The announcement came at early morning, broadcast across every screen in every city, every town, every remote village connected by mana or wire or word of mouth.

The Council had finally lifted the silence.

"The World’s First Junior Talent Competition," the announcer’s voice rang out, steady and formal, officially named as "The Grand Summit Trials", will commence in one month."

"The Participants must be under twenty years of age. There are no rank restrictions. No regional quotas. No nomination requirements."

"Any individual who meets the age requirement is eligible to register."

The crowd erupted in cheers.

...

Afternoon.

Inside a temporary broadcast studio in Karyal City, a young woman with dark red hair and sharp yellow eyes sat across from an interviewer.

Her name was Vara Sloan, an SSS-Class holder, the youngest [Platinum] ranker in history, and also an agent of the council.

The interviewer, in his career, had covered many war information, monster surges, and the rise of the Council’s most celebrated agents. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

But his expression today was something else entirely.

Excitement.

"The Grand Summit Trials,"

The interviewer said, leaning forward, and continued,

"Vara, this is unprecedented. The Council has never organized anything on this scale before. What do you think changed?"

Vara smiled and said,

"I think they finally realized what the people want."

The interviewer pressed,

"The people?"

Vara gestured toward the window behind her, where the city sprawled in the afternoon light.

"For years, we’ve heard about border conflicts, wraith incursions, vampire invasions, the slow grinding war that never ends. People are tired. They need something to believe in."

The interviewer asked, pressing even further,

"And you think a competition will do that?"

Vara’s eyes gleamed as she said,

"I think seeing the next generation fight, struggle, and triumph will do that."

The interviewer nodded and asked,

"The registration process opens in a week. But with no rank restrictions and only an age limit, how will the Council manage the sheer number of applicants?"

Vara leaned back and answered,

"The Council will announce selection trials. Only those who survive the cuts will earn a spot in the main event."

"It’s brutal, but it’s the only way to thin the herd."

The interviewer paused and asked,

"How many participants are expected?"

Vara paused and said,

"At least millions will register. Thousands will make it to the national level. A few hundred will stand in that arena. And only one will walk out as champion."

The interviewer let the silence stretch for a moment. Then he asked,

"Are you going to participate as well, Vara?"

Vara’s smile widened.

"Damn sure, I will."

...

On the streets of Karyal City, the announcement had already spread.

A group of young men gathered around a public screen, their faces lit by the broadcast’s glow.

One of them, a boy with messy brown hair and a dented training sword strapped to his back, turned to his friends.

"I’m registering."

His friends laughed. One of them said,

"You’re barely [Iron 3], you’ll get crushed."

The boy grinned and said,

"Probably. But I’ll get crushed trying."

Another, a girl with a quiet voice, added,

"My father said the Council and Guilds are using this to scout for talented members."

The laughter stopped.

"Where did you hear that?"

"My cousin works in the Council’s administration office. He said the higher-ups want to see who survives and performs well under pressure."

The boy clenched his fist and muttered,

"Then I’ll survive."

...

In an outer part of the border district.

An old man sat on a bench, watching a pair of children spar with wooden sticks. Their movements were clumsy, untrained, but their eyes were bright.

"The Grand Summit Trials" announcement had reached even here.

One of the children, a boy no older than ten, looked up at the old man.

"Grandfather, will you watch the trials?"

The old man was silent for a long moment. Then he said,

"I’ve seen enough trials."

The other boy immediately added,

"But this one is different."

Their grandfather tilted his head slightly,

"Is it?"

The boy nodded firmly.

"The Grand Summit Trials. It’s for people under twenty. In the future, I will compete in it."

The old man’s weathered face cracked into a smile.

"Then you’d better practice."

The boy raised his stick and charged at his brother, who squealed and ran.

The old man watched them go with a smile on his face, his eyes distant.

...

Back in the broadcast studio, the interviewer straightened his notes and looked into the camera.

"The Grand Summit Trials. Registration opens in one week. Selection begins shortly after."

He paused, letting the weight of the moment settle.

"For the first time in history, the world will watch as the next generation fights for glory, for honor, and for the right to call themselves the strongest talent."

He smiled and said,

"I, for one, cannot wait."

...

Evening.

In the academy cafeteria, the midday crowd hummed with conversation.

Students laughed, argued, and planned for classes that no one truly wanted to attend.

At a table near the window, a red-haired boy and a blue-haired girl sat opposite each other.

Edwin Dove and Aria Jasmine. Members of Team Gray. The team that Cael had barely visited in months.

A girl with purple hair walked toward them and sat beside Aria.

She was Brania Winter, the newest member of Team Gray, brought in after Kira left.

Her previous team had lost two members in their last mission. Professor William had reassigned her rather than let her spiral alone.

She had been part of the team for two months.

Brania looked at Edwin and asked,

"It has been two months since I joined this team, yet I have never seen our team leader. What is his deal?"

Aria shook her head.

"I don’t know. The last time I saw him was during the District Kazi mission."

"He left to see his girlfriend, but by the time he reached his destination, that district was attacked by wraiths."

Edwin nodded and added,

"I saw him a little over a month ago. He said he was training."

Brania tilted her head and asked,

"Does he not use his mobile or his watch? Can he not send a single reply?"

Edwin gave a helpless smile and showed his screen. Cael’s last seen status was four months ago.

Brania’s eyes widened, and she asked aloud,

"How is this possible?"

Before either Edwin or Aria could answer, a voice interjected from behind them.

"Because my academy-registered mobile was lost, and I forgot to renew it."

Instantly, Aria, Edwin, and Brania turned their heads.

A silver-haired boy stood there, a small smirk on his face. His violet eyes were calm, his posture relaxed.

He looked different from the last time any of them had seen him, his presence somehow heavier despite his casual stance.

"Hello, I am Caelir Vayne, Leader of Team Gray."

Cael extended his hand toward Brania.

"It is nice to meet you."

Brania took Cael’s hand. Her grip was firm, her eyes studying him with open curiosity.

"I am Brania Winter, nice to meet you too, Caelir."

"So, you do exist."

Cael’s smirk widened as he answered,

"Barely."

Then he added,

"You can just call me Cael."

Edwin let out a breath and asked,

"You look different from the last time I saw you."

Cael slid into the empty seat beside Edwin and answered,

"Yes, of course. Three months of training will do that. And... what did I miss?"

Aria glanced at Brania, then back at Cael.

"As you already know, Kira left the academy. Brania joined our team. The Grand Summit Trials were announced."

Cael’s violet eyes flickered toward the cafeteria screens, still displaying the broadcast’s aftermath.

"I see, Vara Sloan seems confident."

Brania replied as she glanced at the screens,

"She’s an SSS-Class holder, the youngest Platinum in history. She has every right to be confident."

Cael said nothing as he simply nodded.

Edwin leaned forward and asked,

"Are you going to register alone? Or we join as a group?"

The table fell silent. Aria’s blue eyes sharpened. Brania’s gaze didn’t waver.

Cael looked at each of them in turn. Then he smiled.

"Of course, let’s join as a group."

Edwin’s face lit up. Aria’s lips curved into something almost resembling a smile. Even Brania’s guarded expression softened.

Clearly, they were planning on joining as a team, and they were waiting for Cael’s response.

Now that Cael had given his response, everyone’s mood brightened.

Edwin said with a smile,

"Then we register together... as Team Gray."

"Team Gray," Cael repeated as he stood up, stretching his arms above his head.

The cafeteria noise increased with laughter, chatter, and the clatter of trays.

Cael adjusted his shirt, then said,

"I have one more thing to do today. I’ll see you guys tomorrow."

Edwin frowned and asked,

"Where are you going?"

Cael’s gaze drifted toward the window.

Outside, the setting sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds. Then he answered in a low voice,

"To see my fiancée, it’s been too long."

He turned and walked away, leaving Edwin, Aria, and Brania at the table.

Brania watched Cael’s figure disappear through the cafeteria doors.

Aria picked up her fork and nodded,

"He’s still the same."

Edwin shook his head and commented,

"He sure is."

"Wait... did he say fiancée, not girlfriend, but fiancée?"

"Th-that handsome bastard."