"They say the Nephilim could destroy a world as easily as lifting a finger,"
The girl had been born into a family of extraordinary influence, one of the twelfth, grade five factions that held dominion over eight sprawling galaxies, hundreds of planets, and trillions of lives. The Nephilim name was synonymous with authority and might.
"You are the pride and future heiress of the Nephilim throne, Jinkan Nephilim,"
She was merely five years old when the weight of her lineage was first impressed upon her, the initial lesson among countless others that would follow.
From that moment on, Jinkan's life was a whirlwind of privilege and expectation. She received nothing but the best, from state-of-the-art facilities to the most renowned teachers in the magus universe. Her education was comprehensive, spanning every aspect of their mystic realm.
Amidst the rigor of her studies, there was one constant presence—a girl a year older, Jennie Nephilim. Though they were sisters of a different mother, their bond ran deep. Jennie had always been there, offering a steadying hand and unwavering support.
"No, Jeenie, I am so tired. I don't want to study anymore," Jinkan would sometimes complain, her young voice laden with fatigue.
"No, Jinkan, you must!" Jennie would respond, her tone firm and resolute. "Remember, you are the future heiress of the Nephilim throne. You must persevere!"
"Why, Jennie? If I am the heiress, why do I need to study so diligently?"
As the years passed and Jinkan matured, she came to understand the complexities of their family's vast web. The Nephilim family was divided into numerous branches, with their Amarhiks branch being among the top three main families. This lofty position came with an array of expectations, particularly for the girls of the Amarhiks lineage. Jinkan realized that her destiny, though laden with privilege, carried a weight of responsibilities that she couldn't escape.
Years flowed by, and the two girls, Jinkan and Jennie Nephilim, continued to support and complement each other, growing into their roles with each passing day. They became an inseparable duo, navigating the complexities of their destined paths hand in hand. Together, they honed their skills, deepened their understanding of the intricate politics that surrounded them, and learned the art of leadership.
But when Jinkan reached the age of eleven, fate took a cruel twist.
"Jennie Nephilim and Jinkan Nephilim both have S-rank aptitude; they are both exceptional talents," the discussions echoed within the hallowed halls of the Nephilim palace.
"Jennie is more mature; she possesses the mentality of a ruler. Unfortunately, her mother is of low birth," one voice remarked candidly.
"You dare speak that way about the princess!" came a vehement response.
"The patriarch has issued a mandate: only one can receive the title."
"Which one?"
"One year. After one year, we shall see which of them has delivered the most promising results."
"Agreed."
These conversations were held in hushed tones among the teachers and guardians entrusted with the care and training of the two gifted girls. Both Jinkan and Jennie were subjected to even more rigorous training and expectations. The countdown began, and on the appointed date, the two were pitted against each other.
"Father, you are here!" Jinkan's eyes brightened with a rare excitement as she saw her usually occupied father make a rare appearance to witness the match. However, his demeanor remained as aloof and stoic as ever. It seemed he had come only to witness the outcome of the match.
"I am not going to lose this time, Jennie! Not in front of Father!" Jinkan declared with determination, her resolve evident in her eyes. The looming confrontation with her beloved sister was a test of their skills, their loyalty to each other, and their determination to claim the coveted title that only one could attain.
The stage was set for a martial arts match, a special skill within the Amarhik lineage. The two girls had sparred hundreds of times before, with Jinkan typically winning only about one match out of every three. But today, something was different. Today, Jinkan felt a newfound confidence coursing through her veins. She believed that with astonishing precision. It became clear that Jennie had been this time, victory would be hers.
As the match began, Jinkan was taken aback by the absence of the usual warmth in Jennie's eyes. Her sister had been concealing a hidden reservoir of skill and strength, which she now unleashed with astonishing precision. It became clear that Jennie had been honing her abilities to a level Jinkan hadn't anticipated.
"The throne is not for you..." Jennie's words cut through the air like a dagger, her voice laced with an unfamiliar coldness.
"What do you mean?!" Jinkan protested, trying to hold her ground in the face of her sister's relentless onslaught.
But Jinkan was met with a brutal display of skill and power. Jennie's attacks were swift and precise, leaving Jinkan with almost no opportunity to mount a defense or counterattack. The pain and frustration welled up within Jinkan as she struggled to maintain her footing.
"You are weak, Jinkan, You will never make it! Just give up!"
Jinkan refused to yield, her spirit burning with an intense determination to prove herself. In the heat of her anger, she tapped into an ability she had never known she possessed. With newfound strength and agility, she managed to turn the tide of the battle, pushing back Jennie's relentless assault.
As the match neared its conclusion, Jennie admitted her defeat with a touch of grace.
"You are the better one, Jinkan. I hope you succeed" she acknowledged, a mixture of pride and genuine respect in her eyes.
With her hard-fought victory, Jinkan was bestowed with the prestigious title of Duchess of Amarhikss, along with the twelfth-in-line claim to the Nephilim throne. Her life took a dramatic turn as she embarked on a new educational journey tailored specifically for the successors of her lineage. The rigorous training and teachings were a world apart from her previous life, and the separation from Jennie became a permanent and poignant reality.
A year after her ascent to the title, Jinkan received shocking news. She learned that Jennie, along with her mother's clan, had been cast out by the Amarhiks, forced into exile, left vulnerable to their enemies, and met their demise. The revelation left Jinkan bewildered and heartbroken.
"Why?" she confronted her father with tears in her eyes. "Why did you let it happen?"
Her father, usually stoic and reserved, met her gaze with a somber expression. "Jennie had her chance, and she lost it," he replied coldly. "That's what happens when one loses their value." He fixed his eyes on Jinkan, his tone grave. "The same thing will happen to you if you lose yours."
The memory of that conversation remained etched deep within Jinkan's psyche, serving as a haunting reminder to never lose again, to never let go of the power and influence she had gained. It fueled her determination to rise above any obstacle and maintain her grip on authority.
This was what Emery found within Jinkan's deep memory.
Amidst this profound reflection, an eerie sensation swept over Emery. An inexplicable sense of impending danger encroached upon him, setting his senses on edge. To his astonishment, before he could comprehend what was happening, both he and Jinkan were abruptly yanked out of the Khaos gate and transported back to the Centauri yard. Before him stood a grand magus-level figure, cradling Jinkan with a sense of urgency.
"My apologies, Duchess," he spoke with a tone of remorse. "I arrived too late."
His gaze then shifted towards Emery, and his demeanor shifted to one of rage. "Duchess, Let me kill this man for what he did!" he demanded, his anger palpable as the grand magus seemed determined to exact justice for an offense that had clearly affected the Duchess.
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