The Grade Two monster slithered into the courtyard, smaller than the previous opponents but faster, its sinewy body glinting under torchlight. Its eyes flickered with predatory calculation, and even the Hound's stance stiffened slightly, recognizing its agility.
Igron grinned, twirling his sword lazily. "Alright… this one looks fun." He darted forward, illusions flickering in every direction, confusing the creature with multiple decoys. Kairo's bone constructs twisted upward, forming spikes and pillars that split the creature's movement and limited its attacks.
The monster lunged, striking claws at the nearest target. Igron darted aside effortlessly, slicing through its exposed flank, while Kairo's bone spikes pinned its limbs, bending it into a cage of white. Sparks of mana danced as the creature struggled, growling, its movements precise but ultimately futile.
Within moments, coordinated strikes from Kairo and Igron decimated the Grade Two, leaving the creature twitching briefly before dissolving into residual mana.
The nobles murmured uneasily, their whispers louder than before.
"Even their children shouldn't be able to do this… it's impossible!"
"No other house's heirs could survive Grade Threes, let alone Grade Twos in sequence," another muttered.
Lady Eryndor's smile widened slightly, pleased with the display. She raised a hand, preparing to send another wave of mana into the courtyard — but before she could, a voice rang out sharply from the outer gate.
"I think that's enough, don't you, Queen Eryndor?"
All eyes turned as a tall figure approached, robes flowing and aura commanding. The school principal of the Upper Middle Realm's greatest academy stood at the edge of the courtyard, staff in hand, eyes scanning the destruction with mild alarm.
Lady Eryndor's crimson gaze met his, a flicker of surprise crossing her face before her smirk returned.
"Hmph… so the school sends its headmaster to intervene," she said, voice cool but amused. "Very well. Perhaps you've seen enough for now."
The principal nodded, lips tight.
"Your heirs' strength is… undeniable. But there are limits, and the realm cannot risk more destruction for spectacle alone."
Kairo and Igron exchanged a glance, both suppressing smirks. The interruption mattered little — they had already proven themselves far beyond what the nobles had expected.
Lady Eryndor's smile softened ever so slightly as she inclined her head.
"Indeed. Let this be the end of today's trial… for now."
The spectators exhaled, some relieved, some murmuring anxiously about the implications of these "strays" and the power they wielded.
Kairo's crimson eyes scanned the courtyard, calculating, while Igron dusted off his blade lazily, still smirking. Even in pause, the air around them buzzed with the promise of the next challenge.