Golden fmes flickered across the enormous pace hall.

  Ancient symbols carved into the marble floor began to glow as the summoning circle slowly activated.

  Hundreds of nobles stood around the hall, watching in silence.

  At the front stood the three rulers of the empire.

  Three brothers.

  Three emperors who had ruled peacefully together for decades.

  But tonight, their expressions were tense.

  Because this ritual had taken thirty years to prepare.

  A prophecy had once warned them.

  “In the future, the empire will fall.

  Betrayal and chaos will destroy the kingdoms.”

  The only way to prevent that future was written in the prophecy as well.

  “Summon the outsiders.

  Only those chosen by the heavens will receive the blessing needed to protect the empire.”

  So the emperors made a decision.

  Instead of letting their twelve princes fight for power, they would summon outsiders to become their partners.

  The emperors believed this would keep their kingdoms united even after their deaths.

  The summoning circle suddenly exploded with light.

  The hall filled with blinding brilliance.

  Wind roared through the pace like a storm.

  Everyone held their breath.

  Then—

  Three figures appeared inside the circle.

  The light slowly faded.

  Gasps echoed across the hall.

  Two women stood inside the circle, looking completely confused.

  But the third person made everyone freeze.

  A boy.

  He looked no older than seventeen.

  Silence filled the pace.

  One of the nobles whispered in disbelief.

  “A… boy?”

  The ritual was meant to summon brides for the princes.

  So why had it summoned a boy instead?

  Inside the circle, the boy slowly opened his eyes.

  His long dark-silver hair shimmered under the pace lights.

  Violet eyes scanned the enormous hall filled with strangers.

  His face was so beautiful that several nobles stared in shock.

  Even some princesses would struggle to match that kind of beauty.

  The boy frowned slightly.

  “…Where am I?”

  He had been walking home from school only moments ago.

  Now he stood inside a royal pace.

  Before anyone could answer him—

  A strange voice echoed inside his mind.

  [System Activated]

  The boy froze.

  “…What?”

  The voice continued calmly.

  [User detected: Kairos Vale]

  [Origin: Future Timeline — 3000 Years Ahead]

  Kairos blinked in confusion.

  System?

  But the message that appeared next made the system hesitate.

  [Warning…]

  [Irregur entity detected.]

  The princes and nobles were staring at him in shock.

  None of them realized yet—

  The one standing inside the summoning circle…

  Might be the person who would completely change the future of their empire.

  And possibly…

  The one destined to capture the hearts of all twelve princes.