Chapter:23
Inside the Metal Zone – Continued
The clash of steel echoed across the ridges.
Gareth's war cry boomed through the iron canopy as his fist collided with a metal sentinel's torso, denting its enchanted plating. Sparks flew. A heartbeat later, Silva leapt from a ledge, loosing an arrow that shattered another sentinel's eye-core. The construct froze, then collapsed like a puppet with its strings cut.
"Two down!" she called, landing beside Evan with a roll.
Cassia, surprisingly nimble in her black robes, stepped forward and raised her palm. A sigil etched into her bracelet flared to life.
"Deploying disruption rune!"
The air shimmered as an expanding wave of null energy surged forward, disabling the mana inhibitors of a dozen nearby sentinels for a few seconds—just enough.
Lilith took that moment. Her red eyes gleamed, fangs showing slightly as she blinked forward in a burst of crimson speed, her twin daggers singing with vampiric energy. She moved with elegance, like a dancer through blood. Steel constructs fell around her like leaves.
Evan whirled as three sentinels lunged at him. Noctris moved faster. The tiny Basilisk opened its maw—and from it, an orb of coiling shadows and blue flame erupted, swallowing the enemies in a spiraling burst.
"…Okay, that was new," Gareth muttered, shielding his face from the aftershock. "You sure it's not a mini-dragon?"
Noctris hissed at him.
"Hey! Just saying!"
Evan stood still for a moment, breathing hard, then gave Noctris a small grin. "You're full of surprises."
The Basilisk proudly perched on Evan's shoulder like a tiny guardian god.
The fight slowed as the last wave of sentinels fell, the air thick with the scent of ozone and metal.
Professor Valen Rhime's illusion reappeared above them in a shimmer of platinum light.
"Well done, Division Five. You lasted longer than expected. But this was just Phase One."
The group tensed.
"The true test is below."
A rumble shook the terrain beneath their feet. Chunks of metallic ground fell away, revealing a spiral staircase forged of obsidian and chained gearwork.
Valen's voice was now quiet, almost playful.
"Enter the Crucible."
—
Hours Later – Aflety Academy War Room
While Evan's team descended into the Crucible, Headmaster Gawain watched through a swirling scrying pool surrounded by the other professors. Elemental reflections danced across their faces.
Professor Ansel Marrow stroked his beard. "They're improving rapidly. That Basilisk in particular… it shouldn't be able to release that much energy yet."
Professor Lenora Vint, the quiet Ice Division mentor, narrowed her eyes. "That beast isn't normal. It's adapting too quickly. Almost… sentient."
"And the bond between it and Evan," Gawain murmured, "is deeper than I've seen in decades."
A younger professor—the red-haired rogue instructor named Ferin Dusk—grinned. "I give it two more weeks before they start breaking tournament records."
Gawain didn't smile. "No… they don't have two weeks."
The others turned to him.
He gestured, and an envelope emerged from the folds of his robe. Wax sealed with the imperial crest.
"The Emperor's letter. It warns of unrest. The Black Nest is moving again. And they are especially interested in Evan."
Silence fell in the room.
"We'll need to accelerate the tournament," Gawain said finally. "And prepare the academy defenses."
—
Back in the Crucible – Later That Day
The Crucible was an unforgiving landscape of shifting metal mazes, animated weapons, and trials that tested more than strength—it tested teamwork, willpower, and leadership.
Evan had taken the lead, not by force, but naturally. The others followed without protest, even Cassia, whose eyes flickered with respect more than irritation now.
"Left corridor," he ordered softly. "Trap sigils are embedded in the right wall. You'll trigger them if you breathe too hard."
"How the hell do you see this stuff?" Gareth whispered.
"Pattern recognition," Evan replied. "It's all math."
"…Nerd."
They rounded the bend. Ahead lay a sealed gate of enchanted metal. On it, glowing inscriptions read:
"Name the beast who follows you without chains. Name the bond that breaks none."
Lilith stepped forward, eyes curious. "A riddle."
Evan looked at Noctris.
Then he stepped up to the gate and spoke calmly:
"Its name is Noctris. The bond is trust."
A pause.
Then the gate groaned open.
Inside lay a small platform. On it rested five tokens—metallic fragments that pulsed with magic.
"Victory tokens," Silva said softly. "We're officially ranked now."
Cassia bent down and picked up one. "And now every other team will know it."
A slow smile spread on her lips.
"I can't wait."
—
Later That Night – Evan's Dorm Room
Exhausted but victorious, Evan returned to his chamber. The others had split off to their own dorms, but Lilith had followed him halfway before stopping.
"You did well today," she said.
"Thanks."
"I meant what I said about the name," she added. "Noctris suits him."
Evan hesitated, then looked her in the eyes. "Why do you care so much?"
Lilith looked caught off guard for the first time. Then she smiled faintly. "Because I like you, Evan. I told you that already."
"But why?" he asked, voice barely audible. "You don't know what I've lived through."
"I don't need to. I see who you are now. And that's enough."
He didn't reply.
Lilith stepped forward, touched his shoulder softly, and turned away.
"Sleep well, Noctris," she whispered before vanishing down the hall.
The Basilisk chirped and curled around Evan's neck like a scarf.
"You're not gonna start teasing me too, are you?"
Hssss.
"That's a yes, isn't it."
Chapter End
—