Among the Stars: ØZerethrion's High Council

Jobs exist.

Callings exist.

And lastly, the High Council.

A seat on the High Council is regarded as the most prestigious position one can achieve outside of godhood and is celebrated as the pinnacle of civic, cosmic, and strategic achievement throughout ØZiZethrynity and its affiliated realms. It is a dream ingrained in the brains of academics, savants, war veterans, and prodigies from all walks of life. Few, however, ever get near.

Sitting on the Council is like sitting in the ear of Zhaïraë’alya herself. To cast votes regarding flare-born threats, one must keep an eye on how new gods, creations, and resurgent ancient demons behave. To possess information that is beyond common comprehension.

Wealth or birthright are not prerequisites for admission to the Council. It is etched with perspiration, grief, and unadulterated genius.

The Dream Made Real:

Before their final trials, hopefuls recite the story of Meridia Virelliane and whisper it around the corridors of the academy. Yes, she was born into a noble family, but her name did not unlock the doors.

It was her superior intelligence. Her strategic skills. Her frightful composure in the face of oddities caused by recurrent flares. She had revised the Council's intelligence division's prognostic models by the time she was sixteen. She defeated a senior councilor in a debate when she was seventeen.

She became the youngest person in history to be given a permanent seat at the age of 18.

She is referred to as the Starling of ØZerethrion; even her elders dread her for her brilliance and untouchability. Meridia moves with the gentle ease of someone who knows she belongs, despite her continued humility. Because she knows she belongs.

What about the others?

They continue to dream.

Requirements:

Unspoken in public but ingrained in the bones of those who attempt it, candidates must fulfill a brutal set of requirements in order to even be considered for a seat on the High Council of ØZerethrion.

Candidates must exhibit resistance to or control over flare-born creatures, systems, or surges in order to prove that they are capable of withstanding closeness to deities such as Zhaïraë’alya or Soyrnna without succumbing. Meridia had an advantage since they are family.

Cerebral Clearance: They have to pass a multi-layered cognitive test that simulates a Null-Tier breach in real time. The majority do not make it through the third recursion layer.

Creation Record: All candidates must have advanced realm defense, Flareborn theories, ØZ-ZAV systems, or void-interfacing technologies.

Council Sponsorship: They must be publicly recommended by a current councilor. Thousands are eliminated by this alone. Multiple councilors recommended Meridia.

No mistakes. They are disqualified if they have ever failed, whether it is strategically, morally, or personally. And it is extremely important to have perfect marks in school.

Few of them fulfill these criteria. Fewer make it through the subsequent trials. And every few decades, only one or two are really selected.