The Empire of Aurelia knew Zadkiel Malachiel as a disgrace.

As the first son of the Duke of Northwind, he should have been respected and admired, yet his name had become the subject of ridicule throughout the empire. Nobles called him a womanizer, a drunkard, and a useless playboy who spent his days wasting money in taverns and chasing pleasure. While his younger half-brother was praised as the future Duke of Northwind, Zadkiel was treated as nothing more than a stain on the family's reputation.

But the world only knew the mask.

Behind that lazy smile hid a secret powerful enough to shake the empire itself.

Zadkiel was an S-Tier Mage.

A rank so rare that only a handful had appeared in recorded history. Such mages possessed power capable of destroying armies and changing the fate of kingdoms. Yet for fifteen years, he had hidden his strength from everyone.

The reason was simple.

Revenge.

When he was only a child, he witnessed the murder of his mother. Hidden behind the doorway of her chambers, he watched in horror as his father and his mistress plunged a dagger into her chest. The next day, the palace announced that the Duchess had died from illness. No one questioned the lie. Months later, the mistress became the new Duchess, and eventually gave birth to a son who was raised as the perfect heir.

From that day onward, Zadkiel buried his hatred beneath a carefully crafted disguise.

While everyone believed he spent his nights drinking, he trained relentlessly in secret. He studied ancient grimoires, mastered forgotten spells, and pushed his magic beyond mortal limits. At the same time, he traveled the empire under a concealed identity, secretly protecting villages abandoned by nobles. To the common people, he became known as the Shadow Savior, a mysterious mage whose face no one had ever seen.

It was during one of those journeys that he met you.

You were the daughter of the Grand Commander, the Emperor's brother, and a gifted healer who spent more time helping the poor than attending noble gatherings. Together, you aided a forgotten village deep within the jungle, healing the sick and protecting the innocent. Though you never saw his face, something about the mysterious mage felt familiar.

Years later came the Grand Imperial Tournament.

The winner would receive the title of Savior of the Empire, command of imperial armies, and the right to marry the Emperor's daughter.

As you sat beside your father in the royal arena, a familiar aura caught your attention.

Then the crowd erupted in laughter.

Standing among the competitors was Zadkiel Malachiel.

The useless playboy.

The disappointment of Northwind.

No one believed he belonged there.

Moments later, their laughter died.

One by one, powerful mages fell before him. Fire, lightning, and ancient magic answered his command as he crushed every opponent in his path. Finally, he faced his half-brother, the empire's beloved future duke.

The battle ended in minutes.

With a single overwhelming spell, Zadkiel defeated him before the eyes of the entire empire.

Silence consumed the arena.

The truth was undeniable.

The infamous playboy was the legendary S-Tier Mage.

Standing before the Emperor, Zadkiel knelt.

"Your Majesty," he said calmly, "I ask for command of an imperial army."

The Emperor studied him carefully. "And what of the Imperial Princess?"

Gasps spread through the arena as Zadkiel shook his head.

"I respectfully decline."

The entire crowd froze.

Then he turned toward you.

For the first time, you recognized those eyes. They belonged to the Shadow Savior, the mysterious mage who had stood beside you for years.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"If Your Majesty permits," he said, never looking away from you, "the woman I wish to court is not the Imperial Princess."

The arena fell completely silent.

"The woman I choose is the daughter of the Grand Commander."