The waiting hall of the trials thrummed with mana.
So thick, you could almost taste it in the air metallic, heavy, alive. Power gathered here like a storm behind closed doors.
Hundreds of candidates stood in clusters nobles in their crested cloaks, mercenaries wrapped in rough leather, and the rare commoner trembling in borrowed robes.
But Lucien Valecrest?
He leaned lazily against a marble pillar, eyes half-lidded, scanning the hall with a faint smirk.
So these are the so-called prodigies of the new generation... huh.
His gaze moved like a blade dissecting, classifying, filing away every aura and posture.
The first pair that caught his eye stood bathed in light near the front golden hair like sunlight itself, red eyes burning with confidence.
The royal twins. Aurean and Aurora Ardenthal.
He'd heard rumors that their family claimed descent from the Solar Thrones.
Aurean laughed too loudly, swinging his arm around a nervous candidate. "Relax! We're all friends here unless you trip me, then I'll vaporize you!"
Aurora sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
"Brother, must you act like a buffoon in public? You're supposed to represent the crown, not embarrass it."
"Oh come on, sis. You say that every time, why are you a worrywart it's not like they can do anything "
Lucien watched them, amused.
Raw power and precision chaos and control. If they ever learn to synchronize, the sun itself would have to bow.
A sharp burst of heat interrupted his thought.
Someone was laughing wild and unrestrained.
Caelth Doeneviel.
Flames flickered faintly from his palms as he cracked his neck, looking for anyone willing to fight before the trials even began.
"Hey, dragon boy!" he called out. "You look tough don't go fainting when I light this place up!"
The "dragon boy" in question, Ryn Dralamor, barely turned his head.
Straight-backed, soldier-like, scales glinting faintly under his collar. His orange hair gleamed like embers.
"Honor forbids me from fighting a fool outside the arena," Ryn replied coolly. "But if you insist, I'll make an exception."
Lucien's lips curled.
A soldier with pride and a lunatic with fire delightful combination.
By the far wall stood a girl with short brown hair and soft black eyes. Serlene Maelora.
A healer's emblem glowed faintly on her robes.
She was praying under her breath, murmuring blessings for her future opponents.
A saint in a den of wolves, Lucien mused. Let's see how long that lasts.
Then the temperature in the room dropped.
Like the air itself had been filtered through disdain.
A girl with flowing violet hair and crimson eyes stepped through the crowd. The air shimmered faintly around her her Aether was so pure it made others instinctively move aside.
Yelena Frostbane
An elven princess whose arrogance could rival the heavens.
Someone brushed past her shoulder. She froze.
"Watch it, I didn't—" the poor spirit girl stammered.
Seris Alumira.
Delicate, silver-haired, her aura flickering nervously like moonlight through water.
Yelena's voice was calm, venomous.
"Touch me again, and I'll pulverize you "
Seris immediately bowed her head, cheeks flushing.
"S-sorry!"
Lucien smirked faintly.
Spirits — emotional, fragile. Dangerous if provoked, but she doesn't even realize it yet.
He let his eyes drift once more… until they stopped.
A boy stood apart from everyone else.
Simple tunic, messy blonde hair, blue eyes that carried something… resolute. Too resolute for someone so quiet.
Noah Veylor.
The orphan. The half-blood. The one with no backing and no place.
Yet even from here, Lucien could feel it — an undertone in his aura, calm but deep, like the silence before a storm.
Interesting…
His lips curved slowly.
" Bingo , I've found the hero . I should be wary of him " he mummured .
Then, just as he thought the moment would pass quietly.
A faint whisper cut through the crowd.
"Wait… isn't that—"
Someone's tone turned mocking.
" Lucien Valecrest."
The whispers started to spread.
Lucien's eyes narrowed just as a flicker of golden light danced across the crowd.
Aurora Ardenthal turned her gaze toward him.
" Lucien Valecrest ." Her tone clearly cutting through the chatter. " I am surprised you are participating, you did shut yourself from the world after the incident. I owe you my deepest condolences even though it happened a long time ago."
The entire hall went silent.
Every head turned.
Every gaze burned into him.
Lucien straightened from the pillar , he didn't say anything and offered the princess a slight nod and walked away.
...
What was that !!! I said this as I was walking. What incident. I think I'm missing something here. Does it have to do with my Mother maybe. I really have to know what happened to her .
But first things first I have a trial I won then I can think of this .
If only I knew this exact statement would haunt me for the rest of my life.