Chapter 39: "Blood on the Sand: The First Trial"

Location: Velanor Arena – Tournament Grounds

The Grand Tournament grounds were colossal — carved into the floating cliffs of Velanor, surrounded by ancient runes and suspended platforms.

Tens of thousands gathered in stands of marble and crystal. Floating cameras, enchanted with illusion magic, broadcast every moment across the continent.

The opening event?

The Trial of Dominion.

A brutal, no-rules melee with one goal:

"Dominate the field. Claim the flag. Survive."

Kael Enters the Arena

Kael stepped into the coliseum, cloak fluttering behind him.

He wasn't alone.

Velcia, Zara, Evelyne, Mira, Selene, Ishira — all stood beside him, each placed in a separate starting zone.

This wasn't a team battle — but the harem knew the truth.

"Protect Kael. Expose the threats. And find leads on Rayna."

Each of them had their own mission.

Announcer's Voice Boomed

"Today's match includes nobles from five empires, ten academies, and three rogue bloodlines!"

"Let the Trial of Dominion begin!"

A giant horn sounded.

The arena shifted.

The ground split apart — platforms floated mid-air — traps activated — and summoned beasts were released.

Chaos.

Kael's Challenge

Three noble heirs rushed Kael instantly, seeing him as easy points.

"He's the weak first prince—let's take him out fast!"

Kael dodged the first attack without even unsheathing his blade.

"Still underestimating me," he murmured.

One heir lunged — Kael grabbed the boy's arm mid-air and snapped it with a twist.Another swung a glowing axe — Kael disarmed him with a flick of his fingers and used the axe to knock the third unconscious.

"Next."

From the stands, nobles whispered.

"Wasn't he powerless?""He moved like a ghost—no magic, but…"

Mira's Shadow Strike

Mira was already in her element — assassinating quietly, vanishing from view, sabotaging enemy formations.

She whispered into the magical comm channel:

"One noble team carries a teleportation rune. Might be connected to Rayna's kidnapping."

Kael responded calmly:

"Tag them. I'll question them after the trial."

Zara and Velcia: Unleashed

On the western flank, Zara was taking on a hydra summoned as a field hazard. Spear glowing, she leapt into the air and struck it between its three heads.

Boom!

The hydra collapsed — and so did three competitors caught in the shockwave.

Meanwhile, Velcia laughed, using her greatsword like a windmill of flame. She was racking up eliminations without mercy.

"This is what I live for!"

Evelyne and Selene's Synergy

Evelyne cast a barrier dome, trapping three elite mages. Selene launched a meteor spell from above — wiping them out in a single strike.

The crowd roared. Nobles stood in shock.

"Kael's harem… They're monsters in disguise."

Final Twist – The Blood Flag

As time ran out, a glowing red flag appeared in the center of the arena.

Whoever held it at the end of 60 seconds would earn triple points and direct entry to Round 3.

Kael looked at it — then walked away.

"I don't need it."

That stunned everyone — until Ishira grabbed the flag herself.

The announcer shouted:

"Flag claimed by Ishira Noctalis — shadowborn emissary of Kael Elarion Veyr!"

And the crowd exploded with speculation.

He doesn't even fight for points. He lets his queens do it.Is this the rise of the god-prince?

Aftermath: Hidden Message

After the trial, Kael was approached by a defeated noble.

Wounded, frightened, but alive.

"I… I don't want to die… They told me to delay you…"

Kael knelt beside him.

"Who is they?"

The noble handed him a ring — etched with forbidden runes.

"This… was given by a masked woman. She called herself… The Fallen Empress. She's holding your girl."

Kael's gaze turned to steel.