"Uggghhh, I'm so tired. All I had to do was show up and leave afterward."
Glen whined loudly in pure laziness as she dropped onto her bed. During the ceremony, she could do nothing but stand still, look formal, and let the people idolize her.
"But I'm happy I'm not alone going through this, she thought to herself with relief."
The air around her shifted slightly. It had become normal for Gema; anyone who received the role of Headmaster naturally altered the surrounding mass whenever their emotions grew heavy.
"The reason I needed to visit you," Gabriela began, her tone unusually serious, "is because none of your older sisters ever experienced something like this after such an announcement."
Gema flinched. There was something unsettling about the way Gabriela spoke.
"Is this a warning, Sister Gigi?"
Gabriela's eyes widened for a moment before she composed herself. "Kind of. You were chosen by your older sisters to take the path after our eldest sister, the only biological lady of the Oriela generation."
Her voice rose slightly, not in anger, but in emphasis.
"Big sister Gigi, I'm scared of what you're implying."
"Your role mostly involves guiding. You'll be an aunt soon, Glen. Well, once you turn eleven."
"It's alright! I–" Glen stopped speaking when she finally understood. Guiding a niece who was biologically part of the generation carried weight she had never imagined. "Oh no…"
Gabriela smiled at her expression. "You've realized. But don't worry. You're not alone."
Gema froze. "I'm… not alone?"
Outside, the carriage rolled forward while crowds cheered. Gema stayed deep in thought. There were two carriages besides hers, one on each side. Glen wondered why.
'If the other two are coming with me, shouldn't we be riding together? Unless the ones coming are more important, she thought.'
At the plaza's center, Glen stepped out and looked toward the other carriages. When she saw who stepped out, she froze in shock before smiling in pure joy. It was her twin sisters, Ema and Gem—non-biological, but born on the same day and nearly identical in appearance. The three immediately spotted one another, their happiness obvious even while maintaining formality.
They were instructed to step onto the floating blocks so all citizens could see them. They agreed and ascended, each one trembling slightly.
"I never imagined it would be you two," Gem murmured, keeping her gaze forward.
"I'm really glad," Ema whispered through a forced smile. "I wouldn't have been okay if it was one of the older ones."
"Isn't this great? We can actually use our abilities and do proper work now," Gema said, excitement creeping into her voice.
"Gema is already imagining chaos," Gem muttered.
"Oh yes. I'm excited to finally be useful," Ema agreed quickly.
Their quiet conversation stopped when cheers erupted again. Someone pointed at the sky.
"Look, it's Princess Verithena!"
The three girls instantly looked around until they spotted their sister, two years older than them, flying above the plaza.
"Now, you three should focus instead of chatting," Verithena said as she descended.
"Big sissy Lilly– are you alright?" Ema's voice softened when she noticed her sister's uneasy expression.
"She hates being called that," Gem whispered.
The name had been forbidden years ago, but Verithena had reluctantly accepted its use outside the palace.
"I came because I love announcements. Mine was exciting too, though I already knew what it would be. My world announcement matched the others'. I wanted to hear yours and invited myself."
She gave her explanation even though none of them were responsible for anything.
"Alright, I'll stop talking. It's starting."
She drifted aside, waving at the citizens.
"Greetings everyone. I am today's city and world announcer. We are here to declare the three sisters who will take the throne together and guide our future princess."
The noise died down as everyone listened.
"First, we present one of the chosen sisters."
Gema stepped forward, nearly stumbling but catching herself before anyone noticed.
"Behold Princess Gemariel Obeña, scion of a revered lineage across all worlds, destined to ascend the universal throne after her elder sister, Queen Erora Eonna Bria Oriela. When our queen brings forth her daughter, the newborn princess shall rise to guide the coming generation of the cosmos. Through every era, Princess Gemariel shall stand at her side, a beacon of wisdom and authority, preserving the legacy and dominion of their family across all realms."
The words hit Gema like a wave, but she kept her expression controlled.
Later, she collapsed flat on her bed, overwhelmed by the day. She wanted to ask Gabriela why she had been chosen at all.
Most of the visions she saw from Gabriela's journeys involved battles in other universes.
"Wait…" Gema whispered.
'I'm going to be traveling to different universes?'
Panic struck her. She pictured herself adventuring alone in strange places. She almost jumped to her feet to scream but stopped halfway, calming her breaths as she smoothed her bedsheets.
If she succeeded in her missions, she might finally meet her older sisters. She had never once seen them. Their presence was so powerful that the atmosphere around them became unbearable.
She turned to her window. Night had already fallen. Sitting upright, she faced the luminous moon. It shone brighter than usual.
She closed her eyes and made her wish.
"I hope no misfortune comes to me during my work. And to my sisters as well."