The peaks floated above the void-like expanse surrounding the academy, each one humming with its master's essence. Hoshigami's eyes widened as she followed Lucien to The Obsidian Crest, his personal peak, a jagged formation of black stone hovering in the metaphysical winds. The horizon was an eternal twilight, stars spiraling lazily around, and the very ground beneath them pulsed as though alive.
"This is your trial," Lucien said, his voice calm, cold, but carrying the weight of infinite power. "I won't fight you directly. But you must understand — every action, every breath you take here is being observed. Malthior will test you. Learn, adapt, survive."
Hoshigami's heartbeat thudded in her chest. She knew Malthior's reputation: the first commander of the Ecliptic Citadel, forged from the very essence of Lucien's power. Even at a fraction, his presence warped reality.
From the horizon, a figure descended. Shadows twisted around him, light bending unnaturally. Malthior, the Unyielding Eclipse. His form radiated dominance even at an infinitesimal fraction of his full strength — precisely 0.000001% as Lucien had designated. To Hoshigami, it felt like staring at a black hole's edge.
The trial began. Every movement was swift, precise, fluid. Malthior moved like liquid shadow, strikes flowing in an unbroken chain. Hoshigami's defenses held for only a moment before they were shattered. She fell back, rolling to evade, her body screaming with exertion. She countered, weaving her aura into strikes, trying to anticipate his movements, but each attack was effortlessly nullified.
Lucien observed quietly from his peak, arms folded, eyes calm, yet the faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He did not intervene. This was a lesson in resilience, in observing limits.
Hoshigami staggered, bruised and battered, but refused to kneel. Every strike she took, every fall she endured, she pushed herself back up. Malthior's strikes came faster, the void around them warping with each impact, rocks pulverized into dust midair, the winds bending unnaturally, yet she stood.
Finally, she collapsed, utterly defeated. Malthior's form stopped a step away from her, his expression neutral, yet his eyes glimmered with respect. He looked up at Lucien.
"She has… resilience," Malthior said, voice deep as a collapsing star. "Her skill is raw, unrefined… but she will grow under guidance. She is worthy of further training."
Hoshigami gasped for breath, sweat and blood mixing across her face. Her gaze met Malthior's. "Please… show me your full power," she whispered.
Malthior turned to Lucien. "My lord, permission to release full strength?"
Lucien's grin widened, eyes sparkling with amusement. "Careful now, Malthior… don't scare her too much," he said, smirking.
Then Malthior exhaled. The air around him shattered like crystal, winds bending violently, space trembling. His aura erupted in waves, reality itself rippling under the force. Hoshigami could barely stand; her knees buckled from the sheer weight of existence bending around him.
Lucien's grin turned mischievous. "Alright… take it easy."
Then, with a simple gesture — a single finger pointed toward the sun hanging over the metaphysical horizon — he said quietly, deliberately: "Disappear."
The sun vanished. Just like that. The universe above Nax went dark. Stars flickered out. Shadows of the void extended further, swallowing all light. Hoshigami could barely process what had just happened. She stumbled backward, gaping at the utter absence of day, night, everything.
From the distance, Kaelith and Kaelitharion, seated on their own peaks, grinned arrogantly. "Who… who is that being?" Kaelith whispered, voice tinged with awe and amusement.
Lucien's smirk widened. He snapped his fingers. The sun reappeared, blazing as if nothing had happened. Light poured across the Obsidian Crest, illuminating Hoshigami's battered but determined figure.
"Lesson complete," Lucien said, turning to the girl. "Resilience matters more than strength alone. Remember this."
Hoshigami, exhausted and humbled, bowed deeply. She had failed in combat, but her spirit had been acknowledged. And in the presence of the God of Void, she understood — some lessons could never be measured in victory or defeat.
Lucien turned his gaze to the horizon, observing the academy, the peaks, the students below. The next phase of their journey was only beginning.