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1. Uninvited Guests
It began with the arrival of four floating carriages, each gilded with a different noble crest.
From the House of Ironsong, known for its enchanted weapons.
From the House of Merelith, masters of illusion and diplomacy.
From the House of Dawnveil, skyward sorcerers famous for aerial rites.
And, most notably, from the obscure but incredibly wealthy House Myrravelle.
The students whispered as the carriages descended near the observation towers. Nobles never came in person for entrance exams. At best, they sent proxies or tokens of favor. But today, the patriarchs and matriarchs themselves were arriving.
Aaron, walking toward the arena, noticed the sudden crowd thickening near the instructor towers.
"Is there… a parade today?" he asked.
Lily, walking beside him, didn't answer. She was too busy glaring at the approaching nobles.
"They came to observe you," she muttered. "Some think you're part of the ancient lineages. Others think you're a rogue divine beast in disguise."
Aaron blinked. "I'm what?"
Nova arrived in a flash of flame-ribboned light, smiling slyly. "Try not to vaporize anyone with your aura today, hmm?"
"I've never vaporized anyone."
Nova just patted his shoulder. "That's what makes you so terrifying."
---
2. Trials Continue – "The Bold Challenger"
The next combatant was Rye Grell—a commoner from a farming region, with stone magic and a strangely calm demeanor.
He stepped into the arena with no fanfare, no entourage, no armor. Just cracked knuckles and a pair of reinforced boots.
Aaron raised a brow. "He's interesting. No weapon?"
"He doesn't need one," Lily said. "He uses earth pulses. Can punch through bedrock if angry."
The summoned beast was a six-legged dire cougar. Agile. Fast. Deadly.
Rye took one look at it.
Then stomped once.
The ground beneath the cougar shifted—subtly, quickly, and with terrifying accuracy.
The beast lost its footing and slammed into the dirt face-first.
The crowd blinked.
Rye didn't move again. He just stared at it.
The cougar stood again, snarled, lunged.
Another stomp—this time behind Rye.
A sudden jut of stone sent the creature flying backward like a kicked doll.
Gasps.
Even one of the noble observers rose to his feet.
"I want him," muttered Lord Merelith.
Rye looked up at Aaron, hesitated—then gave a deep, respectful nod.
Aaron nodded back. "Well-structured strikes."
That sentence alone sent a ripple through the stands.
To the students, it was the equivalent of divine praise.
Rye walked off the field unscathed. As he passed Axel, the boy muttered, "He got a sentence."
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3. Axel's Growing Doubt
Axel clenched his fists.
He couldn't stand it.
Another nobody getting praised. Another worm climbing the ladder meant for him.
This was his story.
He had studied, trained, prepared for every single arc. And yet… his own instructor hadn't so much as looked at him since the preliminary tests.
He glanced up.
Aaron was smiling faintly as he sipped tea.
It was worse than a scowl.
"I'll prove it," Axel whispered. "I'll make them see me."
Beside him, a shadow shifted unnaturally. But Axel didn't notice.
---
4. The Failed Noble
Next came Varon Eltes, second son of a failing noble house. Cloaked in outdated robes and wielding a brittle wand, he walked stiffly onto the field.
The summoned beast was a crystal drake—low-tier but unpredictable.
Varon cast immediately. Mana burst forward—sloppy, overcharged, and barely stabilized.
His opening spell collided with the barrier before reaching the drake.
The drake roared and pounced.
Varon screamed.
Aaron stood halfway up. "Should I—?"
The drake was knocked aside before it struck.
Lily had moved.
Her fire rites split the air in a crackling burst of heat, circling the drake in a containment ring. It collapsed, subdued.
Varon passed out.
The healers dragged him away.
Lily returned to the instructor's deck. "Hopeless. Not even shield layering."
Aaron looked troubled. "He's not going to pass, is he?"
"He's not going to walk without limping for a week."
Nova giggled. "Poor thing. Maybe he shouldn't have tried to impress you."
Aaron leaned on the rail. "I wasn't even watching him…"
---
5. Political Currents Beneath the Surface
In the noble viewing tower, soft discussions began.
"I heard House Virelith arranged a marriage with him."
"He's the last Aetherwyn heir, isn't he?"
"Didn't that House vanish in the Skyfall War?"
"No. He's the son of the late Grand Scholar. The one who shattered the Storm Vault."
Speculation turned to reverence.
And fear.
None dared speak to Aaron directly—not even the noble elders.
Lily noticed.
"They're dancing around you like you're an unstable artifact," she muttered.
Nova added, "Good. Keeps them respectful."
"I'd prefer a handshake," Aaron sighed.
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6. The Last Duel of the Day
The bell rang.
One final name.
"Sylva Renn," the announcer called.
A girl with dual-toned hair—white and navy—stepped into the arena. She held a violin.
Aaron tilted his head. "A bard?"
"She weaves spells through music," Lily explained. "Rare. Very hard to master in combat."
The summoned creature was a spectral warg, its body flickering with ethereal flame.
Sylva placed bow to string.
And played.
Each note bent the creature's movement. Twisting. Slowing. Calming. She altered tempo mid-battle—accelerating, decelerating, harmonizing with its heartbeat.
The crowd fell silent.
Even the nobles watched with narrowed eyes.
The warg roared, but she struck a high note—vibrating through its form—and it dissipated into mist.
Aaron clapped softly.
The only time he had ever done so.
Sylva's face flushed red. She bowed.
"Excellent control," Aaron said.
She nodded quickly, then nearly ran from the field.
Lily glanced over. "You're accidentally recruiting a cult."
"I was just being polite…"
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7. Sunset and New Rumors
As the day closed, the nobles departed in silence.
None approached Aaron.
But all had taken notes.
Axel, hiding in the upper rows, scowled at the sunset. "I need to act soon. Before he turns the whole academy into his church."
Behind him, the strange shadow moved again.
It was listening.
In the instructor's wing, Lily crossed her arms. "Tomorrow will be the halfway point. Expect something big."
Nova's smile faded. "I feel it too."
Aaron sipped his tea and stared at the clouds.
He felt nothing at all.
But the world was already changing around him.
And beneath the academy, the sealed chamber pulsed again—resonating faintly with the presence of the one above it.
The one they all feared.
The one who had no idea.
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End of Chapter 38