"Tsk, a King talent," Mike said, clicking his tongue looking at the guy on the stage.
If I am not wrong, a king is the limit of this world so it was bound to be special but... "Is it that big of a deal?" I asked Mike after looking at all the commotion in the crowd.
These people are behaving like it is then who won a lottery. I mean, even if its a king rank talent, it is not them but someone else who has it not them.
And you can't blame me for thinking like that, I think from a world where the people are jealous of other people success or happy life.
I know it the best because I also am one of those persons, someone who is jealous of his friend just because he have something that I don't.
"Big deal? It is a massive deal!" Mike said, making me realise that it might really be something big, otherwise he might just ignore my question.
"The Rose Empire has 3 gods overlooking it," he said and continued after a pause, "Apparently you can become the next Emperor if you have a King rank talent and can pass the three great trails to receive the blessings."
"But those trails are too impossible to complete, the Empress completed them 500 hundred years ago and has been on throne since then,"
"Apparently, the lifespan of a King is only 500 years at max and she was already above 50 fifty when she completed the trails so technically she has already surpassed the lifespan limit of humans and can't die as long as she sits on her throne as an Empress."
Saying so, Mike finally looked at me, "Now you get why being a King Rank is a big deal?" He asked as I nods, finally understanding it as I look at the crowd.
They are selfish... They wanted the next Emperor to be thier prince, so even if he don't even know them, he will still favour the kingdom as it's his birthplace.
But I don't blame them, after all I am selfish too, they wanted a better life, that's why they want the Prince to go and complete the trails, I killed Kelvin, so I can complete my mission and survive.
Everyone is selfish, and examples are everywhere, in economics it is taught how motivation like increase cause the worker to work better than before, the only difference is selfishness is called by a fancy word, motivation worker isn't doing it just for salary but for much more grander...
Even the Prince is selfish, he knows that the trials might kill him after all, how many geniuses like him were born in the past 500 years but how many of them survive? The answer is none... zero.
Otherwise, the current Empress already would have been a thing of past but she is tell there.
However, even after knowing all that, The Prince will still do it, because he wants power, he wants the world at his fingertips just like the Empress haves it... and he wants Immortality.
'I don't even believe these gods have no motive or selfish desire of thier own...' No matter who they are, be it the god or Para-demon, they must have some desire of thier own, everyone have them unless they are some mindless beast...."Where do you think we should go?" Mike asked me as we look at our left and right, both paths identical to each other, and looking at it, only one thought crossed my mind... We are screwed.
"The first round is now over!" The announcement rang as people cheered louder than over, not only because the most boring round was over but because they also got to see a King.
"Thee results?We have a total of 100 contestants remaining, out of which we have 52 Soldier Talents, 31 General talents, 16 Commanders and lastly, 1 King Ranked Talent!!!"
As soon as he said King, People cheered loudly, so loud that even I felt a bit irritation in my ears, but it was to be expected from these people.
"Now, we can move on to the second round, which will leave us with just 32 participants!" The announcer said with the air of mystery, the competition is held every year, with first round and third round being same.
However, it is the Second round which changes every year and is also the most exciting of all.
"I know you all are excited for it right? So let's not waste time at all!! Let's call here our esteemed guest, Professor Smith so that he can reveal to us what the third round is!" He said as an old man walked towards the stage.
He was old, around 60 perhaps but you can't judge a person's age from thier looks in a world like this so I refrain from guessing it.
Walking in the centre, he looked at the 100 contestants as a smiled adored his face, "Hello everyone, I am a Professor at Warrair Academy of Holy Rose Empire, you can call me Professor Smith."
Saying so, he take out a cube from his robe, "If Pass enter top 10, I'll be your teacher in WHRE, but let's not waste time on this meaningless talks now, and move on to next round, I am sure you all must be waiting eagerly for it, right?"
With a chuckle, he throws the cube in the centre, "This round will be a team game, you can participate with anyone, participant or not, no matter who you choose, they can join you, but remember this round will be over as soon as 32 participants pass so choose carefully."
With a glint of mischief and curiosity in his eyes, he looked at everyone with a smile, "Now let us begin the 2nd round, the race against time, The Maze of Illusion!"
The cube, which was now on the ground in between all the competitors shined before it started to get bigger and bigger, "You have a minute to select your partner, now go..."...Well, that how I find myself in this place, looking at two identical path, both going in opposite direction.