I woke up in bed, slowly opening my eyes and staring up at the ceiling, remembering the dream.
I have had this dream since childhood, this strange girl and I have always had a dream in the same place near the fire and always at night.
I don't know why, but I felt very calm there, I didn't feel a threat, not from her, not from the place where we were.
At first, I didn't understand what it meant, but over time I began to guess that this dream was not simple, but I didn't understand what it meant and who this girl was.
Throwing away thoughts about a strange girl in a dream and its effect on me. Remembering what day it was today, I was afraid of it because, unlike my brothers and sisters, I did not show any talent for magic.
Many in the castle were already looking at me like I was trash. Today there will be a test of talent for magic for me and my brother and sister.
Remembering that I was still the prince of the Cray empire and laughed for how long I would be one, I did not know.
Remembering the rumors that went between the servants and the court nobility. That in all history, my father was the only prince lacking a talent for magic.
I was told more than once about how my father, deprived of magic, trained in the sweat of his brow with a sword.
And when it was confirmed that he had no talent, he was sent to guard his brother's bride in another kingdom.
Many would have given up and accepted fate, but not my father. He honed his skill with the sword even when internal turmoil in the kingdom threatened their lives. He took command and demonstrated an unparalleled talent for the sword.
Many magicians fell that day from his sword, the king, and emperor had a long discussion about this.
The king insisted that he would give his daughter only for the one who saved him and her in difficult times.
The emperor tried for a long time to convince the king by reminding him of the treaty.
The king was adamant and after some time the emperor surrendered. Over time, the father continued to improve his talent and after some time took the throne.
Remembering how talent for magic was tested since ancient times, which were held every year.
A talent check lets you know who has a talent for magic, and it is checked at eighteen years old when a person or a member of another race begins to enter a certain age.
The talent check is done through a mana stone, or as the light elves call it, an S'go stone.
The sound of a knock on the door pulled me out of my thoughts, letting them in. Servants dressed in white shirts and black trousers entered.
All of them were former soldiers and had daggers around their waists, which they skillfully used, bowing, they waited for me to get out of bed.
Taking a deep breath, I got up from the bed, going up to one of the servants, I saw how he was holding clothes with his hands. As I understood by color, it was intended to test talents for magic.
- As I understand it, I will need to come to the talent test in these clothes, right? - I asked the servant in a sleepy voice.
From his behavior and look, I could see that he was one of those who believed that I should not have been here.
- You're right, Prince Alurik, this is the outfit you'll be wearing in the talent test. - Trying to speak respectfully, said the servant
After the servants helped me get dressed, they left the room. And I went to the mirror and I looked strangely white shirt and black trousers with the crest of the Cray empire embroidered in the form of two crossed swords.
My sleepy eyes, blond hair tried to close my eyes, sighing, throwing my hair back, I headed for the exit from the room.
Opening the door, I saw two guards standing on the sides, they were dressed in armor that covered almost all parts of their bodies and on the chest was the coat of arms of the empire.
Seeing how the door opens and how I go out, they silently bowed, standing on both hands from me, we walked down the corridor to the throne room.
Walking down the corridor, I saw the servants scurrying about, the guards, today was a big day for the Cray empire.
Today, all vassals and allied countries will see with their own eyes what talents the fate of the princes and princesses of the Cray empire has awarded.
The Kray Empire was built on the conquest of neighboring kingdoms and empires, but during a great war, or as it is called, the Exodus of the Five Races.
An agreement was signed that not one of the empires and kingdoms should try to seize the lands of these five races.
If someone tries all the kingdoms, like empires, they will have to destroy those who violated the agreement.
Therefore, now it was peacetime, no one threatened the neighbors.
Walking through the corridors, I saw how the inhabitants gathered under the walls of the castle to capture the talents of the imperial family.
They will see all the tests with the help of magic stones that will broadcast the entire talent test.