Arcadia's dawn rose in a blaze of frost-lantern light and emberpetal glow. Towers gleamed, wards thrummed, and students streamed through corridors humming with anticipation. After nine trials—illusion, power, sacrifice, memory, unity, siege, echoes, storm, and tomorrow's burden—only one remained. Today, the final trial would unfold: The Architect's Choice. It was not a test of strength or spellcraft, but of resolve and heart.
I stood before the Grand Assembly Hall's triple doors, Seraphina at my side, Yuria and Zephira flanking us, Astraea and Valmira just behind. In my hand, the empty copy of Lilith's Codex—its pages ready for one last entry. The Origin Halo pulsed overhead as Nilthria's flame-form drifted from the brazier at the hall's entrance.
