The oppressive hum of energy filled the void, vibrating through the very air the children struggled to breathe. Above each of them floated two glowing spheres—one a searing crimson, the other a calm yet deceptive blue. They pulsed in rhythm, as though alive, waiting for their prey to falter.
Dreamer's voice broke through the tension, light yet dripping with cruelty. "It's simple. Stabilize the crimson energy and mana within your spheres. Then, fuse them into a protective barrier. If you fail… well, let's just say failure has its consequences." His masked face tilted slightly, as though amused by his own words.
For a moment, none of the children moved. Fear rippled through the crowd like a tangible wave. Then, one by one, they extended trembling hands toward the orbs.
Chaos erupted almost immediately.
The crimson energy, wild and volatile, resisted their attempts to control it, surging unpredictably like a beast unwilling to be tamed. The mana, by contrast, was deceptively placid—calm to the point of being unyielding, demanding far more finesse than most of the children could muster.
A piercing scream shattered the air as the first child collapsed. The crimson energy around her flared uncontrollably, engulfing her in a fiery blaze before she disappeared into the void.
The others recoiled, their resolve faltering.
---
Asmodeus, standing amidst the chaos, surveyed the scene with an unreadable expression. He raised his hand toward the crimson sphere floating before him. The energy lashed out, attempting to engulf his arm in its fiery tendrils, but he didn't flinch.
So much like pride, he thought, his lips curling into a faint, almost amused smirk.
Closing his eyes, he focused. The crimson energy clawed at him, testing his resolve, but he let it rage, studying its patterns and flows. It wasn't just raw power—it was willpower, emotion, a manifestation of inner strength.
You're not something to be controlled by force. You demand respect, he mused.
Slowly, the energy began to respond, wrapping itself around his hand in a steady, pulsing rhythm. To the onlookers, it might have seemed effortless, but Asmodeus had spent years—even lifetimes—perfecting his understanding of such forces.
With the crimson energy under control, he turned his attention to the mana.
If the crimson energy was a beast to be tamed, mana was an elusive spirit. It evaded his grasp, flowing away like water slipping through his fingers. Asmodeus frowned slightly.
Balance is the key, he reminded himself. Crimson demands strength; mana craves harmony.
He exhaled slowly, allowing his mind to quiet. The mana hesitated for a moment before responding, flowing toward him in cautious tendrils. He guided it gently, weaving it alongside the crimson energy.
The two forces clashed, sparks of red and blue scattering as they struggled for dominance. Asmodeus gritted his teeth, maintaining his focus. Bit by bit, the energies began to merge, forming a faint barrier around him.
It wasn't flashy, nor did it radiate overwhelming power. But it was stable—a perfect balance of chaos and calm.
---
Screams continued to echo across the void.
Another child fell, his shield imploding as the energies spiraled out of control. His body crumpled to the ground before vanishing into the void's merciless embrace.
Dreamer watched it all with thinly veiled amusement. "Ah, another one bites the dust. How disappointing. I thought this batch might have more potential."
The children who remained gritted their teeth, their faces pale with exhaustion. A few had managed to stabilize their shields, though most were faint, flickering, and ready to collapse at the slightest provocation.
Dreamer's gaze landed briefly on Asmodeus. The boy sat cross-legged, his shield glowing faintly around him. To anyone else, it would seem unremarkable—just another child barely managing to hold on.
But Dreamer's sharp eyes noticed the precision in Asmodeus's control, the seamless flow of crimson and blue energy around him.
"A genius hiding his claws," Dreamer muttered to himself. "Interesting."
---
Hours passed, then days.
One by one, the children succumbed. Some collapsed in exhaustion, their shields shattering as the energies consumed them. Others stood frozen, unable to move as fear and despair overtook them.
Of the original 3,508 children, only 500 remained.
The survivors stood in silence, their bodies trembling from exhaustion. Each of them bore the marks of the trial—burns from crimson energy, frostbite from errant mana, and the hollowed expressions of those who had stared death in the face.
Asmodeus was among them, his shield still glowing faintly. He kept his head low, his expression carefully neutral.
Let them think I'm just another survivor, he thought. No need to stand out yet.
---
Dreamer clapped his hands, the sound echoing through the void like a whip crack. "Congratulations, survivors! You've passed the Trial of Dual Energy Mastery!"
His voice was light, almost playful, but the survivors flinched as though struck.
Dreamer's masked face tilted, his gaze sweeping over the group. "You should be proud. Out of over three thousand participants, only 500 of you remain. Truly an elite group!"
His tone darkened suddenly, the playful edge replaced by cold indifference. "But don't get too comfortable. The next trial will make this one look like a warm-up. Rest while you can."
---
Asmodeus sat cross-legged on the ground, his aura withdrawn. He let his shield flicker out, giving the impression of someone barely clinging to survival.
Inside, however, his thoughts were far from weary.
The fusion was just the beginning, he mused. There's so much more to learn from these energies.
He glanced at the other survivors, noting their hollowed expressions and trembling hands.
They're broken, he thought with a faint smirk. Easy pieces to manipulate when the time comes.
---
Dreamer's voice rang out once more, sharp and commanding. "Now that you've had your rest, it's time to prepare for the next trial."
The survivors tensed, their bodies stiffening as though bracing for impact.
"The next trial will be the hardest one, even according to my standards, infact, i myself might die if i attempt it"
A chuckle was heard from Asmodeus, making evryone look at him as he added.
"What? Why is evrybody looking at me as if i am insane?