Valtaris's Reign

The holographic display flickered, resolving into the serene yet imposing faces of Ray's parents, Lord and Lady Valtaris. The connection between Nava City and Skypear was seamless, a testament to the technological prowess his family wielded.

"Ray, my son," Lord Valtaris began, his voice resonating with a deep authority, "your progress at Exod School is… intriguing. Your reports indicate an unusual interest in the lower classes."

Ray, seated in his Nava City apartment, maintained a respectful posture, though a hint of defiance flickered in his eyes. "Father, I believe understanding the dynamics of our society is crucial. Even for a Valtaris."

Lady Valtaris, her beauty as captivating as the stars that adorned the Skypear night sky, interjected, "Understanding is one thing, Ray. Indulging is another. Your… interactions with individuals of lesser standing have not gone unnoticed."

Ray chose his words carefully. "I am merely exploring the social landscape, Mother. Gaining insights that cannot be obtained from within the confines of Skypear."

Lord Valtaris leaned forward, his gaze piercing. "Insights? Or distractions?" He paused, letting the question hang in the air. "Ray, you are the heir to the Valtaris legacy. A legacy built not just on wealth, but on power. A power that stems from a source unknown to the vast majority of this world."

Ray had always sensed a deeper truth, a hidden wellspring of power that separated the Nobles, particularly his family, from the rest of humanity. He had heard whispers, rumors, fragments of ancient lore that hinted at something extraordinary.

"The meteorite," Lady Valtaris said, her voice low and reverent. "The celestial event that reshaped our world centuries ago. It did more than just alter the landscape; it imbued certain families with… abilities."

Ray's mind raced. The meteorite… the source of the Nobles' seemingly supernatural abilities. It was a truth whispered in hushed tones, a secret guarded jealously by the select few who wielded its power.

"Each Noble family inherited a unique ability," Lord Valtaris continued, "a gift… or a curse, depending on one's perspective. The ability to manipulate the elements, to control minds, to heal… or to destroy."

"And the Valtaris?" Ray asked, his voice barely a whisper, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation filling him. He had always known his family was different, that they possessed a power that transcended mere wealth and influence. But to hear it spoken aloud, to have the veil of secrecy lifted, was both exhilarating and daunting.

Lord Valtaris exchanged a glance with his wife, a silent communication passing between them. Lady Valtaris nodded subtly, giving her permission, her assent to the revelation that was about to unfold.

"The Valtaris," Lord Valtaris said, his voice taking on a tone of profound gravitas, "were gifted with the ability to manipulate time itself."

The words hung in the air, heavy with implications, with possibilities, with the weight of a legacy that stretched back centuries. Ray felt a shiver run down his spine, a mixture of awe and disbelief. Time… to control time… it was a power beyond comprehension, a power that defied the very laws of nature.

"Time?" Ray repeated, his voice still barely audible, as if afraid to break the spell, to shatter the illusion. "But… how?"

Lady Valtaris took over the explanation, her voice softer, more melodic, but no less powerful. "The meteorite, when it struck our world, released a unique energy, a temporal resonance that permeated the very fabric of existence. Certain individuals, those with a specific genetic predisposition, were able to… attune themselves to this resonance, to draw upon its power."

"And the Valtaris… we were the most attuned?" Ray asked, his mind struggling to grasp the enormity of the concept.

Lord Valtaris nodded. "Yes. Our ancestors were the first to discover this ability, the first to master its intricacies, the first to wield its power for the benefit… and the control… of our world."

The word "control" hung in the air, a subtle reminder of the darker side of the Valtaris legacy. Ray understood that his family's power was not just a gift; it was a responsibility, a burden, a tool that could be used for good or for ill.

"But… how is it possible?" Ray asked, his scientific mind, honed by his education at Exod, grappling with the seemingly impossible. "Time is… a fundamental force of the universe. To control it… it defies all logic."

Lady Valtaris smiled, a knowing, almost enigmatic smile. "Logic, my son, is but a tool, a framework built by those who seek to understand the universe. But the universe is far grander, far more complex, than any single framework can encompass. The meteorite… it was a catalyst, a key that unlocked a potential that lay dormant within us, a potential that transcends the limitations of your… conventional understanding."

She gestured towards the holographic display, which now shimmered with images of swirling galaxies and celestial nebulae. "Think of time not as a linear progression, a river flowing inexorably from past to future, but as an ocean, vast and multidimensional, with currents and eddies, tides and whirlpools. We, the Valtaris, have learned to navigate this ocean, to ride its currents, to… influence its flow."

"Influence?" Ray questioned, his brow furrowed in concentration. "But… can you actually *change* the past?"

Lord Valtaris interjected, his voice regaining its authoritative tone. "The past is… delicate. To alter it significantly would be to unravel the very fabric of reality. We do not change the major events, the grand tapestry of history. But we can… nudge. We can influence minor details, subtle interactions, the choices of individuals. We can create ripples, small deviations that, over time, can have profound consequences."

"So… you manipulate events," Ray said, slowly grasping the implications. "You guide the course of history, subtly, imperceptibly, to serve your own purposes."

"To serve the *Valtaris* purposes," Lord Valtaris corrected, his gaze unwavering. "We are not driven by personal ambition, Ray. We are stewards of this power, guardians of a legacy that stretches back centuries. Our actions, our choices, are guided by a higher purpose: to maintain order, to preserve balance, to ensure the continued prosperity… of our family, and, by extension, of the world."

Ray considered his father's words, the weight of responsibility settling upon him. He was no longer just a young man seeking pleasure and companionship. He was the heir to a power that could shape the destiny of nations, the fate of individuals.

"And that, Ray," Lord Valtaris continued, his voice regaining its authoritative tone, "is why the Valtaris remain unchallenged. Why we stand at the apex, not merely of wealth, but of absolute power. The other Noble families, with their lesser abilities… they posture, they scheme, they vie for influence. But they know, deep down, that to directly oppose us would be… folly."

Lady Valtaris added, her voice a silken whisper that nonetheless carried the weight of undeniable truth, "They can manipulate elements, influence minds, even heal the sick. Powerful abilities, certainly. But time… time is the master of all. It governs all. To control time, even in the limited way we do, is to hold the reins of destiny itself."

"Imagine, Ray," Lord Valtaris said, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and warning, "a swordsman facing an opponent who can see, even for a fleeting moment, the next strike. A general who knows, even vaguely, the enemy's next maneuver. A negotiator who has a glimpse of the other party's true intentions."

Ray's mind reeled with the possibilities. The implications were staggering. It wasn't just about grand historical events; it was about subtle advantages, seemingly insignificant details that, when accumulated, could create an insurmountable advantage.

"The other Noble families… they are aware of our ability?" Ray asked, the question a natural consequence of his growing understanding.

"They *suspect*," Lord Valtaris corrected. "They have witnessed the… uncanny consistency of our success, the seemingly preternatural timing of our decisions. They have seen empires rise and fall, fortunes made and lost, while the Valtaris… we endure. We prevail."

"But they cannot *prove* it," Lady Valtaris added, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "The nature of our ability is such that it leaves no trace, no tangible evidence. It is a whisper in the wind, a ripple in the water, a subtle shift in the currents of time. They can feel it, they can sense it, but they cannot *grasp* it."

"And that, my son," Lord Valtaris said, his voice resonating with the full weight of his authority, "is the source of our true power. Not just the ability itself, but the *fear* it inspires. The uncertainty. The knowledge that we are always… one step ahead."

He paused, letting his words sink in, his gaze locking onto Ray's. The weight of his family's legacy, the immensity of the power he was destined to wield, settled upon Ray's shoulders. It was a moment of profound revelation, a turning point in his understanding of himself and his place in the world.

"But how do I... use this ability?" Ray asked, his voice a mixture of awe and apprehension. He had learned about his inheritance, but the practical application, the actual *control* of time, remained a mystery.

Lady Valtaris took the lead again, her voice gentle, yet firm. "It is not something that can be taught in words, Ray. It is an instinct, a feeling, a connection to the temporal currents. It requires focus, concentration, and a deep understanding of the… interconnectedness of all things."

"It begins with small things," Lord Valtaris added. "Sensing the immediate future, anticipating movements, reacting before others even conceive of acting. With practice, you will learn to extend your awareness, to perceive the subtle threads of cause and effect, to influence events before they even unfold."

"It is a gradual process, Ray," his mother cautioned. "A journey of self-discovery and mastery. You will make mistakes, you will encounter limitations, you will be tempted to use this power for… less than noble purposes."

The warning hung in the air, a subtle reminder of the potential for corruption, the seductive allure of absolute power. Ray understood the inherent danger. He was not immune to temptation; he had already embraced the prospect of using his abilities to build his harem, to elevate those he desired, to shape his own personal world.

"We will guide you, Ray," Lord Valtaris assured him. "We will share our knowledge, our experience, our… wisdom. But ultimately, it is *you* who must walk this path. It is *you* who must master this power, and it is *you* who must decide how to wield it."

The responsibility was immense, almost overwhelming. But within Ray, a spark of excitement ignited. He was not just a Noble; he was a Valtaris. He held within him the power to bend time to his will, to shape his destiny, to achieve his desires.

"I understand," Ray said, his voice regaining its confidence, his eyes filled with a newfound determination. "I will learn. I will master this ability. And I will use it wisely...and for my own purposes."

The holographic images of his parents faded, leaving Ray alone with his thoughts, the weight of his heritage settling heavily upon him. He was no longer just an observer, a pretender in a world of rigid class divisions. He was a player, a master of the game, with the power to rewrite the rules. He smiled, a plan beginning to form in his mind, a plan not for the world but for his life for his harem.

As he stared out the window at the city before him, the glittering lights of Nava City seemed to beckon him that there was an exciting life waiting for him.