As the warriors finished their turns, the mages watched with bated breath, hoping to be paired with Ava after witnessing her impressive display. Just as the last warrior made his mark, Valeria called out Raven's name, her voice tinged with annoyance.
"Raven, report to the arena!" she shouted, her patience wearing thin. "Raven, you're on the cusp of disqualification!" When there was still no response, she prepared to call his name for the third time, which would seal his fate.
But before she could utter the words, a bolt of black lightning struck the center of the arena, sending shockwaves through the crowd. The air seemed to rip apart as Raven descended from the sky, his arrival accompanied by Kael, ho stood beside him with an air of calm authority.
The crowd gasped in unison, their eyes fixed on the sudden and dramatic entrance. Raven's arrival was reminiscent of a stormy tempest, his presence electrifying the atmosphere. Kael's laid-back nature was well-known, but his timing suggested he had orchestrated this entrance deliberately.
Valeria's expression shifted from annoyance to surprise, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Raven. "Well, well, well," she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Looks like someone decided to make an entrance. Where have you been, Kael?"
The crowd remained stunned, their whispers and murmurs filling the arena as they struggled to process what they had just witnessed. Raven's tardiness had turned into a spectacle, and now everyone was eager to know who he is and how he would perform in the trials.
As Raven descended into the arena, his siblings reacted with varying degrees of shock and annoyance. Derek and Lucas, and Jasmine exchanged disbelieving glances, their faces twisted in irritation. "Seriously?" Derek muttered under his breath. "Whats going on here?"
Their mothers, seated nearby, shared similar sentiments. Victoria with a sharp jawline, frowned deeply, her arms crossed over her chest. "That boy, something looks diffrent about him" she whispered to Jasmine's and Avas mother Marcella who nodded in agreement.
Meanwhile, Raven's mother,looked on with concern. Her eyes darted between Raven and Elliot, her brow furrowed in worry.
Elliot, however, remained impassive, his gaze fixed intently on Raven. After a short pause, he spoke, his voice low and even. "You're late, Raven. You remember our wager, do you not?"
The other leaders of the houses turned to Elliot, curiosity etched on their faces. Lady Cassius Rhinoaxe raised an eyebrow. "Is that boy who i think it is?"
Elliot's response was measured. "Yes, thats my youngest son. Raven Lionheart."
The other leaders of the houses exchanged skeptical glances, their faces a mixture of surprise and incredulity. Lady Aurora Elephantaeus spoke up, her voice laced with doubt. "Impossible. He shouldn't be able to use Aethon. So why does he think he can compete?"
Elliot's response was calm and collected. "He unlocked it two months ago."
The leader of the Leopardrien house, Lady Lila Leopardrien, raised her voice in indignation. "Does Raven think this sacred event is a joke? The other cadets have been training for years for this moment. Does he think that training for two months can match those results?"
Before anyone could respond further, Kael stepped forward, his voice firm. "My lady. Isn't this a ceremony for warrior? Why not let his sword talk instead."
Raven nodded, his eyes fixed on the metal wall. As he begins walking twords it slowly cand coldly, with a swift motion, he drew his sword and charged forward. The air seemed to shudder as he unleashed a powerful strike, his sword slicing through the metal with ease.
The crowd gasped in shock as Raven's cut proved to be deeper than Ava's, measuring an astonishing 16 meters in length. He had beaten Ava's mark by two meters, securing first place in the trial.
As the crowd erupted into stunned silence, Raven turned to Lady Leopardrien, his voice cold and detached. "Does this answer your question, Mrs. Leopardrien?"
Avas Pov:
As Raven drew his sword, I thought to myself, "What's the use? You're just weak like the rest" But the moment I sensed the power behind his strike and the Aethon forming a giant lion behind him, similar to my own, I realized one thing: he was on the same rank as me, a Knight.
My eyes widened in surprise as I watched Raven's sword slice through the metal wall with ease. The depth of his cut was impressive, and I couldn't help but feel a spark ignite within me. As the crowd erupted into stunned silence, I felt a strong urge to challenge him on the spot. I wanted to test my skills against his and started asking "who would win if we clashed?" . But I restrained myself, remembering our father's presence and the importance of maintaining dignity.
I glanced at Father, noticing the hint of surprise in his eyes, quickly masked by his usual composure. My father's reaction only fueled my determination to push myself further. I would have to wait for the right moment to confront Raven, but I was certain of one thing....this would be fun now. For the first time since i surpassed The boys, I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. The trials had just become a lot more interesting....
The silence in the arena was palpable as the leaders of the houses processed Raven's impressive display. Cassius Rhinoaxe broke the silence, her voice laced with skepticism. "Elliot, are you telling me that Raven unlocked Aethon only two months ago?"
Elliot's response was icy, his gaze piercing. "When has the Lionheart family ever lied?"
The air seemed to chill at Elliot's words, and Viggo Buffalone finally spoke up, his voice filled with a mix of awe and concern. "If what you're saying is true, Elliot, then that means Raven is a genius... no, he's a monster. That's a level of affinity with Aethon that's unheard of."
Kael, who had been watching the exchange with interest, nodded in agreement. "I couldn't believe it myself. I taught him everything I knew, and he picked it up in just two months. It's unprecedented."
The implications of Raven's abilities were starting to sink in, and the kingdom's elite were beginning to realize that they might be dealing with a force beyond their understanding.