The moment Orion's affinity and grade were revealed, the entire hall shifted. Every duke and duchess seated around the grand auditorium had varied reactions, but the one common element was shock. The powerful glow of the Arcane Affinity, paired with an S-Grade and a secondary Air Affinity, was an unexpected event, leaving everyone reeling from the implications.
Duke Cedric Everglen of Goldenleaf, always calm and collected like his son, felt a ripple of unease as he exchanged a glance with his wife. Though his son Roran had revealed a strong dual affinity of Nature and Water with an A-Grade, which had impressed the crowd earlier, it paled in comparison to the Arcane S-Grade. Cedric's calm expression masked his growing concern. "The balance of power is tilting," he thought, knowing the Valencrest family would tighten their control over the kingdom now with a new powerhouse in their midst.
Duchess Everglen, on the other hand, couldn't hide the slight twitch of worry in her brow. She adored her son's potential, but seeing the Valencrest family now wielding another supreme talent left her apprehensive. Their Goldenleaf family had influence, but such power was beyond their reach.
Duke Thorne Stoneforge of Ironclad sat rigid, his imposing form barely moving, but his sharp eyes focused on the young prince with a new respect. Zara had just revealed an evolved Earth Affinity and an A-Grade, which was a shocking achievement for a human. However, even he, with his stone-cold demeanor, could sense the weight of Orion's Arcane Affinity.
Beside him, Duchess Stoneforge had her fists clenched subtly beneath the table. The intensity of her daughter's performance had given her hope, but this display from the youngest prince seemed to quash any notion of challenging the royal family's supremacy. She whispered to her husband, "It seems no matter how strong we become, the Valencrests always remain a step ahead."
Duchess Tempestfall of Stormwatch narrowed her eyes as the glowing Arcane Affinity burst forth from the Essence Prism. Her son, Tamsin, had surprised everyone with his Air, Water, and Light Affinities and an A-Grade, a remarkable display that had momentarily given the Stormwatch family a sense of ascendancy. But now, with the revelation of an S-Grade Arcane, she felt that familiar tightening of control from the royal family.
Her husband, Duke Kaelan Tempestfall, usually calm in the face of challenges, could not help but tense. Tamsin's rare tri-affinity had sparked amazement in the crowd, but the S-Grade Arcane outshone it in sheer significance. The future of their province, already precarious, would be even more so under the overwhelming shadow of the Valencrests.
Duchess Elown Luminara, representing the Starlight Duchy, was among the few who did not react with shock but with cold calculation. Her son Jaxon had displayed Celestial and Earth with an A-Grade, an extremely rare and impressive combination. However, the Arcane Affinity was on an entirely different level. "I should have anticipated this," she thought, her gloved fingers tapping quietly against the armrest. Her nephew might be strong, but in the grand scheme of things, the Valencrests had once again solidified their place at the top.
Duke Alaric Shadowstar of Silvershadow kept his eyes fixed on Orion. His sons, Astor and Nyx, had both revealed S-Grades—an unprecedented feat in the kingdom's history. Astor's Shadow and Blue Fire and Nyx's Shadow with Space and Lightning had caused enough stir to make even the Valencrests glance their way in apprehension. But now, with Orion's own S-Grade Arcane, Alaric knew the political landscape was about to change dramatically.
Beside him, Duchess Selene Shadowstar maintained her grace, though her thoughts mirrored Alaric's. Two S-Grades in their family had made them formidable, but with the rise of Orion, the Shadowstars had to tread carefully. The Valencrest family, despite the show of unity, would be wary of them, now more than ever. She knew the court's eyes would be trained on their family, watching for any sign of ambition.
The reactions were not just confined to the dukes and duchesses. The murmurs from the minor nobility and the ministers swelled into an uproar as they processed the event. The Valencrest family had always been at the pinnacle, but with Orion emerging as an S-Grade Arcane, there was no doubt that their hold over the kingdom would remain unchallenged for generations. Even with the Shadowstar twins' powerful display, the Arcane Affinity was the ultimate trump card, an affinity tied to the legacy of the royal family itself.
As I watched Orion awaken his S-Grade, a part of me felt relieved. His awakening took some of the pressure off our family. When I had awakened my own essence, I could feel the weight of the moment pressing down on my father's shoulders, the anxiety etched on his face. There's a reason Eldoria remains a kingdom and not an empire, despite each duchy holding enough land and power to be one in its own right. The Valencrest family would never allow any family to rise to the level of royalty. Their grip on the throne is deliberate, a way to ensure no one else holds that kind of authority.
And how do they manage to maintain this dominance? King Theron Valencrest—I've only heard stories, but they're enough to understand his influence. I don't know exactly how much more powerful he is compared to our grandparents, but he must be strong enough to have held his authority unchallenged for three generations. That kind of power... it's not just about strength. It's about strategy, knowing when to strike and when to let others fight among themselves.
There have been no serious conflicts, no revolts, nothing that could even remotely threaten the Valencrest rule. And that's because King Theron—the former king—wasn't just a leader; he was a force. His Arcane Affinity, combined with his unmatched magical prowess, made him an unstoppable figure. He ensured that even the most powerful duchies would never consider challenging the crown.
As the ceremony concluded, Master Eldrin Solis stood in the center of the hall with a calm, authoritative presence. He congratulated each of us with a gracious smile, his words laced with a certain weight as if reminding us of the power and responsibility we now carried. Then, with a single fluid motion, he vanished, leaving behind an air of awe in his wake. The Essence Prism, having fulfilled its purpose, slowly descended back into the ground, vanishing from sight as the rune formation dimmed.
Everyone rose from their seats, led by the dukes and duchesses, showing respect to both King Theron and King Aldric. The hall filled with the quiet rustling of robes and whispers as the nobles exchanged glances. Even the audience, still caught up in the astonishment of the awakenings, rose in unified respect, bowing their heads.
After a moment, the nobility began to filter out, the families moving in small groups. Conversations started to pick up, hushed but filled with the tension of the recent revelations. The power dynamics had subtly shifted, and every step felt heavy with thought, speculation, and newfound concerns.
I glanced at Astor beside me, who, for once, seemed to be absorbing the gravity of the situation. Our parents moved ahead, greeting others with practiced smiles, though I could still sense the unease lingering in their movements. I was lost in my own thoughts as we followed the procession, realizing the world we were stepping into was far more complicated than I had imagined.
The hall slowly emptied, the atmosphere charged with both excitement and unease.