Lumeria was a kingdom known for its impressive fortifications and magnificent public works. June Benedict, the royal architect, had long been the cornerstone of its infrastructure.

  In the royal court, her designs were praised, and her opinions were sought by generals and engineers alike. Her ability to manipulate mana was considered top-class, and with sufficient mana, she could materialize her designs through magic particles. Her calm, calculated approach had allowed her to shape not only the kingdom’s military defenses but also its civilian structures, though she remained somewhat detached from political intrigue. Her world revolved around buildings and blueprints.

  June spent most of her time working in her office. Her popularity made the room livelier than it would otherwise have been, as she often received visits from colleagues or even the King himself. Though her kindness turned more than one head, she usually immersed herself in her projects.

  The King accompanied June to her office. He seemed more curious than concerned, having received reports from Sir Henry, Lumeria’s military commander.

  Something was stirring in Korrath. The spy network had reported a higher number of weapons passing through Mistralis than usual. As a scholar, June appreciated the insight. The King explained that Sir Henry would require her feedback to strengthen Lumeria’s defenses.

  Korrathi civilization was not widely known in Lumeria, so she would have to consult the royal library, one of the perks she enjoyed in her work. Yet with so little interaction between Lumeria and Korrath, her readings offered little inspiration.

  The rumors were growing more precise. it was through the King that June learned of a new development, the Dorakstone. A material recently discovered in the region of Dorak in Korrath, Reports suggested that it could interact with magic in ways not yet fully understood.

  Magic was a demanding discipline, even in Lumeria. It required years of rigorous training before it could be applied with any reliability. As the kingdom's foremost architect of defense, June feared what such material could mean for her art, for both warfare and infrastructure.

  The King’s worries deepened when an emissary from Korrath arrived, none other than Yamileth kor Agara, the notorious commander of Agara in Korrath.

  June stood on the side as the emissary made her case. Her tone lacked polish; she was offering intelligence in exchange for Lumeria’s support. Korrath was in the midst of an internal power struggle, and Yamileth sought to use Lumeria’s resources to tip the balance in her favor. To sweeten the proposal, she offered insider knowledge of the new mineral, the Dorakstone, and how it could be used to reshape the world order.

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  June listened carefully to Yamileth’s argument, sensing the danger in trusting someone from Korrath’s volatile political landscape. As a gesture of good faith, Yamileth ended her presentation with a demonstration, revealing a fragment of Dorakstone and how it could store and release mana. The display left the court in awe, and the King agreed to host her while Lumeria deliberated on its position.

  A week later, June was summoned to the court alongside Sir Henry. Strange incidents had begun occurring across the capital, Luxor: cracks in walls, unstable energy surges and unusual phenomena tied to the use of magic.

  After investigating the scenes, it became clear that the damage did not match the signature abilities of Lumeria’s known mages. It was something new. The news spread quickly in all the wealthy circles of the kingdom. Following the emissary’s demonstration just days earlier, a troubling question arose: could magic now be used without a mage’s knowledge or training?

  It became clear to the court that this new material, the Dorakstone, would have repercussions across the world, depending on how it was handled. As a prime suspect, Yamileth had been sent home without a deal, and the King urged his advisors on getting more of the stone.

  Dorakstone was difficult to obtain, but thanks to a merchant called Devereaux, the King managed to secure some for analysis by his research team, along with an additional portion specifically for June.

  Initial analyses revealed that Dorakstone could store large quantities of mana, which could then be manipulated by mages or object as a source to cast spells. If handled improperly. It could also generate dangerous energy surges. This new material had the potential to change how magic was learned and applied in Lumeria. However, its low availability further limited its accessibility, making it, for the time being, an extremely scarce resource.

  While June worked on refining her construction techniques, she recommended closely monitoring how much Dorakstone entered the country and through what channels. Meanwhile, word of the Dorakstone studies reached the nobility, and they began pressuring the King for access to it.

  A few weeks passed. The King summoned June, Sir Henry, and the whole council for an emergency session.

  Grave news had arrived from across the sea: the King of Mistralis was dead. He left no heir. For now, the kingdom was held together by his wife, ruling in the sovereign’s name while rival factions tested the limits of her authority.

  At the same time, Korrath was shifting. Yamileth kor Agara had made her move. Backed by several provincial leaders, she had seized control of Dorak, the province where Dorakstone had been discovered. What began as an internal struggle had crystallized into a new balance of power.

  The council debated fiercely. Two neighboring powers stood weakened, distracted by succession and consolidation. Voices rose over the question: should Lumeria act beyond its borders, or secure itself and wait?

  Some pushed for leverage and profit. Generals argued for preparedness. The King listened, said little, and dismissed the council without reaching a decision.

  June left early, unsettled. She did not make it far before a stranger intercepted her in the outer halls. He introduced himself simply as Maverick. He knew about the Dorakstone, about Yamileth, and about the fractures forming in Mistralis. He had a plan. But for it to work, he told her he needed something only she could provide: her influence on the King of Lumeria.