Despite the adversity, Mixarnt had won the Aether Knight trials. His friends, who had been watching with bated breath, erupted into cheers and rushed toward him. Razen was the first to reach him, throwing her arms around him despite his injuries. "You idiot! You scared me to death!" she scolded, though her voice was filled with relief and affection.
Rise, Mitchel, Liva, Ewan, Erenesto, May, Julls, Valentia, Lina, Mara, Tessa, and the others who had passed the trials earlier quickly followed, forming a tight circle around Mixarnt. They embraced him, their laughter and tears mingling as they celebrated his victory. The bond they had forged through the trials was unbreakable, and Mixarnt's triumph felt like a victory for all of them.
In the audience, Rosalind watched with a gentle smile, her confidence in Mixarnt unwavering. "I knew you could do it," she said softly, her pride evident.
Alyssia, who had been crying throughout the trial, jumped to her feet, her tears now ones of joy. "He won! He won!" she exclaimed, turning to her older sister, Elyssia, who giggled and smiled in return. Mika, who had been holding her breath during the intense moments, finally exhaled, her relief palpable.
In the grand hall, the atmosphere was a mix of celebration and lingering tension. Lyandra, Eclipse's mother, was seething with anger. "That darn kid," she muttered, her Lunar eyes narrowing as she turned to Gundrik, who was laughing heartily with Arthur and Lancelot. "You, Gundrik! Why did you let your daughter intervene!?" she demanded.
Gundrik, still chuckling, waved a hand dismissively. "Sunshine didn't leave the room on her own accord. Mixarnt has the ability to summon an ally, and Sunshine just answered the call. Gahahaha! So, it's purely his abilities too!" he explained, conveniently leaving out the detail that the summoned ally had to agree to be summoned. He wasn't lying—he simply omitted that part, knowing Lyandra's Lunar eyes would detect any deception.
"Still, that boy was foolish," Kalavan said with a grin, his tone more amused than critical. The other current and former generals, who had been silent during the battle between Mixarnt, Sunshine, and Eclipse, nodded in agreement.
"Truly, logic doesn't apply to that boy," Former General Xavier remarked, shaking his head with a smile.
"Fufu, I never once doubted him," Former General Rosalinda said, her confidence in Mixarnt unwavering. She had seen him achieve the impossible before, and this was no exception.
"He is those three idiots' apprentice, hahaha!" Theron said, gesturing to Lancelot, Gundrik, and Arthur, who were still laughing boisterously at Mixarnt's victory.
"To fight Eclipse at her best was insane. If it had been a real fight, he would have died already," Gawain said, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice. Kay nodded in agreement.
The other nobles in the grand hall were equally amazed by Mixarnt's feat. Despite the odds, he had emerged victorious, proving his strength and determination.
Lyandra, however, was still annoyed. "Do you think this is a laughing matter—" she began, but before she could finish, King Arnold raised a hand, silencing her.
"That is enough, Lyandra," the king said, his voice calm but firm. "Despite the odds, the boy still won." His fond smile indicated that he, too, was impressed by Mixarnt's resilience.
The queen giggled, her expression softening. "He's quite the remarkable young man," she said, now seeing Mixarnt as endearing rather than troublesome.
"That's right, Lyandra," Amon added with a small smile. "He won fair and square. And winning doesn't necessarily mean he would be an Aether Knight. Taking the crystal only proves that he won, but it doesn't mean he is qualified."
Arthur, ever the joker, chimed in with a hearty laugh. "That's right, so don't get so heated up, Gahahaha!"
The tension in the grand hall eased, replaced by a sense of celebration and respect for Mixarnt's achievement. Though the path ahead was uncertain, one thing was clear: Mixarnt had proven himself in a way no one could have predicted. His victory was a testament to his unyielding spirit, his loyalty to his friends, and his refusal to back down, no matter the odds. And as the crowd continued to cheer, Mixarnt stood tall, his grin as bright as ever, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
A radiant light descended upon the battlefield. Saint Isolde, draped in celestial robes, stepped forward with a serene smile. Her presence alone was enough to soothe the tension in the air.
With a gentle motion, she extended her hands toward Mixarnt and Sunshine, golden light enveloping their battered bodies. Their wounds sealed, bones mended, and strength slowly returned.
"There you go," she said warmly, "though you will need rest. My healing magic does not remove fatigue, but I did cast Rejuvenation. You should recover much faster… but for now, the awarding ceremony will begin."
The Knight Generals teleported onto the colosseum stage, accompanied by the King and his advisors. The crowd's murmurs of anticipation filled the air.
Amon, the King's right hand, stepped forward. His voice boomed across the colosseum.
"On this day, the 24 individuals before you shall rise as the new Aetherlight Knights. Twenty-three of you will serve under General Althea Silvercrest, while one will stand alongside General Xacion Xarion White."
The moment the words left his mouth, Althea nearly choked on air.
"M-Me?" she stammered, eyes wide. Traditionally, new knights were distributed equally among the generals, not given to a single one.
A chuckle came from beside her. Sunshine, now fully healed, folded her arms with a teasing grin.
"Of course, they're yours. You were just promoted to Knight General, but you don't have any knights under your command yet aside from Rosalind. So…" she clapped Althea on the back, making her stumble, "congratulations."
Althea gulped. Leading an entire squad alone? She wasn't sure if this was an honor or a nightmare.
Amon continued.
"Razen, Erenesto, and Mitchel, you are hereby promoted to Knight Captains of Squads 1, 2, and 3 under General Althea, in recognition of your outstanding performance in the final trial."
The three knights stepped forward, kneeling before the King.
"Liva, Rise, and Ewan shall serve as their Vice Captains, having achieved exceptional results."
Liva's jaw nearly hit the floor. "V-Vice Captain? Me?"
Her friends—Mara, Tessa, Lina, Valentia, Julls, and May—giggled and nudged her playfully. "Congratulations, Vice-Captain Liva~"
Amon wasn't finished.
"Valentia, Julls, and May will lead the Medic Squads as Captains. Mara, Tessa, and Lina will serve as their Vice Captains."
Then, his gaze landed on Aaron.
"Aaron, you shall serve as a Knight Commander under General Xarion."
Aaron took a deep breath and stepped forward, kneeling like the others.
Next was John.
"John, you are promoted to Knight Sergeant."
John blinked. "Wha—? Me?" He had been expecting to start at a lower rank.
Finally, Amon turned to the remaining knights.
"The rest shall hold the rank of Knight Adept."
The murmurs in the crowd grew louder. Normally, knights began as Pages, the lowest rank. But this group was being placed five ranks above. It was an unexpected honor.
Then, Lyandra's gaze locked onto Mixarnt. Her expression hardened.
"Now, as for you, Mixarnt…"
A hush fell over the colosseum.
Lyandra's voice was sharp. "You failed to pass as a knight. That is a given, considering you refused to swear loyalty to the kingdom."
A ripple of whispers spread among the spectators. Some looked at Mixarnt with disdain, others with curiosity.
However, Lyandra wasn't finished.
"And yet… you have still passed the trials."
Silence.
"By winning against Eclipse and obtaining the Shining Orb, you have succeeded."
Her cold gaze lingered on him, disapproval evident. "I do not like those who defy tradition. But the trial was clear. You have earned a reward."
The King himself stepped forward, his presence warm and commanding. He studied Mixarnt with an amused smile.
"Tell us, then. What reward do you desire?"
Mixarnt took a step forward. For once, his usual grin was gone. His expression was calm, his eyes filled with sincerity.
"I entered this trial to test my luck. But during my battles… I found something more important."
His voice carried through the colosseum. The crowd listened intently.
"I fought for those who had no choice. I aided those who needed help—even when the rules told us to think only of ourselves."
His hands clenched into fists.
"But above all… I fought to clear the Adventurers' Guild's name."
Gasps filled the air.
Mixarnt continued, unwavering.
"In this kingdom, Adventurers are treated as second-class citizens. Branded as mercenaries with no honor. But throughout these trials, I have shown you otherwise. Helping others, standing against danger, sacrificing for those in need—
That is what it means to be an Adventurer."
The entire colosseum was silent.
Mixarnt's gaze swept across the nobility.
"Yes, there are adventurers who abuse their power. Just as there are nobles who play with human lives."
His words struck deep. Many nobles flinched.
"I know no one is perfect. But all I ask, Your Majesty, is this—
Give the Adventurers' Guild a chance."
His voice echoed like a battle cry.
In the plaza, Guild Master Orion, along with Elara and the other Adventurers, felt their hearts clench.
Orion, the grizzled guild master who had seen countless battles, wiped his eyes discreetly. Elara, however, was openly tearing up.
"So that's why…" she whispered.
Their fellow adventurers roared with pride.
Meanwhile, in the colosseum stands, Alyssia, Elyssia, and Mika watched in awe.
Alyssia beamed. "He's thinking of others before himself."
Elyssia, eyes soft, smiled fondly. Now I remember why I fell for this idiot.
Mika, the Adventurers' Guild receptionist, clutched her chest. She had seen the disdain this kingdom held for adventurers. But now, she could see the tide shifting.
Mixarnt wasn't just fighting for himself. He was fighting for all of them. And for the first time, the people of Aetherlight were forced to listen.
The colosseum was silent, the weight of Mixarnt's words hanging in the air.
The King, an older man with piercing eyes, sat on his throne, his expression unreadable. He studied Mixarnt for a long moment before chuckling softly.
A ripple of confusion spread through the crowd.
Then, the King rose to his feet again, his royal cloak billowing behind him.
"Mixarnt." His voice was steady, powerful. "You have defied the very foundation of these trials, yet in doing so, you have proven something greater than mere loyalty."
The nobles murmured, uncertain.
The King raised a hand, silencing them all.
"Knighthood has always been bound by fealty—to a kingdom, to a ruler, to a cause. But you… you fight not for orders, nor for power, nor for status. You fight for the people."
He steps closer, his gaze fixed on Mixarnt.
"A knight who answers to no kingdom, no crown, yet upholds the virtues of knighthood and adventure alike. A knight not bound by duty, but by honor."
The King's voice grew stronger, his decree shaking the very air.
"Then let it be so. Mixarnt, from this day forth, you shall bear the title, The Free Knight of Aetherlight."
Gasps rang out across the colosseum. A knight without a kingdom? Such a thing had never been done before.
The King smiled, his tone light. "An unconventional title for an unconventional man."
Then, with a wave of his hand, golden energy swirled around Mixarnt. Aetherlight itself acknowledged him, accepting his existence as a knight beyond borders.
A bright light shone upon Mixarnt's chest. When it faded, a new insignia had been etched into the back of his palm—a crest of a silver sword wrapped in flowing wind, unchained and free.
A symbol of knighthood unbound.
The adventurers in the plaza erupted into cheers. Guild Master Orion wept openly.
Elara clapped, laughing through her tears. "You damn idiot, you actually did it!"
Mika, overwhelmed, whispered, "A knight… and an adventurer. At the same time…"
Even the nobles, despite their resistance, could not deny it.
The Free Knight of Aetherlight.
A knight who belonged to no kingdom.
A knight who would always aid those in need.
A knight who embodied adventure and chivalry.
A knight who was truly free.
After the roaring applause, the ceremony continued.
The new Aetherlight Knights including Mixarnt stood before the King, each kneeling in a perfect line. Their hands rested upon their chests, their eyes burning with conviction.
The King stood tall, his presence imposing yet regal.
"Repeat after me."
A moment of silence. Then—
"I, a knight of Aetherlight, swear upon my blade and my soul."
Their voices rang in unison.
"To uphold justice and protect the people."
"To wield my strength with honor, and to stand against tyranny."
"To never turn away from those in need, nor be blinded by corruption."
The King's golden gaze swept over them.
"And above all—"
His voice grew solemn.
"To fight not for myself, but for those who cannot fight."
The knights exhaled deeply, letting the words settle into their very beings.
Then, as one—
They slammed their fists against their chests.
"Upon my honor, my heart, and my sword—I swear it!"
The colosseum trembled with the force of their declaration.
And with that, the new generation of Aetherlight Knights was born.