Sovereign Class Trial Arena
A thunderous roar echoed across the cliffs.
Below, a massive arena had been carved into the bones of the mountain — jagged rock, obsidian pillars, and runes etched in gold lined the arena walls. Flames burned along its rim, flickering with unnatural life.
The Crimson Class stood in formation, their uniforms tightened, tension laced in every breath.
Above them, seated on elevated platforms, the Sovereign Class watched in silence — their symbols glowing behind them like holy sigils.
A gong sounded.
And from the center of the arena descended Sera Aethersong — her silver hair tied back, eyes sharper than blades. Wind coiled around her feet as if greeting a queen.
"This is your Sovereign Trial," she said, her voice amplified by wind.
"You will not pass as a team. You will not be graded as students."
"You will fight. Individually."
Her eyes scanned them, lingering on Chris.
"And you… will face me again."
Chris's heartbeat spiked.
Sovereign Trial Round 1: Chris vs Sera
The moment the bell rang, the world exploded.
Chris surged forward, flames dancing across his skin like living tattoos. Ignis flared in full form behind him — wings of phoenix-fire roaring into existence.
Sera raised a single hand. The air cracked, and in a heartbeat, Sylphael emerged — a translucent serpent of wind coiling around her body, its eyes gleaming with violent intent.
Clash.
Chris punched — the ground behind him erupted.
Sera dodged, her body flickering in a blink. She moved like light, like wind without anchor. Her kicks were silent. Her counters brutal.
He threw a fireball. She broke it apart with a whisper.
"You're stronger," she said as she blocked his strike, their faces inches apart. "But still predictable."
Chris's eyes ignited. "Not this time."
He screamed — and Ignis fused into his body, veins glowing with molten red. The air warped. The ground began melting beneath him.
A final blow surged forth.
Sera… smiled.
Wind vanished.
Then reappeared behind him.
BOOM!
Chris was thrown across the arena, crashing into a wall. His body smoked. His aura collapsed.
Sera stood tall, unshaken.
"Next."
Outside the Arena – Moments Later
Chris coughed as medics dragged him to the side. Rhea knelt beside him, gently cooling his burns with mist.
"You did better," she said.
"Didn't win," he muttered, grimacing.
"You don't have to win yet. You just have to grow."
Nearby, Kira stood in silence.
He hadn't been called.
Not yet.
But he felt it.
His trial would be different.
Secret Chamber Beneath the Arena
Darkness.
Kira stepped into the chamber alone, following the quiet signal that only he had received — a blue sigil etched into the inside of his collar.
He found himself in a crystal chamber. Water dripped from above. Cold mist curled at his feet.
A single figure stood ahead.
Aqua.
Not as a whispering spirit — but in her full, ethereal form. Robes of ice and waves, her eyes pale as winter frost.
"You've bonded with my power," she said. "But not with me."
Kira's breath hitched. "What do you mean?"
She raised her hand.
The walls shimmered — and suddenly, hundreds of icy projections surrounded him. Each one was him — different versions. In one, he was broken. In another, cold-blooded. In another, king.
"This is your trial," she whispered. "Face the version of yourself you fear the most."
The ice began to crack.
And from it stepped a version of Kira with crimson eyes — cold, merciless, and soaked in blood.
Council War Table – Same Time
Reivana's hands tightened around the edge of the table.
The latest reports shimmered in the center projection — Leo had been spotted near the Demon Wastes. Magical anomalies were spiking. Ancient ruins had begun to stir.
And now the Crimson Class was being tested — perhaps too harshly.
"The Sovereign Class is accelerating the trials too fast," growled the Beastkin Elder. "We should be coordinating, not exhausting our only hope."
The Elven Matriarch raised a brow. "Or we should let them burn, so we know which flame is worth following."
The Demon seat remained empty.
But a scroll had been delivered.
Sealed with Leo's old sigil.
Kira vs Kira (Aqua Trial)
Blades clashed in the mist.
The corrupted Kira moved like a ghost — no hesitation, no mercy. He bled power with every strike, every dodge, every smirk.
"You hesitate," the dark version snarled. "You still care."
Kira spun, deflecting with an icy spear. "That's what makes me stronger."
"Wrong." The fake Kira stabbed forward. "That's what makes you weak."
Kira gritted his teeth — then shattered the spear in his hand and pulled water from the very air. It spiraled around him in an elegant flow, coiling into a crescent arc.
He whispered:
"Phantom Aqua: Final Waltz."
And slashed.
The illusion crumbled. The mist faded.
Aqua smiled.
"You've accepted yourself. Now wield me fully."
Final Arena Trial
When Kira emerged from the inner sanctum, all eyes turned.
His aura had changed.
It was colder. Quieter. But no less powerful.
Sera's lips parted slightly in surprise.
Liora, watching through projection, tilted her head with interest.
Reivana received the alert in her crystal communicator.
"Synchronization rate—97%."
Scene – Demon Wastes
Leo stood on the broken earth, holding the scroll the demons had sent.
His expression was unreadable.
His vessel's skin cracked slightly — magic leaking from the seams.
"They're almost ready," he said softly.
He closed his eyes, and the world pulsed.
Beasts began rising from the shadows.