Chapter :18
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The next morning dawned with clear skies, but tension crackled like lightning across Aflety's spire-crowned towers.
Evan sat atop the observation deck with Silva and Lilith, watching students train below on the elemental fields. Dozens of beasts roared, wings flapping, claws sparking against conjured barriers. It was as if the entire academy had turned into a forge, hammering students into warriors.
"…They all look fired up," Evan murmured.
Lilith reclined beside him, parasol twirling above her shoulder, her red eyes gleaming. "They should be. This isn't just a school competition anymore—it's war of names and pride."
Silva's gaze was more contemplative. "And the outside academies… they aren't coming to play fair. They've got things we've never seen. Beasts evolved under different systems. Magic styles not taught here."
Evan rubbed his fingers together thoughtfully. "Then we learn. Adapt."
At that moment, a shrill whistle rang out from the central tower.
"ALL FIRST-YEARS, REPORT TO ELEMENTAL TRIAL HALL!"
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Elemental Trial Hall – Training Assignment
Professor Lenara, the Fire Division instructor—a woman with flame-like hair and embers smoldering beneath her skin—stepped forward.
"You will be grouped into trial squads of five. Each squad will enter a simulated elemental labyrinth, where your synergy, beast connection, and magical resourcefulness will be tested. Survive. Adapt. And win."
The roster floated mid-air, glowing with runic light.
Squad 4
Evan Rochel
Silva Elowen
Gareth Ironfang
Cassia Belvane
Lilith Laistrygones
Cassia clicked her tongue. "Convenient. We're being watched."
Lilith smirked. "Maybe we're just the strongest."
Evan glanced at the others. "No matter what, we move together."
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Inside the Elemental Labyrinth
The walls shimmered with flickering light—stone twisting into flaming grasslands, icy rivers flowing upside down, and dark voids between gravity-defying platforms.
"Time-space distortion," Silva murmured, conjuring a floating orb of Nature magic to stabilize the pathway.
Cassia's eyes darted toward movement. "Left! Something's coming!"
A Titanfang Bear, covered in vines and ice shards, crashed through the terrain.
"Nyx—coiling bind!" Evan shouted.
The Basilisk shot forward, wrapping the bear's limbs. Gareth roared and slammed down with his beast—a magma gorilla—while Lilith's vampiric daggers slashed glowing sigils into the air.
"Keep your formation!" Silva called. "Redirect mana to the right gate rune!"
As they worked together, something stirred beneath the labyrinth. A dark pulse.
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Elsewhere – The Rival Schools Move
In a chamber lit by silver flames, a tall boy with white hair and cold blue eyes read the Academy's dossier.
Name: Evan Rochel
Status: Divine Beast Tamer. Basilisk. Water and Darkness Affinity.
"Interesting," he murmured.
Behind him, four others gathered, each bearing the crest of Drakensoul Academy.
"We'll crush them. One by one."
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Back at Aflety – After Training
The squad stumbled out, drenched in sweat and soot, but victorious.
"…Remind me," Gareth panted, "why we agreed to do this five more times?"
"Because," Cassia said, "we refuse to lose."
Evan chuckled weakly. "Nyx tried to eat the gate rune again."
Nyx, proudly licking a rune-shaped ice cube, flicked its tongue with smug joy.
Lilith leaned toward Evan. "You're getting better at leading. They follow you."
Evan blinked. "They follow strength. Not me."
"No," she whispered. "They follow you."
His eyes met hers, and for a moment… warmth.
Then Nyx sneezed out a puff of darkness, covering both of them in soot.
"…I take it back," Lilith muttered, wiping ash off her face.
Evan laughed—genuinely, for once.
Chapter End
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