The days before the third Trial passed by in a blink of an eye as the ones instructed by Ocean were busy making preparations.

Nox flew over the amphitheatre, its wings slicing gracefully through the air as it circled the sky. The people were excitedly entering the amphitheatre and taking their seats with their snacks ready. The Mages did the final checks around the amphitheatre and finally the nobles were also taking their seats in their designated balconies.

The three councils were present to witness the rules and the announcement of the Third Trial. Including Sir Godfrey Ashburn seated at the head of the Knighthood Panel, Elder Mira of the Civil Council and Grand Duke Alarice at his family’s balcony representing the Nobles.

The three had been anticipating this Trial ever since they were briefed about it, Elder Mira, specifically was eager to see the performance of the two Princes in this Trial. She had little hopes for Carlos but she wanted to see how Eric would do in the conditions that majorly affected the commoners.

Ocean along with Carlos and Eric was seated in the holding room. This time both of them were in the same room in front of Ocean to keep any foul play from happening this time.

"Marquis?" Carlos called and Ocean glanced at him along with Eric.

"Yes, Your Highness?"

Carlos threw a cautious glance at Eric before he opened his mouth but then closed it again. He looked a little anxious as he kept clenching and unclenching his fists.

Ocean noticed his tensed up body language before he asked.

"Is there some problem again?"

Carlos perked up and opened his mouth to speak something but paused, looked thoughtful as if listening to something and then he lowered his lashes.

"I-It’s nothing... I’m just a little nervous..." He spoke.

Ocean could see that he was lying and even Eric noticed it but before any of them could say anything there was a knock on the door. A guard poked his head in.

"Master, everything is ready."

Ocean got to his feet followed by Eric and then Carlos.

The three made their way towards the arena, today, was the announcement and the explanation for the Third Trial which unlike the other two Trials wouldn’t be solely held in the arena. It wouldn’t even be a Trial of a few hours but, a longer and more decisive Trial.

Ocean stepped into the arena with the two Princes and the amphitheatre erupted in deafening cheers for Eric.

Eric smiled and waved at the people while Carlos remained silent. Ocean felt the gentle weight over his shoulder as Nox landed softly with its invisibility spell activated.

Ocean gently reached up with his finger and felt Nox peck at it.

"Go to Kai." Ocean murmured and felt Nox flapping its wings before leaving.

Ocean then faced the Viewing Orbs that orbited around him and brought the Sound Resonance Crystal close to his mouth.

"Good noon, Sestia." He spoke and the cheers responded.

He chuckled softly before continuing, "What a response! You all seem quite thrilled for today’s Trial."

The cheers followed making Ocean smile.

"Sadly enough, today’s Trial won’t exactly be held here in this arena." Ocean spoke.

For a moment there was silence but then the people started shouting their complaints.

"Why not?!"

"We all came here to see Prince of Flames!"

Ocean watched as the people groaned and whined before he smiled.

"Well, I never said you wouldn’t get to see them though."

The amphitheatre fell quiet again and he continued, "The Third Trial won’t be held in this arena, it shall be held among you."

The crowd started murmuring among themselves, confused and Ocean raised his hand, and the murmurs slowly died down.

"The Third Trial," he said calmly, his voice carrying effortlessly through the Sound Resonance Crystal, "was never meant to test strength, talent, or spectacle."

A few people shifted, confused.

"This time the Princes will rule."

The words settled over the amphitheatre, heavier than cheers.

"For the next ten days," Ocean continued, "the Princes will not stand above you as heirs or contestants. They will stand among you—as Lords."

A ripple ran through the crowd.

"There are several territories across Sestia facing difficulties," he said. "Not rebellions. Not wars. But problems that fester quietly—ignored because they are inconvenient, uncomfortable, or politically dangerous."

Ocean’s gaze swept over the stands.

"Each Prince will draw a chit today. On it will be the name of a territory. No changes. No refusals. They will leave this arena and go to that land, live there, govern there, and face its problems directly."

The murmurs grew louder.

"For ten days," Ocean went on, "they will rule that territory in truth. They will listen to its people. Pass laws. Introduce ideas. Test solutions. Some will succeed. Some will fail."

He paused deliberately.

"And you," he said, voice lowering slightly, "will not be spectators."

The silence this time was complete.

"The Nobles will judge the legality of their actions. But the people—you—will judge the result."

Ocean smiled faintly.

"At the end of the Third Trial, it will not be lineage, faction, or even the King’s will that decides the victor."

He lifted his hand, palm open.

"It will be the voices of the people of Sestia."

For a heartbeat, the amphitheatre was stunned into stillness.

Then it erupted.

Cheers, gasps, disbelief—some people shouting in excitement, others whispering urgently to those beside them.

Ocean waited, amused, before letting the noise die down again.

"During these ten days, the Princes are not allowed to take advices from the other experienced nobles apart from the one noble family who the territory is assigned to. In this time span, a special team comprised of the representatives of the Knighthood Panel, Civil Council and some selected neutral Noble representatives will be supervising the progress by staying alongside the Princes. And the end of ten days will give their report to the heads of the three Councils. Just like the first Trial, the vote will decide who wins the hearts of Sestia and the throne."

The crowd cheered and a wave of claps responded throughout making everyone find this quite unique.

Roger leaned to his side with a small smile, he was a little taken aback when Ocean had explained this Trial to him. Honestly, he had no idea how it would be pulled off but to have the small noble families write down their problems and gathering it all beforehand just to give them this Third Trial and a chance to rule and prove themselves was fresh and intriguing.

He had high hopes from Eric but he was also a little wary about Carlos, he had learned from Ocean that Carlos was possessed and his own mother had done that. He glanced at Katherine who sat right beside him albeit there was some distance between their seats as he had ordered it to be. He could see a vein popping over her jaw as she clenched her jaw hard watching Ocean.

Miera, the Queen of Mordino was seated on his other side watching everything with a neutral expression while Colette was beside her mother sporting a mild amused expression.

Roger could only hope that this wouldn’t end up resulting in a huge disaster. He reached up and clasped the blue mana stone pendant brushing his thumb over the cool, smooth surface. It was strange as how this stone always remained cool despite being enveloped in his body temperature. But the cool was what calmed him.

Rune, Duke Aurelius and Celestia watched the two contending Princes over the Aether Screens.

"Hopefully this will also end without much problems." Rune mumbled.

"Don’t worry, I’m sure everything is already taken care of." Duke Arthur Aurelius responded in a low voice.

"I think so, I can feel the eyes on all of us already." Rune spoke and true to his words, there were eyes all around the arena and not only around the amphitheatre but also in the places where there were chances of something going wrong.

Grand Duke Alarice and his family were in their balcony with their apprehension concealed.

Alarice had just got to know from his wife Dahlia that Carlos was possessed by a demon and that was what had created an anomaly during the Second Trial. But he was assured that Ocean knew how to take care of it.

Still, now that he looked down at Carlos, he couldn’t sense anything unusual from him apart from the Dragon’s mana circling around him like a protective layer possibly suppressing his possession.

Davian could also see the mana circling Carlos and knew it was Ocean’s. He was kind of jealous that Carlos of all the people was receiving consideration and kindness from Ocean while all he was getting was scolding and being told to stay away till everything was done. Every night Davian would stay up in bed thinking of teleporting to either Reina’s room or to Ocean’s.

But going to Reina’s room might give her a wrong impression of him and she might think of him as a pervert and Ocean might just plainly kick him out.

As of now, all he could do was watch the man he loved on the big screen smiling and speaking so smoothly that it made his chest clench.

"Now," Ocean said smoothly, "let us see where fate—and perhaps fortune—decides to send our Princes."

Roan stepped forward, holding a sealed box. Inside were several folded chits, each bearing the name of a territory.

Ocean gestured.

"Prince Eric." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Eric stepped forward and reached in without hesitation. He unfolded the chit.

Ocean glanced at it—and then announced the name.

"It’s the Earldom of Castermere."

The reaction was immediate.

From one side of the kingdom’s stands, a roar of cheers burst forth. People rose to their feet, shouting, clapping, calling out blessings and encouragements. Faces lit up with hope, with excitement—with anticipation.

Ocean allowed the noise to crest before raising his hand again.

"Prince Carlos."

Carlos stepped forward next. He drew his chit, unfolding it slowly.

Ocean read the name, "Barony of Valmest."

This time, the reaction was very different.

A hush spread outward from one section of the stands. No cheers. No applause. Only exchanged glances, worried expressions, and a heaviness that could be felt even from the arena floor.

Ocean’s smile did not change—but his eyes sharpened.

"So be it," he said evenly. "The Third Trial has begun."