Beneath the arena, in the darkened vault that housed the Beastcaller's Codex, Aldric paced back and forth, his hands clenched into fists. The dim glow of the runes etched into the stone walls did little to soothe the frustration simmering inside him. Despite his meticulous tampering with the Codex before Elara's turn, the young Aeloria had somehow managed to defeat the Master-ranked creature. He had deliberately altered the enchantments to summon a beast far beyond the expected Elite level, intending it to be an insurmountable challenge for her.

"If it had been a true Master-rank entity, she wouldn't have stood a chance," he muttered, irritation sharp in his tone. He could still see the battle playing out above, the crowd gasping as Elara narrowly overcame the blazing phoenix. The summoned spirit had the power of a Master-level opponent but lacked the raw, unpredictable will of a living creature at that rank. That limitation had kept him from pushing the tampering further—some boundaries couldn't be crossed without leaving traces.

Aldric exhaled slowly, forcing his composure to return. "No matter," he murmured, his eyes narrowing as he formulated his next move. "I'll strike again in the next round. There will be another opportunity to see her fall." He glanced at the Codex, the ancient artifact humming faintly with magic. Its intricate enchantments masked any signs of his manipulation, concealing his efforts even from those who knew its workings intimately. The Grand Melee had only just begun, and there were still plenty of ways to turn the event into the stage for the suffering he craved.

His thoughts drifted to Lorian, whose unexpected victory over the Razorback Ravager had caught even him off guard. Aldric hadn’t tampered with the boy’s challenge, confident that Lorian’s lack of experience would be enough to lead to failure without intervention. Yet, the young Aeloria had managed to defeat the Elite-ranked beast with a level of skill and control that exceeded expectations.

"Perhaps I underestimated the boy," Aldric admitted begrudgingly. "But even so, he's far from ready to face what's coming." A dark smile crept across his lips as he eyed the Codex, already plotting his next act. "I'll make sure that neither Elara nor Lorian escapes the next trial unscathed. This time, there will be no surprises."

Turning away, Aldric ascended the winding staircase leading back to the surface. The roar of the crowd grew louder with each step, a reminder that the Grand Melee was still underway. He would bide his time, watching and waiting for the right moment to tighten the noose. The next round would be his opportunity to push the young Aelorias closer to the edge, and neither they nor Aric would be able to save themselves from what was coming.

Moving with purpose, Aldric navigated the dim corridors of the academy’s deepest vaults. The air was thick with centuries-old magic, pressing in around him as he walked. He had already ensured that the runes and barrier stones placed throughout the academy grounds were primed to seal off the entire institution from the outside world. The Grand Melee’s chaos provided the perfect cover, and the final phase of his plan was about to unfold. Each echoing step brought him closer to his goal: the Heart of the Abyss, an artifact he had long sought.

In the recesses of his mind, Izhaldrath’s voice curled like smoke, drifting in and out of his thoughts. "So, the time has finally come, Aldric," the demon’s voice purred, a mix of approval and mockery. "You’ve danced on the edge of your ambitions for so long. I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever make your move."

Aldric smirked as he neared the chamber containing the artifact, a protective magical barrier shimmering faintly around the entrance. "I’ve never hesitated," he replied, his voice a low growl. "I was merely waiting for the right moment."

"Ah yes, the Grand Melee—a convenient distraction, I grant you that," Izhaldrath murmured, his tone laced with condescension. "But tampering with the Codex to send a Master-ranked creature after Elara, and she still managed to survive? Disappointing, wouldn’t you say?"

A flicker of irritation sparked in Aldric's eyes. "If it had been a true Master-ranked creature, not merely a projection strengthened by my tampering, she would have been crushed," he snapped. "But no matter. I'll make sure there are no more narrow escapes."

Standing before the shimmering barrier, Aldric drew a small relic from his coat—a hexagonal shard etched with ancient runes. He had acquired it during a past expedition, knowing its unique properties could breach even the most resilient magical seals. Pressing the shard against the barrier, he channeled his energy into it, releasing a pulse of dark magic. The protective field flickered, then shattered, and the shard crumbled to dust in his hand.

Izhaldrath's laughter echoed in his mind, reverberating through the chamber. "Ah, there it is," the demon murmured, satisfaction in his voice. "The barrier is breached at last. The Heart of the Abyss awaits you. But are you truly prepared, Aldric? Do you understand what it means to wield such power?"

Aldric’s gaze fixed on the pedestal at the center of the room, where the Heart of the Abyss rested. The black orb absorbed the light around it, swirling with a dark energy that felt both ancient and infinite. He stepped closer, reaching out to the artifact, feeling its pull even from a distance. "I've sacrificed enough," he said, his voice low and harsh. "I've endured being overshadowed by fools for too long. It's time for me to take what's mine."

His fingers closed around the Heart of the Abyss, and a surge of power coursed through him, mingling with the demonic presence already lurking in his mind. The darkness seemed to deepen, wrapping around him like a shroud. Aldric felt the artifact’s power settle into his bones, resonating with a knowledge that was nearly overwhelming.

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Izhaldrath’s voice slithered back into his thoughts, a dark promise lacing each word. "Yes, claim the Heart, Aldric. Let its power reshape your destiny. With it, the academy will crumble, Aric will be broken, and the world will learn to fear your name."

Aldric sensed a deeper intent behind the demon’s words, though Izhaldrath's true motives remained concealed. But that mattered little to him now; the Heart of the Abyss would grant him the strength to bring his enemies to their knees. If there was more to the demon's plan, it would only provide him with more power to wield.

"Let the academy tremble," Aldric whispered, his grip tightening around the orb. "The Grand Melee is just the beginning. Soon, this place will be ground zero for a new order... my order."

The demon’s laughter rumbled like distant thunder, resonating through the walls of the vault. "Indeed, Aldric. Let the games begin, and may the abyss consume all who stand in our way."

With the Heart of the Abyss now in his grasp, Aldric strode out of the chamber, dark anticipation thrumming in the air. Whatever Izhaldrath’s hidden agenda, the artifact belonged to him now, and he would use it to fulfill his ambitions—no matter the cost.

***

Lady Cerys’s voice cut through the buzzing excitement of the assembled students. “The second round of the Grand Melee will be a test of teamwork and strategy,” she began. “You’ll compete in teams of up to five, and only the top five teams will advance to the final round.”

She gestured to the arena, and the ground began to shift and transform. The stone floor sank, revealing a vast landscape filled with nature and ancient stone structures. Towering trees swayed in the artificial wind, and crumbling stone towers dotted the area, forming natural defensive points. In the very center of the arena, atop the tallest tower, sat the relic—a glowing orb that pulsed with a mystical light, exuding an aura that seemed to call to the competitors.

“The goal,” Lady Cerys continued, her gaze sweeping over the students, “is to seize the relic and hold onto it for as long as possible. The team that holds the relic the longest by the end of the match will win. However, if the relic remains untouched for more than three minutes, it will teleport to a new location within the arena.”

As the students quickly formed groups, friends called out to each other, alliances were made, and strategies were whispered. Elara quickly found herself grouped with Celeste, Julian, and Vivienne, forming a solid and balanced team. They huddled together, already discussing tactics.

“Julian, you’re on offense with me,” Elara said, her voice determined. “Celeste, you focus on defense, and Vivienne, use your magic to control the field. We’ll take that tower and hold it as long as we can.”

Meanwhile, Geralt, the sandy-haired first-year with a mischievous grin, quickly joined another group of first-year students who welcomed him into their ranks. He shot Lorian a quick glance and a thumbs-up as if silently rooting for his friend, despite choosing to join a team himself. "Better not show us up too hard, mate," he muttered under his breath with a chuckle.

Selene, standing among the gathered students, noticed Lorian lingering at the edge of the crowd, watching the teams form around him. Her heart gave a small, anxious flutter. Without hesitation, she began to step toward him, intending to ask him to join her team. But just as she was about to call his name, a group of second-year friends—girls from her year, eager and excited—pulled her back into their circle.

“Come on, Selene!” one of the girls urged, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “We need you on our team!”

She hesitated, her eyes flickering back to Lorian. He was still alone, seemingly unbothered by the chaos of students scrambling to form groups. As if sensing her gaze, he glanced her way, a calm expression on his face. Lorian’s eyes met hers with a familiar steadiness, and he gave a small, reassuring smile followed by a quick wink. It was a silent message, one that spoke volumes—Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.

Relief mingled with frustration in Selene’s chest, but she knew better than to argue. With a resigned nod, she allowed her friends to pull her into their team, casting one last look over her shoulder at Lorian before she turned away.

Elsewhere, Zephyr, flanked by Rhyssa and three other third-years from his faction, stood confidently as they finalized their strategy. "We'll overwhelm any team that dares to challenge us," Zephyr declared, a cocky smirk spreading across his face. As his gaze wandered across the field, he noticed Lorian standing alone, seemingly unbothered by the need for a team. His smirk faltered for a moment before a glint of amusement flickered in his eyes. "Looks like someone's feeling brave—or stupid."

As the teams solidified, murmurs began to spread through the crowd. It became clear that Lorian had chosen not to join any group. Instead, he stood apart, his posture calm and composed.

“Is he seriously going solo?” one student whispered, disbelief lacing their tone.

"That's ridiculous," scoffed another, a third-year student who had watched Lorian's previous performance with a mix of surprise and doubt. "He may have taken down the Razorback Ravager, but this is a completely different challenge. There's no way he can handle all of this on his own."

"He's either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish," murmured a girl standing with one of the other teams, her expression a mixture of skepticism and curiosity.

In the second-year section, Selene glanced back toward Lorian, concern flickering in her violet eyes. She had seen his determination before, but this was a risk even she hadn't expected him to take. You’re really going to try this by yourself…? she thought, worry creeping into her mind.

Aric, standing near the professors' section, watched his young protégé with a faint glint of pride in his eyes. The boy has guts, he thought, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. Even with Lorian's impressive progress, the idea of going solo was still a daunting choice, but there was no denying the boy's resolve.

Lady Cerys raised an eyebrow at Lorian’s bold decision, clearly intrigued but also skeptical of the young Aeloria's choice. Let’s see if your stubbornness pays off, she thought, folding her arms as she prepared to oversee the challenge. “If you're ready,” she said, her voice carrying across the field, “then let the round begin.”

In the quiet corners of his mind, a familiar voice purred, curling around his thoughts like smoke. Eager to show off what I trained you for, are we? Lysara’s words came with a teasing lilt, though her presence carried a weight that urged Lorian forward.

The air seemed to hum with energy as the students steeled themselves for the chaos to come. In the middle of the arena, the relic appeared at the top of the central tower—a pulsating crystal floating just above the ground, its light casting faint shimmering patterns across the stone walls of the room.

With a wave of her hand, Lady Cerys initiated the round. "Begin!" she declared.

Instantly, all the students were teleported at random locations throughout the arena, each team scattered across the landscape. The chaos erupted as the second round officially began.