Chapter 11
The tournament grounds had been constructed in a day—a marvel of celestial engineering. Floating platforms spiraled like layered rings, suspended by radiant anchors and elemental ley-lines. Flags from all five academies fluttered in the astral winds, bearing ancient crests and holy sigils.
Sanctum Astrae stood at the center, as host and reigning champion.
Astern stood among the chosen teams, draped in the dark silver combat uniform assigned to participants. The woven thread shimmered subtly with protective sigils—less ornate than those from the capital academies, but etched with intent.
His heart beat calmly.
Beside him, Kaela cracked her knuckles, barely containing her energy.
"They said the first match is just a mock duel. Nothing serious."
Lunaria tilted her head. "You believe that?"
"No," Kaela grinned. "Which is why I'm gonna burn someone."
Their first opponents were from the Astra Novelle Academy—known for their strategic formations and refined magic.
Four on four.
The horn sounded.
And the arena shimmered to life.
Kaela lunged, twin daggers flickering with lightning. Lunaria summoned a wide frost veil, cutting visibility. Their fourth, a healer from Dorm C named Eryss, provided backup with shields of light.
Astern held back for only a moment. Then his body moved, flowing like dusk and dawn. His aura danced in subtle pulses—barely visible, but unmistakably strange.
Their opponents fought well. Precision strikes, perfect formations. But Dorm D unraveled them piece by piece.
Kaela broke their flanks.
Lunaria immobilized their casters.
Astern swept in, disarming the leader in a single spiraled motion of shadow-cloaked force.
Victory.
But it wasn't the match that mattered—it was what followed.
As the crowd erupted, nobles in the high stands murmured. One angel, with a veil over his eyes and dark tattoos lining his arms, whispered into a crystal orb.
"He's here. The Umbrenox heir."
The message carried across dimensions.
All the way to the ruined spires of the Ghoul planet.
Where someone stirred.
---
Later that evening, the participants were allowed a short reprieve. Dorm D walked beneath glowing trees near the academy's outer ring, enjoying rare silence.
Eryss spoke for the first time since the match. "You were incredible, Astern. I've never seen anything like your movement."
Kaela threw an arm around him. "Told you. He's secretly terrifying."
Lunaria stayed quiet.
Until they reached the edge of the ring.
There, standing alone by the barrier, was a girl dressed in ceremonial robes. Her eyes were hidden by a soft blue veil. But her aura was immense—controlled, ancient, royal.
She turned.
"You're the one they're watching," she said.
Astern blinked. "And you are?"
"Nysera," she replied. "House Vaelis. You're not supposed to exist."
Kaela stepped forward. "You talk to all strangers like that?"
But Nysera didn't flinch. Her gaze, veiled as it was, was fixed on Astern.
"You have no idea what's coming," she whispered. "But you're tied to it. Bound by blood and sin."
Before he could reply, she turned and vanished into the ether.
---
In a hidden chamber beneath the academy, Principal Seraphon stood with Instructor Selkyr.
"They've found him," she said.
Seraphon nodded. "Then the real trials begin."