The Sinclair Family Arena was far larger than Eternia had imagined.
Even from the outside, the structure carried the imposing presence expected from one of the most powerful noble mage families in the empire. Massive white stone walls rose high into the sky, carved with ancient magical runes that shimmered faintly under the morning sun. Rows of elevated viewing platforms surrounded the central arena where countless generations of Sinclair heirs had once proven their worth.
Today, that same arena was filled with children.
Dozens of them.
Some wore elegant noble clothing that clearly identified them as members of the main bloodline. Others stood slightly apart in simpler attire, their expressions tense and cautious—children from branch families hoping to prove themselves worthy of recognition.
Because this was not simply a test.
For many of them…
It was a chance to change their entire lives.
Eternia Sinclair stood quietly near the edge of the gathering crowd, her silver hair swaying gently in the morning breeze. At four years old, her small frame looked no different from any other child present. Yet her calm expression contrasted sharply with the nervous energy surrounding the other participants.
Some children were whispering anxiously.
Others practiced basic spell gestures under their breath.
Several looked pale with fear.
The Sinclair family arena test occurred every year for children turning five within the bloodline. Those who performed well would receive access to better tutors, magical resources, and even direct mentorship from senior family mages.
Those who failed…
Would remain in obscurity.
For branch family children, failure meant returning to lives as minor nobles with little influence.
For illegitimate children like Eternia…
Failure meant remaining forgotten forever.
Eternia folded her arms quietly as she observed the crowd.
"Quite a lot of competitors," she thought.
Most of the children were around the same age—between four and six years old.
Yet even among them, the difference in magical presence was obvious.
Some children emitted only faint traces of mana.
Others radiated stronger magical signatures that hinted at decent talent.
But compared to Eternia…
They were insignificant.
After four years of constant training, the mana flowing through her magic circuits had become extremely refined. She had learned to suppress it carefully so others would not easily sense her true strength.
Still…
One presence in the crowd immediately caught her attention.
A powerful aura.
Dense.
Stable.
Even while restrained, the mana radiating from that person was far greater than any other child nearby.
Eternia turned her head slowly.
And saw him.
Standing a short distance away was a boy with dark silver hair and sharp blue eyes. His posture was straight, his expression calm, and even at such a young age he carried a quiet confidence that set him apart from the other children.
Mana flowed around him like an invisible current.
Not wild or uncontrolled.
But steady and powerful.
Eternia's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So that must be him."
Her twin brother.
The legitimate heir of the Sinclair family.
Etherius Sinclair.
Even without anyone introducing them, Eternia immediately knew.
Their mana felt strangely similar.
Like two rivers flowing from the same source.
At that exact moment, Etherius turned his head as well.
His gaze landed on Eternia.
For a brief moment, the two simply stared at each other.
No words were exchanged.
But something passed between them.
Recognition.
Not of identity.
But of power.
Etherius studied her quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly as if sensing something unusual.
Eternia simply held his gaze calmly.
Then a loud booming voice suddenly echoed across the arena.
"Silence."
The single word reverberated through the massive arena like thunder.
A figure stepped forward onto the central platform.
He was a tall man wearing dark military armor etched with glowing runic patterns. A long cloak bearing the Sinclair family crest flowed behind him as he looked down at the gathered children.
His presence alone felt overwhelming.
Eternia immediately recognized the sensation.
Mana pressure.
And a powerful one at that.
The man spoke again, his voice calm yet commanding.
"My name is Captain Varos. I serve as the Mage Captain of the Sinclair Third Unit."
His sharp eyes swept across the crowd of children.
"Today, you will participate in the traditional Sinclair Family Evaluation."
Several children shifted nervously.
Captain Varos slowly raised one hand.
"Before we begin…"
A sudden wave of crushing pressure exploded outward from his body.
BOOM.
The invisible force slammed into the gathered children like a tidal wave.
One by one—
They collapsed.
Children fell to their knees as if gravity itself had suddenly doubled. Some gasped in shock while others trembled violently under the immense magical pressure pressing down on them.
Several immediately lost consciousness.
Even those from pure-blooded noble branches struggled desperately to remain upright.
Sweat poured down their faces.
Their bodies trembled violently.
The pressure was overwhelming.
But Eternia remained standing.
Her silver eyes widened slightly as she felt the weight of the mana pressing against her.
It was strong.
Very strong.
But not unbearable.
She calmly circulated her own mana through her magic circuits, stabilizing her body and dispersing the pressure.
After four years of training, her control had become extremely refined.
Standing still was not difficult.
A few meters away…
Etherius Sinclair also remained standing.
His expression had tightened slightly, but his body remained upright as he endured the pressure with sheer determination.
Everyone else was on their knees.
Some barely conscious.
Captain Varos observed the scene calmly.
His gaze lingered briefly on the two children still standing.
"Interesting."
After a few seconds, he withdrew the pressure.
The invisible weight vanished instantly.
Children gasped for air as they slowly regained control of their bodies.
Captain Varos crossed his arms.
"The Sinclair bloodline values strength."
His voice echoed across the arena.
"And strength begins with resilience."
He gestured toward the massive stone gate behind him.
The gate slowly opened with a deep rumbling sound.
Beyond it…
A massive labyrinth stretched into the distance.
High stone walls twisted in complex patterns, forming a maze large enough to cover half the arena.
Magical barriers shimmered faintly across its surface.
Captain Varos continued speaking.
"The first stage of the examination is simple."
His eyes gleamed slightly.
"You will enter the maze."
A murmur spread through the children.
"Hidden within the labyrinth are ten golden mana stones."
He raised one hand.
"Your objective is to locate one of these stones…"
"…and escape the maze."
Another child raised a trembling hand.
"W-what about magic?"
Captain Varos smirked slightly.
"You may use basic magic."
"But remember…"
His expression hardened.
"Only ten stones exist."
The meaning was obvious.
Dozens of children.
Only ten could pass.
Competition was inevitable.
Captain Varos pointed toward the entrance.
"The maze will open in ten seconds."
"Once inside, you are responsible for your own survival."
His voice turned cold.
"Begin."
A loud horn suddenly echoed through the arena.
The gate fully opened.
Children began rushing forward toward the entrance of the labyrinth.
Some moved cautiously.
Others sprinted aggressively.
Eternia remained still for a moment longer.
Her silver eyes studied the maze carefully.
"This will be interesting."
She could already sense faint magical signatures scattered throughout the labyrinth.
Most likely the golden mana stones.
But finding them would not be easy.
The maze was designed to confuse detection magic.
Simple mana sensing would not be enough.
Eternia stepped forward calmly.
As she passed the entrance, she briefly glanced to the side.
Etherius Sinclair was entering the maze as well.
For a moment their eyes met again.
Then both of them disappeared into the labyrinth.
The first trial of the Sinclair family had begun.