Morning sunlight poured through the academy windows as Finn and Leon made their way down the quiet stone hallway. Today was important — their final training session before the tournament selection. Their footsteps echoed in the stillness, but then something else caught Finn's attention — distant voices, tense and panicked, rising from the training grounds below.
"Do you hear that?" Finn asked, narrowing his eyes.
Leon nodded. "Let's check it out."
The two broke into a run.
When they reached the training grounds, they were met with a sea of students huddled together, murmuring anxiously. Curious whispers filled the air like a rising tide.
"What's going on?" Leon asked, trying to peer over the heads in front, but the crowd was too thick.
Without hesitation, Finn dropped to the ground and started crawling through the students' legs.
Leon blinked. "What the hell are you doing?"
"It's the only way through!" Finn called back.
Though slightly embarrassed, Leon sighed and followed. They emerged into the center of the circle — and froze.
Two students lay unconscious on the ground, pale and utterly still.
Finn stepped closer. "What happened to them?"
"We don't know," a nearby student said. "They were like this when we arrived this morning."
Leon frowned. "Why hasn't anyone taken them to the nurse?"
"Magnus sir told us not to touch them. He said he'd call Darius sir."
Just then, a firm voice rang out from behind, commanding attention. "Everyone, make space! Darius sir is here!"
The crowd parted quickly as Darius strode forward, his expression unreadable. He knelt beside the unconscious students, checking their pulses with two fingers, then gently opened their uniforms to inspect for injuries.
"No visible wounds," he muttered, rubbing his chin. "Vitals are stable... but I think they saw something — something so terrifying it shocked their minds into collapse."
"But what could scare them that badly?" Finn whispered.
Leon's brows furrowed as more teachers arrived — Edric, Magnus, and Selena. They exchanged tense glances.
"Are they alright?" Edric asked, concern lacing his voice.
"They're alive," Darius said, "but clearly traumatized. Whatever they saw must've been beyond comprehension."
Murmurs rose behind Leon.
"There's only one person with a power that can mess with minds like that..."
"It has to be demonic power. You know who that means."
Leon's face darkened. His shoulders tensed.
Finn clenched his fists. "They're blaming you again. This is bull—"
Leon gently grabbed his arm. "Don't. We're in the academy. Let it go."
"But—"
"I'm used to it," Leon said quietly, though the flicker of hurt in his eyes betrayed his calm. "We don't stoop to their level."
At that moment, Selena crouched down, inspecting something on the students' shoes. Her eyes narrowed.
"There's green algae on their soles... I've seen this before."
She stood suddenly, her face turning pale. "We need to move them. Now."
Darius looked at her, then something clicked. "Right. Let's get them to the nurse's office immediately."
He turned to the students, voice sharp. "Everyone, return to your classes or training. Now."
The crowd slowly began to scatter, uneasy.
As Leon stepped back, he glanced at Darius and Selena. There was something in their expressions — an unspoken tension, a truth left unsaid.
"Something's not right," Leon whispered to Finn.
Later that day, the final trial commenced.
Finn, Leon, and six other students, including the twin brothers, stepped into the combat grounds. The tension in the air was thick — only four of them would be selected for the tournament.
Selena stood at the center of the arena, composed and commanding.
"Congratulations on passing the previous two trials," she announced. "This is your last challenge. If you succeed, you'll represent our academy in the upcoming tournament."
Excitement surged through the group.
"What's the final challenge?" one student asked eagerly.
"You will each face a selected opponent in battle," Selena replied calmly.
Finn grinned. "Finally, something fun!"
Fanny clapped her hands. "I was waiting for this!"
Leon remained focused. "Who are our opponents?"
"You'll find out soon," Selena said, stepping back.
The students moved to the sidelines to watch the first match. Selena called forward a girl wearing glasses. Leon recognized her immediately — the same girl they had once saved from bullies.
"She passed the second training?" Leon said, surprised.
The girl gave a confident nod.
A massive iron gate at the far end of the arena began to rise. A deep rumble vibrated through the ground.
Then it appeared — an enormous, elephant-like beast lumbered forward, a brown marble gleaming in its forehead.
Leon's face went pale. "A divine beast..."
Finn looked confused. "What's the big deal?"
Leon stared at him. "Have you been living in a cave?"
"No...?"
Leon sighed. "Any animal that lives near the Celestara Fruit Tree evolves into a divine beast. Their strength multiplies tenfold. That marble means it's an earth-type."
Finn's eyes widened. "So this thing's insanely strong."
"Exactly."
Selena addressed the girl. "Defeat the divine beast, and you pass. If you're in danger, we'll stop the fight. These beasts are trained."
The girl nodded. "I'm ready."
Selena raised her hand. "Three, two, one... begin!"
The girl bit into her hand, releasing a thin stream of pink blood. Sparks crackled around her body.
Leon leaned forward. "Pink blood… she has electric powers."
Crackling with energy, she darted forward, almost vanishing from view, and slammed her fist into the beast's side. Sparks erupted across its thick hide. The creature staggered slightly, surprised.
She smirked. "Gotcha."
But the elephant let out a deep growl, lifting its massive foot. With a thunderous slam, the ground split — jagged spikes of earth shot up, forcing her back.
She leapt into the air, agile and fast, hurling a bolt of lightning at the beast mid-air. It raised a stone wall just in time — the bolt exploded harmlessly against it.
Landing hard, she narrowed her eyes. "So you can block..."
She launched another volley — punches, kicks, bursts of lightning — each deflected by summoned rocks. Her breathing grew heavier.
"He's reading her moves," Leon murmured.
Then, the beast struck. With a thunderous stomp, a cage of stone erupted from the ground, trapping her in place.
She gasped, struggling. "No...!"
The elephant roared and charged, trunk raised high for a devastating final blow.