Spells flew. Ice shattered. Flames danced. Lightning crashed.
Zero backed away as Lyria's ice blade spun in the air. He ducked just in time.
The impact shattered ice into a thousand fragments.
Ignis launched a fireball—Zero shifted to the side, dodging it with sharp focus.
Volt's lightning struck the ground near him. He dropped low, avoiding the impact.
Venya's dark spell swept past his side, leaving a chilling sting.
Nyx tried to sneak an attack, but Zero blocked with a well-timed move.
Aurora didn't attack, just watched—curious, analytical.
Zero thought to himself: "They're powerful... but I need to survive, to learn."
For several minutes, Zero dodged, blocked, and evaded.
He never struck back—but that alone surprised them.
Lyria looked straight at him. — "Not using your strength doesn't make you weak.
But remember—true strength is not just offense."
Zero nodded. — "For now, I only want to survive... to grow."
A silence settled over the princesses. Then Aurora stepped forward:
— "The King trusts you. This isn't over. But your courage and instincts deserve praise."
Zero took a deep breath. This was just his first trial—but he was ready.