I. Echoes of the Aurora – Consequences and Recognition
The coliseum was slow to catch its breath after the duel against the Outsider. The elders and the audience still felt the echoes of the aurora and the shadow, while the Morningstar family embraced and the top geniuses—Violeta, Eris, Cedric, Xylia, Lyra, Kael, and The Fallen—received a standing ovation.
Lilith, with a solemn voice, raised the clan's banner and proclaimed: —"Today, the first ten seats of the Morningstar Sequence have demonstrated not only power, but bonds and spirit. May these positions serve as an example and a challenge for the entire lineage!"
Kael, with his sword resting on his shoulder, bowed before Samael and the elders, his gaze both humble and proud.
II. The Investment Function – The Patriarch's Miracle
In the tower chambers, Samael meditated before the Inheritance Sphere. He visualized all the resources exhausted during the tournament: techniques, talismans, pills, and even a Earth-grade armor he had personally granted to one of the youngest disciples to survive the beast's onslaught.
The System whispered, for him alone:
[Investment Function Activated: Resources donated to the clan: Techniques x3, Talismans x2, Armor x1, Law Essence x1.
Calculating Critical Return...
300x Multiplier Reached!
Reimbursement: Heaven-grade Technique: "Seal of the Eternal Guardian"; 5 Lineage Evolution Talismans; 2 Supreme Pills; and "Mantle of the Scarlet Aurora" Armor (Mythic quality).
Bonus: Essence Heritage for the entire Top 10 Sequence.]
Samael offered a half-smile, keeping the secret behind his cold calm. To the others, this didn't seem like a divine miracle, but rather "the fortune of having a generous and wise patriarch." He distributed the new treasures like one fulfilling an ancestral duty.
III. The Tournament Continues – The Final Aspirants for the Top 20
The arena resumed with renewed energy. The list of aspirants vibrated in the air, each name a promise, a story:
Sequence 11: Tamsin (The Forest Shadow) – An elder disciple, expert in poisons, wood, and shadow, now seeking redemption.
Sequence 12: Elowen (Living Root) – A master of alchemy and healing from a minor branch, controlling wood and life.
Sequence 13: Torian (Heart of Steel) – A rejuvenated elder, smith and warrior from the direct line of steel.
Sequence 14: Sela (Voice of the Penumbra) – Elder of the shadows, protector of secrets and spies.
Sequence 15: Lys (Dawn Flower) – A young prodigy from a minor branch, using light and healing techniques.
Sequence 16: Draven (Ice Fang) – A youth of crossed lineage, pure ice, and a distant cousin to Violeta; he seeks glory.
Sequence 17: Rowan (Gale Edge) – A disciple of the wind trained under Jian; his "Thousand-Wing Slash" technique is impressive.
Sequence 18: Aylin (Root and Storm Spear) – Lineage: Earth and Wind. Her spear invokes roots and cyclones, a blend of perseverance and surprise.
Sequence 19: Maren (Eye of Lightning) – A young strategist from a minor branch who controls bolts; a disciple of Xylia.
Sequence 20: Elian (Song of the River) – A specialist in water and flow control from an almost forgotten minor branch, but his tenacity brought him to the Top 20.
Saira, of the Star Ice Empire, paid her respects but formally withdrew after the round, mindful of the political barriers between empires. Jian, the Wind Outsider, vanished—his place symbolically taken by Rowan.
IV. Names, Ranks, and Titles
Confirmed Top 10:
Kael (Crimson Edge)
Violeta (The Void Winter)
Eris (The Flame of Ruin)
The Fallen (Shadow of the Storm)
Cedric (Heart of Steel)
Xylia (Imperial Thunder)
Lyra (Rebirth Mist)
Aylin (Root and Storm Spear)
Rowan (Gale Edge) — (Promoted after Saira's withdrawal)
(To be defined/Challenge Seat)
Seats 11–20 (Assigned through duels and trials): 11. Tamsin (The Forest Shadow) 12. Elowen (Living Root) 13. Torian (Heart of Steel) 14. Sela (Voice of the Penumbra) 15. Lys (Dawn Flower) 16. Draven (Ice Fang) 17. Maren (Eye of Lightning) 18. Elian (Song of the River) 19. (Pending: space for new prodigies/regressors) 20. (Pending: space for new prodigies/regressors)
V. Intimate Scene – Beneath the Light of the Aurora
Back in the tower, the night was peaceful, far removed from the clamor of the day. Samael removed his mask of the Patriarch, adopting the serene face of a husband and father.
Seraphina was waiting for him, with Celeste curled up in her lap. The little girl played with a flake of frost, making it spin in the air with soft giggles. Samael knelt beside them, his hand brushing Celeste's small silver head.
She looked at him and asked: —"Daddy, why was everyone clapping today?"
—"Because today we won something more important than any battle," Samael whispered, looking at Seraphina. "We won the right to a tomorrow."
Seraphina rested her head on Samael's shoulder. —"Do you see? This is why we fight."
Celeste yawned, and in her innocence, the family found their true treasure: the promise of future auroras, and of bonds that no void could ever break.