In the enclosed dome, the atmosphere was a mix of tension and boredom. While most of the participants were nervously pacing or quietly preparing themselves for the final phase, Mixarnt was sprawled out on the floor, looking completely at ease. Rise was lying nearby, equally relaxed, while Razen sat close to Mixarnt, her expression calm but slightly drowsy. Mitchel, leaning against the wall, yawned loudly, adding to the oddly casual vibe of the group.
Liva, on the other hand, was anything but relaxed. She stood nearby, fidgeting nervously. "Hey, aren't you even nervous?" she asked Mixarnt, her voice tinged with anxiety. "This is it—the final phase of the final trial!"
Mixarnt shrugged, his eyes half-closed. "Nope. I'm kinda bored, to be honest. There's nothing to do."
Rise, lying flat on his back, chimed in lazily. "Yeah, same. Just waiting around is exhausting."
Razen, sitting cross-legged near Mixarnt, let out a small yawn. "I might just take a nap," she muttered, resting her head on Mixarnt's lap.
The other participants stared at the group, utterly dumbfounded. How could they be so carefree at a time like this? Liva, in particular, looked like she was about to explode. "Listen here—" she began, ready to scold them, but before she could continue, General Gerald emerged from the corridor.
Gerald, known as the Relentless Warrior and a veteran of countless battles, looked as tired as the participants felt because he had a drinking session with his knights last night not anticipating that Eclipse will make him one of the moderators for the final phase. He called out the names of the next group to enter the trial: "Liva, Ana, Rowena, Greg, Matt, Julls, and Regan. You're up. Go ahead and enter the corridor."
Liva snapped to attention, her nervousness momentarily forgotten. "Y-yes!" she said, quickly running toward the corridor. The others followed, their expressions a mix of determination and apprehension.
As the group disappeared into the corridor, Gerald's gaze fell on the four carefree participants still lounging around. Mixarnt and Rise were now both asleep, Razen was dozing off on Mixarnt's lap, and Mitchel was leaning against the wall with her eyes closed, looking like she was about to join them in dreamland.
Gerald raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "Are you four really this carefree?" he asked, his tone a mix of amusement and disbelief.
Mitchel, without opening her eyes, replied lazily, "No, not really. We might look like we're lazing around, but our awareness is high."
Erenesto, who had been quietly observing the scene, decided to test this claim. He pulled out a coin and flicked it toward Mixarnt's head. The coin hit its target with a sharp ping, causing Mixarnt to jolt awake. "OUCH! What the—why'd you do that!?" Mixarnt exclaimed, rubbing his head.
Rise, startled awake by the commotion, sat up abruptly. "I'm awake, I'm awake!" he said, though he was already starting to doze off again.
Razen, annoyed by the noise, glared at the two. "Tsk, you two are noisy," she muttered, resting her head back on Mixarnt's lap.
Erenesto, Gerald, and Mitchel all stared at the scene, their faces a mix of awkwardness and disbelief. "Cough, cough... Okay, so maybe some of us just wanted to sleep," Mitchel said, breaking the silence.
Gerald sighed deeply, running a hand down his face. "These kids..." he muttered, shaking his head. Despite his exasperation, he couldn't help but feel a hint of admiration for their ability to stay calm under pressure. He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms and watching the group with a faint smile. "Well, at least they're not stressing themselves out," he said under his breath. "Might as well take a page out of their book."
The seven participants walked through the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing in the silence. As they reached the end, they stepped into a vast, spacious room. The moment they entered, they froze. Standing before them was a figure who bore an uncanny resemblance to General Eclipse, but her presence was far more intimidating. She stood tall, her hands gripping the hilt of a sword that was buried into the ground. Her sleek, shiny black gown armor contrasted sharply with the silvery Lunar armor they were familiar with. Her hair, dark instead of its usual silvery white, framed a face that was devoid of any warmth. Her eyes, resembling a solar eclipse, glowed with an intensity that made their blood run cold. This was Lunar Eclipse, and her demeanor was as serious as it was terrifying.
"Liva, Ana, Rowena, Greg, Matt, Julls, and Regan," Lunar Eclipse began, her voice strong, unyielding, and commanding. "This is your final test."
The participants gulped; their nerves frayed. Liva felt her heart pounding in her chest, while Julls couldn't help but think that even Mixarnt and the others, as strong as they were, wouldn't stand a chance against this version of Eclipse. The pressure in the room was suffocating.
Lunar Eclipse's gaze swept over them like a blade, cutting through their resolve. "Now, answer this," she said, her tone leaving no room for hesitation. "Your kingdom has sent you on a critical, time-sensitive mission. The success of this mission could determine the fate of thousands. However, on your way, you encounter a child drowning in a river. Saving the child would mean failing your mission due to time constraints. What will you do?"
The question hung in the air, heavy and unrelenting. Liva's mind raced, but she found herself unable to form a coherent answer. The weight of the decision paralyzed her. "I... I..." she stammered, her voice trembling.
Ana, Rowena, Greg, Matt, and Regan, however, answered without hesitation. "We will prioritize the kingdom!" they declared in unison. "We vow to be Aetherlight Knights, and it is our duty to protect the kingdom as a whole. The mission comes first."
Julls, on the other hand, clenched her fists and stood her ground. "How can I abandon a life!?" she shot back, her voice shaking but resolute. "It would be a shame to my family and my oath as a healer if I were to ignore someone in need. I will save the child, no matter the cost!"
For a moment, Lunar Eclipse said nothing. Her piercing gaze lingered on each of them, as if dissecting their souls. Then, finally, she spoke. "You may proceed."
The six participants who had answered—Ana, Rowena, Greg, Matt, Regan, and Julls—let out shaky breaths as they began to walk past Lunar Eclipse, their steps cautious and wary. As they moved forward, a magical barrier materialized behind them, blocking any chance of retreat. Lunar Eclipse then plucked her sword from the ground, the sound of metal scraping against stone sending a chill down their spines. She took a fighting stance, her eyes locking onto Liva, who had remained silent.
"Tell me," Lunar Eclipse said, her voice low but carrying an immense pressure that made Liva tremble. "Why didn't you answer?"
Liva felt the weight of Lunar Eclipse's gaze like a physical force, pressing down on her. Her knees threatened to buckle, but then she thought of her friends—Mixarnt, Rise, Razen, and the others—who had supported her and helped her reach this point. She thought of the trials they had faced together, the battles they had fought, and the bonds they had forged. Slowly, she straightened her back, her trembling hands clenching into fists. She looked directly into Lunar Eclipse's eyes, her own filled with determination.
"I didn't answer," Liva began, her voice steady despite the pressure, "because I couldn't choose. Both the mission and the child are important. The kingdom's safety is our duty, but how can we call ourselves protectors if we turn a blind eye to someone in need? I believe there must be a way to save the child and complete the mission. Even if it seems impossible, I would try to find a solution—a way to do both. Because that's what it means to be an Aetherlight Knight. We don't abandon our duty, but we also don't abandon those who need us."
The room fell silent. Lunar Eclipse's expression remained unreadable, but for a brief moment, the intensity in her eyes seemed to soften. She studied Liva carefully, as if weighing her words against the very essence of what it meant to be a knight. Then, without a word, she stepped aside, allowing Liva to pass.
Liva took a deep breath and walked forward, joining the others. The magical barrier behind her shimmered, sealing her path. As she looked back, she saw Lunar Eclipse standing tall, her sword still in hand, her gaze now fixed on the next group of participants who would soon face their own trials.
"All seven of you pass the final phase of the exam," Lunar Eclipse declared, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable finality. Before the participants could fully process her words, they were suddenly enveloped in a soft, glowing light. In an instant, they found themselves transported outside the corridor, standing in the normal arena section of the colosseum. The transition was so abrupt that they were left stunned, their minds struggling to catch up with what had just happened.
As they looked around, they noticed the enclosed dome they had just been inside. From their new vantage point, they could see into the dome, though those still inside remained unaware of their presence. The realization that they had passed the final phase of the trial began to sink in, and their initial shock gave way to overwhelming joy.
The sound of cheering erupted around them, snapping them out of their daze. The audience, filled with excitement and pride, shouted, "Congratulations!!!!" The applause and cheers echoed through the colosseum, a wave of validation and celebration that washed over the seven new Aether Knights.
"I... I can't believe this is happening!" Greg exclaimed, his voice trembling with happiness. He looked down at his hands, as if expecting them to feel different now that he had achieved the title, he had worked so hard for.
Julls, unable to contain her excitement, ran to Liva and embraced her tightly. "We did it! We actually did it!" she cried, her voice filled with emotion. The others, overcome with relief and joy, began to cry as well, their tears a mixture of exhaustion, pride, and disbelief.
Liva stood frozen for a moment, her eyes wide as the reality of the situation hit her. "Yeah..." she whispered, her voice breaking. "Y-yeah... aghuuu... sniff sniff..." Tears streamed down her face as she thought about everything she had been through—the struggles, the sacrifices, and the unwavering determination that had brought her to this moment. She remembered how her family had plummeted into debt, losing their belongings, lands, and home. All she had left was her title as a noble, and now, she had achieved something far greater.
"Liva! Liva!" a familiar voice called out, cutting through the noise of the crowd. Liva turned her head, her heart leaping as she saw her parents in the stands, their faces filled with tears of pride and joy. They waved at her, their voices trembling as they shouted her name.
"Big sis! Big sis!" two cheerful voices chimed in, and Liva's eyes widened as she saw her younger siblings—a boy and a girl—grinning and waving at her with all their might. Their faces were beaming with admiration and excitement, and Liva felt a surge of emotion that nearly brought her to her knees.
She raised a hand to wave back, her tears flowing freely now. "I did it... I did it for all of you," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the cheers of the crowd. The weight of her journey, the hardships she had endured, and the love she had for her family all came together in that moment, filling her with a sense of fulfillment she had never known.
As the other participants celebrated around her, Liva took a deep breath, her heart swelling with pride. She had not only proven herself as a knight but had also given her family a reason to hope again.