The morning air hummed with anticipation as the first day of the Astral Sovereign Championship finally dawned. The massive Celestial Convergence Arena glimmered overhead like a floating crown, casting shifting rivers of pale-blue starlight across the ground below. Thousands of disciples from the seven great academies flooded into the battlefield plaza, their robes fluttering, their hearts pounding, their eyes wide with a mixture of awe and fear.
For Zeref Ying, the moment felt unreal. Only weeks ago he was a newcomer struggling to control the mysterious Aetherion inside him. Now he stood among the chosen—one of the five representing the Heavenly Blade Academy. Ren Huoran and Lin Yuexin stood beside him in quiet confidence, and Mei Lian—soft-spoken but steady—watched the swirling arena with calm eyes, her gentle smile bringing a strange balance to the volatile atmosphere. And then there was Darius Huang, Zeref's rival, shoulders squared, chin lifted, expression sharp.
The moment Darius saw Zeref, his lips curled into a smirk.
"So the rumors were true," he said loud enough for several nearby disciples to hear. "The Heavenly Blade Academy must be desperate if they allowed a novice like you on the main team."
Zeref didn't flinch. He simply met Darius' gaze, steady and composed. "Selection wasn't done based on seniority."
"Oh no, I'm sure it wasn't," Darius said mockingly. "Probably was out of pity."
Ren stepped forward instantly. "Or maybe the elders recognized talent when they saw it."
Yuexin also moved closer, her voice soft yet firm. "Your arrogance is showing again, Darius. We're a team. Try to act like one."
Darius scoffed but didn't reply, clicking his tongue as he turned toward the arena gates. The tension remained thick around them, but Zeref silently appreciated his friends' support. Even Mei Lian placed a calming hand on his arm.
"Don't let him cloud your spirit," she whispered. "Your path is your own."
Zeref nodded, exhaling slowly. Today wasn't about rivalry—it was about proving himself worthy.
Moments later, the massive gates of the Celestial Arena swung open, releasing a wave of shimmering astral energy that rippled through the crowd. The disciples began entering the battlefield in rows, filling every platform, every balcony, every segment of the colosseum-like structure.
High above, on the grand observation terrace, the teachers, masters, and elders of each academy gathered. Miss Lin stood among them in her flowing azure robes, the wind tugging gently at her long hair. Even from below, Zeref felt her gaze on him—a soft warmth that steadied his breath.
On the floating central platform, Elder Shufen of the Cloudsong Sect—the official host and overseer—stepped forward. Her white hair floated like mist, and her voice echoed across the arena with clear, commanding resonance.
"Welcome, disciples of the Seven Great Academies," she announced, her tone carrying both pride and lethal authority. "Today marks the beginning of the Astral Sovereign Championship—seven days, seven trials, where brilliance and fate intertwine."
The arena erupted into applause from all sides. Even the air seemed to vibrate with excitement.
Elder Shufen raised her hand, and the noise instantly fell silent.
"For those newly participating: the Championship is not a mere spectacle—it is a test of capability, spirit, discipline, and destiny. Each day, your academies will earn points based on performance. At the end of the seventh day, the academy with the highest total shall claim the title of Astral Sovereign."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the crowd.
"The rewards," she continued, "are not trivial. The winning team shall be granted the Astral Crown, celestial badges, Starforge tokens, ancient scrolls, and Aether-imbued treasures. And above all—glory. For yourselves, and for your academies."
Zeref felt his heart hammer at the word "Aether." Beside him, Ren's eyes lit with excitement, while Yuexin clasped her hands tightly. Even Darius' stance grew sharper, determined.
Elder Shufen extended her sleeve, sending trails of silver mist spiraling upward. They converged above the arena, forming a luminous diagram of constellations.
"Now," she said, "let us begin with The Trial of Constellations."
The entire battlefield trembled.
Light burst through the ground. The floor beneath them dissolved into a cosmic starfield—an endless map of constellations shifting and weaving, glowing in shades of sapphire and gold. Each step felt buoyant, weightless, as if gravity itself bent according to the moving lights.
Gasps echoed around the arena.
"The first trial tests reaction, balance, and adaptability," Elder Shufen declared. "You must strike astral targets that emerge from the constellation patterns. Some constellations grant boosts. Others… illusions. The terrain will change every thirty breaths. Cooperate—or falter."
Zeref's pulse quickened. This wasn't simple combat. It was spiritual perception fused with agility. A test that mirrored the movement of celestial bodies—unpredictable and complex.
"Teams," Elder Shufen said, her eyes gleaming, "prepare yourselves."
A surge of anticipation rolled through the participants.
Suddenly, a heated voice rose from behind them—Crimson Ember Institute's Yun Shao.
"Try not to embarrass yourselves, Heavenly Blade!" he shouted. "Especially you—'new recruit.'"
His mocking glare was fixed directly on Zeref.
Darius clicked his tongue. "See? Even our rivals think you're weak."
Ren shot him a glare. "If you pull this attitude during the trial, you'll be the one weakening us."
Darius opened his mouth to retort, but Yuexin stepped between them, expression sharp.
"Enough. We start in moments. Act like teammates."
Her tone left no room for argument.
Darius looked away, jaw clenched, clearly irritated. Mei Lian only sighed softly, preparing her healing energy just in case internal conflict worsened.
Zeref inhaled deeply. The team's discord was already becoming an obstacle. But he knew he had to remain centered. The trial would punish hesitation.
Then—
The air crackled.
Astral symbols burst from the starfield. Targets shaped like glowing orbs and streaks of light shot into the sky, weaving erratically.
Elder Shufen lowered her hand.
"Begin."
The arena exploded into motion.
The disciples from all seven academies leapt, dodged, and spun across the starfield, their footsteps triggering trails of glowing constellation patterns. Targets shimmered in and out of existence—some like harmless wisps, others blazing bright like falling stars.
Ren dashed forward instantly, his steps swift and precise, slicing a glowing target in half with perfect timing. Yuexin followed, focusing on high-altitude orbs, her spiritual arrows shooting like streaks of moonlight.
Zeref rushed in, the starfield shifting under his feet. The movements were unpredictable—one moment buoyant, the next heavy. But he adapted quickly, using instinct more than logic.
He struck a target—and immediately the constellation beneath him sparked, sending a sudden wave of energy through his body. His balance wavered.
"Zeref, right!" Mei Lian called.
Another target shot toward him. He pivoted, narrowly avoiding it. She was already moving behind him, guiding him with her calm voice.
"You touched the Lupus constellation," she said. "It creates gravity fluctuations. Adjust your footing."
"Thanks," he breathed, steadying himself.
But to the side—
Darius darted forward, slashing wildly at any target that moved. His strikes were powerful, but reckless. He triggered three conflicting constellations at once—one boosting his speed, another distorting his vision, the third creating mirror illusions around him.
Ren shouted, "Darius! Slow down—!"
"I don't need advice from you," Darius snapped, swinging blindly at an illusionary orb.
The illusions multiplied, swirling around him. In seconds, he struck a phantom target, stumbling forward. The ground shimmered, destabilizing from his misstep.
Zeref reacted instantly.
He lunged forward, grabbing Darius' wrist and pulling him back before he crashed into a constellation pattern that radiated ominous red light.
Darius jerked his arm free, furious. "I didn't need your help!"
"You were about to hit a cursed pattern," Zeref said calmly.
"Mind your own business!"
Ren scoffed from a distance. "He just saved your life, genius!"
Yuexin shook her head, exasperated. "We don't have time for this."
But Zeref didn't argue. The trial wasn't done, and already the arena floor was shifting again—the constellations rearranging themselves like living threads.
From the stands, Miss Lin watched silently, her eyes fixed on Zeref. When one particular constellation flared beneath his feet—a symbol shaped like a spiraling core of light—her breathing subtly hitched.
She recognized the pattern.
Aetherion.
It appeared only for a heartbeat before fading, but she saw it clearly. Her knuckles tightened on her sleeve.
He's adapting too quickly, she thought. Faster than he should. It's responding to him.
Below, Zeref felt a strange pulse inside his core, a soft thrum, as if something ancient was stirring. But he pushed it aside. The trial demanded his focus.
Hundreds of targets burst into the air again, more chaotic than before. The starfield shimmered violently—this was clearly the next phase of the round.
Ren called, "Group left!"
Yuexin shouted, "Targets incoming!"
Mei Lian murmured, "Watch your steps—the constellation paths are accelerating."
And Darius—
Still refused to cooperate.
But Zeref stepped forward without hesitation. They had no choice but to work together, even if Darius resisted.
As they moved deeper into the shifting lights, the trial grew harsher—illusions flickered, targets multiplied, and whole sections of the starfield flipped their gravitational pull.
Zeref's breath grew faster, his muscles burning, but his focus sharpened with every movement.
Yet he could feel it—
This round was far from over.
And the real challenge was only beginning.
The sky above them darkened suddenly, constellations twisting into new formations. The disciples braced themselves as the arena trembled, and Elder Shufen raised her hand once more.
"The trial… enters Phase Two."
A cliff shaking beneath their feet.
A thousand targets blazing in the sky.
And Zeref's heart pounding with a power he barely understood.
The constellation of Aetherion had stirred.
And the trial had only just begun.
---
To be continued...