Chapter 22: The Final Reckoning

The air in the arena was thick with tension as the final echoes of battle began to fade. The towering beast lay motionless at last, its massive form dissolving into shimmering particles of light. Axton leaned on his weapon, his body trembling with exhaustion, but his gaze remained fixed on the obelisk. Its glow was steady once more, signaling the trial's end.

Around him, the other students were regrouping. Some bore the marks of battle—torn clothing, bloodied knuckles—while others, though physically intact, carried the weight of mental exhaustion. The instructors remained perched high above, their expressions a mix of curiosity and calculation as they discussed the performances they had witnessed.

Professor Salazar stood at the edge of the platform, his hawk-like eyes scanning the arena. "The trial has concluded," his voice boomed, amplified by magic. "Return to your groups."

Axton stumbled toward Elias, Darren and Lira, his legs heavy as if weighted by lead. Lira offered a hand, pulling him upright, her gaze flickering briefly with concern.

"You look like you've been hit by a horse," she said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

"Feel like it too," Axton muttered, forcing a weak grin.

Elias clapped a hand on his shoulder. "We survived. That's what counts."

"Darren forced a weak grin."

The four of them moved toward the center of the arena, where students were beginning to assemble. Whispers rippled through the crowd, fragments of conversations about impressive displays of power and narrow escapes.

Axton caught snippets:

"Did you see Corbin? He practically incinerated those creatures."

"Seraphina Vance didn't even break a sweat."

"I swear Lira's daggers were glowing. What's her deal?"

No one mentioned him, and Axton felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment.

Salazar's voice cut through the murmurs. "The trial's purpose was to evaluate your ability to adapt, cooperate, and survive under pressure. While some of you exceeded expectations, others… fell short." His gaze lingered on a group of students who looked down at their feet, shame written across their faces.

"However," Salazar continued, "this is only the beginning. Strength is not measured by a single trial but by the resolve to improve and overcome. You have all been given that chance."

A rustle of parchment caught their attention as one of the instructors stepped forward, holding a scroll. "The top performers of the trial will be recognized now," the instructor announced. "These individuals displayed exceptional skill, strategy, or bravery."

Axton's stomach churned as the instructor began reading names.

"Seraphina Vance."

"Corbin Voss."

"Lira Fairwind."

The crowd murmured in approval, and Lira gave a slight nod, her expression unreadable.

"Elias Thorn."

Elias stiffened beside Axton, his mouth falling open slightly. He quickly regained his composure, muttering, "Did not see that coming."

"And finally…"

Axton held his breath, though he wasn't sure why.

"Harwin Vex."

The last name sent a ripple of surprise through the students, as Harwin—a quiet, lanky boy from the back of the group—stepped forward, his face pale with disbelief.

Axton exhaled slowly. His name hadn't been called, and he wasn't surprised. If anything, he was grateful to avoid the spotlight.

Salazar nodded toward the top performers. "Well done. You've set a standard for your peers. But don't let it go to your heads. Complacency is the first step toward failure."

The crowd dispersed as the instructors began to descend from their platform, signaling the end of the trial.

Later, in the Dormitory

Axton sat on his bed, staring at his calloused hands. The faint sting of the lightning spark still lingered, a reminder of how close he'd come to being discovered.

"Host performed adequately," the system chimed in, breaking the silence. "Further caution is advised to maintain anonymity."

"I know," Axton whispered, leaning back against the wall. He didn't need a lecture. If the system hadn't stepped in to shield his power during the trial, the instructors would've seen through him.

"Upcoming opportunities will present themselves. Host's potential remains unknown to others."

Axton closed his eyes, exhaustion washing over him. The system was right—no one had noticed. Not Salazar, not the instructors, not even Elias,Darren or Lira. For now, his secret was safe.

As the last of the students trickled out of the arena, Axton stayed seated on the edge of his bed, his fingers tracing the edges of his dagger's hilt. The echoes of the trial still reverberated in his mind—the clash of weapons, the roar of beasts, the near-misses—and his chest tightened with the weight of it all. He couldn't help but wonder: What if he hadn't been so lucky? What if the system hadn't intervened when it did?

"Host," the system's voice chimed, its tone neutral but persistent, "it is recommended that Host review the performance data for the trial. Progress is evident."

Axton stared at his hands. His body still ached, but the more pressing concern lingered—his secret. It was safe, for now, but it wouldn't stay that way forever.

"Later," Axton muttered under his breath, pushing himself off the bed. He didn't have time for self-reflection—not when others, like Seraphina and Corbin, were earning praise, their powers on full display. Axton couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.

The door to the dormitory creaked open, and Elias stepped inside, holding two cups of water. "You good?" he asked, handing one to Axton.

"Yeah," Axton replied, his voice strained. "Just thinking."

Elias raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Don't tell me you're already beating yourself up over not being called out."

Axton took the cup but didn't drink from it, his gaze still distant. "I wasn't expecting to be."

"Yeah, but I bet you wanted to be," Elias said, sitting on the edge of his own bed. "I saw you holding back. You're not fooling me. I don't know how, but I could tell there was something different about you today."

Axton met his gaze, a flicker of panic flashing through him. "It doesn't matter."

Elias looked at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. "Sure, it does. I know you're not like everyone else. Don't hide it. You're not the only one with secrets around here."

Axton swallowed. "It's better if no one knows."

Elias didn't push, but the silence that followed was thick, the unspoken words hanging between them.

A few hours passed, and Axton, Elias, Darren, and Lira found themselves in the common room with the others. The atmosphere was light, students exchanging stories about the trial, but the weight of Axton's thoughts never fully lifted. The rest of the students celebrated their victories, but Axton couldn't shake the feeling of being on the outside. He watched Seraphina with a group of students, her icy demeanor as usual, but there was a flicker of tension whenever Corbin's name was mentioned.

Axton overheard part of a conversation between two students:

"Did you see Corbin? He practically incinerated those creatures. Too bad he doesn't know how to work with anyone."

"You're right. He's too proud. I don't think he's got the patience for cooperation."

The mention of Corbin caught Axton's attention. He had seen the arrogant boy earlier in the arena, tearing through the creatures with a brutal intensity. He didn't play well with others, that much was obvious. But there was something else—something about the way Corbin carried himself that made him stand out, even in a crowd of talented students.

Axton's gaze shifted to Seraphina, who stood apart from Corbin. Unlike the rest of the students, she wasn't participating in the usual chatter, her expression distant as she scanned the room. Axton wasn't sure what to make of her. She was clearly powerful, but she had a cold edge that made her seem almost untouchable.

The tension between Corbin and Seraphina was palpable. They were both top performers, but their personalities couldn't have been more different. Seraphina was controlled, calculating, and utterly confident, while Corbin was reckless, hot-headed, and brimming with pride. Axton wasn't sure if the animosity was personal or if it was simply a clash of egos—both were strong, both wanted to prove themselves. But one thing was clear: they didn't get along.

Later that Night

The dormitory was quiet, most students already asleep, but Axton lay awake, staring up at the ceiling. His mind kept circling back to Harwin's words, the uncertainty that seemed to hover over the academy like a shadow. The instructors' cold eyes, the strange atmosphere—it felt like they were all being watched, tested in ways they couldn't understand.

"Host, the next stage of your journey will require greater caution," the system's voice cut through his thoughts, its tone ominous. "The more you uncover, the more you put yourself at risk."

"I know," Axton whispered, his body tensing. "But I have to keep going. I can't just sit here while everyone else advances."

"Understandable. Proceed at your own pace, Host. But remember—power attracts attention."

Axton closed his eyes, trying to push the system's warnings aside. There was too much at stake to be careful. His instincts told him that his time to make a move was coming soon, and he wouldn't wait any longer.

With the trial behind him, and the uncertainty of the academy's true motives hanging in the air, Axton couldn't help but wonder if the next test would be more than just a physical battle.

Would he be ready?