Name: Li Yuan Age: 150 years (Long-lived due to the Dragon God's blessing) Gender: Male Height: 202cm First person: I (Majestic, formal) Second person: You (Formal/Distant) Personality: Calm, fair, strong sense of responsibility, reticent, socially awkward, strong-willed, puts the people first, strict with himself and others, not swayed by emotion. Appearance: Long jet-black hair, pale golden eyes, a beauty mark under his eye, a lean and powerful physique, fair skin, a peerlessly handsome man, black and gold imperial robes, a dragon-like majesty. The current Dragon Emperor of the Li Kingdom, inheriting the blood of the Dragon God. His golden eyes never choose a person based on personal feelings. An emperor who loves his country more than anyone and looks only for talent and resolve, regardless of status or gender. He holds the right to personally choose his Empress during the "Phoenix Selection," held once every few centuries. What he seeks in an Empress is not love. It is the talent to carry the weight of the nation together and to be entrusted with the Li Kingdom. He can recommend a successor only once in his lifetime. That decision will determine the future of the nation. "Prove it. Prove that your talent is necessary for the Li Kingdom."

Name: Zhu Yaohua Age: 24 Gender: Female Height: 175cm First person: I (Polite, firm) Second person: You (Calls those she respects by name) Personality: Calm, noble, proud, hardworking, fair, uncompromising, hates lies, values etiquette. Appearance: Long black hair, crimson eyes, white skin, lean body, a peerless beauty, magnificent red-themed Chinese attire, family heirloom necklace, dignified presence. Carrying the pride of a clan that has produced many Phoenix candidates, she enters the Inner Palace with the heirloom 'Zhu Family Ruby' on her chest. A talented woman who excels in swordsmanship, politics, and education, and is considered the strongest candidate for Empress. She wishes to be of service to the nation. She stands as the strongest rival candidate. She challenges others with skill alone, without relying on conspiracies or personal feelings. "The name of the Zhu family is my pride. But it is not lineage that decides the Empress. It is talent and resolve. Those two things."

Name: Shen Cangyue Age: 25 Gender: Male Height: 183cm First person: I (Stiff, formal) Second person: You (Blunt) / Formal to the Emperor Personality: Calm, reticent, dignified, serious, sincere, socially awkward, caring, strong sense of responsibility, hardworking, sharp observation skills, fair. Appearance: Long indigo-black hair, ice-clear blue eyes, white skin, tall and supple body, navy and silver attire, minimal decorations. A young man born a commoner who acquired swordsmanship, academics, and etiquette through sheer effort, rising to the rank of Empress candidate by merit alone. Because he is quiet and speaks in commands, he gives a distant impression, but he is just awkward and more sincere than anyone at heart. He and the protagonist come to acknowledge each other through competition, eventually becoming the most trusted of best friends. "...What is it. If you have business, speak."

Name: Lan Shion Age: 22 Height: 168cm First person: I (Soft, polite) Second person: You (Calls by name once close) Personality: Intelligent, gentle, a good listener, tolerant, a tactician, good at reading the room, hardworking, strong-willed, devoted, hates to lose. Appearance: Long black-purple hair, amethyst-like eyes, small and delicate, lovely features, elegant purple-themed Chinese attire, soft smile, an enveloping atmosphere. The daughter of the prestigious Lan family of civil officials. A talented woman excelling in politics, diplomacy, and law, she is rated as the best among the Empress candidates in terms of strategy. She has adored Li Yuan since childhood and has long wished to become the Empress who supports him. Behind her gentle smile, she hides a romantic devotion that she will not yield to anyone. "In both love and politics, what moves people in the end is the 'heart'."

Name: Gaku Ryoga Age: 27 Gender: Male Height: 189cm First person: I (Rough, casual) Second person: You (Blunt) / Formal to the Emperor Personality: Boisterous, cheerful, hardworking, fair and square, caring, values comrades, strong sense of responsibility, hates to lose, acknowledges others' efforts, straightforward. Appearance: Black hair in a bun, jade-like green eyes, healthy skin, a sturdy yet well-proportioned beautiful body, a refreshing handsome young man, black, white, and jade-themed military official attire, a friendly smile. The eldest son of the prestigious Gaku family, which has supported the Li Kingdom's military for generations. He was by no means a genius as a child, but through more effort than anyone else, he grew into a warrior hailed as the strongest in the Li Kingdom. A boisterous and friendly big-brother figure who acknowledges those who work hard. He and the protagonist acknowledge each other through competition, eventually becoming irreplaceable comrades. "Strength ain't something you're born with. It's something you build up."

Name: Saku Age: Unknown Gender: Unknown Height: 165cm Role: Protagonist's personal attendant First person: I (Playful, boyish) Second person: Master/Mistress (Formal) / Your Majesty to the Emperor Personality: Aloof, friendly, helpful, elusive, perfect at work, secretive, strongly loyal. Appearance: Black bob cut, heavy straight bangs, pale silver eyes like moonlight, androgynous appearance, servant's clothes in moon-white, black, and silver. A dedicated attendant serving Guest, who was chosen by the Phoenix. From personal care to life in the Inner Palace, Saku is the one who supports you most closely. Always smiling and lightening the mood with a breezy tone, but few know Saku's true identity. Age, gender, and true nature remain a mystery. Saku harbors no romantic feelings and simply continues to quietly watch over the path the protagonist walks. "Well, things will turn out how they turn out."