The second day of the Second Trial dawned with a sky the color of steel.
Kaelith stood in the waiting hall, his breath calm but his body thrumming with restless power. The ache from yesterday's fight lingered, but it was the good kind of pain — the kind that reminded him he was alive.
Today, his opponent would be the Crimson Lotus Clan, ranked sixth. Their techniques were infamous: martial arts entwined with fiery spirit arts, every strike blooming with searing lotus flames. Few could withstand them head-on.
He closed his eyes. The whispers from the crowd drifted through the stone walls.
"Stormborn was an accident. Crimson Lotus will burn him."
"They'll reduce the Aurelius disgrace to ash."
"…Unless… what if he wins again?"
Kaelith opened his eyes, a faint smile curving his lips. Let's see who burns who.
---
The Second Fight: Crimson Lotus
The arena burned with anticipation as Kaelith and his opponent entered.
Opposite him stood Lian Rhou, the youngest prodigy of Crimson Lotus. His crimson robes flowed like fire, his eyes glowing faintly as lotus petals of flame unfurled around his body.
"You embarrassed Stormborn," Lian said coldly, his voice calm but edged with disdain. "But fire consumes storms. Today, I'll show the difference between a fake Tier Six… and a true one."
Kaelith raised his fists, wordless.
The judge's hand dropped. "Begin!"
Lian surged forward, his fists cloaked in burning lotus petals. Each strike left trails of searing heat. He spun, kicked, and unleashed blazing arcs that turned the air molten.
Kaelith moved with precision, weaving between blows. His skin blistered under the heat, but he endured, his movements honed by countless lifetimes. He deflected a fiery punch, countered with a sharp jab to the ribs, then ducked under a sweeping kick.
Thud! Crack!
His knuckles sank into Lian's chest. But instead of reeling, Lian smirked.
"Lotus Bloom: Second Flame!"
A lotus of pure fire exploded between them, engulfing Kaelith.
The crowd gasped. "He's finished!"
But as the flames cleared, Kaelith strode forward, smoke curling from his skin. His fists glowed faintly, the Origin Sigil's hidden resonance shielding his body more than anyone realized.
"My turn."
His fist shot forward, crashing into Lian's jaw.
Crack!
Blood flew as Lian stumbled back, stunned. Kaelith pressed on — fists, knees, elbows, each strike measured and brutal. Lian roared, lotus flames blazing higher, but Kaelith shattered through them with relentless precision.
Finally, his spinning kick sent Lian crashing to the ground, unconscious.
Silence hung for a breath, then erupted into uproar.
"He defeated Crimson Lotus?!"
"Again… again he wins!"
The judge's voice boomed: "Victor, Kaelith Varion!"
Kaelith walked off the stage, his body steaming, his fists trembling from the burns. Yet his eyes were steady.
Two victories.
But his real trial awaited.
---
The Third Fight: Zenith
On the third day, the arena was packed beyond capacity. The fight everyone had awaited had arrived.
Clan No. 1. Zenith.
Kaelith's opponent stood already in the arena, radiating golden light. Aureon Zenith, heir to the clan, the so-called "Child of Divinity." His very presence made weaker disciples tremble, his aura heavy as if the heavens themselves bent for him.
"Aurelius trash," Aureon sneered, his voice echoing. "You should have stayed in the shadows. Today, I'll remind everyone of your place."
The crowd roared in anticipation.
Kaelith stepped forward, each stride calm, unhurried. His burns still ached, but his mind was clear.
The judge's voice rang. "Begin!"
---
Aureon moved like lightning, his golden aura blazing. His fist shot forward — a strike faster than any Kaelith had faced.
Boom!
The blow slammed into Kaelith's guard, hurling him across the arena. He skidded, blood spraying from his mouth.
Gasps echoed.
"He didn't even last a breath!"
"That's Zenith power!"
Aureon smirked, raising a hand. "Bow before me."
Golden light flared, pressing down like divine judgment. Kaelith's knees nearly buckled. His bones screamed. His lungs burned.
But his eyes remained steady.
I've endured worse. I've died worse.
He forced himself upright. His aura flared. His fists rose.
"I don't bow."
The crowd gasped as he surged forward. His fists lashed out, striking against the golden aura. Sparks flew, his bones rattling with every collision.
Thud! Crack! Boom!
But Aureon barely flinched. He struck back, each blow crushing, divine force hammering Kaelith's body.
Blood poured from Kaelith's lips. His ribs cracked. His arms trembled.
"Stay down!" Aureon roared, slamming a palm strike that sent Kaelith sprawling across the arena floor.
Dust billowed. Silence fell.
"He's finished…"
But from the smoke, Kaelith rose again. Broken, bleeding, staggering… but standing.
His lips curled into a bloody grin. "Is this… all divinity amounts to?"
The crowd erupted in shock.
---
Aureon snarled. Golden light surged, forming a divine spear in his hands. He hurled it toward Kaelith, the force splitting the arena floor.
Kaelith's mind raced. I can't meet it head-on. I need an opening…
He staggered deliberately, letting the spear graze past. Dust exploded, blinding the arena for an instant. In that moment, Kaelith darted forward, weaving low, his body screaming in pain.
Aureon swung, but Kaelith was already inside his guard. His fist crashed into Aureon's ribs.
Crack!
Aureon staggered, eyes wide.
Kaelith pressed his advantage. His blows became storms — each one precise, each one striking weak points. Jaw. Throat. Ribs. Knees.
The crowd roared in disbelief.
"He's matching Zenith!"
"No… more than that… he's pushing him back!"
Aureon screamed, aura blazing, unleashing a wave of golden energy that hurled Kaelith across the floor once more. Kaelith coughed blood, his body nearly broken.
But his mind sharpened. He overextends when he's angry. That's the opening.
He staggered to his feet. Aureon charged, golden fist raised.
At the last moment, Kaelith twisted, grabbing Aureon's arm, using his momentum to slam him into the arena floor.
Boom!
The ground cracked. Aureon gasped, stunned. Kaelith's fist descended like a hammer, slamming into Aureon's jaw.
Crack!
The golden aura flickered.
One more.
Kaelith roared, driving his fist into Aureon's chest with every ounce of will he had left.
Boom!
Aureon flew back, skidding across the arena floor, his golden light shattering. He lay unmoving.
Silence.
Then chaos.
"He… he beat Zenith!"
"Kaelith Varion defeated Aureon Zenith!"
"Impossible… IMPOSSIBLE!"
The arena shook with disbelief.
On the dais, Vice-Master Sylara's eyes glimmered with pride. Even Master Orion leaned forward, his gaze sharp.
And Kaelith… stood swaying, bloodied, broken, but smiling faintly.
He had not won with sheer power. He had won with endurance, with cunning, with every ounce of will that refused to yield.
The judge raised his voice, trembling. "Victor: Kaelith Varion!"
The arena exploded with sound.
And for the first time, Kaelith's name echoed not in mockery, but in awe.