Liam stood panting. His body ached. The roar of the crowd surrounded him. Grandmaster Orin's words still echoed: "Lord Liam Lithian is the victor!" Sir Lucas was there. His face showed worry and immense pride.
Liam felt a presence. A crushing weight descended from above. Sword Sovereign Eldrin. He moved from the highest balcony. He stepped onto the dueling circle. The crowd fell silent. Eldrin approached Liam. His eyes were like chips of ancient ice. They pierced Liam.
[Bonus Objective: Earn the direct acknowledgment of Sword Sovereign Eldrin - COMPLETE!][Title Acquired: Eldrin's Hopeful] (Grants significant favor with Sword Sovereign Eldrin)
"Grandmaster Orin will oversee your final trial. Succeed there, and we will speak of apprenticeships, and the true meaning of a bloodstained legacy."
Liam frowned, confusion clouding his features. "A trial? But the tournament has ended. And I won."
Orin, seeing Liam's bewilderment, explained, his voice calm but firm. "The tournament was but a prelude, young Lithian. To truly be worthy of Eldrin's tutelage, you must prove your potential. You must manifest an Aura. To control and wield it. Eldrin will not take on a student who cannot even grasp the basics of Aura manifestation. To receive his teaching now, before you are ready, would cripple you... or kill you."
Eldrin nodded slowly. He offered a small, almost imperceptible smile. It was ancient. Knowing. Then, he turned. He vanished into the shadows as silently as he had come.
The herald rushed forward. He held a velvet cushion. On it, rested the prize. The Ring of Azure Depths. Its sapphire glowed with an inner light. It was captivating.
Liam reached out. He took the ring. It felt cool. Heavy. He slipped it onto his finger.
The System chimed:
[Relic: Ring of Azure Depths]Type: Ring Rarity: Relic (SS-Rank) Effect:
Mana Reservoir: Permanently increases Mana pool by +100. Azure Wellspring: Grants +10 Mana Regeneration per minute while worn. Mana Attunement: Enhances the efficiency of mana-based skills by 5%. Description: A relic imbued with the essence of a forgotten deep-sea mage. Its azure gem constantly draws mana from the very fabric of existence, granting its wearer a near-endless wellspring of power.
A Mana pool increase and regeneration? Liam thought. This is exactly what I needed.
Sir Lucas clapped Liam on the shoulder. "You truly did it, boy," Lucas said. His voice is rough. "A mission truly accomplished. But now… now you've gained the eye of titans. And drawn the wrath of a Prince."
Liam nodded. He looked at Arthur's retreating form. His rage still echoed.
Kael Thorne approached. He held his bruised arm. "Not bad, Lithian," Kael grunted. His gaze held a new, grudging respect. "You handled him. The little Prince. He's no commoner, that one. Knew he was hiding something." Kael gave a curt nod. He turned and limped away.
Lady Elara Voss, her face still sharp, offered a brief, respectful nod from a distance. She didn't approach. But her eyes were curious.
After the formal ceremony, Grandmaster Orin drew Liam aside. His stern gaze softened slightly. "You fought well today, young Lithian. Better than anyone expected." He paused, studying Liam. "You're strong. But you lack control over that... raw power. You need to learn the discipline of Aura."
Liam listened, his attention unwavering.
"Continue your training," Orin instructed. "Push yourself. And in one month, you are to return to Oulbeck. Seek permission from your father. You will train here, alongside other prospects, to learn how to manifest Aura and how to manipulate it. It will be rigorous. Dangerous. Many fail. But if you succeed, if you can truly grasp this fundamental truth of power, then Eldrin will consider you for apprenticeship." Orin's gaze was firm. "This is your path, Liam. Do you understand?"
Liam met his gaze. "Yes, Grandmaster. I understand."
The journey back to Lithian Hold was tense. Liam rode beside Sir Lucas. The Black Knights formed a quiet escort. The political implications of the tournament win, and Arthur's public outburst, weighed heavily.
"He is Arthur Razakia, the Fifth Prince," Lucas confirmed. His voice was low. "The king's younger brother. Vicious, ambitious. And now, publicly shamed by you."
"He cheated," Liam stated. His voice was cold. "He used Aura. He's a 4-Star Elite Knight, at least. And he entered a tournament for Adepts."
Lucas sighed. "Indeed. A grave insult to House Oulbeck. And a dangerous revelation for the Prince himself. But his pride is wounded. That makes him volatile. You have made a powerful enemy, Liam. One with royal connections."
I know, Liam thought. He focused on his System status. He inspected his new rank.
[Stars: ★★★★ (Elite Knight)]
The gates of Lithian Hold loomed. The journey was over. Liam had returned victorious. As their horses entered the courtyard, a cheer erupted. The entire household was there. Servants, guards, and even some of the local villagers stood, applauding.
His mother, Maria, rushed forward. Her obsidian eyes were wide with relief and joy. She embraced him tightly. "My son! You're safe! And you won!" Tears glistened in her eyes.
Lord Baren Lithian approached. His steel-gray eyes held a rare warmth. He placed a heavy hand on Liam's shoulder. "Well done, Liam. You have brought great honor to House Lithia." The words were quiet, but the pride in his voice was unmistakable.
Sarah pushed through the crowd. Her russet braids bounced. Her eyes, filled with a mixture of worry and awe, met his. She offered a beaming smile. "Welcome home, my lord!"
Liam looked at their faces. The cheers, the smiles, the genuine relief. Sarah approached him. "You must be tired, my lord," she said softly. "I will prepare a bath for you."
Liam nodded. "Thank you, Sarah."
Lord Baren turned to Sir Lucas. "Lucas, come to my study. We have much to discuss." The two men walked away, their voices low.
Sarah led Liam towards his chambers. Once inside, before he could step into the steaming bath, she gestured for him to sit. "Let me look at your wounds first, my lord." Her hands moved with a familiar, gentle urgency.
As her fingers hovered over the fading cuts and bruises, a soft, pale blue light emanated from her palms. Liam felt the lingering aches recede. He watched the light. It was steadier now. More focused than before. He felt the subtle warmth flow through him. She's getting better at this, Liam realized. Her healing ability... she's learning to control it more. The small cuts and scrapes from the duel faded almost completely under her touch.