I Failed to Be a Hero, So I Became the God of Three Realms

The sun had begun its descent beneath the horizon, casting an amber glow over the palace grounds. The air was warm but crisp, a gentle breeze rustling through the trees as the heroes gathered in the palace courtyard. It had been a long day, and they had given their all during the final training session before the banquet. The anticipation of the evening ahead was palpable, but there was still one more hurdle to cross: their final preparations.

Tatsuya flexed his fingers, feeling the burn in his arms as he took his position. His affinity for fire and wind was in full force today, his movements swift and fluid as he dueled with Riko. Across from him, Riko was just as relentless, her earth and fire magic clashing with his in a series of explosive exchanges. Usagi, Hanae, and Reiji were similarly locked in combat, each pushing their limits with their respective magic. The training ground was alive with the sound of magic crackling through the air, the earth beneath their feet occasionally buckling as their powers collided.

After hours of intense practice, King Solan's voice rang out, breaking through the chaos.

"Enough for today," he commanded. His voice held a sharpness that made them all pause immediately. The heroes fell silent, immediately ceasing their movements, standing at attention.

Solan gave them an assessing look, his gaze lingering on each of them for a moment. "You've trained hard, but it's time to prepare. The Emperor's banquet awaits, and your presence is expected."

The heroes straightened, understanding the weight of the occasion. A meeting with the Emperor wasn't something to be taken lightly. They had learned much about the Empire's hierarchy, and the Emperor's influence stretched far beyond even the Kingdom.

"The Emperor is not a man who makes appearances often," Solan continued, his voice steady. "You must be ready. You will meet him tonight." His gaze lingered on them, firm. "Prepare yourselves. And do not forget your purpose here."

With a final glance, Solan waved them off, signaling the end of the training session. The heroes exchanged brief looks, a mix of exhaustion and excitement in their eyes. They turned toward the palace, the evening sky darkening around them.

Inside, servants guided them to their rooms, where they would prepare for the night's banquet. Their first task was to cleanse themselves of the sweat and grime from their training. The bathhouses were warm and welcoming, the steam rising in thick clouds as the heroes soaked in the hot water, each feeling the tension of the day melt away. It was a rare moment of quiet for all of them, but even in this peace, their minds were clouded with questions about the Emperor and what awaited them.

Once the bath was done, they changed into their finest clothing—robes, dresses, and suits of the highest quality. Hanae's delicate gown shimmered in the dim light, while Tatsuya's outfit was as sharp and refined as his fire magic. Riko adjusted her armor with care, her usual battle gear replaced by something more formal. Usagi was already lost in her thoughts, her earthy, natural look contrasting with the sleek attire she wore for the occasion. Reiji's eyes flickered with a quiet intensity as he straightened his robes, ready for whatever the night would bring.

They gathered in the grand hallway of the palace, nervous energy hanging thick in the air. Servants ushered them toward the dining hall, where the banquet would be held. The walls of the grand hall were decorated with gold and marble, the atmosphere filled with whispers of excitement. When they entered, the first thing they felt was the heavy, almost oppressive aura that seemed to fill the room.

Seated at the head of the table was Marc Valtheria, the Emperor of the greatest empire in all of Aurestia. At first, the heroes were too focused on his presence to think of anything else, but as they approached, they felt it—a wave of intense power, a force so strong it almost made their knees buckle. The very air around him seemed to crackle with raw energy.

For a brief moment, the Emperor's aura pulsed with overwhelming intensity, almost as if it were a living thing. It was enough to make the heroes stop in their tracks, their hearts pounding in their chests. The sensation was foreign and terrifying, but it was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. Marc Valtheria, as calm and composed as ever, adjusted his posture slightly. It was as if the very presence of his power had been a fleeting illusion, concealed beneath layers of control.

He smiled softly, his eyes gleaming with a knowing depth. "Welcome," he said, his voice rich and steady, cutting through the lingering tension. "I trust your training has been fruitful."

The heroes bowed respectfully, though they couldn't shake the feeling of mystery that surrounded the Emperor. His presence was… otherworldly, and none of them could quite place why.

The Emperor gestured to the empty seats, encouraging them to sit. As they did, he leaned forward slightly, his eyes scanning each of them in turn. "The world," he said, his voice carrying a weight that made them all freeze for a moment, "has placed its hopes upon you—not just the Kingdom or the Empire. The entire world."

His words hung in the air, heavy with expectation. Each of them felt the full weight of those words settling upon their shoulders, and a deep, quiet fear lingered in their minds.

Marc studied their faces, a flicker of something unreadable in his expression. After a moment of silence, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Tell me," he continued, his voice almost conversational now, "what are your plans for the future?"

The atmosphere in the grand dining hall was thick with anticipation, the kind that only an imperial banquet could generate. The Heroes sat at the long, gleaming table, their nerves high as they exchanged glances with one another. They had just been met by the Emperor's presence, and the weight of his authority was still palpable in the room. Despite his efforts to conceal it, an intense aura lingered—a flicker of power that had left them all momentarily breathless. It was like an invisible weight pressing down on them, each of their minds racing with unanswered questions. But it was too soon to ask; they had only just begun their conversation.

The Emperor finally broke the silence, his gaze shifting between Tatsuya, Hanae, and the others, before locking his eyes on Tatsuya. His voice, when it came, was smooth and deep, as if it naturally commanded attention.

"Now," he began, his tone calm but undeniably powerful, "tell me about your future plans. I trust you all have a vision for what you wish to achieve here in this Kingdom... and beyond?"

Tatsuya, taking a steadying breath, stood up from his seat. He could feel the weight of the Emperor's words, but also the eyes of his companions on him, silently encouraging him to speak. As he opened his mouth, his words were clear and direct, carried by the steady confidence he had built over the past weeks.

"Our main goal," Tatsuya started, "is to form a party capable of taking on the challenges ahead. We know we have the potential, but we need two more members—talented individuals who can fill gaps in our abilities. We've discussed it among ourselves, and this is what we believe is necessary for the future." His voice echoed with conviction, reflecting not just their immediate goal, but their hope to become a force for good.

The Emperor's eyes never wavered from Tatsuya, his expression unreadable. However, the flicker of his immense power, which they had all sensed earlier, dissipated just as quickly as it had come, leaving behind a subtle tension in the air. Still, the Emperor maintained his calm demeanor, as if nothing had happened.

"A wise decision," the Emperor replied, his tone measured. Then, he paused for a moment, as if considering something important. "Then allow me to offer some advice."

The Heroes leaned in slightly, curiosity piqued. The Emperor, still sitting at the head of the table, exuded a quiet authority as he continued.

"I have two students from the Royal Magic Academy," he said, his voice steady. "They have long expressed a desire to work alongside the Heroes for the betterment of this world. They are compassionate, driven, and exceptional in their fields. It is not often that I encounter individuals with such unwavering dedication. So, when they requested to accompany me, I could not refuse."

He paused again, watching the Heroes' reactions. They remained silent, intrigued by the Emperor's words.

"These two," he continued, "are extremely talented, and I believe they will be of great help to you. Their abilities are vast, and their spirits are unwavering. I couldn't help but agree to their request to join me." His tone softened slightly, but it still carried the weight of authority.

"I wish for you to meet them now," he said, his eyes glinting with a touch of approval. "They will introduce themselves in person, and you'll see exactly what I mean."

The door to the grand dining hall opened with a soft creak, drawing the attention of everyone present. All eyes turned as two figures stepped in—Riona Alfora and Alfred Alfora, the individuals the Emperor had spoken of. They entered with an air of confidence, their steps calm but purposeful, as though they had been accustomed to such settings for much longer than their age might suggest.

The Emperor gestured towards them, his eyes reflecting a subtle pride. "These two are the students I spoke of," he began, his voice carrying across the room. "Riona and Alfred, siblings who have shown exceptional potential at the Royal Magic Academy. Their desire to contribute to the world is matched only by their talent. It is my belief they will prove invaluable in your endeavors."

Riona was the first to speak, her voice a gentle yet strong melody that resonated throughout the room. "It is an honor to meet all of you," she said, offering a slight bow. Her dark hair framed her face in a soft cascade, and her violet eyes seemed to gleam with an inner intensity, like an untapped source of power.

Alfred, standing beside her, gave a respectful nod. He was a tall, solid figure, with short-cropped blond hair and sharp, determined eyes. "I'm Alfred Alfora," he introduced himself, his tone warm but assertive. "I look forward to working with all of you."

The Emperor, ever the composed figure, added further details about the two. "Riona here is a Dark and Light Mage. She possesses exceptional skills not only in magic, but also in healing and combat—truly rare and invaluable qualities for the heroes of this world. Alfred, on the other hand, is a swordsman who wields Fire and Lightning Magic. His swordsmanship is as formidable as his elemental affinities, and I am certain he will be a tremendous asset to your party."

The Heroes exchanged quiet glances, their curiosity piqued. They had been briefed on the importance of these two, but now, standing before them, it was impossible not to wonder about the depths of their power.

As Riona stepped forward, her presence alone seemed to shift the atmosphere in the room. The air itself felt heavier, charged with something both calming and unnerving. It was subtle at first—a faint pressure that seemed to wrap around them—but it grew rapidly, until it became undeniable.

It was the same as the Emperor's aura, though not quite as overpowering. It was an energy that demanded respect, but it held something more beneath it, something that hinted at an unfathomable power. The room grew still as everyone felt it—Riona's aura had suddenly burst forth in full force, intense and untamed.

The Heroes instinctively tensed, unsure of what to make of it. It was as though the very air around them had thickened, making it harder to breathe, like the weight of an invisible mountain pressing down on them. For a few moments, they simply stood frozen, stunned by the sheer intensity of her presence.

Then, as though sensing their discomfort, Riona's eyes softened, and with a single subtle gesture, she reined in her aura. The oppressive pressure that had filled the room dissipated just as quickly as it had come, leaving behind a faint, lingering feeling of mystery. She gave them all a small, apologetic smile, though the enigmatic gleam in her eyes never faded.

"I apologize for that," Riona said, her voice now calm and composed, though it held a hint of a knowing tone. "I did not mean to overwhelm you all."

The Heroes, their minds racing from the sudden shift, tried to collect their thoughts. Their earlier impression of Riona had been one of quiet elegance, but now they saw there was more to her than met the eye—something vast, something dangerous yet controlled, hidden beneath the surface. But even as the intensity of her aura faded, the mystery surrounding her deepened. What had they just felt? Who was she, really?

Alfred, noticing the subtle shift in the air, glanced toward Riona, his expression unchanged. He gave a small chuckle, though it held a faint edge to it. "Don't mind my sister," he said, a teasing grin pulling at the corners of his mouth. "She has a tendency to forget that not everyone is used to her... presence."

Riona's smile widened slightly, but there was a quiet, almost imperceptible nod of understanding between the two siblings. Alfred's demeanor, on the other hand, was unruffled, calm and confident, as though he was well accustomed to handling situations like this one.

The Emperor, who had been watching the exchange with a quiet smile, spoke again, his tone as steady as ever. "As you can see, their talents are not just in magic, but in the way they carry themselves. They have learned to wield their powers with precision and control, even in moments of stress. It is these qualities that I believe will serve you well, Heroes."

He looked at each of them—Tatsuya, Hanae, Usagi, Riko, and Reiji—before continuing. "If you are willing to accept them, they will join you on your journey and contribute to the cause you all believe in. There is no doubt in my mind that they will help shape the future of this world, alongside you."

The room was silent for a moment, as each of the Heroes took in the implications of what the Emperor had said. It was a lot to digest—the appearance of two new figures in their party, both with immense power and potential. And then there was the lingering question about Riona. The mystery that surrounded her, the aura she had unleashed—none of them could shake the feeling that there was far more to her than just a gifted mage. They were left with questions that, for now, had no answers.

But in the end, it was the Emperor's words that settled the moment.

"I trust you will all get to know each other well in time," he said with a smile, his tone warm but carrying the finality of a decision made. "For now, consider them part of your party. The world is depending on all of you."