The amphitheatre was already loud long before the Trial was set to begin.

People packed the stands shoulder-to-shoulder, leaning over railings and talking excitedly amongst themselves. Flags bearing the royal insignia fluttered in the wind. Children climbed onto the backs of elders to get a better view. Knights and nobles took their seats with practiced dignity, yet even they could not fully hide their anticipation.

Miri had arrived early, choosing a place close enough to view the arena clearly. From her vantage point, she could see the tides of spectators holding banners bearing Eric’s name. Their cheers rose every time someone even hinted at the Prince’s arrival.

Watching that unconditioned love — that genuine belief in him — warmed her heart.

Eric would make a great king.

She glanced toward the entrance reserved for the Marquis and the Princes, but none had not appeared yet.

The mages finished a final sweep of the amphitheatre, checking every barrier and mana device twice. Ocean’s own guard was already stationed discreetly among the edges of the arena, prepared for anything after the events of the first Trial.

The sun climbed higher.

Noon approached.

Meanwhile, at Ryujin mansion, the atmosphere was entirely different.

Ocean dismissed the Princes after the final round of training, and the Princes were whisked away for baths and armor fitting. He remained in the training hall a moment longer, allowing his breathing to settle.

Only then did he turn toward his chamber.

He stood before the mirror, while Enora and Remi fastened the final pieces of his attire.

A long, deep crimson coat draped from his shoulders — sleek, tailored, and commanding. Beneath it, he wore a crisp white shirt adorned with a black ribbon tie at the collar, the ends resting neatly against his chest. A fitted vest hugged his torso, and slim black trousers flowed seamlessly into polished black shoes, sharp enough to gleam beneath torchlight.

His hair, aqua-blue and smooth as water, fell slightly past his shoulders without any binding — loose, yet deliberately styled so no strand dared fall out of place. The most striking feature, however, were his eyes.

A dragon’s eyes.

A vivid blue — ringed, layered, luminous — with slit pupils that caught even the smallest glimmer of light. Anyone who met those eyes would feel something ancient watching them back.

Enora reached for the mask last.

Black, sculpted to fit the sharpness of Ocean’s cheekbones, covering the left side of his face and extending upward in a stylized horned curve — elegant, intimidating. Arcane sigils shimmered faintly along its surface, linking directly to the mana devices on his wrist and chest. The mask didn’t merely conceal. It protected. And it warned.

Ocean exhaled slowly. Every fragment of exhaustion he still carried was sealed away beneath composure and strength.

Remi opened the door of his room and he walked out to find Lyall standing there with Kai.

Ocean smiled watching Kai also dressed up well and patted his gently, not ruffling his hair.

"Let’s go?" He asked and Kai beamed.

"Yes, Father."

Ocean then looked at Lyall and gave him a nod.

The three walked towards the entrance of the mansion, Roan and the Princes’ guards straightened immediately upon seeing him. Even Drac, who rarely reacted to anything, blinked in quiet awe.

Eric and Carlos arrived moments later — dressed in armor, faces set with resolve — and they both paused when they saw Ocean fully prepared.

He looked like the embodiment of authority — not loud, not flamboyant — but impossibly controlled. A force no one could sway.

"Shall we?" Ocean asked, voice steady, calm.

Eric nodded firmly. "We’re ready."

Carlos swallowed but stood his ground.

Roan stepped forward. "The carriage is waiting, Master."

Ocean glanced once toward the high windows. The glow of noon sunlight touched his coat, igniting a flash of red along its edges.

They all stepped outside, three carriages stood waiting for them. Kai, Lyall, Roan and a few others from Ryujin mansion gathered in the two carriages while Ocean, the Princes and their guards got on the last one.

The journey till the amphitheatre was a quiet one.

Once they reached there, Ocean faced the two Princes, Eric looked composed while Carlos seemed more determined.

"Do your best, Your Highnesses." He spoke before the door of the carriage opened and he stepped out.

After getting a report from the Mages about the safety checks, Ocean moved towards the gate passageway where he ended up meeting Miri waiting for him.

"Your Majesty?" Ocean bowed to her and stretched his hand to her.

Miri sighed glancing at the guards who were stationed at the entrance of the arena watching them. She placed her hand in Ocean’s gloved one and he leaned down to rest a gentle peck over her knuckles.

"Did you want to talk about something, Your Majesty?" Ocean asked as he straightened up letting go of her hand.

Miri sighed, "Yes, but can we talk somewhere private?"

Ocean chuckled, "The Trial is about to begin and I have to go announce it, Your Majesty."

Miri pursed her lips and Ocean tilted his head slightly before leaning closer to her ear.

"What is it?" He murmured.

"It’s about your Queen, I think she’s up to something." Miri whispered covering her mouth.

The guards who were watching glanced at each other with the expression that screamed gossip.

"Did you see or hear something?" Ocean asked.

"I ran into her in the morning and she was acting strange, it seemed like she was sure her son would win this duel." Miri answered.

Ocean fell silent for a moment before he smiled, "Why?"

Miri shook her head slightly, "I don’t know, but I’m sure she’d planned something that’s why she was so sure. I just wanted you to know about this beforehand so that you could warn Eric about it... I don’t want him to get hurt."

Ocean almost chuckled making her look at him with a troubled expression.

"Why are you laughing?"

Ocean shook her head and leaned back looking down at her, a dangerous glint dancing in his icy eyes.

"Don’t worry, Your Majesty. I’m in charge here, I’ll take care of any mishap and His Highness is very skilled himself to deal with anything that might go wrong." Ocean said making Miri sigh.

"Why are you always so confident about these kind of things?"

Ocean’s smile turned a little darker, "You have seen me in action, Your Majesty. Do you think I’ll let anything go awry?"

Miri opened her mouth and then closed it back, of course he wouldn’t.

"All right, I did my part now, I’m leaving. Hope they give me a good show today unlike the last time."

Ocean nodded, "They will."

He watched Miri walked away before he turned to the guards who whipped their head away.

"Heard it all?" Ocean asked as he walked towards the entrance.

"Uh..." One of the guards looked at his partner who ended up laughing and saying.

"Well, we shouldn’t be surprised that Marquis Ocean is close to the Queen of Mordino."

Ocean shrugged, "We’re not that close, but, I hope you two will keep a secret."

The two exchanged mischievous grins before facing Ocean.

"Oh, your secret is safe with us." One of them said.

Ocean nodded before he stepped into the arena and grabbed a Sound Resonance Crystal from the Mage waiting there.

The people who were silent for a while suddenly came alive with loud cheers and Ocean smiled looking at everyone. His face projecting on the Aether Screens.

"Good noon, Sestia." He greeted and the cheers grew louder.

Ocean chuckled a little, "You all seem pretty fired up today, is it because it’s a duel?"

The cheers grew louder and the masses in one voice started calling Eric’s name.

"Oh, so, you all are eager to see our Prince." Ocean said and then asked, "So, should I skip the your welcome then?"

A few laughed while the others cheered making Ocean laugh.

"Still, I’ll have to go through it, I’ll just make it quick." Ocean said and then turned to the royal balcony.

"I welcome, Your Majesty, the Sun of Sestia, Her Majesty, the Moon of Sestia, the esteemed guest, Her Majesty, the Queen of Mordino and the beloved Princess and Star of Sestia."

Roger waved at the crowd with a proud smile, Katherine nodded with a smile followed by Miri who also smiled and waved and the Colette who gave an innocent smile before waving.

The claps responded throughout and Ocean turned to face the nobles.

"I welcome all the nobles and prestigious families that came to watch today and also the people and soul of Sestia. Welcome and thank you all for being here today to experience another historic day." Ocean announced.

The crowd cheered loudly and Ocean clapped himself before he glanced at the flying bots.

"Today’s Trial is going to be a duel between the Princes. Whichever Prince wins will be the victor of the Second Trial. Now without further ado, I’ll request Prince Eric and Prince Eric and Prince Carlos to enter the arena."