THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

David's eyes flickered with a vibrant swirl of blue and white light, the power of his [Celestial Wheel] in full effect. Through the supernatural lens of his skill, he could see it clearly—the corrupted mana seeping from Shaun's body like an oily shadow, tainting the air around him. The crowd, unaware of what truly lay beneath Shaun's graceful attacks, held their breath in awe, but David was no fool. He saw everything.

In a blur of movement, Shaun lunged at him. His sword cut through the air with newfound speed, its thrusts and slashes faster than before. Elder Tyron, watching from the sidelines, could sense the increase in Shaun's power but found nothing overtly suspicious. To the elder's relief, David seemed to be managing, his unique skills and sharp instincts helping him evade the onslaught—barely.

The crowd let out a collective sigh, mistaking David's feigned struggle for genuine effort. One noble leaned toward another, whispering, "Shaun was merely holding back earlier."

"Yes, this makes more sense," another noble agreed, their voices filled with misplaced confidence.

But from David's perspective, Shaun's attacks were almost painfully slow. Every movement was predictable, every slash and thrust easy to counter. David wasn't truly struggling; he was toying with his opponent. He played along, letting Shaun think he had the upper hand, allowing him to believe his corrupted power was overwhelming him. But David knew better. The last thing he wanted was for Shaun to catch on to his deception too soon.

Shaun's sword came crashing down in a large arc, aiming for David's head. David dodged at the last possible moment, rolling to the side in a perfect display of "desperation." The dust kicked up around him as he regained his footing, creating a bit of distance between them.

"Come on, David, you can do better than this!" Shaun taunted, his voice dripping with arrogance. He strode toward David, a smug grin playing on his lips. "Surely, you've not run out of mana by now?"

David stood, his body tense, every muscle coiled and ready. His eyes were sharp and focused, tracking every subtle shift in Shaun's stance. Continue your saga on m|v-l'e m,p| y- r

He's hiding something,

David thought, his heart pounding in his chest. The corrupted mana swirling around Shaun was growing more oppressive, dark and insidious, yet something about it felt incomplete—like Shaun was still holding back, biding his time.

From across the arena, Shaun watched David carefully, a small frown forming on his lips.

Why isn't he attacking?

Shaun wondered.

Is he… holding back?

A surge of frustration coursed through Shaun as he let more corrupted mana seep into his muscles, subtly increasing his power. The dark energy pulsed around him, its malicious nature concealed just beneath the surface.

If he thinks he can hide his true strength, I'll force him to reveal it.

Shaun's muscles bulged slightly, his body pulsing with more corrupt mana as he took a new stance. "If you keep running, I'll force you to fight," Shaun declared, his voice booming with confidence. Then, with a deafening explosion of power, he dashed toward David.

To the onlookers, it seemed like a blur of motion—Shaun's blade cutting through the air, heading straight for David's neck with blinding speed. But through his [Celestial Wheel], David saw it all clearly, every minute detail of Shaun's movement unfolding in slow motion. As the sword neared, David made a sudden, unexpected move.

He tripped.

To everyone's shock, David fell to the ground, rolling just as the sword whizzed past where his head had been. Another explosion of power followed as Shaun's attack missed, the ground beneath them cracking from the force of his blow.

The dust settled, and the crowd gasped.

Shaun froze, his body locked in place. Elder Tyron had appeared beside him, one hand gripping Shaun's neck, the other steady as a rock.

"That's enough, boy," Elder Tyron warned, his voice sharp with authority.

Shaun's hand, still clutching his slender blade, was caught in the iron grip of Elder Scroll, who had appeared just as swiftly to restrain him. Shaun's face twisted into a wary smile, realizing how close he had come to going too far.

"Ah, forgive my rudeness," Shaun said, bowing his head slightly. "I may have… overstepped."

Elder Tyron's gaze remained stern, but he nodded. "Indeed you did."

"I shall escort you back to your seat," Elder Scroll offered, his tone formal but firm.

Shaun chuckled nervously as Elder Scroll guided him back to the noble booth, but a creeping unease gnawed at the back of his mind. As he glanced back toward David, a thought struck him with chilling clarity.

He fell on purpose.

Shaun replayed the last moments in his head—the way David had tripped, the way his lips had curled into a subtle grin as if he had orchestrated everything. It was almost as if David had been manipulating him, weaving him into some invisible web of control.

"I have to report this to the master," Shaun thought darkly, his eyes narrowing as he took his seat.

David could pose a threat to his plans.

Even now, Shaun couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more to David, something far more dangerous than anyone realized. And that was a secret he couldn't afford to overlook.

As the crowd began to settle, Elder Tyron took a step forward, his voice commanding enough to silence any lingering whispers. "The victor of the second trial," he declared, cutting through the noise with a sharp tone, "David De Gor."

A wave of applause erupted from the audience, though it was mixed with surprise and admiration. David had stood against a King-ranked swordsman, holding his ground even when the odds seemed impossible. He had not only proven his power but also unveiled a new side of himself—one that demanded recognition. The cheers were filled with acknowledgment of David's remarkable transformation, a far cry from the figure he had once been. The whispers of his potential began to spread like wildfire.

The crowd's jubilation was short-lived, however, as a low rumble silenced the arena. The Earl himself descended into the pit, his presence commanding immediate respect. His stature was imposing, every step he took seemingly shaking the very ground beneath him. Elder Tyron, with a deep bow, made way for the Earl, excusing himself from the center of attention.

"My lord," Tyron murmured in reverence as he stepped aside.

The Earl stood tall, his voice resonating with the authority that befitted his rank. "I hereby declare the coming-of-age ceremony concluded," he announced, his voice a deep rumble that echoed across the pit. The weight of his words seemed to hush the crowd entirely. "I thank and recognize everyone's participation." His gaze swept across the faces of those gathered, ensuring his words carried to each corner of the arena.

"For all those who made it through the second trial," the Earl continued, "you will each receive your respective roles once the victor has completed his third and final trial." The crowd erupted once more, particularly celebrating Noelle, who had managed to survive the second trial. A rare feat for a commoner, it was not lost on anyone that her accomplishment meant she would soon be given a significant role—an honor unheard of for someone of her status. The cheers for her blended with the ongoing applause for David, who had secured his place as the victor.

The Earl raised his hand once again, commanding silence. "David De Gor has, yet again, proven himself worthy," he declared, his voice carrying the finality of a royal decree. "For making it this far, I bestow upon him the right to make one additional request, as is customary in the coming-of-age ceremony." The murmurs began anew, but this time with awe as they awaited David's reward.

The Earl's next words were even more shocking. "Moreover, for his outstanding performance, David shall be granted access to the family treasury."

The pit fell into an almost eerie silence as the gravity of the Earl's announcement took root. The family treasury was a place of legends, a vault containing ancient relics, powerful artifacts, and wealth beyond measure. Very few had ever been granted entry, and for someone like David, who was once scorned and seen as a failure, to now be allowed into such a sacred place... the magnitude of his transformation was undeniable.

The audience finally began to understand the full extent of what had just happened. David was no longer the drunken disappointment, the wayward son of the De Gor family. He was now a powerhouse, a rising star with the potential to change the very future of Aethelwarin County.

As the Earl stepped back, the crowd erupted once more, the cheers this time full of recognition and respect. David had not only survived the trials but had emerged as a true contender for greatness. This was no longer a boy they could dismiss—this was a man who had clawed his way to the top, defying all expectations.

David, standing tall amidst the applause, felt the weight of their gazes on him. The respect, the fear, the admiration—it all washed over him in a single, overwhelming wave. But he remained steady, his eyes focused, his heart beating with a quiet resolve. He had proven himself, but there was still more to come. His final trial awaited, and beyond that... the unknown.

And yet, as the Earl had decreed, he was now more than just a De Gor. He was a force, and he knew—no matter what lay ahead—he had the strength to face it head-on.