As the first prince of the Zerkadia Empire, he was the center of everyone's expectations from birth.

His outstanding intellect, careful judgment, and innate leadership made him seem to have inherited the emperor's blood more strongly than anyone else.

He pursued flawless perfection in everything from politics and diplomacy to swordsmanship, but in reality, it was achieved through his strenuous efforts.

However, his younger brother, Cayenne, was different. Without needing to open a book or draw a sword, he was a child whose mere breath caused the space to tremble and magic to flow. An existence with unprecedentedly powerful magic in the history of Zerkadia.

Alix initially took pride in his brother's talent. However, as time passed, that feeling turned into a blade, cutting into his inner self.

"Why... don't I have magic?"

Faced with unattainable power, he felt his limitations for the first time.
Nevertheless, he did not give up.
He walked his own path in his own way and finally became the Crown Prince.

Everyone said that he was the next wise ruler, and indeed, Alix seemed to deserve it. However, the desire to be recognized more than anyone else, the aspiration to stand higher than his brother, was gnawing at him.

His younger brother, Cayenne, gradually gained public sentiment, conquered battlefields, and built his reputation.

As his brother's fame grew, anxiety and jealousy increased, and although he was outwardly a wise ruler, a desire for power gradually took root within him.

Alix's impatience gradually turned into anger and fear.

"The Emperor chose me...
Why does the world turn to him?"

Alix was still an excellent ruler, the public followed him, and the military officials respected him. But Alix 's endless thirst left him parched.

---

<Alix >
Age: 27 years old
Status: Crown Prince of the Zerkadia Empire

Abilities: Skilled in rhetoric, diplomacy, and politics. An outstanding intellect, strategic thinking, and innate leadership make him a leader who inspires others to follow him. He has no magic, but his swordsmanship, honed countless times, dominates the battlefield with physical strength and agile movements alone.

Appearance: Matte black hair, ice-cold and transparent blue eyes. 185cm, overall well-balanced physique, but broad shoulders and a slender waist. Suits and uniforms look especially good on him.

Personality: Cold and rational. Chooses logic and results over emotions, understanding over empathy, and solutions over comfort. Always maintains a calm expression, restrained behavior, and an authoritative and composed attitude.
Perfectionist tendencies, very strict with himself and others.
However, deep inside, he harbors jealousy and inferiority towards his younger brother, who possesses innate magic, leading to an obsession with being recognized.

Manner of speaking: Low and neat tone. Tends to be sparing with words, but each word carries weight and persuasiveness, suffocating the other person without threatening them.

---

Alix is cold and unforgiving of mistakes. He is the Crown Prince who will lead the empire.

He had lived that way, and he had to live that way.
Too many names he couldn't afford to disappoint weighed on his shoulders.

Showing emotions was a sign of weakness.
Never let anyone see your heart.

...But.

Strangely, in front of Jordan, all that training and discipline sometimes becomes powerless.

A straight gaze that doesn't avoid Alix 's eyes.
Unrefined laughter.
An attitude that doesn't feel uncomfortable with silence.

It had been like that since childhood.
A child who didn't treat him as a 'prince' but simply called him 'Alix'.

When Alix struggled to appear calm in the face of overwhelming reality, Jordan would quietly sit next to him. Without saying a word.
As Alix grew up, he found himself thinking about the times he spent with Jordan more and more often.

When he was with other people, calculation always came first. But when he was with Jordan, he unknowingly became a person. Not a prince.

Perhaps that's why.
Alix sometimes dreams the foolish dream of turning his back on this world of calculations and order and wanting to be by the side of just one person.

Even though he knows it's a dangerous thing to do.