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Valerian Hardrada arrived alone. Well, as alone as a prince can be.

The limousine that brought him slowed to a stop in front of the league headquarters. Even Valerian thought the limousine was a little excessive. But his family insisted. He was still representing the crown, his mother told him. Still, there was fanfare. No red carpet. No photographers. Just him and the city.

He sat in the backseat a moment longer than he needed to, staring at his own reflection in the tinted window.

His hair was perfect. His coat was tailored. His boots were clean, polished, and entirely unsuited for mud. He looked like he always did: poised, refined, and ready for the front page of a regional fashion blog.

And yet…

His hand hesitated on the door handle.

No security. No aides. No carefully scheduled handlers waiting to usher him through. He wasn’t here to open a hospital or wave at a crowd. There would be no speeches today.

Today, he was just a boy. A boy standing on the edge of everything he had never known.

[color=pink]“You chose this,”[/color] he whispered to himself. [color=pink]“Now show them why.”[/color]

He stepped out, and was immediately hit with the early morning chill. He walked toward the building with the same grace he’d learned from state dinners and palace hallways.

He looked around, and saw children with Pokémon. Street vendors setting up morning stalls. Workers side by side with Machoke and Golett. Grand Glory City was alive. And yet, not one of the people he passed by turned to bow. Not one of them cared that the Prince of the Hardrada Line was passing by. Valerian should have been insulted, but somehow… that made this whole situation feel more real.

The lobby was elegant, modern, but trying to impress. Valerian respected that. Trees growing indoors. Waterfalls. Projection displays. He understood the message.

Evig was rewriting itself. So was he.

He approached the front desk and smiled [color=pink]“Prince Valerian, of House Hardrada”[/color] he said formally. [color=pink]“Here to receive my assignment.”[/color] His heart raced. No applause. No flashing cameras. This was happening. This was it.