That night, Auron was led alone to the center of the Academy — to a chamber deep underground.
It was circular, carved from obsidian, with a glowing rune circle in the center.
Kaelen stood at the edge. "Every student must face this. But for you… this is more."
"What is it?" Auron asked.
"A test," Kaelen said. "Not of strength, but of self."
Auron stepped into the circle. Instantly, the world dissolved.
He found himself in a battlefield of memory — corpses lay around him, demons roared in the sky. And there, in the distance, stood his past self — tall, wounded, clutching the lightning blade.
"You failed," his echo said.
"You died, and the world burned."
"Why should you be given another chance?"
Auron shook. "Because I'll make it right."
The echo stepped closer. "Then prove it."
Lightning surged — and the two Aurons clashed, memory against future, fear against hope. A battle of will.
Auron fell, again and again.
But each time, he rose.
"I may not remember everything," he growled. "But I remember this — I swore to protect the light."
He struck forward — and the echo faded, smiling.
When Auron awoke, he was back in the circle, gasping.
The rune on his chest burned brighter now.
Kaelen nodded. "The blade accepts you."