Meanwhile, my two older brothers have left our small dukedom behind. They’ve joined the Light Empire, the most respected and prosperous of the four great empires that dominate the world. As much as it hurts to see them go, I can’t deny the pride I feel for their accomplishments. One brother has become a Knight Captain, a title earned through sheer strength and honor, while the other has thrown himself into the world of finance and development, managing the economic future of the empire. It was inevitable they were always the geniuses, the ones destined for greatness.
The Four Empires of the World
The world has become divided into four empires, each with its own rules, its own way of life, and its own strengths.
- The Light Empire – A realm built on respect, equality, and harmony. Peace flows through its lands, and its people hold each other in high regard. It is the shining beacon of civilization, attracting the brightest minds and the most powerful warriors. Our dukedom is one of many small territories under its protection.
- The Asura Empire – A land cloaked in darkness, feared by most but misunderstood. Though its landscapes are bleak and its atmosphere oppressive, the people are not inherently evil. Their government may be harsh, but it does not mean they are all enemies.
- The Indra Empire – A realm bathed in sunlight, home to fierce warriors who fight for honor and glory. It has long conflicted with the Asura Empire, but the rivalry remains largely political. They do not interfere with the Light Empire, though tensions run high.
- The Forbidden Empire – A land shrouded in mystery, separated from the rest of the world by an endless sea. No one knows much about the people who live there, but legends say they are the most powerful of all. They are said to wield dual and even triple elements, a feat unheard of anywhere else.
Though these four empires each hold their own secrets, there is one thing I know that sets me apart: I can use all the elements. I don’t know how or why, but it’s the truth. Something in me has changed, something beyond my comprehension. And to be honest, I don’t really care to understand it anymore.
The Dukedom Without Its Heir
The day Sophie finally approached me with a heavy heart, I knew things were about to change. Her usual cold composed demeanor had been replaced with a rare vulnerability, something I hadn’t seen in years.
“You’ve heard the news about them, right?” Sophie asked, her voice softer than usual.
I nodded, my eyes tracing the ground beneath me, avoiding her gaze. “Yeah. They’re doing well for themselves.”
My voice cracked slightly as I spoke of my brothers. Despite their success, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being left behind completely out of place in this dukedom, one that was growing more distant every day.
Sophie placed her hand gently on my shoulder, the weight of her touch grounding me. “Father’s health is failing. And I’ve made a decision…” She paused, her eyes meeting mine, as if searching for a reaction. “I’m leaving. I need to train, to grow stronger. There’s something I need to prepare for, something none of us can ignore.”
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My chest tightened at her words. “What do you mean, ‘leave’?”
She met my gaze without hesitation. “It means, for the time being, you will become the Duke of Seren.”
The words hit me like a crushing wave, knocking the breath out of me. “What? No. I can’t—”
But Sophie raised her hand, silencing me. “It’s the only way. I know you don’t want it, but there’s no one else to step in. Father’s health is deteriorating, and the dukedom needs a ruler. You’ll be the 68th Duke of Seren.”
“I don’t want to be a duke!” I cried out, my voice desperate. “I’m not like our brothers. I don’t have what it takes.”
Sophie smiled—a smile that was both gentle and knowing, as if she’d heard these many times before. “Still the same,” she murmured, her eyes softening. “You always used to cry like this when we were kids, begging me to save you. You haven’t changed at all.”
Her words stung, but I couldn’t find the courage to argue. Instead, I lowered my gaze. “But I can’t do it, Sophie. I can’t rule this dukedom. I’m not strong enough.”
She sat down beside me and took my hand, her grip steady and unwavering. “You may not want it, but you’re the only one who can handle it now. Please, for the sake of our people, do this. I’m not asking you to be perfect. I’m asking you to try.”
The sincerity in her eyes cut through the fog of my doubt. “But… please, don’t leave like the others did. Don’t abandon us like they did.”
Sophie’s expression softened, and she cupped my cheek in her hand. “I’ll come back. Not for the dukedom, but for you. I promise.”
I could feel the warmth of her touch, the weight of her words settling in my heart. Despite her confidence, I could see the fear hidden deep in her eyes, the fear of the unknown. But still, I trusted her.
“Promise me something,” I whispered, my voice small. “Promise me you won’t use your power. Only your true strength. If you use the power within you, they’ll find out.”
Sophie’s eyes widened, but she quickly masked her surprise with a calm smile. “I won’t. Don’t worry about that. Just be the best duke you can be. Make me proud.”
With those final words, Sophie stood up and left, leaving me to face the heavy mantle of responsibility that had suddenly fallen upon me.
A Future That Is Unclear
The days after Sophie’s departure passed quickly, each one slipping by like the last. I had to prepare myself to take on the role of duke, and though the weight of the title felt heavy at times, I never failed. Every decision I made felt instinctive, guided by the memories of past lives Jin, the radiant hero; the nobleman, whose rage once consumed him. Their experiences lived within me; their wisdom ingrained in my being.
I remember the day I first looked upon the Scroll of Destiny, its colors swirling around me:
- Red: War – The path of the warrior, strength, and courage.
- Green: Healing – The path of the healer, compassion, and care for others.
- Blue: Wisdom – The path of the scholar, knowledge, and learning.
- Yellow: Prosperity – The path of the merchant, wealth, and growth.
- White: Purity – The path of the guardian, protection, and justice.
- Black: Mystery – The path of the sorcerer, magic, and the unknown.
- Purple: Leadership – The path of the ruler, power, and governance.
As the colors swirled around me, I realized something: I didn’t have to choose one path. Each color called me because it was part of me, a reflection of the many facets of who I was. My destiny wasn’t limited to just one of these paths. The Scroll of Destiny didn’t settle on one color. Instead, it shimmered with golden light and revealed a single title:
Valerius Imperion
A Duke Under Pressure
Though the title felt strange, it also felt right. The responsibility that came with it was immense, but I understood now that I wasn’t just a duke of one small territory. My dukedom was part of the Light Empire, and my actions would ripple far beyond its borders.
As the days went by, I took the throne and began making decisions, not just for my dukedom, but for the larger world. I felt the weight of the colors within me, each one influencing my actions, guiding me toward a future I couldn’t fully understand but was ready to embrace. The Light Empire was watching, and so was the world. But I knew one thing: no matter what happened, I was ready. Ready to face the trials that would come, ready to build a future that would honor all the paths I had inherited.