AFTERMATH AND CONSEQUENCES

THE WEIGHT OF VICTORY...

The air inside the Arcane Crown Academy was different. It wasn't just the whispers that followed Elias through the hallways-it was the way people looked at him.

Fear. Curiosity. Suspicion.

Just two days ago, Elias Nightshade had been a nobody. A weakling in the Weakling Division. But after defeating Lucius Von, the strongest Prodigy in the Academy everything had changed.

Some students avoided him as if his very presence was dangerous. Others watched from a distance their gazes filled with hunger.

And then there were those who wanted him dead.

Elias sighed, pushing open the doors to the training hall. He needed a place to think, To breath.

The moment he stepped inside-

CLANG!

A blast of fiery energy slammed into the ground just inches from his feet. The stone floor cracked under the force.

Elias's eyes narrowed.

At the other end of the hall stood Lucius.

His uniform was pristine, his posture composed, but his Golden Eyes burned with something beyond rage. Humiliation.

"You got lucky," Lucius said, his voice sharp as a blade. " you think that changes anything?"

Elias didn't flinch. "You tell me."

Lucius stepped closer, his aura flaring. " enjoy this moment, Nightshade. Because I swear on my Bloodline- next time I will end you."

Elias clenched his fists, feeling the dark energy stir beneath his skin. " then don't just talk about it, Lucius. Prove it."

The tension in the room was suffocating. But before another word could be spoken-

"That's enough."

A cold, authoritative voice cut through the air.

Headmaster Arcanis had arrived.

VLADIS'S JUDGEMENT...

Vladis stood in the entrance, his silver eyes like piercing daggers. The very presence of the legendary mage sent a chill through the room.

Lucius immediately stepped back, fists clenched but unwilling to challenge the headmaster.

Vladis's gaze locked onto Elias.

" you are playing with the power you do not understand, Nightshade."

Elias didn't respond. He knew Vladis wasn't looking for an answer.

Dad master continued his voice calm yet unshakeable. " power without control is a curse,not a blessing. If you wish to wield it, you must prove you are worthy."

Is strange pressure filled the air. A test.

Elias met Vladis's gaze, refusing to Back Down. "Then test me."

For the first time, something Flickered in Vladis's eyes. Interest.

" so be it, Vladis said. "Three days from now, at dawn, you will come to the tower of trials. If you survive I will consider training you."

Survive?

The words sent a Shiver down Elias's spine.

Whatever this test was, it wasn't just a formality it was life or death.

SERAPHINA'S WARNING...

Later that night, as Elias walked towards his Dorm, a shadow moved beside him.

"You're being reckless," a familiar voice said.

Seraphina Vale.

Her eyes held an unreadable emotion as she studied him. You are not ready for Vladis's trials.

Elias exhaled. "Then I'll get ready."

Seraphina shook her head. " you don't get it. The tower of trials isn't just a test it's a Battlefield. The last person who took Vladis's trial dissapeared."

Elias paused. ".... disappeared?"

She nodded. " some say they died. Others say they were taken."

Elias's mind raced. Vladis's wasn't just testing him. He was challenging him to survive.

" then why are you here?" Elias asked. " if you think I will lose, why warn me?"

Seraphina hesitated. Then, in a softer voice, she said, "Because you're not like the others."

She stepped closer, lowering her voice "I saw what had happened in that fight. That black energy.... it wasn't just magic. It was something older. Something... ancient.

Elias stiffened. He had felt it too. The power that had awaken inside him- it wasn't normal.

"Be careful, Elias," Seraphina whispered. " because if you lose yourself to That Power..."

She looked away.

" you won't just die. You will become something else."

And with that she wentished into the shadows leaving Elias alone with his thoughts.

3 days.

3 days until the tower of trials.

And the first step towards his true ascension.