It had been a month since the Dormant Trial started and Kaiser was getting used to it.
"Time for meditation"
A cloaked clerk called out to the surviving 14 and ushered them to the grey pool.
Unlike before, the children were quiet, having realized the futility of throwing a tantrum.
As they dipped themselves into the pool, sizzling noises were made as steam began escaping their bodies. The pain was numbing but even they had grown slightly resistant to it.
Unfortunately, their resistance was futile as three people still perished, breaking down into motes of silver light that sank to the bottom of the pool.
Suddenly, a vast and terrifying presence emerged as a man clad in black robes and a fearsome mask appeared from the shadows, his red hair billowing softly in the wind.
"They are... ready"
He spoke. Surprisingly, his voice was warm like that of a father.
"Begin their training"
"Yes, my liege"
The clerks all knelt down on one knee and answered in a subservient tone.
...
Soon, the next stage of torture began. From training them till they were almost at breaking point before allowing them a brief moment of respite. Although it wasn't as painful as the pool, it was quite tiring and almost depleted their mental health.
After two impossible months, their numbers had reduced to only three when they lost four to the sacrificial worship and three to death from training.
"Today, I want you to learn about the human body and its weaknesses"
"056 and 010"
Moving forward, Kaiser stepped directly before the boy with silver hair and dark grey eyes.
"Strangle each other"
The other boy's eyes widened in shock but before he could register the command, he found himself pinned to the ground by the neck as Kaiser's hand tightened around his throat.
His expression quickly turned blue as he tried his best to breathe. Only, this gave Kaiser the chance to squeeze harder.
"That's enough" The clerk asserted but Kaiser showed no signs of stopping.
'Ah' Kaiser moaned internally as he felt the bones of the boy's neck compress under his hands.
"Stop!"
The clerk had to forcefully pull them away from each other before violently throwing Kaiser away.
"What was that for?!" He asked as one could feel the rage in his voice.
Kaiser landed perfectly on the ground and repositioned his dislocated arm with a single snap.
"I was testing his endurance and it seems it's lacking" He replied with a dull expression as if he had just done something trivial.
"You listen to orders next time"
"Sure"
After taking care of the Silver-Haired kid, the clerk called them to the hall where the Shadow Lord was patiently waiting for them.
Unlike their former encounters with him, he didn't have his mask on.
His face was that of an average middle-aged man with a little facial hair.
"You are the last three"
He spoke calmly.
"I'm honestly impressed by your tenacity and I'm looking forward to who the ultimate champion will be"
Suddenly, his expression turned grave as he spoke grimly.
"You'll have to kill each other and the last man standing will be the winner"
The other two kids stepped back in horror while Kaiser only narrowed his eyes before a twisted smile graced his lips.
'So it has come to this huh?'
"Weapons?" He asked.
"You're bold- Alright, take whatever suits your last moments" The Shadow Lord said before waving his hands as shadows surged forth and formed hundreds of weapons.
Unperturbed, Kaiser walked forward and picked an odachi alongside eleven knives.
The other two kids also moved forward to pick weapons while being wary of each other but suspiciously, they picked weapons for ranged combat.
The Shadow Lord's eyes narrowed but before he could act, the kids moved together, covering each other's backs while pointing their weapons at- them.
"Oh?"
Although he was quite stunned, his face slowly reverted into the cold and merciless expression his subordinates knew him for.
"While this is an interesting development, you must know that punishment is always dealt to transgressions" With a cold smile, he willed the shadow weapons to dissolve only for his will to clash into something impenetrable.
'what?'
Looking closely, he realized faint black tattoos spread on the kids' bodies.
"The Mark of Shadows..."
This time, horror visibly appeared on his face. After all, only he knew the implications of the mark.