Chapter 10 - Chapter 10: The Rite of Ascendance

The grand amphitheater of Ardentvale Academy was alive with a radiant energy as torchlight flickered against ancient stone walls, draping the night in warm gold. Tonight was the Rite of Ascendance—a sacred ceremony celebrating those chosen by fate, blessing them with divine power and cementing their positions in the academy's hierarchy.Nobles, students, and officials filled the tiers, their faces eager and expectant. Lucien's eyes scanned the crowd from the shadows behind a pillar, the stolen Black Codex secured beneath his cloak. Beside him, Celeste tightened her grip, ready for what would come.The Ceremony BeginsThe headmaster's voice boomed over the crowd, proclaiming the virtues of destiny and order. He raised the ancient Celestial Scepter, signaling the start of the ritual.One by one, favored students stepped forward, entering a circle inscribed with glowing runes. Each received a divine blessing—an ethereal light enveloping them, signifying their rise above ordinary fate.But Lucien and Celeste watched with growing unease. This display masked a grim truth: the council's blessings were forged through manipulation and suppression, solidifying their control.The DisruptionAs the final chosen ascended, Lucien whispered the incantation stolen from the Codex, weaving a counterspell that pulsed beneath the ceremony's magic.A sudden ripple tore through the runes. Lights flickered and eyes widened in shock."Fate is not unchangeable!" Lucien's voice rang clear as he stepped onto the stage, defiance blazing in his gaze.Before stunned silence, the stolen magic ignited—runes cracking, divine light flickering—and the ascendants' blessings faltered, revealing their flawed bonds.Chaos erupted.Clash with the CouncilEnforcers surged forward, led by The Veil and Ronan, shadows clashing with rebel light. The amphitheater became a storm of magic, steel, and willpower.Lucien fought fiercely, plundering bursts of fate energy to counter overwhelming odds. Celeste's icy spells cut through the darkness, carving pathways for their allies to rally.A Turning PointThe crowd, once silent, erupted into murmurs and cries—some fearful, some inspired.Lucien's words echoed: "We choose our own destinies!"The first cracks in the council's grip showed. Nearby students who had felt powerless before now whispered of revolution.AftermathRetreating to safety, Lucien and Celeste felt the weight of their actions. The council's wrath would be swift and merciless, but the spark of rebellion was ignited.The system's words flickered: Objective Updated: Lead the Resistance to Freedom.Lucien glanced down at the Codex, knowing the path ahead would test every ounce of strength and courage they had.This chapter highlights a pivotal public defiance and rising tensions between protagonist and authority, key to deepening the plot and enthralling readers in the struggle for self-determination ��.