⚡ The Last Disciple of Lightning Peak
🌑 Outer Trial Grounds – Moments After Niva's Awakening
The crowd still murmured over the strange aura Niva had awakened.
Pink and silver mist lingered faintly in the air, slowly fading—like a memory no one understood.
But the examiner's gaze remained fixed on her. Narrowed. Doubtful.
With slow, exaggerated steps, he approached again—arms behind his back, chin raised, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips.
"Hmm… interesting…" he muttered, circling Niva like a predator.
He stopped. Raised an eyebrow. Tapped his chin theatrically.
"I feel sorry to say this… but you've not awakened your Martial Soul."
The crowd fell silent.
"What does that mean?"
"She glowed, didn't she?"
"That looked like a Martial Soul to me!"
But the examiner didn't stop there.
"You may think something awakened, but it wasn't a true Martial Soul. I've seen thousands—this isn't one. Just some unstable aura… nothing more."
Niva blinked, stunned. Her heart dropped.
"But… I know I awakened it! I felt it inside me. I may not know its name, but—"
The examiner's mask cracked. He spun around, voice sharp with insult.
"So now you say I don't know Martial Souls? That I'm blind?"
"You came here to question me—me, an examiner of the Uccot Sect?"
He pointed toward the steps.
"Go. Don't talk back. You've already wasted enough of our time."
Niva's hands trembled. Her breath shook. She turned away, crushed by the humiliation—until—
🔥 A voice flared beside her.
"She's not the one who should feel ashamed."
Seriya stepped forward, the Phoenix emblem at her shoulder glowing faintly.
Her eyes, usually serene, now blazed with heat.
She stood beside Niva and glared at the examiner.
"We'll find someone who can recognize her Martial Soul… someone with vision beyond yours."
The examiner's face twitched. He wanted to retort—to defend his pride—but Seriya's presence held weight. And he knew it.
She's right, he thought grimly. I've never seen that kind of soul. What if it really is something new…?
But still—he said nothing. He simply turned away.
The crowd murmured again as the two girls walked back—heads high.
Though whispers followed them… so did doubt. Doubt of the examiner.
---
🌩️ A Storm Rises Before the Trial Ends
Trying to reclaim his dignity, the examiner cleared his throat and raised his voice.
"Let it be known! The first phase is over! From now on—"
But before he could finish—
⚡ The wind changed. The light dimmed.
A new pressure crashed down onto the plaza—wild, thunderous, ancient.
The crowd staggered. Even the flags surrounding the trial grounds whipped frantically as storm-like qi blanketed the space.
Two figures emerged from the far end of the staircase.
One was calm, wrapped in soft moon-colored robes—her presence like an icy blade.
The other… was Aarush.
His steps were steady. His aura faint, but charged. Controlled.
"What the—?! Isn't that the rootless boy?"
"He came back?!"
"How is he even allowed!?"
The examiner's rage returned.
"You two! Didn't you hear me? The trial is over! Leave at once!"
Sylara's cold eyes met his.
She didn't raise her voice. She stepped forward—and placed one foot on the ground.
BOOM.
A burst of pressure surged across the field. The examiner collapsed instantly, coughing blood. His legs buckled beneath him.
The crowd reeled—but it was clear: Sylara had held back.
"Y-You…!" he sputtered.
Sylara's voice was calm, but lethal—like a blade sliding from its sheath.
"You talk too much for someone so small."
She walked forward.
"You think the end of the trial is your decision?"
"You mocked a girl with a rare soul. You insulted a disciple who had yet to show his path. And now… you bark at us?"
She tilted her head slightly.
"Even your Sect Master would hesitate to speak to me this way."
The examiner trembled, blood at the corner of his lips.
🌠 Then—two figures descended from the skies, robes whipping with spiritual force. Elders.
"Who dares bring such chaos to our sacred—"
Before they could finish, Sylara turned her head toward them—her gaze cold and unwavering.
Her killing intent lashed out without a word.
The elders froze mid-air. One of them visibly shook. The atmosphere fell silent, as if even the wind held its breath.
One elder landed, pale.
"L-Lady Sylara…?"
He dropped to one knee immediately.
"Please forgive him. He didn't recognize you. He's… inexperienced."
Aarush stepped forward, eyes steady.
"Senior Sister, we only came to complete the trial."
Sylara's gaze remained on the examiner, but she exhaled slowly.
"You're lucky," she said coldly.
"Your ignorance nearly got you crushed."
Then, to Aarush:
"Let's continue. I've silenced enough fools for one day."
She turned, her aura slowly receding.
---
🔥 And so…
The crowd stood in silence. Some still trembling.
Many now stared at Aarush with awe—and curiosity.
This boy… the one without roots… had returned.
And the trial?
The real one hadn't even begun.
---