The soft hum of celestial energy in the air heightened as the countdown to the Dominion Trials reached its final moments. The floating Celestial Zones continued to pulse and shimmer, their power vast and unpredictable. Below, the students were already in position, eyes narrowed with determination.
Dawn stood on the edge of the arena, his gaze calm, focused, and distant. He felt the energy around him—an endless stream of potential moving through every mark, every student. While they were preparing their strategies, he was already processing the outcomes. His mindscape was alive with simulations, his Vast Sky Mark feeding him the raw possibilities of each possible clash, each tactical movement.
But unlike his peers, Dawn was not focused on physical endurance or the raw contest of strength. His method of training, though invisible to the untrained eye, was as effective as any mark. His mind, vast and ever-expanding, absorbed every decision made around him, while he quietly simulated the consequences of each potential action.
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The Grand Instructor's voice echoed again, amplified by the ancient runes etched into the arena. "The Dominion Trials begin! Your goal is simple: claim and defend as many Celestial Zones as possible. The team with the most Stellar Points at the end of the trial will be crowned as the dominant force of the competition."
A surge of energy shot through the students as the floating Celestial Zones activated, the very air around them vibrating with celestial power. The various zones began to shift in the sky, rotating and expanding, each one becoming a unique battlefield of possibilities.
Dawn's eyes flicked briefly to the other teams. His attention shifted to Gary, who was already assessing the battlefield. Gary had honed his combat instincts for years—his gauntlet would provide the first wave of offense.
Ingrid, to his left, was murmuring to herself, her eyes flickering with the glow of Transmutation and Binding. She was a tactician at heart, her calm demeanor masking the complexity of her abilities. Ingrid's mind was already working through how best to neutralize opponents, weaving spells that would transform the battlefield into something unrecognizable.
As for Princess Luna, Dawn's gaze briefly caught hers in the crowd of students. She was among the other guests, observing from a distance. Though she was silent and composed, there was an undeniable spark of interest in her eyes, especially when they landed on Dawn.
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The first challenge of the Dominion Trials was to secure one of the floating Celestial Zones that hovered in the sky, each zone possessing its own unique properties. There were twelve in total, each representing a different aspect of celestial power.
As the trial began, the students rushed forward, each group moving towards their assigned zones.
Zone 1: The Luminous Veil – A zone suffused with light energy, where control over radiant forces could amplify a team's offensive abilities. It was a zone that would favor those with light-based abilities, but it was also one of the most contested due to its strategic importance.
Zone 2: The Infernal Rift – A zone fueled by fire and destruction. Flames roared and burst from the very ground beneath it, allowing its occupants to harness fire manipulation and heat-based energy. For those who wielded destructive marks, this was a zone meant for pure devastation.
Zone 3: The Tidal Abyss – A zone that manipulated water and the currents of energy. Here, those with the ability to control the elements of water could claim an advantage, but it was also dangerous—tides could be used against them if they were not careful.
Zone 4: The Aetheric Rift – The most volatile and chaotic of all zones, it manipulated space itself. For students with spatial marks, this zone could offer a chance to bend the laws of reality, creating impossible angles, twists, and pathways to gain the upper hand.
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Dawn's group had decided to take on the Tidal Abyss—a zone known for its manipulation of water and energy currents. Gary , the noble would act as the main force needed to control the terrain, while Ingrid would act as the tactician, using her Mark of Binding to control the movement of opponents and allies alike.
As they reached the boundary of the Tidal Abyss, the swirling currents of water and energy collided in a chaotic storm. Waves rose up in towering walls, crashing down in powerful surges. Dawn felt the coldness of the water as it surged towards him but remained unfazed, his body radiating with the calmness of his Vast Sky Mark.
Gary immediately formed his Gauntlet of Resolve. The gauntlet shimmered with intense energy, condensing the swirling water into a hard, resilient form. With a wave of his hand, he sent a torrent of energy to blast through the massive waves, clearing a path for the team.
Ingrid, standing behind Gary, her fingers flicked through the air. The water around her began to shift, turning into a series of translucent, shimmering chains that wrapped around any enemy trying to approach them. Mark of Binding was her tool of choice, turning the very currents into a prison that would trap enemies long enough for the rest of the team to strike.
But their progress was not without resistance. A rival team—led by an experienced student with the Mark of Tempest—had arrived in the same zone, and the battle to control the Tidal Abyss had begun in earnest.
The student with the Mark of Tempest was a force to be reckoned with. The air around him crackled with violent electricity as he manipulated the storm, sending bolts of lightning cascading through the waters. Dawn's focus sharpened as he observed the student's movements. He wasn't focused on attacking, but on learning—the way the tempest wielder controlled the currents, the way his mark merged with the elements.
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Meanwhile, from a distance, Princess Luna observed the ongoing trials with quiet interest. She had seen Dawn's potential before, but now, seeing him in action, she was more intrigued than ever. He didn't rely on brute force, nor did he seem to care for accolades or glory. His approach was different—calculated, methodical, and almost too quiet for someone participating in a grand competition like this.
Luna, caught up in her thoughts, found herself standing closer to the arena's edge, observing the Tidal Abyss zone. Her guards moved to distance her from the battlefield, but she did not look away. She couldn't help but wonder—was Dawn truly just a passerby in this contest, or was there more to him than met the eye?
Without realizing it, Luna's gaze locked with Dawn's for a brief moment. The quiet exchange held no words, but there was a subtle shift in the air, as if they both understood something unspoken.
And just like that, the moment passed.
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End of Chapter 96
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