Lucien waved his hand, and a group of women in silver-hemmed robes moved swiftly through the hall. Their hands glowed with soft white light as they tended to the injured participants.
One healer approached Eirian, She hovered her palm centimeters above his wounded bleeding shoulder, and a warm tingling sensation spread through his flesh as the torn muscle and skin began to knit together, her brow damp with sweat.
"So this is their healing art?" Eirian mused, observing the intricate dance of energy. "She's shaping Starflow into a pentagonal lattice—efficient but wasteful."
"You're fortunate," the healer murmured, her voice strained. "The bite missed the major arteries."
Eirian barely nodded, his attention inward. Soulless Flame, do you recognize this technique?
A lazy voice echoed in his mind: "Birth-gifted healing element. Crude patternwork. She'll exhaust herself in ten minutes at this rate—typical of low-tier medics. All nurture, no bite."
Meanwhile, across the hall, Selenia stood rigid as another healer tended to her wounds. Though the physical injuries closed, her pride remained raw. Her violet eyes burned as they fixed on Eirian.
How dare he humiliate me in front of everyone? Her nails dug into her palms. I'll make him choke on his arrogance!
A whisper slithered into her mind—a voice only she could hear: "Shall I remove this insect, my lady? His disrespect warrants death!!"
Selenia's jaw tightened. "No, Aunt Aqua,"she thought back. "This is my hunt." The presence in the shadows—her lifelong guardian, retreated, though Selenia could still feel her disapproval.
Once the last wound was sealed, Lucien motioned for silence. He produced eleven dark blue badges, each embossed with a crimson half-moon.
"Your new identity," he declared, pressing one into Eirian's palm. The metal was unnaturally cold. "This token records your deeds, contributions, and his smile turned razor-thin—failures. Lose it, and you lose your place in the Legion."
As the badges were distributed, Lucien's gaze swept over them. "Remember: strength is the only law here. But kill a fellow Legion member…" His aura flared, a suffocating weight pressing down on the initiates...and you'll beg for death long before we're through.
Eirian studied his badge, the red moon gleaming like a drop of blood. So the game begins.
Selenia clutched hers tighter, her thumb tracing the emblem and secretly thought. Let's see how long you last!
Eirian studied his newly acquired badge, dark blue badge between his fingers, with crimson half-moon emblem that seemed to pulse faintly against his skin. The metal was unnaturally cold, sending subtle vibrations through his fingertips as if alive, oblivious to Selenia's scheming gaze burning into his back.
Kael's approach was silent, his Nightshade cloak barely rustling. "Brother Eirian," he said, spreading his arms in false camaraderie. "That Soulless Flame of yours... quite impressive for a new Shadowling." His smile didn't reach his calculating eyes.
Eirian met his gaze evenly. "Your praise honors me, Brother Kael." He kept his tone respectful, but his instincts screamed warning—there had been something predatory in Kael's fleeting glance when he thought no one was looking.
Lucien's voice cut through the murmurs. "Those who failed may leave. Train harder next time." The rejected initiates departed, shoulders slumped in defeat.
Once the hall cleared, Lucien continued, "Your first mission begins tonight. You'll hunt beasts in the wilderness and collect their Veinroots—a minimum of fifty to pass. Outstanding performers will be rewarded."
A young man raised his hand. "Elder, what exactly is a Veinroot?"
Lucien nodded approvingly. "An excellent question. Veinroot — A mysterious, living organ formed deep within a beast's soulveins. Veinroot holds not just raw energy, but also the creature's instincts, memories, and evolutionary essence. Absorbing its energy for cultivation can grant immense benefits—but only to those strong enough to withstand its will. He paused. "They only manifest in strong beasts of at least 3-Star Soulspark Realm."
And form teams of two," Lucien instructed. "The hunt will take place in the Astra Mountain Region. Stay vigilant—there will be no rescuers this time."
Some initiates paled at the mention of Astra Mountain Region. Eirian, however, smirked. "Two near-death experiences already," he murmured. "What's a few more beasts?"
Kael leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Don't celebrate prematurely, brother. Rumors say Infernal Lord Realm beasts lurk in Astra's inner depths."
Eirian finally turned to face him fully. "Then it's fortunate I'm not easily frightened, brother."
Kael's smile widened. "We'll see."
As the group dispersed to prepare, Selenia lingered near the exit. Her guardian's voice slithered into her mind: "The mountains provide many... accidents, my lady."*
She watched Eirian's retreating back. Yeah, I know, she thought.
The group followed Kael to a spacious resting chamber lined with low cushions and dimly lit by floating orbs of violet light. Kael gave a curt nod. "Rest well. I have matters to attend."His gaze lingered on Eirian a moment too long before he vanished into the shadowed corridors.
Eirian sank onto a plush cushion, exhaling deeply. Finally, a moment's peace. He closed his eyes, letting the tension seep from his muscles.
Around him, initiates buzzed with nervous energy, pairing off for the trial. Several young men approached Selenia—now radiant in a fresh lavender gown, her wounds healed, only to be dismissed with a flick of her wrist.
After hours of silent scheming, Selenia strode to where Eirian reclined. She clasped her hands behind her back, affecting a sweet tone. "Eirian~ Want to team up?" This fool will surely accept now, she gloated inwardly.
His eyes snapped open—those piercing, phoenix-fire orbs locking onto hers with unsettling intensity. "You again?" He studied her for a beat. "No thanks. I work alone."
Selenia's breath hitched. Her pulse roared in her ears like a runaway carriage. Why does he look like that? The way the dim light caught his sharp features, the quiet confidence in his voice—it was… different. She stood frozen, words failing her.
Eirian was amused and waved a hand before her dazed face. "Hello? Brain left somewhere?"
Selenia jolted back to reality, cheeks flushing. "D-Do you want to team up or not?" repeated, squaring her shoulders as she rallied her pride—her chest rising with the motion, drawing a flicker of attention.
Eirian sighed at her persistence. "Fine. But no foolish stunts."
"As if I'd bother!" she huffed, turning away to hide her traitorous smile. Why am I pleased?! she screamed internally. This is perfect—I'll make him regret everything in the mountains!
Nearby, her hidden guardian gaped. In twenty years of service, she'd never seen the haughty young mistress so… flustered. She was a little shocked.
A cluster of rejected suitors glared from across the room. "How'd that lone wolf get her attention?" one muttered.
"Probably some cheap trick," another sneered, though his envy was palpable.
"Cheap parlor tricks, no doubt," sneered the second, though the bitterness in his voice betrayed his envy. He leaned in closer. "I heard he's some backwater cultivator from the wastes. Probably bribed her."
The third initiate, a hulking figure with scarred knuckles, cracked his neck. "The Astra Mountains Regions are dangerous... accidents happen." His smile didn't reach his cold eyes. "Maybe we help fate along?"
"Idiots..." A new voice cut through their scheming. A slender girl with twin braids shook her head. "You think the Eclipse Legion won't notice if a new Shadowling dies mysteriously? The Veil Sovereigns execute schemers directly on the spot."
The first boy paled but doubled down. "Then we just... humble him. Break an arm. Ruin his hunt?"
"Better," the girl conceded, sharpening a throwing needle against her sleeve. "But wait until the hunting trail begins tonight."
The others exchanged glances, some eager, some hesitant, but none willing to back down now. After all, pride was at stake—and in their world, pride was everything.
Eirian, oblivious, stretched and reclined once more, even if he knew he wouldn't have cared. Selenia who sat primly beside him, already plotting his downfall, and pointedly ignoring how her heartbeat refused to steady. Her fingers gripping the fabric of her gown as conflicting thoughts warred in her mind.
Why did I even ask him? She stole a glance at his profile—the sharp line of his jaw, the way his dark lashes cast shadows over those infuriatingly captivating eyes. Ugh!! Since when do I care about a man's appearance?
Her nails dug into her palms. This is just part of the plan. Get close. Humiliate him. Make him pay for calling me 'peanut.'
Yet...
A traitorous memory surfaced—the way his flames had coiled protectively around her when that lizard attacked. The warmth of his shoulder brushing against hers just now.
No!!! She mentally shook herself. "He only helped to mock me later!"
Her guardian's voice slithered into her mind, laced with concern: "My lady, your pulse is erratic. Are you—"
"Silence!" Selenia snapped internally. "I know what I'm doing."
But did she?
One moment she envisioned pushing him off a cliff in the mountains. The next... What if this idiot saves me again?
Her face burned at the thought. Foolish!! Since when do I need saving?!
"..."
Across the room, the jealous initiates' whispers grated on her nerves.
"Look how close they're sitting," one muttered.
Selenia immediately scooted away from Eirian—then froze. Why did I do that? Now it looks like I care!
Eirian raised an eyebrow. "Any problem, peanut?"
This nickname. Thatinfuriating nickname again... It should have made her blood boil. So why did her traitorous heart skip again? Why is she behaving like a foolish!?
I hate him, she decided firmly. He'll regret everything...