Kaito slumped in his chair, the weight of the day pressing down on him. The mountain of paperwork he had just slogged through was nothing short of soul-draining.
"Ah, I'm so exhausted! I never knew making changes like these required so much damn paperwork!" He let out a frustrated groan, staring at the towering stack of documents still looming on his desk.
Gabriel, his ever-efficient but merciless assistant, stood nearby. "Unfortunately, Your Majesty, these documents are sensitive. They require the Emperor's personal signature."
Kaito shot him a deadpan look. "Gabriel, you're telling me I run this entire empire, but I can't delegate signing a few sheets of paper?"
"Precisely," Gabriel said without missing a beat.
Kaito sighed dramatically and leaned back in his chair. "Fine. By the way, what's going on with the Talent Search? How's that progressing?"
Gabriel perked up, glad to share some good news. "It's going exceptionally well! So far, hundreds of thousands of people across the Empire have applied. Our selection process has narrowed it down to five promising candidates, with the program concluding in three days. We'll have the final list ready by then."
"Oh, that sounds great," Kaito said, though his tone betrayed his growing boredom. His eyes wandered back to the paperwork he still had to tackle.
«Hey Halo, can I just use my power to finish this damn pile already?»
Halo's voice echoed in his mind, calm and ever-reasonable. «You can, but don't use it for something this trivial. You're better than that, Kaito.»
Ignoring the mild scolding, Kaito checked his Life Force reserves and decided he had enough to spare. With a quick flex of his power, the stack of papers vanished, neatly completed and filed away.
"Finally done!" he exclaimed, throwing his arms up in relief. But his triumph was short-lived. Now, he was bored out of his mind. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?"
As if on cue, Val appeared at the door. Her entrance was as lively as ever, a stark contrast to his drained demeanor. "Hey, Kaito! Are you done with your work already?"
Kaito blinked, sitting up straighter. "Uh, yeah. I may or may not have used my power to deal with the pile."
Val raised an eyebrow, her tone sharp but her expression soft. "You shouldn't use your power for something so trivial. Seriously, Kaito."
He scratched the back of his head, muttering, "You sound just like Halo..."
She ignored his grumbling and leaned against the doorframe with a sly grin. "Anyway, I've been meaning to ask—wanna head to the city in disguise? We could observe things firsthand, see how people are living, and... you know, maybe have some fun?"
Kaito's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean, like, right now?"
"Why not?" she said with a shrug. "The work's done. You're free. Besides, when was the last time we actually spent time together? You might not remember, but we're married, Kaito."
Her teasing words hit him harder than he expected. She wasn't wrong—they hadn't spent any real time together since their marriage. Hell, half the time, he still woke up thinking it was all a dream. Maybe this was his chance to actually connect with her.
"Well... sure. Let's go," Kaito said, standing up with a small smile. "It could be fun."
Val's grin widened. "Perfect. Let's get our disguises ready!"
It wasn't long before they were both dressed as ordinary citizens—or as ordinary as they could manage. Kaito's hooded cloak did little to hide his regal aura, and Val's elegant posture made her stand out even in the plainest of clothes.
As they made their way into the bustling capital, Kaito couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds around him. The city was alive, filled with street vendors, lively chatter, and the occasional sound of music.
"This feels like a date," Kaito muttered under his breath.
Val tilted her head toward him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "A date? What's that?"
Kaito froze. Right. This world might not even have the concept of dates. "Uh... nothing. Forget I said anything."
"Hmm, I see." She didn't push further, but the smirk on her face told him she was going to hold onto that nugget of information for later.
As they strolled through the city, Kaito found himself relaxing for the first time in what felt like weeks.
They wandered through the market, casually browsing the shops. Kaito took in the variety of goods on display, noting the pricing, quality, and general availability. More importantly, he observed the economic conditions of the common people.
As they strolled, they stopped by a jewelry shop. Val's attention was caught by a diamond-like stone, her gaze lingering on it longer than usual.
Kaito tilted his head, curious. 'This world does have diamonds and other precious minerals,' he mused. 'But diamonds are exceedingly rare here, reserved for the Royal Treasury. That one's definitely an imitation—common enough in markets like this.'
Val's expression, however, told a different story. Her eyes sparkled with a childlike fascination, almost whispering, "It's so cute! I wish I had it!" She wouldn't admit it, though. Val being Val, she wasn't about to trouble Kaito over something so trivial.
"Val," he asked, unable to hold back, "do you like that stone?"
Her face immediately flushed as she stammered, "N-No, I mean, I l-like it, but it's not like I want it or anything!"
Kaito smiled at her flustered denial, stepped forward, and purchased the stone without a second thought. When he handed it to her, Val's cheeks turned a deep crimson. She mumbled a quiet thank you, clearly touched by the gesture.
So this is my first gift to her, huh? Kaito thought with a small grin.
But the peaceful moment shattered with the sound of shouting nearby.
A group of noble-looking men were causing a scene, harassing the locals.
"We pity you, brat. Hand over everything you've got, and maybe we'll let you off just this once," one sneered, his tone dripping with arrogance.
The commoners shrank back, their heads bowed. Kaito's eyes narrowed. Nobles like these were always a headache—but the bystanders couldn't do a thing.
Kaito and Val stepped forward, their calm yet imposing presence cutting through the tension. "Excuse me," Kaito said, his voice cold, "why are you threatening innocent people?"
One of the nobles turned, sneering. "What did you just say? Don't you care for your life, peasant? We're here under orders from the Emperor himself. This is a Royal Decree. Interrupt us again, and you'll regret it."
Kaito raised an eyebrow, utterly baffled. 'Since when did these idiots get the courage to misuse my name?'
"Oh, is that so?" he asked, his voice dropping an octave. "Did the Emperor personally issue this decree? Have you seen him with your own eyes?"
"Of course, we have!" another noble barked. "This came straight from His Majesty. Don't question us!"
Ah, I see... They're just making things up, Kaito thought, his annoyance growing.
"Well, too bad for you," Kaito said, stepping forward and lifting his cloak. His aura, which he had carefully concealed, now radiated unchecked power. "I don't recall issuing such orders."
The nobles froze, their faces paling as Kaito's identity dawned on them.
"If you apologize to these people and help them for the next two weeks, I'll let you off with just that," Kaito declared, his tone brooking no argument.
The lead noble, still defiant, scoffed. "Why should we? Who do you think you are?"
Kaito's response was a single word: "Bow."
In an instant, the nobles dropped to their knees, their bodies forced down by an invisible weight.
"N-No, it can't be! Y-You're His Highness, the Emperor?!" one stammered, trembling.
"That's right," Kaito said coolly. "I am Kaito, the Emperor of this Empire. And this," he added, gesturing to Val, "is my wife, Empress Valeria."
The onlookers were stunned, the market falling silent as they took in the presence of their rulers.
Under Kaito's piercing gaze, the nobles quickly swore oaths to apologize to the commoners and provide aid to those they had wronged. Only then were they allowed to leave.
Later that evening, Kaito and Val returned to the palace.
Kaito was in unusually high spirits. "Well, that went better than I expected," he said, stretching.
Val raised an eyebrow. "You mean the nobles? Or... something else?"
"Both," Kaito replied with a chuckle. "Our little date was kind of a success. And tomorrow's the Talent Search results. I can't wait for that."
The Talent Search had been his brainchild—a way to discover and reward hidden potential throughout the Empire. Countless people would gain new opportunities, pursuing the dreams they'd thought were out of reach.
The highlight of it all? The top five candidates, those with the most unique talents, would have an audience with him. Kaito would personally honor them in a live-broadcasted ceremony—a perfect opportunity to inspire the entire Empire.
After all, his message was clear: No talent is useless. Each one has its place, its purpose. And tomorrow, he would prove it to the world.
Kaito leaned back, already excited for the day ahead.
The day had finally arrived. The results of the Talent Search were officially announced.
"Wait, wait... What the hell? How is this even possible!?" Kaito exclaimed as he read through the report, his voice echoing with disbelief. Val, sitting beside him, wore a similarly shocked expression.
Honestly, anyone would be stunned to see results like these.
Out of seven million participants in the Talent Search, over six and a half million had been successfully selected. Each of these individuals was either recommended for specific jobs or directly recruited by the Royal Knights, government bodies, or other major organizations. In other words, more than six million citizens had gained meaningful employment overnight.
This was an unprecedented achievement—far beyond anything anyone had dared to imagine.
Across the Empire, celebrations erupted. Streets overflowed with joyous crowds, and the air was thick with cheers. The happiness was almost tangible—greater than the elation of a hard-fought victory in war. This wasn't just an event; it was a revolution.
Finally, the moment of anticipation arrived.
Five individuals, whose skills were deemed the most unique and valuable, were called to the throne room for a personal audience with the Emperor. As was customary, the event was being broadcast live to the entire Empire.
The five entered the grand chamber, their footsteps echoing against the marbled floors. Each of them looked young, at least by appearance, though their confidence suggested otherwise. They knelt in unison before the throne, where Kaito sat in his regal presence, Val beside him as the Empress.
"Please, rise and be at ease," Kaito said, his voice calm yet commanding. He gestured for Gabriel, his trusted aide, to proceed with introductions.
The first to step forward was a young woman of striking beauty and a commanding presence.
"Elize Erezia," Gabriel announced.
Kaito examined her closely. He had read her reports beforehand, and her remarkable skills with the sword had caught his attention. To confirm her prowess, a sparring session had been arranged between her and the Empire's best Royal Knights.
The result?
Utter domination.
Elize had defeated every single knight with a decisive and overwhelming display of skill. Her movements were precise, her technique flawless. She was a swordswoman of unmatched caliber.
"Elize," Kaito began, his tone both respectful and admiring, "your strength is invaluable. But more than that, your skills reflect dedication and hard work. There are many ways to acquire power, but the discipline and refinement you've demonstrated surpass them all."
Then came the offer.
"I would like to appoint you to a unique position within a newly formed branch of the Royal Knights. For now, I cannot disclose the details, but I request that you remain in the palace after this audience for further discussion. If there is anything you desire, either for your career or personal aspirations, you are free to voice it."
Elize hesitated briefly before speaking. "Your Majesty, if I may... I would like to request a position for my younger sister, Elmesia Erezia, within the Royal Knights. She has trained alongside me for years, and if anyone is capable of matching my skill, it's her. While I had almost given up, she never did. Her dream is to serve the Empire as a Royal Knight."
Kaito smiled, appreciating her honesty. "Very well. I hereby declare Elmesia Erezia a Royal Knight of the Empire."
Elize's expression softened, gratitude shining through her composed demeanor. The first beastperson to join the Royal Knights had made history, and she was undeniably proud.
The next individual stepped forward.
"Filo Aurnald," Gabriel announced.
Filo was a young man with a lean frame and a quiet intensity in his eyes. His skill was rare—Dark Magic, a powerful yet highly stigmatized form of magic. Unlike most mages, Filo lacked an affinity for any other magical element, relying solely on the destructive and mysterious nature of darkness.
Kaito regarded him thoughtfully.
"Filo," he said, his voice steady, "your magic is not just rare—it's exceptional. I have a proposition for you."
The room fell silent.
"Would you accept the role of Court Mage?"
Gasps rippled through the chamber. The position of Court Mage was the highest honor any mage could achieve—a role that symbolized unparalleled mastery and trust. Offering such a position to a practitioner of Dark Magic was revolutionary.
Filo's eyes widened in shock. He stammered for a moment before bowing deeply. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty! I will dedicate myself fully to this responsibility. I won't let you down!"
Kaito nodded. "I trust you will. Your magic has the potential to change the way our Empire views power. Use it wisely."
Three individuals remained.
Gabriel stepped forward again, ready to introduce the next candidate. However, Nicol, one of the five, had specifically requested to go last for reasons unknown. That left the Emperor curious about the two remaining unknowns.
The anticipation only grew.