caw! caw! caw!
A crow flies, perching on the window of Ashen
Wake up! The tournament is about to commernce! Wake up, the crow cawed
Oh! it is morning already, yawned Ashen as he struggles to get out of bed
Ashen tries to sleep again but the crow informs him about how everyone is already waiting at the tournament grounds and he's the only one absent
Oh Shit!, Ashen exclaimed and with a sudden burst of energy, he jumps out of bed and readies himself for the tournament
A few minutes later, Ashen emerges from the distance
You are late, one of the professors commented
I'm sorry sir. I kind of overslept a bit hahaha, Ashen replied in a nervous tone
You should feel ashamed, I heard Sylvie had chosen someone to replace Hammon but for it to be such a hmph! no comment. Go join your team, the proffesor said as he tries to hold in his disdain for Ashen.
Ashen proceeds to join his teammates but he is surprised by their appearance. This is because the morning before the start of the tournament, everyone had already been briefed about the rules of the tournament and what games are involves. Also each year different outfits are given to each academy just for the tournament.
The purpose for these outfits is to;
Track the students just in case they were to get lost or something was to happen in the tournament allowing the professors to easily find them and intervene
The outfits also have in-built teleportation device that is linked to the wearers heart rate and mental state. Therefore if the wearer was to experience a near death experience or was to be badly injured, the outfit will immediately teleport them to safety
The costume is crafted from Aetherweave, a rare and mystical fabric that shimmers with an iridescent glow, reflecting the user's Aether affinity and energy. The material is self-adjusting, adapting its fit and flexibility to enhance the wearer's movement and power output. Despite its delicate appearance, Aetherweave is immensely durable, resistant to tearing, scorching, or magical corrosion.Just that in the case of these students, their outfits were made from a low-mid tier grade of Aetherweave making them not as durable and adjustable to the user's power like that of conclave members.
The costume has a really intruiging and amazing design and features. These design and features include;
A fitted bodysuit that molds to the student's form, emphasizing both elegance and agility.It is layered with light, armor-like accents made of polished crystal-threaded fabric, adding both protection and flair.
The suit features runes and glyphs etched across its surface in gold and silver threads. These markings pulse softly when the wearer channels their energy, becoming more vibrant during intense moments.
Each costume is adorned with the emblem of the wearer's academy prominently displayed over the chest or shoulder. With the student's name is elegantly embroidered along the edges of the sleeves or cloak, glowing faintly in their Academy colors.
The costume is fitted with a long, semi-transparent cape flows from the shoulders, embedded with constellations of glowing aetheric patterns that reflect the cosmos. The edges of the cape are trimmed with threads of the academy's primary color.
The costume os able to adjust dynamically during combat, shifting its texture and weight to suit the student's needs—becoming lightweight during high-speed movement or rigid like armor when defensive. Although this feature is a bit limited to the students as their costume is not made of the highest quality of Aetherweave
The boots that come along with the costume are designed for both agility and durability,they are equipped with energy-conducting soles that amplify the wearer's jumps and landings.Fingerless gloves or gauntlets are woven with conduits that enhance spellcasting or weapon handling.
Finally, a braided sash around the waist combines all academy colors, symbolizing unity despite the rivalry. This sash bears a small, engraved medallion at its center, signifying the student's participation in the tournament.
This costume is not only a mark of honor and individuality but also a testament to the extraordinary skills and dedication of the students, making it an unforgettable sight on the tournament grounds.
So this is how a costume made from Aetherweave looks like, soo cool!, Ashen said happily
Luckily, I was able to talk to the professors to give me yours before we left the annoucement for the tournament. Here you go, Sylvie said to Ashen
Thank you! Sylvie, Ashen recieved the costume and proceeded to go change into it.
A few moments later, Ashen is all dressed up with him looking so elegant and handsome in his costume. It was almost as if he had been perfectly handcrafted by the gods in every single way.
You look good, Sylvie remarked
Thanks!, Ashen said blushing gently
Let me introduce you to the rest of the team, Sylive said
This is Sakura. As you can see from her white hair and blue eyes, she is from the Hashibana clan one located in the continent of Acia.
Next is Charles Hemlock. He is from the continent of Europa known mostly for their blonde hair and beautiful blue eyes.
This is Charles Hemlock like "the" Charles, I'm so excited to see you, Ashen said cheerfully as he extends his hands to greet his Charles.
The room was silent with Charles staring blindly at Ashen looking all dumbfounded
Erhm! okay no one told me this new guy was going to be a fan of mine, Charles said pointing to Ashen
Of course I'm going to be a fan. You are Charles the third strongest person in our academy and the man closest to being a member of the conclave. Right next to you is Sakura one of the best healers in our academy and a potential member for the Temple of Faith. This team is so stacked, Ashen said
That's enough Ashen stop being such a kiss-ass so annoying. Since you were late for the briefing, I might as well tell you what the tournament entails, Sylvie said
As you already know the annual tournament is held in a section of the Forbidden Forest overseen by our Professors. Due to the vastness of this forest, the academy is able to hold a variety of events for the tournaments. Each year has a different set of events linked with the tournament to prevent cheating. Also the number of teammates for each school is changed each year with last year having a maximum of up to 6 members but this year it got reduced to just 4.
With new events comes new rules and as for this year, they did end up putting in place more rules due to what happened last year, sylvie said with a bit of a frightened look on her face
If I may ask, What happened last year?, Ashen asked in a curious tone
Sylvie and along with Charles and Sakura looked down with a dark, frightened yet joyful look on their faces
We don't talk about it but just know it was the most one-sided tournament to have ever been held and also the only tournament in history to have ended the very same day, sylvie said
Then I won't be asking any further questions about it, Ashen said
Good! I will proceed with explaining the tournament. This tournament will have 4 stages with each stage testing specific traits and skills of we the students. The first stage is the Trial Of Wisdom, second is the Trial Of Willpower ,third is the Trials of strenght and Trust and last but not the least is The Champion's Duel. The entire tournament is going to last for a month with the main rule that every participating students should follow is the "No Killing rule" , Sylvie explained
I get the whole Trials thing that is going on but did they give any beginner's manual on what to expect in each trial?, Ashen asked
It wouldn't be a trial if details of the tournament was published out there now, would it you idiot, Sakura said sighing heavily in dissapointment
This is an announcement for all teams participating in the tournament, Make your way down to the Founders Hall. I repeat make your way down to the Founder's Hall
All the teams make their way down the Founder's Hall, A teleportation portal awaits to take them to the first stage of the tournament.
Upon entering the portal, all teams will be scattered accross various destinations in the labyrinth. The goal for the first stage is for each team to navigate through the maze to retrieve three mystical artifacts hidden within. Aside from Killing, everything else is allowed. Now then may we proceed with the tournament, The Headmaster said
There are ten teams from ten different academies in this tournament. Each team represents their Kingdom and as such they are provided with the best support and guide for the tournament. This is due to the fact that the tournament is a more of a foundation for people to know how powerful the next generation from each Kingdom are making this annual tournament very important.
The ten academies participating in this Tournament are; Aetherion Academy, Solara Academy of Light, Umbrafell Academy of Shadows, Ignisforge Academy of Flame, Glacialis Academy of Frost, Terranova Academy of Earth, Aeravial Academy of Winds, Aqualis Academy of Tides, Thundermarch Academy of Storms, Lunaris Academy of Mysticism and lastly Loughthambria Academy of Life.
With everything now set in place, The various teams from the academies all walk through the portal and with that the tournament unfolds.
Ashen starts puking after the teleportation, Sylvie and the rest of the team all sigh in disbelief.
Look ahead guys we are now in the Eternity Labyrinth, Sylvie said as she stares blindly into the ever changing labyrinth
Since this trial will be more focused on wisdom and teamwork, shouldn't we assign roles based on our individual capabilities?, Ashen asked
He's right sylvie, we need to assign roles based on our strengths. Sakura is the smartest of us so she should be helpful with riddles and puzzles, I am very good with navigation and resource management so I will take care of that, Sylvie will be the leader of the team. Charles said
Excuse me but what will I be doing, Ashen said as he points to himself
hmmm what are you good at?, Charles asked
I am a Jack of all trades, he answered
Good! then you will be our spare. Now then let's go finish this trial shall we, charles said with passion as he clenched his fist
The labyrinth is a shifting maze of shimmering blue crystal walls, illuminated by glowing runes. Floors occasionally transform into liquid mirrors, requiring participants to solve puzzles mid-air. Guardian spirits roam the labyrinth, presenting riddles or setting traps.
The group begins their journey to find the first artifact, on their way, the maze begins to shift as the floor transforms and area around them transforms into this dessert-like environment. They area around them is filled is skulls and skeletons of dead people with crows standing atop of these bodies, the dessert is so devoid of life and aether that even the trees are all dead and drained of its aether with the animals looking malnourished and ready to feast on anything they come accross, the sun shines so brightly and strong that the skin starts to melt awat after prolonged exposure with the body becoming dehydrated as fast as lighting. This is a plain of death and despair where no man can survive if they are not able to complete the trick behind it
I am so happy I brought a bag filled with water or else we would be dead before we even complete this challenge, Ashen said
Sakura...What do you think about this place?, Charles asked
Seeing as to how the plafform and environment shifted the moment we made our way further into the labyrinth, I am assuming this is more of a puzzle althought this place is as real as it can be. I assumed it was an illusion at first but seeing how fast my body is burning up and dehydrating, I am to believe this is a spatial distortion, she said
Everyone, I want you to link your aether to mine, Sylvie said
Are you planning on using your spirits to reduce our body temperature?, Charles asked
Yes!, she answered
That won't work sylvie. Haven't you noticed how this place looks so lifeless and barren? Well that's because there's no aether present here. Aether is life energy and without that life energy, only death follows. Therefore trying to use aether or spirits won't work here. The only way to leave this place is to find some clues and solve the puzzle whiles making sure we don't end up dying, Sakura said
Maybe you have forgotten Sakura but I don't use Aether or spirits so maybe my power might work here. If I use my "Dominion" here I think it might work, Charles said
There's a chance your "Dominion" might work but that will cause a heavy strain on your body due to the absence of Aether. Without Aether to compensate for the limitation of the human body, using "Dominion" of such magnitude like yours can cause your body to break, sakura said
You are right but as of now it is the only chance we have, he said as he activates his dominion
In a blink of an eye, Charles vanishes into the dessert
What just happened? I couldn't even see him move. One minute he was here then all of a sudden he was just gone, Just what is this power, Ashen thought to himself
As if Sylvie could read into Ashen's mind, she begun to answer the questions in Ashen's mind
That's the Dominion of speed. As you already know, Dominion is the highest form of power one can acheive. It is even greater than Divine Blessings and more powerful than one who controls and uses Aether based abilities. Divine blessings is granted to one by the gods, Aether is like the air and life energy and as such it is always around us and one can only draw as much Aether as their body and potential will allow them but for Humans they can only use aether due to the presence of the lightcrystal unlike other races. Compared to Dominions, these two are just childs play. Dominions are not granted by the gods and neither can they be used by everyone like Aether instead one is born with it and it grows with its user. Dominions are very rare and if one is born with it, they have the chance to become some of the most powerful beings in the world. Charle's Dominion allows him to tap into the realm of speed. According to him, this is a realm of just pure energy and it is the representation of speed itself. Everyone that uses speed even the slightest speed is drawn from this realm and Charles is able to draw all that limitless energy for himself, Sylvie expalined
Then if he is able to harness all that speed energy for himself, won't he be able to move faster than light itself and as such shouldn't he be the strongest in our academy?, Ashen questioned
You are not wrong but even though Dominion is so powerful, it has a weakness and limitation. In Charle's case, his physical strength and durability is far lower than your average Aether user. Also from what he told me last time, he has a lot of factors that limit him from moving at the speed of light or even faster than it. Currently he can only move at hypersonic speeds, Sylvie said
As Syvie completes her explanation, Charles appears right behind her
panting! panting! panting!
Damn that was so exhausting. Not only is this place soo vast but the heat just makes it almost impossible for me to move at my top speed. If I ever consumed as much calories before the start of the tournament, I probably wouldn't have made it back here. Although it seems there are some sort of towers placed at certain locations within this place
Were you able to count how many are there Charles?, Sakura asked
From what I could see, it seems about just 3 towers. Why?
Because that's how we leave this place, Sakura said
It seems following these people was our best bet. Since we run into you guys, we might as well eliminate you people.
A shadow-like portal opens up from the ground and a team emerges from it. These were the students from Umbrafell. Many of the students from this academy specialse in stealth and illusions and as such they were able to perfectly follow the group without any of them noticing
How were they able to slip past my sense?, Sakura said to herself shocked by this reveal
It would seem although teams were placed at various locations within the labyrinth, most of the teams would have to face each other in the trials. If that's the case I can assume as of now various teams might have encountered each other, Ashen said
Before we destroy all of you, allow us to introduce ourselves. I am the leader of this team Kael Voryn Nightshade and these are my comrades Selara Avyn Duskmit, Veyrin Draal Shadebound and Arlia Feyr Nocturne
Charles tries to attack them but he is stooped by this protective barrier around the group
Kael laughs at his face, telling him how much of a fool he is and how they had already made plans for him before trapping Charles in one of his illusions.
Due to how advanced Kael's illusions are, Charles immediately falls to the ground, unconscious and trapped in his own mind.
after careful observations, Selara attacks Ashen from behind but as she was about to stab Ashen, he is able to sense the bloodlust for a bit and carefully avoide any fata injury although the attack was able to get through.
I couldn't sense her movements and also when did she appear from behind me, Ashen starts to question himself as he retreats back on falling down on one knee due to the injury.
Sylvie tries to intervene and stop Selara but as she is about to attack, Veyrin intervenes blocking her dagger and declaring himself as her opponent
That makes you my opponent Arlia, Sakura said
Arlia's otherworldly beauty makes her both alluring and unnerving. Her alabaster skin glows faintly under moonlight, contrasting with her deep violet hair, which flows like liquid shadow to her waist. Her eyes are pools of black, with tiny pinpricks of starlight glimmering within them. She wears a long, flowing robe of dark purple and black, adorned with constellations embroidered in silver thread. The hems of her robe dissolve into misty shadows as she walks, giving the illusion that she is gliding rather than stepping.
I prefer not to fight but since you have openly challenged me, It would be bad of me to refuse
Sakura lunges in and tries to land a punch on Arlia but she blocks it with her barrier ability
on the other side, each team from the various academy have either engaged with other teams or completing their own challenges in the first stage of the trial. The audience from each school cheers on as they watch the battle and tournament unfold