Chapter: The Noble Families – Their Heads & Heirs
The war simulation Allies & Rivals
The classroom was unusually silent as the instructor stepped forward, his sharp gaze sweeping over the assembled students. Today was a special lesson—one that determined the standing of every noble present.
"The noble hierarchy of the Kiel Empire is divided into several ranks," the instructor began, his voice firm. "At the very top, the Imperial Family reigns supreme. Below them are the Three Duke Houses, the pillars of the empire. The Marquis House stands as an elite force, while the Count Houses govern regions and specialize in various fields. Beyond them, rising commoners are proving that noble blood is not the only path to power."
As the instructor continued, the students whispered among themselves. Some were confident in their family's prestige, while others eyed their rivals with thinly veiled hostility.
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1. The Imperial Family (Current Rulers)
Emperor Augustus Veridian – A ruler shrouded in mystery, rarely seen in public. His strength is whispered about in fearful tones, and his rule is absolute.
Crown Prince Alexander Veridian – The heir to the throne. A brilliant strategist and powerful warrior, many see him as the future of the empire.
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2. The Duke Houses (The Three Pillars of the Empire)
House Veridian (Military Might & War Generals)
Head: Duke Darius Veridian – A battle-hardened warlord, feared even among his own soldiers. He raised his son to be a weapon, not a human.
Heir: Valen Veridian – The fallen heir. Once destined to rule, now walking his own path. Blessed by Ares and Thanatos
House Vortigern (Knight Commanders & Imperial Loyalty)
Head: Duke Dyke Vortigern – The strongest knight of the empire, a living legend. One of the five people on the continent to reach the Seventh Realm.
Heir: Galahad Vortigern – A warrior bound by honor. Dedicated to protecting the empire, he believes strength should serve justice, not tyranny.
House Evernight (Espionage & Shadow Warfare)
Head: Duchess Morganna Evernight – A ghost in the dark. Her name alone is enough to strike fear, for she controls the empire's network of spies and assassins.
Heir: Selene Evernight – A mystery even among nobles. She rarely speaks, but when she does, it is either in whispers or riddles. Some claim she can vanish into thin air.
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3. The Marquis House (Specialized Warfare & Elite Forces)
House Caelum (Aerial Cavalry & Griffon Riders)
Head: Marquis Castor Caelum – A master tactician, commanding the empire's sky forces.
Heir: Lucian Caelum – An arrogant yet skilled prodigy, leading the empire's griffon riders. Few can match his agility in aerial combat.
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4. The Count Houses (Regional Powerhouses & Specialists)
House Dragunov (Dragon Slayers & Military Commanders)
Head: Count Viktor Dragunov – A warrior so fearsome that he once killed a dragon with his bare hands. One of the five strongest warriors on the continent.
Heir: Siegfried Dragunov – A battle-hardened warrior who wields a dragon-forged spear. He laughs in the face of danger.
House Albrecht (Alchemy & Magic Enhancements)
Head: Countess Isabella Albrecht – A master of alchemy, responsible for the empire's arcane advancements.
Heir: Vesper Albrecht – A reclusive genius, obsessed with forbidden alchemy and the secrets of immortality.
House Morvan (Economic Power & Trade)
Head: Count Lionel Morvan – A manipulative merchant-lord, controlling vast trade networks.
Heir: Cyril Morvan – A smooth-talking schemer, always seeking to gain the upper hand.
House Lysander (Religious Influence & Holy Warriors)
Head: High Priestess Eleanor Lysander – A woman who claims to speak to the gods.
Heir: Seraphina Lysander – A holy warrior-priestess, wielding divine magic. Some believe she receives true prophecies.
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5. The Rising Commoners & Other Important Figures
Marcus Alderwood – The last descendant of the fallen royal family. Blessed by Lucifer and the Goddess of Light, he walks the path of rebellion.
Ellis Runestone – A skilled archer, unimpressed by the so-called "noble heirs."
Michael Ollivier – A strategic genius, waiting for his moment to prove himself.
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The Student Reactions & Conversations
As the instructor concluded, murmurs filled the room.
Random Student 1: "So Siegfried's father is one of the five strongest warriors in the entire continent?! No wonder he's so cocky..."
Random Student 2: "House Evernight is terrifying… No one ever sees their assassins coming."
Random Student 3: "Valen Veridian... If his father raised him, he must be a monster on the battlefield."
Random Student 4: "The Vortigerns are true knights. Galahad will bring honor to the empire, just like his father!"
Random Student 5: "The Morvans are the real rulers of the empire. Money decides everything."
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The Transition to the Potential Test
Just as the students' discussions reached their peak, the instructor raised a hand, silencing the room.
"Now that you understand the noble hierarchy," he said, his voice steady, "it is time to determine your own standing."
A murmur of anticipation spread through the class.
"The Potential Test begins now."
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– The Faction War Simulation: Allies & Rivals
Narrated by Valen Veridian
The revelation of potential had left the crowd murmuring in shock. The heirs of noble families had stepped forward, their bloodlines and blessings measured against the ancient pillar. And in the end, two names had shattered expectations—mine and Marcus Alderwood's.
High Saint Tier.
Two monsters standing on equal ground.
But that was only the beginning.
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The Rest of the Heirs: Their Blessings
The instructor called out more names, and one by one, the remaining noble heirs stepped forward to receive their verdict.
Galahad Vortigern – The Knight of Honor
Blessing: Archangel Michael (Holy War) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
Galahad stood before the pillar, his hand pressing against the ancient stone. A burst of divine light engulfed him, golden flames illuminating his armor. The knight's gaze remained firm, unshaken by the spectacle.
"I will bring justice to the empire's weak with my strength," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.
The crowd nodded in respect. House Vortigern had always stood as the empire's shield, and Galahad embodied that legacy.
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Siegfried Dragunov – The Dragon Slayer
Blessing: Dragon Slayer (Fire & Strength) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
The moment Siegfried touched the pillar, a blazing inferno erupted from its core. Flames swirled around him, crackling with raw power. His grin widened as he turned to face the gathered students.
"Hahahahaha! Two people with better potential?" he roared, his voice filled with amusement. "I'll surpass them !
A few students chuckled nervously, while others looked on in admiration. Siegfried was a force of nature, and he knew it.
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Selene Evernight – The Phantom of Shadows
Blessing: Shadow Empress (Stealth & Illusion) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
Selene approached the pillar in complete silence. As her fingers brushed the stone, the very air around her seemed to darken. A void-like energy spread outward, swallowing the light for a brief moment before dissipating.
She said nothing.
She only turned and walked away, her expression unreadable.
Some whispered about the Evernight family's terrifying abilities. Others simply avoided meeting her gaze.
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Lucian Caelum – The Skyborn Prodigy
Blessing: Storm Deity (Wind & Lightning) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
As Lucian placed his hand on the pillar, a burst of wind erupted from beneath his feet, accompanied by the sharp crackle of lightning. He smirked, flipping his hair back as he glanced at his result.
"As expected," he muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Nothing less for the future ruler of the skies."
A few students scoffed, unimpressed by his arrogance. But none dared challenge his strength.
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Cyril Morvan – The Merchant of Schemes
Blessing: Merchant King (Wealth & Schemes) – S-Rank
Potential: Low Saint Tier
Cyril barely even reacted when the pillar glowed faintly in his presence. No flames, no storms—just an eerie, calculating shimmer. He smirked, adjusting his expensive robes.
"Power isn't just about combat," he mused. "We'll see who truly comes out on top in the end."
Many of the noble heirs ignored him, but the smarter ones knew better than to underestimate a Morvan.
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Seraphina Lysander – The Divine Priestess
Blessing: Goddess of Light (Holy Magic & Purification) – S-Rank
Potential: Low Saint Tier
As Seraphina stepped forward, a gentle radiance enveloped her, bathing the courtyard in a soft golden glow. The very air seemed to hum with divine energy.
"God…" she whispered under her breath, her eyes filled with quiet reverence.
Some students bowed their heads respectfully. Others merely sighed at her devotion.
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Vesper Albrecht – The Forbidden Alchemist
Blessing: Philosopher's Gift (Alchemy & Transmutation) – S-Rank
Potential: Low Saint Tier
The pillar reacted in an unnatural way when Vesper touched it. The runes twisted and shifted, as if resisting the presence of his blessing. A chilling mist spread outward before vanishing.
Vesper only chuckled, his gaze filled with an almost manic curiosity.
"Fascinating," he muttered, already lost in thought.
The other heirs exchanged uneasy glances. No one wanted to know what was going on inside his head.
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The Commoner Contenders Step Forward
As the noble heirs received their results, it was time for the commoners to be tested.
Ellis Runestone – The Silent Archer
Blessing: Artemis (Archery & Precision) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
The moment Ellis touched the pillar, a silver glow surrounded him, the faint outline of a celestial bow appearing behind him. He scoffed, stepping back.
"Hmph," she muttered. "Better than most of those so-called noble heirs."
A few nobles sneered, but none challenged him.
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Michael Ollivier – The Strategist
Blessing: Hermes (Tactics & Speed) – S-Rank
Potential: Mid Saint Tier
Michael groaned as he placed his hand on the pillar. A gust of wind swirled around him, symbols of speed and strategy flashing before vanishing.
"When will it be my time to shine?" he sighed, shaking his head. "This is boring."
The students chuckled, but none denied his intellect.
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The Faction War Simulation – The Next Trial
Once the potential tests ended, the instructor stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across the gathered students.
"The next trial will not be about individual strength," he announced. "It will be about leadership, strategy, and teamwork."
A large map materialized behind him, displaying a battlefield divided into territories.
"The Faction War Simulation begins now," he declared. "Each of you will be placed into teams of six. Your objective is to capture and defend territories while eliminating rival factions."
The rules were simple:
Each team starts with one territory.
Defeating another faction grants four points.
Successfully defending your territory grants three points.
A team must reach 40 points to pass.
After eliminating a faction, you may take one of their members.
The faster you achieve victory, the higher your ranking.
The students erupted into whispers.
"This will decide our true strength," someone murmured.
"This isn't just a test—it's war."
I glanced at Marcus. His eyes burned with quiet determination.
This would be the first true battlefield we stepped onto.
And I would prove, once and for all, that strength alone was not enough to change the world.
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