"Huh..."
"Let's see if I was delusional or if I saw the future."
Getting up from his bed, Leo entered the washroom for his bath. The warm water helped him relax, washing away the remnants of sleep. Upon finishing, he chose the simplest of clothes for the occasion: grey jeans, a pair of well-worn sneakers, and a vibrant red polo shirt. Standing in front of the mirror, he couldn't help but admire his reflection. A boy of 12 years with striking grey hair and vivid red eyes stared back at him—his brother's features, and a family mark reserved for the royal lineage of demons.
"Most handsome in the kingdom..." he smirked, but the thought was immediately tempered by a familiar rivalry.
*No, apart from that incubus Zin, and Troy and Henry.*
"Why are my rivals from that clan?" he grumbled, shaking his head. "Stupid seduction clan."
With a sigh, he left the room, making his way through the castle. Every turn echoed with respect and recognition, and he exchanged nods and smiles with the guards who saluted him. Their loyalty made the grand halls feel a little less lonely—he had grown accustomed to the castle's opulence, but sometimes he wished for something else. Perhaps a day outside the confines of royal duties.
At the castle gate, he found a boy waiting for him, strikingly similar in appearance yet distinctly different in demeanor. He was Crimson von Saar, Leo's nephew and the crown prince, his very presence radiating the weight of expectations.
"You know how to keep somebody waiting," Crimson said, arms crossed, trying to display a regal annoyance.
"Not my fault, Crimson. You can't rush perfection," Leo replied with a teasing grin, taking his time with a casual stretch.
"Most people would probably argue that perfection should be on time," Crimson shot back, a flicker of a smile breaking through his serious facade.
The two bickered, their relationship a blend of camaraderie and rivalry, before a sleek sports car pulled up to them. The driver, accustomed to their antics, merely shook his head as they hopped in.
As they arrived at the institute for the awakening ceremony, the vibrant noise of the crowd suddenly hushed, hundreds of eager demons turning to watch the two princes step out of the car. Leo stretched extravagantly, blissfully unaware of the royal decorum expected of him, while Crimson maintained a more dignified posture, an embodiment of princely propriety.
"Stop embarrassing yourself, uncle," Crimson muttered, the corners of his mouth twitching.
"Uncle? Since when did you start calling me that?"
"Aren't you my uncle?" Crimson shot back with mock innocence, trying to maintain his composure.
"Wait, you want the people to think you're younger than me by far. Ha ha!" Leo laughed, the playful banter filling the air.
"Stop playing around. We need to get moving before the event starts," Crimson insisted, though it was hard to hide a smirk of amusement.
To the onlookers, it might have seemed like an argument, but to the driver, it was just another day. Leo's carefree attitude had made him a beloved figure; he had an innate ability to ease everyone around him. Even Crimson's mother had a soft spot for him, admiring his spirit despite the more reserved expectations placed upon her son.
As the two princes settled into their seats, the event commenced. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement and anticipation. In the center of the auditorium, two crystal balls lay shimmering—one pitch black to measure dark energy and the other colorless to gauge the participants' second affinity. Each demon was blessed with two affinities: darkness and a second one that could vary widely.
The first participant stepped forward amid the throng of demons and their families, a murmur of whispers filling the air as each individual awaited their turn.
Natalie, Crimson's betrothed and a beloved figure in the kingdom, approached the stage confidently. "Let's see what destiny holds," she said with resolve. As her hands touched the black crystal, the sphere dimmed significantly, indicating her impressive control over dark energy.
"Calculating…" the announcing voice boomed, and a hush fell over the crowd.
As expected, the results confirmed her talents: "Natalie has an S+ affinity for darkness and an SS+ affinity for wind." The crowd erupted in cheers, celebrating her prowess. "As expected from the future queen," Leo thought, pride swelling in his chest. He had seen her potential in the visions of the future.
Every prediction for the participants came true that day, excitement ebbed and flowed as each name was called. Leo found himself unable to look away from Crimson as he awaited his turn, knowing the power that lay within his nephew. The weight of the crown rested heavy on the boy's shoulders, and while Leo relished the thrill of the chaos, Crimson was more reserved, focused on the path ahead.
Finally, it was down to the last two participants—Crimson and Leo.
"Wish me luck," Crimson said, stepping to the edge of the platform, his expression a mix of determination and nerves.
"You don't need it," Leo replied, his grin still intact.
"Why?" Crimson shot back, brow arched.
"Because you are a dragon; be proud of yourself for once," Leo encouraged him.
"What if Natalie's talent is better than mine?" Crimson questioned, a hint of doubt creeping in.
"That is a nice question," Leo mused, "but—"
"But what?" Crimson pushed, eager for reassurance.
"But it's not possible; she's a winged lion." Leo laughed lightly.
"What if?" Crimson insisted again, a spark of mischief in his eyes.
"You can cancel the engagement and marry someone with a lesser talent than yours," Leo replied, smirking.
"That is a fair point," Crimson admitted, unable to hide his grin.
"I know, I'm smart," Leo said, puffing out his chest.
Crimson approached the stand, placing his hands on the black crystal. It dimmed more than anyone else's before him, a collective gasp echoing through the auditorium as everyone watched in awe.
"Calculating..."
Then he moved to the colorless crystal. As soon as he touched it, it shimmered brilliantly, a brilliant red radiating from it, dazzling the spectators.
"Calculating..."
"Darkness: SSS+," the announcer declared, causing the crowd to erupt into jubilation. "Fire: SSS+."
The arena fell silent for a moment, absorbing the weight of his power before Leo's spirited clapping broke the stillness.
"That's my brother!" he shouted, pride swelling in his heart.
"Haha!" Crimson laughed, the tension lifting off him like a heavy cloak.
Soon, the whole arena joined in, celebrating Crimson's remarkable talents. He descended the stage, beaming, an energy radiating from him that mingled with the excitement in the air.
"Are you still going to break the engagement?" Leo teased as Crimson returned to his seat.
"Shut up! Let not another ear hear of this," Crimson quipped, the laughter still echoing in his voice.
"Lovesick fool," Leo said, shaking his head in mock disapproval.
"Natalie and I are going to be a power couple! Hahaha!" Crimson beamed, a youthful confidence shining through him.
And now it was Leo's turn. "Now is my turn," he stated, trying to quell the flutter of nerves in his stomach.
"Okay, good luck," Crimson offered, his tone lighter.
"I don't need it; I'm a Phoenix," Leo replied confidently.
"No one has seen one," Crimson pointed out, raising an eyebrow.
"That's the point; I'm rare!" Leo declared, puffing out his chest.
"Or you might be a chicken on fire; you never can tell," Crimson chuckled.
With a deep breath, Leo stood up and walked toward the stage. His heart raced—I had never seen anything about myself in the vision, which left a gnawing fear in the pit of his stomach. What if he had a blank future? What if he didn't fulfill the expectations of the kingdom?
But Leo pushed those thoughts aside as he reached the stage, feeling the weight of the world's eyes watching him. He placed his hands on the black crystal, bracing for the assessment of dark energy within him. The darkness responded, swirling around him, and as the light dimmed, Leo felt an unfamiliar sensation wash over him.
"Calculating..." echoed through the space, and Leo held his breath, hoping against hope that he was meant for greatness, just like those who had come before him. Little did he know that every destiny forged in this moment would shape not just his future but that of the entire kingdom.