Arthur concentrated for a moment, and the next, a familiar sword appeared in his hands. It was the sword that he had mysteriously lost in the cave with Ezriel. Its polished surface gleamed faintly even in the dim light of his room.
For a week, he couldn't understand where that sword had gone. But now, it all made sense.
But Arthur put the sword aside, knowing that his new one felt much more comfortable.
Then, he focused his mind again, looking within the room-like space of the coin. He could see a corner practically overflowing with gold coins. Arthur's eyes almost bulged out when he looked at the sheer pile of money.
Even without counting, he could tell that there were tens of thousands of gold solars in this hidden space. A king's ransom, just sitting there.
And in another end of the spatial room, he could see tall shelves with countless books lining them, their spines old and worn. He tried to will himself to reach forward, towards the books. If they were what he thought they were he would be almost invincible! This was a treasure trove beyond imagining!
But as he willed his consciousness to move towards them, a sharp, stabbing pain lanced through his forehead, making him cry out.
He could see an almost invisible barrier shimmer into sight within the coin's space, covered with crimson red patterns that pulsed with a dangerous energy.
Fate, it seemed, truly loved playing tricks on him. He could see a library of skills that could change his destiny right in front of him, but reaching for them only seemed to bring more pain.
Resigned, he pulled his focus away, back into the real world, the image of the glowing barrier seared into his mind.
"This is still really good," he thought, a grim smile touching his lips. "I will have to figure out how to get rid of that… wall later."
But for now, his priorities lay elsewhere. Putting the coin safely back into its hiding place, he reached for the scroll already open on his table – Thunder Punishing Fist.
It was time to go back to training.
_____________________________________________________
A month later,
Everglen Academy
The familiar stone halls of Everglen Academy were almost electric. This wasn't the usual hum and chatter of every day.
Today was different.
A palpable tension and keen anticipation filled the air, visible on every student's face. After all, tomorrow was the day of the special tournament – a contest that would decide the four students who would receive an invitation to the rigorous trials of the Imperial Fate Academy.
Arthur walked through the crowded courtyard, his expression calm as he scanned his surroundings. Near the old fountain, he could see Orion talking animatedly with a group of other Everglen students.
"Arthur! Over here!" Orion spotted him and waved, a wide grin splitting his face.
Arthur nodded and made his way over.
"What are you, a ghost? I haven't seen you all month!" Orion laughed as he clapped Arthur heartily on his shoulder.
"Locked yourself away for training, huh? Smart move. The rumors flying around are insane."
"Rumors?" Arthur asked, his tone light.
"You wouldn't believe them," Orion said, his voice lowering, though several other students around them still leaned in, eager to listen.
"They're saying Alaric had another breakthrough. Word is he's a high-grade Apprentice Rook now! Can you imagine that?! I heard he sparred with one of the Blackstone instructors – a Skilled Knight! – and forced him back three steps with a single sword strike! They say his sword qi is so strong that weaker students can't last even a minute if he focuses it on them!"
Another younger student, his eyes wide with awe, pitched in as well. "And they say he's mastered the Valewyn family's Tyrant Descent sword art to the fourth stage! No one his age has ever done that!"
Arthur nodded, his expression unchanging. Alaric was indeed talented, backed by a powerful family and all the resources he would ever need at his disposal. Such progress was to be expected.
But then, a blue figure suddenly appeared in his mind.
"What about Seraphina?" He looked at Orion.
Orion whistled dramatically. "Looks like the Ice Queen has claimed another admirer. Too bad my best friend is also going to have his heart broken," Orion laughed, teasing Arthur.
"Get to the point," Arthur said, a hint of impatience in his voice.
"Fine, fine." Orion grinned. "I hear she's another monster entirely. Someone from Highcrest saw her training at the frozen lake north of the city. Apparently, she froze half the lake solid with a single wave of her hand! They say she's not just a high-grade Apprentice Rook anymore. She's close to becoming a Peak-grade Apprentice Rook!" Orion shook his head in disbelief.
Another student added, his voice hushed, "I heard she's cultivating some ancient ice-type scripture. 'The Nine Winters Heart Manual' or something like that. They say each layer she masters increases her power tenfold, and she's already on the second layer!"
"Two spots in the Imperial trials are already locked in stone then," Orion sighed, though the sound was quickly followed by a fierce look of competition hardening his own expression. "This whole tournament is just everyone else fighting for the other two spots."
Looking up at Arthur, a challenging smile appeared on Orion's face. "What about you, Arthur? Are you going to surprise everyone like you did in the survival training?" he asked, a joking tone in his voice, but his eyes held a genuine curiosity.
"I'm confident," Arthur replied with a calm smile. "But I should be the one asking you. I can tell. When did you become a high-grade Knight?"
He could sense it from the mana now radiating from his friend; Orion had achieved a significant breakthrough during the past month.
Orion's grin widened. "You weren't the only one training long and hard. As long as I don't end up in the same bracket as Seraphina or Alaric, I think I'll do alright. I'm only really worried about one other person in this tournament." He nodded back, his gaze steady.
"Ah! I wonder who that could be?" Arthur mused, playing along. "Is it Gregor from Valemarch? I remember he dominated the survival training last year. He should be their best, shouldn't he?"
"That brute? He isn't the problem," Orion shook his head, then his expression turned serious, though a laugh was still in his eyes. "I'm worried about you. But don't think for a second I'll go easy on you if we meet." He clapped Arthur on the shoulder again.
"Best of luck! I have to run, but I'll see you tomorrow!" Orion shouted as he began to walk away, already turning to join another group of students.
Arthur smiled faintly as he shook his head, watching his friend depart.
"That guy's intuition… it's almost terrifying sometimes," he whispered softly to himself, looking down at his own hands. They were covered in new blisters and rough scars.
Then, he took a deep breath and looked up, his gaze distant, a single, resolute thought echoing in his mind.
"Tomorrow, I fight."