The sacred hall was filled with an air of anticipation. The mana rite was about to begin, and noble families from across the Avalon Empire gathered to witness this prestigious ceremony. Priests in silver robes stood at the front, their serene expressions unshaken by the whispers of excitement that echoed through the sanctum.
At the front of the hall, priests in silver robes stood in formation, their serene expressions unshaken by the excitement that rippled through the crowd. Behind them, towering above the altar, stood a magnificent statue of Goddess Arcana, carved from pristine white marble. Her serene gaze seemed to pierce through the room, her outstretched hand cradling a sphere of crystal that shimmered faintly with traces of mana. The faint scent of incense lingered, adding to the sanctity of the moment.
The High Priest, Malrik, an elderly man with sharp features and piercing eyes, raised his hand. Silence fell instantly.
The high priest Malrik leading the ceremony raised his hand, commanding silence. "We shall begin. Step forth, Darius Valtor."
Darius moved to the center, his brow furrowed in concentration. Mana crackled around him with a deep, earthy resonance. Jagged shards of stone erupted from the ground, forming a solid barrier around him.
The audience's reaction was favorable this time. Earth was a practical and powerful element in battle.
Darius exhaled slowly, his confidence returning as he bowed to the High Priest and returned to his place.
The High Priest's voice resounded again. "Veyron Wolfhart, step forth."
A young boy with silver-blue hair, bearing a striking resemblance to Aren, walked toward the center. Whispers erupted among the nobles.
"From the Wolfhart lineage"
"I hear he's quite gifted for his age."
Unfazed by the attention, Veyron extended his hand. A surge of mana gathered around him, manifesting into a powerful stream of water that spiraled upward, forming a gleaming arc before crashing down gently.
The hall echoed with murmurs of approval.
"Impressive for his age," one noble commented. "The Wolfhart family continues to produce prodigies."
Veyron's expression remained composed as he returned to his place, ignoring the whispers.
One by one, noble children followed, summoning elements with varying degrees of success. Flames flickered, gusts of wind whipped through the hall, and shards of earth erupted from the ground. Some displays earned applause, while others drew murmurs of disappointment.
Then the priest's voice echoed through the hall once more. "Step forth Celestia Evern, Saintess Candidate of Elysian Empire."
A girl with flowing silver hair and eyes as radiant as the full moon walked forward gracefully. She wore a pristine white robe embroidered with faint golden patterns, marking her as someone of high spiritual significance. The hall fell into a hushed silence, the air heavy with curiosity.
"The Elysian Empire?"
"Is she from the Church of Lumina?"
"A saintess candidate?"
Ignoring the whispers, the girl stopped at the center and clasped her hands in silent prayer. Her serene composure radiated a calming aura.
The High Priest's tone was solemn. "Focus your mana, child."
The air around her shimmered as she extended her hand. A soft, emerald-green glow enveloped her palm, radiating warmth. Tiny specks of golden green floated around her. A gentle breeze swept through the hall, and wildflowers bloomed in the cracks of the stone floor.
Gasps echoed throughout the room.
"Healing and wind magic simultaneously?" a noble whispered.
Even the High Priest's composure faltered briefly.
The girl bowed gracefully and returned to her place, her expression as tranquil as ever.
Aren narrowed his eyes, analyzing her display. A saintess candidate with such a unique combination... intriguing.
The sanctum settled once more, and the priest's voice broke the silence. "Next, Princess Caelia Avalon."
A hush fell over the audience as Caelia, her crimson-red hair gleaming under the light, moved gracefully to the center. Her pearl-red eyes glinted with quiet resolve.
The High Priest bowed deeply. "Your Highness, the Goddess Arcana watches over you. Please begin."
Caelia extended her hand, her expression serene. Mana gathered swiftly around her, crackling with intensity.
A brilliant flame burst forth, swirling with vibrant orange hues. The crowd gasped, but before the applause could begin, the flames shifted—flickering wildly as arcs of lightning crackled and danced through the air.
Flame and lightning intertwined, forming a spectacular display of raw power.
"This is what we can expect from the royal family," one noble whispered in awe.
The display slowly dissipated, leaving a charged silence in its wake. Caelia gave a graceful nod and returned to her place, her composure unshaken.
The priest regained his composure. "Next, His Highness, Prince Diluc of Avalon."
Diluc, with hair as crimson as Caelia’s and eyes gleaming with regal confidence, stepped forward. The room seemed to hold its breath.
The High Priest's voice was reverent. "Focus your mana, Your Highness."
Diluc extended his hand without hesitation. A radiant sphere of light appeared, glowing with an ethereal brilliance that bathed the hall. Gasps of astonishment rippled through the audience—light was an element of immense rarity.
Before anyone could fully comprehend the display, the sphere fractured, and multiple elements emerged—flames roared, water surged, winds howled, and earth rumbled beneath his feet.
Five elements, all summoned effortlessly.
The hall descended into stunned silence. The only sound was the soft crackle of dissipating mana.
"Impossible," someone whispered.
"There is only one known wielder of light magic in the entire empire—and never has anyone controlled it alongside all five elements," a noble whispered in disbelief.
Diluc bowed slightly to the High Priest, his expression calm despite the astonishment surrounding him.
As he returned to his place, his gaze flickered toward me. A faint smile curved his lips.
"I'm curious to see your strength," he said quietly.
I didn't respond, maintaining my cold expression.
The sanctum was abuzz with murmurs as the priest's voice echoed through the grand hall.
"Sylvie, step forward."
The announcement was met with stunned silence, followed by a wave of hushed whispers.
"A commoner? Here?"
"Outrageous!"
"How dare they bring a peasant to this nobility place?"
Sylvie's face paled, and she took a hesitant step back. Her hands trembled at the overwhelming hostility.
I narrowed my eyes and stepped forward, my cold voice cutting through the noise. "Enough."
The nobles fell silent, their eyes fixed on me.
"Are you all so fragile that the mere presence of a commoner disrupts your composure?" I asked icily. "Or perhaps you're afraid that she might outshine your precious offspring?"
The tension thickened, but the murmurs persisted.
Just then, Diluc's voice rang out, calm yet commanding. "Everyone, silence."
The nobles turned toward the prince, who stood tall with an air of authority. "The rite is sacred, and everyone chosen to participate has the right to be here. I trust the decisions of Duke Alaric and the High Priest."
His words carried weight, and the nobles begrudgingly fell silent.
Father's voice followed, firm and final. "This is my decision. If anyone has a problem with it, they can take it up with me personally."
The High Priest added solemnly, "This is the will of the sanctum."
Sylvie's breathing steadied, but she still looked shaken. I placed a hand on her shoulder, leaning in slightly. "Calm yourself. Focus only on the rite. Let their words mean nothing."
She looked up at me, her fear slowly giving way to determination.
With newfound resolve, she stepped forward, her presence no longer wavering.
To be continued...
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