The air in the grand hall of Veylith was thick with tension, the silence stretching as Evolis faced his final opponent. Across from him stood Prince Vaerion, heir to the elven throne, his posture relaxed yet commanding. Unlike the other nobles, there was no immediate disdain or hostility in his gaze, only cold calculation.
King Aldorien watched from his throne, his expression unreadable. The court murmured in hushed tones, anticipation crackling in the air like distant thunder. Elandor, standing near the nobles, observed with barely veiled contempt, his golden eyes flickering with amusement.
Evolis adjusted his stance slightly, his golden gaze locking onto Vaerion's emerald eyes. The prince finally spoke, his voice smooth, controlled. "You have proven yourself capable with words, human. But a true ruler does not simply outmaneuver his opponents, he must command them. Influence is more than mere rhetoric. It is about control."
Evolis smirked. "Control, huh? And I suppose you see yourself as a master of it?"
Vaerion tilted his head slightly, considering him. "Let us test that." He gestured subtly, and the Grand Orator stepped forward.
"This final duel shall be a test of persuasion. A scenario shall be presented to both combatants. Their task is to convince the court of their stance. The one who sways the majority wins."
Evolis narrowed his golden eyes. "Sounds easy enough. What's the scenario?"
The Grand Orator's voice rang through the hall. "A kingdom is on the brink of collapse. A rebellion rises, claiming injustice. The king has the power to crush it with force, but doing so may cause further division. Conversely, he may seek diplomacy, but risk appearing weak and emboldening more dissent. What should the ruler do?"
Vaerion spoke first, his voice measured. "A ruler must act with strength. Allowing rebellion to fester only breeds chaos. A swift, decisive show of power quells insurrection before it grows. If diplomacy is sought too soon, it is mistaken for weakness, and the kingdom will crumble. A ruler who tolerates defiance will be ruled by it."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the court.
Evolis let out a breath and took a single step forward. "That would be true… if strength was about fear." He met Vaerion's gaze directly. "But fear is temporary. The moment the ruler shows the slightest crack, the people turn on him. So tell me, if you win through fear alone, what happens the day the people no longer fear you?"
Vaerion's gaze narrowed slightly, but he remained silent.
Evolis continued. "A ruler's true strength isn't in crushing rebellion, it's in making sure it never rises in the first place. If a king only reacts to a crisis when it has already begun, he's already lost control. True power lies in foresight. If a rebellion is rising, then it means the ruler failed to govern properly to begin with. A wise leader ensures loyalty before swords are drawn."
The chamber fell into thoughtful silence. Even some nobles who had been skeptical of Evolis nodded slightly.
Vaerion exhaled through his nose, his lips twitching as though suppressing a smile. He turned to the king and nodded. "A fair argument."
The Grand Orator turned to the gathered court. "Those in favor of the prince's stance?"
Several hands rose, a show of unwavering support.
"And those in favor of the human's argument?"
More hands went up.
Evolis had won.
Elandor's face twisted in frustration, but he said nothing. The prince gave Evolis a long, considering look before stepping back.
King Aldorien leaned forward slightly, his silver gaze piercing. "Impressive." He turned to the court. "This duel is concluded. Evolis has shown he possesses both intellect and adaptability. He shall remain in Veylith under my watch."
More murmurs, some discontented, others intrigued.
Evolis smirked and inclined his head. "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The king's gaze lingered for a moment before he stood. "Court is dismissed."
As the nobles began to depart, the princess stepped closer to Evolis, her arms crossed. "You just made a lot of enemies."
He grinned. "Wouldn't be the first time."
She hesitated for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Come with me."
He followed her through the winding halls until they reached a quieter balcony overlooking the city. She turned to him, something unreadable in her expression. "I don't know what you're after human, but you need to be careful."
Evolis leaned against the railing, watching her. "You keep calling me 'human' like I don't have a name. Feels a bit impersonal, don't you think?"
She arched a brow but said nothing.
He smirked. "And while we're on the subject, you never told me your name either."
The princess hesitated before finally replying, "Aeliana."
He nodded. "Aeliana. Much better than just 'princess.'"
She rolled her eyes but didn't protest. "Just don't get yourself killed before I figure out if you're actually worth the trouble."
Evolis chuckled. "Not planning on it."
---
Elsewhere, deep within the noble district, Elandor stood in a private chamber, his fists clenched at his sides. Before him, his father, Duke Valtheris, sat in contemplation, his gaze cold and sharp.
"You let him make a fool of you," Valtheris said, voice dangerously calm.
Elandor gritted his teeth. "He's an anomaly. But I will handle it."
The duke leaned back. "We cannot touch him yet. Not while the king is watching. But… accidents happen."
A cruel smile twisted Elandor's lips. "Indeed they do."
The duke's gaze darkened. "Make sure it's one he doesn't survive."
Elandor's smirk widened. "Oh, I intend to."
---
The halls of the elven palace were quieter at night, the ethereal glow of enchanted lanterns casting elongated shadows along the marble corridors. The air was still, yet Evolis could feel the weight of unseen gazes watching him from the darkened corners of Veylith's grand structure.
After the duel with Prince Vaerion, he had been left to his own devices for the night, but the tension in the air told him that his trials were far from over.
He exhaled, stepping onto the balcony of his temporary quarters, enjoying the faint breeze of the elven capital's nocturnal winds. His golden eyes glowed softly under the silver light of the twin moons. The city stretched below him like a labyrinth of ancient wonder, but even now, he could feel the tangled web of politics closing around him.
Then, without warning, a hand clamped onto his shoulder.
Evolis barely had time to react.
An overwhelming surge of Etherion engulfed him, power so vast, so refined, that it made the air around him tremble. His instincts flared, but before he could even attempt to counter, the world blurred.
'Teleportation.' Evolis thought.
A second later, he was standing in an entirely different room, dimly lit yet filled with an undeniable authority.
A study.
Not just any study... the personal chambers of King Aldorien himself.
Evolis took a controlled breath, quickly regaining his composure, before shifting his attention to the figure standing beside him.
The elf who had just teleported him wasn't an ordinary guard.
Power. That was the only way to describe him. It wasn't just in his stance, nor the long black coat adorned with silver embroidery, nor even the cold, razor-sharp gaze locked onto Evolis.
No, it was the monstrous Etherion rolling off him in suffocating waves.
Even without activating his Seer's Gaze, Evolis could feel it.
Monarch Stage.
The highest rank of cultivators, those who stood at the peak of their worlds, unmatched in battle except by their equals.
'Just how powerful is this kingdom to have someone like this acting as a mere bodyguard?' Evolis thought.
The elf, tall and broad-shouldered with piercing silver eyes, released his grip and stepped back, his voice low but filled with an effortless authority. "You were summoned."
Evolis rubbed his shoulder, arching a brow. "Yeah, no warning? Or do you enjoy terrifying guests?"
The elf simply gave him a blank stare before turning away, as if Evolis was beneath his concern.
A chuckle broke the tense silence.
King Aldorien was seated at an ornately carved desk, a glass of wine in his hand. The study was filled with bookshelves lined with ancient tomes, a large map of the elven kingdom hanging on the wall behind him. Unlike the grandeur of the royal hall, this room felt… personal.
"Forgive Varian," Aldorien said, gesturing toward the Monarch Stage warrior. "He is not one for pleasantries."
Varian remained silent, standing by the king's side like an immovable sentinel.
Evolis crossed his arms, his sharp gaze locking onto the king. "And to what do I owe the pleasure of being abducted in the middle of the night?"
Aldorien smirked. "I admire your confidence, human. Most would kneel in my presence. You, however, still speak as if you are untouchable."
Evolis met his gaze evenly. "You don't call people into private meetings just to intimidate them. So let's skip the part where we dance around intentions and get to the real reason you brought me here."
A beat of silence.
Then, a low chuckle from Aldorien. "Interesting. You learn quickly."
He leaned forward, placing his glass down on the table. "Tell me, Evolis… what do you think of my kingdom?"
Evolis tilted his head, measuring his response. "An empire of beauty and pride. Strong, disciplined… but also filled with cracks just beneath the surface."
Aldorien's gaze sharpened slightly. "Cracks?"
Evolis smirked. "You wouldn't have called me here if there weren't problems."
A pause.
Then, Aldorien exhaled, clasping his hands together. "You are perceptive. Good. That will serve you well." His tone shifted, becoming heavier. "You are not like other humans. You have a strange power which I'm unable to sense the origins of, yet no ties to any kingdom. That makes you dangerous… and useful."
Evolis' smirk faded slightly. "Useful? And here I thought you just enjoyed my company."
The king ignored his sarcasm, his eyes piercing. "The court you faced today is but the surface of a deeper conflict. There are those who believe the throne is weak, that I should be replaced."
Evolis raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess. Elandor's family?"
Aldorien did not confirm nor deny it. But his silence was answer enough.
Evolis leaned back against the nearby desk. "And you want me to do something about it?"
Aldorien studied him for a long moment before speaking.
"I want to see where your loyalties lie."
The air in the room thickened.
Evolis met the king's gaze without hesitation. "I have no reason to be loyal to you."
Aldorien smiled slightly. "Not yet."
Varian, who had been silent, finally spoke. His voice was deep, cutting through the air like a blade. "The king does not need blind loyalty. Only your answer: will you survive in this court, or will you become another pawn crushed beneath it?"
Evolis chuckled. "That depends. Are you offering me a seat at the table?"
Aldorien's eyes gleamed, something unreadable flickering behind them. "You amuse me, Evolis. Perhaps that alone is reason enough to keep you alive… for now."
The king then stood, stepping closer, his presence alone commanding the room. "This kingdom is at a precipice. Whether you realize it or not, you have been pulled into a battle that has been brewing long before your arrival. What you choose to do next will decide whether you walk away from it as a survivor… or a casualty."
Evolis studied him carefully. He had no interest in becoming anyone's weapon, but at the same time… this was an opportunity. The king was powerful, but he was shackled by his position. There were moves he could not make openly.
Which meant he needed someone who could.
A silence stretched between them, heavy with meaning.
Then, Aldorien turned back toward his desk, dismissing Evolis with a wave of his hand. "Varian will return you to your quarters. I suggest you rest. The game has only just begun."
Before Evolis could respond, the world blurred again, and he was gone.
Evolis exhaled as the pressure of Varian's Etherion finally faded from his senses. The teleportation had been instant, the King's private study already a distant memory, yet his mind remained tangled in the conversation that had taken place within those walls.
He had expected to be tested. He had expected veiled threats, strategic offers, and the subtle manipulation of a ruler with centuries of wisdom.
What he hadn't expected and what still gnawed at him even now, was the presence of Varian.
A Monarch Stage warrior… serving as a mere personal guard.
Evolis' fingers unconsciously tightened at his sides. He had been confident—no, certain—that Monarchs stood at the pinnacle of power. His entire perspective on strength had been built around that assumption. But today, that belief had shattered.
Varian wasn't just powerful, he was beyond anything Evolis had ever faced. And yet, he was still a servant to another.
Then what about King Aldorien?
The way Varian had deferred to him, the absolute control the king had exhibited... Evolis had felt it, even if subtly. Aldorien was stronger.
And if that was true, then what lay above even Monarchs?
A quiet laugh escaped his lips, but there was no humor in it—only a dawning realization. He wasn't special. Not yet.
Sure, he was powerful for his age. He had abilities that defied human limits. His inheritance set him apart. But he was nowhere near the summit.
A flicker of memory surfaced—the golden spires, the celestial voices, his father's steady hand on his shoulder.
"Power means nothing without control."
"Strength isn't about proving your worth. It's about knowing when you don't need to."
Back then, he had felt untouchable. In his past life, whoever he had been, his power had transcended understanding. But now?
Now he was nothing more than a small player in a much bigger game.
His golden eyes darkened slightly, his mind sharpening.
Fine. If there were realms of strength beyond Monarchs, he would find them. If his past self had walked a path greater than even kings, then he would reclaim that power.
Not because he wanted dominion. Not because he needed to prove himself.
But because he had no choice.
Whatever had sealed his past, erased his identity, and thrown him into this world?
It was something greater than anything he had faced.
And if Evolis wanted to survive and if he wanted to uncover the truth, he would have to climb higher than even gods.
His smirk returned, sharp and confident, but this time, there was something different behind it.
Determination.
'So this is just the beginning, huh?'
He turned his gaze toward the moonlit sky, the weight of realization settling deep in his bones.
Then he'd better start preparing for what came next.