The Alexia Empire, Capital City of Aerilon,
Clang! Clang!
Regal dodged a sword strike and jumped back to create some distance between him and his opponent,
"My Lady you are becoming better and better with each passing day"
Garcia just gave a smile and dashed towards Regal, the battle became more intense, only blurry images could be seen. Time passed by the 2 fighters were finally stuck in a stalemate with their swords crossed in front of them, each one trying to push harder and harder.
Regal in the middle of the battle noticed the drops of sweat that were dripping of his face, he smiled recalling the time when he had started training the little girl who couldn't even hold a sword properly but now she had become a fierce lioness.
"haha! My lady teaching you has been one of my greatest honor, so allow me to depart by teaching you one final thing"
Garcia furrowed her brows,
"Old Man don't act as you have won already"
She then started pushing the sword with more intensity.
Regal lost his balance but there was still a smile upon his face,
"my lady I have indeed won!"
Just before the sword could touch his neck Regal emitted a devastating aura blasting Garcia away. She was exasperated now and quickly regained her balance to turn around and blame the old bastard for using magic in a sparring match, which was clearly cheating but when her eyes fell on Regal, she couldn't even move a single step forward it was like waves of auras hitting her one after the other because the Regal in front of him wasn't the same anymore.
Regal was now floating in the sky with white wings extending from his back, every time they fluttered a beautiful arc of wind blade would be created by them, His aura had become purer while the muscles of his body had increased but they weren't totally ripped they were subtle yet visibly present, but the most important thing was that he now had a golden hollow upon his head.
Regal then continued in a lecturing tone,
"My lady you will be undergoing 'The tests of Gods' today. You may think it will just give you a firm contending power over the throne, but what you will actually get in reality is the blessings of the gods themselves. You have always excelled at everything but this time it isn't just about excelling it's about enduring and still taking a step forward. You have been undoubtedly my strongest student so far when it comes to pure technique and sword skill but remember in the wild all one should care about is your real battle prowess that comes from the use of magic."
Regal took a deep pause before continuing,
"Without magic, you are better of dead in this world"
Garcia knew her family possessed the bloodline of gods but due to the royal family rules, she was not allowed to witness these powers until her age was 18 that was today. This was important because one could only practice magic after 18 if not the strain on there still developing body would cause permanent injuries. Also although magic was everything the royal family wanted their young talents to not ignore other skills and become complacent wholly relying on magic powers and skills.
After looking at Regal she finally realized learning all those sword skills and techniques was just a trailer the real show begins after awakening magic. Garcia started laughing heartily after all it was her awakening ceremony today, she was excited to roam the Antraxia unhindered and become a Maverick.
Regal seeing the maniacal look on Garcia's face was startled but immediately started laughing "not so ladylike are we now?"
Garcia quickly changed her expressions and gave a childish smile realizing her mistake after all she was a princess.
100th Floor Tower of God
A massive Pillar made up of white transparent crystal stood in the middle, rising high. The room had no rooftops whatsoever neither ledges. It was surrounded by one-sided parabolic Arcs that started from the edges of the Floor extending to just touch the central pillar.
A central stage with intricate golden design stood in the middle, The massive pillar was also at the center of this stage.
The sunlight from the sky after falling upon the stage would create a dazzling effect. All the construction was white in color with golden patterns and designs upon them.
The Floor was Crowded with every single person present giving off a high and mighty aura of authority and power. Just as these people were engrossed in chatting with each other they heard the noise of a bell.
Dhummmm!
A cylindrical container rose up at the far end of the floor like a lift, Garcia Walked out of it striding forward towards the stage walking upon the golden carpet laid in front of her graciously. She gave slight nods and subtle smiles to the faces she recognized in the crowd.
At last, her royal mantle slid on the smooth stairs of the stage and she was finally standing upon it.
A figure then approached her from behind ever so slightly without making any noise whatsoever and stood beside her, Garcia turned her head in surprise which transformed into a mixture of shock and joy as the man standing beside her was 'The Holy Emperor of Great Alexia Empire- Emperor Lucias'
Garcia couldn't help but ask,
"Father I thought you won't be coming today"
Lucias just smiled and signaled Garcia to walk with him,
"How could I not anyways how have you been my child…"
Garcia interrupted him, "I am very well father"
Lucias shook his head and continued,
"Ahem that was rhetorical, in any case, Garcia today you will understand what it means to be a noble with a royal bloodline by undergoing the test of gods, don't disappoint me, my child"
Garcia gritted her teeth making a resolve, "Father I won't"
Lucias was satisfied with her response, approaching the central pillar Lucias then left her and stood on the opposite side.
The High Priest seeing that both the Emperor and the Princess were standing in position began chanting, The other six priests standing at the edge of the stage also joined him.
The chants finally ended, the entire floor was silent and before long a light exploded forth from the crystal pillar extending up into the sky, it pierced through the clouds and then disappeared. Garcia stared at the sky out of amusement much like everyone present on the floor, But as soon as the light faded a huge translucent golden eye formed in the sky in the blink of an eye.
The eye then looked at Garcia and released an intense beam of golden light upon her accompanied by lightning.
Garcia even shuddered by just the gaze of the eye but before she could ready herself the beam hit her, She gritted her teeth but started screaming as time passed by.
She fell upon her knees and was about to lose consciousness, On the other hand, Martha Garcia's mother couldn't bear to see her child in such an agony and asked Lucias to end the ceremony.
Lucias face had now darkened considerably, he had recently received news that one of the Mauryan prince had awakened a violet devil flame. Lucias knew only if Garcia could awaken a power on the same level as the violet flame only then could they keep the Maurya Empire in Check.
Also, the Awakening process didn't just depend upon one's capabilities it depended upon one's will and a little bit of luck so Lucias couldn't interfere with the process and was helpless.
Garcia, on the other hand, was almost on the verge of losing her conscious, but suddenly she started recalling her struggle to fight, to become stronger, the hours she spent learning swordplay and her aim to become the Queen of the Alexia Empire for which she was ridiculed by her own family. And finally, she recalled what regal had told her, "to endure and take a step forward".
She then turned her head up and slowly with the support for her hands she brought one leg forward. She then tried to stand up but failed she roared with anger and tried again. Finally, she stood up and after balancing herself she glared at the eye.
She hadn't even noticed that the forceful way of hers had led to bleeding from her nose and ears but as if oblivious to this she continued glaring at the eye.
The beam intensified for one last time, Garcia coughed some blood but still stood straight. The Beam then disappeared, the eye took one final look at her and the Emperor before dispersing into the starlight of golden color which surrounded Garcia and healed her almost instantaneously.
Feeling the sudden surge of tremendous power inside her she released it like it was a natural thing to do.
Silvery white wings extended from her back with a red hue around them, her arms got covered with fine red star diamond-shaped scales, and a golden circular hollow formed over her head surrounded by arcs of red lightning. She became more refined her long eyes weren't sharp like before instead, they carried a serenity in them like that of a calm before a storm.
Lucias seeing this sight before him smiled ear to ear speaking to himself,
"Garcia you haven't disappointed me in the least"
He then turned to look in the direction of the Maurya Empire one could see a cold glint in the previously calm eyes.