOUR MAJESTY! WHAT IS HAPPENING?!" the captain of the guard shouted breathlessly, only to freeze in place upon seeing the sight inside the already devastated room.
At the same time, footsteps—calmer yet hurried—were heard coming from the staircase. Queen Blossom appeared in the doorway, breathing slightly fast, having run straight up from the gardens below the moment she felt the violent shockwaves. Her usually composed face was now pale and filled with anxiety, her eyes instantly searching for her husband amidst the chaos.
"Alderic!" Queen Blossom called softly, hurrying toward the King. "What happened?! I felt a massive energy blast from down below... who dares attack our palace?!"
King Alderic, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief, turned toward his wife and pointed to the center of the room with an expression still filled with awe and shock.
"Look at that, Blossom..." Alderic said slowly. "I was mere moments away from losing my life... if Rovela's hand hadn't moved with lightning speed."
Every gaze in the room now turned toward Rovela, still standing firm amidst the scattered debris. His hand remained clamped around the glowing spear, its light slowly beginning to fade, though its lethal danger was still palpable. Rovela let out a long breath, sweat pouring down his forehead, but his gaze remained sharp, piercing straight through the shattered window—outward, toward whoever had sent this death, now lurking somewhere in the shadows.
After the spear's glow slowly faded and its terrifying energy vanished completely, Rovela released his grip. The weapon dissolved into a faint silhouette, then disappeared entirely like thin smoke. He was still breathing a little heavily, sweat beading at his temples, but moments later his expression shifted back to a relaxed calm, as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened at all. He smoothed his slightly rumpled clothes, then turned to face everyone still standing frozen with eyes wide in shock.
With his signature innocent grin and carefree look, Rovela spoke loudly enough for all the newly arrived knights to hear.
"Ahahaha… sorry, sorry everyone! Relax, no danger at all!" he said, scratching his head — a habitual gesture he used to dodge trouble, even though his head wasn't actually itchy. "That just now… ah, it was only a side effect of my magic! Turns out I accidentally left an 'energy spear' floating around out there yesterday. Eh, maybe… yeah, maybe I unknowingly reactivated the spell while I was sleeping just now. It's a bad habit — my magic tends to trigger itself whenever I'm dreaming."
As he spoke, Rovela glanced in turn at King Alderic, Commander Evan, and Eilis Mogina. He then winked quickly, sending them a silent signal to play along with his act.
At first King Alderic stared at him with eyebrows raised high, his expression turning cold, his gaze clearly saying: "Do you really think I believe that nonsense?!"
But when he caught Rovela's wink and understood the young man's intention — to keep this incident from escalating or causing panic — King Alderic instantly shifted his demeanor. The cold look melted away, replaced by a wise smile and a very convincing nod. He then spoke loudly toward the confused knights standing in the doorway, and toward Queen Blossom behind them.
"Exactly! You need not worry. What you just witnessed truly was magic created by Rovela. A little… unique and perhaps a bit excessive, it's true — but that is what makes his power special." King Alderic pointed at Commander Evan and Eilis Mogina, continuing in a sincere tone. "Even Commander Evan and Eilis Mogina were helping him control the energy flow just now, to ensure it wouldn't damage the entire palace. You saw for yourselves, didn't you? The three of them worked together to secure the situation."
Commander Evan, who had remained silent, immediately straightened up when his name was mentioned. He cleared his throat softly, then joined in, nodding seriously and firmly, trying to appear convincing even though inside he was utterly baffled.
"Ri… right! We were indeed testing the stability of that spell. Thankfully everything remained under control," Commander Evan said, doing his best to sell the lie.
Next to him, Eilis Mogina — who at first had desperately wanted to contradict him and expose Rovela's nonsense — forced herself to hold back. She knew this was for the greater good. She simply lowered her head slightly, holding her staff gracefully, and spoke briefly and coldly: "That is exactly what happened. There is nothing left to be concerned about."
The knights exchanged glances, their faces still doubtful and confused. What they had just seen felt far too dangerous to simply be called a 'magic test' — but hearing the King, the Commander, and the Royal Mage all say so, they dared not question further.
"Ve… very well, Your Majesty. We are relieved all is safe," the troop leader replied uncertainly. "In that case, we shall return to our posts and stand guard."
One by one, the knights turned and left the chamber, though they continued whispering among themselves about the strange incident.
One person, however, remained unconvinced by the explanation: Queen Blossom. She stood still in the doorway, her sharp, intelligent gaze fixed steadily on the four of them. She knew her husband's nature well, and understood Rovela's character more than enough. The explanation had sounded far too contrived, and Rovela's eyes while speaking had looked far more serious than playful.
Queen Blossom did not leave immediately. She stepped back into the disheveled room with calm, graceful strides. She passed the scattered tables and cracked floor, then sat composedly at the far end of the room — in a chair slightly apart, yet with a clear view of all four of them. She crossed her arms over her chest, leaned back casually, and watched them with a meaningful, faint smile.
"Please, carry on with your business," Queen Blossom said softly, though her tone was full of suspicion and curiosity. "I only wish to sit here for a while. The atmosphere here feels… far more interesting than in the gardens. I want to see what might happen next."
King Alderic, Rovela, Commander Evan, and Eilis Mogina exchanged silent glances. They knew their performance wasn't over — and now there was one important audience member watching their every move with extreme attention.