In the world referred to as Shin, many locations were well known throughout the vast land.

Whether it was the country of the strong, Dranilia, or the much more beautiful kingdom of Itazura, there were numerous places that had been known about.

However, not all beings within the world had been aware of every location that existed.

Even if Dranilia had been known for its strong warriors, there were still those who had never heard of the location.

Even if Itazura was filled with gorgeous scenery, there were still people who did not know that the country was real.

Despite this, there had been one area that was known by all.

A place that was located in Zero, the capital of the entire world.

Within Zero, the most well known building of all existed.

It was a castle.

A singular castle.

A castle that looked as though it could take up half the amount of space that the average town would take up.

The castle did not look as though it belonged to anyone who had been wealthy from the outside, but it did however look dignified and polished.

The very building itself gave the impression that while whoever may live within was likely one who did not care for greedy possessions like money or fame, they were still someone who was likely distinguished.

At the front of the castle at this moment stood a young looking woman with tanned skin and mauve colored hair styled in a ponytail. She wore a white dress, with white high heels to match. Much like the castle that stood before her, the woman gave off a very elegant look. The only difference being she had seemed like someone who held money in high regard.

The woman was walking towards the front doors, before speaking to one of the guards that had stood there.

???: [I’m here for a meeting that I requested, if that’s alright! I even brought some snacks and tea!]

Guard: [Of course, madam. Right this way.]

The guard bowed with their arm across their waist. They nodded to two of the other guards who had stood with them, before the two started to push the doors open. The guard who had greeted the woman then began to escort her to the location she desired.

As they walked, the woman gazed upon the massive hallway that surrounded the path. Much like the outside, the inside of the castle had a very dignified look to it. Nothing that was gold nor shiny existed here, but merely red carpets and curtains, and tiles along the ground along with pillars around the hall that had looked so shiny, you would be able to see your own reflection within them.

???: [This place never changes. I just might need to hire whoever made this for my own palace. I could use a beautiful looking castle like this!]

Guard: [The castle was made as such to reflect the beauty of Her Highness. If you would like, I will speak with her in assisting your request.]

???: [Please do! I’d be super happy with that!]

The guard gave a small laugh in response to the woman’s joyous demand.

Eventually, the two of them had reached the door at the end of the prolonged hallway. The guard lightly knocked at the door and kneeled before it.

Guard: [Your Highness, Lady Tequi Tensetsu has arrived. She mentioned that she requested a meeting with you.]

The woman, Tequi, then started to flail her arms in the air in a joyful manner.

Tequi: [The tea! Don’t forget the tea!]

Guard: [...She has also brought tea, Your Highness.]

Tequi: [Oh! And the snacks!]

Guard: [....and snacks…Your Highness…]

The room had gone silent for a few moments.

A feminine voice from within the room then spoke.

???: [She may enter.]

Guard: [Yes, Your Highness!]

The guard had then opened the door, moving his arm across his waist to signal Tequi to enter.

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As Tequi entered the room, the guard gave a salute to the woman he served, before quietly closing the door.

It was now Tequi, and a woman who had sat on a throne in the very back of the room. A chair and a table had been in front of the woman, the table having an untouched chess board laying upon it. Two smaller tables rested by the sides of both chairs respectively for tea and food.

Tequi: [Every time I enter here, I almost feel like I should bow.]

???: [There is no need for such an action. Please, join me.]

Tequi: [As you wish!]

Tequi hurried over to the chair opposite of the woman.

Tequi: [This meeting’s tea is special! I bought some instant magic tea from a fancy store I had gone to a month back, so I figured why not try it out here!]

???: [I feel as though if it is instant tea, it will be rather lacking in flavor.]

Tequi: [You’re missing two points here. One, you forgot the magic part to it! And two, it’s the fancy kind, so I'm sure it’ll be good! Watch!]

Tequi then pulled two fancy tea cups from under the table without a word from the other woman, and began to pour an odd liquid that was within the tea bags, into the cups.

Tequi: [And I just add a little bit of magic and…done! Go on, try it!]

The woman sat there silently for a few moments, before picking up the hot tea cup and drinking the contents within it. She then quietly placed the tea cup back down onto the saucer.

Tequi: [Well? What do you think of it?]

???: [Mm. Buena. I did not have high expectations for such an item, so I would say I am satisfied with the result.]

Tequi: [See? I knew it would be good! Oh, and don’t worry, I brought snacks too!]

???: [The snacks are unnecessary. You may indulge in them if you choose to, but I will remain with just my tea and nothing else. Would you care for a game of chess?]

Tequi: [It wouldn’t be our usual meeting without one! I’ll be black, you be white!]

The two women then focused on their game of chess, while discussing topics with one another.

Tequi: [So how have things been with you lately? Anything exciting?]

???: [It has been the same events as usual. I’ve participated in many meetings, escapades, and the like.]

Tequi: [Hmmm. So same old same old, huh? Did you get around to dealing with some more big bad figures yet?]

???: [The term that you used is a rather odd term to use. If you mean some of the notable figures causing turmoil, then no. Not many at this current moment. The election process has caused a significant halt to those tasks.]

Tequi: [Ah. I guess that would do it. I’m very curious to see who everyone will choose! Oh, speaking of that stuff, how are your children? Before you go, lemme just say that Albeera sure is a feisty one to handle. She’s been like that her whole life, but man oh man, has she really turned up the heat. As for my grandson, I feel like he’s gonna turn out the same way as his mom if things keep up the way they’re going right now.]

???: [That is certainly interesting to hear. My children are quite alright. They’ve continued to live their lives as they have ordinarily done. The same can be said for my grandchildren.]

Tequi: [Haaaaaah. It’s really tiring to think about the fact that we have grandchildren. We don’t look a day over thirty and yet here we are, with grandchildren who are already in their teens. It really is something else.]

???: [It is indeed an odd scenario to live within, but such is the way of life.]

Tequi: [Oh! Right! Back to my main topic! So do you think you’ll handle some of the big shot bad guys soon? Like that Daroma guy I keep hearing about?]

???: [I certainly have that name on my list of individuals to deal with. Once the election process ends, I may see if I can handle the task.]

Tequi: [Hehehe. Handle she says. Like that guy’s gonna be able to do anything to you. There’s so many people I’m curious about though. Daroma the Dark, Wild Kemono, Yoro of the Sands. If you beat those guys up, make sure to tell me all about them, okay?]

???: [Very well. I will make sure to discuss the individuals with you once the situation is handled.]

Tequi: [Yes! Oh, also, did you hear that there’s another set of students taking on the trials to become gods?]

The woman did not make a response for a few seconds, merely focusing on the chess game before her.

???: [Should a subject such as that truly matter? The result should be evident before the trials even begin.]

Tequi: [Hey, you never know! Maybe this time, something crazy will happen!]

Tequi then moved a knight close enough to the woman’s king to almost secure a victory.

Tequi: [Check! You’re losing a whole lot of your pieces this game. You better make your next move wisely or it might cost you the whole game! Also, do you really think nothing could possibly happen? Fate, luck, all sorts of stuff exist to counteract the norm! If there weren't beliefs in such ideas, I don’t think anybody in the world would make it very far. Who knows, maybe we’ll finally get a change of overseers after so long!]

???: [There are two things you fail to see here, Tequi.]

Tequi: [Hm? What’s that?]

???: [One, though what you say is certainly true to some degree, the events of history in regards to these trials have not changed. Time and time again, aspiring students have entered the school only to fail within the following months. It has been this way for centuries, and the likelihood of these events changing is less than slim. It is nothing. These events have transpired both during our era, and further back.]

The woman then picked up her remaining knight.

???: [And number two, checkmate.]

Tequi: [Wha–?!]

Tequi had gotten into a state of shock, now seeing the knight piece that the woman had was also one move away from victory. Unlike Tequi’s knight, however, there was not a single move she could make to get out of this scenario.

???: [Much like this board, if you fail to look at the larger picture, it will cost you dearly. There is something to be said about fate, but luck has no place in the world. Failure to see the facts, failure to see how fate has both played out, and will play out, all of these will lead to a much larger scale of failure. Failure such as that, could cost you your very life. Without the ability to look upon what is in front of you, one will never be able to move ahead towards the future. That is the greatest failure that many individuals have, and one that has remained consistent with the godhood trials.]

The woman had spoken her words of wisdom, but much to her dismay, the girl in front of her began to sulk over her loss.

Tequi: [Ahhhhhhh, I was sure the forty first attempt would be the attempt where I finally win!]

???: [A failure in ignoring words that are presented to you, is also the type of failure that may cost you.]

Tequi: [I heard you, I heard you. I was just sad that I didn’t win….Oh well! There’s always next time! I’ve discussed what I wanted with you and we both drank our tea, so I suppose I’ll head home for the day.]

???: [Very well. One of my guards shall greet you on your way out. From there they shall escort you out of the building.]

Tequi: [Yep, yep. Same as usual. Oh, by the way, could you get the info of the person who made your castle for me? I’d like to have mine redone and I really like the look of your place!]

???: [I constructed it.]

A brief air of silence filled the room.

Tequi: [Hm. Well if you ever have the chance, let me know!]

Tequi then rose from her chair and walked towards the door.

Tequi: [See you next time…Devi!]

She then exited the room. Her voice could be heard from outside, speaking to the guard that had been waiting for her return.

The woman with light blue skin, who sat on the throne, was a notorious figure within this world.

She had long, bright red hair. Her bangs not only covered her forehead completely, but also edged ever so close to her bright red eyes. Her outfit could not be classified as a dress, but it also could not be described as two separate pieces of clothing. There had been a pattern of colors along it, with the arms and collar having a red color with a gold outline, then the chest with black shade to it, then the waist to the leggings, which had a mix of the two colors. Much like her clothes, the boots that she had worn had a similar pattern in color as her clothes, with the upper area of the boots having a black shade to them, and the sole being red. Around her waist, rested a charred looking sword with an elegant design to the cross guard. Along that design, at the very end of it, pointed towards the grip, had been what looked like a pair of horns. Demon horns.

Those same horns existed in another location. The chest area of the woman’s clothes had been thin enough to see through, and slightly above the middle of the woman’s breasts, the horns had once again appeared in the form of a blood red demon tattoo.

The woman that had elegantly sat there.

The woman who lived within this elegant castle.

The woman who was known by all.

Her name was Devi Bloodfire.

Devi: [Fate will remain as it has always remained. That is a fact that no single being within this world can deny.]

In a room with no one else inside, the legendary Ruler of All uttered these words.

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