“Can it be done?” King Liam asked the Grand Supreme.

“I believe it can. So if I am understanding correctly, You want me to help him become stronger?” The Grand Supreme asked.

The King sighed before standing up. “I am leaving. Draconis. Please handle this. I cannot be part of it any longer. You know my wishes.” He then left the room.

“What is wrong with the King?” The Grand Supreme asked, concern showing in his face.

“Old magic is bounding him not to be involved, however he desperately wants to be involved. He is cursing himself for taking that stupid oath all those years ago. If he had known that Collin would be here, That someone like Collin would eventually exist, He would never have agreed to the current situation that we now find ourselves in.” Draconis said. He was clearly just as annoyed as the King was.

The Grand Supreme was well aware of the oath they were referring to. The King was known to get around. The sheer number of concubines, ex wives, escorts, and other such flings were astronomical but not uncommon compared to previous kings. Shortly after losing his first wife and the only woman to ever hold the title of Queen, Elizabeth, the King reverted to how he was as a teenager. Drugs, alcohol, and women in any and all combinations. This is of course a normal and understanding part of the mourning process but it spawned a large number of illegitimate heirs. This was years before any sort of pregnancy prevention was created.

Now that the Grand Supreme thought of it, this could have been the reason pregnancy prevention was created. It was many years later when the King began to outlive his own children and their children that an issue was finally noted. There were no more legitimate heirs to the throne. The children that Liam and Elizabeth had together were all gone. Their children were also all gone. A meeting between King Liam, The Grand Council of Elders, and The Supreme Bishop of the Church was held and it was decided that in the event of King Liam's Death, a tournament would be held between all the possible heirs. The winner would be the new King of Gridarnia. An oath was made, all of the children were rounded up, blood was tested and the rules were set.

“So let me get this straight. The King wants Collin to succeed him?” The Grand Supreme asked

Draconis stared at the Grand Supreme as if he would smite him then and there.”The King and advisors are unable to make comments or show preferential treatment to any or all of the possible heirs to the throne.” he recited as if this was not his first time. Before sighing heavily.

“Look. The King wants him prepared. He is unable to tell him he wants him to be prepared. He is unable to help him or be nice to him or show any compassion whatsoever. The King has known that young man all of five seconds and he already loves him so much that he is willing to throw everything away just to spend more time with him.. Collin is the daughter of Katrina II. Do you remember Katrina? Do you remember how much the King loved his first daughter? There are no words to properly describe such a love and devotion that a man more powerful than a lesser god could have to a single person. He has directed that level of love to her son, his grandson, who we did not even know existed until just a few years ago. He is one of two known legitimate heirs still alive. The other left the continent. In fact, the only way we even know he is still alive is through Collin, who has the number two brand. If that man were dead, Collin would have a number one. We are asking that you lure him into the tower to obtain his Matrix. We are asking you to test him and put him through the ringer, give him skills and abilities that he would not get in the outside world. He needs to be perfect so that he can maybe one day become the King. You know him, he is a good man. The things he has done for the region is proof enough that he would be a good king. We want you to prepare him however you can. He also needs to get Max. Ray and his bond are not strong enough. They need their primary matrix if we are to win the upcoming war to the west. That, by the way, is not going well. We are losing ground.”

This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

“You do know that I could very easily give them their Matrices? We put in failsafes to allow us to do that exact thing.” The grand Supreme stated. He could feel a bit of heat radiating from behind him.

“He has to earn it. Ray will have his role to play once he becomes Baron. Collin needs to prepare to be the King``

“I understand. I think I have a way. I really must thank the King again for allowing us to build the Battle Tower. It is such a marvelous structure. The pledges will benefit so much from this .” The Grand Supreme stated.

“I will relay the sentiment. Please accept and use this in your preparations.” Draconis said, handing the Grand supreme a small crate. The Grand Supreme opened the box to reveal a series of matrices. He recognized them almost immediately.

“Sir, these are..I.. I… but.. You want me to give these to him.” The Grand Supreme said.

“No. I want him to earn them. This is a school so make it happen. I understand that he lost many of his friends and loved ones during the war and his time here. Find those Matrices. He needs subordinates he can trust. He needs to be able to summon and command an army more powerful than any that has ever been known. Ever! The White King has returned. The Black King is getting more powerful each day. We need the two to defeat the one. Collin needs to have a king's power before he even has the opportunity to become one. If you need anything at all, you contact me directly. No one outside of this room is to ever know.”

Draconis looked up at the wall of matrices behind the Grand Supreme. He nodded at one in particular and then quickly exited the room.

The Grand Supreme was quiet for some time.

“Seprus, did you hear all of that?” he asked, not looking away from the door.

“I did, sir.” Seprus replied from the wall.

“Trixie, Max, did you also hear all of that?”

“We all did sir.” Max replied.

“Do you all know what you need to do?” he asked. The box in front of him glowing brighter and brighter.

“We do.” The entire wall said at once.