The Test

Chapter 5: The Test

The Solis estate was bathed in the pale light of dawn when Aeris was summoned once again to the training grounds. His mind was still heavy with the conversation from the night before, the weight of his father's expectations pressing down on him like an unrelenting storm. But today was different. Today, something inside him had shifted. The doubt that once clouded his judgment had begun to dissipate, replaced by a sense of clarity.

He stood at the edge of the training arena, staring down the expanse of snow-covered ground. The arena, built to test the strength and skill of those who would one day inherit the Solis legacy, was an imposing sight. Its icy walls seemed to glimmer in the morning light, a silent reminder of the family's history and the trials that awaited its heirs.

Aeris had faced many challenges in the past, but none had felt as significant as this. His father's words echoed in his mind: "Power is not a gift—it is a burden." His grip on the ice deepened as he called upon his Frozen Dominion ability, the chill seeping into his bones. It felt natural now, like an extension of his will.

"Are you ready?" His father's voice broke through his thoughts, cold and commanding as ever. Lord Elias stood at the opposite side of the arena, watching Aeris with a keen eye. He had always been demanding, always expecting more.

"I'm ready," Aeris replied, his voice firm, betraying none of the doubts he still harbored.

Lord Elias nodded. "This is your first true test. Show me what you're capable of. Prove that you can control not just your power, but your destiny."

Aeris's heart raced as his father's words hit him with full force. This was no mere training session—it was a declaration of his future. His father was watching, and today, Aeris needed to prove himself.

Without another word, Lord Elias raised his hand, signaling the start of the challenge. The ground beneath Aeris's feet trembled slightly, and then the air around him grew cold. From the shadows at the far side of the arena, two figures emerged—trained warriors from the Solis family, each wielding a different form of elemental power.

Aeris squared his shoulders and inhaled deeply, drawing from the depths of his power. He felt the ice swirl around him, responding to his call. It was more than just an element—it was his territory, his domain. And today, it would be tested.

The two warriors approached with caution, sensing the change in Aeris's aura. One was a fire wielder, his hands crackling with flames, while the other controlled the wind, her form almost ethereal as gusts of air whipped around her. Both were formidable opponents, but Aeris had something they didn't: the full control of the ice at his command.

Without hesitation, Aeris raised his hand, and the ground before him cracked open. A wall of ice shot up between him and his opponents, a shimmering barrier that blocked their path. He could feel the fire wielder's heat radiating from the other side, but it was nothing compared to the freezing cold he summoned. The barrier shimmered with an icy sheen, creating a defensive shield strong enough to withstand both the flames and the winds.

"Impressive," Lord Elias said, his voice tinged with approval. "But don't grow complacent. Your opponents will not hesitate."

Aeris's eyes narrowed as the fire wielder launched a torrent of flames at the ice wall. The heat was intense, but Aeris focused, channeling his power into the barrier. The ice crackled and groaned under the pressure, but it held firm. The wind wielder circled around the barrier, searching for an opening. She moved swiftly, her body a blur of motion, but Aeris was prepared.

With a wave of his hand, he sent a wave of ice surging forward, thick tendrils reaching out to ensnare the wind wielder. She twisted and ducked, but Aeris was already one step ahead. The ice lashed out, wrapping around her limbs and immobilizing her.

"One down," Aeris muttered, his gaze shifting to the fire wielder.

The flames roared louder, intensifying as the fire wielder pushed himself harder. But Aeris was no longer just reacting. His control over the ice had deepened. With another wave of his hand, the ice beneath him rose, forming jagged spikes that shot toward the fire wielder with deadly precision. The fire wielder barely managed to raise his arms in defense, the heat of his flames melting the tips of the spikes, but Aeris was relentless.

He surged forward, his steps leaving frosty footprints in the snow-covered arena. The fire wielder tried to counter with a blast of flame, but Aeris was already there. In a flash, he surrounded his opponent with a prison of ice, trapping him within a thick, impenetrable wall.

Aeris stood over his defeated foes, breathing heavily but composed. His ice powers had allowed him to not only defend himself but also dominate his opponents. The challenge had been difficult, but it had also been enlightening. He had shown his father that he was capable—not just of controlling his power, but of using it to assert his will.

Lord Elias approached, his expression unreadable. Aeris braced himself for his father's verdict.

"You've done well, Aeris," Lord Elias said, his voice almost begrudging in its praise. "But this is only the beginning. You've shown your power, but power alone is not enough. The world will challenge you in ways you cannot imagine. You must be prepared to face it head-on, without hesitation."

Aeris nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of his father's expectations. This was just the first test, but it had proven something to him. His power—his Frozen Dominion—was more than just a tool. It was a means of control, a way to shape the world around him.

And as his father turned to leave, Aeris knew one thing for certain: He was no longer the hesitant heir. He was becoming something else—something colder, something more powerful. And no one would stand in his way.

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Skill Name: Frozen Prison

Aeris can trap his opponents within a cage of ice, immobilizing them and rendering them defenseless. The ice is highly durable, able to withstand extreme heat and pressure for a short period. The more control he gains over his abilities, the more complex and refined his use of this skill becomes. This skill represents Aeris's growing mastery over his ice powers and his ability to assert dominance in battle.