The academy bells rang once again, their solemn resonance weaving through the towers like a herald of fates. The roster was thinning. Blood had been spilled, pride broken, and expectations shattered. And yet, anticipation crackled in the air.
This was not a trial for a renowned name, nor a legend in the making. No ancient bloodline backed the next contender. No whispered tales followed in his wake.
The next name announced drew little reaction.
"Damon Rell, First-Year Combat Division."
A few glances turned toward the boy who rose from the bench at the fringe of the assembly. He wore a plain tunic. No enchanted gear, no shimmering sigils. Just fabric, sweat, and nerves.
He walked with uncertain steps toward Arena Six.
Then the next name was drawn.
A sudden silence fell.
"Kael Vireen. First-Year, Arcane Honors Division."
The crowd stirred violently. Whispers surged like a tide.
"Kael? Isn't he the one who—"
"He's from the Azure Tower. They say he dueled a second-year in training and won."
"That's not a match. That's a slaughter."
Kael emerged from the center spire, cloaked in fine stormweave, pale hair tied in silver cords. His boots clicked with confidence. A rune-glass staff floated behind him, held aloft by sheer magical will. Even his stride suggested inevitability.
In the stands, Arin watched silently, his cloak hooded once more. Talia sat beside him, her arms crossed.
"That's Kael Vireen," she muttered. "Brilliant, arrogant, and lethal. Damon doesn't stand a chance."
Elias leaned forward. "But it's still a trial. The arena levels the field, doesn't it?"
Arin didn't speak.
Arena Six came to life with a shimmering barrier, cutting off sound from within. The stone beneath it began to change. A neutral ground of pale granite, inscribed with concentric circles.
A Tier One duel.
The arbiter stood between them, voice amplified through spellwork.
"Trial Match: Damon Rell versus Kael Vireen. Tier One. Begin!"
Kael didn't wait.
"Storm Arc: Triskelion!"
Three arcs of charged lightning spiraled out from his palm. Damon barely dodged, his shoulder catching a scorch.
"Agh!"
He rolled, ducking behind a low conjured stone wall. He didn't seem to have prepared any incantation.
Kael walked forward, staff spinning lazily.
"You should've forfeited."
He pointed.
"Conductive Seal."
A glowing glyph appeared beneath Damon. He gasped, trying to jump out, but Kael had already followed up.
"Bolt Cascade!"
Five streaks of blue light lanced down. Damon screamed as one clipped his thigh, forcing him down.
The crowd was divided. Some laughed. Others watched in silence, unsure if this was still a trial or a demonstration.
Damon's hand trembled. He reached into his belt and drew a rune-crystal.
He crushed it.
"Earthen Pillar!"
A chunk of the arena surged upward beneath him, lifting him high into the air. Dust flew. Kael arched an eyebrow.
"So, you did come with toys."
He launched upward, casting mid-flight.
"Zephyr Lance."
A swirling spear of air magic collided with Damon's perch, shattering the stone. Damon fell—but landed with a roll, his eyes burning with defiance.
He raised both arms.
"Stonebind Grasp!"
The ground cracked. Tendrils of rock whipped toward Kael.
But Kael's staff spun once more.
"Static Veil!"
The air shimmered. The tendrils shattered on impact.
Then Kael moved with precision.
"Pulse Surge."
A dome of lightning burst outward. Damon was thrown back, crashing to the ground, unmoving.
The arbiter raised her hand.
"Duel complete. Victory: Kael Vireen."
The crowd reacted as expected: murmurs, scattered applause, quiet awe.
But the silence around Arin remained heavier.
Talia exhaled. "They're feeding the weak to the wolves now."
Elias frowned. "He tried. Damon wasn't empty."
Arin stood.
"Sometimes, effort isn't enough. But it's not meaningless."
Below, Kael Vireen walked from the arena without a backward glance, his cloak billowing in streaks of sapphire light.
The Codex Roster adjusted again.
One more name. One more stage closer to the unraveling.
And high above, in a chamber warded by ancient sigils, the silver-masked figure tapped their fingers on a slate of crystal.
"Balance breaks only when forgotten," they whispered.
"Let them all remember soon."