Lestrade continued his formal explanations about the academy's history and policies, eventually leading them into a massive, circular arena beneath the administration building. The space was surrounded by magical barriers that shimmered faintly, designed to protect the spectators.
"There are two types of trials here," Lestrade began. "The first is solo: a test of endurance and strategy. You will face a Rank-5 gold-grade beast, and your goal is simple—survive for ten minutes. The second option is group combat. For every additional team member, another beast is added. Coordination and teamwork will be essential."
Artaigne's face paled at the mention of gold-grade beasts. "A gold-grade beast... That's far beyond my capabilities," she whispered, clutching her hands nervously.
As they gathered to discuss their options, Artaigne hesitated. "I should return," she said quietly. "This trial is too dangerous. I'll only hold you back."
Rael stepped forward, his expression resolute. "No way. You're part of the team. We'll take the group trial and handle the tough parts."
"But I don't want to be a burden—"
"Trust me," Rael interrupted, leaning slightly closer. "You're not a burden. You are now weak because you never trained properly. Moreover, as your future husband, it is my duty to make sure nothing would happen to you."
"Hus…" Artaigne's cheeks flushed a deep red. She looked away, flustered but unable to hide the small smile that crept onto her lips. "Fine... I'll stay."
Eon puffed her cheeks, averting her gaze. "Hmpf, what's with these dramatic speeches? You aren't even engaged yet and are already treating her as your future wife? And if anyone you should protect, it should be me, not that girl." She thought in her head, keeping her uncomfortable feelings for herself, owing to the circumstances.
Oblivious to Eon's thoughts, Rael turned back to Lestrade. "We'll take the group trial."
Lestrade nodded, impressed by Rael's confidence. "Very well. Three members, three gold-grade beasts of rank 5. Step into the arena."
If it was anyone else, the adult would have mocked the child's decision about taking such an option, considering one of them is only 2-star. Hence, the remaining two should face three of those beasts. But the Heavenly Academy is filled with geniuses and monsters. No instructor would underestimate a kid who wanted to choose their academy of all the Academies in the world.
The trio moved to the center of the arena, where the magical barriers closed around them. Rael gave Artaigne an encouraging nod as they readied themselves for the challenge.
Lestrade stepped forward with a scroll in hand. The intricate runes on the parchment glowed brightly as he chanted an incantation. A swirl of energy erupted in the arena, and three massive wolves materialized with blank eyes. Their dark auras shimmered with power, their growls echoing through the space. However, there was no killing intent emitting from those beasts.
"Your trial begins now," Lestrade announced.
"Stick close," Rael instructed Artaigne. She stood behind his back, albeit summoning her dual daggers, just in case.
Eon then unleashed her inborn ability of selective time freezing, freezing the beast's mid-lunge while Rael took advantage of the opening.
He summoned his scythe, its blade glowing with dark energy, and unleashed his second soul skill: Arcane Wrath, a soul skill that drastically amplified his attack power to the next realm.
After amplifying its power, Rael proceeded to motion the scythe behind him, unleashing another soul skill as the time was unfrozen and the beasts resumed their lunging.
"Soul skill: Slice of death"
With a single, horizontal powerful strike, he sliced through two of the beasts, their forms dissolving into golden light.
The final wolf managed to evade the slice as it didn't charge head-on like the other two.
Once the two beasts were down, it charged at Rael, its claws slicing through the air with deadly precision. Rael barely countered with the scythe, pushing it back.
The giant wolf was pushed a couple of meters while Rael blasted away a few meters before Eon grabbed him swiftly and stopped his movements, stabilizing his form.
The giant wolf's eyes momentarily shifted to Eon, and it let out a growl, showing its fangs. The beast then opened its mouth, conjuring a vast amount of energy to blast a beam at its targets.
Eon spoke. "Rael, I will use time stop and you will have five seconds to finish it off. Attack it as fast as you can."
As Rael nodded in understanding, Artaigne spoke. "Let me help."
"Artaigne, you can't help. Stay," Eon raised her voice against the princess and ignored her, placing her attention on her brother instead. Both of them nodded and charged ahead. Artaigne was left behind. Her face turned disappointment.
By the time the giant wolf beast was about to launch its skill, both of them covered almost the entire distance between them and Eon twisted the hourglass and shouted. "Soul skill: Time Stop."
At once, the entire Arcana world came to a pause, except for Rael and Eon.
Rael tightly gripped the handle and swung his sword as fast as he could, attacking the wolf atleast a dozen times before the time was unfrozen.
The skill was canceled, and the wolf collapsed to the floor with cuts all over its face and its front limbs, but it didn't die as Rael expected.
The blood was coming out of its body like streams of river but the wolf, as if it didn't feel any pain, growled even louder and charged at him, enveloping in dark energy.
Rael turned serious and tightened his grip on the scythe's handle even more. He was prepared to use ocular powers.
But, it was then Artaigne's body turned into a shadow and she disappeared in her body, coming out of Rael's before quickly placing her hands on both of their backs. A soft, golden light enveloped both of them as her inborn ability activated, restoring their mana and stamina to their peak. They could even feel they could reuse their soul skills once again. Rael's eyes widened in surprise as strength surged back into his body.
Lestrade, observing from the sidelines, murmured, "Riversis. A nice inborn ability."
"Now, Eon. Hurry." She spoke in urgency before collapsing to the floor.
Eon acted at the perfect time just in time as the giant wolf reached them.
"Soul skill: Time Stop."
Fueled by renewed energy, Rael unleashed a final, powerful strike, using the combo of his two soul skills. His scythe cleaved through the beast, its form dissolving into golden light, leaving behind a spirit core like the others.
The time was unfrozen once again, and Lestrade just stood there like a statue, his mouth almost dropping in shock. "No, it is not just Riversis, it is the Arcane Riversis. Only Morgana, that witch of Camelot used to possess such ability. Who is this girl?" His tone was one of awe and disbelief.
As the dust settled, Rael turned to Artaigne, helping her stand up. "Whatever you did out there, you were amazing. We couldn't have done it without you."
Artaigne smiled shyly. "I just... wanted to help."
Lestrade approached, his expression unreadable. "You've passed the trial," he said. "But more importantly, child…"