Second chapter! I am trying out some writing styles so if the text is difficult to read let me know so I could change it. Please comment on rather you guys like the story to be written like this or in another way.

PS: I know the plot is slow right now. Don't worry; it becomes faster pace later on. Right now, I am trying to establish some character traits since I planned on this being an original story with new characters. I will even change the development of some canon characters to fit the new story.

Chapter 2: A Magician Always Keeps His Secrets

Aries Villa - Pendragon - Holy Britannian Empire - October 25, 2008 a.t.b.

Warm sunlight shone through open windows and onto a young boy. In the huge bedroom of the lavish estate, a boy sat crossed legged in meditation on his king sized bed. His eyes closed. With black silky hair, healthy looking skin and a surprisingly well toned body at a young age, Lin Xiaochang, now known as Lelouch vi Britannia breathes out a faint orange cloud out of his mouth. His brows knitted tight together into a solemn expression.

'Cultivating my Great Sun Scripture with so little energy is really too difficult. The sun of this planet compared to the one on my Heaven Profound Continent is like heaven and earth.'

Opening his eyes, golden pupils flashed for an instance before returning back to his deep amethyst color. Clenching his right fist, he said with a bitter smile, "Nine years and I only advanced up to the third step of the Great Sun. I am still in the Body Refinement Realm. This speed is really too slow."

He punched out with his right fist; a golden illusory fist shot out before disappearing five feet into the air.

'The process from the first to the third step involves the refining of all the organs and skin with the absorption of sun energy. This will set the foundation for the next stage after Body Refinement, the Elemental Conversion Realm. Once a practitioner advanced to the fourth step, his body will start being converted into pure solar energy. At the sixth step, when his entire body is made of solar energy he can start condensing a Star Seed in his dantian. After the seed is successfully formed, the person enters the seventh step, also known as the Seed Foundation Realm. From the eighth to ninth step, the goal is to grow the seed until it becomes a miniature sun. This Golden Sun Realm technically was the final part of the scripture, but there were legends of another realm beyond even that. Cross checking clues from texts written by the first founder of the Heavenly Star Sacred Ground and my own insights, I discovered that this cultivation method is based on the lifecycle of the stars. From its birth, a star will grow into a sun. Later, once the sun reached a critical mass it will generate a massive supernova and then a subsequent black hole. My answer from that point on is clear. In my previous life, I entered seclusion on the World Illuminating Peak in hopes of overcharging the miniature sun in my dantian into a black hole. Strangely, when I succeeded in transforming my sun into a black vortex, it reappeared floating on top of my head, provoking a massive storm that alerted Huang Changlin and his gang of my location.'

At the thought of that demonic cultivator a fierce look surfaced on the young prince's face. Golden light flashed out of his body. The temperature of the room seemed to have risen by ten degrees before returning to normal.

'Sigh. Sadly, even breaking through to the fourth step is like an insurmountable task right now.'

Shaking his head, Lelouch buried that depressing thought in his mind. With a leap, he jumped five feet in the air, barely touching the ceiling with his hair. Landing with a thud, he walked to the bathroom connected to his room. Taking off his sweat soak silk robe and pant, he laid down at his indoor mini pool. Warm water caressed his skin, washing his worries away.

As Lelouch sat in reflection of the past nine years, he doesn't know if he should laugh or cry. On one hand, he was born into royalty, which should had guaranteed a lifetime of protection and luxury that accompanied such a grand status. On the other hand, it the Britannian royal family which has a history of infighting and regicides that made Lelouch shivered when he read about it from history books at just three years old.

Indeed, thanks to his Sovereign level soul, when Xiaochang reincarnated as Lelouch, the young boy underwent an accelerated intellectual development. When he was already three months old, he could already walk steadily with the grace that a young prince should have. At his first birthday, he could talk in complete sentences. At three years of age, reading encyclopedia level textbooks came as easily as breathing. By his sixth year, he already mastered high school level subjects, stunning more than one of his private tutors into fainting, which greatly amused his mother. By his seventh year, he was already hailed as a genius.

Although now in hindsight, he thought it would have been better to be more low-key about his talents. Since when he demonstrated such rare or dare say "inhuman" talents, his mother immediately hired some of the greatest scholars in the Britannian Empire to further his studies. Almost every day he would attend all of his time learning the various disciplines ranging from history, mathematics, psychology, and science to unconventional topics like horse riding and … etiquettes?

'Why nobles of this world still studied such meaningless subjects is beyond me. Do they still think they are living in the Middle Ages?'

His thoughts were soon interrupted when a knock came from the door. A dignified, male voice soon followed, "Your Highness, Lady Marianne requested your presence in the main dining hall."

"I appreciate the message Sir Gottwald. I will arrive in five minutes at the most."

"Understood sire. Also, Lady Nunnally asked if you prepared a gift for her yet. "

'Oh. That little elf up to her old tricks. Just because I was busy these days doesn't mean I forgot her birthday present. Although, I might save that for later.'

Lelouch thought with a mischievous smile. Getting dressed in a white shirt and pant with a silver tailcoat with gold trimmings, he walked onto a red carpeted hallway. Expensive looking paintings in gold color frames fanned out on both sides of the wall. In the middle is an adult man with blue hair and orange eyes in a guardsmen uniform. His head bowed in a respectable angle when he saw the young prince.

'Jeremiah Gottwald. Age nineteen. Second son of Margrave Gottwald. Entered the Imperial Colchester Institute and graduated at the 90th percentile of his class. Immediately scouted by Marianne herself and joined her Royal Guard. Competent and loyal. A fine talent indeed.'

"Good morning Sir Gottwald. I trust Nunnally did not hound you to play with her again today." Lelouch said with a teasing tone.

Jeremiah responded with an awkward cough, "Originally she did ask me, but thankfully Princess Cornelia arrived with Princess Euphemia and Prince Clovis."

'Ah. So Nunnally targeted Euphy and Clovis instead. Lucky man dodged a bullet.'

Lelouch walked to the dining hall with Jeremiah behind him. The opulent hallway eventually gave way to a stairway leading down to a large hall with tall open windows. Vibrant sunlight shine down on a giant rectangle table covered with a silk sheet. On top were various eating utensils with breakfast already served. Sitting at the front was an attractive looking woman with neat raven hair, Empress Marianne vi Britannia the Flash herself. To her right was a young Cornelia with loose magenta hair and lavender eyes, looking dignified in her captain uniform. Opposite of the young princess sat a teenage Clovis in an extravagant blue school uniform. His hands moving expertly as he draws on a white painting paper with a brush. On his sides sat Euphemia and Nunnally, both looking excitedly at the picture being drawn.

After dismissing Jeremiah, as Lelouch walked towards the group a five year old Nunnally ran and tackled her brother in an affectionate hug, her sandy brown hair and pink dress swaying in the air. Looking at her brother with a pout on her cute face, the young princess exclaimed, "You're late! I thought you wouldn't show up brother. Today you have to make it up to me no matter what."

Stroking her brown curly hair gently, Lelouch said laughingly, "As you wish my princess. I already cleared my schedule for today, so I belong to you."

(Author: Smooth bro)

A light blush surfaced on Nunnally's face. Before she could reply, a pink blur grabbed onto Lelouch's free arm. In a sunflower dress, a seven year old Euphemia looked at the raven hair prince with a jealous expression and said angrily, "What about me Lelouch? You said you will belong to me yesterday."

'Did I ever said that!? I didn't even see you at all yesterday Euphy. A princess can't just make up lies like that. What has been your parents teaching you?'

"No! That's a lie Euphy. You weren't even here yesterday!" replied an indignant Nunnally.

'Thank you little sister! Liars must be exposed!'

"Lelouch and I met at a secret location known only to the two of us. That's how you didn't know." The pinkie lied again!

"You did not."

"I did."

"No, you didn't!"

As the two children argued back and forth by pulling the raven prince's arm away from each other, a sweat dropped Lelouch wondered how he got into this situation in the first place.

'Is my manly charm so OP that it carried over to this life as well? Is it my fault that lolis that are fighting over my arms right now? Sigh. For the sake of all women in this world, maybe I should wear a mask from now on. '

(Author: Damn you. I am so jealous! )

Thankfully, Lelouch was soon saved by the purple hair Cornelia who gave both troublemakers a light knock on the head. A stern expression present on her fair face as she said in a lecturing tone, "Will the two of you starting acting like real princesses and not like some brats fighting over a toy."

'Wait did she just called me a toy?! Your mom's a toy! How dare you called this granddaddy a toy! When I was roaming my world thousands of years ago, your great ancestors were even born yet.'

Of course Lelouch didn't dare to voice out these thoughts as he put on a grateful smile to Cornelia instead. The two little elves by his side quickly let go of his unfortunate (fortunate) arms and fell back in line, although Euphy looked at her full sister with cute puppy eyes and a pleading face. Even the cold bloodied Cornelia could not withstand the devastating force of this pink hair princess' attack. Her lavender eyes soften and her thoughts in turmoil.

'So cuuuuute! My little Euphy is so adorable!'

If the rest of the world found out the thoughts of this future Witch of Britannia then it will not be an exaggeration to say that a legion of men would had died of nose bled caused by the excessive moe.

The magenta beauty coughed dryly and said in a suspicious voice, "Well now that I think about it, I did see you with Lelouch together yesterday…"

As his eyebrows twitched in annoyance at such a blatant lie, Lelouch wondered if this stoic sister of his was really a siscon. Sweet, little Euphy was immediately delighted as she monopolized Lelouch in a hug and showed a victorious smile at Nunnally, the latter of which complained to Cornelia with a angry face, "This is unfair Nelly! You clearly are supporting Euphy because she is your sister."

Cornelia looked uncomfortable as her intention was exposed. Luckily, she was saved from an awkward situation when Marianne appeared behind her. A teasing smile on her face as she gave Cornelia a soft pad on her head, which resulted in a blush on the young princess' face.

"Nunnally, it is rude to talk to your sisters like that. Sisters should always share so why can't you and Euphy share Lelouch for the rest of the day?" The consort said with a gentle smile. A delightful Nunnally then held her brother's free arm as she looked challengingly at Euphy; sparks seemed to clash between the two of them.

With a sigh, the raven prince led the little princesses to Clovis' side of the table. With his deep, sea colored eyes, the blonde prince looked at the trio coming with an amused look. With a loud clap, he said in a dramatic tone, "Magnificent Lelouch. I dare say your manly aura had already surpassed my own. Perhaps I should start taking advice from you on the subject on the fairer sex."

'Ha, ha. Very funny Clovis.' Thought Lelouch dryly.

With a smile, he smoothly countered, "Nonsense. How could compare my small talents to a Casanova like yourself. In fact, I've heard you already ensnarled quite a few noble ladies in the Saint Gloriana Academy, flowerboy."

At the mention of his nickname, Clovis face twitch as his expression increasingly became ugly. He has always hated that accursed nickname Lelouch coined for him. Worse still, that name quickly catches on with his other half siblings as it perfectly encapsulated his more feminine passions like painting and acting.

The ladies in the house all giggled at Clovis' expression as they sat down. Light conversations soon traveled across the dinner table as the group enjoyed breakfast.

"Have you thought about Nunnally's present Lelouch?" Marianne asked her son. Nunnally looked expectantly at her brother, waiting for his answer. Lelouch smiled mischievously as he exclaimed in mock hopelessness, "Sadly, it isn't ready yet."

"Then at least tell me what it is. Is it better than Euphy's dress, Clovis' painting or Cornelia's sword?" Nunnally begged with a pout on her face.

At the mention of a sword, Lelouch raised an eyebrow at his half sister. Cornelia righteously defended her choice for a present by preaching, "A princess should at least have some defense especially against scoundrels." She said looking knowingly at Lelouch.

"Besides the rapier was custom made to be light so it could always be carried around. "

'That's not the problem! You cannot just give an adolescent girl a real sword as a gift Cornelia. That's dangerous! And why do you look at me like I'm a pervert who seduce little girls? I'm not Clovis. '

Lelouch rubbed the bridge of his nose while he asked Marianne skeptically, "And mother actually approved this 'gift'? "

Marianne answered with a playful smile, "Hmm. Why not? If little Nunnally becomes proficient with her sword, then she can scare away the harpies for me."

'Naturally the harpies refer to the other wives of the emperor. Although mother was a former Knight of the Round, she was a commoner by birth. No doubt the other imperial consorts held their contempt. In fact, a few years ago she boldly stormed into Carine's family villa in a Ganymede when she heard how a rival consort bullied Nunnally. The scene became quite a sensation amongst the nobility in Pendragon for a while. Still, I don't know how I should feel if my little sister becomes another version of the Flash.'

Lelouch shivered when he imagined a fiery, short tempered Nunnally chasing him in a giant robot.

After he pacified his little sister with a promise to show his present later that day, Lelouch, Euphemia, Nunnally, and Clovis went to the garden just outside the dining hall. Once they arrived at a central location surrounded by colorful looking flowers, Clovis set a wood easel to hold the painting he worked on before. Vibrant colors and masterfully drawn flowers dotted the white surface of the paper. In the center is an almost perfect replica of the Aries Villa. Impressed by his half brother's skill, Lelouch asked, "Is that your present Clovis? The likeness to the real one is quite impressive."

His ego stroked, the blondie gave swept his hair sideway in a dramatic fashion. His confident voice said, "Now you recognized my talent Lelouch? Indeed, this is my tribute to commemorate this elegant palace that rivals even the Bourbon's Versailles and with a garden that is as beautiful as Babylon's Hanging Garden."

'Oh. Well let it be known that Clovis is a master of exaggeration. Still his talent with the brush is the real deal. Sadly this will never help his claim to the throne.'

Switching to a "man to man" topic while the two princesses were playing in the flower field, Lelouch asked his blonde brother with curiosity, "So what is it like in Saint Gloriana? Are elegant ladies really as numerous as the clouds? "

In the whole of the Britannian Empire, the Saint Gloriana Academy is the only high class institution that gives professional education on the finer arts like opera, painting, and music. In the past century, as Social Darwinism spread into every aspect of Britannian culture, increasingly more noblemen pursued more masculine careers in the military, business, and science world. And coupled this with the extreme tuition cost in St Gloriana that only wealthy families could support, the result is that the vast majority of students are women from noble families. After all, an avid artist like Clovis is rare amongst royalty and nobility alike.

An understanding smile surfaced on the blonde prince's face and he offered, "Oh. Are you interested Lelouch? Don't worry, as your brother, I will definitely recommend the finest flowers for you to woo."

'Is his mind only filled with arts and women? Hmm. No wonder he was so insistent on entering St. Gloriana. This brat is nothing but a damn pervert.'

Before Lelouch could decline Clovis' generous offer, Cornelia joined the group to inform the arrival of Rueben Ashford and his granddaughter. An excited Nunnally and Euphy ran back to the hall to meet the new arrivals. Lelouch, however, was scared stiff at the news and immediately moved to escape the garden. Yet, Cornelia already anticipated his reactions as she moved with surprising speed and caught her half brother by the collar of his shirt.

"Cornelia, as your dear brother, will you please release me?" pleaded Lelouch with puppy eyes.

However, this move has no effect on the magenta princess unlike Euphemia's. Instead, she gave him a teasing smile and asked, "Why do you run away Lelouch? There can't possibly be something that can scare our little genius right?"

"Yes! You know exactly what she is going do to me. She will probably use Nunnally's birthday as an excuse to force me to do some unspeakable things."

"Which is why we will wait for her right here." Said Cornelia in a mischievous tone.

They did not wait long before a lively voice shouted, "LULU!"

'She's here!'

A girl around Lelouch's age entered the garden with Euphemia and Nunnally. With curly blonde hair and blue eyes, Milly Ashford ran energetically towards Lelouch before tackling him in a hug.

'Why is it that I am always assaulted by little girls?! '

Letting go of the prince, the blonde heiress performed a curtsey to Cornelia who responded with a warm expression, "The Ashfords has always been friends to Lady Marianne. So you don't need to be so formal with me young lady. I will have trouble you entertaining this brother of my. "

After the greetings, Lelouch was immediately trapped by the trio Milly, Nunnally, and Euphemia, who all had weird smiles on their faces. Milly playfully said, "Lulu, I just discussed with Euphy and Nunna and agreed to have a cross-dressing party for Nunnally's birthday! But we need a boy to be the princess … so we hoping that you take that role."

'F #K!'

(Author: Revenge is served!)

A sweating raven prince feebly countered, "I think Clovis will be a better fit to be the princess, right Cornelia?"

The magenta princess shakes her head and pointed towards an empty spot where Clovis was previously painting. It was clear he escaped already!

'That traitor! Weren't brothers supposed to be together through thick and thin?'

And so, a miserable Lelouch was dragged to the changing room with three excited little girls and a smiling Cornelia.

Around the same time – Aries Villa study room

Marianne and a white hair old man watched out the window as Lelouch was dragged to the mansion by the girls. Both had an amused smile on their faces. Marianne turned to look at her oldest ally and surrogate father. Although Rueben Ashford was already well past his prime he still has lively face similar to her granddaughter. His blue eyes still radiated a brightness that gives off a feeling of curiosity, and coupled with his elegant noblemen outfit, the man appeared more dignified than what his actual age will implied.

"Milly and Lelouch looked nice together. Do you think they will make a good couple Rueben?" The empress asked.

Stroking his white goatee, the old nobleman looked at the empress and replied with a knowing smile, "The feelings between the young folks cannot be determined by us old fossils. Who knows what their future will be like together? Isn't that the case with you and His Majesty, Marianne?"

The raven empress smiled but did not reply as she fondly remembered the first meeting with her husband, who then was just one of many princes who vied for the imperial throne.

Focusing on more serious matters, Marianne asked with a solemn expression, "How is the development of the Glasgow."

"The blueprint and design is already finished. The Ashford Foundation already field tested the prototype and performance exceeded all expectations. With this, war will change forever. But…"

With a sigh, the old man asked the raven beauty hesitantly, "Is there really no other way child? Can't you convince His Majesty to seek a peaceful solution?"

Shaking her head, the empress replied with a ruthless tone, "Charles is determined to go through with it. If after Indochina is conquered, and Japan ally with the EU and Chinese Federation, then the Knightmares will be our backup plan. "

Reuben rubbed his forehead. Looking exhausted, he said, "Very well. How many machines does His Majesty need?"

"Schneizel knows the details as he is the one who drew the plans. When he arrives here, you can ask him."

Nodding his head, the Ashford chairmen started pouring tea from a teapot into two cups for him and Marianne. No sound came from the two as if to say the conversation is over.

Two hours later…

A black limousine drove to the metal gate of the Aries Villa. After being inspected by two guardsmen, the car arrived near the entrance of the main building. An eighteen year old Schneizel and his aide walked out of the car. With light rose color hair, Kanon Maldini carried with him a suitcase, as he made his way with his prince to a blue hair guardsman who received them. Bowing his head, Jeremiah said, "Prince Schneizel, Lady Marianne and Earl Ashford are expecting you in the main study room. Shall I lead you to them?"

"Hmm. Perhaps, after I meet up with my siblings. Do you know where they are?"

"I believe they are at the garden sire."

"I see. I know the way around so don't worry about me. You may return to your duties." The White Prince said with a charismatic smile.

After Jeremiah saluted and returned to his tasks, the blonde prince and his aide walked towards the garden. When they arrived, they saw a bizarre scene where a laughing Clovis was chased by Lelouch who is wearing a purple dress and light makeup. Behind him are Milly, Euphemia, and Nunnally. Stunned, he saw Cornelia who sat at a white chair, looking like she is enjoying the show. Confused he asked her, "Cornelia, what is going on? Why is Lelouch cross-dressing?"

Cornelia shrugged her shoulders and simply said, "I believe that is our brother's new hobby."

A small laughed escaped from the White Prince's mouth and it did not go unnoticed. As Lelouch saw the new arrivals, an embarrass look surfaced on his face. His head is as red as a tomato as he went back to the mansion to change his attires.

Half an hour later…

After Schneizel gave Nunnally a copy of, The Nicomachean Ethics, as a present he proposed a chess match with Lelouch. While the rest of the group moved on to more exciting activities, the black hair prince sat facing his older brother as they played their game in the garden. The bright flowers and the comfortable silence between each player's moves gave off a peaceful vibe. To the side, Kanon stood next to his lord like a shadow. Gradually, as the game progress his eyes widen in amazement.

'He's good. His Highness is actually stalled at every move. I can't remember the last time an opponent could push Prince Schneizel like this. And he is still only boy!'

Indeed, as the two master players lost more of their pieces, the situation at the board devolved into a threefold repetition. Both players were left with six pawns, one bishop, one knight, and their king pieces. However, this delicate balance was broken as Lelouch made a completely bold move and moved his black king forward. Understandingly, Schneizel was shocked, because if they just maintained the status quo on the board, then it will be a draw. But Lelouch's move guarantees that either he loses his king or he wins the match. A "do or die" situation!

"But that's your king?!"

"If the king doesn't lead, how can he expect his subjects to follow?" Lelouch countered with a faint smile.

The White Prince shared at the black king piece with a deep look. His face in contemplation as he prepared to move his king forward, but stopped at the last second. With a sigh, he said softly, "I surrender. You win Lelouch."

To the side, Kanon was shocked by his lord's surrender. He did not understand why the prince surrendered when his opponent made a potentially huge mistake. Lelouch, however, knew better. His violet eyes studied the handsome blonde prince serene expression. In a curious voice, he asked, "You are simply handing me a victory? Schneizel can you tell me your reasons?"

The blondie simply said laughingly, "Is it wrong for a big brother to indulge his younger sibling. Lelouch, that move was magnificent. Even I could not counter it."

'Wrong. It is not that you couldn't respond. It's that you chose not to. Schneizel, I had my suspicions but this only confirms it. You truly are a terrifying opponent. If only you were born in my world, what a Sovereign you would have become.'

Lelouch closed his eyes and said plainly, "I cannot not accept this as my first victory against you so let's consider this a draw."

"My. Such pride Lelouch. While I don't think it's a bad quality for a leader, sometimes a man must learn to accept the ugliness and the unsavory aspects of this world if he wants to get ahead in life. To wish to change that fact by portraying the world as something it is not is a delusion." The blonde prince preached.

"Oh. Then you believe that a man can only accept the world as it is. But what about changes brought forth by past generations."

Crossing his hands together, Schneizel calmly explained, "They were simply byproducts spurred on by the necessity of war. Mankind's history is war. Peace is an illusion. To change that illusion into a reality requires an answer that is currently unknown to us all."

"I never took you for a philosopher. Perhaps, your answer was already discovered by the great Paracelsus." Lelouch jokingly said.

Waving his hands dismissively, the second prince said, "Nonsense. His theory on alkahest was purely a work of fiction. The 'philosopher stone' I seek is not made of thin air."

A peaceful silence soon followed. Changing the subject, Lelouch asked his half brother, "Schneizel tell me the real reason you want to meet me. It is not to just play chess right?"

The blonde prince said with a sly smile, "Do I need a reason to see my favorite brother?"

However, Lelouch's expression remained skeptical. His face seemed to say, 'You can drop the pretense or I will leave.'

Finally relenting, Schneizel asked "Well I did have some intentions. But before I tell you, what are your thoughts on Britannia in its current state?"

Lelouch calmly dodged that question, "What I think does not have single effect on the empire. Only His Majesty has that authority. Unless … you also desire that power brother."

Schneizel neither denied nor agreed. He just simply gave his trademark smile. However, that alone already told everything the young prince needs to know.

"If it's about the succession, I never had any interest in it. After all, ruling an empire is bad for your health." Lelouch gave his answer.

Lelouch only said half the truth. While he doesn't desire the throne as strongly as his other siblings, it's not like he never had such desires. After all, the Great Sun Scripture requires a frightening amount of resources to train to a high level. While the materials to advance through the cultivation method may not exist in this world, becoming the emperor of a third of the world will at least give him a realistic chance of finding replacements.

"Then that's great. The main reason I came today was because I wanted to recruit you to my side. Not as a subordinate, but as an equal."

As Lelouch considered the offer, he recalled a distant time when he was an arrogant youth, full of ambitions to become the strongest in the world. He still remembered the tears on his little sister face as he left the village with his master. A few years later, he found his sister's corpse among the burnt remains of his village.

'What is the point of having power if you can't protect your own family? Cai'er died because of my foolishness. I will not make the same mistake again!'

"You overestimate me too much brother. I am already satisfied as long as Nunnally is happy. If you promise to never involve her in your plans then I will not fight you for the throne. That in of itself should have guaranteed your victory. After all, no one in your generation could ever compete with you."

Amongst all the older princes and princesses, only Schneizel demonstrated the talents to become the heir apparent. Odysseus, while kind and amiable, is too weak willed to stand up against the nobility. His talents are mediocre at best. As for Clovis, although his charming demeanor will gain him mass support from the aristocracy, his obsession with art will make him an incompetent ruler. Less could be said of Guinevere, who is a thoroughbred spendthrift. The empire will be bankrupt in a year if she is the empress. Schneizel's closest rival in his age group is Cornelia. Strong willed, competent, and ruthless if necessary, the future Witch of Britannia will have the support of the armed forces given her position as captain of Marianne's Royal Guard. The popularity of the Commoner Empress among the rank and file of the army cannot be understated. Sadly, while Cornelia is efficient in military affairs, her less than subtle way of management will lead to conflicts with the nobles.

On the other hand, out of all the younger royals, Lelouch is by far the most outstanding by a wide margin. With his genius intellect, mature demeanor, and his physical gifts, he could succeed in any field and discipline. After all, he was a thousand year old Sovereign in his past life! It is like playing on #YOLO difficulty in Call of Duty and then switching over to Recruit.

With a sigh, Schneizel gave up recruiting his brother for now. He wrote the cell phone number of his assistant on a card and gave to Lelouch in hopes that he will change his mind in the future. Their meeting was over.

The White Prince and his aide walked towards the villa for their meeting with Marianne and Reuben. While Lelouch remained seated and continued to stare at the white king on the board.

'If he had accepted my challenge, who would had won?'

Nightfall – Aries Villa

After the birthday party was over, darkness fell over the silent garden of the estate. Near a flower field, Lelouch escorted Nunnally to a spot under a tall maple tree. The little princess asked her brother with a pout, "Lelouch do you have to be so sneaky? It's not like someone will steal your gift?"

The young prince smiled mysteriously and replied, "You never know. A magician always keeps his secrets."

He took a round, smooth rock from his pockets and claimed, "What if I tell you that I could transform this normal rock into something else? Try to close your eyes for a minute."

Nunnally looked skeptically at her brother, but she still closed her eyes with her little hands.

Lelouch smiled and maneuvered his spirit force to the stone. A bright golden light erupted from the surface of the stone as it began to change shapes. This continued for a few seconds before the light dissipated and an orange rhombus shaped crystal replaced the hard rock. A small orb of light appeared on the prince's index finger as he used it to poke a hole through the beautiful crystal. A silver chain then flew from his pockets and through the hole, creating a necklace.

After the time was up, Nunnally opened her violet eyes as she saw the necklace. Her face evolved into amazement as she excited took her brother's gift in her hands. She asked, "Lelouch where did you get this?"

"Simple. I made it from the rock earlier."

"You lie. Everyone knows rocks cannot become crystals." The sandy hair princess said proudly.

Lelouch gently took the necklace and placed it around Nunnally's fair neck. With a smile, he promised, "When the time is right, I will tell you how I did it. Until then, always carry this necklace around. Promise me Nunnally."

"Really?! Can you pinkie swear on it?" The sandy hair princess held out one of her small finger.

"Of course. I would never lie to you." Lelouch crossed his sister's pinkie with his own.

Tengger Desert – Inner Mongolia

Faint moonlight lights up the brown dull surface of the sands. Underneath the surface of the earth is a medium sized city. Tall buildings littered the area surrounding a purple pillar. In one building near the pillar, a young boy stared out of a window with his hands behind him. His long waist length blonde hair dropped down to the floor. A black clothed man walked into the room, his face completely hidden by a mask. With his heads bowed he respectfully said, "Master V.V, all the agents have arrived and are awaiting your orders."

In a childish voice, the blonde boy responded, "Good. Have everyone maintain silence on this matter. No one must know of this mission, even the other members of the Order. We need absolute secrecy from my brother. Understood?"

"Yes milord!" The masked man responded fervently.

As his pink eyes stared at the purple pillar, V.V thoughts were clouded by a murderous intent towards a certain woman.

'Anyone who interferes with our plan must die! Charles doesn't need a woman to corrupt this mind. All that matters is the Ragnorak Connection.'

Reference:

Great Sun Scripture – The cultivation method the MC practiced. It is the Heavenly Star Sacred Ground's most prized possession.

The Nicomachean Ethics – Aristotle's greatest work on ethics. Teaches how people should live good lives.

Paracelsus – 16 century Swiss alchemist. Believed that alkahest is the source of all elements like air, water, earth, and fire. Theorized that alkahest is the Philosopher Stone.

alkahest- hypothetical universal solvent that can dissolve all materials, including gold.

Spirit Force – To clarify, spirit force takes the form of the type of energy a cultivation method takes in. For example, the MC absorbs energy from stars, so his spirit force is like solar energy.