Callista Vortigen vs. Orion Lysander
Arthur wanted to watch the match, but his mind was elsewhere.
"Felix, let's go check on Ronan," he said, standing up.
Felix nodded, and the two slipped out of the arena, heading toward the medical unit. When they arrived, they saw Ronan being treated inside. They decided to wait outside, hoping for his quick recovery.
Minutes passed. Arthur leaned against the wall, staring at the ground.
"He'll be fine," Felix said, trying to reassure both of them.
Arthur crossed his arms. "Yeah… but still."
Finally, the doctor stepped out. "He's awake. You can see him now."
Arthur and Felix rushed inside.
"Ronan!"
They both hugged him tightly, relieved beyond words.
Ronan sat still, his expression hollow. "I lost, didn't I?"
Arthur and Felix exchanged glances.
Arthur forced a smile. "The important thing is you're okay."
Tears welled up in Ronan's eyes. His fists clenched the sheets. "I wanted to win… like you guys. I trained day and night… but it wasn't enough to beat a noble, huh?" His voice trembled. "I'm useless… it seems my journey ends here."
He turned to Felix. "I'm sorry… for letting you down. For making you see me like this."
Felix shook his head. "No—"
SMACK!
Arthur's palm connected with Ronan's cheek.
Ronan looked up, stunned.
Arthur glared at him. "What the hell are you talking about?"
Ronan opened his mouth to speak, but Arthur cut him off. "You aren't useless. We saw you out there. You knew you had no chance, but you never gave up. You fought head-on. That alone is enough."
Arthur's expression softened. "Look at me. I wasn't chosen by a blade. I couldn't even manifest one. But I met someone who changed my life." He placed a hand on Ronan's shoulder. "So stop crying like a baby. I don't want Hyorinmaru to have a kid brother."
A long silence filled the room.
Then—
"…What did you just say?"
Arthur froze.
Hyorinmaru, who had been quietly perched nearby, slowly turned his head toward Arthur. His golden eyes gleamed with something dangerous.
Arthur broke into a nervous sweat. "N-Nothing."
"Oh no, no. I definitely heard you say something just now."
Arthur quickly tried to backtrack. "I was just… comforting a friend."
Hyorinmaru narrowed his eyes. "Then comfort me by letting me punch you."
"Wait—"
Before Arthur could finish, Hyorinmaru launched himself at his face.
"YOU DAMN BRAT!"
Arthur staggered back, trying to pry Hyorinmaru off as the tiny ice dragon clung to his head, delivering a barrage of tiny fists.
"GET OFF ME!"
Felix watched, deadpan. "…You two cut it out."
Hyorinmaru turned to Felix, his expression ice-cold.
Felix gulped. "Y'know what? Never mind."
Arthur and Hyorinmaru continued their struggle on the floor.
Then—
A sound broke through the chaos.
Laughter.
Arthur, Hyorinmaru, and Felix all turned.
Ronan was laughing.
His eyes, once filled with despair, now shone with warmth.
He wiped his tears and smiled. "Thanks, Arthur."
Arthur huffed, finally peeling Hyorinmaru off his face. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't give up, alright?"
Ronan nodded. "I promise. But don't expect me to lose next time."
Arthur smirked. "Good. But I'm still not losing to you."
Just then, a messenger entered the room. "The match has ended. The captains want to make an announcement."
Arthur and Felix looked at Ronan.
Ronan exhaled deeply, then stood up. "Don't worry. I can walk."
The three of them left the medical unit, heading back to the arena.
---
The Announcement
The captains sat in their chairs, their presence radiating authority.
Garrick stepped forward, addressing the students.
"This concludes the Sage Trials."
Silence.
He began listing the names of the winners.
"Callista Vortigen. Gareth Vortigen…"
Arthur folded his arms. So they both won, huh?
He let out a sigh. "I wanted to watch and see how they fought."
WHACK!
Hyorinmaru's tail smacked Arthur on the head.
Arthur yelped. "What was that for?!"
"Pay attention," Hyorinmaru said flatly.
Arthur grumbled, rubbing his head.
Garrick continued. "The winners are welcomed into Sage Academy."
The crowd clapped as the winners stood proud.
Then Garrick spoke again. "Now, for those who lost…"
The tension in the arena thickened.
"…You are also accepted into Sage Academy."
A wave of silence washed over the students.
Arthur blinked. "…What?"
Everyone murmured in confusion.
Garrick raised a hand, silencing them.
"I understand your confusion. The traditional rule is that only the winners advance. However—" His gaze swept across the crowd. "The truth is, regardless of the outcome, all of you had already earned your place here."
Gasps erupted throughout the arena.
Garrick continued, "The trials weren't about passing or failing. We wanted to test your strength, your resolve… and we were impressed."
Ronan stood frozen.
Then—he clenched his fists, his shoulders shaking.
He grinned.
"I'M IN!"
He pulled Arthur and Felix into a tight embrace, nearly crushing them.
Felix groaned. "T-Too tight—!"
Arthur laughed. "Calm down, you idiot!"
Garrick finished his speech. "With that said—welcome, all of you, to Sage Academy."
The crowd erupted into applause.
Arthur exhaled, looking up at the sky.
This was only the beginning.