All eyes were fixed on the colossal arena of the academy. It was as if the entire city had fallen silent, holding its breath for a single moment—the moment when two boys faced each other, where power and destiny intertwined.
Zeoth ascended the stage with measured steps, while Sylas was already there, his eyes ablaze with fury and disdain. Sylas Renhart, the child of freezing gales, wielded the sharpness of ice. His physical prowess and magic had made him a name whispered among the academy's applicants. Yet today, he faced an unknown. Zeoth.
The director raised his hand from the stage's edge. "Let the duel begin."
In that instant, Sylas lunged forward without hesitation.
An icy dagger formed at his fingertips. Delicate crystals scattered into the air, and he closed the distance in a flash. His target was clear: Zeoth's chest.
But at that moment, a strange glimmer flickered in Zeoth's eyes. The world slowed for him. Sounds dulled, and every sense in his body locked onto a single point.
I must descend to the source… Now.
His mind darkened. He drifted into an endless void. The core of the universe—a place dark yet serene, cold yet teeming with life. Here, Zeoth found himself.
But time was short. Sylas's attack was closing in. Unable to fully tap into the power, Zeoth pulled back. He threw himself backward, the dagger grazing him by mere inches.
He wasn't ready. Not yet…
Sylas paused, momentarily stunned, then attacked again. As one icy dagger fell from his hand, another formed. Each was sharp, each deadly. Yet Zeoth evaded them all—barely, but successfully.
Why can't I hit him? Sylas thought, gritting his teeth.
Zeoth's eyes grew calmer. He wasn't just fighting; he was evolving.
This kid… he's far weaker than I thought. He smirked inwardly at the notion. Yet, at the same time, he was striving to master his body, to reach the immense power within. His reflexes and muscles, honed by the core's energy from his previous attempt, had changed him. He was no longer an ordinary boy.
Then came a moment… Zeoth stopped.
He closed his eyes.
His mind drifted back to the dark void, this time with greater clarity. This time, without fear. And that familiar voice echoed:
"So, you've returned… You're starting to adapt to the power. Last time, you wielded only a single star, but it nearly cost you your life. Now… try again. Use a single star once more. It will hurt, but if you wish to grow stronger, this pain is nothing."
Zeoth nodded without opening his eyes. "Alright," he whispered to himself. "Just one star."
Energy surged within him.
It felt as if fire coursed through his veins. Behind his closed eyelids, the universe exploded. His heart stuttered, his muscles burned. But he endured. He clenched his teeth, pushing through the agony.
And at last… the connection to the core was complete.
He opened his eyes.
Time itself seemed to collapse in the academy square. The spectators barely registered what happened as the wind shifted direction. The stage trembled. Sylas, poised to strike, froze as Zeoth vanished.
The crowd rubbed their eyes. Some screamed.
"WHAT JUST HAPPENED?"
Sylas glanced around in panic. Then… he felt a chill at the back of his neck.
A figure stood behind him. A dark silhouette, its eyes shimmering with galaxies, its aura pulsing as if it were the universe itself.
Zeoth was behind Sylas.
And in that moment, the entire academy felt an aura akin to death itself. Zeoth's radiating power was a fusion of suppressed rage, raw strength, and cosmic chaos.
Sylas couldn't move.
This… what is this? This can't be a kid… this is a monster!
Zeoth whispered softly, "I still can't fully control it. You'd better dodge."
And then… his aura unleashed.
The sky seemed to darken. Winds reversed. Sylas collapsed to his knees, his teeth chattering as his body shook.
The spectators recoiled in fear. The instructors leaped onto the stage.
Mother Nature, one of the head instructors, conjured a protective shield before Sylas. The director appeared behind Zeoth, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"That's enough. You've won."
Zeoth jolted, as if awakening from a trance. "What? My power… what happened?"
The director replied in a low, commanding tone, "That was spatial magic, lad. I can suppress any aura weaker than mine. I had to intervene, or Sylas could have been in danger."
Zeoth took a deep breath. "Thank you, sir. I can't control my power yet. Thanks to you, I dispersed it without causing harm."
The director chuckled. "Haha, what an impressive student we have. You've won the duel. Return to the others now. When the trials are over, I want you to come to me."
Sylas, still on his knees, struggled to his feet. "I-I haven't lost yet!" he said in a hoarse, defiant voice.
The director turned to him. "Refusing to accept defeat is a greater loss than defeat itself, Sylas."
Sylas glanced at Zeoth, then at Elizabeth, before silently trudging off the stage, leaving the academy square behind.
And now, one name was on everyone's lips:
"Zeoth… what was that power?" "It was incredible. I felt no magic from him, yet… that aura…" "Could he be one of those who hides their power?"
The crowd's murmurs slowly gave way to a hushed awe. The boy who had stepped onto the stage shrouded in shadows was now the talk of all.
Zeoth's dazzling victory had shaken not only Sylas but everyone watching. His aura was so intense it felt like the echo of a star's explosion. Yet as he descended from the stage, another storm was brewing—a quiet jealousy, kindled by a possessive spark…
Elizabeth's face initially glowed with pride. Zeoth's triumph was a source of honor for her. But as her eyes scanned the other students, the warmth within her turned to a cold pang.
Yes… I knew you'd win. But… why do I feel so uneasy? It's as if… I should be the only one who knows you.
Zeoth, still reeling from the battle, had barely stepped off the stage when a crowd of students swarmed him.
"Your name's Zeoth, right? That was unreal—what kind of power was that?!"
"Can I talk to you? How did you do all that?!"
"Up close, you're even more handsome… though you looked pretty good from afar too."
Zeoth's expression faltered. Unsure of what to say, he backed away with a nervous smile as the crowd pressed closer.
And then… the air shifted.
With a glint of jealousy in her eyes and a faint tremble of anger on her lips, Elizabeth approached the throng. Her aura began to creep outward, subtle at first, then erupted.
"ZEOTH!" she shouted, her voice echoing. "Don't you need to talk to me first?!"
The crowd froze. Then came another cry:
"ANYONE NEAR ZEOTH, STEP AWAY NOW!"
Elizabeth's aura exploded like a storm. A vibrant, blood-tinged mist of power spread, chilling the bones of those around her. Some students stumbled back in fear, others stood trembling, unable to move.
Zeoth turned, eyes wide. "E-Elizabeth? What are you doing—?"
But Elizabeth had changed in an instant. Her face softened, her eyes gleaming with an enchanting light. Her aura transformed, radiating the serenity of a field of flowers.
With heart-shaped sparkles in her eyes, she clasped her hands and said sweetly, "Zeoth… I knew you'd win! Dealing with all these unworthy pests must have tired you. When the trials are done, let's go home and rest."
Silence.
The entire academy fell quiet. Then a male student muttered sharply:
"W-Wait… did she say home?"
Another bellowed, "YOU TRAITOR, ZEOTH! YOU JUST GOT HERE AND YOU'RE ALREADY LIVING WITH A PRINCESS?!"
Zeoth's face turned crimson. He waved his hands frantically. "E-E-Elizabeth! Everyone can hear you! They'll get the wrong idea! What are you saying?!"
But Elizabeth, with an innocent wink, replied, "Exactly what I said. We're living together now."
Inwardly, a darker voice added: No one will get close to you anymore. <3 You'll belong only to me.
The academy director shook his head, stifling a chuckle. Ah, youth… what a beautiful thing. When I was young—
The narrator's voice cut in: "Alright, alright, please, Director… let's save the youthful memories for another time."
The scene grew serious again. The time had come for the top students' magic measurements. The crowd gathered once more.
First was Thirya. She stepped forward with silent grace, her black hair falling over her shoulders, her violet eyes locked on the crystal. She raised her hands, channeling her magic.
Numbers appeared:
1000… 5000… 8000… 13,000… 13,687.
The crowd turned to each other in shock. "The highest was 5300… Is this girl a monster?!"
Next was Arvella Wyncrest. With her pink hair and elegant stride, she smiled and channeled her magic into the crystal.
1000… 5000… 6000… 7660.
Then came Lucen Aldor Veylan, his golden hair and eyes exuding charisma. He touched the crystal.
4000… 7000… 10,000… 14,000… 14,219.
Now, all eyes were on the final name: Elizabeth Ruthgard.
She turned to Zeoth and whispered, "Watch me. You're next. But… I won't let you win."
Inwardly, she thought: If you get the highest score, everyone will admire you again. I don't want that.
She stepped to the crystal, extending her hands. A powerful gust shook the stage.
The numbers soared:
6000… 14,000… 19,000… 32,000… 56,000… 57,342.
The crowd roared:
"WHAT?! 57,000?! WHAT KIND OF POWER IS THAT?"
Elizabeth turned, finding Zeoth's eyes wide with awe. She smiled sweetly, touching his arm. "Your turn, Zeoth."
Zeoth took a deep breath and grinned. "Alright. I'll do my best."
As he approached the crystal, he turned to the director. "Sir… please suppress me again if needed. My power might spiral out of control."
The director nodded. "Don't worry, lad. I'm ready."
Zeoth closed his eyes, descending into his inner universe. This realm… it was his now. Slowly, he drew the energy of a single star. The pain was far worse than before.
"Arghhh!" he groaned. "This time… it's so much worse!"
Writhing in agony, he screamed, "AAAAAAH!"
Finally, the power was channeled. He drifted in the void, unconscious. When he opened his eyes, a faint smile curved his lips.
"I really thought I'd die this time. I guess I used more power than I could handle."
Time returned to normal. Zeoth opened his eyes, the crowd fixated on him. He reached for the crystal, channeling his energy…
But…
The screen was blank.
Then a number appeared:
Murmurs erupted from the crowd:
"W-Wait… 0?!"
"Why is Zeoth's score… 0?!"
End of Chapter.