The forest shimmered with starlight, each leaf glowing faintly as though soaked in celestial fire. The air buzzed with restless energy, pressing against my skin like invisible hands.
A voice echoed inside our minds ancient, resonant, and utterly neutral.
"The first trial begins. Defeat the beast born of stars. Survive. Or be erased."
A chilling howl shattered the silence.
From the depths of the glowing woods emerged a creature unlike any I had ever seen: a wolf-shaped beast, its body woven from constellations, eyes burning with galaxies. Its roar made the trees quake, its presence heavy with raw power.
Gasps erupted among the candidates. Even the most confident nobles faltered at the sight.
Calen smirked. "Perfect," he muttered, raising his sword. Then his eyes flicked to me.
"Let's see how long you last, little brother."
Before I could react, he snapped his fingers.
The ground beneath me shifted runes Calen had planted beforehand flared to life, binding my legs in glowing chains of light. The beast's head snapped toward the sudden flare.
It had chosen me as its prey.
My pulse hammered. The chains seared my skin, each second tightening. Calen's trap had worked flawlessly.
The beast leapt, starlight blazing in its jaws
I clenched my teeth, summoning every scrap of magic I could muster. It wasn't much… but I remembered the star that had answered me once before, the night I first awakened.
Please, I begged the heavens silently. Just once more.
A spark ignited inside me.
The chains cracked. My hand burst free, wreathed in a faint silver glow. With a desperate cry, I thrust it forward.
A barrier of starlight flared into existence fragile, trembling yet strong enough to meet the beast's strike.
The impact thundered through my bones, but the barrier held. For a heartbeat, the beast's own energy recoiled.
Gasps erupted again, louder this time.
Above, on the balcony of light, I felt Aster's gaze sharpen cold, yet undeniably intent.
The beast growled, its eyes narrowing at me. The barrier flickered, threatening to shatter.
I was still trapped. Still weak. But for the first time, I wasn't completely helpless.
And that spark inside me… felt like only the beginning.