Arthur and Morgan stood at the center of the training grounds, their weapons in hand, their armor gleaming under the magical lights overhead. Across from them, Phloria, Friya, and Quylla took their positions, each armed with the newly forged weapons Arthur had bestowed upon them.
A tense silence fell over the field as the combatants sized each other up. The battle wasn't just a test of skill—it was a demonstration of their newly attuned armaments and the sheer power.
Arthur raised Daylight, his staff crackling with raw mana, while Guardian, his armor, pulsed with an ethereal glow. Morgan held Ragnarok in one hand and raised her shield Sentinel in the other, her stance exuding an air of unshakable dominance.
Phloria tightened her grip on Reaver, her estoc humming with stored spells, while her armor, Warguard, shimmered with an array meant to counter incoming magic. Friya spun Dreadnought in her hand, the blade flickering between elements as her Lockdown armor began to generate a gravitational field. Quylla adjusted Blood Bind, her chains slithering to life around her, while Angel Light created a soft aura of protection.
Valeron stood at the edge of the training grounds. "Begin!"
Phloria moved first, vanishing in a burst of speed enhanced by her armor's mana efficiency. She lunged straight for Arthur, her Reaver glowing as she unleashed a barrage of stored spells—firebolts, wind slashes, and arcane missiles—each set to explode on impact.
Arthur twirled Daylight, absorbing the attacks mid-air before unleashing a counterattack. He pointed his staff forward, sending a pulse of pure mana that detonated just before Phloria reached him. She twisted mid-air, using Warguard's energy-neutralizing array to dispel the residual shockwave before slashing downward.
Arthur twirled Daylight, absorbing the attacks mid-air before unleashing a counterattack. He pointed his staff forward, sending a pulse of pure mana that detonated just before Phloria reached him. She twisted mid-air, using Warguard's energy-neutralizing array to dispel the residual shockwave before slashing downward.
Morgan intercepted her. Sentinel surged, expanding into a massive barrier that forced Phloria back. Without hesitation, Morgan swung Ragnarok, and a blade of condensed gravity shot forward. Phloria barely dodged, the energy slicing through the air and carving a deep trench into the ground behind her.
From the side, Friya lifted Dreadnought, channeling multiple elements at once. Spears of ice, arcs of lightning, and a concentrated burst of wind launched toward Arthur and Morgan. But Arthur's Guardian armor reacted instantly, the embedded crystals activating their protective barrier. The attacks shattered harmlessly against him, the energy dispersing into golden runes that formed around his armor.
Then, Friya activated Lockdown.
A sudden shift in gravity anchored Arthur and Morgan to the ground, their movements slowing. The air around them felt like a crushing force, limiting their mobility.
Quylla took advantage of the moment. She directed Blood Bind forward, the chains shooting out like living serpents. They coiled around Morgan's arms, locking her shield in place while another chain aimed for Arthur's legs.
But Arthur smirked.
The golden runes on Guardian flared.
With a single pulse, the mana stored in his armor surged outward. The chains shattered as the stored energy from Take and Give converted his accumulated mana into raw strength. Arthur moved as if weightless, breaking free from Lockdown's field in a single step.
Morgan followed suit, a single swing of Ragnarok generating a gravitational wave that disrupted Friya's control. The ground beneath her cracked, the artificial gravity field collapsing in on itself.
Phloria charged again, using Reaver to unleash another sequence of spells, but Morgan met her blade to blade, their weapons clashing in a symphony of power. Sparks flew as the stored magic in Reaver clashed with Ragnarok's elemental blade, creating miniature shockwaves with every impact.
Arthur raised Daylight, pointing it at Quylla. A single flash of light pulsed from the staff, and Quylla's Angel Light reacted, absorbing the attack but momentarily destabilizing its barrier.
That was the opening Morgan needed.
She lunged forward, slamming Sentinel into the ground. A wave of energy erupted outward, sending Phloria and Friya skidding back. Quylla tried to pull back, but Arthur was already behind her. He placed the tip of Daylight against the back of her neck.
"Yield," he said calmly.
Quylla sighed, raising her hands. "Fine."
Phloria and Friya exchanged a glance before slowly lowering their weapons. The field went silent, the aftershocks of magic still crackling in the air.
Valeron nodded in approval. "Impressive. The enhancements worked perfectly. You've pushed your limits and integrated equipment enchantments into your combat style."
As they stepped out of the training room and into the living area, their armor shimmered, shifting seamlessly into comfortable clothing. Their weapons, once formidable instruments of battle, transformed into simple accessories—a bracelet for Arthur, a necklace for Morgan.
Just as they settled, the air grew heavy with an overwhelming presence. Without warning, two towering white pillars of light descended from the sky, striking Arthur and Morgan at their center. The sheer force of the energy sent ripples through the room, silencing everyone.
Valeron, Tyris, Leegaain, and Salaark all froze, their eyes widening in disbelief before breaking into applause. Tyris stepped forward, her voice carrying both awe and authority as she addressed the others.
"They have done the impossible," she declared. "Something that has never been achieved at their age. They have unlocked the secrets of the White Core."
A stunned silence followed.
"The White Core is the pinnacle of magical refinement," she continued, her gaze sweeping across the room. "It has only ever been reached by Bright Violet Awakened who have lived for centuries. And yet, Arthur and Morgan have ascended beyond the known limits."
The weight of her words settled over them, and the realization dawned—this was not just an accomplishment. It was a revolution.