Chapter 1: The Beginning Of a Legendary Journey
Chapter 1: The Beginning Of a Legendary Journey
Did you know how it felt like when you see everything crumble in front of you and you were the root of it? Had you ever been a part of a great civilization or had the experience of being part of something big?
My name was Dolly. When I was born, the oracle from my home predicted a prophecy about me. It was a nice prophecy that ultimately cursed me. My people believe in these prophecies as if it were a holy word that came from the sky, although we know that there is a sky above the sky.
Since my birth, everyone had looked at me like my fate was sealed. When I was three years old, I showed an extraordinary talent for magic. By six I was already at a high level of magic, not in the least bit weaker than a typical 20-year-old magician.
By my tenth birthday, I had already created my own system of magic and I was starting to use high-level spells. By twelve, I was sold by my parents to a young prince from a great empire in the big universe!
"Your fate was doomed since the day you were born." That was the answer my parents gave me when I asked them. Why? It was because of that prophecy again!
I wanted to fight hard against my fate, but it seemed that fate was like a boulder on my chest. I could not remove it no matter how hard I tried!
I started my new life in a different place with different people. My family is the royal family of the Treen civilization. The Treen civilization is a relatively small kingdom in the universe.
They were a new kingdom that has lasted for only five hundred thousand years. Our heritage had been relatively short, so we were under constant pressure from surrounding kingdoms.
In my world, there were so many kingdoms that you couldn't even begin to count. Every kingdom dreamed of the day when it could become an Empire. That was an enormous dream that was extremely hard to achieve.
To be recognized as a kingdom you needed to control ten known universes. To become an Empire, you needed to control ten known Kingdoms. That meant we were always at war and that every moment of our lives was filled with fighting in order to exist.
As royalty, I knew more information than others. I knew that three of our neighboring kingdoms had allied themselves together in order to hit us once and for all. I also knew that my father was desperately trying to ally with any other kingdom in vain.
No one wanted to link themselves with a sinking ship! This situation made my whole family very anxious and some even started planning their escape for after the downfall of our kingdom.
That all changed on the day of my birth! That prophecy gave everyone a sliver of hope. They have hung all their dreams of survival on me since then. So, when I turned 12, I was engaged to the young prince.
I did not see it as an engagement in the least. He hadn't seen me before and I didn't even know if I would grow to love him or hate him. I was sold like an item to the young prince of the large empire.
A prophecy had shaped my whole life! That was unacceptable to me! I tried to escape more than once but, in the end, I was held captive by my father until he sent me to the Imperial capital.
The distance between my kingdom and my fianc's Empire was vast, but due to the high speed of the White Falcon Starship, it didn't even take us a week to reach there. My kingdom is a magic-based kingdom, so this starship didn't belong to us but was a gift from the prince for the engagement.
It was my first-time adventuring outside my home, but I couldn't be happy at all. I didn't lose hope though, and tried to escape during the journey, but again I failed. My father had sent me with his strongest platoon, so I couldn't even take one step outside that starship without being discovered.
When I reached the Empire, I knew that I was trapped. I was desperate and felt all my strength slipping away from me. I only knew some info about the prince from hearsay that had spread in my family's palace.
His name was Respon. He was the successor to the throne of the enormous Empire of Frod. Frod was a deep-rooted Empire in history. Unlike my kingdom which was magic-based, Frod was a technologically based Empire.
This would lead to a bright future for me, was what my family had said to me. But I knew that was not true! This 16-year-old prince was a sex maniac! His harem already overflowed with more than 100 young girls. I would only be one of them. This was the main reason for my refusal to be engaged to such a man!
When I reached Frod capital city I was overwhelmed by their advanced technology from the start! This city was much bigger than my capital! What I first saw were Mechas that stood proudly with might in front of me.
In front of the mechas, I met the prince but I wasn't focusing on him at all. I had been captivated with their technology. I felt something was calling to me inside this city.
Respon was kind to me. He first introduced himself and then took me on a tour around the city. Although we were accompanied by many mechas, we didn't use any of them on our tour.
After we finished, he made me visit his harem area which extended for quite a distance. His harem was filled by many big palaces and he showed me one that belonged to me. Any girl in my shoes would be extremely excited by this luxurious gift.
I knew that he wouldn't touch me until I turned 14, so he wasn't too interested in me and I wasn't interested in him either. He was about to leave when I asked suddenly:
"Can I learn the technological ways of the Frod Empire, my prince?"
I saw a surprised look on his face.
It seemed that he hadn't expected me to ask for this. Later, I learned that every girl he had chosen was living peacefully in their palaces and I was the first and the last of his harem to ask for something like this.
I was mentally prepared for his refusal and was psyching myself up to fight for a chance for it.
"Why do you want to learn our Technology? As far as I know, you come from a magic-based kingdom."
He was right and he surprised me with his question. I didn't expect him to know anything about me. I knew that he had chosen me because I am beautiful. He was obsessed with beauty and that was why he had bought me!
I said firmly and proudly to him, "I don't like a peaceful palace life at all. Life isn't a game to be played for fun. If I am not strong enough to defend myself, then I'll live a miserable life. Beauty isn't everything."
He smiled and said, "One day you will learn that we live in one big game. Ok, I agree with your request. But first, you need to take our assessment test. If you fail this test, then I can't help you. "
Frod's famous assessment test! I had heard a lot about this test. The Frod Empire was an enormous Empire that extended over one hundred kingdoms. It was one of the strongest Empires in the whole universe.
This Empire respected only the powerful, as weaklings didn't have any place in it. This assessment test would be an important step for me. Although I was a genius back home, here, I was just a weak girl.
All those I have met and seen so far were way stronger than me. This didn't discourage me, on the contrary, it ignited the fighting spirit hidden deep inside me. At that point. I didn't fully know the contents of my prophecy. If I knew it, I would be surprised, as I was beginning to walk in its predetermined path.
The Frod's assessment test was a standard test for anyone who wished to join the Empire's ranks and learn their Technology. There were no limitations placed on anyone from outside the Empire.
The Empire was actually encouraging many kingdoms to send their elites to take this test. Those who passed the assessment would be recruited by the Empire immediately. It was a win-win situation for Frod and all the neighboring kingdoms.
For Frod, these newly recruited people would be necessary fresh blood injected into it. It also caused their authority to reach far beyond the limits of their Empire. This was a brilliant political plan that made many kingdoms become related to Frod without needing to shed a single drop of blood.
As for other kingdoms, such as mine, relating themselves to Frod was an honor. Being related to Frod was a powerful defensive shield that protected these kingdoms. In my case, my kingdom escaped its eminent demise when I became engaged to the crown prince of Frod. Who was mad enough to attack the Frod crown prince's fiance's home?
That would be absolutely insane!
"I want to take the test as soon as possible, my prince."
"Wow, I have a fighter here. That's good. There will be a test in the next couple of hours. I will take you there personally and recommend you. "
He wasn't the cold-blooded person I had imagined! I understood what he meant. He wanted to help me so I wouldn't fail. I thought about it.
I knew there were ranks in the Frod Empire. These ranks were distributed by this test. If I didn't wind up in a high-level rank then I didn't want to join the Empire at all. My target wasn't to just be listed in their ranks.
I was a genius in my Kingdom, and I was pretty confident I could be a genius here too. I refused his good intentions, saying, "Thank you, my prince. But I want to achieve the results by my own efforts. "
"Why bother yourself? I can assure you that you will get a good ranking."
"I know. But I was a genius in my kingdom, and so I would like to be tested fairly here. My pride asks this of me "
"You think you can be a genius here too? I have to warn you, many kingdom's Elites and geniuses will be present here. They exceed you in age and experience. Not one of them is weaker than you in talent."
I knew he was trying to advise me, but I wanted to pass that test personally.
"Thank you again, my prince, but I want to take this test and pass it personally without any help whatsoever. If I am a genius then I wish to prove it by my own efforts."
I noticed the look he gave me became different. I didn't understand his emotions back then, but later I understood him a lot better. He was a lion born in the age of sheep! The Frod Empire was weakening day after day because of this specific special treatment.
This test was inherently fair. The problem lied with those who were responsible for its evaluation. They were biased to many participants due to different reasons. So for many millennia, Frod's ranks were filled with many unworthy Elites.
"I admire your spirit. I will only warn those in charge to evaluate you fairly then. Are you satisfied?"
I didn't understand his words well at that time, but I said nonetheless:
"Of course. Thank you again, my prince."
"No problem. You are my fiance and I'm looking forward to your evaluation. Now come with me."
I followed him through the crowded streets of the capital. I learned that the capital's name was "Almighty City". Its name was arrogant! But they were Frod and they had all the reason to be this arrogant!
We finally reached a huge building where the test would be held. As he had promised, he went inside for a while before appearing again as he said:
"I have talked with the judges about you. They will be fair and won't be biased toward you in any way. The test will be held in ten minutes. You should go inside now. Do you want me to tell you about this test?"
I knew that the test process should be a secret. But I had heard much hearsay in my kingdom about this test. It was like a multiple choice quiz that I had to choose an answer from.
I would be placed within the ranks based on the percentage of my right answers. The test depended 50% on the amount of right answers and 50% on the impression the participant left with the judges who watched them.
Although she didn't know how these judges would evaluate her, she didn't want to know anything more about the test.
"Thank you again, my prince, but I want to pass it alone."
"You are a stubborn girl. I like that. Ok, go ahead but don't forget, be quick with your answers."
Respon wasn't a fool. He must know that I had already heard my share of info about this test. His tip was valuable to me. Speed was an important factor in this test. I looked at him with appreciation before I entered the test building.
It would be right to say it was an arena, not just a building! When I entered, I passed through a white halo that turned green, with a pleasant sound saying:
"Participant Dolly has been registered in the system. Welcome to the Frod assessment test. I wish you good results. Please proceed to your specific area. The test will start in five minutes. Good luck."
Author note: I have created a new discord server. Please check it at the synopsis and let's grow up together :)
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