The next morning, the Academy buzzed with energy. Students filled the massive training coliseum that hovered in midair, its stone rings spinning slowly around a glowing core of magic. Banners of different houses shimmered with enchantments — House Valcor's silver crest at the highest point, gleaming in the sunlight.
Professor Selian's voice rang through the air, calm yet commanding. "Welcome to the Elite Combat Trials. Every student stands equal here. Your rank will be determined not by lineage, but by mastery, strategy, and heart."
Whispers rippled through the stands as teams assembled. Some students looked nervous; others, hungry for recognition. The atmosphere was electric — a mix of anticipation, rivalry, and ambition.
Aiden adjusted his coat, Lyria pulsing faintly under his skin. Kaela stood beside him, calm but alert. "This is it," she said softly. "Your father's watching. Probably half the noble council too."
He nodded. "No pressure then."
Mira grinned. "Just don't faint."
Ciel smirked faintly, her silver eyes glinting. "He won't. Not while I'm watching."
The air shimmered — and the Trials began.
---
The first round paired Aiden's squad against House Draven, a rival group known for elemental manipulation and arrogance. Their leader, Lucen Draven, was tall, sharp-eyed, and radiated confidence that bordered on disdain.
"Valcor's little extra," Lucen sneered, his crimson cloak fluttering. "Let's see if the rumors are true — or if you're just your sister's shadow."
Aiden exhaled slowly. "You talk a lot. Hope you can back it up."
The ground pulsed. A magical barrier rose, sealing the arena in a dome of light. The crowd fell silent. Professor Selian raised her hand.
"Begin."
---
Lucen's team attacked first, summoning a storm of flame and wind. Aiden's squad responded instantly — Mira countered with waves of water, Rylan reinforced their ground, and Kaela expanded her lattice like a shield.
Ciel stood slightly behind, analyzing every movement. Her presence alone made the air feel charged.
Lucen lunged, twin daggers blazing with red runes. Aiden met him halfway, starlight flaring from his palms. The impact thundered through the arena, scattering dust and sparks.
Lucen grinned. "Not bad, Valcor. But you're holding back."
Aiden narrowed his eyes. "Not for long."
He channeled Lyria fully, the blade of pure starlight forming in his hand. Their weapons clashed — light against fire, will against fury. The crowd roared.
Kaela's voice echoed across the link. "Stay steady. Match his rhythm."
Ciel joined the fray, her silver energy slicing through Lucen's teammates with terrifying precision. Every movement was beautiful and ruthless — her control absolute.
For a moment, it looked like victory was certain. But then the air darkened.
---
A crimson ripple pulsed across the barrier — faint but unmistakable. Lyria trembled in Aiden's grip.
Kaela froze. "That energy… that's not part of the arena spell!"
A jagged mark formed briefly beneath Lucen's feet — a faint red sigil glowing like embers. His eyes flickered crimson for just a second.
Aiden's blood ran cold. Tharen.
Lucen's next strike came with unnatural force. The flames turned black, searing through the arena floor. Kaela reinforced her lattice, barely holding the barrier intact.
Ciel appeared in front of Aiden, blocking the corrupted fire with a burst of silver. The explosion shook the entire dome.
"Little brother!" she shouted. "That's Tharen's influence! He's using the Trials!"
Aiden's heart raced. Tharen's corruption was spreading — even here, in the heart of the Academy.
---
"Disengage!" Professor Selian commanded, her voice sharp. But the barrier refused to open — corrupted magic laced through its structure.
Lucen's expression twisted, his voice distorted. "You can't stop what's coming, Valcor. The Rift chose you."
Aiden's pulse thundered. He stepped forward, gripping Lyria tight. "Then I'll make it regret that choice."
He swung, channeling pure starlight. The explosion of energy ripped through the darkness, purging the crimson aura surrounding Lucen. The sigil shattered, and the boy collapsed, unconscious but alive.
The dome flickered, then vanished with a final burst of light.
Silence filled the arena.
Then — applause erupted. Thunderous, deafening.
Professor Selian's eyes flicked between Aiden and the unconscious Lucen. "House Valcor's squad — victory."
She hesitated only briefly before adding quietly, "And we will be investigating this interference immediately."
---
As the crowd cheered, Aiden's team regrouped. Kaela was breathing heavily, but smiling faintly. "That… wasn't supposed to happen."
Ciel placed a hand on Aiden's shoulder, her tone soft but protective. "You handled it well, little brother. But Tharen's reach is spreading faster than I thought."
Aiden looked at the faint crimson sparks still fading into the air. "He's testing us. Watching."
"Then let him watch," Kaela said, her violet lattice flaring. "Because next time, we'll be ready."
Mira exhaled, glancing at the crowd. "You two looked amazing, by the way. Half the academy's already calling you the 'Starbound Siblings.'"
Ciel smirked faintly. "They can call us whatever they want. As long as they remember who stands at the top."
---
That night, the academy halls buzzed with excitement. The first trial had become a legend in hours — the mysterious corruption, the impossible teamwork, and the power of the Valcor siblings.
In the faculty chamber, Professor Selian studied the broken barrier's residue. Her eyes darkened. "Crimson Rift energy… impossible to detect unless you've faced it before. Whoever's behind this is inside the academy."
And in the deepest shadows of Elyndra, a voice chuckled softly.
"Very good, Aiden Valcor," Tharen whispered from the void between dimensions. "Let's see how brightly your starlight burns before it fades."
---