The battlefield was alive with magic, dust, and anticipation. The Trial Grounds—a massive coliseum surrounded by runes and elemental wards—hummed with ancient energy. Towering cliffs lined the edges, and four stone platforms floated in the center, shifting positions with every new match.
The first round of the trials had begun.
From the viewing balcony, the instructors and nobles watched, taking notes with hawk-like focus. The students were called in pairs, the duels fierce and unforgiving.
Celeste's name came early.
She stepped onto the field, her expression unreadable. Her opponent was a sharp-eyed boy from the House of Ironheart—adept in wind blades and acceleration techniques. Celeste narrowed her eyes as the bell rang.
She could feel the eyes on her—the headmaster's, the nobles'. Her fingers twitched. Constellation magic surged beneath her skin, whispering to be used. But she took a breath.
Not yet. Not here.
The boy launched at her, twin wind blades slicing the air. She dodged them easily, leaving illusions in her wake using Gemini's duplication. She danced past his attacks with Capricorn's endurance and Sagittarius' speed. But instead of counterattacking, she let a blow connect with her side, stumbling backward.
A moment later, the judge called out: "Winner—Ereon Stoneforge!"
The crowd murmured in shock.
Celeste bowed and walked off silently. Her chest burned—not from pain but restraint. She had lost… intentionally. She needed to keep her powers hidden. Her role wasn't here. Not yet.
Back in the waiting lounge, Lyra was pacing. Her opponent, a well-built student who could wield sound waves, smirked at her as they walked into the battlefield.
She struggled at first, her summoning faltering under pressure. But when she remembered Celeste's words—that she had her own strengths—she breathed deeply and called forth a flame-winged hawk.
The crowd gasped.
With a sharp command, the hawk screeched and burst into a ring of fire, knocking her opponent unconscious.
"Winner—Lyra Ellenvale!"
Rhydan's match was ruthless. The moment the bell rang, he clenched his fists and shattered the ground beneath his opponent's feet using his House of Destruction ability. He didn't give the boy a chance to breathe. A single crackling punch and the match was over.
"Winner—Rhydan Valehart!"
Kael followed next, manipulating shadows with elegant cruelty. He danced through his enemy's lightning attacks like a ghost, emerging from their shadow to strike the final blow.
"Winner—Kael Vireon!"
Valric stepped in after, water swirling around his arms from the House of Dragon's lineage. With precision, he summoned a spear of water and sent it slicing through his opponent's shield.
"Winner—Valric Drakonis!"
Auren's entrance was met with loud cheers. His fire aura flared bright, his control honed. He used bursts of flame to corner his opponent and ended the match with a fiery dragon roar that shook the coliseum.
"Winner—Auren Drakonis!"
All around, magic clashed, dreams shattered, and destinies ignited.
Celeste sat alone in the shadows of the stands, her hand clutched against her wound, hiding the slight smirk tugging at her lips.
She had lost. And yet, the real trial was only just beginning.