As Navia and Eryx entered the guild, all eyes immediately turned to Eryx. His cloak, the distinct symbol of the Nightslayers, drew attention like a magnet. Whispers spread through the room, and murmurs of disbelief filled the air.
"So.. He's the new recruit of Nightslayers?" one person whispered, voice full of awe. "Joined even before the trial? Atlas must see something extraordinary in this boy…"
Another stared at Eryx with his mouth slightly agape, as though he'd just witnessed something beyond imagination.
The atmosphere in the guild was charged with curiosity, and Eryx could feel the weight of their gazes. But he kept his head high, trying to ignore the stares as he followed Navia deeper into the guild.
"Don't mind them," Navia said, waving a hand dismissively as she made her way toward the guild's counter. "People will gossip about anything. Just focus on your path."
"Yeah, yeah, I know," Eryx replied, sounding tired. "My mother always told me not to pay attention to what people say."
As they reached the guild counter, a young blonde girl stood waiting. She wore a blue, mid-thigh coat with black fur trim, a light-colored belt with a metallic buckle, and a white tunic beneath. Her black thigh-high boots and gloves matched. A flowing tan cape completed the adventurous look.
"How may I assist you, Miss Navia?" the blonde-haired girl asked, her voice sweet, calm, and graceful.
"Hello, Elena. I'm here to help my friend enter the Slayer trial. Can we speed things up a bit?" Navia responded with a hint of curiosity.
"Oh, of course! He must be the new member of the Nightslayers. Hello, sir. Please write your name here and fill out the form with your mana core information and weapon type," Elena said, handing Eryx the form with a smile.
After a moment, Eryx returned the completed form to Elena and asked, "All done, ma'am. What's next?"
"Very well," Elena replied. "Now, head down that hall to the room. We'll notify you when the trial begins. You should rest before it starts—it won't be long."
"Thanks, Elena. I'll see you after the trial," Navia said cheerfully, giving Eryx a nod.
"What's the story with that boy? Why did Atlas let him join before even taking the trial? Do you know something, Navia?" Elena asked as Eryx headed into the waiting room.
"Oh, yeah," Navia replied casually. "He fought the God of Flames—Iris—and she was scared of him. You could see it in her eyes. He lost control and transformed into... something powerful. His upper face was covered by a mask burning with dark red flames—same as his powers."
Elena's eyes widened. "Wait, what? He went one-on-one with a god, and she feared him? And Atlas had to stop him?"
"Yeah. If Captain hadn't knocked him out, Iris might've died—and then all the gods would've attacked the City of Shadow in retaliation. Captain made the call: stop Eryx, protect the city, then train him so he can control that power and maybe even help us take down the gods."
Elena leaned in, whispering urgently. "Are you researching his powers?"
"I am. Why?"
"I know someone—my friend's father. He said he once witnessed something just like the power you described. If you find anything unusual, come talk to me."
"Alright, I will," Navia nodded. "Trial's about to start anyway. Let's see what he can do."
On the training grounds, all the participants gathered as Elena stepped forward to make the announcement.
"Everyone taking part in the trial, please come to this side and wait for your turn," she called out clearly. "Now listen closely to the rules."
The contestants nodded, murmuring among themselves, while Eryx stood silently, calmly taking it all in.
"In this trial, your objective is simple," Elena continued. "Land a single strike—just one—on Captain Marco, leader of the Shadow City Slayer Guild. If you succeed, you'll be accepted into the guild as an official Slayer."
She paused, letting the weight of that challenge sink in.
"Only one clean hit is needed. That's all. Understood?"
A wave of determined nods rippled through the group.
"Good," Elena said with a smirk. "Let the trial begin."
One by one, trials ended—some walked away in disappointment, others were welcomed into the Slayer Guild with proud smiles. The crowd thinned, but the excitement remained thick in the air.
Then, the next challenger stepped forward.
A girl walked onto the field, quiet yet composed. Her light black hair was neatly tied back, and her eyes, deep and pure like a night sky, held a calm confidence. She wore a simple city outfit—a light purple dress with oversized sleeves partially covering her lower legs, big white socks peeking out from beneath, and sturdy leather boots perfect for travel or battle.
With a deep breath, she raised her hand.
A swirl of glowing green mana pulsed around her, and in the blink of an eye, it condensed into a shimmering sword. The air around her shifted as her presence intensified.
Without hesitation, she dashed forward and swung her blade at Captain Marco.
Clang!
He caught the strike just in time, but a visible strain flashed across his face. His boots dug into the ground, pushed back slightly by the sheer force behind her blow.
"...You're already at the Starborn class..." Marco muttered, his voice almost stunned. "Ascendant rank. No doubt about it."
The crowd fell silent. Whispers broke out. Eyes widened.
"She's… the second Starborn… after Captain Atlas?"
Shock spread like wildfire. The guild members stared at the girl, realizing someone extraordinary had just stepped into their ranks.
"Wait—hold it, young lady. Where's your caster? You need one to shape mana into a weapon," Captain Marco called out, still stunned by her performance.
"Oh, you mean this?" the black-haired girl replied casually, lifting her arm and pointing to the bracelet around her wrist. "I do have a caster. It was a gift from my family—this bracelet channels my mana."
Marco's eyes narrowed slightly, still trying to wrap his head around it. "And your name, if you don't mind?"
"Ada… Ada Ellison. From the Ellison family," she replied, calm and collected as she turned and walked off the field. She sat down quietly beside Eryx, who was still waiting for his turn. He glanced at her for a moment, visibly surprised at her power. Another Starborn… But Eryx quickly shook it off, refocusing on the trial.
A voice rang out from the center.
"Mr. Wagner! It's your turn," Elena announced.
A young man stepped forward, eyes sharp, fists clenched. He unsheathed his sword and ignited it with a surge of lightning. With a yell, he charged and struck down toward Marco, but the Captain intercepted the blow effortlessly. Wagner's blade slammed into the ground, stuck and crackling.
"You're out. Again," Marco said firmly, his tone cold. "This is your fifth trial. There won't be a sixth. You're done."
"Tch… I… I can do better!" Wagner protested, his voice shaky but filled with desperation. "Just one more try, Guildmaster. Please—I swear I'll do my best!"
"No," Marco said sternly. "Even if you win… you'll die out there. We can't let you throw your life away. You're not cut out for this."
Wagner's fists trembled. His voice dropped low, bitter. "Fine. I'll win my way. If the Slayer Guild won't have me, then I'll become a Slayer without it. I'll become exactly what you're afraid of."
And with that, Wagner turned and stormed off, leaving a heavy silence in his wake.
"Eryx, your turn. Please step onto the ground for your trial." Elena's voice echoed through the field, calling out with clarity and authority.
Eryx stood up slowly, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Finally, it's my turn," he said softly, stepping into the arena.
Captain Marco, standing at the center, looked at him with a relaxed grin. "Ah, so you're the one... Eryx. Let's see why Atlas picked you. We'll fight for real—but know this, you're already part of the guild, even if you lose."
The crowd gasped in shock.
Even Navia was stunned for a moment, but as her gaze shifted to the window above the arena, where Atlas watched from the Guild Master's chamber, she smirked and shouted, "Don't let him take you lightly! Show him that same spirit you used when you defeated that Seeker-rank devil at age twelve!"
"What?!" someone in the crowd exclaimed. "He defeated a Seeker-rank devil at twelve?! That's insane!"
Ada's eyes widened, now fully invested in the match.
Eryx closed his eyes and summoned his weapon, Whisperwind. As it materialized in his hands, a hush fell over the crowd. The sheer pressure from it made everyone's eyes widen in awe.
"What is he...?" Elena whispered. "Is his body even capable of handling that weapon...?"
"Let the trial begin!" she called.
Eryx wrapped Whisperwind in ice mana, coating the blade in a crystalline frost. Holding his axe in one hand and dagger in the other, he dashed toward Marco. Their weapons clashed, and Eryx twisted his body, swinging his dagger beneath Marco's sword.
But Marco smirked and caught the dagger mid-air, hardening his arm with wood mana. Eryx tried to pull the dagger free, but Marco locked him in place.
Thinking quickly, Eryx released the dagger, encased his fist in ice, and slammed it into Marco's stomach. The captain staggered slightly, letting go. Eryx leapt back and raised Whisperwind high.
"Ice Core: Ultimate Ice!"
A burst of chilling mana exploded from his weapon, blanketing the ground with frost. Anyone who approached would be slowed. He formed a shield of ice and lunged forward, striking Marco hard enough to knock his weapon from his grip.
Marco quickly regained his stance and summoned vines of green wood mana, binding Eryx in place. He retrieved his weapon and hurled it aside.
"Is that all?" Marco taunted. "So much for the rumors. Fighting the God of Flames alone? You barely held your own."
He charged, striking Eryx down. The boy hit the ground hard, the bindings dissolving.
As Marco turned to walk away—
A deep, unnatural pulse rippled through the air.
Dark red aura exploded outward, and Marco froze. He turned, eyes filled with dread.
Eryx stood again, transformed.
A crimson mask covered the upper half of his face, blazing with hellish red flames. The crowd shrank back in terror.
"Wh-What's happening to me?" Marco whispered. "I... I can't move... my limbs are frozen in fear."
He trembled. "This is it. The monster the rumors warned us about. He really can kill gods with that power…"
Eryx raised his hands, and Whisperwind flew back to him. His weapons now surged with dark red energy, linked by a long chain. Spinning them like twin meteors, he prepared to strike.
But just before impact, a blur of motion dropped from above—Captain Atlas.
He slammed Eryx into the ground, halting the attack. The aura faded as the transformation ended.
"You can't let them see you like that, my friend," Atlas said, steadying his breath. Then, he called to Marco, "You alright down there?"
Eryx slowly stood, his voice deep, distorted—demonic.
"...You again."
—End of Chapter 3 —