— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR: 7294. SEASON: COLOR FADING.

  Lawruthian, or Atlas, Lawruthian’s golem body looked over the sitting group of people. On his right sat Amaya, who was curiously staring at the golem. Her eyes held glowing magenta spell constructs over them that allowed her to analyze the composition of the golem. Lawruthian didn’t mind; Atlas was a simple one-star golem that didn’t have much skill in terms of combat. Lawruthian planned to have the golem upgrade itself since Atlas possessed that level of skill and intellect.

  While his main body held its discussion and began working on the Illusion-net with Kubrat, Atlas was focused on the gathered members to establish more Edryan Heroes. He looked to his right, where General Ameri Oni, General Alexandria Indrius, and Spymaster Lily Maar sat. While scattered on both sides were the New Greats.

  A few Prestiges and Demigods were present, but they weren’t focused on the conversations taking place; rather, their attention seemed to be drawn to the hall where his main body was located, keenly watching the ongoings.

  Atlas faked clearing his throat, gathering the attention of those at the table. They were in an adjacent hall, and many were curious why the Chosen of Madris gathered them today.

  Eyes turned in Atlas’s direction, and he mentally took a deep breath before speaking. “I’ve gathered you here today to offer the opportunity to become a Hero.”

  His words were direct. In truth, Atlas contemplated how to break the news that he, well Lawruthian , could establish heroes, but he decided saying it outright as the best way. Perhaps some had their suspicions about the multiple heroes appearing whenever an Edryani received the class. Now. Atlas speaking was just confirming it.

  Amaya blinked, and the spell constructs hovering over her eyes immediately ended. Her eyes widened a bit, and she stared at Atlas like it was a foreign creature. Atlas internally rolled his eyes. Although he was Lawruthian, it was like his sol was watching two different monitors; the young man had slowly gotten used to giving a portion of his attention to Atlas. He compared himself to a computer running different programs. 90% of his CPU was in his main body, while a small 10% came to Atlas.

  “Unfortunately, this opportunity can only go to three people. Decide amongst yourselves,” Atlas finished before he completely stopped speaking. More and more of Lawruthian’s attention was being drawn to the room where his main body was located.

  Amaya put a hand to her temple and began to rub. She could feel a headache coming on from Lawruthian’s words.

  “Lawruthian…,” she softly said. The golem stayed quiet, blankly staring forward.

  It was a simple black and white golem. Most of its exterior was black, while the white was the symbol of the Crown Prince on its chest and back. Lawruthian hadn’t put much stylistic design into the golem when building it.

  “Atlas…?” Amaya tried again.

  The golem perked up and turned toward her. “Yes?”

  Its voice was low, as if distracted, and Amaya could tell Lawruthian’s attention must have been pulled elsewhere. “Never mind,” she sighed and turned to the table.

  “I’ll speak for Atlas since his attention seems to be occupied,” Amaya said. She stood, gesturing at the golem. “It seems Lawruthian is busy doing something important.”

  A grunt came from Viviana Consus at Amaya’s ending sentence while Selene Romus and Ade Oni passed her a look.

  Amaya shook her head and continued to speak. She understood Lawruthian’s position, but not even having his golem explain was… She internally shrugged; it didn’t matter too much to her. Everyone present held a level of confusion, but some seemed to have a subtle understanding. Amaya chose to give them a short, but concise explanation of what she knew of the skill Party . She pulled it up, the skill having updated after Lawruthian’s class ascension finished.

  “Lawruthian possesses a skill, Party , which allows him to offer chosen allies the opportunity to ascend to that legendary class. Before I continue, let me speak on the Hero grade class I have.

  “As some of you know, I am an Imperius Spell-Crafter , a mage-based class that allows me skills beyond the norm. That is what I want to focus on specifically. Heroic Skills are not just a tier above the rest—not just a tier above Mythical, as some may assume, they are an entirely different system from what I’ve seen. My skills can range from boosting my strength by 100% to 1000% depending on the direction of your class, perhaps even higher, but I haven’t reached the end yet.

  “I say all of this to alert you to a possibility. A Hero is a weapon, and it needs to be carefully considered among those who become one.”

  “Amaya, show them the skill directly,” Atlas commented. “At this point, it doesn’t matter anymore. Sorry for my inattention, the matter concerning Demigoddess Kubrat is of national importance—more important than even a Hero. Should it come to fruition in its entirety, it will change the entire realm.”

  Amaya obliged, glad that Atlas had returned, but her attention was on the ending of Atlas’s words as she sat down. An intense curiosity overtook her; she almost wanted to leave and go directly to where Lawruthian’s main body was. She’d kept an eye on her elder sister and noticed how the demigoddess would twitch occasionally as if holding herself back from doing exactly what Amaya wanted to do.

  Atlas stood, surveying those present as they read the Party skill.

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  “I will add on to Amaya’s words. The Hero class isn’t just a weapon; it’s a class that allows fast advancement in whatever direction its user goes. And,” Lawruthian paused, making sure everyone’s attention was on him. “Should it be Imperius-based, then the strength increases by an in-factorable grade depending on what Imperius means to you.

  “My current class, Imperius Maker , can already change Edryan in ways unknown. You’ve seen only the beginning with the Golem Suit. Look how it’s already become a strategic weapon. I could say the same for Amaya and Madria, both of whom possess Heroic classes. Their ability to expand the Path they walk is at the highest level, and their opportunity to not just change Edryan, but possibly break through the Mortal Limiter is high.

  “This is a New Age. This is Ardent of the End, we too, on the Mortal Realm can become Gods.”

  Atlas paused, allowing his words to sink in. “The reason I do not directly pick who becomes a Hero is because of the importance of our next three heroes. Currently, I can base myself as a half-combatant; the same can be said for Amaya and Madria, meaning Edryan doesn’t have a dedicated combat-based hero. It is my hope we can come together and establish what Edryan is missing and use these positions of Heroes to fill them in.”

  Atlas’s words caused an immediate chain reaction in those listening. Now that Lawruthian’s intentions had been explained a bit better, those here saw this not as a bone thrown to them but an opportunity to be the change Great Edryan needed.

  “I would argue and say two of the three positions should belong to warrior-based classes,” Ameri immediately countered. “One should go to a General of Imperius— nonnegotiable —and the other should be for a New Great who is completely combat-focused.”

  Eyes turned to the three complete combat-focused New Greats present—Lorde Drumian, Ade Oni, and Helios Romus. What General Ameri was doing was splitting up the Hero classes between the two closest parties that followed Lawruthian. They all recognized it, but few made comments.

  Alexandria nodded her head at Lawruthian’s words and Ameri’s follow-up. “I concur—Ameri is correct, I would almost argue all three should be combat-focused if not for Lawruthian’s clear explanation.”

  “This is not a unilateral decision,” Atlas interrupted, “This needs to be agreed on by the majority. Before you decide, ask yourself what Great Edryan is missing when confronting the world.”

  Atlas sat back down, completely giving the table to the people present.

  “I agree with the take of both Generals. I think our main focus should be on what the final class should be rather than who gets the previous two,” Selene stated. “What is Great Edryan missing?”

  The young woman looked around, her eyes bright. This was something that would directly affect the entirety of Edryan, and Selene wanted to ensure it wasn’t wasted. Since her youth, she and the New Greats had been trained as the next leaders of a generation. That promise to them was changed and altered the moment the Class-Based Constitutional Monarchy came to light.

  It directly split the power of the nobility, forcing them to choose a direction. One could not be the ruler of a territory, the strongest combatant, and more. Instead, Overseers governed the people, ensuring their needs were met. Judges created the laws and kept order. The church removed itself entirely, focusing on being a place of worship while also becoming a bank.

  With so many different positions being opened, it was unclear how the last nobles of a generation could make themselves vital to this new world. It was especially unclear for those at the height of the nation. Following Lawruthian was one thing, but having their own purpose, their own drive was entirely different.

  Selene turned her eyes toward Lily Maar, who silently sat in her seat. A moody expression was on her face, and she seemed to lack the usual flare Selene saw in the woman.

  “I think it’s missing a spy,” Selene said, answering her own question.

  Ameri frowned, and Alexandria perked up. Both women spoke, one after the other.

  “A spy is strategic, great at information gathering, and more, but an assassin would be better.”

  “A spy is perfect, Lily would have the opportunity to dig deeper and perhaps leave the lands of Edryan to fully uncover the Cult of Elrunian and the devices they’ve placed in True Dungeons.”

  The woman in question looked up, a frown on her expression. She slowly relaxed her frown, offering Alexandria a smile before she spoke. “I saaaaay we need a complete non-combatant—I recommend someone like Karla Kansun. Her ability to induce feelings with her words would grow even stronger, allowing her greater sway over the population.

  “I myselffff do not have the capacity for a Heroic Class.”

  “I say all three belong to combatant classes,” Ade Oni spoke, nodding at his elder cousin. “A general and two strong pieces that could change the outcome of battlefields is far more important than swaying the hearts of Edryans.”

  “I wouldn’t say so,” Amaya spoke, shaking her head. “Think of the effect Princess Carina held with her Judge-based class. Yes, it wasn’t a combative class, but it could go against any combative class that faced it. A second single targeting combatant class holder would be great, but we have to think dynamically.”

  “I don’t think so,” Ameri argued. “Our single-focused combatants are at the lower level when compared to the continent. Do not forget the number of Heroic base classes that stepped into Edryan for SAFE. Nearly every single one of the younger generation was a hero. The Machan was a set of four. We lack the upper firepower our predecessor had,” Ameri stated, gesturing to the demigoddesses and Prestiges.

  “True, but we have opportunities to expand our single focus combatants with Golem Suits. I for one think they even the odds,” Selene jumped in. “The final class needs to be dynamic enough that it just doesn’t focus on one aspect. Lily, you are both a spy and an assassin, yes? What Edryan lacks is hard dissuasion. A character that doesn’t need the backing of an army.

  “Besides,” Selene stated, looking toward General Ameri, “it fills your requirement of being combat-focused.”

  “Only by half,” Ameri stated. “Your words have merit. I’m not completely opposed to them, but I still believe we should explore other options.”

  Atlas was satisfied with how the conversation was going. It continued as he mused over their words and his decision. Originally, Lawruthian didn’t want to hand a Heroic grade class to anyone he didn’t have a large measure of trust in, but those times were over. Not because he didn’t still think that way, but by the circumstances. He needed to give the next three heroes a period of time to adjust.

  Lawruthian’s decision to start the war early was for his mother, and this decision and many more on the way were in support of that original action. He quite liked the idea of Lily becoming a Hero. Edryan’s understanding of the prowess of the countries past the Warring Beastman Plains severely lacked. They knew next to nothing about the classes they held, the magic they wielded, and much more.

  Although Lily failed to find the method of removing the Argon devices from True Dungeons, she did manage to uncover the plot entirely through her own merit. Atlas spoke up in favor.

  “Selene makes a good point. Although the decision is entirely within your hands, I do believe having a mix between a spy and an assassin would suit Great Edryan well.”

  Selene smiled in triumph. The reason she spoke out for Lily was simple. Great Edryan truly lacked a chess piece of Lily’s nature. Lawruthian called himself a half-combatant, but Selene didn’t believe any of that. She’d seen the young man fight on many occasions, and he’d either wipe the floor with his opponent in seconds or he’d casually face off against them before doing the former. Even against a Calamity, Lawruthian remained calm, and that built a sense of confidence in her when it came to understanding the Chosen’s strength.

  His battle against the Chosen of El just provided more evidence to Selene. He not only matched her, but he did it when he was disadvantaged, unable to access the mana of the world. If that wasn’t a feat of his peak strength, then Selene would fear for any who dared to face him and his hidden cards.

  What also impressed her was his fight against the four Machan heroes. If not for the elder Machan’s interruption, Lawruthian would have likely slain one in the first bout. The story was spread throughout the capital, and Selene found herself reviewing footage of the battle. It wasn’t just to admire the strength and feats displayed, but for her own curiosity. She analyzed the footage to come up with countermeasures of methods to fight against, if not trap them.

  “We should also consider a Ward Master ,” Amaya suddenly said, her eyes on Selene. “How strong would your wards become if you were a hero? What type of defensive layouts or traps could you create at the level of a hero?

  “Or,” Amaya turned her gaze to Viviana Consus, who remained quiet. “We have a ready-made understanding of what a Hero like Viviana would be. A hero who could alter the battlefield, possessing both offensive and defensive skills, is far more vital than just a fighter.

  “If we look at the Seven Heroes, for example. Only Akeem, Liana, and Camilla could be considered full combatants. A minimum of the Seven Heroes.”

  “I can agree with your words, Amaya, but this circumstance is different. We are facing the world. The stage is large. Here is what I will say. Ultimately, we will lack upper-tier combatants, but this would be only after the Path Walkers leave. My focus as Lawruthian’s general, no, not just mine, but the Bellum’s focus as well, is to snatch as many Laws and Prestige Paths as possible to be kept in reserve for need. This is one solution we recognize for this problem.

  “My vote is for Lily.”

  “My voice is for Selene,” Amaya stated.

  “My vote…”

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