Aelina Faewyn Moonveil — POV
Every day, we ran until our legs gave out and we collapsed to our knees. After that, we were dragged to the training grounds, where we swung our weapons like madmen until our arms went numb. Mana was forbidden—Arthur wanted our bodies to grow first, to be tempered through pain alone.
Most of the candidates couldn't keep up. One by one, they collapsed, fell behind, or were quietly removed.
But not me.
And not him.
I have always been seen as a genius, not just in my family, but as someone more talented than even the Duke's daughter. I was born into a Viscount family, the illegitimate child of the family head. He slept with my maid mother when he was drunk. My mother died after I was born, and I could always see it in my father's eyes—he viewed me as a mistake. My stepmother looked at me like an insect.
Only my brother treated me well. That is why I follow in my brother Ceaser's footsteps and want to become a knight. Since childhood, I have learned everything fast. I can use mana as easily as breathing. No one in my generation has ever defeated me, and I came here to prove once again why I am called a genius.
But why is this "nobody" defeating me in every way possible?
How can he be so fast and have that much stamina where I lack? His only flaw is his glasses, probably because of his weak eyesight, and his mana isn't as impressive as mine—yet he is still surpassing me.
The first time I saw him was in the government office when he came to use the portal. He wasn't as attractive as Nen, who was my friend. The only reason I noticed him was because he was with Tev—the knight who took my brother's captaincy.
I want revenge for my brother. I planned to defeat the boy chosen as a representative by Sir Tev, but hearing he was a commoner, I felt nothing but disappointment.
However, seeing him now, I realize he is a genius like me. Even Commander Arthur has given him more attention because he is also a dual sword user.
The training session ended, but I remained, practicing with my rapier. I had a strain in my hands, but I refused to give up. So what if I'm not getting the attention? That doesn't change the fact that I am going to win the competition.
Suddenly, a hand grabbed me from the back. I instinctively attacked with my rapier, but he caught it with just his fingers.
It was none other than my brother.
"Why are you pushing yourself so hard, Aelina?" my brother asked, looking down at my trembling hands.
I stayed silent. I didn't want to tell my brother about him.
"Look, Aelina, I know what you have been facing these last twenty days. But do not forget who you are. You are a Noble, bound to go higher. As for commoners? Once in a century, there is always one who rises to the top. Take the example of the newly selected Hero of Light, who was also a commoner," my brother said, his voice soothing. "So what if he is better than you right now? You should not let him play with your mind."
"I know, brother. That's why I know he can never truly beat me. So what if he is good with stamina and strength? Those things don't always let you win," I said with renewed confidence.
"Haha, that's my egoist sister. Now go and rest. You will hear good news in the morning."
I wanted to ask him what he meant, but he simply told me to go.
I watched my sister Aelina walk away until she was far enough. Then, I called out to the presence hiding in the darkness.
"Hmm, has it started?" I asked the person emerging from the shadows.
"It is almost done, sir. The children are in my control. When they wake up tomorrow, they will think everything that happened tonight was just a dream," he said.
"What will the Commander do when he finds out? When he investigates, he will eventually know it was the work of a Demon Contractor," I said to the black figure.
"Don't worry. The Commander will be outside for five days and is not present today. So, the matter should go to the Duke himself. I believe the Duke will treat it as 'children's play'—accidents that happen in games—and he will put down the matter," he explained.
I applauded him for thinking so far ahead.
Hahaha. Tev, do you really think you can defeat me just because you brought someone with talent? By tomorrow morning, he will be no more.
Tyler Draven — POV
These past days, all I've done is train. Nothing more. I got so involved in the training that I hadn't even noticed I broke through to D- rank.
[STATUS WINDOW]
Name: Tyler Draven (15)
Race: Human
Class: Swordsman Novice
(Ancient Class: Darkstar Monarch)
Rank: D-
Strength: E+
Intelligence: E
Agility: D
Endurance: D-
Charm: D
Mana: E+
Affinity: Darkness, Space (locked)
Skills:
• Shadow Step
• Dark Pressure
• Umbral Burst
• Dark Slash
Finally, I broke through the ranks. I can see my strength and stats have increased by a sub-rank. I also noticed my age has gone from 14 to 15. It looks like my birthday passed without me even knowing.
By breaking into the D- rank, I'm pretty sure I will win without a doubt... but only if she doesn't use the technique she used in the God Trial on one of the main story heroines.
For some reason, I feel Aelina glaring at me constantly. I don't know why. On the other hand, Commander Arthur seems to have taken a liking to me. He even gave me a technique called the Two-Star Sword Art: Twin Crescent Style.
He gave it to me after seeing how I use my dual swords, saying, "This art has five forms which are mostly focused on speed and mana. I am giving you this because I think it will suit you."
I could only say thank you. I was struggling with how to get an Art, because even this sword art is expensive as fuck.
Ding!
A familiar sound rang out.
[Side Quest: Night of Survival]
[Reward: Gain an A-Rank Art]
[Failure: Death]
What? Why now?
I looked around. I was in the bathroom—a massive communal area where we all wash up together. I had come to take a bath late to avoid people looking at me because of my eyes.
I was wearing only a towel and nothing more. I felt a spike of tension. Who do I have to face now? Tev? It has to be serious because of the A-Rank reward.
That was when I heard the sound of footsteps.
It was the other candidates. They were fully clothed and carrying their weapons. I saw someone close the bathroom door and place an artifact on it.
I stood my ground, cautious, waiting for more... but I didn't see anyone else. If there isn't anyone stronger here, and it's just these children, then I have to say I've already won without putting up a fight. Just one skill can put them on their knees. And since that skill has grown, the effect has grown too.
I was calm.
A lot more than calm.
"What are you doing?" I asked casually.
"Nothing. Just came here to take a bath," said one of the children with a smiling tone.
"If you are here for a bath, why are you in clothes and holding weapons?" I asked.
He stopped responding. I could see they had completely surrounded me. Even the commoner candidates were here to hunt me.
We were all in one place, and no one was making a move.
"Why? Don't want to go first?" I said, slowly starting to walk toward them.
Suddenly, someone shot an arrow at me. I dodged by jumping back, but that triggered the rest. All of them launched at me.
I activated my skill.
Dark Pressure.
.
.
.
Nothing happened.
Someone lunged at me with a dagger. I dodged it and tried to channel mana into my hand but... nothing.
Then I realized what they had put on the door. It wasn't a soundproof barrier. It was a Mana Cancellation Artifact.
Fuck.
A cloth was thrown over my face. The last thing I saw was all their weapons pointed straight at me.