Chapter 47 — Light, Iron, and the First Bloodline Trial
The silence that followed Daniel's entrance was not reverent.
It was measuring.
Every noble eye traced him—his posture, his stride, the way he did not bow too deeply nor stand too tall. He walked the narrow path between confidence and restraint with unnerving ease.
King Orean exhaled slowly, then lifted his voice.
"Come," he said. "Join us, Daniel."
Daniel stepped forward and took his place among the royal heirs.
Cedric stood rigid beside him, jaw clenched so hard the muscles twitched. The faint bruising on his cheek and collarbone—marks Darwin had left behind—were still visible under the hall's light.
Emperor Harkon noticed them immediately.
"So," Harkon rumbled, resting his elbow on the table, "these are Valoria's heirs."
King Orean gestured in turn, formal and composed.
"My firstborn, Crown Prince Cedric. Princess Lyra. Princess Elara. Princes Corin and Finn. Princess Elizabeth."
Then—after the briefest pause—
"And my youngest son… Daniel."
The word son rippled through the hall like a pebble thrown into still water.
Cedric laughed.
It was sharp. Bitter.
"Oh, don't misunderstand," he said, voice carrying farther than intended. "Daniel isn't a fighter. He's our healer."
He turned his head just enough to look at Daniel sidelong, eyes burning.
"Only light magic," Cedric added. "Useful for cleaning up after real combatants."
It was meant to humiliate.
To remind everyone of hierarchy.
For a heartbeat, the hall held its breath.
Daniel didn't answer with words.
He stepped closer.
Cedric stiffened. "Don't touch—"
Daniel raised his hand.
Light bloomed.
Not blinding. Not radiant.
Warm.
Gentle.
Golden-white threads of mana spilled from Daniel's palm and wrapped around Cedric's bruised cheek, his shoulder, his ribs. The glow pulsed once—soft, precise—and then faded.
Cedric staggered half a step as the pain vanished.
His breathing hitched.
Daniel lowered his hand calmly.
"You were badly beaten," he said, voice even. "Don't worry. I healed you."
The hall exploded.
Not with noise—
with reaction.
Gasps.
Whispers.
Sharp inhales of surprise.
Cedric stared at Daniel like he'd been slapped.
Darwin threw his head back and laughed.
Loud. Genuine.
"I like this one," Darwin said, grinning openly. "Heals you while embarrassing you. Efficient."
Harkon Steelbrand chuckled, metal fingers tapping against his goblet.
"Light magic with a spine," the emperor said. "Rare combination."
Cedric's hands shook.
He turned sharply toward his mother.
Queen Althea didn't meet his eyes.
Her gaze was cold.
Disappointed.
Cedric's breath caught.
King Orean raised his hand.
"Enough."
The hall quieted instantly.
"Pay attention," the king commanded.
At his signal, the lights dimmed.
From the center of the hall, a massive white cloth unfurled into the air as if caught by an invisible wind. It floated upward, stretching wide like a banner of fate.
A crystal embedded in the ceiling flared.
Light struck the cloth—
—and the surface shimmered.
An image formed.
A coliseum.
Vast. Circular. Ancient stone reinforced with runic barriers. Tier upon tier of seating rising like a crown around a massive central arena.
The crowd murmured in awe.
"This," King Orean announced, "is the Arena of First Accord."
The image shifted—zooming in on the runic inscriptions etched deep into the stone.
"No participant may be killed," Orean continued. "Injury is permitted. Healing will be provided immediately. Any violation will result in immediate disqualification and royal punishment."
The screen shifted again.
Portraits appeared.
One by one.
VALORIA
Cedric Evercrest
Princess Lyra Evercrest
Princess Elara Evercrest
Prince Corin Evercrest
Prince Finn Evercrest
Princess Elizabeth Evercrest
Daniel Evercrest
A ripple ran through the hall at Daniel's name appearing alongside the others.
THALGRUN
Crown Prince Darwin Steelbrand
Princess Ashley Steelbrand
Prince Martin Steelbrand
Prince Stanley Steelbrand
ERYNDALE
Princess Jennifer Aurelius
Princess Yennifer Aurelius
Queen Lysandra inclined her head slightly, unbothered.
The screen faded.
King Orean clasped his hands behind his back.
"Before the main tournament between the Three Kingdoms," he said, "each nation will determine its strongest heirs."
He turned slightly.
"For Valoria, we begin with eliminators."
A pause.
Then—
"The first match," Orean announced, "will be Prince Cedric versus Prince Corin."
A sharp intake of breath.
Cedric's eyes widened.
Corin's lips curled into a grin.
"The second match," the king continued, "Princess Lyra versus Princess Elizabeth."
Elizabeth stiffened—but nodded calmly.
Lyra's flames flared faintly.
"The third match," Orean said evenly, "Princess Elara versus Prince Daniel."
The hall erupted.
Whispers surged like a storm.
Light mage versus elemental prodigy?
Elara turned slowly, eyes narrowing at Daniel—not with malice, but calculation.
Prince Finn remained still.
King Orean gestured toward him.
"Prince Finn advances by lucky draw."
The screen shimmered again, showing a branching bracket.
"The winners will continue to fight," the king said, "until Valoria has two remaining heirs."
A beat.
"The same process will occur in Thalgrun."
Darwin's grin widened.
"Prince Darwin versus Prince Stanley," Orean announced.
"Princess Ashley versus Prince Martin."
Harkon nodded approvingly.
"As for Eryndale," Orean finished, turning to Queen Lysandra, "your heirs will advance directly to the main event."
Lysandra smiled faintly.
"My daughters will observe… and learn."
The screen dissolved.
The hall buzzed with excitement, disbelief, and anticipation.
King Orean raised his hand once more.
"Tomorrow," he said, voice firm, "the eliminators begin."
Then he turned and left.
The announcement hung heavy in the air.
Royal blood against royal blood.
No politics.
No alliances.
Only strength.
Cedric stared ahead, fists clenched.
Lyra rolled her shoulders, fire humming beneath her skin.
Elara exhaled slowly, eyes never leaving Daniel.
Elizabeth swallowed hard—but straightened.
Daniel stood quietly.
Inside his mind—
Sensei's voice was calm.
"Analysis complete. Probability of severe escalation: high."
Daniel didn't smile.
He looked at the arena image still burned into his memory.
And whispered—
"Then let it begin."