I am the Only Son of Nyx

Everyone had gone to sleep, satisfied with their position.

No need to fear any sudden ambush, and no need to worry about the trial anymore.

Most chose to spend their time sleeping inside their tents, as sleeping comfortably without needing to be alert is a luxury they hadn’t experienced throughout the entire duration of the trial. But it was not the case with a few others.

Dorian and Layra stayed up late.

One was annoyed by the screaming Snake, while the other was too worried about Kai to sleep.

And there are two other students who are still awake.

Both of them were directly behind Layra near the bonfire, so when she saw movements on her periphery, her instincts immediately flared. She turned—and saw a pair of golden eyes emerging from the tree line.

A figure walked out.

Just the sight of this figure alone made Layra’s eyes bulge.

She instinctively summoned her intricate bow and took aim, "Matilda!!"

Swoosh—!

An arrow cuts through the air with the speed of a bullet, but Matilda managed to lean away, dodging the arrow. Layra was about to engage again, but a hand pushed her arm down. "She is an enemy! Get your hands off of me, Dorian!"

"No, she’s not," Dorian pushed her arm harder. "She’s surrendering."

Matilda had both of her arms raised.

And when she came into clear view, she even summoned her sword and shield, and then tossed them aside. She came without any intention of fighting; that much is clear. "What are you aiming to do by coming here, Matilda?" Dorian asked. "You’re not welcome here."

"Don’t think we would ever accept you, backstabber!" Layra roared. "Leave!"

Seeing her, the two students also rose and drew their weapons.

Even though Matilda hadn’t ransacked Team Hyperion directly, most students had heard of her betrayal that led to the decimation of the entire Team Crius. Nobody wanted someone like that in their team.

At least, those with reason wouldn’t want her anywhere nearby.

"I came in peace," Matilda didn’t react to Layra’s outburst and focused solely on Dorian. And Dorian noticed that. "I’ve met with the Lesser Angel. Met with Kai. I talked with him, and he decided to spare me and allowed me to be a part of Team Crius again."

"Lies!" Layra drew her bow again and took aim. "Kai hated you for what you’ve done. He’s the one who wanted you dead the most. That is a blatant lie."

"Maybe he’s a greater man than he was in your eyes," Matilda shot back.

Layra charged mana into the bow, furious at her comment.

"Stand down," Dorian pushed her bow down again. "I think she’s telling the truth."

From Layra’s standpoint, this was certainly a farce.

But Dorian knew that Kai had a softer spot that made it entirely possible for Matilda to earn his mercy. He had already told Kai not to accept Matilda easily, and from the way she looked right now, it seemed Kai kept his promise.

Matilda was standing upright, but it was obvious that she was struggling.

She was wounded somewhere, and there was no more dominating air around her. She’s now like a subdued dog.

"I refuse to believe Kai would accept her again after her betrayal."

"Are you Kai?"

"..."

"Then don’t be rash. If he really did spare her, and you killed her, what then?"

Faced with that possible reality, Layra gritted her teeth and finally put her bow away despite her reluctance. "Just know that if you lie," She paused, letting her words sink in. "I will make sure your death is painful."

"I made a mistake, yes, and I regretted it," Matilda stated clearly. "What I did was wrong, and I wouldn’t deny it. But I wouldn’t shy away from it, too. Kai spared me, but he had given me conditions for my return and his forgiveness. So, you’re right, he hadn’t accepted me back.

"He tolerated me, instead." She continued, and there was melancholy in her tone.

It sounded genuine, but that made Layra even angrier.

"It’s settled then. She’ll be a part of Team Crius... again," Dorian nodded and then approached.

He stopped directly before Matilda and looked her in the eyes.

Bam—!

Out of nowhere, a punch landed squarely against Matilda’s face, sending her face away.

For a second, her eyes widened in shock. Blood leaked out of her nose.

"All of our classmates died because of you," Dorian whispered with a strained voice, holding back anger. "It’s your fucking fault, bitch. I almost died. Kai almost died. You’re going to pass this trial and survive, but remember this... Their blood is in your hands.

"Make good use of your second chance. Lick Kai’s balls for the rest of your life, and do it with fucking gratitude. Because if not for him, you’d be dead," His eyes glowed with mana, and half his face shifted into that of a wicked monster. "He is the only reason I don’t kill you right now."

Even though she had faced with Lion or even Kai, this spooked her.

Dorian’s demonic face made her flinch.

"I understand," She finally forced out the words. "Thank you for holding back."

"Fuck off to the furthest tent," Dorian’s face returned to normal as he turned around. "Don’t show your face too much."

Days passed in a blur.

Team Crius spent most of the time eating and singing. Each student felt the best they’ve ever been in their entire lives because of what they had gone through to survive. A rocky road, but survive they did.

Despite having everything to complete the third trial, the team took its time.

Moving west slowly.

And when the day came for them to end the trial, Team Crius arrived at the tallest mountain.

But there’s a small crowd waiting for them there.

It was the survivors of Team Coeus. Only a handful of them.

All of them were on their knees, begging Team Crius to spare them.

Beside them, there are two established Angels, ready to execute them once the trial ends.

"Dorian!" A familiar voice echoed as a figure walked out of the crowd.

Dorian glanced at the figure, and his face immediately turned cold.

It was Abigail.

"I know what I did was wrong," She knelt down and held onto Dorian’s hand tightly, as if letting go would mean her death. "I know betraying you and Kai is a mistake. But please. Give me another chance. Don’t let me die here!"

She looked up and stared at Dorian with tear-stricken eyes.

Compared to how she was before, she looked like a mess. Her aqua-blue hair was covered in dirt. Scratches all over her body. Thinner. Abigail was a fraction of how she was the last time he had seen her.

Barely recognizable.

"Forget about it," Dorian pulled away. "Die with dignity, Abigail. You’ve made your bed."

"What am I supposed to do?! We’re going to lose, and you know that!" She argued.

Nobody knew what she was even aiming for by saying that, but it sent Dorian off.

"You’re supposed to stay fucking loyal!" He grabbed Abigail’s face and bore his wrathful eyes into hers. "You’re supposed to believe in the people who saved your fucking life and kept you fucking safe!

"Did we ask for unreasonable things from you? Did we ask you to spread your legs all night for us?" He squeezed her face harder, fingers digging in like he wanted to crush her skull. "How many times did we ask you to risk your life? How many times do you need to dodge a blade, eat fucking dirt, think of a plan, stay awake for days, look over your shoulders while scouting, knowing any breath could be your last—as Kai and I did?!"

"Yes," Abigail clung to him tighter, tears wetting her face. "Take your anger out on me. Let it all out. I can take it, I really can. Just... Just don’t leave me here to die. I’ll prove to you and Kai that I regretted doing that. Regretted betraying you. I can change. I can learn from my mistake."

"Fine," Dorian smiled sinisterly. "Let’s see if you really can take it."

He pulled his leg away and turned to Matilda.

"Drag her by her arm," He said, pointing at Abigail. "Drag her until the summit. If she ever lets out a sound or takes her body off the fucking ground, toss her down. Can you do that?"

"I’ll do it," Aaran stepped forward. "I don’t trust this backstabber, anyway."

Team Crius continued.

Unlike most parts of Ixos, the tallest mountain has a clear spiraling road that leads to the summit, making it easier for them to climb it. Along the way, the West Keeper, East Keeper, and a few other people congratulated them.

All of them got a garland of colorful flowers that was worn like a necklace.

At the middle point, chosen seniors from the three academies greeted them.

Other than congratulating them with cheers and claps, the seniors also gave them a ceremonial mask each. It was a faceless white mask like the one they were using, but there was a curving golden line that crossed the face.

Each student wore the mask with pride.

Not only did the mask look better, but breathing with it also felt more refreshing.

It was unclear whether the mask had that effect or the joyous moment caused a placebo effect.

Near the summit, there’s a veil of shimmering, prismatic dust that hangs in the air like a sacred threshold. It was thin, almost delicate, yet it had divided the mountain into two clear realms: the world below, and whatever lay beyond.

Team Crius, led by Layra, stepped through.

The dust clung to their skin for a heartbeat, weightless, and then dissolved into warmth.

A silence deeper than sound passed through them.

And when they emerged on the other side, they were not the same. At least, they don’t feel like the same person. The aspiring Angels had been shed like a chrysalis. Now, they entered the rank of established Angels.

On the summit, five figures were waiting for their arrival.

All of the professors were present, standing at the other end in stillness. In the middle of them is a dashing middle-aged man with sleek-back hair, draped in a grey robe. His mask was deep green, and it took the shape of an owl.

It was the same shape as the Archangel’s mask, who addressed the new students at the orientation.

Just the shape of the mask alone sold his identity: he is one of the chosen Deans from the three academies participating in the third trial. There are many more Blood Rites out there, so they were only graced by the presence of one Dean.

On the left, there’s an Angel holding an orb to test their second Divine Lock.

And across from him, there’s a waist-height platform with a pillow right on top of it.

It was where the Blue Gem would be placed.

Everything from the very bottom to the very top was perfect. Done to make the survivors of the third trial feel special. Unlike normal people, Supernals do not get a graduation party due to the awakening ceremony, and this felt like that missing party.

Just that, gaining the privilege to have this party required extra steps.

Steps involving blood, sweat, and tears.

But Team Crius didn’t cheer. Not yet.

"Professors," Layra raised her hand, her voice steady as she spoke for Team Crius. She turned, her gaze settling on the Dean with careful deference. "And Dean Lincoln. I humbly ask that we wait a little longer. We are waiting for a friend. Someone without whom we would not be standing here alive."

Dean Lincoln swept his gaze across the others and saw them all in agreement.

"As long as all of you are in agreement," he waved his hand in approval. "Then we’ll wait."

Layra smiled in gratitude and then looked back impatiently.

’Come on, Kai...’ She thought inside. ’Where are you? You have to come back to us in time.’

And eventually, a figure finally arrived at the foot of the mountain.