⚖️ Chapter 78
"In the eyes of the true judges, mercy is not weakness—it is extinction delayed."
☁️ Scene 1: The Summons from Silence
Before the morning sun rose, three symbols burned above Sinjai Academy—floating silver glyphs that emitted no heat, no light, only command.
Every student and instructor saw it:
"A Trial of Catastrophic Fate shall commence.Subject: Aeren Veleor.Observers: The Silent Order."
Aeren was summoned to the Obsidian Courtyard, a place used only once every century.
As he walked through the crowd of thousands—his peers, mentors, and even enemies—no one spoke.
Even those who hated him lowered their eyes.
Only one voice broke the silence.
"Come back alive," Anshi whispered, gripping his hand.
Aeren nodded—but his heartbeat whispered a truth even he didn't want to admit:
"I'm not sure I will."
⚖️ Scene 2: The Court of Time and Blood
In the center of the courtyard stood a glowing gear-shaped seal.Within it—The Silent Order.
Three cloaked figures, faceless. Not alive. Not dead. Existing only to judge those who could destroy reality.
They spoke not with mouths, but through synchronized thoughts—heard only inside Aeren's mind.
"You have awakened the Clock Core.You have altered time, mind, and soul.You are bound to the Paradox.Do you accept your own danger?"
Aeren stood firm.
"Yes."
"Then… survive."
The ground shattered—and he fell.
🕳️ Scene 3: The Trial Realm – Fractured Time
He awoke in a twisted dimension—a realm of broken clocks, falling gears, and shifting memories. The Silent Order's Trial Realm.
Here, every second was a test.
And every challenge pulled from the deepest parts of his soul.
The first trial:
Fight every version of himself that ever feared failure.
Ten shivering, doubting Aeren-clones attacked—weak in strength, but overwhelming in number and despair.
He beat them—barely.
The second trial:
Face his worst future.
Anshi dead. Sinjai burning. His body, glowing with Paradox energy—laughing uncontrollably.
He screamed, begging it to stop—until the vision dissolved.
The third trial:
Reject godhood when offered.
A mirror-self offered him full Paradox control. Power that could destroy time and reshape history.
"Say yes… and she'll live forever."
"No."
Aeren shattered the mirror.
🕯️ Scene 4: The Seal of Verdict
When Aeren opened his eyes again, he stood back in the courtyard.
Barely breathing. Knees shaking. Bleeding from his mouth, his back, his spirit.
The Silent Order hovered over him.
One raised a hand.
And then—
"Judgment: Suspended.""The subject is not yet the danger.""But if the seal breaks again… extermination will follow."
The crowd gasped.
Some cried. Some collapsed in relief. Others… walked away quietly.
Anshi ran to him, hugging him tightly.
"You did it—"
"No," Aeren whispered, "I survived it. That's not the same."
🧿 Scene 5: The Unknown Watchers
From afar, beyond even the Silent Order's sight, Nexilis watched.
In their citadel of inverted stars, The Veilmaster smiled behind his many masks.
"They think they bought time."
He turned to a sealed coffin-shaped relic in the floor—red runes burning on its surface.
"But he's awakening too early… and that means our seal is weakening too."
And from inside the coffin…
The Crimson Paradox moved.
🔚 End of Chapter 78