"Hahahah! Congratulations Leonard, your Storm Family got lucky this time. The hero will surely be sent to your family for training." A chubby noble cheered toward a silver‑haired, blue‑eyed young man.
The nobles stood behind the line of guards, and even they reacted visibly at the sight of the first hero's affinity.
The young man called Leonard shook his head. "You jest, Viscount Varto. This is a win for the kingdom…"
Though he spoke humbly, his eyes betrayed pride and joy.
Each noble house carried special bloodlines that gave them advantages in certain elemental magics. Naturally, each hero would be accepted into a noble house that specialized in their affinity, to be taught advanced magic and even secret spells.
"Next!" the king called, as Jake returned to the group, eyes filled with satisfaction.
The lad could tell from everyone's reaction that he was quite special.
Next, his twin Jack rushed forward eagerly. Since Jake had paved the way, the tension was lessened and nerves eased.
He arrived before the orb, heart slightly uneasy, and placed his palms on the foggy glass surface.
Just like his brother, three seconds of silence passed until—
Boom!
The whole castle rattled as a phenomenon of volcanic eruption forced itself into reality. A fiery mountain morphed into two dragons—a flame dragon and an earth dragon—both coiling around Jack before soaring skyward, roaring and dispersing.
Everyone: "…"
Another double affinity? That was unheard of. Heroes with double affinities appeared only once in several millennia. Seeing two in a row?
"By the gods, my kingdom is indeed meant to flourish…" The king exclaimed in ecstasy.
The nobles burst into excited chatter.
"Another double affinity? These heroes aren't just awakening multiple affinities—they're awakening the highest grade possible."
"Exactly. How many can claim such high affinities, let alone two?"
"You're wondering about that? I'm wondering which family gets to keep this hero of flaming earth."
Eyes brightened at the thought.
"True! The first was lightning and wind, the specialty of the Storm Family. But now this hero bears both earth and flame—the domains of the Harold and Ember families."
"Hehe, this means conflict between both earls is bound to happen."
Everyone chuckled quietly, directing their gazes to the two masters of the houses present, expecting drama.
Unfortunately, there was none. Both earls handled the matter with brief, simple exchanges.
The master of the Harolds—hair dirt‑brown, eyes hazel, presence like an immovable mountain—was known for his taciturn nature. He remained calm, sipping his wine as he continued to spectate.
It was the man with blazing red hair, a neatly trimmed beard, and silver eyes—the master of the Embers—who spoke first.
"How do you think we go about this?"
Lord Harold swirled his wine, staring into its depths, eyes nonchalant.
"What's there to decide? Our job is to train heroes to our best. Everything else comes after."
With that, he downed the wine in a single gulp.
Lord Ember smiled and chuckled, oddly calm in contrast to his fiery nature.
"I see… You're right. It all comes down to who can teach better and retain the hero."
Lord Harold lost interest in the topic, already examining the lady stepping forward next.
"An interesting beauty…"
---
Kim was next to step forward. Seeing the superb results of the twins, she was less anxious.
Her pale, tender hands rested on the cold surface of the orb.
This time, her wait was drawn out. Her heart raced as the five‑second mark passed.
Her breathing grew heavy, her hand trembling.
Thankfully, she didn't have to worry for long. The orb rattled violently as rays of light erupted from its surface, one beam at a time until—
Clanng!!
Numerous swords surfaced from the orb, surrounding Kim. The swords hummed, chimed, and bowed.
Even the guards had to forcefully hold their agitated blades down, lest they joined their brothers in paying respects to the Sword Saint.
"Extraordinary! Astonishing! Hahahah!" The king clapped in excitement. This was the best day of his life.
Swordsmen weren't scarce—but humans with sword magic were absurdly rare.
Even Duke Griffith's household, consisting entirely of swordsmen, had only nine individuals with sword magic. Eight of those nine were among the empire's strongest.
The only reason the ninth hadn't taken a seat among the strongest was because he was still young—yet even then, he was one of the strongest of his generation.
And now, the first hero in history had awakened such an affinity.
At this point, even if the last two transmigrators ended up mediocre, the king wouldn't care. Why would he?
His eyes scanned the hall, but failed to find any member of the Griffith family present.
"Well, whatever. When they get the news, they'll come running."
He turned his gaze to the gracious lady hero stepping out next—Layla.
As all transmigrators were still dressed in their original attire, she wore a black, tight, revealing dinner gown, dotted with sparkles like stars in the night sky.
The silent queen couldn't help but sigh in admiration at such beautiful foreign aesthetics.
Layla reached the orb and placed her hands on it, composed. Seeing Kim and the others awaken powerful affinities bolstered her confidence.
This time, something odd began happening. Her hair and eyes began to change.
Her smooth dark hair slowly bleached, turning pristine white. Her hazel‑brown eyes erupted into icy blue.
Gasps rang out as ice began coating the orb and its surroundings.
Noticing something wrong, Layla retracted her hand, stepping backward in confusion.
Each step sent crackling shards across the room. The temperature plummeted, everyone's breath visible as ice spread across the hall.
"Lady Winter, Lord Ember—your intervention is due." The king ordered, thin films of ice coating his armor as cold seeped into his lungs.
Two figures moved quickly. Lord Ember stepped forward leisurely, each step raising the temperature, ice evaporating instantly.
Lady Winter, wife of the absent Duke Frost, appeared beside the panicking hero. Her blue hair waved as she chopped lightly at Layla's nape, knocking her unconscious and ending the phenomenon.
Before her body slumped, Lady Winter caught her in a princess carry.
Bowing her head, she suggested, "My King, I suggest I take her with me immediately. The ice affinity is strong and unruly. What just happened may be the least of what's to come."
The king nodded, granting permission.
"You may."
With a billowing of snow from nowhere, both figures vanished.
The king now rested his eyes on the last—Aaron.
"This should be good."