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    [Location: Leoncrest Castle - Tower 7]


    [Date: September 30, y. 485 of the Fourth Age]


    "Slowly, now," Professor Gerald''s voice called out. "Ease into it."


    Zeke let out a long breath as he allowed his aura to flow into the small crystal ball. It flickered for a moment, then died down, and slowly, the ball started to float up above his palm.


    It hovered there, about an inch in the air, then danced around for a few seconds before popping upward. Still, though, it only leapt up about a foot, and Zeke was easily able to catch it.


    "Very well done," Professor Gerald held out his hand and took the orb from Zeke. Zeke rose to his feet as the professor walked back toward the front of the classroom. "That''ll be all for tonight. You''ve made truly remarkable progress."


    He paused as he dropped the sphere into a box of matching crystal spheres, then turned back around. "And you truly had no training through your childhood?"


    "None whatsoever," Zeke shook his head. "I wish I had."


    "Well, I am thankful that you did not. I shudder to think how strong you might be at this point, had you been able to truly develop your powers from an early age," the professor rubbed his forehead. "Do you mind if we run a quick test? Come here, and put your hand on this Aura sensor?"


    Zeke nodded and strode forward to the professor''s desk. He placed his hand upon a small chunk of stone, and with a flicker, a display appeared above him.


    「???????? ??????????????」


    【Rank: E-Rank】


    【Classification: Initiate】


    【Progress to D-Rank: 30%】


    "Thirty percent!" Professor Gerald whistled sharply. "And you were only at 1% when the year started. Of course, Academy life is more intense, but most people work for the many long years of their childhood to raise it to 10 or 15% by the time they start their classes.


    The initiates who have done no honing at all, like yourself, usually struggle to reach 30 by the end of the year. Truly amazing."


    Zeke couldn''t help but grin at the praise. After weeks of extra training, he was finally seeing results. Maybe this whole quest wasn''t as impossible as it had seemed.


    "Not a word about these classes to anyone, you understand?" the professor added, his expression suddenly serious.


    "Trust me," Zeke nodded. "If word got out, I''d be in just as much hot water as you. House Stragga and House Godfrey aren''t exactly friends, we''d probably be accused of... I don''t know."


    "Yeah," Professor Gerald sighed and sat down behind his desk. "I''ll see you tomorrow."


    "Professor?" Zeke paused before he walked away. "Can I ask you something? It''s about the first Trial that I completed."


    "Hmm?" Professor Gerald looked up. "What about it?"


    "I spoke with the Headmistress after the fact, and she mentioned offhandedly that it would be impossible for me to have been attacked in the Dark Forest."


    Professor Gerald nodded. "Correct, unless you had been with someone of a higher power. Even if you had somehow stumbled across one of the more powerful beasts, they would have ignored you. Why?"


    "Because I was attacked," Zeke shrugged. He explained the situation, leaving out the part about Diocletian. When he finished, the professor frowned and crossed his arms.


    "And you''re sure there was no one there with you?"


    Zeke hesitated. He didn''t want to get Diocletian in trouble - not because he cared about the other boy, but because doing so would only escalate their rivalry further. Still, the professor deserved the truth.


    "No one who could have triggered the larger monsters," Zeke shook his head. "There was another student who snuck into the woods, but no one strong enough to do what you''re talking about."


    "Interesting," Professor Gerald bit his lip. "Let me think upon that."


    Zeke nodded and slipped out into the hall, knowing the conversation was over. As he did so, he caught sight of someone standing just a few doors down, and he groaned.


    No... It was several someones.


    Diocletian, and three cronies.


    "Well, well, well," Diocletian slowly started forward, sneering at Zeke. "Look at the little weakling. Staying afterward for tutoring? You know who needs tutors? Little girls."


    Zeke raised an eyebrow. "That seems like a low blow, even for you."


    Diocletian turned slightly red, and he balled his hands into fists. "We''ll see what my father has to say when he hears that you''ve been colluding with House Stragga. Then... Oh, then House Godfrey will feel it for good."


    "Godfrey!"


    Professor Gerald''s voice boomed from the room, and Zeke spun around, white-faced. The professor thundered out, holding up a wastebasket.


    "You didn''t clean this out!"


    "I..." Zeke stammered.


    "When you come to my classroom to fulfill your punishments, I expect you to do your job," the professor snapped. "Get out of my sight."


    Zeke''s cheeks burned as the door slammed shut. He knew that the professor had just saved them both from a world of hurt, but it still stung to be dressed down like that.


    He sighed and trudged off toward the central staircase, and Diocletian laughed after him.


    "So that''s what it is? You''ve really been sent to his classroom that much for punishments? How bad must you be at all this? Makes a fellow wonder how you ever even got in the door."


    Zeke sighed and just walked a bit faster down the stairs. Diocletian slowly followed behind him, continuing to mock him.


    "Come on, Godfrey! Just give it up. Sure, you completed one trial, but that doesn''t make you a warrior. You''re nothing but a weakling. You''re just a joke, and you shouldn''t be here," Diocletian suddenly darted around in front of him, and placed his hand on his sword. "One might wonder if you can really hold your own here."


    Zeke sighed and came to a stop. "You''re issuing a challenge to me? You know that dueling isn''t allowed in the Academy halls. If you want to duel, we''d have to go outside."


    "Oh, now you''re a stickler for the rules?" Diocletian raised an eyebrow. "You know what I think? I think you''re nothing more than a lily-liver."


    "Once more, your insults are on point today," Zeke sighed and stepped around him.


    "Don''t you dare walk away from me!" Diocletian roared. As Zeke stepped past him, he stuck out his foot and tripped him, and Zeke went tumbling down the stairs.


    Falling down a set of stairs is far from a pleasant business, and Zeke found himself whacking head and arms and legs and feet until he slammed into a wall as the stairs curved.


    He groaned and slowly climbed back to his feet, even as Diocletian charged at him.


    Diocletian''s sword gleamed, and Zeke knew that he would be given no quarter. He snarled and snatched at his own sword, and through a doorway, someone screamed.


    A few people came running, and Diocletian lunged.


    Zeke reacted instantly, slapping away the sword long before it hit him. "Stay away from me!"


    Diocletian roared and threw himself into an attack. He was fast, far more so than Zeke, and Zeke fell back into the training sessions that he had been undergoing with Victoria.


    His sword seemed to move of its own accord, fighting a defensive battle. Diocletian pressed forward, forcing him backward, and Zeke allowed it.


    He took a few steps down the stairs, then entered one of the doorways into another floor of classrooms. By now, more students were beginning to gather, and Diocletian slashed at him with ever-greater fury.


    "You''re not meant to be here!" He roared. "And no one is going to care when I finish you off!"


    He slashed high, and Zeke reacted on instinct, falling back again upon what he had been learning. To his great surprise (and Diocletian''s far greater surprise), the sword was knocked clean out of Diocletian''s hand.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    It clattered to the ground, and Zeke raised his own sword to place it at Diocletian''s throat.


    "I..." Diocletian stammered. "I didn''t mean it."


    "Yes you did," Zeke sighed, then slowly lowered the sword. He still kept it at the ready, though, above Diocletian''s own weapon. At the same time, he began to focus his aura into his left fist, which he kept slightly back, and behind his side. "Now get away from me."


    Diocletian flinched, then darted down to grab his sword to continue the fight. Zeke reacted instantly, and threw a punch that connected with Diocletian''s jaw.


    There was a blast of light, and Diocletian was smashed against a wall a few feet away. Zeke gasped, his hand stinging, and the heavy sound of the boots of professors began to race up.


    And a few moments later, he was being led up to the office of the Headmistress.


    「???????????? ??????????????」


    【Opponent: Diocletian de''Minziar】


    【Result: Victory】


    【Technique Used: Aura-Infused Strike】


    【Consequence: Disciplinary Meeting】


    The crowd that had gathered to watch the fight dispersed quickly as the professors arrived. A few students whispered and pointed at Zeke as he was escorted away, but he couldn''t tell if their expressions were impressed or scandalized. Maybe both.


    As they marched him toward the Headmistress''s office, Zeke felt a strange mix of emotions. On one hand, he was annoyed at being forced into a fight. On the other, there was a certain satisfaction in finally standing up to Diocletian – and winning.


    He and Diocletian were soon seated down in front of Headmistress Florence, who did not at all look happy to see them. She folded her hands and glared at them both, turning her ire first from one to the next.


    "He started it," Diocletian raised a finger, pointing at Zeke.


    "Let''s suppose for a moment that he did," the Headmistress snapped. "Your obvious inability to defend yourself speaks wonders to your studiousness in your classes. If he could land a punch on you in a sword fight, despite not picking up a sword until less than two months ago, what does that say of you? If that is the truth, then you deserve every ounce of pain that you''re feeling."


    "And if it''s not?" Zeke offered.


    She glanced sharply at him, then back at Diocletian. "And if it''s not," her voice was pinched. "Then you should know that lying to the Headmistress is a crime punishable by expulsion. Whether or not he started the fight, you come from a proud family line. The disgrace that you''ve brought upon yourself and your family will be enough punishment for now. Get out of my sight."


    Diocletian nodded and rose. His face was streaked with blood, and he turned and dashed away. The moment the door closed, the Headmistress turned back to Zeke.


    "What do you have to say for yourself?"


    "Ask any witness. There were several, including a handful of followers who deserted him at the first sign of trouble," Zeke shrugged. "He attacked me. I tried to defuse it. I managed to disarm him, gave him a chance to cede the fight, and he attacked me again. I did only what was necessary."


    "Hmm," the Headmistress pressed her fingertips together. Her lips were a line of white across her face.


    "I also warned him, ahead of time, about the rule regarding duels," Zeke held up a finger. "I did everything that I could, short of standing there and letting myself just get stabbed."


    "I see," Headmistress Florence sighed, then slowly stood. "Now, if what you''re saying is true, then you acted rightly. The problem is that this isn''t how politics work."


    "What do you mean?" Zeke demanded, standing up as well.


    "And that is the reality of this world, a reality that you have been repeatedly told, but seem to refuse to embrace!" The Headmistress snapped. "Seeking tutoring from House Arnette? Sure, your houses have always been friendly enough. Seeking tutoring from Victoria De''Reinfir? Why not? House Reinfir and House Godfrey have been off and on allies. Both of you are expert warriors, which of course has put you at odds just as much as you''ve been fighting together, but you have fought together."


    "I''m not sure that I see the point here," Zeke frowned.


    "The point is that you started seeking out tutoring from House Stragga!" The Headmistress snapped. "The point is that you refuse to pursue a proper rivalry with Diocletian De''Minziar. Both houses see the blood in the water and want you dead. Not sidelined. Dead. By refusing to play the game, all you''re doing is painting a target on your back. Your back, and the whole of the Academy."


    "And why is that?" Zeke was starting to become infuriated.


    "Because the system works. It has for centuries. Get with the system, or get out of my academy."


    Zeke felt himself starting to grow hot under the collar. "When I came here, I was told that I needed to forge alliances. That''s all I''ve been trying to do."


    "Forging alliances sometimes means forging enemies," the Headmistress turned toward him. Her eyes blazed, and she crossed her arms. "The private tutoring sessions with Professor Gerald De''Stragga end now. Not a single one more, and don''t you dare try to go behind my back."


    Zeke set his jaw. "Yes, ma''am. And what would you have me do about Diocletian? Attack him, next time?"


    "If you didn''t always hide in the shadows, you wouldn''t invite him to attack you in such a manner," Headmistress Florence answered. "Find a way to challenge him. Publicly. Perhaps... At the Fall Festival?"


    Quite suddenly, Zeke felt as though he had been led into a trap. Perhaps it had been the doing of the Headmistress, or perhaps the whole thing had been orchestrated by Diocletian, or perhaps even Professor Gerald had set it up.


    He had no way of knowing, but he knew, in that moment, that the attack had been completely and entirely done with the intent of getting him into a tournament in the Fall Festival.


    Some party that was going to be.


    "And if I refuse?"


    "Then it would seem that another incident of fighting in the hallway might just be grounds for your expulsion," the Headmistress''s voice was cold.


    Rather than showing his frustration, Zeke found himself grinning. If they wanted a show, he''d give them one. Let Diocletian think he''d forced Zeke into a corner – it would only make victory sweeter.


    "Fair enough," Zeke nodded, his voice surprisingly steady. "Set me up."


    "Very well," she nodded. "If you insist, of course."


    "As long as I''m here, can I ask about the second Trial?" Zeke continued, keeping his tone casual. "I assume that it will be forthcoming."


    "Oh, yes," Headmistress Florence paused. "Let us set the date for two weeks after the Fall Festival. It will be a much more basic test than the march. A sparring match."


    "Right," Zeke nodded, mind already racing with plans. "Let''s get to it, then."


    With that, he turned and left the room, determination building inside him. He might have been manipulated once more, but this time, he was going to use it to his advantage.


    As Zeke walked back to his dormitory, he found Victoria waiting for him in the corridor.


    "I heard what happened," she said without preamble. "Word travels fast around here."


    "I bet it does," Zeke said, continuing to walk. Victoria fell into step beside him.


    "You disarmed him?" There was a note of surprised respect in her voice.


    "Knocked his sword right out of his hand," Zeke confirmed. "Then I put him through a wall."


    Victoria raised an eyebrow. "With an aura-infused punch? That''s advanced technique."


    "It just happened," Zeke admitted. "I wasn''t even thinking about it. I just needed to stop him from grabbing his sword again."


    They walked in silence for a moment before Victoria spoke again.


    "So the Headmistress is forcing you into the Fall Festival tournament."


    "News really does travel fast," Zeke smiled wryly. "Yes, she made it clear I either participate or face expulsion."


    "It''s a setup," Victoria said bluntly. "Diocletian will have home-field advantage. His father is one of the tournament judges, and half the participants are from allied houses."


    "I figured as much," Zeke nodded. "But I don''t have much choice."


    "Actually," Victoria''s voice took on a different tone, "this could work in your favor."


    "How so?"


    "Everyone will be expecting you to lose," she explained. "Diocletian, the Headmistress, the Senate observers - they all think this is going to be your public humiliation."


    "So when I inevitably lose, they get what they want," Zeke pointed out.


    "But what if you don''t lose?" Victoria countered. "What if you surprise everyone? The Fall Festival is attended by representatives from all the major houses. If you perform well - even if you don''t win the whole tournament - you could gain allies."


    Zeke considered this. "You think I have a chance?"


    "I''ve been training you for weeks now," Victoria said. "And you just took down Diocletian in a hallway brawl. Yes, I think you have a chance - if we step up your training."


    "They''ve also forbidden me from continuing my aura lessons with Professor Gerald," Zeke told her.


    Victoria shrugged. "Then we''ll add aura practice to our morning sessions. I''m not as specialized as De''Stragga, but I know the basics. We have three weeks until the Festival - that''s enough time to prepare."


    "Three weeks to get ready for a tournament where everyone wants me to fail," Zeke summarized. Then, to Victoria''s surprise, he grinned. "Sounds like fun."


    Victoria stared at him for a moment, then laughed. "You''re either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish."


    "Probably both," Zeke admitted. "But what other choice do I have?"


    "None," Victoria agreed. "Be at the south courtyard at four tomorrow morning. That gives us an extra hour. You''re going to need it."


    "I''ll be there," Zeke promised.


    As Victoria left, Zeke continued to his room. Inside, he found Ralph sprawled on his bed, reading a book about metalworking.


    "I heard you punched Diocletian through a wall," Ralph said without looking up. "Nice work."


    "Word really does get around," Zeke sighed, collapsing onto his own bed.


    "So you''re in the tournament now," Ralph said, setting his book aside. "Any strategy beyond ''try not to die''?"


    "Victoria''s going to help me train," Zeke replied. "And I was thinking about what you said before - about how no one expects me to win anyway."


    "Right," Ralph nodded. "Takes the pressure off."


    "But what if I did win?" Zeke mused. "Or at least did well enough to make Diocletian look bad?"


    "That would certainly shake things up," Ralph agreed with a grin. "The nobles would be outraged, the commoners would love it, and I''d make a fortune on betting odds."


    "You''re going to bet on me?" Zeke asked.


    "Of course," Ralph said, as if it were obvious. "The odds against you will be astronomical. If you even make it past the first round, I''ll triple my money."


    "Glad I could help with your gambling problem," Zeke said dryly.


    "It''s not gambling if you have inside information," Ralph tapped the side of his nose. "And my information says you''re a lot better than people think."


    Zeke stared up at the ceiling, mind racing. The Fall Festival tournament would be dangerous, no doubt about it. Diocletian and his allies would do everything possible to ensure Zeke''s failure.


    But if he could somehow turn the tables...


    "I need to know more about the tournament," he said suddenly. "How it''s structured, what events there are, who the judges are."


    "Now you''re thinking strategically," Ralph approved. "As it happens, my cousin participated last year. I can tell you everything you need to know."


    For the next hour, Ralph explained the Fall Festival tournament in detail. It was a three-day event, beginning with preliminary matches to thin the field, followed by quarter-finals and semi-finals, and concluding with the championship duels.


    Participants could enter different categories - sword fighting, unarmed combat, magical dueling, and a mixed category that allowed any combination of the three.


    "Which category will Diocletian enter?" Zeke asked.


    "Sword fighting, definitely," Ralph said. "It''s the most prestigious, and he''s actually quite good. His family has been training him since he could walk."


    "Then that''s where I''ll enter too," Zeke decided.


    "Bold choice," Ralph remarked. "You might have a better shot in the mixed category, where you could use that aura punch of yours."


    Zeke shook his head. "If I''m going to do this, I need to face him directly. No tricks, no special advantages. Just swords."


    "You''re either very brave or very stupid," Ralph said, unknowingly echoing Victoria.


    "So I''ve been told," Zeke smiled.


    That night, as he lay in bed, Zeke thought about everything that had happened. He had come to Leoncrest to complete the 34 Trials and restore his family''s honor.


    Instead, he had found himself caught in a web of noble politics and ancient rivalries. The Fall Festival tournament wasn''t part of his original plan, but maybe it was exactly what he needed - a chance to show everyone what he was made of.


    And if he failed? Well, he''d pick himself up and try again. That''s what Artax would do. That''s what a true Godfrey would do.


    With that thought, Zeke drifted off to sleep, dreaming of swords clashing and crowds cheering. In his dream, he stood victorious, the Fall Festival champion, with Diocletian bowing in defeat before him.


    Tomorrow, the real work would begin.


    [Scene Close]


    [Earned Emblems:] Heart of the Warrior, Endurance


    [Active Quests:] [Brace for Impact: Prepare for both the Fall Festival and for the second Trial]