The crystal chamber pulsed with energy.
Kael stood at the edge of the altar, blade drawn, facing the silver-haired girl. Her eyes were cold — not unfriendly, but calculating. The frost sword in her hand shimmered like frozen moonlight.
"You're good," she said, circling him. "Fast. Precise."
Kael raised his blade. "You're not bad either. For someone trying to stab me."
Her lips curved slightly. "Trial rules: no friends. Only winners."
[System Alert]
> Threat Analysis: Moderate
Opponent: Unknown
Class Detected: Frostblade Initiate
Estimated Level: 2 tiers above current host
> Higher level? Doesn't matter.
---
She struck first — a flurry of elegant slashes. Ice followed the blade's arc, freezing the air between them.
Kael blocked once — then twice — then spun low, dodging the third. His blade scraped hers with a high-pitched clang, cold biting into his arm.
He winced but didn't fall back. He pressed forward instead — swinging high, then fainting low, forcing her to step into his rhythm.
---
[Emotion Sync: Activated]
> Current Emotion: Tension + Focused Resolve
➤ Burst Mode Available (8 seconds)
He activated it.
Time slowed.
He dashed in, blade flashing — right shoulder, midsection, upward slash across the chest.
She barely deflected the last one — frost splintering in the air as the sword's aura clashed with his.
"Not bad," she said through clenched teeth.
---
She stepped back, fingers flashing a sigil. A blast of frost exploded beneath Kael's feet — trap magic.
> [Warning: Slow Effect Applied]
His movement faltered. Just for a second.
But it was enough.
She lunged in — sword angled at his throat.
---
> Too direct. She thinks I'm frozen.
Kael spun with the strike, letting it graze his cheek — and countered with a heavy blow to her ribs.
CRACK.
She stumbled back, gasping, frostblade falling from her hands.
Kael pointed his sword at her throat now.
"Should I say it?" he asked. "'Only winners'?"
She raised her hand in mock surrender, smirking. "Guess you're not just some village kid."
Kael lowered the blade.
> [Duel Complete. Victory Registered.]
[Sync +3% — Bond Triggered: Unknown Frostblade (Status: Rival/Potential Ally)]
---
Footsteps echoed behind them.
Garen Rhys clapped from the shadows. "That… was beautiful. Painful, but beautiful."
More masked figures appeared — guild officials. One stepped forward and raised his hand.
"Trial complete. Five passed. Two remain conscious. The rest… will be carried out."
He tossed Kael a metal badge.
Guild Initiate — Class: Independent Combatant
The frost girl caught hers too.
She glanced at Kael. "Name?"
"Kael."
She nodded. "Lyra."
Then turned and walked away — silently, coolly. But Kael knew she'd be watching.
> And next time, she won't go easy.
---
[System Update]
> Sync: 26%
Trait Evolving: Focused Instinct Lv.2
New Sub-Trait Unlocked: Combat Flow — Predict attack patterns based on rhythm
Kael grinned as he pocketed the badge.
> Let the real game begin.
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> Next Chapter: "The Guild and the Shadows"