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Chapter 22 - “Trial of Fate”

Moonlight streamed through the tall windows, bathing the quiet infirmary in a pale glow. The polished white walls felt cold, and the candles on the walls flickered with every passing draft. On the stone bed covered with fresh sheets sat Arian, half awake, his heart weighed down by an endless tide of unease.

The door opened softly, footsteps echoing against the floor. Eldrin entered—the instructor with long silver hair cascading over his shoulders, his pointed ears betraying his pure elven blood. His features were striking yet stern, and his emerald eyes seemed to pierce through Arian's very soul.

He pulled a chair beside the bed, resting his elbow on his knee as his deep voice filled the room.

"Three days have passed since you fell in the arena. Your body healed faster than I expected… but your true battle has yet to begin, Arian."

Arian's heart trembled. He whispered,

"My true battle…?"

Eldrin nodded slowly.

"Spirits. Everything in this kingdom—our entire world—rests upon them. Without a spirit, you are nothing more than an empty shell. With one, you hold the path to power. Without one… you are crushed."

He extended his hand, and a spark shimmered into existence, twisting into a swirl of green light.

"Spirits fall into five primary elements: fire, water, earth, wind, and metal. Each has its own nature, shaping both combat and destiny."

He lifted a finger, counting deliberately.

"But true strength isn't measured by element alone—it lies in the stage your spirit reaches:

1. Primary —a faint spark, no clear form.

2. Intermediate —a partial shape begins to emerge… a wing, a claw, a spear, a ripple.

3. Resonant —the pinnacle, when the spirit fully manifests as a true entity: a mythical beast, an elemental avatar, even a legendary humanoid form."

He paused, fixing Arian with a severe gaze.

"Most students spend their lives trapped at the primary stage. Some rise to the intermediate. Less than one percent ever touch resonance."

Arian swallowed hard, sweat beading down his temple.

If my spirit turns out to be nothing but a spark… they'll mock me forever. Worse still… I'm not even one of them. I'm a human disguised as an elf. If they discover the truth… it's over.

As if sensing his turmoil, Eldrin's voice softened.

"Tomorrow, we will conduct your Spirit Awakening. The device will reveal its nature. And after that… your future will stand bare before all."

Silence lingered as Eldrin left the room with slow, deliberate steps, leaving Arian to wrestle with his thoughts.

Night settled in, the chill seeping through the cracks of the window. As Arian stared at the ceiling, he felt a light weight on his chest. Turning, he saw Falco—the small black cat—curl beside him. Its golden eyes glowed faintly, twin flames in the darkness.

Falco stretched out a tiny paw, pressing it against Arian's chest. Suddenly, warmth surged through his veins, a river of light washing over him. The pain that had bound his body melted away, until he drifted into a dreamless sleep.

When dawn broke, Arian opened his eyes and stood with strength he could scarcely believe. His wounds were gone. In the mirror, his reflection looked different—reborn.

A faint smile touched his lips.

"I'm ready… for the trial."

As he stepped into the corridor, whispers rippled among the students.

"Wasn't that boy on the brink of death?"

"How could he recover so quickly?"

But Arian didn't look back. Only one question echoed in his mind:

What spirit will awaken within me

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