The Trial Begins

The training stadium was silent.

This was it.

From the stands, Zareth leaned back lazily, "Try not to die, Ed," he called out, his voice laced with amusement.

Ed ignored him.

His focus was on Arianna, who had yet to say a word.

Then, finally, she spoke.

"Ed," she addressed him.

"Before we begin, let me make one thing clear—this is not a battle. This is an assessment. There is no need to prove your strength to me. What I want to see is your foundation. Your control."

Ed nodded, adjusting his stance.

Arianna studied him for a long moment before continuing.

"You may think power alone will carry you, but power without control is nothing more than a wild beast lashing out blindly. That is what I will be testing today."

She raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, the ground beneath Ed shimmered.

Magic.