Shameless One

"My mistress, Prince Albert Eldran is back," a well-armed soldier spoke towards a closed curtain, respect and awe evident in his tone.

A delicate hand stirred the curtain aside, revealing the luxurious and elegant figure behind it.

"My brother? Why is he back?" Princess Alfreya Eldran asked.

"Representing SIGMA Academy, participating in the Interacademy Ethereal Combat Tournament," the soldier replied.

"He traveled that far? Quite impressive for his state."

Princess Alfreya smirked. Knowing her brother's secret, she understood the difficulty it took for him to survive without the support of the royal family.

"It must be his awakened ethereal arm then..."

Realizing this, her smirk slowly turned to annoyance, but she quickly masked it.

She yawned, then signaled the soldier to come closer.

"Can you give me a back massage, loyal warrior?" she declared in a seductive manner.

The soldier panicked, but followed the royal command.

As he approached closer, something sharp pierced through his heart, taking his life in an instant.

"Your message pisses me off," Alfreya spat angrily.

"Watch him at the tournament, report anything related to him and his abilities."

"Understood, your majesty."

23rd complete ethereal warrior, Sora Tiamat, replied, her body sinking back into the darkness.

"Prince Albert, glad to see you back..." Sora uttered in the darkness, sorrow in her voice. "But unfortunately, it doesn't seem like everyone is as delighted as me."

...

"YOU are the prince of Lordrixis, Albert Eldran?" Emilia asked in astonishment. She had a ton of questions. "I thought the Albert Eldran was..."

"Enough," Albert Eldran replied, "That was the past, now I'm perfectly fine with an ascended ethereal arm, capable to be your comrade."

"Being the prince must be such a pain—all the responsibilities entrusted to you, along with the act you have to put on in front of others. A life I could not bear," Osward sighed. "Worst of all, you don't even become the next king, so what's the point?"

Shun did not participate in the conversation. They were now in a private restroom, preparing for their significant first matchup, but everyone seemed focused on Albert rather than a game plan.

Not like they needed one anyway; it was almost guaranteed they would make it to the elimination phase.

"Sirius Xshasi?"

A name Shun had never heard. His parents were both ordinary instrument-class ethereal warriors, and he had no other relatives.

From the age of six, he was all by himself.

A miracle how he survived, a memory Shun never wanted to recall.

...

"Sirius Xshasi's descendant?" King Alfred Eldran sat up straight, horror evident in his expression for the first time.

"Absolutely correct," the old man at the registration hall replied, still uneasy about the people he had met earlier.

"The first ethereal warrior, Sirius Xshasi," Alfred recalled.

After defeating the tyrant, the gods blessed the three champions with unique abilities.

Miracle Priest Luca Azoria received an army of fearless and immortal men, providing him a special force of his own.

Liu Yu, Bringer of Light, received numerous scrolls and tomes, able to unlock new potentials and abilities in those who comprehended them.

Crusader King Nathaniel Heaven received countless formidable and godly weapons, later named "ethereal arms."

Both Liu Yu and Nathaniel Heaven distributed their celestial gifts among their followers, forming the foundations of their kingdoms.

But unlike the Eternal Dynasty of An, Nathaniel commanded the ethereal arms to automatically find their owners, revealing their form on their owners' fourteenth birthday.

Being Nathaniel's most loyal follower, Sirius Xshasi was the first to receive an ethereal arm.

Whenever King Nathaniel Heaven heard that name, his expression would always shift to sorrow and regret.

Stories had been told that Sirius Xshasi betrayed the king after receiving his newly found powers. But Alfred could tell from the champion's expression that the truth was not entirely revealed.

"But that boy is simply an ascended ethereal warrior," Alfred thought, slowly calming himself.

"Watch him closely, along with that Silver girl who appeared out of nowhere," he ordered. "Can you do it?"

The old man nodded, determination and remembrance flooding his eyes.

"In the name of the 15th complete ethereal warrior, Kael Franklin, I will ensure that all potential threats to the kingdom are eliminated."

Alfred Eldran untensed, falling back onto his throne. Just as he was about to take a deep breath, an elegant crane, carrying a sealed letter, flew into the palace.

"Vesanze?"

He suspiciously opened the letter, and its contents nearly made his heart stop.

"I found Vladimir Sandrea's corpse."

Previously, the genocide in the town of Waveston caused a commotion within the royal council.

From known information, it was clear that it was the effect of Vladimir's ethereal arm, the former 86th complete ethereal arm, Frenzied Dream.

The council split into two opposing sides: one argued that the Mad Lord was still alive, while the other contended that somebody else had "taken" his abilities.

In his heart, Alfred preferred the first possibility.

The ability to use the ethereal arms of others—only one person held such power.

Crusader King Nathaniel Heaven.

"So, how?"

"But, why?"

Alfred finally couldn't bear the pressure, his body collapsing onto the throne.

"There is no way..."

"What is going on with this kingdom..."

"My most respected king, are you still watching over me?"

"Are you still watching over your own kingdom?"

"If you are, where are you watching it from?"

Alfred looked down silently, his eyes filled with despair and fatigue.