As the Patriarch's words echoed through the arena, a deafening silence followed. The weight of Nox's judgment settled heavily over the crowd and the remaining contenders, their faces a mixture of shock, fury, and resignation. Stripped of their right to the throne, they were no longer rivals—only reminders of what they could never reclaim.
Nox stood at the center of it all, his blade still crackling faintly with residual lightning, the glow fading but the intensity of his presence unwavering. His decision had not been made lightly. It wasn't born of cruelty but of necessity. Power wasn't simply held—it had to be fortified, defended, and wielded with absolute precision.
The Patriarch stepped down from his elevated seat, his imposing frame moving with deliberate purpose. Each step seemed to shake the very foundation of the arena. Nox watched him approach, his gaze unflinching. Despite the calm façade, Nox felt the storm of the Patriarch's presence bearing down on him.
Stopping a few paces away, the Patriarch looked at Nox, his piercing eyes searching for something deeper. "You have made your choice, Nox. A bold one, to be sure. But power alone does not sustain a ruler. Tell me—what will you do to hold this strength in the face of enemies who may not honor your decree?"
Nox met his father's gaze, his voice steady. "I will grow stronger. This was only the beginning. The academy will refine what I already know. I will learn to wield my power with precision, and I will find allies who see the world as I do—those who understand that the strong must shape the future, not merely inherit it."
The Patriarch's lips twitched into a faint smile, though his eyes remained hard. "Good. A ruler must be more than just strong. They must be cunning, ruthless when necessary, and unyielding in the face of opposition. You have taken your first step, but the path ahead is long, and it will test every part of you."
With a wave of his hand, the Patriarch motioned to the arena's attendants. "Prepare the boy's enrollment in the academy. As for the others," his voice turned cold, "ensure they understand the full weight of their loss."
The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as the Patriarch turned to leave, his presence slowly receding but leaving an indelible mark on the air. Nox sheathed his blade, taking one last look at the fallen contenders. For the first time since the battle ended, a flicker of something—perhaps doubt or regret—crossed his expression. He silenced it quickly. This wasn't a time for second-guessing. The world he sought to shape required decisive action.
As the arena began to empty, a shadow emerged from the far side, moving toward Nox. A young woman with white hair, piercing green eyes, and a mischievous smirk approached him, her every step exuding confidence. She stopped a few feet away, her arms crossed.
"Impressive performance," she said, her tone light but with an edge of respect. "But you just made a lot of enemies today. Are you ready for that?"
Nox tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Enemies are inevitable. It's how you deal with them that defines whether you stand at the top or fall with the rest."
Her smirk widened. "Good answer. You'll need allies too. Lucky for you, I like bold moves." She extended her hand. "I'm Calla. And you, Nox, are someone I'd like to keep an eye on."
Nox hesitated for only a moment before shaking her hand. The crowd faded into the background, and for the first time, Nox allowed himself a small, fleeting smile.
Heading back to the carriage with his mother, a girl with striking blue hair and piercing black eyes called out to Nox. "Wait, Nox. Before you go, can we have a chat?"
Nox turned to meet her gaze. She was giving him a soft, gentle look, but he could read the concern behind it. Nox's eyes narrowed slightly. "Of course, but first, may I ask your name, sister?"
She took a step back, her face puzzled at Nox's question. Collecting herself, she replied, "Of course, Nox. I'm Selene, your eldest sister. I've just turned eighteen."
Nox gave a polite nod, though a trace of skepticism lingered in his eyes. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Selene. Though I must say, I'm skeptical. From how our other siblings looked at me, it seemed they saw me as nothing more than an obstacle in their way. It makes sense, of course. We're all vying for the role of Patriarch, which means we're all enemies. So why do you seem interested in me?"
Selene's expression softened, but there was a guardedness behind her gaze. "That's actually what I wanted to talk to you about. I wanted to warn you that our siblings will come after you."
Nox's gaze remained steady, but a subtle flicker of something—perhaps wariness or recognition—crossed his mind. "I already know that."
"Good," Selene said, nodding. "But they won't fight fair. They'll use underhanded tactics. Recently, one of our siblings sent assassins to kill me."
Nox's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Sister, I appreciate the warning, but you don't need to worry about me. I'll handle anything that comes my way. Besides, I'll be safe until I go to the academy. The family keeps watch over my safety until then, so you can relax. That's still a few years away."
Selene's brows furrowed, concern lingering in her eyes. "I hope you're right. I look forward to seeing your growth, little brother." She gave him a faint smile before walking away.
As Nox climbed into the carriage, a girl with charming crimson eyes glaring at him. "How was your talk with your sister? Did she do anything to you?"
"No," Nox replied calmly. "She just wanted to talk. A little sibling bonding time."
His mother's expression softened slightly. Though a tinge of suspicion remained. "Well, as long as nothing happened."
As the carriage began its journey home, Nox's mother turned to him, a grin prevalent on her face. "Nox," she said, "since you won the competition, I'd say this calls for a celebration, don't you? Is there anything you'd like to do?"
Nox thought for a moment, the weight of his decisions still pressing on him. His gaze lingered on the distant horizon. "I'd like to go on an adventure."
His mother blinked in surprise before recovering quickly. "If that's what you want to do, then of course we can. But we'll only do one quest, and I'll be there to support you every step of the way."
Nox nodded. "Of course, Mother."
With a slight sigh, she continued, "Alright, then. We'll leave first thing tomorrow for the guild to find a quest for you. However, the Highest difficulty must be a D-rank mission."
"Thank you, Mother," Nox said with a small bow of his head.
Her expression turned serious. "This has to stay between us, Nox. Not even the maids can catch wind of this. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Mother," he replied, but something in his heart stirred. There was more at play here than just an adventure.
As the carriage rattled along the road, Nox turned his thoughts inward. I need to train more, he thought. After witnessing the other children's strength, I've confirmed that the people of Xaldria are incredibly powerful. If I'm going to survive, I need to become much stronger than I am now. But I can't tell her that. Training on an adventure is one of the best ways to gauge the strength of enemies. Fighting to the death with some monsters might provide the boost in strength I need.
The following morning, Nox and his mother arrived at the guild. The bustling hall was filled with adventurers of all types, their chatter blending with the clinking of armor and weapons. Nox's mother approached the receptionist, her presence commanding immediate respect.
"We'd like to take on a D-rank mission," she stated. Showing a Silver plaque.
The receptionist nodded, shuffling through a stack of papers before handing one over. "This is a monster extermination request. It's straightforward but still dangerous. Are you sure this is suitable?"
Nox's mother glanced at him before nodding. "It will suffice."
As they prepared to leave, Nox glanced at the paper. The mission involved clearing a pack of shadow wolves that had been terrorizing a nearby village. He felt a thrill of anticipation. This is exactly the kind of challenge I need, he thought.
The journey to the village was uneventful, but as they approached the forest where the wolves had been sighted, the air grew thick with tension. His mother placed a hand on his shoulder. "Stay close to me, Nox. This isn't a game."
Nox nodded but said nothing, his mind focused on the task ahead. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the sounds of rustling leaves and distant growls grew louder. Nox's grip on his blade tightened.
The first wolf emerged from the shadows, its glowing red eyes locked onto them. Without hesitation, Nox stepped forward, his blade crackling with lightning. His mother watched silently, her expression unreadable.
The battle was fierce but brief. Nox moved with precision, his attacks swift and calculated. Each strike was imbued with the power of his magic, the energy crackling through the air as he dispatched the wolves one by one. His mother intervened only once, when a wolf attempted to attack from his blind spot. She cut it down effortlessly, her movements a reminder of the skill she possessed.
When the final wolf fell, Nox stood amidst the carnage, his chest heaving. Despite the exhaustion, he felt a sense of accomplishment. This was only the beginning, but it was a step in the right direction.
His mother approached, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Well done, Nox. You're stronger than I thought. But remember, this is just the start.
Nox nodded, his gaze steady.