The Sovereign Council had convened again. The round table in the grand hall glistened under the pale light of the hanging chandeliers, casting soft shadows against the towering marble columns that supported the high vaulted ceiling. Seated at the table were some of the most influential figures in the land: Lady Velora, Lord Kalen, Archmage Jorann, and others, each with their own agendas and interests. Fenrir stood off to the side, his stern demeanor watching over the proceedings, his attention flickering occasionally to the entrance.
Today's meeting was critical. Rui, still recovering from his first surgery under Kovar's care, had opted to stay in his chambers, focused on adjusting to the changes that were slowly taking shape in his body. The procedure had drained him physically, and he needed the rest. The Sovereign Council was discussing matters far beyond his immediate concern—politics, power, and the plans they had for him. He was still unsure of how to feel about the weight of his situation, but he knew one thing for sure: he would face these challenges in his own time and on his own terms.
Inside the council chamber, the atmosphere was tense. Lady Velora was speaking with authority, laying out her vision for Rui's potential political role. "We cannot afford to let such power go untapped," she said, her voice cutting through the murmurs of the room. "The boy is strong, yes, but more than that, he is a symbol. A figurehead that could unite or divide factions. We need to begin shaping his future—before someone else does."
Lord Kalen's deep voice followed, his tone heavy with years of battle experience. "He is a weapon first, Lady Velora. Power without training is wasted. We must test his combat abilities, put him through trials that will challenge his resolve. Only then can he truly be useful to us in the upcoming conflicts."
Archmage Jorann, ever the mage, adjusted his glasses and nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, the boy has potential in magic, but there's more at play here. I believe his mana core, his aura—there's something special about them. We cannot waste time on mere political games when we could be unlocking new aspects of magic through him. His very existence could push the boundaries of what we know."
Fenrir's voice cut through the debate, as calm and controlled as ever. "Rui will be tested, but not rushed. We've seen his strength, but he is still young. We cannot push him into battles or politics until he is truly ready." His sharp gaze flicked to Lady Velora. "We must be patient."
The debate went on for hours, each member pushing their own agenda. By the time the meeting had concluded, the air was thick with unresolved tension. Everyone had their own vision of Rui, but none seemed to fully agree on how he should be used. Fenrir's proposal, a more measured approach, had won out—for now. The boy's fate was still uncertain, but the plans for his future were already set in motion.
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The morning after Rui's procedure with Kovar, Rui wandered the quiet hallways of the palace, still in the midst of processing his first surgical experience. His body felt foreign, stronger but also strangely heavier, as though his muscles had been reshaped and reinforced. His movements were stiff, his mind distracted by the hunger for more growth that seemed to gnaw at him from within.
The buzz of the capital city seemed to press in around him. Despite the recent changes to his body and the adjustments still taking place within him, the hunger for growth continued to gnaw at him, though it was now tempered with a deeper understanding of his body's limits.
As he stepped out into the main hallway of the palace, the usual hustle of palace attendants and soldiers echoed around him. Rui couldn't ignore the gnawing feeling in his gut—the anticipation of something big on the horizon. Though he had just undergone one of the most intense procedures in his life, he knew it wasn't the end, just another step on his journey.
Rui's attention was soon drawn to a figure who walked toward him, cutting through the flow of people like a river parting around a stone. The man was tall, with the lean build of a seasoned fighter, and his features were sharp with a no-nonsense intensity. The way he carried himself was marked by confidence—this was someone who had seen the roughest corners of the world and had come out stronger for it. His presence alone made Rui pause for a moment, as the man's energy was both welcoming and quietly intimidating.
"You're Rui, right?" the man asked, his voice calm but firm.
Rui nodded. "Yes, I am. Can I help you?"
The man studied him for a moment, as though gauging his worth, before extending a hand. "I'm Alaric. A-rank adventurer. I've been briefed on your situation." His handshake was firm, with a strength that belied his seemingly calm demeanor.
Rui raised an eyebrow. "A-rank?"
Alaric smiled slightly, sensing the question forming in Rui's mind. "Yes, I'm not the strongest, but I've been in the field long enough to know how things work." His voice had a certain steel to it, as though he'd learned everything through grit and survival. "You're new to this, right? Kovar's been working with you, I hear."
Rui nodded, still unsure what this was all about. "Yes, he's helping with... some physical adjustments. But what do you want from me?"
Alaric's eyes softened just a bit, though his focus never wavered. "I'm here to give you some perspective. You've got potential. I can see it." He paused for a moment before continuing. "But let's talk about something else. The mission."
Rui's posture stiffened at the mention of a mission. "What mission?"
"You've been assigned an S-rank mission," Alaric stated matter-of-factly. He gave Rui a moment to process the weight of the words. "The Sovereign Council has decided it's time for you to prove what you're really capable of. But don't get ahead of yourself, this is will be 'hopefully' be in the future. The ranking system is something you need to understand first aswell."
Rui blinked in confusion, his curiosity piqued. "Ranking system?"
Alaric chuckled lightly at Rui's genuine confusion. "Ah, I see haha. You're new to this. Let me explain. The ranking system for adventurers here is used to measure the threat level of missions and the abilities required to handle them. It's based on how difficult a mission is, how dangerous it is, and who can survive it. It is the same for every adventurer, whether they rely on magic, aura, or even physical prowess, they are ranked from F to SS."
Rui's eyes widened slightly at the mention of the highest rank. "F to SS? So... I'm guessing SS is the highest?"
"Exactly," Alaric nodded. "F-rank missions are low-risk. These are things like clearing out weak monsters, patrolling certain areas, or protecting small villages. They're tasks anyone with some experience can handle. A-rank missions are more serious, though. These are high-risk situations where you have to deal with much stronger enemies or unforeseen challenges—things like rogue magical creatures, or dealing with rogue organizations."
Rui absorbed the information, his mind racing to keep up. "Okay, so where does an S-rank fit into all of this?"
Alaric's expression became more serious, and his tone dropped slightly. "S-rank is the top tier. These missions involve the most dangerous situations—things that can threaten entire regions or even the continent. They involve high-level magical beasts, powerful adversaries, and unpredictable environments. An S-rank mission isn't just about strength. It's about surviving and outsmarting the dangers that come at you. It's not something anyone can do, and only a few can handle it successfully."
Rui's thoughts raced. An S-rank mission. He had heard whispers about such things, but the reality of it felt like a burden and an opportunity all at once. "So, what does that mean for me?"
Alaric's eyes narrowed slightly, sizing Rui up. "It means the Sovereign Council has decided you're will be ready for a trial once the time comes. They've already seen something in you. Your potential. But that's just the beginning. You'll have to prove yourself on this mission. But I'm here to make sure you understand what it means. You're not alone in this."
Rui nodded slowly, taking in the weight of Alaric's words. His silver eyes flickered with determination, though a flicker of doubt lingered beneath the surface. He wasn't sure if he was ready, but the drive to grow stronger burned inside him.
"What rank do you think I am?" Rui asked, his curiosity piqued. He had never been the type to back down from challenges, but the system Alaric described sounded like something he had barely scratched the surface of.
Alaric didn't hesitate. "I'd say at least A-rank right now. You've got raw power, and your mana is impressive for someone your age. But your control and your actual combat ability are probably still developing. You could be even higher than A-rank but we would have to fight for me to find out, or you could ask Dr.Kovar to evaulate you, he has the equipment for it.
Rui thought for a moment, weighing Alaric's words. He had no idea where he stood in terms of power in the grand scheme of things. To hear that he might be A-rank was both a surprise and a relief. He had always known he was strong, but hearing it from someone like Alaric—someone who had been in the field for years—made it feel more real.
"I'll take your word for it," Rui said with a slight smile. "I'm still figuring things out, but I'll get there."
Alaric's eyes narrowed, a gleam of approval flickering in them. "That's the attitude you'll need if you want to rise through the ranks. But don't rush it. You've got a long way to go, and the S-rank mission will test everything you've got. Make sure you're prepared."
Rui nodded, the weight of the task sinking in. The mission had just become much more serious in his mind. An S-rank mission. He had heard of such missions in passing, but never thought he would be given one this soon. The challenge was immense, and he needed to be prepared in ways he hadn't even considered.
"I'll do my best," Rui said, feeling a new sense of determination building inside him.
Alaric offered a small grin. "That's all I need to hear. Now, take some time to rest and recover. You'll need it for what's ahead.
With that, Alaric turned to leave, but he paused just before stepping out of the hallway. "Oh, and Rui... one more thing. After this mission, we'll have a duel. No hard feelings. Just curious how far you've really come."
Rui watched as Alaric walked away, the words still hanging in the air. A duel? Rui wasn't sure what to make of that, but the thought of it stirred something inside him—a desire to prove himself, not just to others, but to himself.
As the sounds of Alaric's footsteps faded, Rui stood alone in the hallway, his mind racing. An S-rank mission. A duel. A test of everything he had worked for.
The road ahead wasn't going to be easy, but Rui was ready to face whatever came his way.