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Chapter 143 - Qualities of a Knight

Outside the enclosed dome, the audience watched with bated breath. Some cheered at the dramatic turn of events, while others gasped in shock. Liva, Ewan, Tessa, Mara, and Julls exchanged worried glances. "W-we weren't tasked to do something like that during our turn," Liva said, her voice tinged with concern.

"Yeah, ours too," Ewan added, his brow furrowed.

Aaron, however, laughed loudly, clearly enjoying the development. "Hahaha! That's what you get, kids," he sneered, his eyes glued to the screen with glee.

"Bastard..." Mara muttered under her breath, her fists clenched. She knew this would be an agonizing decision for Valentia, May, and Lina, especially since they were healers. The weight of the situation was almost unbearable.

Back in the wide room, Lunar Eclipse's voice cut through the tension like a blade. "I'll repeat. May, Lina, and Valentia. Kill John."

The three healers stood frozen, their minds racing. May, the most composed of the group, took a deep breath and stepped forward. "General, with all due respect, we cannot comply with this order. Our oath as healers is to preserve life, not take it. If there is a reason for this command, please explain it to us."

Lina and Valentia nodded in agreement, their resolve firm despite the fear in their eyes. "We cannot kill someone without justification," Lina added, her voice steady.

John, still shaken, looked at his teammates with gratitude. "Thank you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Lunar Eclipse's expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—perhaps respect, perhaps curiosity. She studied the three healers for a moment before speaking again. "Your loyalty to your principles is commendable. However, as Aether Knights, you must be prepared to make difficult decisions, even if they go against your personal beliefs. The world is not black and white, and there will be times when you must choose between two impossible paths."

She paused, her gaze sweeping over them. "You have shown courage and integrity in the face of an unjust command. For that, you pass the final phase of the exam."

The room seemed to exhale as the tension lifted. May, Lina, and Valentia exchanged relieved smiles, while John let out a shaky breath. Erenesto, though still shaken, nodded in silent acknowledgment of the lesson they had just been taught.

As May, Lina, and Valentia passed Lunar Eclipse, a magical barrier closed behind them, leaving John and Erenesto trapped in the room. The two men exchanged uneasy glances, their hearts pounding as Lunar Eclipse turned her piercing gaze toward them.

"Where do you think you two are going?" Lunar Eclipse asked, her voice cold and cutting. "Is your honor so low that you believe you pass the trial just because the three healers passed? Erenesto, you failed as a leader. I didn't see any qualities in you that would justify passing you. John, you are worthless. You didn't contribute to the trio's decision. You are selfish, like a dog who can't decide or do anything without its master."

Her words struck like a whip, each one lashing at their pride and resolve. Lunar Eclipse drew her sword, the blade gleaming ominously in the dim light. "You fail the exam. If you want to win, you will need to beat me to get through," she declared, taking a fighting stance. Her aura surged, menacing and suffocating, her solar eclipse eyes locking onto them with unrelenting pressure.

"Damnit!" Erenesto cursed under his breath, gripping his staff tightly. He blamed himself for the situation. If only he had taken John's place, he could have shown his leadership and care for his comrades. But Lunar Eclipse's unexpected command had caught him off guard, leaving him unsure of how to act.

John, on the other hand, was paralyzed with fear. His legs shook uncontrollably as he fall and stared at Lunar Eclipse, her presence overwhelming. He glanced behind him, noticing that the corridor leading back to the dome was still open. His eyes filled with desperation as he realized how selfish he had been. Instead of thinking of others, he had only thought of his own survival. He felt unworthy of the title of Aether Knight, his confidence shattered.

"Stand up, John!" Erenesto shouted, his voice firm despite the fear in his own heart. "We both made a mistake. Despite our self-values, we failed to see what's truly important. So, stand up! This time let's set things right—I will set things right! Not just for me, but for you too! If I die in this battle, then at least I will have redeemed myself!"

Erenesto's words ignited a spark in John. He clenched his fists, his trembling slowly subsiding as he nodded. "Y-yeah... you're right," he muttered, his voice shaky but determined.

Erenesto gritted his teeth and charged forward, his sword and staff at the ready. He knew the odds were against them, but he refused to back down. This was his chance to prove himself, not just as a leader but as someone who would fight for his comrades no matter the cost.

But Lunar Eclipse was ready. "Lunar Aura," she said calmly, and a devastating wave of energy erupted from her, crashing into Erenesto like a tidal wave. He had run in front of John to shield him, taking the full brunt of the attack. The force was overwhelming—his sword and staff shattered instantly, and he was sent flying backward, slamming into the wall with a loud thud. Blood spilled from his mouth as he coughed, his body crumpling to the ground.

John's eyes widened in horror. "Erenesto!" he screamed, rushing to his side. He knelt beside his fallen comrade, his hands trembling as he tried to assess the damage. Erenesto's breathing was labored, his body battered, but his eyes still burned with determination.

"John... don't give up..." Erenesto whispered, his voice weak but filled with resolve. "This is our chance... to prove ourselves... to show that we're worthy..."

Tears streamed down John's face as he nodded. He turned to face Lunar Eclipse, his fear replaced by a fierce determination. He might not have been the strongest or the bravest, but he refused to let Erenesto's sacrifice be in vain. Standing tall, he clenched his fists and prepared to fight.

Lunar Eclipse watched them, her expression unreadable. For a moment, there was silence, the tension in the room palpable. Then, she raised her sword, ready to continue the battle.

The room was thick with tension as Lunar Eclipse's words echoed like a death knell. "Mediocre," she said, her voice cold and unyielding. In a swift, almost effortless motion, she slashed at John. His eyes widened in shock, but before he could collapse, he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stand despite the pain coursing through his body.

"John! Erenesto!" May, Lina, and Valentia screamed from behind the barrier, their voices filled with desperation. They pounded against the magical barrier, but it was too strong, unyielding to their efforts. They could only watch in horror as their comrades suffered.

Lunar Eclipse's gaze remained icy as she addressed John, who was struggling to stay on his feet. "What do you plan to achieve by remaining still? You are just a non-moving target to my eyes," she said, her tone devoid of any sympathy. Before John could respond, she struck again, her sword hitting him just hard enough to render him unconscious. His body crumpled to the ground, joining Erenesto's battered form.

The three healers stared in stunned silence, their hearts breaking at the sight of their fallen comrades. Lunar Eclipse turned to them, her Solar Eclipse eyes glowing with an otherworldly intensity. "You three, you have already passed. Beyond that area lies the title of Aetherlight Knight," she said, her voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight.

With a wave of her hand, the barrier dissolved, leaving May, Lina, and Valentia free to move. But Lunar Eclipse's next words froze them in place. "Think carefully. If you go back to heal them, you will fail the exam," she said, her tone cold and unrelenting. Her Solar Eclipse eyes bore into them, the pressure in the room suffocating.

The three healers exchanged uneasy glances, their minds racing. On one hand, they had already passed the trial. The title of Aetherlight Knight was within their grasp, a dream they had worked so hard to achieve. But on the other hand, their comrades lay broken and unconscious, their lives hanging in the balance. How could they call themselves healers—how could they call themselves knights—if they abandoned those in need?

May was the first to speak, her voice trembling but resolute. "I... I can't leave them like this. They're our comrades. They fought alongside us. If we turn our backs on them now, what kind of knights would we be?"

Lina nodded, her eyes filled with determination. "She's right. Our duty as healers is to save lives, not to abandon them. If failing the exam is the price we have to pay, then so be it."

Valentia, though visibly shaken, stepped forward as well. "We didn't come this far just to betray our principles. If we can't stand by our comrades in their darkest hour, then we don't deserve to be Aetherlight Knights."

The three healers turned their backs on the path to victory and ran toward John and Erenesto, their hands glowing with healing magic. They knelt beside their fallen comrades, pouring their energy into mending their wounds. The audience outside the dome watched in stunned silence, their cheers fading as they witnessed the healers' selfless act.

Lunar Eclipse observed them quietly, her expression unreadable. For a moment, the room was filled with only the soft hum of healing magic and the ragged breaths of the injured. Then, Lunar Eclipse spoke, her voice softer than before but still carrying an edge of authority.

"Your loyalty to your comrades is commendable," she said, her Solar Eclipse eyes flickering with something akin to approval. She paused, her gaze sweeping over the group. "You have shown that your hearts are true, and your principles unwavering. For that, I will grant you this: you may continue. But know that the road ahead will not be easy."

The healers looked up, their eyes wide with surprise and relief. They had been prepared to fail, to sacrifice their dreams for the sake of their comrades. But Lunar Eclipse's words offered them a second chance, a chance to prove that their compassion and loyalty were not weaknesses but strengths.

As they helped John and Erenesto to their feet, the group stood together, united and resolute. They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For they had already proven the most important thing of all: that they were worthy of the title of Aetherlight Knight, not just in skill, but in heart.

As May, Lina, Valentia, Erenesto, and John passed Lunar Eclipse, the barrier reappeared behind them, sealing off the room. For a moment, they wore somber, determined expressions, bracing themselves for what they thought would be another grueling test. But instead of facing another trial, they were suddenly enveloped in a soft, glowing light and teleported away.

When the light faded, they found themselves back in the main arena, surrounded by the other participants who had already passed. Liva, Mara, Ewan, Tessa, Julls, and the others rushed toward them, their faces filled with worry and relief. "You made it!" Liva exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion as she helped support Erenesto, who was still weak from the battle.

Before anyone could say more, a group of Cleric Knights arrived, led by Captain Lazarus and Vice Captain Sasa. "Move, move, you brats," Lazarus said with a gruff but kind tone, shooing the participants aside to make room for the healers. Sasa, who was casually smoking a pipe instead of her usual cigarette, waved her hand dismissively. "Leave the healing to us, kids," she said, her voice calm and reassuring.

May, Lina, and Valentia exchanged confused glances. "W-wait, what? What about the trial?" Lina asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Erenesto, still weak but conscious, managed to speak up. "W-we didn't forfeit..." he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Lazarus chuckled, his grin widening as he and Sasa began channeling their healing magic into Erenesto and John. "Are the five of you idiots? Look around you," he said, gesturing to the audience seats, where the crowd was cheering wildly. "Everyone is celebrating, and your friends who took the exam before you are here. Get what I mean? All of you are now Aether Knights."

The words hit them like a tidal wave. May, Lina, Valentia, Erenesto, and john stared at each other, their expressions shifting from confusion to disbelief and then to overwhelming joy. The realization that they had passed the final trial—that they were now Aether Knights—was almost too much to process.

Lina's eyes filled with tears as she turned to May and Valentia. "We... we did it," she whispered, her voice breaking. "We're Aether Knights."

Valentia nodded, her own eyes glistening with tears. "We stayed true to ourselves... and it paid off," she said, her voice filled with emotion.

Erenesto, despite his weakened state, managed a small smile. "I guess... we proved ourselves after all," he said, his voice weak but filled with pride.

John, seemed to relax as the healing magic took effect. The Cleric Knights worked diligently, their expertise ensuring that both Erenesto and John would fully recover.

The group was surrounded by their fellow new Aether Knights, who cheered and embraced them. The audience's applause and cheers echoed through the colosseum, a symphony of celebration and recognition.

Liva hugged May tightly, her tears of joy mingling with May's. "You guys were amazing," Liva said, her voice filled with pride. "You showed what it truly means to be an Aether Knight."

Ewan, Tessa, and Mara joined in, their smiles wide and their hearts full. "We knew you could do it," Ewan said, clapping Erenesto on the shoulder gently.

Even Aaron, who had been watching from the sidelines, couldn't help but feel a grudging respect. "Guess you lot aren't as useless as I thought," he muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his tone.

As the celebrations continued, Lunar Eclipse appeared on the arena floor, her presence commanding attention. The crowd fell silent as she raised her hand, her Solar Eclipse eyes glowing with pride. "You have all proven yourselves worthy of the title of Aether Knight," she declared, her voice carrying across the colosseum. "You faced impossible choices, and you chose honor, loyalty, and compassion. These are the qualities that define a true knight."

The crowd erupted into cheers once more, the sound deafening. The new Aether Knights stood together, their hearts swelling with pride and determination. They had overcome unimaginable challenges, and in doing so, they had not only earned their titles but also forged unbreakable bonds with one another.

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