*Boom*... *Boom*... *Boom*
The ceiling shook as Evolis prepared himself underneath the arena. Dust occasionally fell from the ceiling as the spectators outside stomped their feet. 10 Meters ahead of him stood the door through which he would begin to realize his destiny.
"*Whew*", Evolis slowly exhaled calming his nerves.
"Speed. I am spe-, *cough*" Evolis looked around to see if anybody might've heard him, temporarily forgetting that this was a room just prepared for him, the top student of the Academy.
"Alright, this is it, every grueling moment every bruise, every whispered tease from Master Gaius has led you here Evolis. I can't let this chance go. This is the moment you've been training for these three years at the academy. What if I finally unlock a hidden power? What if that mysterious slip of paper holds the key to everything I've been missing? You've come too far to let a little stage fright hold you back."
Finally he took one step forward.
"LAADIEEEEES AND GENTLEMANNN, PLEASE WELCOME-"
He took more steps forward.
"THE NUMBER ONE STUDENT OF THE ACADEMY-"
Finally he reached the door placing his hand on it.
"EVOLIS AETHERION"
Suddenly the noise in the arena slightly dimmed. And as if a mysterious aura attracted everyone's attention, everyone turned their eyes to an opening door.
Confidently walking out of it was a handsome young man, with striking raven hair, and mesmerizing golden eyes which seemed to trap you if you stared into them for too long.
Every step he took seemed to cause the spectators to cheer louder, as if his steps were synchronizing with the heartbeat of the arena.
Cheers could be heard everywhere, especially from the female students, as Evolis made his way onto the stage, where 23 other students stood.
Karam couldn't help but feel infuriated at this sight. 'it was supposed to be me getting all this attention, not some random, abandoned child, Tch!'
He made his way over to where Lyris was standing and found his place next to her.
Surrounding Evolis were some children of royalty. Most notably Cassien Xanthos, Son of Duke Lucien Xanthos, Aurelia Ferrel, daughter of Duke Orion Ferrel, Julian Marik, Son of Duke Evander Marik, and Isolde and Cassian Corvin, the twins Duke Morias Corvin. As well as Karam from House Token, a new, upcoming Ducal House. Truly a gathering of the elite.
The air pulsed with energy, a subtle hum that set every nerve alight with anticipation. Today was the day—a day when destiny would be tested, and every heartbeat echoed with the promise of transformation.
Evolis's heart pounded, each beat a steady drum in the symphony of the arena. This was his arena now—a place where legends were born and destiny was rewritten. Clad in his training clothes, his body now a testament to months of relentless effort, he surveyed the arena with eyes that burned with quiet determination. His muscles, honed by countless sparring sessions, rippled beneath his skin, each bruise a badge of honor earned in the crucible of training.
An architectural marvel of ancient stone and shimmering Etherion screens, stretched out before him. Gigantic banners waved in the gentle pre-dawn breeze, each emblazoned with the academy's crest and symbols of the noble houses that had once molded this realm. Etherion runes flickered along the walls, casting prismatic light that danced across the polished floor—a visual reminder of the power that governed every corner of Aurelia.
High above the arena, suspended in a lofty gallery, a massive screen crafted entirely of Etherion energy came to life. Its glow deepened, and an electrifying voice boomed over the speakers:
"ATTENTION, citizens of Aurelia! AAARRRREEEEE YOU READYYYYYY?! The moment of destiny has arrived! Step right up and witness the Etherion Arena ignite with the flames of ambition and divine might! Today, our champions—our third year students—are about to enter the portal that will test their very souls and etch their names into the Cosmic Ascension Record! Are you ready to see raw power, incredible intellect, and the fierce determination that will shape the future of our realm? But first let's go through the process of the awakening which each of these students have to go through!"
"After the students enter the portal, they'll arrive at the first challenge! Going through a maze with shifting walls, elemental traps and unstable Etherion surges. But that's not all people, as they'll also be able to find terrifying beasts blocking their path which they have to overcome!"
"Next they'll have to go through the Mental Crucibles, where they're mental prowess will be tested, as they'll have to face puzzles, symbolic riddles and tests which probe the depths of each student's mind! They'll also have to face their deepest fears or regrets and push past them to overcome their mental hurdles"
"Then finally the last stage of the trial is where they'll face a clone of themselves which is slightly stronger than them, requiring them to surpass themselves in order to finally step into the world as awakened!"
The cheers from the gathered crowd surged like a tidal wave, each voice merging into a singular, deafening roar. Evolis felt the energy of the spectators—nobles and commoners alike—vibrating through the floor, the air thick with the scent of anticipation and the sweet tang of excitement. In the distance, amidst the swirling mass of people, fragments of conversation drifted through the air:
"Do you think anyones gonna awaken an S-Talent this year?"
"What!? no way! The last time someone awakened an S-Talent was 500 years ago when our emperor took the Trial of Ascension!"
"Maybe but I just can't shake this feeling that something big's gonna happen today."
"Oi! Don't tell me you've been smoking that new shit that people have been talking about?!"
"What no way man! The last time I smoked was... yesterday *cough*. Anyways don't act like you didn't ask me for some either!"
"Hey did someone say anything about smoking?" another student asked.
As the rambunctious mutterings of the crowd quited down, high above the stands, in the VIP section where only a select few nobles were allowed to be seating, heated discussions were occurring.
"Honey look theres Lyris and Evolis" Seraphine Altheon pointed out to her husband, Duke Regulus Altheon.
"Look at how close that brat's standing to Lyris, he better not let me get my hands on him," Regulus said as he rubbed his fist.
"*Scoff*, says the one that tries to get every boy that approaches Lyris beheaded. Honestly if it weren't for you accepting Evolis into our family I'd be scared we'd never see our grandchildren," Seraphine remarked.
"That boy focuses too much on training instead of focusing on our daughter." Regulus scowled, "I am excited to see what interesting thing that boy will show us today though."
"Mhm, I just hope they don't get hurt during the trial." Seraphine muttered.
For Evolis, though, the focus was singular. The portal that shimmered at the far end of the arena beckoned like a gateway to a new life—a promise that, once crossed, would forever change him. That portal, an ethereal construct of swirling Etherion energy and ancient runes, pulsed in rhythm with the collective heartbeat of the arena.
Before he took his final steps, a familiar figure strode up beside him—Master Gaius, his silver beard glinting in the early light, his eyes solemn and filled with wisdom.
"Well, brat," Gaius boomed in his familiar, rough-hewn tone, "you've made it this far without somehow getting yourself killed. Remember, you're not just here to show off; you're here to prove that you've got what it takes. The portal awaits, and I expect you to step in with the determination of a warrior and the heart of a true champion."
Evolis flashed a confident grin. "Don't worry, Master—I won't be the one who gets left behind. Besides, I still haven't given you payback for all the beatings you've given me and you still have plenty more to teach me after I step through."
Gaius clapped him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh. "Just keep your eyes open and your fists ready. And don't forget, no matter how fast you think you are, the trial will humble you in ways you can't imagine."
As Gaius walked off toward the sidelines, his booming laughter blending with the raucous cheers of the crowd, Evolis turned his attention back to the portal. Every step forward was accompanied by the thrumming pulse of the Etherion energy beneath his feet. The arena's surface, so smooth and cold, vibrated with an almost musical rhythm—a prelude to the clash of wills that was about to begin.
With each step, memories of his rigorous training flashed through his mind: the painful yet invigorating beatings during the one-on-one sessions, the surprising recoveries that left him in awe, and the playful banter with Master Gaius that had both humiliated and honed him. He remembered how his body had begun to adapt—how a simple blow could now be mended almost instantaneously, and how his reflexes had sharpened until even Gaius's best moves were no longer unexpected.
As he neared the portal, the Etherion screens around the arena shifted, now displaying close-ups of the top students, each with their own unique aura and determined expressions. The images flickered in vibrant detail—each face a mirror of the ambition burning within. Evolis caught glimpses of his rivals: Aurelia Ferrel, a determined girl with piercing eyes, Cassien Xanthos, a quiet boy whose presence exuded an almost unearthly calm, and others whose talents had already begun to carve their names into the annals of the Cosmic Ascension Record.
The announcer's voice echoed one more time, reaching even the farthest corners of the arena:
"Champions of Aurelia, it is time to embrace your fate! Step forth, and let the portal of destiny reveal the true measure of your potential! Remember—your talent is your legacy, and tonight, you write the next chapter in our cosmic history!"
The crowd's roar swelled to a fever pitch, every soul present seemingly caught up in the electric anticipation. Evolis felt a surge of exhilaration as he finally reached the edge of the portal. The swirling vortex of Etherion energy was both beautiful and intimidating—a living tapestry of ancient power, its luminescence dancing with the promise of transformation.
Taking a deep breath, Evolis closed his eyes for a fleeting moment. He recalled the hours of training, the playful jabs and serious lessons, and the memory of that mysterious slip of paper still hidden in his pocket—a silent enigma that had guided him here. Now, as he opened his eyes, his gaze met the vibrant core of the portal. It pulsed like a heartbeat, its rhythm calling to him, urging him to step forward and embrace whatever lay beyond.
In that heartbeat of decision, Evolis straightened his back and stepped into the radiant threshold. The world around him seemed to vanish as he crossed the boundary—a brilliant cascade of light and sound washing over him, and a slight sense of nausea enveloping him, mingling with the cheers of the crowd and the distant, echoing words of destiny.
And as the portal swallowed him whole, the Etherion Arena erupted in a symphony of awe and anticipation—every eye fixed on the magical gateway, every heart beating in time with the pulse of a new era. The trial had begun.