Four months after Thornpeak, Adrian stood in Ashbourne's rankings hall.
The board displayed twenty names—the academy's elite squires, ranked by performance across academics, combat capability, and mission success. Students gathered around it daily, watching positions shift as squires competed for recognition.
Two names dominated the top: Van Crestfall at first, Adrian Blackthorn at second.
"Impossible," a third-year muttered nearby. "Seven months enrolled and he's second-ranked elite?"
"Beat Riven Stonebreaker last week," another responded. "The guy who'd held second position for over a year. Adrian defeated him in ranked duel with just white Spirit Sword."
Van appeared beside him, studying the board with mixture of pride and competitive satisfaction. "You're one position behind me now. Four months ago, you were unranked. Now you're my only real competition."
Adrian had climbed systematically—twentieth after Thornpeak, then fifteenth, tenth, seventh, fifth, fourth, third. Each week brought new challenges. Each week, he exceeded them. Two weeks ago, he'd defeated Riven Stonebreaker in the ranked duel that mattered, claiming second position.
"You've held first rank for how long?" Adrian asked.
"Two years. Since I was first-year." Van smiled with quiet pride. "Earned it through capability, maintained it through constant work. But you're climbing faster than anyone I've seen. At this rate, you'll challenge me for first by year's end."
"Maybe."
"Definitely. I've seen your progression. Four months ago you were learning monster hunting fundamentals. Now you're executing missions that would challenge third-years." Van's expression turned serious. "Speaking of missions—any word on The Endless Night? It's been four months since Thornpeak. Complete silence."
"That's what worries kingdom command," Adrian said. "Silence after coordinated operations is never good sign."
The four months had been relentless in training and advancement, but eerily quiet regarding The Endless Night.
After Thornpeak, Adrian expected escalation—more attacks, more enhanced monsters, more black-masked operatives. Instead, nothing. Complete silence. No sightings, no operations, no evidence of activity.
But kingdom intelligence revealed disturbing pattern.
All six academies had encountered The Endless Night within the same two-week period as Thornpeak. Dawnspire, Ironfang, Stormwatch, Silverkeep, Stonewall—each reported enhanced monster attacks, black-masked operatives, professional combat tactics. And each found the same evidence: partially burned papers addressed to initials "M.S." with the message "mission finished."
Six coordinated operations across the kingdom. Six successful extractions. Six completed missions.
Then four months of absolute silence.
"It's calculated," Mistress Elara had told Adrian during a private briefing two weeks ago. "They executed kingdom-wide operations simultaneously, gathered whatever intelligence they needed, then vanished. High Command is deeply concerned about what they're planning with four months of preparation time."
Ranked duels had provided distraction from the ominous quiet. Adrian challenged systematically—defeating seventh-ranked, fifth-ranked, third-ranked. Each victory demonstrated superiority through skill, tactics, and when necessary, overwhelming crimson power.
The duel against Cassia Ironhart, third-ranked, had drawn academy-wide audience. Her blue Spirit Sword matched against his white in brutal exchange that lasted three minutes before Adrian's superior technique broke her defense. She yielded with grace, acknowledging the better warrior.
Riven Stonebreaker, the stone wall who'd held second position for fourteen months, fought harder. His blue Spirit Sword created defensive barriers that resisted normal attacks. But Adrian adapted mid-combat, exploiting weaknesses in the barrier technique, forcing Riven into purely offensive posture where Adrian's three-hundred-year experience dominated. Victory in five minutes.
Academic performance remained perfect. Master Torven declared Adrian's understanding of rune theory exceeded most third-years. Tactical analysis courses, monster anatomy studies, combat theory examinations—perfect marks across every category.
And through it all, whispers spread beyond Ashbourne's walls.
"The eastern academy has a prodigy," merchants said in every tavern across the kingdom. "Adrian Blackthorn. Crimson Spirit Sword. Seven months enrolled, second-ranked elite."
"Rising star," nobles discussed in capital courts. "Baron's son from Northwatch. Tournament champion turned monster hunter. The boy's climbing ranks like he's possessed."
"King Aldric watches his progress," royal advisors reported. "Unusual interest in Ashbourne squire. Perhaps sees potential for future service."
But darker whispers circulated among kingdom authorities.
"All six academies hit simultaneously," High Command officers reported. "The Endless Night coordinated kingdom-wide operations. Then vanished completely. Four months without single sighting. They're planning something."
"Papers all addressed to M.S.," intelligence agents noted. "Same mysterious figure commanding operations across the entire kingdom. Unknown identity, unknown location, unknown objectives."
Even in neighboring kingdoms, the rumors traveled.
"Arathor has a crimson Spirit Sword user," Valdris scouts reported. "Second-ranked at Ashbourne Academy. But more concerning—The Endless Night successfully executed operations across all six academies. Whatever they gathered, they have it now."
Seven months into Ashbourne, Van found Adrian in the dawn training yard—as always.
"Every morning, before sunrise," Van said, activating his blue Spirit Sword. "Your dedication is borderline obsessive."
"Discipline breeds excellence," Adrian replied, white Spirit Sword blazing along his blade. "Father drilled that into me at Northwatch."
They sparred—blue meeting white in controlled but intense exchange. Over four months, they'd fought dozens of times. Van won occasionally through superior experience. Adrian won more often through raw skill and demon-honed instincts.
This morning, Adrian won in two minutes.
"You're getting faster," Van said, breathing slightly harder. "Four months ago, these matches lasted ten minutes. Now you finish them in two."
"You're forcing me to improve. Best training partner I've had."
"Mutual. Fighting you sharpens my technique." Van deactivated his Spirit Sword, expression turning serious. "The Endless Night silence bothers me. Four months is long time to prepare. Whatever M.S. is planning with that coordinated intelligence..."
"High Command will find them eventually," Adrian said.
"Maybe. But coordinated operations across all six academies? That takes resources, planning, and inside knowledge of academy operations." Van met Adrian's eyes. "They knew where we'd be, how we'd respond, what we'd find. Someone fed them intelligence."
"You think there's a leak?"
"I think four months of silence after kingdom-wide success means they're planning something big. And we might not like what comes next."
That evening, Adrian sat in his quarters, reviewing mission reports. Four months of constant challenges, relentless progression, proving himself elite among Ashbourne's best.
The violet pendant rested warm against his chest—Alice's promise, her color, the reminder of what waited beyond academy. Her letters came regularly, describing Silverkeep challenges, political complications, her own progression toward early graduation.
A knock interrupted his thoughts. Van entered, carrying official document.
"Winter Trials summons just arrived." Van handed him the document, expression mixing excitement with determination. "The yearly inter-academy tournament. All six academies send their top ten squires. Sixty warriors total, single elimination brackets, random draws until two remain for the championship."
Adrian scanned the document. Dawnspire, Ironfang, Stormwatch, Ashbourne, Silverkeep, Stonewall—each academy's best competing to prove which institution trained the kingdom's strongest warriors.
"I've competed three times," Van said quietly. "Fifth place my first year, third place last year. Never won it. This is my final year at Ashbourne—my last chance to prove our academy trains champions."
"Third place is impressive."
"Not good enough. Not when I'm first-ranked here." Van met Adrian's eyes. "But this year, Ashbourne has something we've never had before—a crimson Spirit Sword user ranked second. Between us, we might actually win this."
Adrian studied the tournament structure. Random draws meant he could face anyone—Van, elite squires from other academies, warriors he'd never encountered. And among those sixty competitors...
"Silverkeep sends their top ten," Adrian said, understanding dawning.
"Princess Alice will be there," Van confirmed with slight smile. "Along with others from your tournament group. That Mira girl who placed third, she's at Silverkeep too, right? And I heard Edric enrolled at Stormwatch, Finn at Dawnspire. Your reunion might happen sooner than expected."
The violet pendant felt warm against Adrian's chest. Seven months of letters, promises kept through distance. And now, Winter Trials would bring them to the same place.
"One month away," Van said. "High Command observers, possibly royal attendance, kingdom-wide recognition. This is where we prove ourselves—not just as academy elites, but as the kingdom's future."
Adrian touched the pendant one more time. Alice would be there—seven months apart, finally seeing each other again. Mira would be with her, as always. And Edric and Finn, who he hadn't seen since the trials ended. The letters had kept them connected through academy separation, sharing progress across different institutions.
Winter Trials. Sixty of the kingdom's best squires. Six academies competing for supremacy.
And somewhere in that tournament, he'd see them all again—reuniting after months apart, now elite warriors representing their academies.
Time to show the kingdom what they'd all become.