The arena doors opened to stunned silence. Where normally there would have been polite applause or measured acknowledgment, instead a heavy quiet blanketed the observation gallery. Eren stumbled slightly as they emerged, the harsh lights of the arena momentarily blinding after the chamber's ethereal glow.

"Five minutes," someone whispered, the words carrying in the stillness. "They completed it in five minutes."

In the great viewing gallery above, thousands of eyes stared down at them in disbelief. Noble houses, sect leaders, military commanders - all rendered speechless by what they'd witnessed. The massive chronometer hanging above the arena confirmed the impossible: 4 minutes and 47 seconds.

Eren's mind reeled. The trials had felt like hours, each challenge stretching into what seemed like days of combat and strategic thinking. Time displacement? Another piece of the puzzle that—

Pain shot through his body like lightning, dropping him to one knee. His muscles seized, every fiber screaming in protest as if they'd been torn apart and stitched back together a thousand times.

[CRITICAL WARNING: User physical integrity compromised] [Neural pathway collapse imminent] [Seeking emergency protocols...] [WARNING: Seek immediate medical attention or user death inevitable]

The world tilted sideways as his vision blurred. Through the haze of agony, he could barely make out Jin Seyoung and Aria rushing to his side, their voices seeming to come from far away. The polished arena floor swam before his eyes, his own reflection fragmenting like shattered glass.

[Adaptive Combat Protocol Engaging] [Analyzing user capacity...] [ERROR: Current skill level exceeds user physical limitations] [Initiating emergency skill adjustment] [Retained Combat Knowledge: Lowering to User Compatible Level] [Low-Tier Regeneration Protocols Activated]

The pain receded like a tide, leaving behind a dull ache and the taste of copper in his mouth. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead onto the polished arena floor, each drop echoing in his ears like thunder.

"Eren!" Aria's hand found his shoulder, her touch steadying. The concern in her voice cut through the fog of pain. "What's happening?"

The silence in the arena had taken on a different quality now - no longer just shock, but something darker. Something calculating. In the galleries above, Eren could hear the whispers beginning, like serpents slithering through grass.

"Are you alright, young one?"

The deep, resonant voice drew Eren's attention upward. Commander Thorne Shadowborn stood before them, having materialized with the silent grace that had earned him his legendary status. His scarred face betrayed genuine concern, but there was something else in his expression – recognition, perhaps? Or understanding?

Power rolled off the Commander in waves, making the very air around him shimmer. Lesser practitioners in the nearby stands shifted uncomfortably, instinctively leaning away from his presence. But Shadowborn's attention remained fixed solely on Eren, his eyes holding questions that seemed to pierce through the veil of reality itself.

Before Eren could respond, another presence made itself known – a gaze that cut through his being like a blade of ice. Turning slightly, he met the eyes of Lord Cassius Vex, the Astrain ambassador. The man's lips curved into a knowing smile that sent chills down Eren's spine. Beside him, the Murim representatives watched with unsettling grins, their expressions holding secrets Eren couldn't begin to decipher.

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"Jin Seyoung."

The formal announcement cut through the arena like a blade, each word falling with the weight of imperial decree. A squad of Imperial Guards materialized around them, their ceremonial armor gleaming under the arena lights. Their formation was perfect, practiced – they had been waiting for this moment.

"By decree of Emperor Valeon, you are to come with us for questioning."

The words hung in the air like executioner's axes, and in that moment, Eren realized their triumph in the trials had been nothing but prelude. The real battle was only just beginning.

[Combat Alert: Multiple Hostile Intentions Detected] [Warning: User Recovery Incomplete] [Caution: Situation Critical]

In the galleries above, the noble houses leaned forward in their seats, eager to see how this latest drama would unfold. Power called to power, and they had just demonstrated far too much of it to be left alone.

The Emperor's voice rang through the arena, projected by ancient magic. "We suspect Jin Seyoung may be... enhanced through illegitimate means. The speed of completion suggests artificial augmentation."

"On what grounds did you establish that?" Eren demanded, his voice carrying despite his weakened state.

"Mind your tone, boy," the Emperor's voice turned cold. "You forget your place."

Commander Shadowborn stepped forward, his presence commanding immediate attention. The very air seemed to thicken as his power rolled off him in waves. Even the imperial guards took involuntary steps backward, their formations wavering.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty, this accusation is baseless. Every master here felt the boy's mana signature. If he had consumed a Heavenly Demonic Pill or any similar substance, the demonic aura would be unmistakable." His eyes swept toward the Murim representatives. "Some seem more interested in protecting their future positions than speaking the truth."

Lord Cassius Vex descended from his viewing platform, his power matching Shadowborne’s. The two of them stood like ancient titans, their mere presence making the air crackle with tension. Lesser executives backed away, their earlier bravado diminishing in the face of true power.

"Commander Shadowborn," Vex's voice carried artificial pleasantness, "you've just spoken against His Majesty's judgment. By the ancient laws of our realm, that demands... correction."

Aria Nova stepped forward, her magic crackling around her. "This is wrong. You all know it's wrong."

Fenghuan joined them, his usually calm demeanor replaced with cold anger. "You dishonor yourselves with these false accusations."

"Lady Nova," a sharp voice cut through the tension. "Step back. This doesn't concern you."

"Young master," Fenghuan's sect elders warned, "remember your position. Don't let misplaced loyalty draw you into this conflict."

The air grew heavy with killing intent as both sides stood their ground. Vex's blade began to glow with an ominous light, its power reaching levels that made lesser practitioners struggle to breathe.

Then it happened.

The change was instant and absolute. One moment, Shadowborn and Vex stood as titans of power, their energies dominating the arena. The next...

A presence descended upon them all, so vast and overwhelming it made their previous display feel like candlelight before the sun. Every person in the arena froze, not by choice but by absolute command of this new power. The pressure was beyond anything Eren had ever experienced - beyond anything he could have imagined existing.

[ALERT: UNKNOWN ENTITY DETECTED] [Power Level: MEASUREMENT IMPOSSIBLE] [Warning: User Protection Protocols Insufficient] [System Stability: CRITICAL]

Through the crushing pressure, through the pain still wracking his body, through the absolute terror that had gripped every being in the arena, Eren saw something impossible:

Commander Shadowborn was smiling.

"The Lord has finally arrived."