After an hour, General Halik arrived, his sudden appearance behind one of the participants startling everyone. His presence was as silent and commanding as ever, his sharp eyes scanning the group before he spoke.
"I am here to take you all back to the arena," Halik announced, his voice calm but firm. Without further explanation, he raised a hand and declared, "Terrain Shift." In an instant, the 25 participants vanished from the plaza and reappeared inside the colosseum's arena. However, the arena was nothing like they remembered.
The participants looked around in awe and confusion. They were now inside an enclosed dome, completely cut off from the outside world. The audience was nowhere to be seen or heard, and the only light came from torches lining the walls, casting flickering shadows across the space. In front of them stood a massive entrance leading to a dark, ominous corridor.
Before anyone could fully process the change, Halik appeared again, materializing out of thin air. "All of you will wait here," he instructed, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Those who are called are the only ones who will enter. No fighting while waiting. That's all, and good luck." With that, he vanished once more, leaving the participants in tense silence.
Back in the castle hall, Halik removed his transformation magic, his form shifting from the imposing figure of a man to that of a woman. Unlike Kay, Halik had always known her true gender. Her parents had been there to guide her, and she had never struggled with her identity. However, she preferred to appear as a man during serious meetings and missions that required brute strength and stamina over agility. The other Generals respected her choice and never teased her about it, unlike their playful jabs at Kay, who often grappled with a gender identity crisis. Halik was known for her seriousness and professionalism, and she rarely engaged in the lighthearted banter that the other Generals enjoyed.
Halik was often referred to as the Shadow of Aetherlight, a title she had earned through her unparalleled skill in stealth and assassination. She led a specialized team that handled high-risk missions, eliminating threats to the kingdom with precision and efficiency. Her ability to move unseen and strike without warning had made her a legend among the ranks of Aetherlight's military. Despite her formidable reputation, Halik preferred to remain in the shadows, especially during public events like the trials. She was a woman of action, not spectacle, and she valued her privacy above all else.
As she stood in the castle hall, her transformation complete, Halik allowed herself a small, rare smile. The final phase of the trials was underway, and she was curious to see how the participants would fare against Eclipse's clone. Though she rarely showed it, Halik had a deep respect for those who could rise above their limitations and prove their worth. For now, she would watch from the shadows, as she always did, ready to step in if necessary but content to let the trials unfold as they were meant to.
The colosseum buzzed with barely-contained excitement, thousands of spectators packed into the stands like sardines. The massive enclosed dome at the center stood as an eerie paradox - from the outside, it was perfectly transparent, allowing the roaring crowd to observe every detail of the trial within. But for the participants inside, it might as well have been an impenetrable fortress; they saw only dark stone walls flickering with torchlight, heard nothing but their own breathing and footsteps echoing in the hollow space.
Above it all, a giant magical screen floated, projecting magnified views of both the winding corridor and the ominous final chamber where Eclipse's clone awaited.
Alyssia fidgeted in her seat, small hands clenched in her lap. "G-go Mixarnt!" she whispered, her cheeks burning pink at her own timidness.
Elyssia chuckled softly beside her, patting her younger sister's head. "Fufu, no need to strain yourself, Aly. That dome is completely soundproof - our reckless hero can't hear a thing."
Alyssia's face somehow turned even redder, sinking lower into her seat as Mika leaned forward from behind them.
"Honestly, I'm more worried about what's coming," the guild receptionist mused, tapping her chin. "We only caught the tail end of the trials, but those first two phases looked brutal enough to break normal people." Her eyes tracked Mixarnt's figure on the screen as he stretched casually in the waiting area. "Let's hope our idiot's luck holds out."
In the grand hall of the castle, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The 14 Nobles who's candidate pass the exam along with the high-ranking Generals and Former Generals, watched intently as the final phase of the exam unfolded. King Arnold, seated at the head of the hall, turned to General Eclipse with a gentle smile. "General Eclipse, I thought you would be conducting the final phase of the exam personally," he said, his tone curious but respectful.
Eclipse, standing gracefully with her hands clasped behind her back, smiled warmly at the king. "Yes, Your Majesty, don't worry. I am currently using my ability to oversee the trial," she replied, her voice calm and confident.
The Generals and Former Generals exchanged surprised glances, quickly realizing what ability she was referring to. Advisor Lyandra, Eclipse's mother and a respected figure in the kingdom, stepped forward to explain. "Your Highness, my daughter is using a skill called Lunar Eclipse. It is one of the unique abilities of our family. It allows her to create a clone that can be customized in terms of power and cognitive ability." She then turned to Eclipse, her expression both proud and expectant. "Eclipse, please explain to the king what adjustments you've made to the clone."
"Of course, Mother," Eclipse said, bowing her head slightly before addressing the king and queen. "Your Majesties, I have adjusted the power of the clone to 30% of my full strength. Additionally, I have input my logical thinking and reasoning into the clone. To put it simply, as I mentioned to General Althea earlier, the clone is still me—just a serious, no-nonsense version."
Lyandra nodded in satisfaction, clearly pleased with her daughter's explanation. The king and queen, along with the Former Generals, were visibly impressed. However, the current Generals—aside from Althea—felt a chill run down their spines. They knew all too well how formidable Eclipse was, even at 30% of her power. To them, a clone with 30% of Eclipse's strength was equivalent to a full-powered General, making the final phase an immense challenge for the participants.
Gawain, unable to contain his concern, blurted out, "Eclipse, are you out of your mind—" but he immediately stopped when Eclipse turned her gaze toward him. Her Lunar Eyes, with their crescent pupils and a cosmos-like depth, bore into him with an intensity that made him feel as though he were being torn apart. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Mind repeating that, Gawain..." Eclipse said, her voice calm but carrying an unmistakable edge.
"F-forgive me, General," Gawain stammered, instantly dropping to one knee. The sight of Eclipse in her full seriousness, as the Sovereign Sword, was enough to humble even the most confident of Generals.
Sunshine, the Sovereign Shield and the only one among them who could withstand Eclipse's Lunar Eyes when she was serious, stepped forward to mediate. "Eclipse, what Gawain meant is that we want to hear an explanation," she said calmly, placing herself between Eclipse and Gawain. "You kept us in the dark about the final phase of the exam you are supervising. Every current General, including me, knows how strong you are. Even at 30%, it would take at least three Generals to secure a win against such a clone of you."
Eclipse's expression softened, and she let out a light, melodic laugh. "Fufu, I never said that the final trial would be purely combat-based," she explained, her tone playful yet reassuring. "The final phase is a series of questions designed to test the participants' judgment, honor, and loyalty. If they are deemed qualified, they pass. If not, they will need to face Lunar Eclipse and acquire the Blue Aether Crystal artifact or in simpler terms, the shinning orb which is located 2 meters behind her to win the trial."
The room fell silent as everyone processed her words. The king and queen exchanged thoughtful glances, while the Generals and Nobles murmured among themselves. Eclipse's approach was both ingenious and demanding, ensuring that only the most capable and honorable candidates would earn the title of Aetherlight Knight.
As the discussion continued, Eclipse's smile remained, her Lunar Eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and determination. The final phase was set, and the participants would soon face a trial that would test not only their strength but also their hearts and minds.