The arena of Oraksa boiled with the stir of contestants and spectators. Silver moon banners rose above ancient towers, and drums thundered through the air, marking the beginning of the second phase of the Radfin Trials: The Test of the Body.
In this stage, no mercy is shown. Each contestant is thrown into an open arena, observed by elder judges and seasoned masters from every kingdom, to be evaluated based on physical strength, endurance, and response in combat scenarios.
The contestants stood along the edges of the grand arena, each clad in their chosen attire, eyes fixed on the field that would soon decide their fate.
Leo stood among them, unnaturally calm amid the general tension. His eyes moved from face to face — not out of fear, but with the quiet sharpness of someone who observes more than he reveals. His body was poised, his movement measured, as if he had faced this trial a thousand times before.
At a single signal from the chief judge, the challenges began.
The first trial: resisting a dense magical field that multiplied the weight of one's body fivefold.
Many collapsed within moments, gasping for breath, crawling out of the field in defeat.
But Leo? He stood firm — as though the field meant nothing. His eyes closed, his expression still — as if he were listening to something within himself.
In the trials that followed — scaling vertical pillars wreathed in fire, leaping between shifting stone platforms, and facing an illusory foe conjured through shadow mirroring — Leo remained the fastest, the most balanced, and the least shaken.
When the stage ended, a strange silence blanketed the arena.
Not a silence of disappointment… but one of awe.
How could someone with no visible "moon mark" outperform so completely?
A tall young man from the front row stepped forward, eyes gleaming with arrogance. He raised his voice, staring directly at Leo:
— "Perhaps some believed he was powerful… but all I saw was empty theatrics."
That was Darin, known among trainees for his vanity and arrogance. Beside him stood Klaus, wearing a half-smile, his gaze following Darin's lead in everything.
As for Sherry, with her braided black hair and frozen eyes, she observed Leo in silence, her face a blend of pride… and quiet curiosity.
Leo gave no reply. He merely looked at Darin for a moment… then lowered his eyes to the ground — as if such words were beneath response.
⸻
The Skill Trial
The third phase of the trials began — and it was the most challenging of all.
This time, raw strength would serve no purpose.
Control. Precision. Reflexes under pressure — these would decide who advanced.
Each contestant was placed into a specially designed field crafted by the ancient sages of Blendria — a dynamic arena filled with sudden changes and unknowns:
• Collapsing corridors.
• Illusions that mimicked real combatants.
• Tasks demanding sharp judgment under severe pressure.
Many could not complete it. Some faltered in decision-making. Others were physically incapable. And some… simply panicked.
Leo, however, moved as though he had seen it all before.
He avoided traps before they activated.
Timed every action with uncanny foresight.
Navigated collapsing terrain like it had whispered its secrets to him beforehand.
When he emerged from the trial, no applause followed… but every eye turned to him.
None had matched his performance.
And yet — still, there was no mark on his skin.
⸻
The Grand Announcement
Once all the trials were complete, the High Sage ascended the central platform.
He was an aged man, robed in a mantle of glowing white threads woven with silver strands, and his eyes sparkled with the deep hue of moonlight itself.
Standing tall, his voice carried through the plaza:
— "Radfins, seekers of the Lunar Path, hear me.
As every year, we now name the Five Chosen — those who have passed the Trials of Mind, Body, and Skill… in the most difficult edition this city has seen in a century…
Indeed, since the Eternal Trial — the one faced by the greatest of warriors."
A murmur rippled through the crowd.
All knew the legend of the Eternal Trial.
Some even whispered that Leo's father was one of those warriors… though his identity had never been revealed.
The sage continued:
— "The five chosen are…"
One name after the other was called:
"Dreyvis – from the Kingdom of Blendria"
"Darin – from Luthoria"
"Klaus – from Luthoria"
"Sherry – from Gothrez"
"…and Leo."
The moment Leo's name echoed through the air, silence fell again — followed by rising whispers.
No one could deny what they had seen.
But… where was his mark?
⸻
The Ritual of Revelation
The five stood in a glowing circle, surrounded by sages and priests. At the center, the High Sage raised his hand and declared:
— "Now begins the Ritual of Revelation.
Let the moon unveil its truth to those it has chosen."
Each contestant stepped into the Circle of Light:
• Dreyvis stepped first. A glowing white symbol bloomed on his chest — a flickering light like a divine spark.
"The Mark of Light," said the sage.
• Darin followed. A red split sigil burst across his shoulder, pulsing with destructive force.
"The Mark of Fracture."
• Klaus revealed a faint black spiral across his hand.
"The Mark of Shadow."
• Sherry stepped forth, a sharp blue spear-shaped glyph emerging on her forehead.
"The Mark of Range."
Then came Leo.
He entered the circle.
The light dimmed.
Nothing appeared.
A long, heavy silence.
Eyes locked on him.
No mark.
No glow.
Then something utterly unexpected happened.
The High Sage slowly approached Leo… stared into his face for several long seconds… then leaned in and whispered:
"You… are the One Foretold.
There is no doubt.
You are surely… their son."
Leo's breath caught.
He wanted to ask, "Whose son? What do you mean?"
But the sage had already stepped back.
His face returned to its usual stillness — as if nothing had been said.
The crowd looked around, confused.
No mark.
No explanation.
But something in the Sage's eyes hinted that what lies ahead… is unlike anything before.
And Leo?
He stood still in the circle.
His eyes… fixed upon the moon.