Empyrean medals.

The symbol of prestige and honor. As highly coveted items, they represent a person’s ability to achieve the extraordinary, the truly unimaginable. Awarded by the only independent academic institute, Empyreanon, they are widely considered the rarest honours to be bestowed. Five such medals exist, with each being a testament to the recipient's immense skill, bravery, and dedication to the greater good:

The Medal of Valor—A medal awarded to individuals who have displayed extraordinary courage in the face of insurmountable odds.

The Medal of Wisdom—A medal awarded to individuals who have shown unparalleled insight and strategic brilliance.

The Medal of Compassion—A medal awarded to individuals who have performed acts of immense kindness and selflessness, often saving lives or restoring hope in times of despair.

The Medal of Honor—A medal awarded to individuals for great acts of unwavering loyalty and integrity.

The Medal of Unity—A medal awarded to individuals who have brought together disparate factions or forged alliances in times of great need.

All medals were coloured golden and intricately designed in various shapes, ranging from hexagons to decagons. Small silver triangles could be found in each shape at the base of their sides, with petals craved in. Fine pieces of work.

Standing in an open field, the sun kissing his skin, Zuian reflected.

Earning anyone of them was going to be really hard. If achieving feats worthy of recognition wasn't challenging enough, the process of being nominated and ultimately instated certainly was.

First, a person would have to be recommended by either the Church, Royal Family, or Empyrean committee for nomination. They would then be put on a public trial where all their feats would be heavily scrutinised by both parties not involved in the recommendation.

Second, a vote will be held where the lower house of the common representative will decide if the motion should be passed to the upper house. The upper house, made up of nobility, will, if the motion is passed, then vote whether or not it should pass forward once more. Both votes require an overwhelming majority of 80 percent to be in agreement to move forward.

Finally, assuming all goes well, the Royal Family will then be at liberty to reject or accept. If accepted, the awarding will then be held at the Empyreanon.

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Really troublesome.

Basking in the glow of the gentle sun, Zuian went over it once more.

The first and last steps weren’t so hard. He was already part of the Royal Family which had good connections with the Church. No, the real hard step came in the voting. Zuian essentially had to convince the entire country that he was worthy of a medal. Five times over. To put it simply, there was a reason even the most notable Arose only managed to get two in their lifetimes.

‘Done enjoying the sun?’ (L)

‘Just started’ (Z)

A cold breeze flew by. Zuian, like usually, didn’t know where exactly they were, but he could at least tell that they were somewhere high. It was rather chilly.

‘Where are we?’ (Z)

‘I don’t know, but if I had to guess… I would say we were somewhere in the kingdom’ (L)

Zuian felt like letting out a sigh. To expect a serious response from someone who would drag you out of a room while you're still in your nightgown was perhaps asking for too much.

‘Alright, get to it. Show me what you can do’ (L)

While flying out to wherever here was, Zuian had been rather full of questions. He asked away and was met with dead silence. It was only after they landed did he learn to reason as to why they were here. They were here so Lord could gain an understanding of his power.

It would seem he was curious.

‘Don’t feel like’ (Z)

Zuian could care less.

‘Seriously, this attitude again? How do you expect to become Queen with a mindset like this?’ (L)

Zuian turned to face where he felt Lord’s presence, then took a seat on the ground.

Note to self: check for rocks next time.

Ankle-tall grass was very deceptive.

Switching positions, Zuian replied,

‘I remember telling you that was not my goal’ (Z)

‘Sure, sure, sure’ (L)

Lord’s presence walked up beside Zuian and laid itself there.

‘We can stay here all day. I don’t mind; it’s not like I’ve got anything better to do’ (L)

This was starting to become a problem if it was not already.

Zuian had no control over his summon.

Usually, this wasn’t such a problem. Most summons were small, young creatures that then rapidly grew. The vast majority of people learned to control or work with them during the short period they were small. Zuian, of course, wouldn’t be granted such a luxury. That would be too kind of the Universe.

Wait, young… does that mean…

All summoned creatures in history have been younglings.

No, no way…

Impundulu, that was what Lord was. Zuian had seen depictions of their kind. Six winged terrors of the sky. Six winged. Lord had two.

Zuian got up.

‘Okay, let’s have a bout’ (Z)

This might be the weakest Lord was ever going to be. If Zuian wanted to establish some authority, this was the best time to go about it. Otherwise, he might be forced to push himself further in the future.

‘How unusually decisive? And, quick too? Why the sudden change of heart?’ (L)

‘Hm… You sound less excited than I thought you’d be’ (Z)

Stretching his body, Zuian readied himself.

‘Are you by chance scared? Don’t worry, I won’t hurt you’ (Z)

Lord gave a dry laugh.

‘Scared? What a foolish notion’ (L)

Lord got up and moved a short distance from Zuian.

This fight could accomplish much. Firstly, it could finally teach this disrespectful summon some manners. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, it could help Zuian gauge his current ability. An action that would slowly start to prepare Zuian for what he was going up against next.

The entrance exam for the Empyreanon Academy.