Orin Alpheratz (15 years old) Location: Solaris  Date: Year 873 / Pegasus Cycle (1) / Day of Twilight (24)

The atmosphere in the great hall was thick with anticipation. As the murmurs faded into silence, all eyes turned toward the grand stage erected at the far end of the room. Professor Aldulfin stepped up first, flanked by Leo Zosma followed by two third-year students clad in the knight class uniform.

One of them was a tall boy with unruly, spiked brown hair and a stern expression. His piercing green eyes scanned the crowd like a hawk seeking its mark. Beside him stood a girl with equally brown, flowing waist-length hair, a softer expression, and vivid golden eyes that stood out like twin suns.

“Those two are part of Leo's team,” Sirius whispered, leaning toward Orin and the others. “They're kind of famous around here.”

Professor Aldulfin took a step forward and raised a hand, his voice calm but commanding as it echoed across the massive hall.

“We now begin the announcement of the three second-year students selected to compete in this year's Hero's Trial,” he declared solemnly. “Leo, if you would.”

Leo Zosma stepped up to the center of the stage with measured confidence. His cape fluttered lightly with each step, and his gaze scanned the hall without pause.

Then, with a steady breath and a voice clear as crystal, he announced:

“The first contestant chosen is: Hector Maasym. His performance has made him stand out as one of the most prominent talents in the academy, and one of the favorites to win the competition.”

A thunderous cheer exploded from the crowd.

Hector's table became the epicenter of celebration, with students from every year clapping, shouting, and raising their glasses. Even a few professors stood to offer brief nods of approval. No one was surprised, he had always been the frontrunner, and now it was official.

Orin watched the scene unfold with a quiet intensity, the cheers ringing in his ears like distant thunder. 

Leo waited a few moments until the excitement died down and a hush returned to the hall before continuing:

"The second candidate chosen for the Hero's Trial is: Orin Alpheratz. The newest student in the knight class, who has earned recognition thanks to his versatility."

Orin froze in place, his mouth slightly open in disbelief. Around him, his table erupted in cheers and applause, filled with loud shouts and celebration. Even more surprising, he heard a few claps and cheers from other tables scattered throughout the hall, though none quite matched the uproar Hector had received.

Sirius flashed him a double thumbs-up. “I knew you'd make it,” he said with a grin. Cor and Eridus clapped proudly, while Gina, who looked close to tears, joined in the applause with heartfelt emotion.

Even the first-years were celebrating. Pyon turned to his two friends and boasted, “See? I told you Orin was a top contender!”

Antilae and Lia raised their hands in sync, chanting gleefully, “Orin! Orin! Orin!”

Once the noise settled and the hall returned to order, Leo raised his voice again to deliver the final name:

“And the third candidate chosen for the Hero's Trial is: Perseus Mirfak. A purist knight who has demonstrated great discipline.”

This time, the applause was noticeably more subdued.

Orin's gaze shifted across the room, spotting Perseus seated at a distant table with only Draco at his side. It was a stark contrast to the roaring celebration at Hector's table: quiet, composed, almost solitary.

Once the three candidates had been announced, Leo gave a respectful bow and stepped aside, allowing Professor Aldulfin to return to the center of the stage.

"Now that our champions have been chosen," Aldulfin declared, his voice carrying through the grand hall, "I must inform you that the Hero's Trial will be held during the fourth cycle of the year, the Bear Cycle. I wish each of you the best of luck. Fight with pride, and honor the academy with your strength."

With those parting words, Aldulfin, Leo, and the two upperclassmen descended from the stage. The ceremonial tone faded, replaced by the lively rhythm of the celebration resuming around them.

At Orin's table, cheers erupted again. His friends surrounded him with smiles, laughter, and animated speculation about his chances of victory. Some threw out wild ideas on how to beat Hector, while others toasted his nomination like a victory in itself.

Though grateful, Orin felt a strange tightness in his chest. A mix of pressure, disbelief, and quiet nerves. The joy and chaos were too much to process all at once. Slipping away from the crowd, he quietly exited the main area of the hall, hoping for a moment of solitude.

But before he could get far, someone blocked his path.

“You must be Orin,” said a calm, curious voice.

He turned to find the girl who had stood beside Leo on the stage. She was taller up close, with golden eyes that sparkled with clarity, and long brown hair that shimmered in the hall's gentle light.

“Oh, sorry! Where are my manners?” she added, placing a hand on her chest with a light smile. “I'm Ari Hamel, from Leo's squad. Pleased to finally meet you.”

“Likewise,” Orin replied, offering a polite nod.

“I'll be honest,” Ari said, tilting her head slightly, “I didn't expect a newcomer to make it into the Hero's Trial. You must have made a very good impression in class. Especially considering how little time you've had to train here.”

“I guess I tried my best,” Orin said, rubbing the back of his neck, unsure what else to say.

“Hmm, well, it's still surprising,” she continued, tapping her finger to her chin. “The Trial's usually held during the Lion Cycle, ninth of the year. Pushing it up to the Bear Cycle really cuts down the preparation time.”

Orin blinked. “Really? I didn't know that. Since I only joined recently, I found out about the Trial just days ago.”

“Ah, that makes sense,” Ari nodded in understanding. “Then that makes your nomination even more impressive. Let's hope that boldness carries over into the battlefield too.”

Orin nodded silently, tempted to ask Ari how Leo had handled the Hero's Trial the previous year. But before he could speak, a sudden commotion from the far side of the hall drew everyone's attention. Raised voices echoed above the hum of conversation. An argument, maybe even the beginning of a fight.

Without needing to say a word, Orin and Ari quickly moved toward the source of the noise. As they pushed through the crowd, weaving between curious onlookers and startled students, the scene came into view.

At the center of it stood Perseus and Hector, face to face, the tension between them thick enough to cut.

“Don't act so high and mighty,” Perseus snapped, voice sharp and unwavering. “You've got the council and half the academy in your pocket. Do you honestly expect me to believe the Trial will be fair when everything's already tilted in your favor?”

Hector stood with his arms crossed, expression unreadable. His calm, detached gaze only seemed to inflame Perseus further.

“You're free to believe whatever helps you sleep at night,” Hector replied flatly. “But if you truly want to be a knight, you should know: life isn't fair. Neither are battles.”

Those words hit like a slap in the face, and Perseus's eyes narrowed in fury.

“Don't act like you're already a knight. You walk around like the champion's crown is already yours... but I'll make you eat those words.”

The growing tension radiated outward, silencing the students nearby. Whispers fizzled out. All eyes were on them, unsure of whether to intervene, or simply watch.

Even Orin stood frozen, caught off guard by the raw hostility in Perseus's tone... and the way Hector didn't even flinch.

Then, beside him, Ari sighed.

“Excuse me, Orin,” she said quickly. “I'd better put an end to this before it escalates.”

She strode toward the two just as Leo and the tall brown-haired boy from earlier also emerged from the crowd, both wearing grim expressions.

Hector remained composed, taking a single step back as if to acknowledge the arrival of the third-year trio. With a subtle nod, he signaled that he had no intention of escalating the scene any further.

Perseus, however, was not so easily pacified. Even as Ari and Leo stood between them, his eyes still burned with restrained fury.

“You might be the academy's golden knight,” he spat, voice low and biting, “but you've spent your life shielded by praise and privilege. You've never had to fight for recognition. Never seen how cruel the path of a true knight can be. But next time we meet on the battlefield... I'll make sure you understand what defeat really tastes like.”

With that, Perseus turned sharply, ignoring the crowd around him as he stormed off. Draco followed silently behind, casting only a brief glance back before disappearing with him into the corridor beyond.

The crowd slowly began to disperse, buzzing with whispered theories and speculation. As space cleared, Orin stepped forward toward Hector. He hadn't spoken to him since their duel, and part of him hesitated. But curiosity overcame reservation.

“What was that about?” Orin asked, his voice casual but tinged with genuine confusion. “What happened between you two?”

Hector glanced at him, then let out a quiet, almost amused breath.

“I only greeted him and wished him a fair fight,” he said with a shrug. “Apparently, that was enough to offend him.”

“You're serious?” Orin asked, raising a brow.

Hector looked at Orin with a rare seriousness. After a brief pause, he finally spoke.

“Perseus is probably the student who takes the knighthood course the most seriously out of all of us,” he said quietly. “His sense of duty and discipline isn't just strong, it's absolute. For him, it's no longer just a moral code... it's become an obsession.”

Orin followed Hector's gaze toward the door through which Perseus had disappeared moments ago. He could still recall the look in Perseus's eyes. A cold fire, not of ambition, but of burden. Since the defeat during the group tactics class, something about him had shifted. Perseus had grown more silent, more withdrawn... as though a shadow hung over him that had nothing to do with a simple loss.

“You've noticed it too, haven't you?” Hector said, his voice softer now. “That change in him... You probably don't realize it, but to Perseus, you're everything he doesn't want to become.”

Orin blinked. “What does that mean?”

“Perseus's father was also a captain in the Solaris army,” Hector began, his tone now more solemn. “But unlike your father or mine, he wasn't part of the League of Knights. He commanded a regular platoon. Brave soldiers, knights, and warriors alike... but not elite.”

Orin's brows furrowed, a vague sense of unease beginning to settle in his chest. “Wait... was?”

Hector nodded grimly.

“Yeah. He's no longer with us. A few years ago, during a mission in the eastern frontier, Perseus's father unit was ambushed by a large bandit force. Outnumbered and trapped, the situation was hopeless. Two soldiers had already fallen, and to prevent further casualties, his father and another knight chose to stay behind and hold the line... They bought enough time for the rest to escape.”

“But then... doesn't that make him a hero?” Orin asked quietly.

Hector shook his head.

“The Empire didn't see it that way,” he replied. “Their investigation concluded that the ambush was the result of reckless tactics. Perseus's father tried to wipe out the bandits in a frontal assault. A gamble... one that failed. And because he wasn't part of the League of Knights, there was no prestige to shield his name from disgrace.”

Orin's eyes widened slightly.

“His sacrifice was rebranded as failure,” Hector continued. “And Perseus has had to live in the shadow of that judgment ever since. Upholding the knight's code... proving himself better than the legacy he inherited... that's what drives him. Clearing his father's name is his true goal.”

Orin fell silent, finally piecing together the roots of Perseus's resentment toward him and his recklessness. And likely toward Hector as well. Anyone with ties to the League represented everything Perseus never had.

But Hector's voice grew colder.

“Still, no matter how noble his intent, that very obsession is also his greatest weakness,” he said. “And the same goes for you, Orin.”

Orin looked up sharply. “What do you mean?”

“You're chasing strength, answers, recognition... but you haven't truly understood your limits. At the Hero's Trial, you'll see it for yourself. You don't stand a chance against me.”

Orin narrowed his eyes. He didn't flinch, didn't look away. He wouldn't back down.

But Hector wasn't finished.

“In fact,” he said with a steely tone, “I'll prove it to you.”

He took a step closer, his presence suddenly heavier.

“Three days from now. A training match. No holding back. This time, I'll use everything, including my Knight Skills. Then you'll understand... the true difference between us.”