Chapter Twenty — The Class A Trial
Location:
Argent Blade Academy — Grand Combat Arena
Time: Two days after return
Scene 1: The Announcement
A crystal bell rang.
Announcement:
"Class A students will undergo a mandatory trial to confirm rankings."
The arena filled.
Whispers swirled around one name.
"Celsius Valerius…"
"Shadow heir…"
Celsius stood calmly, hands behind his back.
Scene 2: The Challenger Appears
A figure stepped forward.
White hair.
Golden eyes.
Royal crest.
Announcer: "Prince Alaric of Ardentia."
Gasps erupted.
Student: "A royal heir…?"
Alaric smiled politely.
Alaric: "I wish to test the rumors."
He drew his sword—radiant, flawless.
Scene 3: Duel Begins
The barrier rose.
Instructor: "Begin!"
Alaric moved first.
Sword light flashed.
Celsius vanished.
Alaric: "Shadow Step?"
Celsius reappeared behind him.
A whisper.
Celsius: "Umbral Step."
Steel and shadow clashed.
The arena cracked.
Scene 4: Pressure Escalates
Alaric's aura surged—royal-grade sword intent.
Celsius's shadow deepened.
Students struggled to breathe.
Instructor: "Stop—!"
Too late.
Celsius raised two fingers.
Shadow restrained the blade—without breaking it.
Silence.
Scene 5: Acknowledgment
Alaric stepped back.
He bowed.
Alaric: "I concede."
Shock rippled.
Alaric: "You are stronger."
Celsius inclined his head.
Celsius: "For now."
Scene 6: Hidden Eyes
Location: Observation Tower
A hooded man clenched his fist.
Night Leader: "He's progressing too fast."
A crimson symbol ignited.
Night Leader: "Advance Phase Two."
Scene 7: Aftermath
Selene approached.
Selene: "You humiliated a prince."
Celsius shrugged.
Celsius: "He asked."
Aurelion watched from above.
Aurelion: "The world will react."