The Final Evolution Test Begins
The Midgar Academy Coliseum was bustling with energy and anticipation. It was no longer a place for mere spectators. The arena was alive with the buzzing of excited students, instructors, and a select few prestigious figures, all gathered for the Final Evolution Test. Today would mark the culmination of years of hard work, a test of their abilities and potential for future greatness.
Up above, on the highest platform, stood the Headmaster of Midgar Academy, the legendary Iris Midgar, whose aura radiated both wisdom and authority. Beside her stood Prince Jason Volcan, whose very presence commanded respect. Though the prince's reputation for his bloodline's power had preceded him, there was another figure whose identity had been cloaked in mystery.
Princess Ceara Volcan, disguised under the pseudonym C. Vale, stood among the instructors. Her golden eyes shimmered with quiet power. It wasn't just her refined, calm demeanor that captured attention—it was the unspoken truth that her bloodline carried immense strength, yet the students had no idea about the true depth of her abilities. She was the perfect master of disguise, and she would play a significant role today. Though she appeared to be nothing more than a referee, it was clear that she carried weight in her every action.
The arena's silence deepened as the voice of the announcer rang out across the vast expanse.
"Fourth Match—Claire Kagenou vs. Haster."
Claire Kagenou stepped forward from the waiting area. The crowd went quiet as they saw her approach the arena. Her dark hair flowed in the wind like a shadow, and the elegant sword in her grip gleamed beneath the sunlight. Her focus was razor-sharp, and her eyes held a depth of purpose far beyond her years. She was the perfect blend of grace and strength, a warrior born of lineage and training.
Across from her stood Haster Rais, a student from another prestigious academy, Volcan Academy. Unlike Claire's calm composure, Haster wore an arrogant grin, his gaze flickering to the strange artifact in his hand. The orb was covered with intricate runes, pulsating faintly as if it contained some kind of forbidden magic. The way Haster gripped it, with a sense of possession and pride, only deepened Claire's suspicion.
"Let's see how long you can stay so calm, Kagenou," Haster taunted, his voice carrying across the arena. "You may be skilled, but this...this is something you won't be able to handle."
Claire's expression remained unyielding. She didn't respond to his provocation. She didn't need to. Her blade was her voice, and she knew that when the time came, she would speak with it in the most powerful way possible.
The match began with a blinding speed. Claire was on Haster in an instant, her sword flashing with deadly precision. Each movement was calculated, aimed at disarming him, exploiting any weaknesses in his stance. Yet, Haster wasn't as unprepared as he appeared.
He raised the orb above his head, and a dark pulse of energy shot out from the artifact. Claire's eyes widened, her instincts kicking in. She dashed backward, narrowly avoiding the blast. The artifact's power wasn't just magical—it seemed to warp reality itself, sending ripples through the air. Claire's training told her this was no simple weapon; it was an ancient artifact, a relic with the potential to disrupt the very flow of battle.
"What is that thing?" Claire thought to herself. She knew that Haster had an unfair advantage, but she wasn't one to back down.
Haster smirked, relishing the moment. He pointed the orb directly at Claire, unleashing a torrent of chaotic energy. The blast sent shockwaves through the arena, and the crowd gasped in awe. The energy swirled around Claire, creating an almost suffocating pressure. Yet, instead of faltering, Claire's body seemed to move with increasing fluidity as though she was dancing with the chaos.
But then, something unexpected happened.
From within Claire, a burst of pure power erupted from the core of her being. It wasn't just her physical strength—this was something more. Her body seemed to glow with an ethereal light, an energy that resonated with something ancient and untapped.
Claire's sword glowed bright, shimmering as if it had absorbed the power around it. The mysterious aura that enveloped her sword crackled with a brilliance that none had seen before.
"Aurora..." she whispered under her breath. The power of the Aurora was awakening.
In a split second, she lunged forward. The air around her seemed to distort with the force of her attack. The brilliant slash she executed was like a comet streaking through the sky. The blade collided with Haster's orb, sending a shockwave through the arena. The orb cracked under the pressure, releasing a blinding explosion of energy.
Yet, it wasn't Claire's attack that caused the true shock.
Princess Ceara Volcan, still disguised as C. Vale, was already moving before the attack even hit. She stood in the center of the arena, her expression calm as she raised a hand, almost lazily.
The very air around Claire's attack seemed to freeze in place. With a flick of Ceara's wrist, the massive energy pulse that Claire had unleashed was halted mid-air—frozen in time as if it were nothing more than a child's tantrum. The students gasped, their eyes widening as the power disappeared into nothing.
Ceara's voice, soft but commanding, echoed through the arena. "This match is over."
Claire's attack fizzled into nothingness as the energy dissipated harmlessly, leaving the battlefield untouched. Claire stood frozen, shocked at the sudden intervention. Her heart raced, and her breath quickened as she realized what had just transpired.
"She stopped my attack... with just a wave of her hand."
The crowd fell into stunned silence. Some students murmured amongst themselves, whispering about Princess Ceara's power and the mysterious aura that seemed to radiate from her. But only a few understood the true extent of what had just happened.
The announcer's voice broke the silence. "Claire Kagenou wins by forfeit. Haster is unable to continue."
As Claire stood, taking deep breaths to calm herself, she caught sight of the Princess, who had returned to her position with a serene expression. Ceara's gaze locked with Claire's for a brief moment, and Claire couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. There was something deeply unnerving about the way the princess moved.
Claire returned to the sidelines, still reeling from what had happened. She wasn't sure what was more shocking: the fact that Haster had used a forbidden artifact or that Princess Ceara had stopped her attack so effortlessly.
Her thoughts were interrupted as Po Tato approached her, his eyes wide with admiration. "That was amazing! I mean, you almost—wait, did you see the way Princess Ceara stopped your attack?"
Claire nodded, still processing everything. "Yeah... something about her doesn't sit right. I think we all just witnessed something beyond our comprehension."
Po Tato shivered. "You think she's hiding something?"
Claire remained silent, staring at the arena as the next match began.
The 9th Match: Cid Kagenou and His Team