The Uninvited Guest

Alain was next. His unusual red eyes, so unlike his father's, seemed to lose their distant hue as the blue light washed over him.

A bead of sweat formed on his brow. His muscles tensed involuntarily. The light pierced deeper, reaching something within him that made him wince in pain.

"What's happening?" Leonardo asked, his voice tight with concern as he noticed Alain's struggle.

"I don't know," Anna replied, eyes wide. "The others went through so quickly, but Alain... it's like something's wrong."

Alain's breathing grew shallow, his face twisted in resistance. Then, just as suddenly, the light released him. He stumbled back, then walked off as if nothing had happened.

Marquis, only a few people away, couldn't ignore what he'd just seen.

"Is he okay?" he murmured, genuine concern in his voice despite their differences.

"Does every head here abuse their heirs?" Henri snapped, turning to Beaugois with sudden fury.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Alaric replied flatly, unmoved by Henri's outburst.

"You need to learn to mind your own business," a younger boy interjected calmly.

He wore a flowing robe of finely woven indigo and gold. A modest headdress of woven reeds and bright feathers—turquoise and crimson—rested on his head. Around his neck hung a necklace of carved jade stones, which he held briefly. Gold bangles adorned his wrists, each inscribed with protective runes that jingled softly as he moved.

"You dare speak, Zorion?" Henri said with disdain.

Had this taken place ten years ago, Zorion might have been dismissed as just another heir. But now, he leaned back in his chair, unbothered by Henri's words.

Freya burst out laughing. "Hahaha! You're going to end up like your wife soon!" she jeered.

The room remained silent, darkness and fog cloaking most of the heirs. Strangely, only Henri stood bathed in light. Even Alphonse, with his shimmering blue hair and jeweled attire, was shadowed.

Were they always like that? Henri wondered.

He scoffed and turned his attention back to the heirs receiving their unwritten skills. Only a few remained before Trysson.

"Anna, Elara," Mei-Ling called as she approached, her expression neutral, though her eyes were sharp. Her guide stood ahead in the queue, waiting patiently.

"Mei!" Elara exclaimed, lighting up at the sight of her friend.

"I wanted to ask where you all plan to go after the meeting," Mei-Ling asked politely, though distant.

"I'm not really sure," Anna replied thoughtfully. "We're going to discuss it with Father first."

"All right then," Mei-Ling said flatly. Her gaze shifted to Leonardo. Her eyes narrowed, cold.

Leonardo felt a pang of hatred. As they walked away, his thoughts churned.

I've always hated royals and everything below, he thought bitterly. They sit high above, expecting the world to bend to their will. But If… I would be a king, it would be of war. Things wouldn't go my way because I wished it—they would because I made them.

He lingered behind Anna and Elara, his mind preoccupied.

As Anna and Elara continued chatting with Mei-Ling, Leonardo reflected, It's funny how I'm called the same thing I hate.

He watched as it became Marquis's turn. As Marquis rose into the air, Leonardo's amber eyes dilated, struggling to focus. The cave, Agnite blue glow… a curse, a useful curse, yes…

He tapped his head lightly, frustrated. He sighed.

"Leonardo!" Anna's voice snapped him back.

"Star to Ghent," Elara teased, smiling.

"Was he daydreaming?" Mei-Ling asked, puzzled. It seemed they'd been calling him for a while.

Leonardo's eyes refocused.

"He's back," Anna said with relief.

"What happened?" Elara asked, her tone sincere.

"Ah, I was just thinking about stuff," Leonardo replied with a laugh, stepping forward to watch Marquis's display.

Compared to the others, Marquis's performance was extraordinary. He rose gracefully, the elements favoring him. Tiny lights swirled around his body. His hair floated, and his clothes fluttered as if defying gravity. When he landed, it was nearly angelic—as though space itself gave way for him.

"Interesting..." the sage echoed, genuinely intrigued.

Next was Ryuji—despite fainting earlier, he floated without resistance. Then came Adad, Itami, Mei-Ling's guide, and a few other notable figures. Finally, Trysson stepped forward.

"Everything is complete," the sage announced, vibrating through the room. "The meeting is officially over. But before the actual quest is to start, you have a year of preparation."

"Finally," Alaric muttered, stretching with annoyance.

"Even the translator breaks sometimes," Ashur commented, glancing at his hand.

"You all wouldn't survive with my accent!" Freya laughed.

"My accent is still here," Sir Eadric argued weakly.

"Maybe go back to your roots," Inti quipped.

The heirs began to scatter, their once-organized ranks dissolving into chaos. Marquis walked over to the girls.

"Marquis," Leonardo called.

"Now we can introduce ourselves properly," Marquis said with a smile.