The arena was packed. After weeks of elimination rounds — two hundred groups reduced to just two — the moment had come: the final trial.

  On one side, the Tenth House, a mixed group with humans, elves, demi-humans, and even a dwarf in heavy armor. On the other, one of the strongest squads of the House of Hearts — but without the legendary Luiz, who was barred from competing that year for “reasons of letting other names shine.”

  Luiz, however, was far from unnoticed: he was in the stands, arms crossed, shouting instructions as if he were the official commander.

  — That’s it! Close the living ring! Don’t let the left side open! … Damn, who taught them that turtle formation, the skinny essence?

  César’s proud voice echoed in Lukas’s mind: — Who else would it be, Lukas?

  — Concentrate, César. — Lukas muttered.

  The referee raised the flag.

  — Final Trial: Endurance and Field Control!

  The challenge was to hold three strategic positions against continuous enemy assaults. Formations were essential: testudo (turtle) to advance under projectiles, living ring to protect a central point, and the moving shield wall — a line that rotated like gears, switching who received the impact.

  The Tenth House, guided by César in Lukas’s mind, stood firm.

  — Right side, strike the legs! — ordered the shield.

  Morgana, in the other ear, sighed: — If I were in charge, chocolatinho, I’d already have ordered a low blow… literally.

  — Not now. — Lukas grunted, blocking the charge of two Hearts at once.

  The opponents were fast, but the Tenth’s synchronicity was baffling. Demi-humans leapt over shields, their weak auras still steadying the formation; the priestess boosted vigor and barriers that shattered enemy momentum; and Lukas, at the center, held the line with surgical precision.

  In the final minute, the Hearts tried to break through the left flank. Lukas stepped forward twice, drew their attention, and forced them back.

  The final bell echoed. Silence… then the eruption of applause.

  Tenth House: victors of the final trial.

  The arena roared with cheers and disbelief.

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  From the patriarchs’ balcony, astonished voices murmured:

  — That boy isn’t just Kyros’s image… he’s brilliant. Who would’ve thought he’d actually win the Hearts’ trial?

  Luiz grinned at the invincible skinny one:

  — You really have to learn how to give up. You could barely stand, but you kept leading — even when your body begged for rest. Damn skinny bastard.

  — Congratulations on beating Jonathan… but if it were me, the outcome would be different. — said Katia.

  — For sure. But your brother is incredible. — Yumi replied.

  — Incredible. — Aika echoed softly. — Truly brilliant… he did it!

  Her tail swished happily. The leader of the Inari clan and her father noticed the girl’s excitement and smiled. It was good to see her joyful again, after so much hardship and prejudice in the North.

  Kyros only muttered, impressed:

  — He’s really surprising… and attracting far too much attention.

  — No doubt. — the Patriarchs agreed.

  On the other side, Darian sneered with contempt:

  — Pathetic. The skinny weakling and his mixed clan won… what a disgusting aberration. How can this be allowed? The rules should change.

  A cruel smile twisted his face.

  — But that little Inari fox… ah, I’d love to see her cry. That excites me. I’ll get her a collar… and a belt… to tame her.

  Some members of the House of Swords muttered:

  — Honestly, Darian, she’s beautiful… and fragile-looking, the type to cry easily. When we tried to greet her, she couldn’t even look at us. She just whispered “hi” so quietly we barely heard it, head down the whole time.

  — Exactly… her shyness is her charm.

  Leaving the arena, Darian whispered with venom in his smile:

  — Soon… everything in the South will change. The privilege of these pests will be paid for in tears… and servitude.

  Lukas had barely left the arena when he saw Yumi and Aika talking. Yumi, with that mischievous look of someone who enjoyed causing trouble, leaned in to whisper something in the fox’s ear.

  Aika froze. Her furry ears shot up, her face flushing red all the way to the tip of her nose. Lukas raised an eyebrow.

  — What was that?

  Before Aika could reply, Morgana slid into his mind, her tone dripping with mischief:

  — Told you, chocolatinho… Luiz unleashed the dragon.

  César: — You… what do you think Lukas is?

  Morgana: — Oh, come on, little shield. Don’t tell me you’ve never rolled in the sheets with anyone?

  Lukas waited for César’s retort — but the shield launched into a sermon on discipline and Roman virtue… until Morgana hit the “mute” button.

  — You know, chocolatinho… if I had a body there tonight, it would be a trio.

  César came back at full volume:

  — RUN! Don’t answer, don’t think! If you respond, the fall is already written!

  Lukas was already flushed when Aika, still red, stepped closer. From the stands, Luiz made a discreet gesture, mouthing words for Lukas to read.

  Lukas, shocked, mouthed back:

  — Go to hell, you damned Copas.

  César sighed:

  — Too many traps… but we’ve faced worse enemies. It’s just another challenge. Nothing more.

  End of Chapter 27