The siblings exchanged glances. Ha-Yoon's mind raced with questions, her curiosity piqued by the mention of these mysterious foreign energies. "If the foreign energies are similar to serein, how do we then utilize them?" she asked, her voice steady despite her racing heart.
Lady Somin leaned back in her chair, her eyes thoughtful. "The truth is, we do not know," she admitted, "for the energies are not of our realm. To harness them, we would need to understand them, to communicate with the very fabric of the worlds from whence they came."
Quorge's brow furrowed slightly as he considered the implications of her words. "This understanding will not come easily. It requires exploration and courage," he added, his voice deep and commanding.
The tension in the room grew as they absorbed Quorge's words. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily upon the siblings. They had already faced the dangers of the lesser sprit, but now it seemed they were being thrust into something far greater--a journey beyond their wildest imaginations.
"Thus, we embark on a journey beyond our borders," King Morey declared, his tone resolute. "Into the ruins and dungeons that remain hidden, and face whatever lies within. Only then can we hope to unlock the true potential of your bond with Serein and those foreign energies."
Quorge nodded solemnly, his expression unwavering. "And we must do so together," he added, his gaze sweeping over the assembled fae. "For the challenges ahead will test us all."
Ha-Yoon felt a thrill of fear and excitement coursing through her veins. The path ahead was uncertain, but there was something undeniably compelling about the journey that awaited them.
And in that moment, amidst the swirling tensions and burgeoning hopes, the siblings understood their place in this grand tapestry of fate. They were not mere observers in this world; they were integral to its very survival.
The room fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Ha-Yoon's mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle that lay before them. "How do we even begin to understand them?" she asked, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and curiosity.
Lord Haneul took a deep breath before answering. "We must first acknowledge that our world is but one in a vast tapestry of dimensions, each woven with threads of energy unseen by most. We would need to establish communication with the outside world, which we are currently not in the position to do."
King Morey nodded gravely. "The anomalies of our world, the towers, dungeons, and gate portals, are all interconnected in ways we are just beginning to understand. They are not merely relics of the past, but living entities, each with its own purpose and secrets." He paused, allowing his words to resonate before continuing. "But you must be cautious. If you wish to harness these foreign energies, you must first understand the nature of the gate portals."
"Gate portals, as you've seen, act as bridges between your realm and others," the king explained. "But specialized portals are more selective. They require specific conditions to be met before they will open, and often, the tasks to be completed within them are as perilous as they are vital. It is within these challenges our community will grow exponentially stronger."
"But what of the monsters?" Si-Woo asked, his eyes reflecting the concern he felt. "The ones that threaten Yohen?"
Princess Deane nodded solemnly. "Indeed," she said. "The gate portals and dungeons are not just a source of power, but also a potential breeding ground for chaos. The beasts and creatures that dwell within them are drawn to the clashing of energies and auras. If we do not maintain control, they could spill into our world, wreaking havoc."
Si-Woo's eyes narrowed as he thought about the implications. "What kind of tasks do these specialized portals require?" he asked, his voice filled with determination.
Lady Somin's expression grew contemplative. "Ah, the trials of the specialized portals," she mused. "They are as varied as the stars in the night sky. Some may demand great feats of strength or intelligence, while others may require a pure heart or a deep connection to the serein itself. Only those who can meet these requirements are granted passage and the treasures that lie within."
Lady Luna, whose eyes had been lingering on the siblings, spoke up with a wistful smile. "If only we had four prophetesses to perform the centurial year prophecy ritual," she said, her voice trailing off into a whisper. "Their combined visions could illuminate the path ahead for our realm, guide us through the shadows of uncertainty."
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"Four?" Ha-Yoon questioned, her curiosity piqued. "But I thought there was only one prophetess at a time?"
Lord Haneul shot Lady Luna a sharp glance, his expression a silent reprimand. "There is no need to trouble the children with ancient traditions," he said firmly.
But Lady Luna remained steadfast, her eyes shining with an unspoken resolve. "It is essential that they understand the full extent of our heritage and the potential it holds," she insisted. "While rare, the coexistence of four prophetesses is possible. Thousands of years ago, Ondur was blessed with four-millennium prophetesses over time. Their collective visions guided us through the darkest of times, and it is not beyond the realm of possibility that we may see such a time again."
The room grew still as the fae absorbed Lady Luna's words. The siblings exchanged glances, their hearts pounding with the realization that they might be part of something much larger than they ever could have imagined.
Minho fixes his gaze on the man sitting down in the garb with the sharp cunning eyes, "Your Highness, why is Mutstushiro here?" "I would also like to know why he's here, Your Highness," Lord Hanuel says.
King Morey stated, "Now, I know you two don't have the best relationship, Minho, but this brings me to my other reason for calling this meeting. We needed a method to organize and systematize the anomalies of this realm. Allow me to introduce Mutstushiro Amreen, the headmaster of the newly established family 'Rankers'."
Mutstushiro, smirks as he leans back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "Ah, I see the whispers of my presence have reached your ears. I am here because, unlike some of you," he says, casting sideways glances at Lord Hanuel and Minho, "I see opportunity in chaos, not just a burden. You see, I've made it my business to understand the gate portals and dungeons," he said, his eyes flicking from fae to fae, as if daring anyone to challenge him. "I know how to navigate them, how to survive them, and most importantly, how to exploit them for their true worth." His voice was smooth, almost hypnotic, and Ha-Yoon found herself leaning forward, eager to hear more.
Although his personality is quite difficult to tolerate, Minho thought, Mutstushiro was indeed a prodigy, known across Ondur for his unparalleled knowledge and abilities. Yet, his reputation was as much a double-edged sword as his words—sharp and dangerous, but also surprisingly effective and he is also a representative in all five families of a branch.
"Your Highness, I've developed a system of ranking these anomalies based on their difficulty, potential rewards, and the threats they pose," Mutstushiro continued, his voice oiled with self-importance. "By doing so, we can train our fae to face these challenges methodically, ensuring that only the most capable venture forth."
King Morey nodded, his eyes gleaming with interest. "This is exactly what we need," he said, his gaze sweeping the room. "We will adopt the Ranker system immediately. Each family will work closely with the Rankers to train their students in the art of anomaly exploration and serein utilization."
Mutstushiro stood up, a smug smile playing on his lips. "Thank you for your trust, Your Highness," he said, his eyes sweeping over the assembly. "Rest assured, we will not disappoint. The Rankers will be the vanguard of Yohen, ensuring that our people are prepared for the trials that lie ahead."
"The vanguard?" Minho Murmured in offense.
He paused for effect, letting his words hang in the air like a promise. "To facilitate this, we will divide into three main branches: Adventurers, Excavationists, and Voyagers," he announced. The room buzzed with excitement as fae from each family began to murmur to one another, wondering what each branch entailed. "Each branch will specialize in a different aspect of anomaly exploration," Mutstushiro continued, raising his voice to be heard over the chatter. "The Adventurers will be the ones to brave the dungeons and gate portals, seeking out the most dangerous and powerful treasures. The Excavationists will study and preserve the artifacts we find, unlocking the secrets of the past. And the Voyagers," his eyes glinted, "will chart the unexplored lands, seeking new gateways to distant realms."
The fae grew silent, their eyes wide with wonder. The concept of a structured approach to exploring the dangers and riches of their newfound home was both thrilling and intimidating. "To become a Ranker," Mutstushiro said, his voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried through the chamber, "you must first pass our test."
He paused, watching the anticipation build. "The Ranker's Test is no ordinary exam," he warned. "It will push your limits, challenge your skills, and demand your absolute dedication to the craft." He turned to Si-Woo and Ha-Yoon, his gaze piercing. "But fear not, for those who pass will be granted a ranker's card. With this card, you can access any of the three branches, and together, we shall uncover the secrets of the anomalies and harness their power for the greater good of Yohen."
The assembly grew still, the weight of Mutstushiro's words settling in. The siblings exchanged looks, their eyes alight with excitement and a touch of trepidation. The idea of being part of such an elite group, of exploring the unknown and contributing to the growth of their new home, was exhilarating. Yet, the shadow of the impending trials loomed over them, a reminder of the challenges ahead.
Mutstushiro took a deep breath, his chest puffing out as he addressed the room. "Thank you for your attention, my esteemed colleagues," he said, his voice oozing confidence. "With your support and the might of the Rankers, we will ensure that the future of Yohen is one of prosperity and enlightenment."