1. The List Ends
The list was supposed to be over.
Every registered combatant had completed their duel, either through victory, loss, surrender, or unconscious collapse. The trial board was marked with the insignia of "Evaluation Closed."
And yet, the arena bells rang one more time.
Aaron looked up from his seat. "That's strange."
Lily frowned. "There are no more names scheduled."
Nova slowly lowered her wineglass. "No official ones, no. But someone just submitted a direct challenge… to the system."
Aaron blinked. "To the… magical exam system?"
"The enchanted list updated itself," Nova murmured. "That shouldn't be possible unless the caster is registered and marked by the academy."
Aaron stood, concerned. "Who is it?"
A new name flashed across the arena's magical screen:
Axel Myrravelle
Status: Auto-inserted via Ancient Marking Authority
Challenge Type: Unscreened Manual Combat
Opponent: Summoned by the System
---
2. Axel Steps Forward
All eyes turned as a boy in a plain dark coat and unbranded boots walked into the arena.
His steps were slow but confident.
Axel didn't raise his head.
He didn't greet the instructors.
He simply walked until he stood dead center of the field.
Only then did he glance up—directly at Aaron.
Their eyes met.
Axel's breath caught, but he didn't flinch.
"I submit my challenge," he said clearly. "Let the system choose my enemy. I will pass."
Gasps followed from every direction. Dozens of instructors murmured. Some nobles who had stayed for the last day leaned forward.
"Is he mad?"
"Challenging a random summoned opponent with no preparation?"
"Doesn't he know who's watching?"
Lily narrowed her eyes. "There's something off about him. He's acting too scripted."
Nova didn't speak. Her gaze was locked on the crest that had just flared to life behind Axel—the ancient seal of domination, long forbidden after the Demon Wars.
It was faint.
But it was there.
Aaron, however, only tilted his head. "That's the same boy who drew the picture of me with wings…"
---
3. The Summoning
A deep hum reverberated across the stone arena as the trial platform lit up in full force for the first time.
The system had accepted Axel's request.
It was choosing.
The ground cracked.
A black storm cloud formed in mid-air, lashing red lightning into a glowing sigil. The runes were foreign. Even Lily didn't recognize them.
Then, a creature emerged from the portal:
A Soulborn Chimera.
A beast created by forbidden fusion—part lion, part shadow phoenix, part banshee.
Deadly.
Unpredictable.
Illegal.
The crowd panicked.
Instructors rushed to the edge of the field.
Lily barked, "That's a restricted summon!"
Nova's smile vanished. "He didn't summon it. The system did. It read something in him and responded in kind."
Aaron stepped forward. "Should we intervene?"
But Axel wasn't moving.
He simply raised a glowing dagger—a relic pulsing with dark runes.
"I trained for this," he whispered.
---
4. The Fight Begins
The chimera roared and charged.
Axel moved fast—unnaturally fast—dodging the shadowflames with barely a scratch.
He slid under its wings, slashed at its ankle-joint, and rolled aside as the tail struck.
He activated a barrier rune from a scroll.
Then another.
And another.
Each layered like a maze.
Nova frowned. "He shouldn't know these combinations."
Lily muttered, "He's hiding his real training."
Aaron, still watching silently, noticed something else: The beast wasn't just attacking Axel. It was being drawn toward him. Like a predator that recognized something familiar.
Axel's blade flared dark purple.
He whispered something in an unknown tongue.
The chimera staggered.
He moved in.
Leapt—
And stabbed it through the throat.
The beast dissolved in a cloud of black mist.
Axel landed, panting, bloodied but grinning.
"I did it…"
He looked up.
Aaron was still watching.
Expression unreadable.
Axel's smile faded.
---
5. Aftermath
The arena was silent.
Then came the applause—uneasy, hesitant, but real.
Some instructors nodded. Others took notes.
Axel walked off the field like a hero.
But Nova and Lily remained stiff.
"He's marked," Lily said.
Nova agreed. "Ancient bloodline. Not noble. Not human, exactly. Maybe even connected to the Demon King's court."
"And he looked directly at Aaron without dying of fear."
"That's the worst part," Nova muttered. "He didn't fear Aaron. He wanted his approval."
Aaron turned to Lily. "Was that kid… normal?"
She replied flatly, "No."
Aaron exhaled. "Great. I'll make him tea next time."
Lily stared. "Don't."
---
6. Beneath the Surface
Deep, deep under the arena, the seal finally cracked.
Just a hairline fracture.
But enough.
Enough for an ancient eye to open.
Enough for something old to remember.
> The heir of ruin… walks unaware… and the pretender steps forward…
---
End of Chapter 42