Chapter 2: Velmora Part 6
Part 6: "A Test Not Meant to Pass"
Setting: Arkalis Academy – Forbidden South Tower & Deep Spell Chamber
Tone: Dark, intense, and mysterious — secrets unfold as Arshan faces a forgotten magical trial that once devoured its challengers.
---
[Scene 1 – The Forbidden Message]
Time: Late evening — the wind sharp, the sky painted in purple and orange, with the towers glowing in dim magical light.
Arshan was returning from a basic elemental theory class when a strange spell-bird landed on his shoulder — featherless, made entirely of shimmering runes.
> Spell-Bird (recorded voice):
"Student Arshan — your presence is required at the South Tower. Midnight. Alone."
He stopped walking.
> Arshan (whispering):
"South Tower? That area's been locked since the Mana Fire incident…"
Zyana didn't answer at first. For a moment, it felt like the system had gone silent.
> Zyana (after a delay, hesitating):
"...This wasn't sent through the official academy network. I'm analyzing the spell signature."
Arshan looked toward the far tower in the south — gray, partially ruined, its top cracked and its gates wrapped in old magical chains.
> Zyana:
"This magic… it predates the Academy itself. It's ancient — not linked to any current professors. This could be a trap… or a long-lost trial."
> Arshan (determined):
"Then let's find out which one."
---
[Scene 2 – The Tower That Breathes]
Location: Forbidden South Tower – Lower Chamber
Time: Midnight.
The creaking of the doors echoed as Arshan pushed them open. The air was dense and suffocating — soaked in ancient mana that felt heavy, almost alive.
Torches lit automatically as he stepped inside. Then, the door slammed shut and locked behind him.
> Zyana (soft warning):
"There's a binding seal here. This place only recognizes chosen magic bearers. If you fail… you won't be able to leave."
> Arshan (gritting his teeth):
"So it was a trap… but it's also a test."
Suddenly, the ground beneath him pulsed.
A distorted, ancient voice echoed through the chamber:
> Unknown Voice:
"Candidate Arshan. Trial of the Forgotten Flame — Initiated."
A glowing circle of runes blazed under him, shaped like coiled serpents and clawed beasts.
---
[Scene 3 – The Trial of the Forgotten Flame]
The entire floor transformed — turning into a floating stone platform suspended above fire, surrounded by hovering iron chains.
From within the fire, a monstrous figure stepped forward.
It wasn't fully human. Nor was it a beast. It was something in-between — a cursed spectral knight cloaked in infernal flames.
> Zyana (alarmed):
"I know this trial! It's from the Era of Arcane Kings. No one has survived it in the last 300 years. It was designed to burn away the soul of the unworthy."
> Arshan (steadying himself):
"Then they haven't met me yet."
> Trial Voice:
"You must strike the Cursed Warden with a spell before it hits you three times. No relics. No outside help. No potions. No shortcuts."
A magic barrier formed around the arena. The trial had begun.
---
[Scene 4 – Desperation in Combat]
The Cursed Warden charged, dragging its massive flaming blade across the ground. Arshan dodged just in time — the first blow missed, but the shockwave cracked the platform.
He gathered mana into his palm — calling on the Twisting Flame spell he had practiced with Professor Veyron.
He cast it.
It missed.
> Zyana (analyzing):
"He's warping heat around his body. Your spell is bending just before impact. His aura is cursed."
The Warden attacked again. This time, its blade grazed Arshan's back — ripping through his cloak. Blood sprayed across the floor.
Two strikes remained.
Arshan collapsed to one knee, the heat growing unbearable.
> Zyana (low voice):
"Arshan… give me access to your mana nerves for 10 seconds. I'll manually redirect the flow."
> Arshan (gritting his teeth):
"Do it!"
Zyana's circuits flared across his body. His mana veins lit up in violet and gold.
He stood up, both hands glowing.
A spell formed — something unknown, unrecorded in Zyana's entire database.
> Zyana (shocked):
"Where did you learn that? It's not in our logs…"
> Arshan (focused):
"My body remembered it."
> Zyana (soft whisper):
"Then your past… might be older than Velmora itself."
The spell shot forward — a lance of soulfire. It struck the Warden directly, shattering its cursed armor.
But before disappearing, the Warden landed one final hit.
Arshan was thrown to the ground — breathless, shoulder scorched and cracked. But he was alive.
---
[Scene 5 – Reward & Revelation]
> Trial Voice:
"Trial complete. You survive… barely."
The chains dissolved. In their place, a radiant orb floated before Arshan.
> Zyana (analyzing):
"This isn't just a spell orb. It's a Legacy Imprint. A bloodline technique passed through ancient memory."
> System Update – Notification:
You have acquired: [Ash-Blooded Soul Flame]
Passive Effect: Flame spells ignore 30% of enemy resistance. Future flame spells evolve faster.
> Zyana (in awe):
"You just leapt five steps ahead of the Academy's syllabus…"
---
[Scene 6 – Return and Silence]
The chamber door creaked open.
Arshan emerged, limping, injured, but with a new power burning inside him.
Waiting outside was Professor Veyron, arms crossed, expression unreadable.
> Veyron (dryly):
"You really have a gift for inviting chaos."
> Arshan (wiping blood from his face):
"Chaos teaches better than lectures."
> Veyron (small smile):
"Perhaps. But chaos also draws enemies. Come — there's something you need to see."
---
[Scene 7 – Meanwhile: The Secret Circle Moves Again]
Somewhere distant — a cloaked group watched Arshan through a scrying mirror.
> Cloaked Girl:
"He passed the Forbidden Trial… This changes everything."
> Unknown Figure:
"His growth is accelerating. We have to stop him before he reaches the Archive…"
> [Phase 3 Activated]
New Order: Target: Ash-Blooded Soul Flame — Steal it.
---
To Be Continued...
Next Part Title:
"The Archive's Hidden Key"
> Arshan is taken to an underground vault by Veyron
Secrets about ancient Velmoran bloodlines are revealed
A traitor inside the Academy is exposed
Zyana detects an internal sabotage
Arshan's next mission: Infiltrate a rogue spell market