The morning was quiet—too quiet for what lay ahead.
Sylveras tightened the strap on his cloak as Gorion handed him a folded map. Elara stood nearby, checking the contents of her bag one last time. The air was crisp with mountain chill, and silence hung in the space between them.
"This route leads to the niveus," Gorion said, his voice calm but weighted. "You'll know when you've reached it."
Sylveras gave a light smirk. "That sounds vague. Even for you."
Gorion chuckled. "It's supposed to be. If I told you everything, it wouldn't be a trial."
He stepped forward and placed a hand on Elara's shoulder. "Don't hesitate to use the pendant. Only in an emergency."
Elara nodded. "Thank you."
As they turned to leave, Gorion called out, "Sylveras."
Sylveras stopped, glancing back.
"Her heart is fragile right now. Protect it as fiercely as you protect your own."
Sylveras nodded, more serious than before. "I will."
Then they left, walking into the unknown once more—shoulder to shoulder.
The path led them to a strange opening in the side of a cliff, a jagged black slit in the stone. As they entered, light shimmered around them—not from torches or magic crystals, but from the cavern walls themselves.
"Glass?" Elara whispered, running her hand along the smooth surface.
"Not ordinary glass," Sylveras muttered. "Look closer."
Their reflections warped and shimmered. In the mirror-like walls, they didn't just see their faces—they saw memories. Sylveras saw Ardan's tired smile. Elara saw her family waving from their old cottage.
"I don't like this place," Elara murmured, her hand trembling.
They pressed on, passing a dozen reflections—laughter, warmth, pain, death. Each step felt heavier than the last.
And then—Rael appeared. His form shimmered in the distance, smirking with lifeless eyes.
"Elara… it's not real," Sylveras warned.
But Elara's breath hitched. "He deceived me… he used me… and I—"
Her knees buckled. Sylveras caught her instantly, holding her close.
"You're not alone anymore," he whispered. "I'm here."
They moved forward, but now the cavern turned crueler. A boy ran past them laughing—Pomes the troublemaker kids from village. The memory hit Sylveras like a blade.
"That little brat..." he whispered. "Always causing trouble."
But the memory twisted. The child turned and glared.
"Because of you... we all died."
Sylveras froze.
Elara reached out to him. "Don't listen."
And then they appeared: Elara's parents, her little brother… standing, smiling, waiting. She ran—only to fall right through them. They vanished like mist.
Behind her, Ardan materialized before Sylveras, eyes sharp and cold.
"You said you'd surpass me. You cry over ashes. Where is your resolve now?"
Sylveras gritted his teeth. The seal on his hand pulsed with angry light.
But before his mana flared, Elara wrapped her arms around him.
"Don't fall into it," she pleaded. "That's not you. I still need you."
Her voice grounded him. His heart thundered.
A door of light formed ahead.
Then came the voice.
"You carry so much pain. Why suffer more? Step through. Leave it all behind. I offer peace."
They both stared at the door.
Sylveras narrowed his eyes. "Forget who we are? No."
Elara, though, took a step forward. Her expression distant.
Sylveras grabbed her hand. "Elara… look at me."
She did. Her eyes shimmered with tears.
"I know it hurts. But you're not alone. I won't let you carry this alone anymore."
Her lips parted, voice trembling. "Syl… why do you always…"
He smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Because I love you."
Her breath caught. Her heart stopped for a moment, then leapt.
"You… really?"
He leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers. "I've wanted to say it since the day I almost lost you."
And in that fragile, glowing moment, they kissed. A kiss not of passion, but of survival—of shared pain, buried hope, and unspoken promises.
The voice echoed again, softer this time.
"Fascinating. You reject peace for each other. So be it. I offer something else: strength."
From the shadows stepped Niveus.
"Come. Accept the gift of light."
Advanced Light Magic
Niveus offered them more than spells—he offered truth through pain.
First Sylveras.
When Niveus placed his hand on his chest, his body shivered. Mana burst outward as if trying to tear free. His body screamed, but his will held.
"Hmm… curious. Two cores?" Niveus muttered.
"What?" Sylveras asked, gasping.
"Never mind. Keep still."
"It's done" Niveus said
After that
"Ah feel like getting hit by many people" Sylveras said
Then it was Elara's turn.
Sylveras turned to her and tried to reassure her. "It's not so bad—"
But she screamed.
Blood streamed from her ears and nose. Her body contorted in agony.
"Elara!! Stop it, you're hurting her—!" Sylveras lunged forward.
"Stay back!" Niveus snapped. "Her core… it's unlike anything I've ever seen."
The pain burned—but Elara held on.
When it was done, she fell to her knees, panting, drenched in sweat.
"Now," Niveus said calmly, "show me what you've learned."
Elara stand. She raised her palm.
Cold Radiance.
A pale silver light burst from her fingers—blinding, pure, but freezing. The air turned sharp with cold.
Sylveras stepped back, breath fogging.
"…Beautiful," he whispered.
Niveus gave a slow nod.
"Now… your real training begins."