4 Selection Process (3)

The light surrounding Prince Basil glowed for another few seconds before fading away.

"It is done. Yes, your son's royal heritage has accepted his blood. He is eligible as heir."

"Hmm..."

"Elder Poro"

"Sorry, it's okay."

Prince Basil stepped back and allowed Colin to be verified next.

"Prince Colin, wise elders. I am second of Aurtherus."

It quickly came to Prince Edward's turn. He took a deep breath and stepped forward. "Dear... Dear elders, Prince Edward, fourth of Aurtherus."

"Hahaha. How long since a youngling participated in the selection."

"Ahh. Young one. Do not be afraid."

The elders spoke in a gentler tone, treating Edward like a babe.

Prince Edward bowed and thanked the elders for their concern. The verification went through without a hitch.

When the verification was completed, King Aurtherus bowed to the elders and took his leave. The selection process will be conducted by the elders on the council. To prevent favoritism, the present king was not allowed in the chamber during the process.

The door was sealed again after the king left and Elder Poro's face enlarged, facing the three princes.

"I am Elder Poro, 498th King of the Heavenly Kingdom. Today, I will be the one conducting the selection. As I am sure you all are clueless of what will occur, let me give you all a brief introduction to the selection process. Please pay close attention."

"The selection will typically be conducted on a warring realm that has been singled out by the council. Each of you will be planted into each of the warring factions in that realm based on the orb's decision. The actions of your choices and decisions will be recorded into the orb and after a 3 year period, you all will return here and a decision of who will be the true heir will be decided. Any questions?"

"What will we be judged upon?" Prince Basil asked.

"The judgement has always been decided by the orb. That is the reason why your father and even the elders on this council will tell you to follow your heart. It does not mean that winning the war and conquering the entire realm will make the orb choose you. As I have mentioned, your choices and decisions are much more important factors."

Prince Basil frowned at that. He had always known victory in battle and given the choice, Basil would have rather the crown be decided by who won the war. However, this brought a sense of relief to the other 2 princes.

"However, let me add. The orb will provide each of you with mini goals along the way. It is to your advantage that you complete as many of them. They usually will provide a guide to the general direction that your choices should lead to."

"Will we really be transported out of the Heavenly Kingdom into another realm?" Edward asked in a timid voice.

"Don't worry, young one. The orb creates an avatar for you where only your soul will be transported to that realm. Your bodies will remain here in the chamber. The avatar will take on whatever characteristics that is needed for you to blend in with wherever you are supposed to be. Furthermore, your soul will be housed in a heavenly crystal in the avatar. In any case whereby you are dealt a deadly blow, the crystal will power up and transport your soul back here."

"In such cases, we will review what has happened to cause the demise of your avatar. However, should we find that your "death" was due to your own weaknesses, you will be immediately disqualified. We can't have a king who does not have the ability to keep his own life, could we."

At this, Prince Basil and Colin had a smile on their face. Edward frowned.

"Okay, enough explanations. Let's begin the ceremony. You will learn along the way as the orb guides you. May the ancient ones watch over you. Come, each of you place a hand on the orb. The elders will begin channeling and the selection has officially begun."

Prince Basil and Colin stepped forward and placed their hands on the orb without much hesitation. Edward, on the other hand, sighed before doing the same. Feeling the power of the orb surging into his body, Edward closed his eyes.

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Princess Delia was sewing in her room when 3 extremely bright pillars of light shot up into the sky from the main palace. Delia placed the sewing kit down and leaned gently against the parapet of her room looking at those pillars of bright light.

"Good luck, Ed. May the ancient ones bless and protect you." Delia said a little prayer for her beloved younger brother.

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In a dingy cave out in the wilderness in a realm on the fringes of the heavenly domain, a man sat there sharpening some arrowheads. When he deemed that they were sharp enough, he dipped them into a container of mucus-like liquids before placing them to the side.

Suddenly a deafening crash was heard, almost similar to a thunder that exploded by the side of the ear. The man looked at the entrance the cave calmly, frowned and walked out. Only towards the mouth of the cave where there was more light, scars could be seen littered everywhere on this man's body. His left eye was scarred, seemingly lost to a sword wound.

Nearing the entrance of the cave, the man could see a beggarly-like old man sitting on a rock. Even though he was facing away from the entrance, this man seemed to know who the old man was.

"The crows bring information. The selection is taking place on Osiris Realm. Our time has finally arrived. Do not fail at our final step," croaked the old man.

"Haha, I will make sure it is done. There is so much pain that man should feel."

The man clenched his fist so tightly that the scars on his palms opened up and blood dripped to the floor. He went back into the cave, and with an outstretched palm, stored all he needed into his storage ring and walked out.

"Let's head out."

The man and old man vanished from the mouth of the cave like ghosts disappearing in the wind.