That same white-and-gold suit, which gradually darkened into deep purple as it descended, stood there in the middle of the arena.
I looked at my friends.
They didn't look back at me… but they didn't need to. Their eyes said everything. They couldn't look away from that man. There was fear in them. Real fear. As if something that shouldn't exist had suddenly appeared right in front of everyone.
None of us said anything.
The rest of the amphitheater was completely bewildered. Murmurs, whispers, unanswered questions… the noise was growing everywhere.
After a few seconds, the announcer finally spoke.
—And who are you? —he asked.
The man paused briefly before answering, as if he had no hurry at all.
—Aether. You can call me Aether.
So Aether…
A name that fit him far too well.
—Very well, Aether —the announcer continued—. What rank are you as a mage?
—I don't have a rank —he replied with complete certainty—. Or at least… not one that's been identified.
A murmur spread through the stands.
—And what makes you think you can enter a tournament meant only for rank A… and go straight into the final?
—Let him participate.
The voice came from above. Deep. Calm. Unquestionable.
It was Togi.
—Let him participate.
The announcer hesitated.
—But sir… he doesn't even meet the requirements. He just walked in. He doesn't deserve to enter this tournament.
—I'm interested —Togi replied, without changing his tone—. He seems strong.
Those words fell like a spark into gunpowder.
The amphitheater exploded.
—That's not possible!
—He doesn't deserve it!
—Then give me the chance too!
The noise was deafening.
—Silence.
He didn't shout.
He didn't need to.
And yet, silence fell instantly.
The next moment… Togi was no longer in the tower.
He was in the arena.
No one saw him come down.
—Let's do this —he said calmly—. I'll fight this Aether first. If he manages to land a single hit on me… it will mean he's worthy of, at the very least, competing in the final.
—That's unfair! —someone shouted from the crowd.
And this time, everyone followed.
—Exactly!
—That's not fair!
Togi waited a few seconds, letting the noise die on its own.
Then he spoke.
—Let's make it better —he said calmly—. Anyone who wants to fight me… and earn a place in the court… come down right now.
It was a sentence.
No one moved.
Because everyone knew the truth.
Facing Togi… wasn't an opportunity.
It was a death sentence.
—I'm fine with that, let's do it —Aether said with total confidence.
And even so… I didn't like this at all.
—I… still don't see it clearly —the announcer said, uneasy—. Your Majesty, what do you think?
The king stood up.
His voice, deep and firm, echoed through the entire amphitheater.
—It's true he skipped the previous trials… but facing Togi is already a challenge in itself. Besides, if the organizer agrees… so do I.
He sat back down calmly, as if the decision carried no weight at all.
—Well… if His Majesty approves, I'll have to accept it —the announcer said, resigned—. Elijah, step aside until this match is over.
This time, my brother didn't say anything.
He simply turned around and walked toward the stands, until he reached us.
—Hey, guys —he said with a slight smile—. Quite an interesting twist, huh?
—Yeah… —Reid replied—. I'm curious to see how this plays out.
But the rest of us…
No one said anything.
It was as if something had gotten stuck in our throats. As if speaking would break something that shouldn't be broken.
That Aether…
He was terrifying. Truly.
—Looks like the cat's got your tongues —my brother said, looking straight at me.
I didn't answer.
No one did.
After a few seconds, he gave up with a small sigh and turned his gaze back to the arena, focusing on what was about to happen.
The announcer returned to the center.
—On the left side, we have the great Togi Odnar! —he proclaimed—. A mage whose magic remains a mystery to this day, but who inspires respect in allies… and true terror in his enemies! A nearly impossible opponent to defeat!
He paused briefly before turning.
—And on the right… we have Aether.
His tone shifted slightly.
—A last-minute participant who, with just a single strike on Togi, could qualify for the final… —he lowered his voice a bit— provided the original finalist does not appear.
He raised his voice again.
—Two fighters, two enigmas! No one knows what to expect from this battle!
—The match will begin in 3… 2… 1… GO!
And then… it happened.
Something no one could explain.
No one saw the movement.
No one understood what had happened.
The instant the word "go" left the announcer's mouth… it was already over.
Less than a second.
Aether stood in front of Togi.
His fist resting against the court mage's face.
It wasn't a spectacular strike.
Not even fast to the eye.
It simply… was there.
The perfect impact.
The minimum necessary.
Silence fell.
No cheers.
No reaction.
Because no one had seen anything.
Not even the announcer seemed to understand what he was looking at. He stood frozen for a few seconds, staring at the scene… until, almost by reflex, he turned toward the crowd.
—W… winner… Aether!
I couldn't believe it.
And judging by what I saw… no one else could either.
That stranger… had just defeated Togi.
Without effort. Without emotion. Without even changing his expression.
Aether remained completely serious.
Togi, on the other hand… smiled slightly.
And in the next blink—
He was gone.
Back in the tower.
—Aether advances to the final! —the announcer shouted, still visibly shaken—. There will be a short break for the participant before the final match!
—That won't be necessary.
Aether's voice cut through the air.
—I don't need rest.
The announcer hesitated for a moment.
—O-Okay… —he swallowed—. Elijah, come down!
Beside me, my brother let out a small laugh.
—Well… looks like it's my turn.
—I'll see you later. I'm going to beat that guy.
He stood up and left without hesitation.
I… couldn't do anything.
I didn't understand what Aether was.
I didn't know what my brother was about to face.
But the worst part… was that my body wouldn't react.
I stood there.
Frozen.
Until someone tugged at my shirt.
—Ren —Tarin said, his voice tense—. Don't let your brother fight him. He's dangerous… he's not going to win.
Those words…
Hit like a blow.
Because deep down, I already knew.
And thanks to that, I finally moved.
I ran.
I pushed through the crowd, rushed down the steps, nearly tripping, and managed to catch him before he stepped out.
—Elijah!
He turned.
—You can't fight him —I said, out of breath—. Surrender. He beat Togi… he's going to beat you for sure.
Elijah looked at me.
Not angry.
Not surprised.
Calm.
Even… gentle.
He crouched slightly to meet my eyes.
—Ren… I can't surrender now. I've reached the final. I'm one step away from becoming a court mage.
—You don't understand —I insisted—. If you fight him… something bad is going to happen. I don't know what it is, but I know.
Elijah smiled.
—Ren, I'm Elijah.
As if that was enough of an answer.
—I'm going to beat him. Trust me.
I shook my head, frustrated.
—You can try again in five years.
—I can't —he replied, more serious now—. What if next time it's impossible again? I have to take this opportunity.
I didn't know what to say.
The words… wouldn't come.
I knew he had already made his decision.
Then he saw my face.
And he hugged me.
—I'm going to beat him, Ren —he whispered—. I'm the strongest. And I'm going to prove it in front of this entire amphitheater.
He pulled back slightly, smiling.
—When it's over… I'll cook tonight, okay?
I couldn't help but smile.
Even though… everything inside felt wrong.
—Okay… —I murmured—. Beat him.
I watched him walk away.
And this time…
I didn't try to stop him.
I returned to the stands.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
—What did he say? —Tarin asked as soon as he saw me.
—He's going to fight.
Tarin went pale. The tension was clear on his face.
To reassure him… or maybe to convince myself… I said:
—Elijah is the strongest.
I paused.
—He's going to win.
—He's right —Luca said—. We have to trust Elijah. After all… who is that guy? A nobody.
—For once, Luca is right —Mira added—. Elijah is the strongest person we know. He's already proven he can overcome anything. He's going to win.
For the first time since Aether appeared…
I felt something like hope.
—Well, now we've truly reached the grand final! —the announcer declared—. Let's hope it lives up to the moment! There have been many surprises!
I wasn't really listening.
I was only watching my brother.
—On the left side, we have Elijah Draven! A prodigy of the sword, an exceptional fighter who has reached this point through effort and talent! A future court mage!
Elijah stepped forward.
Firm. Confident.
As always.
He reached the center of the arena, raised his sword… and looked at the crowd.
At me.
And smiled.
And in that moment, I knew.
He's going to win.
—And on the right… Aether! A mysterious participant who has passed Togi's trial! It may not seem like it, but he could give us a very even final!
A lie.
It wasn't even.
My brother was going to win.
I knew it.
I felt it.
—The match will begin in…!
3…
The world tightened.
2…
I stopped breathing.
1…
—Ren… —Tarin whispered suddenly.
Something in his voice…
Wasn't right.
—…GO!
There was no clash.
No movement.
No fight.
Only—
An instant.
Just one.
And then…
My brother was on his knees.
My mind couldn't process it.
It took me a moment to react.
Why…?
Why was he like that?
—Elijah…? —I whispered.
His sword fell to the ground.
The sound echoed too loudly.
His body leaned forward.
As if the strings holding him up had been cut.
And he fell.
No resistance.
No defense.
Nothing.
Elijah…
Didn't move.
Silence fell.
No one shouted.
No one spoke.
Because no one understood what had just happened.
I took a step forward.
Then another.
—Elijah… —my voice trembled—. Get up.
He didn't move.
—…Hey.
Nothing.
—This isn't funny… —I swallowed—. Get up.
Nothing.
And then I understood.
He wasn't unconscious.
He wasn't injured.
He wasn't…
—No… —I stepped back—. No.
My legs stopped responding.
The world began to fade.
—No… no… no…
But it was already too late.
My brother…
Was dead.