The morning sunlight barely filtered through the clouds as Eryk reviewed the events of the previous day. His mind churned over the suspicions surrounding the overseer mages and the potential manipulation of the competitions. As he met up with Selene to discuss their strategy, a new twist emerged.
"I feel it," Selene whispered, glancing toward the overseer mages. "There's powerful mana near them… and I'm certain it's my grandmother." Her voice carried a mix of awe and apprehension. "She's from my noble house, but she isn't even from this country."
Eryk raised an eyebrow, confused by Selene's tension. "Why are you so worried? Afraid of failing while she's watching?"
"It's not that simple," Selene replied, her expression serious. "Impressing my grandmother means more than avoiding failure—it could be my chance to get into the Arcanum Sanctum of the Western Reaches."
Eryk's curiosity deepened. "Why would impressing her give you an advantage?"
"Because she's one of the academy's teachers," Selene explained, her voice quiet but firm. The revelation startled both Eryk and the noble girl they had rescued the day before. Eryk realized that today's competition could carry greater implications than merely earning points—it could open doors to the prestigious academy.
…..
The next competition was a multi-stage event designed to push the young nobles to their limits. The arena transformed in phases, shifting between different terrains that forced the competitors to adapt continuously. Harsh environments—such as a burning desert, a swamp with dense fog, and a tangled forest—appeared with little warning. Each shift tested their resilience and ingenuity.
Points were awarded based on how well teams handled the various obstacles, with extra rewards for completing specific objectives or forming temporary alliances. Eryk's group had the opportunity to team up with others during certain stages but had to remain cautious, knowing those alliances could turn into rivalries as soon as the goals changed.
…..
As Eryk, Selene, and their new ally navigated the forest stage, they encountered a familiar challenge. A magical trap ensnared their path, similar to the one that had caught the rescued noble before. This time, they worked together to free the noble's remaining teammates, earning gratitude and securing a temporary alliance for the next stage.
The rescued noble introduced themselves, bowing slightly. "Thank you again. My name is Alaric Faolan. I won't forget this."
"Eryk Lavelle," Eryk replied, nodding. "Let's see if we can make it through the next phase together."
The alliance with Alaric proved valuable as they faced treacherous terrain and elusive magical creatures. Eryk and Selene coordinated attacks, while Alaric supported them with defensive spells. Their cooperation boosted their team's score, even as the arena shifted yet again, dropping them into a rugged canyon with narrow paths.
…..
During the competition, Eryk noticed subtle interference from one of the overseer mages. The terrain seemed to change in ways that favored a particular rival team, creating an unnatural path through the canyon. Eryk quickly adjusted his strategy, using his enhanced mana control to manipulate nearby boulders, blocking the rival team's advance and securing points for his group.
After navigating the canyon, the teams finally regrouped. Eryk observed the overseer mages restoring the arena, paying attention to their movements and interactions. He wondered if the interference was part of a larger scheme, as Selene had suspected.
…..
Later, Eryk managed to find one of the overseer mages alone. He approached with a casual expression, as if merely curious about their work. "The simulated environments are impressive," he commented. "Must be challenging to keep everything running smoothly."
The mage glanced at him, their tone guarded. "It's a demanding task, yes."
"Especially when certain teams seem to find paths much easier than others," Eryk added, his voice carrying a hint of suggestion.
The mage's eyes narrowed slightly. "Luck plays a part in these events."
Eryk noted the response, sensing an evasion. "Of course," he replied, his tone light, though his suspicions deepened.
…..
During a quiet moment, Lilia found Eryk near the edge of the arena. Her gaze was sharp, but her expression held a touch of concern. "You're paying a lot of attention to those overseer mages," she remarked. "You're hiding something, aren't you?"
Eryk met her eyes, weighing his words carefully. "I suspect that not everything is as fair as it seems. There are signs of manipulation in the competitions, and we should be cautious."
Lilia's jaw tightened, and she sighed. "I've had my own doubts. It feels like some families are getting special treatment. I wouldn't be surprised if a few noble houses were bribing the overseer mages."
Eryk nodded, his gaze lingering on House Vale's section in the grandstands. Casandra and her father wore stern expressions, clearly displeased by the day's outcomes. "You're not the only one being singled out," he said.
Despite the tension that had built between them recently, Lilia stepped closer. "Regardless of everything, I still want to believe in you, Eryk," she admitted. "And… I've been granted a letter of recommendation for the Arcanum Sanctum."
"Congratulations," Eryk said genuinely, though he couldn't ignore the academy's age requirement. At nine years old, he was far too young to be considered for admission, while Lilia was nearing the ideal age of fourteen. "I'm sure you'll do well."
He refrained from delving further into her plans and simply wished her luck. As she turned to leave, Lilia paused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "For a moment, I could almost see the Eryk I used to know," she whispered before walking away.
…..
Eryk and Selene's investigation took a promising turn later that day when they stumbled upon a ledger hidden in a backroom used by the overseer mages. The records were coded, but there were enough clues to suggest payments linked to at least two rival noble houses.
"It's not solid proof, but it's a start," Selene said as she studied the notes.
Eryk's jaw tightened. "If we're right, this could be the break we need. Let's keep this to ourselves until we find more."
…..
As the sun set, talk of the evening gathering grew louder. Eryk could sense the anticipation among the noble families. He knew that tonight's event would provide both opportunities and risks—if he played his cards right, he might uncover more of the conspiracy, but one misstep could bring the wrath of powerful rivals.
He took a breath, his resolve hardening.