Best Three Candidates (Finale Training Arc)

Kai's eyes widened. 'That's her ability? Veilcraft?'

Years ago, around the awakening of individuals, there was a man. He was a philosopher. He journeyed through the kingdoms with six other philosophers.

They sought to learn about a disease that plagued the people. People called this disease back then the Sable Mark. And it's the essential serum for the awakening of individuals in the Soul Land.

What was once airborne was later presented as a liquid. This was thanks to seven philosophers who journeyed for three years. But, unfortunately, only the head philosopher returned safe although not sound.

The rest had either turned into a monster, eaten, or left behind to keep another safe.

The discovery of the Sable Mark serum led to humans having magic today. They are able to unravel the veils of other realms - learning their secrets.

They could control elemental energy, summon decaying armies, and create beautiful, fantastic places. And many more. But it was more than complex thoughts and intelligence that led to this - sacrifice as well.

And the head philosopher that returned to Eldengrove that day... was the first Veilcrafter the world had. Veilcrafters are the most dangerous pure magic users.

They can learn secret techniques, rules, and info about other realms apart from Earth. A barrier called the Veil covers each realm. Removing it is Veilcrafting. Those who do so are Veilcrafters.

***

This was actually the toughest day Skyler had lived. Her parents had always pampered her, being the only child. And no one, except her parents, called her by her name in the Kingsley household.

The house helpers - Skyler hated to address them as slaves - would call her their Lordship. Their household was as large as the royal house's. Her extended family respected her. So, she couldn't play with them because they would ask her not to get too involved.

She was always told she was the family's heiress.

She raised the bow upright. And she pulled the string, positioning the arrow in a direct line towards Kai.

Her face carried almost no emotion, a sharp contrast to her usual personality.

'They provided everything for me… but I lacked something.'

Without notice, she released the arrow. It sped towards Kai.

Kai retrieved two daggers from pouches hung around his waist.

His eyes grew wide as, blinking, Skyler was already speeding as fast as the arrow towards him. She seemed to be shadowing the arrow's movement.

Kai creased his brows. 'This happened when I was fighting a boar recently. Two attacks at a time. All i need is... FOCUS!'

He sighed, calming himself. The arrow pointed straight at his eyes...

He prepared himself to parry both Skyler and the arrow.

But, taking him by surprise, Skyler gripped the arrow mid-air. She drove her fist into his abdomen...

Bham!

Kai's body dropped backwards. The moment he regained momentum, he dropped to a knee. A tight knot twisted in his abdomen, and even moving a bit shot biting sensations through his ribs.

"I see..." Kai mumbled. He glanced up at Skyler. "That isn't a movement a Starless Mage Body owner could make.

I really have to say this... You are already impressive with your shooting skills. And that cheat of an ability only made you more awesome."

Skyler, her real habit catching up to her, chuckled. Kai saw her shoulders resting. One conversation, and she was now less tense about the fight.

Most people knew that she's a soft-hearted person who would make friends with anyone and joke around.

"What's the cheat there? We have costs to pay as Veilcrafters..." Skyler replied.

Kai rose back to his feet. "Yes. Was that really a secret technique from another realm...?"

"Get serious, mister. The scrolls in the library you lot ignore taught me that move. Imagine I attempting Veilcrafting yet... I would have grown a grey hair after aging at a rapid pace."

"Alright then. Seems not only archery nor joking around are your thing," Kai said in an almost dismissive tone. He wiped a hint of crimson from the corner of his lip. "I have to go harsh from now on."

Skyler glanced at his hem. It had serpent designs around it, unlike the rune-etched ones.

She nodded her head with a serious expression. "A beast tamer, I see. Let's get back to business."

She then smiled.

"Nice to meet you, though. I am Skyler Kingsley, a Veilcraft exorcist."

"Same here. Kai Wavesbourne, a beast-tamer."

They smiled at each other, the shared interaction a contrast to what's at stake. Could they let their common understanding decide how soft or hard to go in this stage? Or be unmindful of anything but winning alone?

Perhaps that kind of person is what the higher-ups were in search of.

***

Zmey stood on the cliff, arms crossed behind him as he stared through the limitless expanse ahead. Nero, though far from him, stood in the same manner.

The name of where he was resounding in his mind. A cliff, the agent of his suicide in the eighth soul.

They had been like this for a while now. Were they intending to sacrifice opportunity for friendship?

Zmey sighed. The air was cool and filled with warmth.

... If only his life could be the same.

Nero glanced left. He raised his brows. "That's unlike you. You aren't making a move at all..."

Zmey, without knowing it, chuckled. After doing so did he realise it was unusual of him.

He then said, "Says who? I'm only delaying the time for a while..."

Nero chuckled, which cut Zmey off.

He sighed.

"You have become good with words. You make it sound so easy and safe," Nero said.

Zmey glanced at him. He raised his brows. "Have I?"

Instead of answering, Nero chuckled again. He smiled. "People really change.

You are even getting curious about things now. Different from the cold guy I knew. Lucian and the rest would be happy to know this when we get back home..."

Zmey shifted his glance at him. He said with gentleness,

"You don't expect that from a loser. Not even after he didn't make it to your level. Don't think life is as easy as that. They would be jealous of you nonetheless.

They see you as competition while you see them as friends. Not only them, but all humans. They want to see you do well, but never better than them. Remember that."

Nero turned to him. He smiled even brighter, which unnerved Zmey at one point.

"Okay, senior Zmey," Nero joked.

Zmey smirked. "Don't be too cheesy, asshole."

The wind wafted past them.

At that moment, Nero said, "It's a waste of advantage for neither of us to make a move. Well, I have a plan..."

"What could that be?"

....

Zmey's boot made a soft sound in the green lush. He approached Nero with caution.

The slicing sound of his sword moving against the edge of the sheath echoed in Nero's ears.

...

Nero's chest tightened. He bit his lip.

Zmey smirked a little.

Without hesitation...

... Zmey raised his sword. And he hit the hilt of it against Nero's neck.

His body dropped downwards. His eyelids closed downwards. Zmey was already a bit of an arm's width to receive him.

But... at that moment... he saw it.

A flying silver arrow is moving towards Nero from behind!

'Crap!'

Being unconscious already and getting fired at would be bad!

Grounding his mind, Zmey shifted Nero's body. And he positioned himself behind him.

Stab!

Zmey gasped.

"Curse it!"

On the board before which the Magi Lords and Magnus Alaric were, azure words glowed up...

[Best three candidates so far.]

[Skyler Kingsley.]

[Zmey Ashbane.]

[...Calista Gillingwater.]

"The assessment is over," said Lord Arkenzie in his usual neutral tone.