**Chapter 18: The Gathering Storm**
The Academy's grand amphitheater buzzed with excitement, its towering crystalline walls shimmering with glyphs that displayed rankings and current standings. The Secret Realm Trials loomed closer, and the tension was palpable. After weeks of preparation and smaller tests, the final stage of selection was about to begin.
Erythion Draeven stood at the edge of the arena, his Abyssal Direwolf, Obsidian, at his side. Obsidian's crimson eyes scanned the crowd, reflecting the beast's predatory instincts. Erythion, hooded and silent as ever, observed from a distance, his thoughts guarded.
Nearby, Rynna Valerique stood with her Ethereal Seraph floating above her shoulder. Its radiant presence seemed to calm her, even as whispers about the trials grew louder.
Kaelen Rothhart, restless and eager, leaned against a stone pillar, his Stormclaw Fenrir pacing beside him. "The suspense is killing me," Kaelen muttered, glancing at Rynna. "When do we get to the fun part? These trials better not be another glorified treasure hunt."
"They won't," Rynna replied, her voice steady. "The academy has far too much at stake."
Across the amphitheater, the royal and founding family heirs were gathering, their auras commanding attention. Aric Vaelstrom, golden-haired and imperious, stood at the center of his entourage, his Solar Griffin perched majestically behind him. Selina Eranthys, ever serene, exchanged a brief word with Elira Sylanthir, whose icy demeanor matched her Silver Wyvern's predatory glare.
---
Headmaster Alden Daryth stepped onto the central platform, his commanding presence instantly silencing the crowd. "Students," he began, his voice amplified by magical runes etched into the arena, "you stand on the threshold of greatness. The Secret Realms await—ancient, uncharted dimensions that promise glory, power, and unimaginable danger."
A shimmering projection appeared above him, displaying swirling portals, otherworldly landscapes, and colossal beasts. The crowd gasped as the visuals shifted to show towering labyrinths, sprawling deserts, and foreboding jungles teeming with deadly creatures.
"These realms are ranked by difficulty—Bronze, Silver, Gold, and beyond. Only the strongest will survive the higher tiers. Your objective is simple: conquer the realms, claim their treasures, and prove your worth. Teams have been preselected based on compatibility and performance in earlier trials."
The glyphs above the platform shifted, revealing team assignments in glowing gold letters.
---
**Team 1:**
- **Aric Vaelstrom**
- **Selina Eranthys**
- **Darian Zepharion** & more
**Team 2:**
- **Elira Sylanthir**
- **Saria Astrelle**
- **Kaelen Rothhart** & more
**Team 3:**
- **Erythion Draeven**
- **Rynna Valerique**
- **Calia Veylindar** & more
Kaelen groaned. "Why am I stuck with the ice queen?" he muttered, glancing at Elira, who was already walking toward the staging area with her Wyvern in tow.
Rynna smirked. "You'll survive. Probably."
Erythion, meanwhile, met Calia Veylindar's fiery gaze as she approached. Her Phoenix Hawk perched on her shoulder, its sharp talons glowing faintly with embers. "This better not slow me down," she said curtly.
Erythion's response was calm. "Stick to your strengths, and we won't have a problem." then focused his attention back on the floating screen in front of him.
[New Opportunity Detected: Secret Realms.]
Recommendation: Participation advised for accelerated growth.
Warning: Significant risk involved.
---
Just as the teams began to gather, the amphitheater trembled. A massive shadow spread across the arena, blotting out the sun. Gasps and murmurs erupted as a colossal portal tore open in the sky above them, swirling with dark energy.
**[Warning: Anomalous Entity Detected. Tracing Origin:Beast Corrupted by #### Nytheris ####.]**
Erythion stiffened as the Sovereign System's voice echoed in his mind.
The Headmaster's expression darkened. "This... wasn't planned," he muttered to his aides. Turning back to the students, he shouted, "Evacuate immediately!"
But before anyone could move, a monstrous, insectoid beast emerged from the portal. Towering over the amphitheater, it had blade-like limbs, eyes that glowed with malice, and a body that radiated an aura of pure darkness.
Kaelen's Fenrir snarled, its fur bristling with lightning. "Well, this just got interesting."
"Interesting?" Rynna snapped. "This thing could kill half the academy!"
The beast let out a deafening screech, and chaos erupted as students scrambled to defend themselves.
---
Erythion acted immediately, summoning Obsidian. "Kaelen, flank it with Fenrir. Rynna, can you blind it with the Seraph's light?"
"I can try," Rynna said, her voice steady despite the panic around them.
As the others moved into position, Erythion analyzed the creature with his system.
**[Nytheris#### Corrupted Beast: Rank ???. Strengths: Enhanced Durability, Shadow Manipulation.
Weakness: Concentrated Light Energy.]**
The beast lunged at Aric Vaelstrom, its blade-like limbs carving through the air. Aric's Solar Griffin intercepted it, unleashing a blinding blast of golden light. The attack staggered the creature but didn't stop it.
Kaelen charged, his Fenrir striking with lightning-infused claws. "Keep it distracted!" he shouted as the beast roared in fury.
Rynna's Seraph released a burst of radiant light, momentarily blinding the creature and giving Erythion an opening.
"Obsidian, Abyssal Rend!" he commanded.
The Direwolf howled, slashing through the beast's shadowy armor with a wave of dark energy. The creature screeched in pain, its movements growing more erratic.
---
After what felt like hours, the combined efforts of the students finally brought the beast down. Its massive body dissolved into shadow, leaving behind a dark crystal that pulsed with ominous energy.
Selina approached cautiously, her Moonlit Stag illuminating the crystal. "What... is this?"
Erythion stared at the crystal, his system flaring again.
**[Warning: Nytheris Core Detected.
Potential Catalyst for Higher-Ranked Secret Realms.]**
The Headmaster, visibly shaken, descended onto the battlefield. "This... changes everything," he said gravely. "Prepare yourselves. The realms are no longer just trials—they are a battlefield."
---
*End of Chapter 18.*
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