— A Few Minutes Earlier —
Ellion pointed at a new incomer with shock and joy. "Look! Luci! That's the second guy I met yesterday with his sister, Sarah! Wonder what his name is? Maybe I should have asked two days ago…"
Lucien ignored his ranting friend as he stared intently at Malrik and then at the screen. "Who is this guy? He recklessly shouted a few words, and then suddenly, Aurelion had a massive increase in power. Is it the work of a title?" Lucien activated his arcane sight, his eyes glowing a green hue. He widened his eyes upon his find. 'His magical colour is blue?! He doesn't even have a title?! What could someone like him possibly be doing here?'
"Lucien, look! Sarah and Victor are popping off." Lucien turned back at the scene. Victor was currently being chased by a horde of yellow leaf petals.
"It seems even with her sudden increase in power, she is still no match for her opponent's speed. Not surprising, he is an Epilogue Title Carrier." Malrik glanced at Lucien.
"I wouldn't doubt Sarah if I were you. I wouldn't put it past her if she has a plan." Lucien narrowed his eyes at Malrik while Valery just watched the interaction, intrigued.
Lucien glanced at the screen to see Sarah being punched into a wall. He smirked and turned to Malrik. "What plan exactly? Before you arrived, she had not once landed a decent hit, and she was still yet to land one. I don't see any way she can win this."
Malrik didn't even look at him, his eyes fixed on the screen. Valery's eyes widened at the screen, realising Sarah's plan. "Then you're obviously not looking hard enough."
Valery nodded. "I believe he is right." Lucien frowned at her, struggling to understand what she meant. Valery pointed at the screen. "Look beneath him, babe."
Lucien turned back at the screen, following her instructions. A shocked expression suddenly appeared on his face as he stared at the petals spread underneath Victor. The petals rose and exploded, covering the screen.
— Test Arena —
From the smoke, Victor Razel floated up. He looked completely untouched. Not a single scratch or bruise was on his body. Sarah made a 'tch' sound. 'His magic is too strong for mine to penetrate.'
Victor sighed in relief. He stared at the girl on the floor. 'If I hadn't covered myself with magic, this match would have been over. Seems like I need to stop underestimating her.'
Victor curled his fingers like an animal's claw. "I've got to say, you are an impressive girl. You have earned my respect, so for that I will not hold back from now." Victor positioned himself towards the ground Sarah was on. Taking a deep breath, he suddenly shot forward, hand outstretched. The attack seemed too fast for Sarah, who stayed in place, watching him draw near like a bullet. The attack drew nearer and nearer until Victor's hand was just inches away from her face… Then he froze. Sarah smirked.
"Checkmate."
— Waiting Area —
In the waiting area, Valery and Lucien stared at the screen in shock. Malrik smirked, and Ellion cheered out loudly, breaking through the silence in the room.
"Now it's checkmate," stated Malrik. "First lesson Dad taught us: an opponent who believes they have won and fully commits to an attack is when the defence is fully down. That is the best way to counterattack."
The room suddenly erupted in cheers. New fans and new rivals were already forming. Malrik smiled brightly. "Now it's my turn."
— Test Arena —
Victor didn't move, his clawed hand still inches away from Sarah's smirking face. The sound of something dropping on the floor could be heard. Victor looked down at his legs to see blood running down his left leg. The man sighed and retracted his hands.
'She waited till the second that I couldn't have possibly noticed the yellow petal moving and then attacked a place that wasn't covered with magic.' He stretched out a hand towards Sarah. Sarah took it and let herself be pulled up. "Congratulations, you were able to form a calculated plan to surprise your enemy and draw blood. This school could use more talent like yours."
Sarah smiled. "Well, this school is about to get two." With those parting words, she opened the door to the waiting area. Victor noticed a boy waiting right outside. He and Sarah high-fived each other as she closed the door.
'Well, Dain,' Victor thought, 'I can't speak for your son yet, but your daughter is ready for what's coming.'
— Waiting Area —
Malrik and Sarah high-fived each other with bright smiles etched on their faces. "There was not a doubt in my mind that you'd lose."
"Thanks. What took you so long, though? I was waiting for so long. If I'd lost, it would have been your fault." Sarah glared at Malrik while blinking in confusion. His face suddenly shifted to anger.
"What! I come here, give you some words of encouragement — your win was because of me, by the way, can we just establish that — and yet I am still getting some backtalk from you. Don't think I forgot, the whole reason I am late is because you didn't wake me up!"
"Oh, whatever," said Sarah as she rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Don't blame me for your shortcomings," Malrik growled. Suddenly, Ellion appeared, wrapping his arms around their shoulders.
"Hey friends—"
"What!" interrupted the siblings simultaneously. Ellion quickly took his arms off and raised his hands in defence.
"Ok, I am sensing a lot of unexplained malice here. Why don't I put on a show for you two and get those frowns upside down again?" Ellion gave them a bright smile with his thumbs up. Sarah and Malrik blinked at him in confusion.
"Ok, is this your friend, Malrik?" asked Sarah.
"Why would he be my friend?" Malrik snapped back. The two continued bickering as Ellion scratched his head in confusion.
"The audience doesn't recognise their entertainer. No, no, this cannot do." Ellion waved his hands, trying to gain the siblings' attention. He pulled out a mask from his jumper and put it on his face. 'Second time is the charm.'
Ellion waved his arms at them, trying to gain their attention. Malrik and Sarah looked at him.
"What!" they shouted in unison. However, Malrik suddenly remembered who he was. "Oh, wait, Sarah, it's that clown from two days ago." Sarah narrowed her eyes at him, looking closely at the mask. Indeed, it was the same mask as then, with the same goofy-looking orange hair.
"You're right." Ellion hung his head down in shame. Malrik and Sarah could have sworn they could hear sniffles.
'They called me a clown. I just got called a clown. But I am not a clown, I am a very famous Jester. Yes, I am. They are just not completely aware of your identity yet, right?' Malrik and Sarah furrowed their brows, staring at him in confusion. 'Is he speaking to himself?' they both thought.
As Ellion continued rambling and giving himself self-confidence, another boy dressed in smart attire appeared. "You must excuse my friend here; his talents lie elsewhere, far from the realm of social etiquette."
The two siblings just nodded nervously, trying their best not to shoot worried glances at Ellion. The boy stretched out his arm towards the two siblings. "It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am part of the Duskveil royal family. I am Lucien Duskveil. I don't usually take autographs, so please don't as—"
A loud mechanical voice suddenly echoed across the waiting area. "Malrik Aurelion, please come inside to begin your test. I repeat, Malrik Aurelion, please come inside to begin your test."
Malrik smiled brightly. "Looks like that is my cue, wish me luck."
"Good luck!" shouted Sarah as he walked off. Lucien stared at his outstretched arm, noticing that they didn't bother to shake it. He awkwardly pulled it back, injured from his lost honour.
Malrik walked in, excited to show his skills. "Hey guys! This kid doesn't even have a title. Who wants to bet he will win?" shouted a random in the crowd. The whole room erupted in cheers, and people rushed forward, eager to bet against the boy. Sarah smirked before she raised a card in the air.
"I want to bet my credit card and all the money inside that my brother will win." The room suddenly grew quiet. Everyone stared at the card for a good minute before their eyes turned to hunger. Shouts and declarations of certain victory arose. Some people called her stupid, while others called her arrogant. More and more bets against Malrik came in like a flood. Ellion stared at the chaos around him for a minute before he shrugged and dug in for some money.
"I want to bet on him." Lucien's head whipped towards him so fast, Ellion was afraid it had snapped. Lucien looked at him like he had grown mad.
"Ellion, this isn't the time to act stupid, look who he is facing." Everyone looked at the screen to see a black man with dreadlocks lazily walk in. The man was chewing on a toothpick with his hands in his pockets, ready to get the test over with. "That examiner is an Epilogue-level title carrier just like Victor Razel. Don't waste your money, the boy doesn't stand a chance."
Ellion blinked in surprise. "… You barely even glanced at him. How do you know so much about him? Even that last examiner, he hadn't even shown his ability, yet you knew all of it."
Lucien paused for a good minute. He then shrugged and folded his arms nonchalantly. "I spent the past two days studying all the teacher's abilities and weaknesses so that I would be fully prepared for whoever I faced."
Ellion gave him a deadpanned look and started shifting away from him. "So basically… you're the royal family's official creep."
"What! No, as the prince of the Duskveil family, it is my duty to research every single member of the facility that will be overseeing my studies."
"Sure, sure. Next, you'll tell me you've memorised the cafeteria menu out of 'royal obligation.'" Lucien growled at him. Ellion smirked proudly to himself before walking away to bet his money.
Ignoring the boy's bickering, Valery turned to Sarah, her eyes studying her. "My husband might be correct, you know. Your brother has guts; I give you that. He is an interesting guy, and I don't wish to witness his loss. Perhaps it would be wise to intervene before that moment arrives."
"Perhaps it would be wise to just watch and keep your judgment to yourself," replied Sarah, her eyes not budging from the screen.
"What makes you think he can win?"
"Faith." Valery smiled, then she chuckled.
"Interesting. So, I guess you're his dream." Sarah turned to her, raising her eyebrow in confusion. Valery just nodded her head and raised her hand. "Alright then, I guess I'll test out the dream. I vote my credit card for Malrik Aurelion."
Everyone stared at her in shock. No one could believe their eyes — Lucien especially.
"T-two credit cards," mumbled a random from the crowd, gulping as he watched Valery place it in the box.
"Babe, what the hell are you doing?" Valery turned to him and shook her head, shutting down any arguments. Lucien held his tongue, seething. 'What is she doing, placing valuable money on an impossible outcome?!'
— Flashback —
Malrik and Valery walked through the halls of Evergrove Academy. "So, becoming a champion isn't your dream?"
Malrik turned to his new companion. "Hm?"
"Earlier, you said that becoming a Paladin was more of a promise to someone than a dream. So, what is your dream exactly?" Malrik chuckled. He placed his arms behind his head and looked up at the ceiling as he walked.
"You don't give up, do you?" Valery stared at him, not bothering to respond. Malrik sighed. "It's hers. The person I made the promise to. Becoming a champion is her dream. I just want to be right there when she fulfils it, that's my dream."
— Flashback End —
Valery gazed up at the screen with a content smile. She stared at Malrik, who was currently facing down his opponent. "This is it. Your dream starts with this battle. Let's see how far you will go."
— Test Arena —
Malrik stared at his examiner. The man looked back at him, bored. He glanced at the piece of paper in his hand. "It says here you're Malrik Aurelion. Son of the champion Dain Aurelion, yet you have no title."
Malrik crossed his arms and frowned. "Who says you need a title to win a battle?"
"Scientists, Paladins, history, people without titles." The man counted with his finger as he listed all the people out. Malik's eye twitched.
"Are we going to start this exam anytime soon?" The man glanced at him as if checking he was serious. He sighed upon realising he was.
"Alright then, my name is Tyronne Clerk, I will be your examiner for today, the exam will be like the last, all you need to win is a drop of blood." Tyronne took his hands out of his pockets as Malrik drew his sword and dropped into position. "You have a loud audience, kid, let's see if you're worth the noise."
"You'll find out soon enough."