The Trial Part 2

The Mana Crystal Chamber

The heroes entered a vast chamber where a massive crystalline structure floated at its center, pulsating with a faint glow. Beneath it, mechanical wires connected to a strange device, humming with energy.

Dante gestured toward it.

"This is the Mana Crystal. It detects and measures your magical attribute and power."

A woman in a scholar’s robe stood behind the machine, nodding.

"Once you pour your mana into the crystal, the device will analyze your affinity and mana level."

Ivy’s eyes sparkled with excitement.

"This is even cooler than I imagined! I’m going first!"

Dante chuckled.

"Alright. Focus on your palm, imagine your energy flowing outward, like blood through your veins."

Demonstrating, he extended his hand, and a beam of blue light emerged, causing the crystal to glow brightly.

The woman behind the machine examined the readings.

"Attribute: Ice. Mana Level: 72."

Jace leaned toward Finn.

"Is that impressive?"

The woman nodded.

"Lennox, the Battle Sage, holds a mana level of 94. You guys can estimate how impressive that is."

Ivy grinned, stepping up.

"Here goes nothing!"

As she poured her mana into the crystal, it glowed faintly.

"Attribute: Earth. Mana Level: 18."

Her smile faltered.

"Wait… why is mine so low?"

Dante patted her shoulder.

"It’s not low. The lowest ever recorded was 10. You’re doing just fine."

Zane stepped forward without hesitation. A powerful surge of fire shot into the crystal, causing it to blaze.

"Attribute: Fire. Mana Level: 45."

Dante’s eyebrows rose.

"Impressive. You just surpassed two of the First-Generation Heroes. That places you in third."

Zane’s expression darkened.

"Not enough."

Dante smirked.

"The record belongs to a legendary Fire Mage, a hybrid of demon and human. The second place holder was the Wind Hero, an elven descendant."

Jace’s eyes widened.

"Demons and elves exist here?"

Dante nodded.

"Oh yeah. This world’s got plenty of surprises."

One by one, the others took their turns.

Rihanna: Water, Mana Level 21

Finn: Air, Mana Level 22

Finally, it was Jace’s turn. He took a deep breath and placed his hand on the crystal.

A strange sensation surged through him. The crystal trembled… and then—

A blinding light erupted. The machine crackled.

"What the—? This has never happened before!" Dante exclaimed.

The woman checked the readings, her expression shifting to shock.

"Attribute: Steel."

Everyone stared.

Dante folded his arms.

"Steel… That’s one of the rarest attributes ever recorded."

Then, the next words shattered the excitement.

"Mana Level: Five."

A long, stunned silence.

Ivy blinked.

"Wait… Five hundred?"

The woman shook her head.

"No. Just… five."

Everyone collectively sighed.

Rihanna forced a smile.

"Hey, at least it’s a rare attribute!"

Dante crossed his arms.

"Rare, yes. But not necessarily powerful. Still, don’t be discouraged, mana cores can grow over time."

Jace groaned.

"Why does this always happen to me

The Hero Hall

The large doors of the Hero Hall swung open, revealing a massive chamber filled with golden light. Tall stained-glass windows decorated the walls, showing past heroes battling powerful enemies. The ceiling was covered in carvings of great battles, and at the far end of the hall, four pedestals held the Legendary Holy Weapons, ancient relics of incredible power.

Jace and the others stepped inside, looking around in awe. Their eyes landed on a row of large paintings on the wall, each showing a hero from the previous generation. But something was strange.

Dante "And these are the paintings of the hero before you".

Rihanna "They look fierce ".

Ivy frowned. “Wait... there are only three heroes here.”

Finn crossed his arms. “Shouldn’t there be four?”

Dante Valcrest sighed. “There should be. But the Fire Hero of the last generation betrayed humanity. Because of him, we lost the other heroes, and his name was erased from history.”

Jace clenched his fists. “That’s terrible... How could he abandon his comrades?”

Ivy nodded. “That’s just wrong.”

Finn added, “I can’t respect someone like that.”

Dante shook his head. “What’s done is done. Your duty is to become the next generation of heroes. Now, let’s begin.”

He stepped forward and pressed his hand onto a glowing symbol on the floor. The ground shook. A golden light spread across the room, and with a deep rumbling sound, four weapon cases rose from the floor.

“These,” Dante said, “are the Four Legendary Holy Weapons. They don’t just serve anyone, they choose their wielders.”

The atmosphere grew tense. This was the moment they had been waiting for.

“Step forward,” Dante instructed. “Let them decide.”

One by one, the heroes approached the weapons.

The Sword of Fire was the first to react. It trembled, then shot forward in a flash of flames. Zane caught it effortlessly, and as he did, a fire-shaped mark appeared on his wrist. He grinned. “I won’t let you down.”

Next, the Catalyst of Water shimmered with a cool blue light before floating into Rihanna’s hands. The moment she touched it, a water emblem appeared on her wrist.

The Hammer of Earth rumbled like a mountain shifting before flying toward Ivy. She grabbed it, feeling its weight settle perfectly in her grip, and an earth emblem appeared on her wrist.

Lastly, the Bow of Air swirled with wind before landing in Finn’s grasp. The air tattoo formed on his wrist as a gentle breeze surrounded him.

Each of them had received a weapon.

Except for Jace.

He stepped forward, standing in front of the last pedestal. He waited.

Nothing happened.

The silence grew heavy.

Seconds passed. Then a minute.

The empty pedestal remained still.

Jace’s heart sank. He forced a small laugh. “What? Did I do something wrong?” He spread his arms, trying to play it off.

Ivy placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Jace.”

He smiled, but inside, he felt cold.

The others looked at him with sympathy, unsure of what to say.

Dante cleared his throat. “Let’s move on. The King is waiting.”

Jace followed behind the others, his steps slower than before. As he walked, he glanced back at the paintings of past heroes, a thought burning in his mind.

Why?

Why was he the only one left behind?

To be continued...

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