The mist still hung thick between the towering trees as a magical chime rang through the air.
📜 [DING!] – Day Three Begins – 6 Hours Remaining Until Trial Ends
Only three teams remained—Kael, Lancer, and Leon—all converging toward the final pillar located at the heart of the forest.
This wasn't just a battle for points.
It was a battle for pride.
---
The Final Arena – The Ancient Circle
The central clearing formed a massive stone circle, with a towering ancient pillar etched with runes glowing faint blue at its center. Mana pulsed beneath it—unclaimed, waiting for one team to activate it.
Team Kael arrived first. They moved into formation immediately.
> "We can't avoid this fight," Kael muttered. "Stay close. Don't let anyone get isolated."
> "Everything will be decided here," Rose added, glancing up at the clearing sky before looking back at her small map.
From the north came Team Leon, led by Leon Hargrimm. Frost swirled in his palm, and his expression was calm—but intense.
> "You and me, Kael," Leon said coolly. "This time, I won't let you surpass me again."
From the west came Team Lancer. At the front walked Lancer, as silent and unreadable as ever. Yet the moonlight cloaking his body whispered one undeniable truth—"Today, I will win."
> "Only the strongest will stand," he said flatly.
---
The Battle Begins
Kael raised his hand.
> "Ready yourselves—DON'T DROP YOUR GUARD!"
A storm of magic erupted instantly.
Irelith launched a spiral flame-wind spell toward Leon, only to be blocked by his thick ice wall. Perona summoned a wind barrier to shield Rose, who began growing defensive roots around the pillar.
Leinhardt dashed toward Taylor from Team Lancer, lightning-covered blade clashing with twin daggers in a clash of sparks and steel.
---
Duel: Kael vs. Lancer
At the heart of the chaos, Kael and Lancer approached one another slowly.
No words. Just pressure.
> "Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Kael asked, blue flames flickering at his fingertips.
> "Because you're the last wall I need to break," Lancer replied, dead calm.
Their battle exploded.
Kael struck first—rapid, brilliant, surgical swings of his blue-flame sword. Lancer parried all of them with exact precision.
His moonlit blade danced in graceful arcs, silver light trailing behind each slice.
> CLANG! ZRAKHHH! BOOM!
Kael spun back, blasting a shockwave of fire to create distance. Lancer flipped backward, then fired a Moon Slash—a crescent beam that sliced through the roots Rose had placed around the pillar.
---
Chaos Outside the Duel
Rose was forced into close combat by a bow-wielder from Leon's team, while Perona blocked a rain of arrows with her wind shield.
Irelith faced two mages at once and was nearing her mana limit.
Leinhardt was on the brink of collapse until Rose saved him with a last-minute entangling vine.
---
Kael Begins to Falter
Kael started to stagger. His sword cracked and shattered under a direct blow. His body was flung backward, skidding across the dirt.
> "Fall back a bit... all of you..." Kael rasped, standing with blood trickling down his brow. "Any more than this... it'll be dangerous."
His team remained silent—frozen.
Kael inhaled sharply. Lancer stepped forward slowly.
> "You can't win, Kael. You're strong... but this time, I'm the victor."
Kael met his gaze with burning eyes.
> "Heh. You're strong, Lancer—I'll admit that. But this? This isn't enough to defeat me forever."
Lancer chuckled.
> "Finally, someone I can call a rival. I've been waiting for this... No one my age has ever matched me."
> "I'm not done yet," Kael muttered.
---
The Last 30 Minutes – Pure Mayhem
The battle dragged into its final half hour.
Rose, Leinhardt, and Perona took down Yuki and Taylor, but Leinhardt collapsed and both girls were left heavily wounded.
Irelith, still fighting Leon, was drained to her limit. Her vision blurred, and a creeping sense of defeat threatened to break her spirit.
Kael noticed.
And then, from the depths of his pain, he shouted:
> "STAND TALL, IRELITH!!!" he roared.
> "Even if it hurts—YES, we lost this trial... but it's NOT OVER!"
> "Get up! The sadness you feel is just fear pretending to be strength. Rise! Defy your despair—and we'll take it all back in the next trial!"
Tears rolled down Irelith's cheeks. She staggered to her feet, gripping her staff with trembling hands.
> "Kael..."
But in that moment of distraction—
Lancer's final strike landed.
His moonblade slammed into Kael's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
As Kael collapsed, one of Lancer's teammates activated the central pillar.
---
📜 [DING!] – Final Pillar Activated by Team Lancer
đź“ś [FINAL POINTS]
Team Lancer: 620 Points
Team Kael: 520 Points
Team Leon: 510 Points
A brilliant pillar of moonlight engulfed Team Lancer.
The trial had ended.
---
Team Leon – A Silent Loss
Leon fell to his knees, his body drenched in sweat and wounds.
> "I... failed," he whispered.
Yurei placed a hand on his shoulder.
> "We all did. But now we know who our true rival is."
Leon looked up—eyes locked on Lancer, who stood triumphant beneath the final pillar.
---
The Healing Chamber – Aftermath
In the Academy's medical ward, Kael lay on a soft cot. Irelith sat beside him in silence.
Rose comforted a crying Perona, while Leinhardt stood by the window, gazing at the moon.
Kael stirred.
> "Looks like... I lost, huh," he murmured.
Irelith turned her face away, biting her lip.
> "No. You taught us how to lose... with our heads held high."
Kael smiled faintly.
> "And this... was only the beginning."
Irelith leaned over and embraced him.
> "Yes. Next time... we'll take it all back."