The next morning, the participants gathered in the plaza of Ateria, the air thick with tension and anticipation. A total of 25 participants stood ready, including Aaron, who had been reluctantly healed by the healers after the events of the previous day. His presence was a stark reminder of the brutal trials they had endured, and the dynamics between the participants were far from harmonious.
"Haha, hey Aaron, thanks for the helping hand yesterday!" Rise said, his laughter ringing out as he clapped Aaron on the shoulder, though his tone carried a clear edge of mockery.
"Yeah! You bought us a lot of time, hahaha!" Mixarnt chimed in, his grin wide and teasing. The two of them were clearly enjoying Aaron's discomfort, their words laced with sarcasm.
Aaron seethed silently, his fists clenched at his sides. He could still vividly remember how Mixarnt had defeated him in the first phase of the trial, only to capture him and use him as a pawn in the second phase against the Dread Knight Lamorak. Though he had technically passed the 2nd phase, the humiliation of being used as a tool and left for dead burned deeply. The group had only healed him enough to keep him alive yesterday, and it wasn't until today that he had been fully restored. His pride was shattered, and his mission—given to him by General Xarion to eliminate Mixarnt—lay in ruins after his failure in the first phase.
"So, how does it feel being a pawn? How does it feel being the one on the receiving end this time?" Mixarnt asked, his tone dripping with mockery as he leaned in slightly, his grin widening. He hadn't forgotten how Aaron had brutalized Rise during the first phase, giving him internal injuries and broken ribs, or how Aaron had stepped on Rise's head when he was already down. He also remembered how Aaron had struck Razen in the gut for protecting Rise. Mixarnt's teasing was laced with a quiet fury, a reminder that Aaron's actions hadn't gone unnoticed or unpunished.
Razen, standing beside Mixarnt, also wore a grin, though hers was colder, more calculating. She had been annoyed by Aaron's arrogance and cruelty during the first phase. The only reason she hadn't fought him on equal footing was because she had held back, not wanting to reveal her full strength. But now, with the trials escalating, she made it clear that she wouldn't hesitate to unleash her full power if Aaron tried anything again.
The trio—Mixarnt, Rise, and Razen—stood together, their auras subtly leaking out, a silent but unmistakable challenge to Aaron. The air around them seemed to crackle with energy, as if daring him to try something. Their expressions were mischievous, almost playful, but their eyes were sharp and unwavering, conveying a clear message: Try that again, and we'll go all out.
Aaron, though furious, could feel the weight of their combined presence. He knew better than to provoke them openly, especially now that they had proven their strength and resourcefulness in the trials. Instead, he glared at them, his pride wounded but his determination unbroken. He would bide his time, waiting for the right moment to strike.
As the participants prepared for the next phase of the trial, the tension between the groups simmered beneath the surface. The bonds of camaraderie among Mixarnt, Rise, and Razen had only grown stronger, while Aaron's resentment festered.
Althea glanced at the paper in her hands, her brow furrowed as she read over the details of the proposed final trial. "Alright, so..." she began, her voice trailing off as she processed the information.
5. The Oathkeeper's Loyalty Test (Final Trial – All Skills Combined)
Objective: A comprehensive test that embodies every aspect of knighthood.
Candidates undertake a real mission, such as escorting a high-value target, defending a stronghold, and retrieving an ancient relic(Optional),
The trial includes physical combat, magical encounters, psychological pressure, and high-risk decision-making.
Their final performance determines if they are worthy of becoming an Aetherlight Knight.
Purpose: Ensures only the most capable and honorable warriors earn the title of knight.
She looked up at Eclipse, who was sitting calmly nearby, sipping tea with a mischievous smile. The revise version only added the word "Loyalty" but the contents were the same. "Eclipse, this is the proposed final trial, but the Trial of Loyalty isn't included here. You did say you would handle it and that it's a surprise for everyone... Still, hasn't their loyalty already been tested? Do we still need to proceed with the final phase?" Althea asked, her tone curious. In her eyes, the loyalty of the participants had already been tested during the first and second trials. The first phase had revealed whether participants would prioritize their egos over their duties, while the second phase—where they defended a stronghold against one of Aetherlight's Generals—had tested their physical combat skills, magical abilities, psychological resilience, and decision-making under pressure. The only thing left was the final phase, where Eclipse would determine their overall performance and worthiness to become Aetherlight Knights.
Eclipse set her teacup down and smiled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Fufu, sure, their loyalty has been tested in some way, but what I want to see is their individuality and their honor. Loyalty isn't just about following orders—it's about who they are when faced with impossible choices, how they uphold their values, and whether they can rise above their own limitations."
Althea hesitated, her expression turning slightly awkward. "But... isn't using the skill 'Lunar Eclipse' too much? It's an ability where you create a dark clone of yourself, and you can set its power level. Not to mention, you can take over it to fight in its stead... What I'm worried about is that... well, it's overkill."
Eclipse chuckled softly, her mischievous smile widening. "Is it? Hmm... well, I only set it at 30% power. It also isn't using my Spirit Weapon, Celestial Radiance. What's more, it's not all about power. I've input my philosophy and beliefs into it as well. With that, I think it's fair."
Althea let out a nervous laugh, scratching the back of her head. "Aha... haha... well, if you say so." She sighed, knowing there was no arguing with Eclipse once her mind was set.
Eclipse leaned back, her expression calm but her eyes still sparkling with mischief. "Althea, the only 'dark' thing about my clone is its dress, hair and eyes. Not its personality. It's still me—just a serious, no-nonsense version. Plus, my clone is good at this kind of thing because it doesn't put emotions first. It judges purely on merit and principle."
Althea nodded slowly, finally understanding Eclipse's reasoning. This was Eclipse's way of ensuring fairness, especially when it came to Mixarnt. Eclipse had a soft spot for him, and facing him directly might cloud her judgment. By using her clone, she could remain impartial and evaluate him—and all the participants—based on their actions and decisions alone.
"Alright, I get it," Althea said, her tone resigned but accepting. "You don't want to be biased, especially when it comes to Mixarnt. It would be hard for you to judge him fairly if you faced him directly."
Eclipse smiled, her expression softening slightly. "Exactly. This way, I can ensure that only the most deserving earn the title of Aetherlight Knight. And besides..." Her mischievous grin returned. "It'll be entertaining to watch them face a version of me that doesn't hold back."
Althea shook her head, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You really do enjoy this, don't you?"
"Of course," Eclipse replied, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Now, let's see if they can rise to the challenge."