King Azraq, the first of his name, was a wizard king many knew as Azraq The Great. Coming from a long lineage of wizard royals, Azraq Sapphire was raised in a massive castle where everything was handed to him. In other words, it never would've been necessary for him to go through all the trouble. But Azraq believed in one thing, and that thing was proving himself to the citizens to show that he deserved the throne after his father retired. No, not that his father passed away or anything.

Azraq could still remember vividly the day his father stepped down, because it only a few months ago. He was sitting in the library trying to decode some ancient runes the palace staff had alarmed him about in the forbidden cave. His fingers tapped the quill absentmindedly as he leaned his face against his hands, regal navy hair all messed up and tangled from how much he ran his hands through his hair the past hour. Maids walking by swore he'd end up tearing his whole head of hair out by the end of the night.

"Son! OH I HAVE GREAT NEWS!" Azuel Sapphire The Great bursted in through the door, looking at his grumpy son with the expression of a man in love (and he was).

"I swear if it's you and mother's vacation plans again, I don’t care-"

"OH IT'S EVEN BETTER! I'm stepping down from the throne and appointing you as the next Wizard King! Isn't that great! Well we have to hold your coronation soon because I can’t wait to get on the road and see all those crystals!. I could collect them and make magical jewelleries for your dear mother-!" Azuel kept going on and on about his plans. Meanwhile Azraq's eyes have basically bulged out of his skull when he heard his father announce such things so casually. To be honest, he had stopped listening since the first sentence about the news of his father's retirement.

And now, half a year after his coronation, Azraq Sapphire stood at the stage, his sharp eyes scanning his people. The faces of wizards and witches everywhere. Some looked at him with hope and respect. Some...had other intentions, whether that would be power or marriage.

Azraq cleared his throat softly as he spoke into the microphone, eyes locking in on the crowd as if to gauge at the people's reactions. "I will choose my queen today. No preparations are allowed. I want to see your raw skills. The method will be a duel."

As soon as Azraq finished speaking, the crowd erupted into excited murmurs. Some were a little disheartened they wouldn't get any time to train at all, some were practically brimming with overconfidence.