The Ancient Testing Chamber was deep in the oldest part of the palace. Unlike the fancy newer areas, these hallways had worn stone walls and old tapestries showing how the Covenant began—the magic agreent that gave the royal family their powers.
As Arthur walked up to the huge wooden doors, he felt a tingle—old magic in the very walls. Two guards stood there in old-style armor.
"Prince Arthur Lionheart for his preliminary assessnt," Elliot announced formally.
The guards bowed and opened the heavy doors. Inside was a round room that seed to exist outside normal ti.
The walls had carved runes and the ceiling showed star patterns. In the middle was a platform with a large crystal glowing blue—the stone that had tested royal magic for generations.
Royal Mage Thorne stood nearby, talking with two assistants. Several nobles watched from the edges of the room, as was their right.
"I'll go alone from here," Arthur told Elliot quietly. "Wait for outside."
As Elliot left, Arthur touched the pocket with Roselle's vial, knowing this mont would show if he could hide his true nature.
```
[Concealnt Potion: Ready]
[Warning: 89% effectiveness duration - approximately 45 minutes]
[Detection Risk without potion: 95%]
```
Arthur took out the vial, but just as he was about to drink it, Thorne looked his way. Arthur smoothly pretended to adjust his collar instead. The royal mage looked suspicious before turning back to his conversation.
When no one was looking, Arthur quickly drank the potion. It burned going down, tasting bitter with a tallic flavor. A warm feeling spread through his body, creating what felt like an invisible shield under his skin.
```
[Concealnt Potion: Active]
[True Magical Signature: Hidden]
[Displayed Aura: Standard Earth Affinity]
[Detection Risk: 20%]
```
Arthur breathed out slowly as Thorne approached him. The royal mage looked both interested and suspicious—like soone who found a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit.
"Prince Arthur," Thorne greeted with a small bow. "Your magical signature has always been... hard to read. Today's assessnt should give us clarity before your Trial."
"I'm looking forward to it," Arthur replied cheerfully. "I've been studying the traditional texts a lot."
Thorne's eyes narrowed. "Have you felt anything unusual lately? Changes in your magic? Any fluctuations?"
These questions seed too specific. Arthur kept smiling while noting Thorne's unusual interest.
"Just better focus after training," Arthur answered smoothly. "The Tournant has been demanding."
"Indeed," Thorne said, clearly unsatisfied. "Please approach the assessnt stone when you're ready."
The nobles watched closely as Arthur stepped onto the platform. The blue crystal pulsed faster as he got closer.
"Put your hands on the stone," Thorne instructed. "Let your natural magic flow into it. Don't resist the connection."
Arthur placed his hands on the cool crystal, imdiately feeling it trying to read his magic. The crystal's color started changing rapidly—flashing purple, red, green, and colors Arthur couldn't even na.
Thorne frowned at the strange color changes.
```
[Warning: Concealnt Weakening]
[Magical Probe Intensifying]
[Detection Risk: 40%]
```
Arthur felt the potion's protection weakening under the stone's powerful magic. Thinking fast, he channeled so energy to strengthen the concealnt, disguising this by furrowing his brow and gripping the stone tighter.
```
[Energy Used: -15]
[Concealnt Reinforced]
[Detection Risk: 25%]
```
The crystal gradually stabilized, settling into a steady green glow—showing basic earth magic, the weakest elental power.
Thorne's expressionsuspicion to sothing between relief and disappointnt. He made notes before speaking.
"Basic earth affinity, as expected, though sowhat stronger than before," he announced so everyone could hear. "Consistent with your Tournant performances."
The nobles murmured, neither impressed nor disappointed. Earth magic was considered solid but boring—good for defense but not as exciting as fire or lightning.
As Arthur stepped away, Thorne moved closer and spoke quietly. "Rember, Prince Arthur, magic shows its true nature under pressure. The Trial may bring surprises for everyone."
The statent clearly had a double aning. Arthur t Thorne's gaze steadily.
"I'm counting on it, Royal Mage."
As Arthur left the Ancient Testing Chamber, he could feel Thorne watching him through the heavy wooden doors. Even though he passed the test, the royal mage still seed suspicious. Ti was running out—his concealnt potion would only last another hour, and the Trial was coming up fast.
Arthur found Elliot waiting in the hallway, standing at attention.
"How did it go, my lord?" the squire asked.
"As expected," Arthur replied. "Earth affinity, nothing special. Exactly what everyone expected."
They started walking toward the Trial arena when Arthur noticed two n talking quietly near an alcove—Judge Bainbridge and Lord Hemlock, whispering together like they were plotting sothing.
Bainbridge was a fat man with red cheeks, while Hemlock was thin and severe, like a living shadow.
"...adjustnts to the final criteria," Hemlock was saying. "Fire-based challenges will count more in scoring."
"Naturally," Bainbridge replied with a smirk. "Elental mastery should be properly valued. The Ironwoods insist—"
He stopped talking when he noticed Arthur approaching.
"Your Highness," both n said almost at the sa ti, bowing in a way that couldn't hide their discomfort.
"Judge Bainbridge, Lord Hemlock," Arthur acknowledged. "Discussing the Trial details, I assu?"
Bainbridge forced a fake smile. "Just reviewing the established criteria, Prince Arthur. Nothing important."
"Elliot," Arthur said without looking away from the two n, "would you get so water? The assessnt was quite tiring."
The squire hesitated briefly before bowing. "Of course, my lord. I'll et you by the warrior statues."
Once Elliot left, Arthur stepped closer to the two officials, making them unconscioqusly lean backward.
"Judge Bainbridge," Arthur said pleasantly, "might I have a mont of your ti? In private?"
The judge nervously glanced at Hemlock, who nodded stiffly before stepping away.
Arthur guided Bainbridge beside a column where nobody could hear them.
"I have an interesting ssage from Mada Roselle," Arthur said casually. "She sends her regards."
The effect was imdiate. Bainbridge's face went pale, his mouth opening and closing silently. When he finally spoke, his voice was a strained whisper.
"I—I don't know what you an, Your Highness."
"I think you do," Arthur replied, keeping a pleasant expression for anyone watching. "She described your preferences in great detail. The leather restraints. The silk blindfolds. How you cry when called 'worthless little piglet' by her tallest girls."
Bainbridge started breathing faster, sweat forming on his forehead despite the cool air.
"I wonder how the king would react to such information? Or how quickly your wife would ask for separation if these tastes beca public?" Arthur tilted his head slightly. "Your arrangent with my brother seems quite obvious now."
"P-please," Bainbridge stuttered, looking around frantically to make sure no one was listening. "I have a position to maintain. A reputation."
"As future heir, I would value fair judges who know where their interests truly lie," Arthur continued smoothly. "The Trial's criteria should reflect actual magical ability, not predetermined outcos, don't you agree?"
"Completely, Your Highness," Bainbridge whispered hoarsely. "Complete fairness is my only concern."
"Excellent," Arthur said, stepping back. "And I'm sure Lord Hemlock shares your commitnt to fairness."
"I'll speak with him imdiately," Bainbridge assured, looking relieved. "The, ah, modifications will be reconsidered."
"I'm glad we understand each other," Arthur concluded, offering a small bow. "Good day, Judge Bainbridge."
As Arthur walked away, he glanced back to see Bainbridge hurriedly talking with Hemlock, gesturing frantically as the thin man's expression changed from irritation to alarm.
```
[Blackmail Successful]
[Judge Bainbridge Neutralized]
[Trial Paraters: Being Adjusted]
[Victory Chance: 55% ↑]
Arthur found a quiet alcove near the ancient warrior statues lining the corridor to the Trial arena. Each stone figure showed a legendary defender of Lyranth—kings and queens who had used magic in battle to protect the realm. Their stone eyes seed to judge him as he leaned against the cool wall, collecting his thoughts.
The confrontation with Bainbridge had gone better than expected, but Arthur knew that blackmail alone wouldn't guarantee victory. Gareth's magical abilities were still formidable, and Arthur would need every advantage to overco his brother's years of training.
In the privacy of the alcove, Arthur closed his eyes and reviewed his assets and strategy:
```
[Trial Strategy Review]
[Primary: Submission Strike when Gareth attacks]
[Secondary: Physical enhancents for evasion]
[Contingency: Bainbridge neutralized, backup blackmail on Hemlock]
[Energy Managent: Current 275/300]
[Duration of Concealnt Potion: 28 minutes remaining]
```
Arthur rolled his shoulders, feeling the enhanced strength in his body. His evolution to Level 3 had changed things—he was no longer the weaker prince in terms of raw strength. Combined with Submission Strike, he might actually stand a chance against Gareth's fire magic in direct combat.
Footsteps approached, and Arthur opened his eyes to see Elliot returning with a silver cup of water.
"My lord," the squire said, offering the cup. "I've also received final details about the Trial arrangent."
Arthur took the water, drinking deeply before responding. "Tell ."
"Prince Gareth has been practicing fire spirals all morning—the sa technique that burned three opponents in the preliminaries," Elliot reported. "And the arena floor has been specially treated to enhance elental magic."
"aning his fire will burn hotter and spread faster," Arthur concluded.
"Yes, my lord. The servants are saying it's the most advantageous arrangent for fire magic in Tournant history."
Rather than looking worried, Arthur smiled. "Perfect. The more he relies on fire, the more predictable he becos."
Elliot looked confused. "My lord?"
"A predictable opponent is a beatable opponent, Elliot," Arthur explained. "If Gareth thinks the arena gives him a huge advantage, he'll be less careful, more likely to show off."
"And you can use that against him," Elliot finished, understanding.
"Exactly." Arthur handed back the empty cup. "What's the mood among the spectators?"
"Divided, my lord. House Ironwood has brought hundreds of supporters, all wearing red bands. They're very vocal about Prince Gareth's coming victory."
"And the others?"
"The common people seem excited by the show but don't have a clear favorite. House Blackrose representatives are there in significant numbers—more than usual for a Trial."
Arthur nodded slightly. Valentina's influence, no doubt.
"And..." Elliot hesitated.
"Speak freely," Arthur encouraged.
"My sister is there with the other Academy students. She seed... disappointed but determined to watch anyway."
Arthur felt a twinge of regret about missing their eting, quickly pushed aside. "I'll make things right with Beatrice after the Trial. Today everything else must co second."
The distant sound of horns echoed through the corridor—the first signal that the Trial would soon begin.
"It's ti, my lord," Elliot said, straightening his posture.
Arthur pushed away from the wall, adjusting his formal clothes one final ti. "Then let's not keep them waiting."
As they began walking toward the arena entrance, Arthur activated his Combat Mode, feeling the subtle rush of power through his enhanced body.
```
[Combat Mode: Activated]
[Energy Cost: -20]
[Duration: 5 minutes (renewable)]
[Physical Attributes: Further enhanced by 25%]
[Submission Strike: Prid]
```
"Elliot," Arthur said quietly as they approached the crowded corridor leading to the arena, "whatever happens in there today, rember this: appearances can be deceiving. Even magic isn't always what it seems."
The squire looked at him curiously. "I don't understand, my lord."
"You will," Arthur replied confidently. "After today, everyone will."
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