Chapter 70 - The Trial of the Heart
The little girl smiled.
In an instant...
The entire forest disappeared.
The towering trees.
The ancient ruins.
Even the Moonfang Wolf.
Everything dissolved into countless particles of light.
Kai found himself standing in a vast white world that stretched endlessly in every direction.
Only the little girl remained.
---
The Book of Infinite Beasts appeared.
Hidden Trial
The Trial of the Heart
Examiner:
Unknown
Objective:
Reveal the true nature of the Beast Sovereign.
Failure:
Immediate elimination from the Celestial Tournament.
---
The little girl no longer looked frightened.
Her voice had become calm and mature.
"Power."
"Talent."
"Bloodline."
"None of these determine a Beast Sovereign."
She looked directly into Kai's eyes.
"Only one question matters."
"How much are you willing to lose?"
---
Golden light spread across the white world.
The first vision appeared.
Kai stood once again inside the Awakening Academy.
Students laughed as they pointed at the tiny Crimson Flame Fox.
Professor Aldren shook his head.
"The weakest beast in this generation."
The memory was exactly as it had happened.
---
The little girl spoke.
"Relive your past."
"If you wish..."
"You may change it."
Suddenly, another contract circle appeared.
Inside it stood a magnificent Azure Storm Dragon.
A legendary beast.
The dream Kai had once wanted.
"Choose."
"The weak fox..."
"Or the dragon."
---
The Crimson Flame Fox looked at Kai.
It said nothing.
Its small golden eyes quietly waited.
Kai walked past the dragon.
He knelt before the little fox.
"I already chose once."
"And I'd make the same choice again."
The fox happily jumped onto his shoulder.
The dragon vanished like mist.
---
The Book glowed.
Trial Stage One Cleared
Loyalty
100%
---
The white world shifted again.
This time...
Kai stood before the ruined Leviathan Sea.
Ships burned.
Thalassor lay dying.
The Star Devourer laughed beneath the waves.
The little girl appeared beside him.
"You can save only one."
She pointed toward Thalassor.
Then toward hundreds of civilians trapped aboard sinking ships.
"Choose."
---
Kai closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, his answer was immediate.
"I refuse."
She frowned.
"There is no third option."
Kai smiled.
"Then I'll create one."
He summoned the Book of Infinite Beasts.
Its pages glowed.
The vision suddenly froze.
The sea stopped moving.
The people stopped screaming.
Even the Star Devourer became motionless.
The little girl's eyes widened.
"You..."
Kai looked at her calmly.
"A Beast Sovereign exists to protect life."
"If a choice demands innocent sacrifice..."
"Then the choice itself is wrong."
---
The second vision shattered.
Trial Stage Two Cleared
Conviction
100%
---
The white world trembled.
For the final time...
The scenery changed.
Kai stood inside a magnificent throne room.
A golden crown rested upon a crystal throne.
Thousands of people knelt before him.
Dragons circled the palace.
Every Star Fragment floated around his body.
A voice echoed.
"Accept the throne."
"Become Emperor of all Beast Tamers."
"You will possess unlimited authority."
"You will never fear betrayal again."
The throne radiated overwhelming power.
---
The Crimson Flame Fox looked at Kai.
"Master..."
"Something feels wrong."
Kai slowly walked toward the throne.
The voice became louder.
"Rule them."
"They will obey."
"They will worship you."
Kai stopped just before the throne.
Then...
He turned away.
"I never wanted subjects."
"I wanted partners."
He looked toward the endless white sky.
"If becoming a king means standing above everyone..."
"I'd rather keep walking beside them."
The golden throne cracked.
Then exploded into countless fragments of light.
---
Silence.
The little girl smiled warmly.
"No Beast Sovereign before you..."
"...answered all three questions the same way."
Her appearance slowly changed.
She grew taller.
Her childish form dissolved into shimmering silver light.
Standing before Kai was a graceful young woman wearing robes woven from starlight.
A silver fox with nine radiant tails rested beside her.
The Book trembled.
Identity Confirmed
Astra
Title:
Spirit of the Celestial Tournament
Age:
Unknown
Authority:
Trial Guardian
---
Astra bowed deeply.
"Congratulations, Kai Dragonbane."
"You have passed the Trial of the Heart."
She extended her hand.
A crystal medallion appeared.
At its centre was the symbol of seven stars surrounding an open book.
"This is awarded only to contestants who complete every hidden trial without compromising their ideals."
---
Item Acquired
Medallion of the First Sovereign
Grade:
Divine
Effects:
- Increases trust of Ancient Beasts.
- Reveals hidden passages within Aetherion.
- Unlocks sealed memories within the Book of Infinite Beasts.
---
Before Kai could thank her...
The medallion flashed.
A hidden page appeared inside the Book.
Only one sentence was written.
«"Beware the Seventh Seat of the Celestial Council."»
Kai's smile faded.
"The Seventh Seat..."
"Who's that?"
Astra's expression became unusually serious.
"I cannot answer."
"Even speaking that name is forbidden."
She looked toward the distant sky.
"But remember this..."
"Not every enemy wears the colours of the Eclipse Court."
A beam of silver light enveloped Kai.
"You have earned a shortcut to the Heart of the Labyrinth."
As the world dissolved around him, Astra's final words echoed through the silence.
"The greatest danger in Aetherion..."
"...is already waiting for you."