---
Trumpets echoed through the proving grounds.
The crowd stood, waiting for the official announcement of the Tora Ten — the chosen few who would be sworn into Raider training.
Damon stood still, sweaty, bruised, eyes wide with hope.
Kael stood outside the fence, fists clenched, chest heaving.
Then the voice of the Head Examiner boomed:
"The following candidates are selected…"
He read the names.
Cheers rose as the list reached its end.
But—
Damon's name was not called.
Instead, the noble boy Damon had defeated was declared 10th place.
The crowd paused.
Then whispers.
Then tension.
---
From the royal box, Euphelia stood up in disbelief.
"That's not right…"
Across from her, Captain Kaizen narrowed his eyes.
In the crowd, some began to shout:
"That kid beat him!"
"He earned it!"
"He should be in!"
But the Examiner raised his hand and declared:
"Damon Lancaster is hereby disqualified due to age restrictions. Minimum age is ten."
Gasps.
Booing.
The noble sponsors remained silent.
Kael closed his eyes — half in relief, half in rage.
---
Behind the arena, Damon stood alone.
He didn't cry.
He didn't protest.
But something broke quietly behind his eyes.
Kael finally reached him.
"You lied to me," Kael said coldly.
"I wanted to fight," Damon whispered.
"You almost died."
"I didn't."
Kael didn't know whether to hit him or hug him.
He just knelt and held his brother tightly.
---
Back at the examiner's table, the officer who let Damon register was publicly reprimanded.
He stood firm.
"There's no age on courage," he said. "No law that stops a child from protecting what matters."
They dismissed him.
But not all hearts disagreed.
---
At the closing ceremony, the Top 10 were presented:
- Top 3: All Kulkan — elite, noble, tall
- 4 Dryades, lithe and graceful
- 2 Luckan, including a quiet boy with sharp eyes
- 1 noble Ducan, bathed in cheers
Damon sat with Kael and Lina in the crowd, silent.
But when his face appeared on a replay crystal, showing his final duel—
The crowd stood.
They cheered him louder than the actual ten.
Damon didn't smile.
But his fingers curled into fists again.
---
The king, standing from his high seat, gave a short but powerful speech:
"Strength is not always found in age or status. Today, we saw bravery from all walks of life. Let this generation of Raiders rise — and may they protect this land with honor."
Some nobles clapped lightly.
Others looked away.
But among them, Euphelia clapped the hardest.
And below, Kael finally whispered:
"…You're not done, are you?"
Damon didn't answer.
He didn't need to.
---