As time passed, more participants completed their turns. Some walked out of the arena with bitter expressions, while others joined the group at the side, wearing proud or satisfied smiles. A few even looked completely indifferent, expressionless, as if this so-called achievement meant nothing to them.
And soon, only one kid was left standing before Derek.
But before his turn could begin, a ripple of murmurs suddenly stirred through the gallery.
"It’s finally her turn..."
"Yeah, I’ve been waiting to see her in action."
"I still can’t believe it’s really happening, and I can witness it with my own eyes. The prodigy from the Glaciblade family is here! The family known for producing sword-mages, warriors who stand above all, whether Aurans or Mages."
Hearing the murmurs and rising cheers, Derek couldn’t help but glance toward the girl standing at the front of the second row.
And the moment he saw her.. he froze.
’Wait... is that who I think it is?’ Derek blinked in disbelief.
"Cecilia Glaciblade," he whispered under his breath. ’In a world ruled by mages... her family stands at the top of the power structure. Because they don’t just wield magic... Their mastery of showmanship, amplified by magic, makes them nearly unbeatable. And it was her in the first place who had inspired me to even pick up a sword. Even as a cultivator, even knowing my path was different... it was her brilliance that had planted the seed.’
Warmth surged through his body as old, blurry memories flashed before his eyes.
’I wish I could talk to her... warn her about what’s coming. But as far as I can remember, with her cold attitude, I know she won’t even spare me a glance.’
And just then, amidst the growing chatter and admiring whispers, with eyes around the arena shimmering in awe...
Cecilia stepped forward.
But she didn’t cross the boundary line. She didn’t even come close.
She simply took two steps and stopped.
Then, without a word, she unsheathed her sword.
A silver blade, flawlessly polished, paired with a pure white hilt. It gleamed under the sunlight. Just that scene alone was captivating enough to freeze anyone in awe.
Cecilia raised her sword, bent her elbow, and arced her arm to the left.
With a graceful motion, she slashed horizontally, her arm straightening in one fluid sweep.
A frosty arc erupted from the blade. It shimmered like a crescent moon, silent and cold, as it tore forward slicing through the massive boulder standing before her.
For a second, nothing happened.
The upper half of the boulder suddenly slid and toppled over with a heavy thud, kicking up a small cloud of dust.
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The panel buzzed. "Pass." The announcer’s voice rang out.
Meanwhile, Cecilia didn’t celebrate. The straight line between her lips didn’t curve.. not even slightly.
She simply stepped aside and walked calmly toward the group of successful candidates.
Though she was a mage, she wielded a sword. That’s why she had chosen the second line meant for Aurans. But truthfully... even the third boulder wouldn’t have made a difference.
Derek couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle. ’Just as I thought... cold and cool as always.’
After Cecilia returned to the waiting group, the boy standing in front of Derek finally stepped up.
His movements were stiff. Even a dullhead could easily tell how nervous he was. But even so, he clenched his fists, inhaled deeply, and then took his stance.
Without any flair or hesitation, he lunged forward and threw a punch straight at the boulder.
The impact rang out, followed by a faint shimmer on the stone’s surface. The boulder didn’t shatter into pieces, but it cracked. And the system buzzed almost immediately.
"Pass," the announcer declared flatly.
The boy stared at the panel, stunned. "I... I passed?!" He couldn’t believe he had done it. A shaky grin formed on his face.
From the gallery, both Martha and Daisy let out a breath of relief as if it was Derek himself who just passed.
After all, this was the first cultivator of the day to barely scrape through.
But the tension in their hearts hadn’t faded completely.
Because the next time it would be this line’s turn again...
Next, another Auran stepped up. The boy was very tall, and he was carrying a two-handed sword slung across his back. His stance was impressive, and the crowd’s expectation rose.
He took a deep breath, raised his sword high, and charged at the boulder with all his strength.
A clean slash cut through the air.
But the moment his blade made contact...
The sword split in the middle, snapping like dry wood.
Gasps echoed from the gallery.
He stumbled back in shock with wide eyes. He looked at the broken handle in his hand and then at the panel. It didn’t even buzz.
"Fail," the announcer declared coldly.
The boy clenched his jaw, picked up his shattered blade, and walked off the stage.
While he was leaving, Derek couldn’t help but stare at his retreating back. ’Where have I seen him?’ Derek felt like he knew this boy but couldn’t remember correctly.
Afterwards, it was a mage’s turn. A girl with flowing maroon robes stepped ahead. She didn’t hesitate. With a flick of her wrist, a fireball materialized.
She then hurled it at the boulder.
The flame exploded on impact, scattering sparks in every direction. When the smoke cleared, a clean scorched dent had formed in the stone.
The girl bowed slightly and walked back without emotion.
It was finally Derek’s turn.
He stepped forward with calm, unhurried steps. His face was unreadable and his hands relaxed at his sides.
Nobody in the arena seemed to pay much attention.
No whispers. No murmurs.
No curious eyes followed him except for three.
From the upper gallery, Martha, Daisy, and Arthur watched silently, their gazes fixed on him.
Martha leaned forward slightly, hands clasped together.
Daisy clutched the railing tightly. "You can do it, little one."
Arthur crossed his arms, "Best of luck, brother." He whispered.
This was the moment they had been waiting for.
Derek’s footsteps echoed faintly as he approached the boundary line.