Dawn didn't bring peace.It brought judgment.
The most anticipated event of the term had begun:The Evaluation and Advancement Tournament.
Three phases. Three class clashes:
Terna vs Umbra
Aegis vs Ignis
Caelum vs Éter
And one fundamental difference from the last time:This time, they could use active runes.Magic. Technique. Willpower.
It wasn't just a fight.It was a statement.
The three of them woke up before the sun, as if something in their bodies already knew that destiny was calling.
Kaen dressed in silence, adjusting his trident like it was a part of him.Elois checked his uniform with more care than usual, tying a yellow ribbon around his arm.Vex just breathed deeply, again and again.
— "Ready?" Kaen asked.— "More than ever!" said Elois. "Today I become a legend... or at least, someone who doesn't trip on the way in."
Vex smiled.And together, they walked toward the coliseum.
The marble plaza vibrated with the energy of hundreds of students. Banners floated overhead, and the insignias of the six classes waved with pride: Éter, Caelum, Ignis, Aegis, Umbra… and Terna.
The three of them registered as a single block.As if by writing their names together, they made a vow not to be separated.
— "We need to win at least one match to move up a class," Kaen muttered. "To Umbra."— "Then... it's today," Vex added.
Before moving to the waiting area, Vex noticed a familiar figure in the distance.Aric.
Leaning against a column, surrounded by a few professors… and a small group of students from all classes. Especially girls.
The Master locked eyes with him.— "Here to cheer on everyone... or just me?"— "Everyone," Aric replied, approaching with his usual calm. "But you, Vex... a little more."
Vex lowered his gaze, slightly embarrassed.— "Today's the day," Aric continued. "Not to prove what you are, but how hard you've fought to be here."— "And if it's not enough?"
Aric looked at him firmly.— "Then don't fight like you. Fight like everything you've learned.And if the moment comes when you don't know what to do… use instinct.That spark that awakens when the body already knows, but the mind doesn't understand."
Vex nodded, biting his lip.— "Thanks, Aric. For everything."— "I'm voting for you as rookie of the term, you know?"Vex laughed.— "Seriously?"— "Only if you don't disappoint me."
They parted ways.And Vex walked to the locker rooms with a knot in his chest.
There was the match screen, projected into the room. The first name… was Kaen's.— First match: Kaen Drakos, Terna Class, vs. Ferlon Marec, Terna Class.— "Easy," said Elois. "That guy doesn't even hold his weapon properly."
Vex felt relief. But then he saw his own name.Seventh match: Vex Lugulband vs. Maret Drokh, Umbra Class.And below...Eighth match: Elois Varnholt vs. Karg Molt, Umbra Class.
Vex froze.Karg.The same one who humiliated them in the first evaluation.The one who called him "trash."His stomach twisted.
But then he looked at Elois… and his friend was smiling.— "This time won't end the same," he said firmly.
Vex looked at him with respect.And in his chest… fear turned into breath.— "You've got this, Elois! We'll be cheering you on full blast!"— "Oh, absolutely! This face needs an ovation!"
The coliseum roared.The stands were packed.
Professors, students, even government agents and members of the military operating in Arkhadia. Everyone had come to witness the beginning of the grand tournament.
Kaen went first.— "The first match begins!" the announcer yelled. "The cold Kaen Drakos vs. Ferlon the Hesitant!"
From the first second, Kaen was a contained storm.Trident in hand, he moved as if each step was part of a deadly choreography.
Ferlon tried to attack with a wide sword… and didn't even graze him.
— "What technique! Kaen Drakos is showing flawless command of his weapon!" the announcer exclaimed. "One clean strike, and another! His opponent is down!"
Vex and Elois screamed from the stands.— "Let's go, Kaen!"
Kaen didn't even celebrate. He just walked out of the circle with his usual expression.
The arena didn't rest. After Kaen's victory, a flurry of duels stirred the crowd.
An Aegis was taken down by an Ignis student with a lance spinning like a whirlwind of fire.Two Umbra faced off in a duel of speed and reflexes, leaving barely a trace of their movements on the ground.A Caelum student dazzled the audience with a magical display of crystals and light projectiles.
Vex watched from his spot.Each match was a reminder:This was no longer a game.Everyone here was fighting for a promotion, for a name… for a place.
And then, his name glowed in the air.— Next match! Vex Lugulband, of Terna, vs. Maret Drokh, of Umbra!
Vex's heart pounded out of control.
In front of him, a swordsman with a shield.Strong. Confident. Descended from a Spartan bloodline with a living crimson rune.
"Sword and shield. Strong defense. Good counters...…I'm not him.I'm not Kaen. I'm not Aric."
The match began.Vex retreated. His opponent pushed forward. Clean, heavy strikes.And then...WHAM!A low blow with the shield.
The referee stopped the match.— "First and final warning!"
Vex was on the ground."Again… like this?"And then…Aric's voice from memory:"If the moment comes when you don't know what to do… use instinct."
Vex breathed. Closed his eyes.Visualized the stances. The lessons. The center.And stood up.
He gripped the sword in one hand.Light. Precise.
His opponent mocked him. Attacked.Vex dodged.And countered with a clean cut to the shoulder that made him stagger.
From the stands, Elois shouted:— "THAT'S IT! NOW FINISH HIM WITH STYLE!"Kaen, though serious, raised his fist.
Vex smiled.His opponent roared. Went for another low blow.
But Vex jumped, twisting his body horizontally.His rune activated.A white flash surged down his arm.CRACK!The sword struck so hard it slammed the opponent to the ground, unconscious on impact.
Silence.And then…THE COLISEUM ERUPTED!
— "INCREDIBLE! VEX LUGULBAND, OF TERNA, JUST TOOK DOWN AN UMBRA! AND WHAT A FINISH!"
Vex stood still. Speechless.He looked into the distance…And there was Aric.Smiling.A real one.
Vex left the circle. His friends embraced him.— "That was EPIC!" Elois shouted. "I thought you were going to explode or something!"— "Your style was clean. Precise," Kaen said. "Well done."Vex laughed.— "Thanks… really."— "But now… it's my turn."
Elois threw his cape back. Took two steps, then turned to them.— "Get ready! Because today, destiny... is going to learn my name!"
Kaen placed a hand on his shoulder.— "I won't forgive you if you lose."Vex gave him a friendly punch on the arm.— "Go get him, Elois."
And as Elois walked to the center…Vex and Kaen climbed to the stands.
The air… no longer smelled of fear.It smelled like contained fire.Like something that, at last,was truly starting to burn.