Chapter 33: Her Final Trial From Rin

Miharu stood alone in the holding room, the air thick with tension as the muffled sounds of the audience beyond the grand doors reached her ears. Her turn was next, but her mind was a whirlwind of uncertainty. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't settle on a personal talent to showcase. Her expression remained calm, unflinching—an image of composure that belied the storm brewing within her.

Her fingers brushed against the necklace Rin had given her, a faint glow emanating from it as if responding to her turmoil. She remembered his words when he handed it to her: "Follow your heart, and you will succeed." At the time, she had thought those words were simple encouragement. Now, they felt cryptic, layered with meaning she couldn't quite unravel. How could she follow her heart when her mind was blank?

Her thumb ran over the pendant, the warmth of Rin's infused mana sparking a memory—an intense one that surged through her like lightning.

She saw herself back in the White Flower Palace, standing amidst one of Rin's grueling training sessions. His psychic magic had enveloped the training hall, crafting an intricate illusion of a chaotic battlefield filled with terrified civilians running for their lives. At that moment, the girl Urakawa Miharu understood what she wanted to show to everyone watching the contest.

As Miharu stepped onto the stage, the weight of the final event pressed heavily on her shoulders. The crowd's eyes were upon her, and the Empresses were all watching, their expressions unreadable. Inside, her thoughts raced, the pressure of the contest and the knowledge that her next move would determine everything.

Rin had made it clear that this was her moment to show the world what she was capable of. No assistance, no guidance—this final event the personal talent showcase should have been something unique to her, but she felt as though she had nothing extraordinary to offer. In the midst of the confusion, her hand brushed over the necklace Rin had given her, its smooth surface calming her trembling fingers.

As she held the necklace, a gentle shimmer of light seemed to radiate from it, the familiar color of Rin's mana coursing through the gem. Miharu's heart skipped a beat. The moment the light swirled and took form, she realized what this illusion was—this wasn't just a piece of jewelry. It was an extension of Rin, a memory of his lessons, a final trial from him that would reveal her true strength.

The illusion that began to form was none other than Rin himself. His figure stood before her, dressed in the latest uniform of the White Flower Palace, an imposing sight. His presence was overwhelming, as if he had stepped right out of one of their training sessions. This was the Rin she had fought against countless times—an embodiment of his wisdom, strength, and his unyielding resolve.

The illusion of Rin raised his sword and looked at her with the same calm, unwavering expression she had seen so many times before during their training. "This is your final lesson," the illusion declared, its voice carrying authority. "Consider me in a state of madness. I cannot be saved... Your mission is to either kill me before I kill the civilians or try die trying."

Miharu's breath caught in her throat. This was the one trial she could never clear—facing an opponent far stronger than her, someone who seemed invincible. And yet, this was exactly what Rin had been teaching her all along: how to fight against overwhelming odds, how to stay true to her beliefs even when victory seemed impossible.

The illusion continued, a mockery of the hard lessons Rin had instilled in her. "I won't use my destructive magic, but my sword is enough. Do you have what it takes to defeat me?"

Miharu's eyes locked with the illusion of Rin. She could feel the tension in the air, the weight of the impossible task ahead. The crowd was silent, watching intently as the scene unfolded before them. The Empresses, particularly the Azure Empress, recognized the familiar figure before them—the illusion of Hoshimi Rin, the once-prince of the Empire, now cast in this moment to challenge Miharu. It was a reminder of Rin's unmatched abilities, of the genius warrior he had once been.

The Azure Empress smiled softly, seeing Rin's illusion, recognizing the same sharpness and vitality in him that she had once known as a prince. Though he was a commoner now, there was no doubt in her mind that the essence of the young genius still lived on within him. And now, Miharu was the one who would face that essence, the one person he had chosen to support.

For Miharu, the illusion of Rin was both a challenge and a beacon of guidance. She remembered the countless lessons, the grueling trials, and the way Rin had always pushed her beyond her limits. She had failed to defeat him time and time again in their training, but this time, she knew it wasn't about winning—it was about surviving, about proving that she could think on her feet, that she could make the hard choices in the face of impossible odds.

She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. This wasn't just an illusion. This was Rin's legacy, his final test for her. The truth he had taught her over and over was now coming to life in front of her.

With resolve building in her chest, Miharu stepped forward, her hand on the hilt of the blade at her side. She wasn't going to try to defeat this illusion in the way she had in the past. She wasn't going to be reckless. Instead, she would follow the teachings of Rin—use her mind, understand her opponent, and find a way to break the cycle.

The illusion of Rin stepped forward, his sword gleaming in the light. The Empresses watched, fascinated by the spectacle unfolding. They understood the significance of this trial, the depth of Miharu's growth as she faced an illusion of the very person who had trained her, a man they all knew to be one of the Empire's greatest warriors.

The final trial had begun.

The crowd held its breath. Miharu's heart raced, but she remained focused. This was it. She had to prove her worth not just to the Empresses, but to herself. This was the culmination of everything Rin had taught her—facing the impossible, trusting in herself, and following her heart. And no matter the outcome, Miharu knew that she would carry this lesson forward, just as Rin had walked forward following the plot of the novel with some minor changes.

The illusion of Rin's sword clashed against the air, each strike aimed with the precision and power of a seasoned warrior. Yet, despite the force behind each blow, Miharu was holding her ground. Her movements were fluid, graceful, and calculated, weaving around each attack with the ease of a dancer. Her wind magic swirled around her, altering the trajectory of the illusion's strikes, redirecting them so that they barely grazed her skin or missed entirely, allowing her to maintain the safety of the civilian illusions.

The crowd gasped in awe, watching Miharu as she dodged and parried with the finesse of someone far beyond her years. The wind magic responded to her every command, giving her the agility and speed to stay one step ahead of the illusion. It was clear now to everyone watching that Miharu was not just defending herself; she was protecting others. The civilians, though illusions, were treated with the utmost importance in her eyes. Each step she took was an act of grace and determination, keeping them out of harm's way even as the illusion of Rin pressed harder with each attack.

But as Miharu danced around the illusion, her mind couldn't help but draw the stark comparison between the battle she was facing now and the countless training sessions with the real Rin.

When Miharu had faced Rin during their training, she was often on the back foot, always trying to catch up. Rin's quantum eyes gave him an edge—his movements were faster than she could track, his sword strikes sharper and more calculated. When she looked into his eyes during battle, the purple hue of his gaze sent a chill through her, as it seemed to be reading her every move, predicting what she would do next. It was as if he was always two steps ahead of her, guiding the flow of the battle with precision and a terrifying level of mastery.

The illusion of Rin, however, lacked that depth. While it had the same strength, speed, and form as the real Rin, it was slow in comparison. Miharu could feel it—each strike was more predictable, and while powerful, it lacked the sharpness and adaptability of the real Rin. The illusion didn't read her movements the way Rin did. It was limited by the boundaries of the illusion itself, unable to adjust its tactics the way the real Rin would.

As Miharu avoided the illusion's attacks, she felt a pang of gratitude. This is not the real Rin, she reminded herself. He would never hold back like this. He would have forced me to grow faster, to overcome my limits... The thought was sobering. It was clear that the real Rin would have tested her far beyond this point, but this illusion was different. It was a mere shadow of what Rin truly was, and Miharu had learned enough through his training to turn that difference to her advantage.

The illusion of Rin came at her again, faster this time, attempting to strike with precision aimed at her chest. Miharu's heart raced as she readied herself, her wind magic flaring as she spun to the side, narrowly dodging the blade. The civilian illusions, positioned nearby, remained untouched, a testament to Miharu's control over the situation.

She could feel her confidence growing with each successful block and dodge. Each time the illusion's blade missed its mark, Miharu was reminded of her own progress, of the long hours spent training, of the moments where she'd almost given up but found strength within herself.

This is not just about defeating Rin's illusion, Miharu thought. It's about proving that I've learned. That I've grown.

With a final flourish, Miharu directed her wind magic to knock the illusion's sword off course one last time, disarming it. The illusion of Rin staggered back, its sword now lying in the dirt. Miharu, breathing heavily, stood tall, her hand still crackling with wind magic, her gaze fixed on the illusion in front of her.

The illusion of Rin looked at her, almost as if it were studying her, and then slowly nodded. "You've done well," it said, its voice echoing with the familiar tone of Rin's teachings. "You've passed this trial."

Miharu exhaled, her chest heaving with exhaustion but filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. She had faced Rin's illusion, had stood her ground, and had won. But more than that, she had shown herself—her growth, her resilience, her ability to adapt, and her determination to protect those she cared about. This was her talent, and she had proved it.

As the illusion faded, Miharu stood alone on the stage, the wind magic slowly dissipating. The crowd was silent for a moment before they erupted into applause, recognizing the strength and wisdom in Miharu's performance. The Empresses exchanged glances, their expressions thoughtful, as they watched the young woman who had just shown the Empire what she was truly capable of.

The final event was over, and Miharu had risen to the challenge. The road ahead was uncertain, but in this moment, Miharu knew she had done her best.

As Rin and Harumi entered the holding room, the atmosphere shifted subtly. Lady Amaya and Lady Kiyomi, still in their elaborate attire from the contest, looked up at them, the former with a hint of guilt in her expression. Lady Kiyomi, on the other hand, simply glanced between Rin, Harumi, and Miharu, her demeanor a mixture of curiosity and indifference.

Rin and Harumi, aware of the formalities, bowed respectfully to the two candidates, their posture impeccable, before turning their attention to Miharu. The moment was fleeting, as Lady Amaya, having gathered her thoughts, walked towards Rin with a hesitant step.

"Shimuzu Rin, I must apologize," she began, her voice laced with sincerity. "It's regarding what happened earlier. One of the families supporting my candidacy told me that there was an... attempt made on Miharu's life. I understand this might be concerning to you. I just wanted to check if she is alright."

Rin's response was calm, his smile serene as ever. His posture remained relaxed, though his eyes reflected the sharpness of someone who had already assessed the situation thoroughly. "Don't worry," he said with a touch of warmth that softened his usual reserved demeanor. "It's basically how people play these games. I don't really care, since Miharu is safe."

His nonchalant words did little to hide the confidence in his voice—confidence not just in Miharu's safety, but also in his own ability to protect those under his watch. Miharu, standing nearby, gave a small but grateful nod, a quiet acknowledgment of Rin's reassurance.

Lady Amaya seemed relieved but still held a hint of guilt in her eyes. "I understand," she said softly. "It's just… well, I know how difficult these contests can be. I didn't want to see Miharu in harm's way, even if it's a part of the competition. I'll see to it that my family will find the one who ordered the attack we didn't expect someone to try and use my candidacy."

Rin chuckled lightly, his tone gentle. "In this world, harm is something we all deal with, but we learn how to face it. Miharu is stronger than most realize."

Miharu, though quiet, felt a sense of reassurance from Rin's words. His faith in her was something she had never taken lightly, and now, with her performance in the contest, she could feel a new strength rising within her. The challenges she faced in the contest weren't just tests of skill but tests of her character—tests she had passed, not just for herself, but for the ones who believed in her.

Harumi, who had been watching the exchange quietly, stepped forward with a small smirk. "In case anyone's wondering," she added, glancing at Lady Amaya and Lady Kiyomi, "Miharu's doing fine. She's more than capable of handling herself."

The mood lightened slightly, and Lady Kiyomi, who had been observing from the sidelines, gave a small but respectful nod in acknowledgment of Miharu's composure. "It seems the White Flower Palace has indeed produced quite the candidate," she commented, her voice devoid of the sharpness it had once held.

Rin's smile remained as he turned back to Miharu, his gaze softening for just a moment. "Are you ready for the final deliberations?" he asked, his tone more personal now. Miharu nodded, her nerves easing under Rin's quiet support.

The tension in the room gradually dissipated as the conversation shifted. While Lady Amaya and Lady Kiyomi continued to converse, the weight of the competition was no longer as daunting for Miharu. With Rin and Harumi by her side, and the knowledge that she had done her best, she was ready for whatever came next.

Her heart, which had once felt unsure and scattered, now felt steady, grounded by the lessons she had learned and the people who believed in her.