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Chapter 9: Unexpected Awakening

The playful expression, characteristic of his older brother Vendrick, had disappeared from his face.

"Over the last decade, the High Elders had adopted a new standard procedure in The Trials," Vendrick stated as sadness emerged in his yellow eyes.

“Eleven years ago, the lands were devastated by sickness and war. The Noble Houses sent their mightiest and most gifted sons to war seeking glory and victory only to never see them again. And although the multitude of forces that made the bulk of Zagath's armies were decisively defeated, it came with a great price. The conflict dwindled the number of Sentinels and Guardians and Lords greatly, elemental magic ceased to be the norm and became the easy desired path to fame. Even those who were not able to go past the first Elemental Warrior rank—the first step— were treated with great respect in devastated regions.”

“Fearing the external threat that may take the opportunity to pillage the Kingdom of Elba due to its shortage in elemental warriors, the High Elders and the remaining members of the Sacred Brotherhood, representing the crown held a meeting.”

“Did you just say Sacred Brotherhood Vendrick? So Father was also… ”Jin was interrupted.

“Yes, as a member of the Sacred Brotherhood your father — Alaric — was also present in the meeting.”

Viktoria interceded “So what was decided in the said meeting?”

“They needed to boost the replenishment of elemental warriors, but the only way to do that was through the embrace of the Nine Elemental Gods and the Sages aid. And so— "

And then like a spark on a matchstick, Jin's mind finally understood what Vendrick was getting at.

“And so they started holding their enemies captive and unleashing them at The Trials? Was that what you were about to say? Is that the reason why we got ambushed down there Vendrick? ” Completed Jin.

"You wanted this, Jin. You said you wanted to become a hero. Now you see why father blinded you." grunted Vendrick.

"I could have perished down there."

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"I was closely watching and could have interceded at any moment. Besides in the midsts of it all you thrived. I am proud of you brother."

"Bullshit," said Viktoria, "you were nowhere to be seen and the sages had us locked shut inside."

Vendrick raised a hand to his gray hair and sighed deeply.

“When mortals are threatened and endangered, something interesting happens. Their behavior in a life and death situation shows who they truly are. Their most fragile feelings appear. Fear, anguish, and agony quickly surface. And if the gods witness how fragile and weak humans are without elemental magic, they are more inclined to bless them with the awakening.”

Viktoria was enraged to hear such an absurd explanation. The Trial was supposed to be just a rite of passage in which the nine elemental gods judged the attitudes that men had had so far. However, the breakthrough as an Elemental Warrior was a rare exception among many candidates.

And if they were refused by the gods, they still had a whole life ahead of them.

Especially in the case of Viktoria, who had only visited Sanctum after her father threatened to abandon her from his inheritance if she did not participate in the Trial.

She did not dream of fame or glory. She just wanted to have a house, a husband, and build a family in the future. She did not want to be hated by her old man, so she obeyed her beloved father's wish.

And yet, she barely had her future stolen from her.

No.

She just now had her future stolen from her.

Because of the greed of the old men in Sanctum who called themselves wise, she and her companions had almost lost their lives.

With fists clenched in anger, Viktoria had finally realized how insane and sickly this Trial really was.

“We tried to escape through the gate but it was locked. This means they locked us until the battle was over, doing nothing to assist us on purpose. They wanted us to peak the interest from the Elemental Gods or die trying.”

Viktoria was finally putting the pieces of the puzzle together in her mind.

The High Elders were depriving people—the trial participants— of having a common life. They were depriving people who did not dream of power or glory in battle. Condemning those who had no power awakened to a painful future surrounded by blood and death.

“You can’t really afford to fail at the Trial anymore. Can you?” Asked Viktoria.

Vendrick nodded. His fingers pointing to Viktoria's clenched fist that emanated an elemental aura.

It had been inside her since the battle was over.

No, it had been there even before. No longer blinded by the adrenaline, the dust was starting to settle in her nucleus. The aura had made clear from who it belonged. The swirling motions, while irregular only found ease in her palm.

And even while carrying it on her palm, she had grown to realize—there was no weight or effort to be made—no price to wield for she had earned it.

One of the nine elements.

A power that she never wished for, but that manifested right there.

Before her eyes.