Selah entered the hall and was called over by a beautiful and strong-looking lady with golden eyes that sparkled like precious stones, clad in heavy armor. The armor exuded an air of great authority, decorated with several inscriptions and a symbol of Nivalith country on her chest. In contrast to her armor, her greaves looked sturdy yet flexible, allowing for easy movement. She wore boots and gloves that appeared to be smelted from an unknown precious ore. A sword rested on both of her shoulder, hanging down for easy access, and her long, flowing hair was complemented by side braids to keep it from flying about.
Selah: Yvalra!
Yvalra: Selah! You look more ladylike now, back when I saw you at the Capital, you were this small.
Yvalra recounted the memories she had from long ago, sharing those great moments of the past as they lost track of time. Suddenly, Selah remembered what she needed to do and rushed to the registration desk, only to be met with disappointment as she discovered she had missed the cutoff. A sign was placed on top of the desk that read "Closed."
Sadness clouded Selah's face when suddenly Yvalra stepped in, standing beside her, she spoke to the hall staff, advocating for her as if vouching for her. The staff immediately scrambled and changed their tone upon seeing Yvalra, handing her a piece of parchment to sign her name along with a stone for her aura identification.
Selah looked at Yvalra in amazement, then signed the papers before stepping outside to meet Clause, who was eagerly waiting for her.
Clause: My, my, if it isn't the noble of golden lineage, Yvalra, champion of the Nivalith monarchy.
Yvalra: No need to be so formal my old friend.
Clause: Not that old.
Selah: So, what brings you to our small country? Is there some important matter that has brought you here? Just ask if you need any help.
Yvalra: Actually, I came here to warn you about a very dangerous person. You see, Cardal'tha, located western region of Zyrencia, was attacked not too long ago, destroying a significant portion of the country and even injuring its champion. As one of the representatives of the Nivalith Ascendant Knights, I came here to investigate in his stead.
Clause suddenly looked pale, as if he knew something. Yvalra turned her attention toward him, but he shook his hands in denial, obviously looking nervous. Fortunately, Selah intervened.
Selah: Sigh, forget my father, he's always like this, been crazy doing some strange research lately.
Yvalra: I see. I admire your dedication to honoring the memory of your late wife, who was a close friend of mine, and her legacy of endless discovery and invention.
Yvalra set aside her suspicions as two of her subordinates approached, carrying what seemed to be an apprehended man with his arms tied behind his back, also clad in heavy armor. They saluted in a manner familiar to their country. Before leaving, they handed her a memory stone, which hunters carried to record their activities in the hunting grounds. It was also used for identification in the event that they died during their duty.
She acknowledged the report, praising her men for a job well done, and placed the memory stone in her pocket for later investigation. Just then, an announcement echoed around the plaza through devices hanging from situated poles. Yvalra looked at Selah with pride and wished her the best outcome. Meanwhile, Clause gestured a thumbs-up sign, which startled the two, as they were unfamiliar with the gesture.
Contestants entered the hall designated for the qualifying tests, where their powers would be assessed by a machine resembling a partial cage. It featured five petal-like contraptions on the sides for support. At the center top was a circle enclosing a formless liquid, suspended from the ceiling by an attached line, along with four metallic columns that pulled on it. This machine gauged each individual's manifestation, as the liquid took form, the edges it displayed would determine the power level based on color, indicating affinity. The maximum was six edges, representing the highest level of power.
One contestant stepped up, a gentleman wearing light armor, chainmail, leather straps around his waist, and leather gloves and boots. Suddenly, the petal-like contraptions extended, securing him in the middle of the device. The formless liquid inside the enclosure began to change color, turning green, and it formed a triangle, a moderate level of strength. A staff member, dressed in custom attire and feather pen, recorded the results before calling the next participant.
From a distance, a guy with yellow-shaded hair spotted Selah. He wore a shiny, gimmicky outfit embellished with rare stones, giving him an extravagant appearance. His weapon was equally unusual a blade with a metallic and wooden hilt etched with intricate symbols. It featured a small metal attachment at the tip of the blade, a circular mechanism near the handle, and a curved activation mechanism, resembling something straight out of a fantasy game.
Alongside the obnoxious person was his assistant, a girl with short olive-shaded hair, dressed in a white and blue tunic with two bracelets on her wrists. She wore worn-out leather boots and nervously clutched her master's belongings, sensing the tension in the air rising.
The guy, with an obnoxious tone, recognized Selah, giving her a condescending look from head to toe. He sneered and ridiculed her for being an Avas, drawing the attention of other contestants, further complicating the atmosphere and adding to her humiliation.
Obnoxious person: What is an Avas doing here? Oh, you one of the staff is it not? Go ahead and leave, you good-for-nothing! You have no place in this contest.
The sound of people's laughter echoed around her, in Selah's mind, everything became dark and hazy. and her confidence began to plummet. With teary eyes, she covered her ears, feeling overwhelmed and accepting her fate as a talentless Avas, the obnoxious person continued to ridicule her, his sinister laugh echoing through the room. It was clear he was delighted by her reaction, feeding off her despair.
As her name was called next, doubt filled Selah's mind. Her knees trembled, and as the weight of humiliation pressed down on her, she turned to flee. But just as she stepped away, someone caught her arm. She looked up to see Hyuwin, his confident smile reassuring her. She held her breath and paused for a moment.
The crowd murmured, recognizing him as the "Phantom Fang," a recognition given only to professional Ascendant who had achieved an impressive feat of successful hunts.
Frustrated, the obnoxious man introduced himself as Barpirio Mirethorn, boasting of his ancient bloodline from the great families of the Western Cardal'than Empire. He proclaimed that, since the venue for the Ascension Festival in his homeland had been destroyed, everyone here should feel honored simply by his presence. Despite his disdain for this "putrid" place, he claimed he had no choice but to come to the neighboring country to showcase his own greatness.
Barpirio: Yes, that's it, feast your eyes, as I bless you all with my majestic presence, I Ba-..
But before he could finish his sentence, Hyuwin released Selah and delivered a swift punch to Barpirio's nose, caving in his face and knocking him unconscious. Immediately, the staff rushed to intervene, placing a merit on Hyuwin for illegally entering the contestant's hall and assault. Being escorted outside, he glanced at Selah who nodded, feeling a surge of newfound courage.
Just as Hyuwin reached the entrance, he heard the commotion inside regarding Selah's examination results. He looked back and smiled proudly.
Sitting in the upper portion of the colosseum-like structure, Yvalra and Clause talked about the festival, where she explained in detail her experience in the Capital undergoing the same test.
Yvalra: Contestants who have passed the preliminary examination undergone several tests to measure their inidivual capabilities and is divided into four parts.
Affinity: specialized assessment designed to gauge a contestant's ability to harness and control their aura or manifestation power represented by Coloration and Edges of the test device.
Aptitude: is an advanced assessment designed to measure not only the strength but the control and precision with which an individual can harness their manifestation power.
Combat: It is a rigorous and dynamic examination designed to measure not only an individual's raw manifestation power but also their ability to wield it effectively in real-time combat scenarios, using dolls specialized in a set of instructions that can be attached using a specific pattern.
And finally, she exclaimed and explained the rest to Clause with a stern expression, bearing the weight of her words. Clause began to bite his fingers, shaking from nervousness.
Yvalra: The Ascension Test is designed to weed out the unworthy. Back in my day, many contestants were severely injured after giving it their all, as failing meant losing an entire year of opportunity to ascend. A year's setback is a significant risk, especially as more unique and powerful manifests continue to emerge.
Clause clung to Yvalra's left arm, his nose runny and eyes teary as he struggled to contain his emotions. She assured him with confidence that Selah would pass the test, which helped restore his usual self, leaving him looking ecstatic. Just then, Hyuwin recognized Clause from afar and approached him.
Hyuwin: Yo, old man Clause! Oh, pardon me, it seems you have company.
Clause: Spare me with that old timey thing. This is Yvalra, an old friend of mine, she was Selah's tutor back in the day and a colleague.
Yvalra gently nodded in response, and after a few introductions, the three sat down together to witness the final part of the contest, the Ascension. An arena was built in the center to welcome contestants, allowing them to face each other and display their strength. Sabin's staff positioned themselves throughout the colosseum to ensure the safety of both spectators and warriors alike. A figure sat on the upper most part of the Arena surrounded by armored guards.
One by one, the contestants were called from the first bracket. Immediately, Yvalra and Hyuwin noticed something off about the contestants who showed up, panting and seemingly injured beforehand, tottering and not in condition to fight, the two speculate.
When Barpirio was finally called, the audience in the lower right portion of the colosseum went wild with cheers. Yvalra recognized him and explained his profile to the others. As for his opponent, he was a burly man wielding a large club, his muscular body only covered by a shield strapped to his chest and reaching down to his lower extremities. He wore iron-studded boots and had a huge scar on his left cheek. However, like the first contestant. This imposing giant also displayed injuries as the medical staff tended to his wounds and brought him to the arena.
Barely making it to the top of the arena, Barpirio drew his Gunblade and shot the poor contestant before he even fully entered. The strange part was that the staff didn't bat an eye. Aside from being upset of the result, Hyuwin's curiosity was piqued by the unusual weapon.
Hyuwin: What kind of weapon is that??
Yvalra: It is one of the prototype creations of Fel, the first person to ever reach the Sovereign title in the entire world, she is Clause's wife and Selah's mother. She pioneered the invention of mystical tools, but I wonder how it ended up in Barpirio's hands, knowing that his bloodline only honors weapons crafted by their own country.
Hyuwin grew more concerned for Selah as a few more contestants were called out, each sharing the same predicament as the first. Barpirio won with a single strike, knocking out anyone who dared to face him and effortlessly securing victory in the first bracket.
As the staff welcomed the contestants for the second bracket, the first to step forward was Selah. Her opponent was a thin guy with pale skin and poor posture. His hair hung from his head to his cheeks, and he had tired-looking eyes with dark circles underneath. A cloth covered half of his face, hanging below. He wore light armor, silken tabi, and netted interior, with an armband. He wielded a dirk in his left hand while hiding his other hand behind his back.
Clause shouted at the top of his lungs, calling out to Selah. She looked up and waved back at them, but Yvalra quickly pulled him down, realizing he was distracting her. Unexpectedly, the enemy, introduced as Raklediph, lunged at Selah while she was distracted. Hyuwin stood up, trying to warn her, as her eyes turned to face the impending attack.
In that brief moment, Raklediph was certain of his victory. The tension hung in the air, but just before his dagger could reach her throat, Selah's necklace shone brightly, granting her a burst of energy. She crossed both hands in front of her and smashed the dagger into pieces. To his surprise, he leaped back, still hiding his other hand behind his back.
The staff tried to intervene and stop the fight, but to his frustration, Raklediph revealed his secret weapon, deterring him. A bone whip with sharp, flexible segments, crafted from a poisonous creature he had slain. He warned her of its danger.
Raklediph: You were fortunate to have avoided that, but even luck runs out, a scrape is all I need.
Selah brandished her weapon and prepared herself for the attack as they rallied on the arena at tremendous speed. Yvalra noticed the shift with Selah.
Yvalra: That pendant of hers.
Clause explained in detail what the pendant does as they listened intently to his description, all while watching the battle unfold.
Clause: For a normal Avas to wield the ethereal energies abundant in the air, they must slay a rarest mystical beast and consume its heart, or possess a rarest mineral that, when mixed with the user's blood, grants them the ability to harness energy within their body. Avas are not suitable vessels for storing energy on their own, as is apparently the case with my daughter.
Yvalra watched Selah's unusual glow with curiosity, with an observing eye, focusing on the energies being drawn into the pendant and evenly distributed throughout her body. Clause chimed in, explaining that the key activation sequence for his invention was the soul.
Hyuwin and Yvalra exchanged dumbfounded glances, and when they asked Clause how he crafted it and what materials he used, he quickly changed the subject, seeming flustered. Both decided to drop the topic, suspecting he was keeping the fascinating discovery a secret.
Hyuwin also contributed to the discussion, recounting their successful hunt of Tyrathis. He showcased how Selah had expertly won the hunt, surprising everyone, including seasoned Ascendant like himself. Yvalra smiled as she reminisced about the early days with Selah, training her to become a sword fighter in the capital when she was little and thought she has the potential.
At the staff's call, the battle was over, and Selah was declared the winner. She stood over her foe, pointing her weapon at his throat, while the segments of his whip lay scattered around, severed cleanly. With a sportsmanlike gesture, she smiled, sheathed her weapon, and reached out to her opponent, who admitted his utter defeat and took her hand to stand up.
The spectators roared with cheers after their impressive fight, applauding both combatants. Hyuwin and Yvalra looked on proudly from the sidelines, while Clause wiped his nose and tears.
As the battle heated on after the appearances and outcomes of the third and fourth bracket, the remaining contestants were called upon the preliminary assessment, Selah continued her streak securing her spot on the semi-final assessment.
The first to compete was a young man introduced as Neros Veil, with ash-gray hair and piercing gray-shaded eyes. He wore a simple brown garb, tied with strings at the chest, and gloves with metal attachments on the knuckles. A belt was strapped diagonally across his torso, with a bulging pouch at his side. His demeanor seemed almost out of place, as he panned his gaze around the colossal arena, wide-eyed and curious, like a lost child.
Against a hooded woman introduced as Uvbrehk has a sinister appearance. The woman wore a cloak woven from a dark silk that draped over her arms, along with reinforced leather armor and unusual trousers adorned with the hanging fangs of beasts. Her fingers were long and claw-like, and her teeth appeared sharp and crooked. Her eyes glimmered with a reptilian green hue, giving her a witch-like presence. She wielded a crossbow, ready to strike.
Selah was escorted on her way out of the arena when she glanced and noticed the same enigmatic guy she had seen earlier, speaking his name.
Selah: Neros Veil.
Uvbrehk transformed into her serpent-like form in an attempt to intimidate her foe. However, Neros remained indifferent and continued to observe the audience. As the staff gave the signal to begin the battle, it quickly ended with Uvbrehk lying on the arena floor, seemingly unconscious, wisps of smoke rising from her skin.
Everyone, including Hyuwin and Yvalra, was dumbfounded by the method he used to win in a split second against a powerful Crosent or demi-humans like Uvbrehk, a race known for their innate abilities and tenacity, which Hyuwin and his party had also classified.
The crowd was initially unsure of what had just happened, but as the realization set in that they had witnessed something spectacular, they erupted into cheers for Neros. Meanwhile, Barpirio stood on the sidelines, stomping angrily, frustrated that they had stolen his spotlight.
On the finals Barpirio rummages his foe along with other contestants including Selah who won consecutively.
As the final round approached, Hyuwin noticed something odd about the behavior of the staff and a few individuals wearing robes and masks. They were whispering amongst themselves, their actions seeming suspicious, as if they were plotting something. His instincts flared up, prompting him to stand, but Yvalra gently placed a hand on his arm, asking him to settle down for the moment.
Yvalra: That's okay, I'll go investigate. Please cheer Selah on for me.
With that, she quietly slipped away from the stands, blending into the crowd as she moved toward her men to receive a report and investigate the oddities of the festival.
The staff called upon Barpirio, and Hyuwin and Clause held their breath as they called for Selah. However, after a few moments, she still did not appear, leaving the audience looking at each other in confusion. Irritated, Hyuwin stood up to conduct his own investigation.
Hyuwin: I'll go too!
He was about to leave when suddenly the crowd cheered for the arrival of Selah with noticeable bandage on her left arm, but not a serious injury. The staff was about to give the signal when Barpirio ranted accusing Selah for cheating using an "Artifact" that the ancient civilization had used holding an immense power and destructiveness.
Hyuwin: Tsk, that bastard again!
With these claims, the staff and the jury climbed up the stage to investigate, and their verdict went against Selah, confiscating her pendant and disqualifying her from the contest due to her being an Avas who was unable to manifest. Selah was devastated, and Clause covered his face in humiliation, crying for her. However, Hyuwin could no longer contain his anger, he shouted at the crowd, urging them to side with Selah.
Barpirio looked at him like he was a barbarian and accused him too of being an arrogant brute. Hyuwin challenged him to a brawl, but Barpirio, cowardly in nature, declined, claiming he wasn't on Hyuwin's level just yet and that he would only get hurt if he dared to fight.
Since the day was almost over and the sun was setting, the jury consulted Sabin's elders sitting on side platform, made a few adjustments, but their judgment against Selah remained final. The next battle would be Barpirio versus Neros. Selah climbed up the stage to join with her father, trying to muster a smile and move on, though she couldn't completely hide her emotions. Her father hugged and comforted her as they watched from the sidelines.
Confident of his win, Barpirio climbed up to the stage for his final fight. When the staff called out for his opponent, Neros, he thought to himself that a sinister plan was being executed.
Barpirio: These simpletons have no idea that I have brought along my strongest henchmen, Arkylla and Arveleos, the mightiest beast-men in Cardal'tha, so no one can dare defy me.
The staff then proceeded to make another call. Barpirio raised his arms as people from his country shouted his name, cheering and certain of his victory. He approached the staff, insisting on claiming the Ascendant Insignia, an emblem painted with honor that grants the title.
When the staff looked at the jury and they shook their heads, he was about to announce the winner when one of the robed figures approached the jury to receive the emblem. Suddenly, as dust settled, Neros appeared from the entrance, munching on a treat. Barpirio's expression quickly shifted, his eyes widening and his jaw dropping in shock.
Outside the colosseum, away from the bustling crowd, Yvalra and her men observed two towering beast giants with muscular physiques, with their broken armor and severe injuries hanging from a tree, bloodied and unconscious.
Yvalra: Who could have done this?
Selah clutched her chest, wondering who Neros was as she looked at the arena. When the staff gave the go signal, Barpirio drew his gun blade and shot Neros, the sound echoing across the colosseum. As Neros stood still, Barpirio laughed, thinking the bullets connect. But then Neros reached into his pocket, causing the crowd to hold their breath in anticipation. He opened his oversized pouch and retrieved an object. Barpirio swallowed nervously, but the crowd was soon disappointed to see a sweet treat in Neros's hand, causing the tension to dissipate quickly.
Barpirio lost his temper and unleashed a barrage at Neros, who quickly dodged and closed the gap between them. He accelerated beyond the limits of human perception, appearing directly in front of Barpirio. Drawing a dark object from his pocket that emitted an electrical discharge, he held it at his side and began to chant an unfamiliar incantation.
Neros: Thunderbolt!
Barpirio's eyes turned white, and the staff declared Neros the winner of the festival. Hyuwin still found it impossible for anyone to move so quickly that even he had difficulty following his movements. The leader of the country coronated Neros as the new Ascendant. The whole crowd applauded the completion of the festival, and the merriment continued throughout the night. Selah went into the crowd looking for Neros to congratulate him and caught a glimpse of him not too far from the food stalls. When she was about to call him, the skies glowed eerily. While everyone celebrated, they turned their eyes to a rift that formed above the sky revealing a deep darkness within, and a pair of red eyes glowed inside. The test machine in the hall reacted uncontrollably and then broke into many pieces… danger is coming.