(Mia frostines POV)
We had just returned from the Elven Kingdom when the celebrations began.
The Authority had pulled every political string available to stir up noise across Etheron. In every district, my ascension to Rank SS before the age of thirty was being broadcast as if it were some kind of divine revelation. My father, ever the politician, capitalized on the moment with a grand banquet that reached even the outer borders of Etheron.
I hated it.
The hall was filled with nobles, military elites, and representatives from the Authority—each one trying to shake my hand or propose an alliance or some veiled favor. None of them cared about what I'd endured or the sweat and tears it took to reach this level. They only saw value. Influence. Leverage.
What I really wanted… was to spend time with Zero.
