I pushed open the heavy doors of the Parish. Floating podiums of cold light hovered in the air, casting long, ghostly shadows across the marble floor. Father James sat at the center of the large podiums, flanked by the other members o the Ministry.
Creel followed silently behind me, his presence a constant, unwelcome shadow.
Before anyone could speak, a voice cut through the tension like a blade.
'Well, well. So this is the famous new guy everyone's been whispering about.'
I turned.
Leaning casually against one of the marble pillars was a tall young man, in his mid-twenties at most. He had sharp, aristocratic features, silver-white hair tied back in a loose ponytail, and piercing violet eyes that seemed to glow faintly with restricted Miasma. A long black coat with silver accents draped over his shoulders, and a beautifully crafted silver spear rested against the pillar beside him. The weapon hummed with power.
Father James cleared his throat. 'This is Raiden Voss, one of our top Dream Shade candidates. He was widely considered the favorite to emerge victorious in the last Sage Selection, but was bested by Mike, ultimately.'
Raiden pushed off the pillar and approached with slow, confident steps. A smirk played on his lips as he looked me up and down, sizing me up.
'So you're the one that Mike "supposedly" chose,' Raiden said, his voice smooth but dripping with condescension. 'A blind kid from the human world who's never even been in a real fight before this week. Forgive me if I find that… laughable.'
I felt my jaw tighten. I could sense the raw power radiating off him. This wasn't some bully like Conner. This was a real threat.
'I didn't ask for any of this,' I replied, keeping my voice even.
Raiden let out a short laugh. 'That's the best part. The Grail chooses a nobody, and suddenly the rest of us are expected to bow down?' He stepped closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear. 'Sounds like a pathetic fucking joke.'
Father James raised a hand, his voice booming through the hall. 'Enough, Raiden. Your business here is done. Be dismissed.'
Father James raised a hand, his voice booming through the hall like thunder. "Enough, Raiden. Your business here is done. Be dismissed."
Raiden bowed his head slightly, though the arrogant smirk never left his face. 'Of course, my Lord.'
As he passed me, he deliberately bumped my shoulder.
Father James turned his full attention to me, his gaze heavy. 'Young Sage, we have reviewed the report from your expedition. A Devil-type eliminated. A rogue Shade sighted. And… unauthorized use of the Grail's power.' His eyes narrowed. 'We expected far better restraint from you.'
I stood my ground, refusing to look away. 'It seems there's no impressing any of you.'
A heavy silence filled the hall. Father James stared at me intently. 'Tell us about this rogue you claim to have seen.'
I hesitated for only a second before recounting everything — the cursed Miasma leaking off the man like smoke, the way he watched us from the ruins.
'A rogue blending in with humans?' an Evangelist said. 'That is a new development. And not a good one.'
Father James remained silent for a moment. 'You are certain of what you saw?'
'I felt the Miasma coming from him,' I said. 'It wasn't normal.'
Father James nodded once. 'Your trial is complete. The Ministry acknowledges your survival and contribution. As for the Hybrid, Lucy — her status will be reviewed. Convey this to her. Do not make us regret showing mercy.'
'Thank you, Sir.'
He ignored my thanks. 'As for you… to prevent any further unauthorized use of the Grail, Raiden will be monitoring you and assisting in your training. Should you use the Grail's power without permission again, he is authorized to subdue you by any means necessary.'
I left the Parish without saying another word.
I left the Parish without another word.
The walk back to the inn felt endless. Every step reminded me how sore my body still was. Raiden Voss. Subduing me if necessary. The Ministry didn't trust me — not even a little.
When I finally reached my room, I collapsed onto the bed without bothering to remove my boots.
Sleep claimed me instantly.
***
The next morning came too soon.
I dragged myself out of bed, every muscle screaming in protest, and made my way to the central training grounds. The entire Combat sect had already assembled. The air was unusually heavy with tension and I soon found out why.
Chrome stood on the raised platform, his usual easygoing demeanor gone. He looked very serious.
'Everyone gather up,' he called, his voice cutting through the murmurs. 'Things are moving faster than expected.'
I found a spot near Eve and Lucy. Mo gave me a quick nod from across the field. Tyson was practically vibrating with manic energy. Conner shot us a look full of pure venom.
Chrome didn't waste a second.
'The Grail Selection Contest has been accelerated,' he announced. 'Due to recent threats from the Voidbound, the Preliminaries will begin in three days. The Vatican will send six candidates to the Neutral Dimension. Today, we're introducing your primary instructors for this crash course.'
He gestured to the side.
He gestured to the side.
Mustang stepped forward — the same brimmed-hat man who had interrogated me, a lit cigar clamped between his teeth. He looked as sour and irritated as ever.
Beside him stood Raiden Voss, spear resting casually on his shoulder, wearing that same arrogant smirk like it was part of his uniform.
'Mustang will handle advanced combat and practical gear utilization,' Chrome continued. 'Raiden will focus on high-level Miasma control and dueling. Both are high-ranking Dream Shades. You will listen to them.'
Raiden's gaze swept across the crowd and lingered on me for a beat longer than anyone else.
Chrome pressed on. 'Because time is extremely short, we're only focusing on the actual contestants. To determine the six who will represent the Vatican, we will run a series of 3-on-3 team matches. Teams will be selected at random. You will fight other teams in a best-of-three format inside a sealed Miasma Arena. Each round lasts ten minutes. The team that wins two rounds advances with priority. If your team loses, none of you are guaranteed a spot.'
Murmurs erupted across the field.
Chrome raised a hand for silence. 'Divine Abilities and Sacred Gears are fully permitted — we expect you to use them. However, lethal force is strictly forbidden. The goal is not to kill your opponent, but to prove your worth. Rendering an opponent unable to continue, forcing a surrender, or holding the superior position when time expires counts as a round victory.'
Raiden stepped forward, spinning his spear casually.
'Your individual performance is what truly matters,' he said, his violet eyes scanning the crowd. 'Even if your team wins, the judges — including Mustang and myself — will be scoring every single one of you on combat effectiveness, Miasma control, creativity with your Divine Ability, and adaptability under pressure. The top six overall performers will represent the Vatican.'
Mustang exhaled a long plume of cigar smoke, his voice rough and blunt.
'Don't get cocky just because you have a flashy Divine Ability. I've seen plenty of idiots with powerful gifts get crushed by someone who actually knows how to fight. Use your damn heads.'
Chrome nodded. 'Teams will be announced shortly. The matches begin in two days. Until then, you are expected to train hard with the instructors.'
***
Mustang and Raiden took over like they had personal vendettas against weakness.
Mustang was merciless — endless conditioning runs, brutal weapon drills, and survival scenarios that left us battered and gasping. Raiden was no gentler. His lessons on Miasma control and dueling were elegant but vicious. He didn't hold back when sparring.
During one session, he singled me out.
'Blind boy,' he called with that infuriating smirk, spinning his spear. 'Let's see what you can actually do.'
I stepped into the ring, Amaterasu drawn. The fight was fast and one-sided. Raiden moved like liquid lightning, his spear striking from angles I could barely perceive. I managed to block a few strikes and land one solid burning counter, but he still dismantled me in under a minute. This guy was leagues above Kaelen.
'Not bad,' he said as I lay on the ground, struggling to catch my breath. 'For a beginner. But you'll be useless in the Neutral Dimension if that's all you've got.'
Eve helped me up, her face unreadable. 'He's strong,' she admitted quietly. 'But arrogant. Don't let him get to your head.'
'Thanks, Lucy.' I said, rubbing my jaw.
But Lucy was improving fast. Her chains moved with greater speed and precision every time. Even Mo and Eve were pushing themselves harder than I'd ever seen. I noticed a few other standout fighters — Kael Thorn and Freya Storm — who both seemed to be on Eve's level..
By the end of the day, we were all bruised and exhausted, but undeniably sharper.
***
That evening, Chrome gathered the entire class once more on the central platform. Mustang and Raiden stood beside him looking calm, like they hadnt just put us through hell.
'Training is over for today,' Chrome announced, his voice carrying across the quiet field. 'The Preliminaries begin the day after tomorrow. But first — the teams have been decided. Get to know your teammates. It may be the difference between advancing and going home.'
A heavy silence fell over the arena. Chrome raised his hand, and a glowing projection bloomed in the air above us. Eighteen names arranged themselves into six teams of three.
Team 1: Eve Dragonheart, Mo Eclipos, Selene Nyx
Team 2: Z, Lena Crowe, Jaxson Reed
Team 3: Tyson, Rhea Voss, Kael Thorn
Team 4: Conner Vilix, Darius Kane, Mira Solari
Team 5: Thiago, Viktor Stahl, Lucy
Team 6: Orion Vale, Freya Storm, Nero Blackthorn
I stared at the glowing list, my stomach tightening. I was with Lena Crowe and Jaxson Reed — two people I barely knew. Eve was on a different team. So was Lucy. So was almost everyone I was somewhat familiar with.
Raiden stepped forward.
'Show us why you deserve to go,' he said, voice carrying across the field. 'Show us why you deserve to wield the Holy Grail.'
Mustang just grunted, exhaling a cloud of cigar smoke. 'Don't disappoint us out there. That's all.'
Chrome gave a final warning. 'Rest tonight. Tomorrow, training continues with your assigned teams. Use the time wisely.'
I stood there for a moment, still staring at the glowing projection, when two people approached me.
The first was a tall, lean, dark-skinned guy with messy dark brown hair and sharp hazel eyes. He moved with the relaxed confidence of someone who had survived more fights than most people his age. A pair of twin short swords were strapped to his back.
Jaxson Reed.
Beside him walked a girl with shoulder-length black hair and pale skin. Her eyes were a striking, almost unnerving shade of gray. She carried herself with quiet intensity, like a shadow given form.
Lena Crowe.
Jaxson reached me first and grinned, offering a hand.
'Z, right? Looks like we're stuck together for this mess. I'm Jaxson Reed. Call me Jax.'
I shook his hand. His grip was firm and steady.
'Nice to meet you,' I said.
Lena stopped a step behind him, studying me with those gray eyes. She gave a small nod but didn't smile.
'I'm Lena Crowe,' she said softly. Her voice was calm, almost emotionless.
Jaxson crossed his arms, looking between us. 'We should talk strategy tonight or early tomorrow morning. I'm a versatile fighter — good at mid-range and switching between offense and defense. What about you, Z? I've seen you spar a bit. That sword of yours is pretty decent.'
I nodded slowly. 'I rely mostly on swordplay and fire enhancement. Still working on full control though.'
Lena tilted her head slightly. 'I heard you went to the Maine stronghold.'
I looked at her. 'I did. What about it?'
'You survived. That means you're either very lucky or… actually that's all.'
She waited, trying to get a reaction out of me.
'Either way,' she continued, 'we'll need to be ready tomorrow. As for me, I can bind enemies with shadows and drain their Miasma if I get close enough.'
Jaxson nodded. 'Sounds good to me. We meet at the eastern training field tomorrow at sunrise? Get a quick session in before the brackets are announced.'
'Yeah,' I agreed. 'Sunrise works.'
Lena gave me one last appraising look, then nodded once. 'I'll be there.'
With that, the two of them turned and walked away, already discussing something between themselves.
I scanned the training grounds and spotted Mo standing a little further away. He was chatting with Eve and a girl I didn't recognize yet — tall, with long dark hair and sharp features. Must be Selene Nyx, the third member of their team.
I walked over. Mo noticed me first and broke into a wide grin.
'Z! Come here, man.'
We met halfway and dapped each other up.
'Too bad we couldn't be on the same team,' Mo said, shaking his head. 'Would've been fun wrecking people together.'
I smirked. 'Yeah, but let's be honest — you're probably not gonna outshine Eve on your team. She's on another level.'
Mo laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. 'You're not wrong. She's scary when she gets serious. I'm just hoping I don't get completely carried… or completely humiliated.'
Eve, standing nearby, gave a small, rare smirk but didn't say anything. Selene just watched the exchange quietly, arms crossed.
Mo turned back to me. 'Anyway, I'm starving after all that training. There's this popular spot near the night market — they serve these insane meat skewers that are actually fire. You down?'
I didn't even hesitate. 'Yeah, let's go.'
We said goodbye to Eve and Selene and headed off together. The night market was lively even at this hour. Lanterns floated above the stalls, and the smell of grilled meat and spices filled the air.
We found the place Mo was talking about — a busy open-air stall with long wooden tables and benches. We ordered a bunch of skewers, some spiced rice, and cold drinks, then found a spot to sit.
For the first time in what felt like forever, things felt… normal.
We talked about everything.
Mo told me about how he grew up in one of the lower districts of the Vatican, how his dad was a low-ranking Shade who died during a mission when he was young. He joked about how he started training just so he wouldn't end up like his old man — stuck and forgotten. He said he lied about his old man being famous back when we first met.
I told him a bit about my life with Amy — how I spent most of my time inside watching movies and anime, living in my happy little illusion. I left out the Grail stuff, obviously.
We talked about girls too. Mo admitted he had a crush on one of the girls from the Intelligence Division but was too scared to say anything.
'Man, I freeze up every time she walks by,' he groaned. 'Pathetic, right?'
I laughed. 'A little. I mean you could be like Tyson y'know.'
We both cracked up imagining Tyson trying to flirt.
We talked about money too — how Shekels were hard to get unless you were a Dream Shade or part of an influential family. Mo dreamed of earning enough to move his mom to a better district.
By the time we finished eating, my stomach was full and my mood was lighter than it had been in days.
We dapped up again outside the stall.
'See you tomorrow, Z,' Mo said. 'Try not to get destroyed in the preliminaries. Or do. Then I won't have to worry about facing you later in the actual contest.'
I chuckled. 'Same to you. Don't let Eve carry too hard.'
We went our separate ways.
When I finally got back to the inn, I collapsed onto the bed without bothering to change. The exhaustion from the last few days, the training, and everything else hit me all at once.
Sleep came fast.
For once, I didn't dream about Man-eaters, Grey, or the Grail.
Just the smell of grilled meat and the sound of Mo laughing.
***
The next morning, I arrived at the eastern training grounds just as the sky began to brighten. Jax and Lena were already waiting.
Jax was doing some light stretches, twin short swords strapped to his back. Lena stood a short distance away, arms crossed, her silver-gray eyes calm but alert.
'Morning,' Jax greeted with a grin. 'Ready to show us what you're really made of?'
Lena gave a small nod. 'We don't have much time. I suggest a three-way free-for-all. No holding back. We need to understand each other's strengths and weaknesses before tomorrow.'
I agreed. 'Sounds good'
We moved to an open section of the training field. The moment we took our positions, the air grew tense.
'Ready?' Jax asked, drawing both short swords.
'Ready,' Lena and I replied at the same time.
The fight began instanty.
Jax moved first. 'Divine Abilty: Blade Mirage!'
Four glowing copies of his short swords materialized around him, floating in the air like deadly satellites. He charged forward, the real blades and mirage blades attacking in a chaotic, synchronized storm of steel. I ignited Amaterasu, flames roaring along the blade, and met him head-on.
Our weapons clashed violently. Jax was faster than I expected — every time I thought I had an opening, one of his phantom blades would strike from a blind angle, forcing me to twist or block desperately. The sheer number of attacks kept me on the defensive.
While I was locked in combat with Jax, Lena vanished.
'Divine Ability: Shadow Walk.'
She melted into her own shadow on the ground and disappeared completely. A heartbeat later, I felt a cold presence behind me. A kunai whistled past my ear and embedded itself tip-first into my shadow on the ground.
Suddenly, my left leg locked in place. I couldn't move it.
'Shit—!'
Jax grinned and pressed the attack, his real blades and mirage blades raining down on me. I blocked frantically, flames exploding with each clash, but being pinned made me a sitting duck.
Jax grinned and pressed the attack, his real blades and mirage blades raining down on me. I blocked frantically, flames exploding with each clash, but being pinned made me an easy target.
Lena reappeared from Jax's own shadow like a ghost. She tried to drag him into the darkness, but Jax spun with insane speed and slashed, forcing her back before she could fully pull him in.
I poured more Miasma into Amaterasu and unleashed a wide, roaring burst of flames, forcing both of them to retreat and blasting the kunai out of my shadow. The moment I was free, I broke back into motion.
The three of us clashed in a chaotic, relentless dance.
Jax's mirage blades created constant pressure from every direction. Lena kept disappearing into shadows, striking from impossible angles and attempting to pin us with her seemingly infinite amount of kunai. I stayed aggressive, using powerful flaming slashes and bursts of fire to disrupt their coordination and create openings.
But Lena was relentless. She appeared from a blind spot and dragged me halfway into her shadow again. The world turned ice-cold and suffocating. I couldn't breathe. My body felt completely locked. With a desperate surge, I forced a massive explosion of flames outward, forcing her to let go and breaking free.
Jax laughed breathlessly. 'You guys are insane!'
We kept going — fast, brutal, and perfectly balanced. Jax was faster and more versatile with his blades. Lena was terrifying with her shadow control and restraint. I had raw destructive power with my flames, but my lack of a Divine Ability was putting me at a noticeable disadvantage.
After nearly twenty intense minutes, Jax suddenly stepped back and raised both hands.
'Alright, alright! That's enough!' he called out, breathing hard but still grinning. 'We keep this up and we'll be useless tomorrow.'
Lena emerged from a nearby shadow, nodding once. She looked slightly winded but otherwise composed.
I lowered Amaterasu, chest heaving. 'Yeah… good call.'
Jax wiped sweat from his brow and looked at both of us. 'Not bad, team. We've got real potential. Lena's control is scary as hell. Z, your flames hit like a truck. We just need to work on a few things and we'll have no trouble winning.'
Lena looked at us both. 'We should meet up tomorrow before the preliminary matches begin. We need to draft our team against our opponents.'
I nodded. 'Agreed.'
As we cooled down, I felt a quiet sense of hope. We weren't the strongest team on paper, but we had chemistry.
We just might have a real chance. Soon, the other teams arrived one by one, some walking together, others keeping to themselves. I stood with Jax and Lena, watching them quietly.
Eve moved like a shadow given form, her meteorite daggers already drawn as she sparred lightly with Mo. Selene Nyx stood beside them, watching.
Team 3 was loud and chaotic. Tyson was laughing maniacally while swinging his scythe, while Rhea Voss and Kael Thorn tried to keep him under control.
Team 4 was the most hostile. Conner Vilix glared in our direction the entire time, flanked by Darius Kane -- a massive brute -- and Mira Solari, who looked calm but carried a dangerous aura.
Team 6 was the most mysterious. Orion Vale, Freya Storm, and Nero Blackthorn kept mostly to themselves, their movements sharp and coordinated.
Jax crossed his arms beside me. 'They're all strong. Especially Team 1 and Team 6. We can't afford to be sloppy tomorrow.'
Lena's gray eyes narrowed as she observed the others. 'Team 4 has some pretty heavy hitters. And Conner already hates us. We should expect some underhanded tactics.'
I scoffed . 'Doesn't matter. He's just a spoilt brat.'
'Don't underestimate anyone here, Z.'
We went back to our own training, refining our coordination. Jax's Blade Mirage helped improve my reflexes and parries. Lena's Shadow Walk let her strike from impossible angles, and I used Amaterasu's flames to force openings. It wasn't perfect, but we were getting better.
Jax and I were mid-swing when suddenly everyone stopped and looked toward the central platform. Chrome had stepped up, his expression grave. The entire field went quiet.
'Listen up,' he announced, his voice carrying across the grounds. 'The team matches will begin tomorrow morning. Here is the bracket.'
A large glowing projection appeared in the air, displaying the matchups.
Team 1 (Eve, Mo, Selene) vs Team 6 (Orion, Freya, Nero)
Team 2 (Z, Lena, Jaxson) vs Team 5 (Thiago, Viktor, Lucy)
Team 3 (Tyson, Rhea, Kael) vs Team 4 (Conner, Darius, Mira)
A heavy silence fell over the arena, followed by murmurs and an excited shout from Tyson.
I stared at the projection, my stomach twisting.
We were fighting Team 5 — Thiago, Viktor, and Lucy.
Jax whistled softly beside me. 'That's going to be awkward.'
Lena's expression didn't change, but her voice was quiet. 'We do what we have to do. No holding back.'
I clenched my fists. This wasn't going to be easy.