Two years passed in a blink, and the day of the grand event finally arrived. The kingdom was alive with the buzz of anticipation as the entire capital city prepared for the gathering of the Grox family's future leaders. It was a day that would not only decide the fates of the young heirs but the future of the kingdom itself.
Now five years old,Kateku Grox stood at the window of the family estate, his gaze distant, his thoughts far from the excitement that surrounded him. His parents had already left early for the capital, leaving him behind to arrive later with Liora. As always, his face remained calm and unreadable, masking the storm of emotions he kept bottled inside.
"Are you ready, young master?" Liora asked softly as she adjusted his cloak. The dark blue fabric contrasted with his black-and-blue hair, giving him an aura of mystery and power. Liora, who was supposed to left with kateku's parents but didn't leave, now stood beside Kateku, a decision that had raised more than a few eyebrows in the kingdom.
Kateku gave a simple nod, and together, they set off for the capital.
The grand streets of the capital city were overflowing with nobles, commoners, and merchants, all eager to witness the event. However, as Kateku and Liora walked through the crowded marketplace, whispers followed them.
"Isn't that Liora? Why is she with him? She belongs to the 1st house!"
"Look at her! The maid of the royal family, serving a low-ranking child?"
The murmurs did nothing to faze Kateku. He doesn't care what they say, the scorn and confusion. But Liora's presence at his side was a declaration in itself, one that stirred unease among the higher-ranking families. **Liora was supposed to serve the 1st family**, not the 7th.
Suddenly, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"What is a lowlife like you doing with Miss Liora?!"
A girl, perhaps just a year older than Kateku, stormed over from a nearby carriage. Her eyes blazed with anger and pride. **Elera Grox**, from the 2nd family, stood tall in her extravagant gown, her presence demanding attention.
Kateku's eyes barely flickered as he met her glare. "She's mine and mine alone," he said coolly, his voice carrying a confidence far beyond his years.
Elera's face flushed with rage, her hand raised to strike him, but the nearby guards stepped in just in time. One of them grabbed her wrist, holding her back. "My Lady, control yourself," the guard said firmly.
The girl struggled for a moment, but then she was calmed by a voice from behind her.
"That's enough, Elera."
Turning, Kateku saw **Princess Xelara Grox**, the eldest daughter of the 1st house, stepping forward with an air of authority. Her icy blue eyes regarded Kateku with thinly veiled disgust. "I see the rumors were true. So, this is Kateku Grox. It's disappointing," she said coldly, before turning to Elera. "Come. We have no time to waste with...this."
Althea glared one last time at Kateku before allowing herself to be led away by the princess. Kateku simply watched them leave, expressionless.
---
A sudden cry from the guards rang out, shattering the tension.
"Make way for the king!"
The crowd immediately parted as **King Grox** strode through the entrance to the event grounds, flanked by his royal entourage. All around, nobles and commoners alike bowed deeply. Following closely behind the king were the heads of the other six families, each walking in silence with their heirs beside them.
But it wasn't the king's presence that caused the most stir.
At the center of the procession, a middle-aged man's body was being carried, carefully laid at the heart of the sacred grounds. A spell of immense power had already been cast, its energy rippling through the air. The entire crowd fell silent as the spell's magic began to take hold.
In front of everyone's eyes, the air itself seemed to shimmer as a gateway opened—a portal that led beyond the mortal realm. From this rift, an old-looking man stepped through, his movements slow and deliberate, his eyes blazing with unnatural power. He entered the body, the spell anchoring his soul into the vessel before him. The magical aura settled as the old man's new body was dressed in legendary-class equipment.
When the man stood up, a wave of awe swept through the crowd, and they bowed even lower.
"Emperor Grox," the guards shouted. "We have awaited your arrival, my emperor."
The emperor's aura was suffocating, powerful enough to be felt even beyond the kingdom's borders. It was said that this man, **Emperor Grox**, was not just the ruler of the kingdom but its god in flesh.
"Give me the status of the kingdom," the emperor commanded, his voice resonating with authority.
King Grox stepped forward, his head still bowed. "In the past few years, the kingdom has grown to five billion. However, it is not the largest in the southern region. The Beast Kingdom to the south boasts a population of 300 billion, making it one of the largest countries in the world."
The emperor's eyes narrowed. "And the west?"
"The west has made peace with the Beast Kingdom and is attempting to build churches in our lands, but we have our own god, and that is you, Emperor Grox."
The emperor's gaze turned eastward. "What of the east?"
"The east has been quiet for over a century. Their actions are unknown, though they once competed with us for power."
A tense silence filled the air.
"And our wealth?" the emperor asked.
"We are the wealthiest nation in the world," King Grox replied. "Our resources are unmatched."
The emperor nodded slightly. "Good. We will continue this conversation later. For now, I wish to see what this generation has to offer."
---
The time had come. The heirs of the seven families, Kateku among them, gathered at the front of the sacred grounds. The portal, now pulsating with magical energy, awaited them. Each boy stood tall, representing their respective houses, though the tension between them was palpable.
The guards shouted in unison. "The future of the Grox Empire! Enter the portal!"
One by one, the boys from the seven houses, Kateku included, stepped forward and entered the portal, disappearing into the unknown.
---
**To be continued...**