A week after his narrow victory in the First-Year Trials, Lucien's summons came as the academy slumbered beneath a storm-darkened sky. A message sealed with archaic glyphs instructed him to the Obsidian Spire at midnight—alone.Heart pounding, he ascended the spiraling staircase inside the spire's black walls until he reached a vast chamber illuminated by orb-like flames. The hidden council's members—the clandestine architects of fate—sat in shadowed thrones. Their eyes glowed faintly, absorbing every inch of his presence."Lucien Arden," the headmaster intoned, robes flowing like liquid night. "You have tampered with destiny beyond the will of the gods. Now, prove your resolve."Before him, an alcove opened, revealing a swirling vortex of light and shadow—a gateway to the Trial of Illusions.Illusions of MemoryEmerging from the portal, Lucien found himself in a fog-drifted forest, where whispers laced the air."Face what fate has locked away within your past," the system intoned.Fog thickened. Shapes morphed into faceless figures, echoing voices distorted by time. Suddenly, he was a boy again—helpless as his family rejected his ambition, branding him a failure unworthy of their name.Pain seared through him. The very fabric of his being threatened to unravel beneath oppressive fate's weight.Harnessing the PlunderClenching his fists, Lucien focused the ethereal energy whispered to him days ago—the fragments of stolen fate pulsing in his veins."Plunder Fate"—the skill that could steal power—was now his true shield. He touched the memories swirling around him and, instead of shrinking, absorbed their faded strength. Each regret, humiliation, and doubt transformed into echoing resilience.The illusion faltered.Specter of the AuthorThe fog parted, revealing a colossal figure cloaked in endless ink, eyes blindfolded—the Author, the unseen force shaping all."You defy the script, mortal," the Author's voice resonated like thunder. "Yet free will corrupts the story's flow."Lucien's heart raced. "I am not a pawn. I will write my own fate."The Author's blindfold dropped, revealing eyes swirling with infinite worlds. "Then craft well… or suffer oblivion."Return and ResolveLucien awoke back in the chamber as the council watched, astonished by his endurance."Few endure the Divine Trial and emerge unchanged," the headmaster said, voice tempered. "You are marked. Fate will test you severely."The system confirmed:
Objective updated: Survive the trials and reclaim your destiny.
New skill unlocked: Fate's Echo—access to whispers of possible futures.As the council dissolved into shadows, Celeste's earlier warning echoed in his mind: "Your confidence will either save or erase you."Lucien stepped into the storm beyond the spire, lightning reflecting in his eyes."I will carve my path beyond fate's chains."