Time continued to pass, each second getting more nail-biting than the last.
Adelia, Gale, and Arya's bestowment brought endless excitement to the blissful audience. Not to mention, many others had summoned Fabled-grades as well. Furthermore, with the Custodian present, there was an invisible tension in the air, and no one truly knew what was coming next. All they knew was that something big was going to happen.
The most exciting Sword Bestowment Ceremony continued on and eventually, it was down to three.
Lydia Solaris. Alrock's granddaughter and a super talent who had mastered the pathway of a Knight and a Magician. Displaying the skills of a seasoned Knight, she passed her squireship with flying colours and, most recently, defeated a Troll during the Demonic Beast Purge.
Leon Solaris. Alrock's grandson and the son of Lucas Solaris, one of the most talented Knights of his generation. Even though Leon didn't grow up in the Solaris House, he had quickly made a name for himself, rising the ranks in the Academy and was certain to graduate from it at the top of his cohort. Also, alongside Lydia, the two hunted a Troll, a feat no other cadet could replicate.
And finally, the one who everyone had high hopes for, Amon Solaris.
In this generation, no other person could match his accomplishments. The youngest True Knight in decades, the most decorated Knight under twenty, the fiancé of the Elune House's heir… His list of accolades was endless.
These three were unquestionably the main protagonists of this event.
"Next, Lydia Solaris!"
Alrock's voice summoned his granddaughter, who walked confidently onto the platform. Lydia wasn't shy to attention; she was born and raised with plenty of eyes on her at all times. Even as she stood right before her grandfather with a readied stance, the eighteen-year-old didn't feel fear.
However, as she glanced over her shoulders, Lydia's golden eyes zoned in on two individuals.
One was the man she had a crush on for eight long years. Even though her love was one-sided, she felt empowered and determined whenever Amon was solely looking at her. Lydia felt that with his eyes watching over her, she would have the power to tackle the world.
The other person Lydia focused on wasn't her parents. Neither was it her beloved cousin. But one unassuming beauty resting within the audience. No, to say that she was unassuming would be a bald-faced lie. Her serene expression and iridescent moonlit white hair drew plenty of attention from the crowds. It was just that no one dared to do anything to her, as they knew who she was and the repercussions that would follow if they messed with her.
Yue Elune.
The woman promised to Amon and the successor of the Elune House.
Lydia had always compared herself to that woman, but she'd always lost out. Her beauty, her ability with magic, her status… None of it could compare to Yue.
From a pure engagement perspective, Yue was the perfect woman for Amon.
But Lydia didn't want to wallow in defeat. If anything, her inferiority drove Lydia to push herself to become a stronger Knight and a more perfect woman. And now that Amon's eyes were on her, not Yue… Lydia felt that she could finally challenge Yue's immovable status.
Mana flowed out from Lydia's veins and into the magic circle. As if waiting for this moment, the sky split open, and a glorious light fell from the heavens. An invisible gate, just as large as the Citadel, revealed itself over the platform.
The crowd was silenced, and even Alrock was in a state of mental shock. Only the Custodian, with his cassock covering his mouth, looked blank and neutral.
"Sword Heaven has opened…"
The Custodian's words sent shockwaves throughout the participants and audience. Their faces blushed red with excitement as they stared directly at the heavenly gates which appeared overhead.
If the Sword Garden was the vault where all the weapons of past Solaris Knights were kept, then Sword Heaven was the vault within the vault that kept the weapons of past Solaris Legends. After all, it would be odd if the greatest masterpieces ever known to mankind were kept randomly in the ground.
The opening of Sword Heaven meant only one thing…
A Mythic-grade weapon or higher was being summoned.
Before anyone could react, a lightning bolt struck Lydia's feet, forcing her to fall onto her backside. Lightning and fire swirled as harmonious energy, creating a ball of pure light. As Lydia cautiously stood from her frozen state, she was greeted by a singular, weird-looking sword.
It was shaped like a cutlass, but simultaneously, a wand was firmly embedded into the blade's hilt. It had multiple magical gemstones crafted into the blunt edge of the sword, and an immense amount of mana was overflowing from the sharp end. It was a pirate's weapon and, at the same time, had the elegance of a magician's staff.
There was no doubt about it… This was the sword made for Lydia.
"Mageweaver… Another sword from the first generation of heroes…" The Custodian mused. "A sword that also doubles as a wand, it's a fickle piece that hasn't chosen a master for thousands of years. You're lucky that it chose you, child."
"Thank you…"
Lydia nodded her head, but her thoughts weren't on the Custodian.
As she stepped down from the stage, she glanced briefly at Amon before firmly locking eyes with Yue in the stands. The pair shared a moment as they read each other's emotions. At that moment, Lydia didn't feel inferior to Yue. She stared into her eyes as if declaring war before finally releasing her tension and settling beside her entourage.
'How funny. Does she believe she can beat me?'
Yue thought to herself while openly showing off her grin. In her eyes, Lydia was nothing more than a child who had lived half as long as her. For Lydia to think of stealing Amon away from her was simply laughable.
'I'll let you bask in your glory for now… After all, your thunder will be stolen soon.'
The regressor scoffed and put Lydia's meaningless provocation aside. She knew the world would be turned upside down after today, and the two people responsible for that change were about to take the stage. Giving Lydia five seconds of fame was nothing to her.
"Next, Leon Solaris!"
Leon hurriedly got to his feet and took a deep breath in. Likewise, Amon stood up and stepped next to the young lad, prompting Leon to look up at him with confusion.
"Amon?"
"Don't worry, I'm after you and the last one in line. I'll follow you to the front."
"Okay!"
Leon didn't suspect a thing and followed Amon straight to the front. When Leon summoned the Holy Blade, Amon just wanted the best seat in the house. Standing beneath the platform, Amon paused and urged the young Knight to step up.
"Good luck…"
"Thank you!"
Feeling like he was at the top of his game, Leon took a deep breath and stepped up to the elevated pedestal with a determined look. The main reason why he returned to the Solaris House in the first place was for this exact moment. To claim a powerful sword and do his father proud.
All the ridicule he suffered, all the endless nights of training, all the blood, sweat and tears he shed…
It was all for this moment.
Leon exchanged looks with his grandfather, who wore a weary but proud smile as he took to the stage. Never in a hundred years did Alrock expect his long-lost grandson to stand where his son once stood, and he would be the one to carry on his legacy. If not for the need to show impartiality, Alrock would have lovingly tapped Leon's shoulder and encouraged him the way a grandfather would.
Alas, he was here in the capacity of the Solaris Lord.
"You may begin!!!"
Burying the fuzzy feeling in his heart, Alrock commanded Leon to proceed with the next steps. It was a curt and simple message, but Leon understood it nonetheless.
Closing his eyes, Leon released the mana within his body and channelled it through the magic circle. The light coming out from the young hero was warmer and brighter than anyone who came before him, and in no time at all, a stunning pillar of light erupted from his body.
It started with the diameter of a pen, but it slowly grew until it engulfed the entire citadel.
Sword Garden trembled at the glorious light, and every prized possession in the realm began to quake. The earth rumbled, and the heavens split open. Leon's pillar broke off into millions of small rays, much like a proliferating spiderweb, and eventually, it enveloped the entire Sword Garden.
Every sword trembled as if they wished to rush before Leon and present themselves to him. Each ray of light brought newfound happiness to the arcane and lonely swords that had spent generations polishing themselves for a future owner. Literally, tens of thousands of swords didn't matter if they were Unique-grade, Fabled-grade or Legendary-grade… they were all eager to fly out from the ground and rush to Leon.
But alas, they were all blocked by an even higher power.
"W-What's happening?!"
"This phenomenon!!! Could it be that Sword Heaven is opening again?!"
The effects completely spellbound the audience, and their hearts were beating rapidly. They earnestly hoped to view another mystical sight of the Gates of Sword Heaven opening. Many of them were holding their recording crystals and filming the entire scene.
Amon felt a tinge of regret that he couldn't record the moment alone, but he was glad the scene would be played back in the coming days. Right now, he was busy searing the event into his brain.
'The birth of this generation's hero and protagonist… To think that I would witness it with my own eyes.'
Reading always had its limits. No matter how colourful their imagination was, one couldn't see, feel or hear the events depicted in books. Now that Amon was standing at the best seat in the house, he could feel everything with his five senses.
The essence of this realm was shaking at Leon's mana. The sounds of swords shaking, the wind splitting against his face, the transcendent light creating a phenomenon indescribable through words… It was all tantalising to the soul.
And as Leon's 'light' reached its apex, Amon saw the heavenly gates open again.
Sword Heaven has reacted… This time, with an even bigger reaction than it had done with Lydia. The Gates swung wide open, and a torrent of mysterious energy fell upon the Citadel. Everyone felt an untold amount of pressure from the heavens, and the weaker cadets fell to the floor, kneeling.
Even the stronger audience members had tense faces as they withstood the pressure. Only the Custodian had no weight on its shoulders, but even then, its face was utterly dumbfounded at the sight.
However, the person who felt the most pressure was the person who started this phenomenon.
Leon was already on his knees, withstanding the full force of Sword Heaven with his own body. Clutching his fists and clenching his teeth, the sixteen-year-old glared defiantly at the massive gates with his cerulean eyes, spitting out a mouthful of blood in open rebellion.
The young Knight was well aware that it was a trial. Sword Heaven was testing him, and if Leon could pass it… It would bless him with the greatest gift of the Solaris House.
'... it's coming.'
Like a comet, a single sword burst through the gates and slammed onto the ground. None of the other swords lusting for Leon's touch moved in the presence of this sword, and they backed off in reverence to their monarch.
The realm quietened down until no sound or shaking remained. Yet, the silence was deafening to everyone present.
Bathed in the light of heaven, the singular sword stood like a monument that transcended space and time. The blade glistened with a silvery glow, its surface inscribed with divine symbols and runes. Just by existing, it pulsated a holy, golden aura from its pristinely sharp edges, which seemed capable of slicing through any surface like a hot knife through butter.
The guard was ordained with holy angel wings, with a golden ruby embedded in the centre. The wings were crafted with angelic, divine motifs and dragon scales to give the guard added protection. But contrary to the patterns around it, the central ruby seemingly possessed an ever-flowing fiery liquid that never ceased in its quest to ignite with embers.
Finally, its hilt was wrapped in silver-threaded leather that resembled celestial silk, so anyone who held the sword would never have any issues with grip.
Beating with holy energy, everyone present who bore the bloodline of Solaris felt their bodies naturally gravitating to the sword. They held the innate urge to bend the knee and worship the idol as if it were their deity and their souls were bound to its majesty.
Everyone present knew the identity of the sword. Anyone who grew up in the Solaris House, no, anyone who grew up in Hyades knew of this legendary blade: a Heroic-grade blade, the sword of humanity and the Solaris House's most treasured item.
Ascalon, the Holy Sword.
It was the most powerful weapon… claimed by only two individuals in history.
The Solaris Founder, Idrytis Solaris.
Quite possibly, the most famous man in history. He was the man who founded the Solaris House and fought the Dragons during the Great Dragon War. The Solaris Founder led humanity into a brighter future when they were destined to serve the Dragons.
The Solaris Saint, Agios Solaris.
The Holy Woman, and the human responsible for repelling the First Demonic Invasion. She wielded Ascalon when the night hindered day, and fought the Demons of the past with the world at her back. Without her, the foreign invaders might have conquered Hyades, and humanity would have been slaves again.
These two were the icons of their time, the bastion of hope in the darkness and the most influential figures to have ever lived.
And now… there was a third owner of Ascalon.
"ASCALON?! NO WAY!!!"
"IS IT REALLY THE HOLY SWORD?!"
The crowd was in an uproar. They couldn't believe what they were witnessing. Ascalon's appearance was both a good and a bad thing. One, it meant a new hero had been born. A hero that could be compared to legends of the past. However, the following meaning was far more sinister…
Ascalon's appearance was heralding… the starting of a dark age.
"L-Leon, you…"
Even Alrock didn't know what to say. The shock that Ascalon had given him was far greater than anything he'd ever experienced in his entire life. Likewise, the Custodian was in complete disarray. It had been the guardian of Sword Garden for aeons now, and it knew better than anyone else the weight of Ascalon's appearance.
After all, it was acquainted with the two previous owners of Ascalon…
"Child… Stay back with me… We need to talk…"
There were countless things the Custodian had to share with Leon now that he was the third owner of Ascalon. It wanted to expel everyone else in Sword Garden so it could talk one-on-one with Leon right now. However, Leon was still in a daze from accepting Ascalon's baptism and was in no state to speak. Furthermore, there was one last person who needed to get his sword…
"Amon Solaris, come to the stage!"
As the Custodian grabbed Leon to drag him to the side, Alrock commanded Amon to step up with a hurried voice. In his opinion, he wished to close the ceremony as soon as possible so that he could address Leon and the Custodian about Ascalon.
Regretful as it may be, Alrock wanted Amon to conclude the ceremony quickly.
And Amon was supportive.
Stepping up to the platform, he burned the image of Leon holding Ascalon into his memory as a warm smile crept up his face. It was a scene he'd envisioned many times before and would witness many times in the future. But right now, Amon was happy to watch the protagonist of [Bright] wield the Holy Sword right before his eyes.
'Thankfully, nothing has deviated. Leon still claims Ascalon as expected.'
If Amon said he wasn't worried about any further deviations, he would be lying, especially after Arya and Lydia's deviation. Arya was meant to be an extra, but she summoned a Fabled-grade sword. Lydia, too, Amon only remembered her summoned a Fabled-grade, but she bypassed all expectations and claimed a Mythic-grade sword for herself.
All those deviations made Amon a little nervous.
Leon summoning the Holy Sword was essential for the future, as many scenarios had to be solved using Ascalon's power. Fortunately, nothing had gone awry, and Ascalon was summoned by Leon.
'Now let's summon my sword and be over with it.'
Amon stood on the pedestal and stepped into the magic circle with added haste. Channelling his mana out of his body and onto the ground, a sudden thought hit the young Knight's mind.
'I wonder what kind of sword I would summon? Hopefully, it won't be anything too flashy…'
Only one person in the entire Sword Garden was paying attention to Amon. While everyone was buzzing about Leon summoning Ascalon, a white-haired beauty frantically activated all her recording crystals, using magic to spread them out to cover every angle.
It was one of the scenes she regretted not watching in person in her past life, and now that she regressed… Yue wasn't going to squander this chance.
She wasn't even interested in Leon and Ascalon and concentrated all her attention on the young black-haired man about to make history.
'Let's fucking go! SSS-Ranked event!!!'