Everyone seemed just as eager to learn about the strange mana devices as they were to witness the Trial itself.

The devices were so unusual and mesmerizing that even Roger, who rarely showed open curiosity during public ceremonies, stood up from his seat in the Royal Viewing Balcony and leaned slightly over the railing, eyeing the clear amplification crystal placed beside him.

"Marquis Ocean?" Roger called out.

His voice boomed—sharp and thunderous—rolling across the amphitheatre and silencing thousands in an instant. Several people startled. Even Roger blinked, surprised by the force of his own voice.

Ocean, standing in the center of the arena floor, let out a small, good-natured chuckle behind his mask.

"Your Majesty," he said, his tone smooth and light, "you needn’t project your voice. The Sound Resonance Crystals carry your words throughout the entire colosseum even when spoken softly."

Roger’s brows rose, his surprise quickly shifting into impressed delight.

"Oh?" He grinned. "Fascinating." Then, louder—but not too loud this time, "Tell us what these innovations are. Were they crafted for you by the Mage’s Tower?"

Ocean inclined his head respectfully.

"Not personally for me, Your Majesty. Every device you see—the hovering viewing frames, the resonance crystals, the mana detection wards—was designed and crafted by the Mages of the Tower. They were created specifically for these Trials... and for all future events that will take place in this colosseum."

A wave of cheers rippled through the crowd—excited, proud, and awed.

Roger’s expression lit up with genuine admiration.

Katherine, however, remained seated, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. Her face was composed, regal... but the tension in her shoulders revealed her unease. Only Colette, sitting at her mother’s side, seemed amused—a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

"I will only give a brief explanation of these mana devices," Ocean announced, his voice carrying effortlessly through the Sound Resonance Crystal held in his hand. "We have a major event to begin, after all."

He lifted the crystal slightly so all could see the faint glow pulsing at its core.

"This," he said, "is a Sound Resonance Crystal. It amplifies one’s voice across great distances. Even a whisper can be heard clearly throughout the entire colosseum."

A wave of astonished murmurs spread among the commoners in the spectator stands. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Ocean turned slightly as one of the golden Viewing Orbs drifted toward him—floating with smooth, fluid motion, as though it rode invisible currents in the air.

"And these," he continued, gesturing gracefully, "are Viewing Orbs. They move freely throughout the arena and capture everything they see in real time."

He raised his hand toward the vast Aether Projection Screens suspended high above the arena.

"What the Viewing Orbs observe is displayed directly upon the Aether Screens, ensuring every spectator—regardless of seat—can witness every detail."

Gasps and cheers broke out.

Some nobles—particularly those loyal to Ocean—clapped enthusiastically, amused and excited by the marvel.

Ocean chuckled softly behind his mask, the sound light but warm.

"Well then," he said, voice brightening, "as these wondrous innovations are now in your sight, please offer your loudest applause to the Mage’s Tower, whose brilliance and tireless efforts brought them into reality!"

The response was immediate.

A roaring applause surged through the amphitheatre—rolling, echoing, alive.

In the Mage’s Tower Viewing Box, Silas sat composed, but the faint, subtle smile on his face was unmistakable.

Alys beamed openly, pride shining in her eyes as she watched even nobles cheer in genuine admiration.

The concepts and designs had all originated from Ocean’s mind, but the labor, research, and manifestation of those ideas into reality were entirely the work of the Mage’s Tower. And so, Ocean took no credit—not even a sliver. The applause and recognition belonged to the Tower alone, just as he intended.

"Now that I have introduced you with these new innovations, why don’t we begin the event for which we are all gathered here today?" Ocean spoke after the applause had dwindled.

The arena came alive again with excited cheers, though they settled quickly as Ocean raised a hand. He gestured for Eric and Carlos to step back from the center, and both Princes did so, standing to either side with their escorts behind them.

Ocean’s voice, amplified through the voice stone, rang clear and steady:

"Let me explain today’s event."

A measured pause.

"It is called Secure the Valued."

A hush rolled through the amphitheatre — curious, expectant, uncertain. Just as he intended.

Ocean continued, his tone composed but carrying weight.

"Each Prince will lead a selected unit into an expedition ground. This ground will not be the arena below us, but a designated sector of the Serpentwood—the ancient forest two leagues north of Froish."

A soft murmur — Serpentwood was known for its thick, forest paths and ferocious animals.

"For everyone’s safety, the animal area is secured and the map given to the Princes will have only the monsters created by the Mage’s Tower. They will be a tough fight but it would be safe since there are teams already in place to make sure that things don’t go out of hands." Ocean announced and the wave of excited and anxious whispers spread through the crowd.

"Now, I would ask both His Highnesses to select your order of knights. You will each have ten knights excluding your escort knights."

Carlos seemed a little wary as he would have to leave behind the one strong guard that his maternal grandfather had sent for him. The Vice-Captain of the Order of the Knights of Esmertia family named Sir Jared Hopkins.

Eric looked composed and he simply looked at Carlos.

"Why don’t you go first and summon your knights, Prince Carlos?" Eric spoke.

Carlos looked at him and then at his grandfather who sat up in his balcony looking at the aether screen.

"I summon the ten knights from Esmertia family." Carlos announced.

The nobles had arrived with their special band of knight order as it was already given to them in notice beforehand and also because Ocean had explained to them about some rules of the Trial which would need their input.

Ten of the large, muscular knights stepped into the arena bearing the crest of Esmertia family on their armors before they came and stood behind Carlos.

Next was Eric.

"I summon the knights from Fairisles family."

Marquis Desmon Fairisles along with Lady Elise in disguise sat in the balcony designated to the Fairisles family.

The knights from Fairisles family also entered the arena and stood behind Eric after bowing to him.

"I will ask for the two escorts to come here." Ocean gestured for Drac and Jared to come to hsi side and the two walked to him.

"Now, we shall see the map of the Serpentwood forest." Ocean spoke as he lifted his hand, and in response, the arena floor began to shimmer.

Lines of silver light crawled across the sand, weaving into patterns, forming the illusionary model of a vast labyrinth. The crowd gasped as walls rose — tall and imposing — though they were not solid here; merely a projection to show its scale.

"Your objective is to journey through the terrain and reach its heart."

His gaze slid to the Princes — unreadable behind the black mask.

"You cannot have the map later so, I’d ask for Your Highnesses to memorize it now that you see it. Once you reach the destination, you will find three things."

He let the silence breathe.

"Among those three, you may secure and return with only one."

Confusion. Whispering. Anticipation tightening.

"What those three are will be revealed only when you arrive. And what you choose to bring back..."

His voice softened — deceptively gentle.

"...will tell us what you value most."

The nobles straightened. The commoners leaned forward. Katherine’s fingers curled hard around the handrest of her throne. Roger sat forward, eyes intent. Colette seemed intrigued but her eyes moved from the ones in the arean to her right where the Montaire family was placed.

Ocean lowered his hand, and the maze projection dissolved like mist.

"Your leadership, judgment, prioritization, and resolve will be tested. Every decision has a cost. Every value demands a sacrifice."

The golden scouting orbs—the drones—descended, humming softly above the Princes and their band of knights.

"As you travel, your progress will be displayed for all to see."

The mirrorstones flickered to life overhead, waiting to project the unfolding Trial.

Ocean stepped aside, giving a slight bow toward the royal family:

"Your Majesty, shall we begin?"

Roger stood, his voice proud yet tense:

"Begin the First Trial."

A ripple of mana surged across the arena — the teleportation spell activating.

Eric and Miri’s eyes met for a brief moment, she gave him a nod mouthing a good luck and he smiled at her.

The wind stirred. The sand lifted. And both Princes — along with their chosen knights — vanished in a burst of pale-blue light.

The amphitheatre erupted — cheers, gasps, anticipation.

Only one person did not outwardly react.

Ocean.

He stood perfectly still in the center of that roaring arena — the black mask hiding the storm beneath his calm expression.

Roan, from the Ryujin family box, saw his fingers tighten — just once — before going still again. Kai seemed at ease as he knew Eric would definitely win this.

Ocean glanced once at the Montaire family box where Davian’s eyes met his and he held that gaze only for a brief moment before he turned away. He couldn’t let his feelings take over at this point. This was the beginning of something huge that would impact the future and Ocean couldn’t let anything distract him while it was happening. He had plenty of time later to deal with it.

As for now, the Trial had begun.