THE GENERAL'S DISGRACED HEIR

It was a shame, really, that only four nobles and one commoner remained to compete, but the stakes were high. Today, four of the contestants would be assigned their roles, while only the top-ranked individual would advance to the final trial.

The prize? An even greater role would be granted. The crowd, comprised mostly of commoners, cheered wildly for Noelle, the sole representative of the lower class in the trials. Despite the recent revelation that Noelle possessed De Gor blood, her roots as a commoner who had worked diligently for the Adventurer\'s Guild as a potter endeared her to the masses. Her journey was one of grit and perseverance, and now she stood on the brink of achieving her dream of becoming a fully-fledged adventurer.

Elder Tyron, a figure of authority and respect, had been chosen to govern the match. As he descended from the booth and approached the combat pit, his presence commanded attention. Clearing his throat, he addressed the spectators, his voice resonating through the arena. "Today marks a special day, where honor and valor meet," he declared, his words met with eager silence. The crowd\'s anticipation grew as he announced the first match.

"Ashley Nel Gor will face Han Kein Gor," Elder Tyron called, and the two nobles stepped from their respective rooms into the pit. Ashley, with her spellbook hovering beside her, exuded a quiet confidence, while Han brandished his spear with swift, practiced movements, a cocky smirk on his face. He eyed Ashley with disdain, his thoughts clearly reflected in his expression.

Up in the booth, Elder Scrolls shook his head, muttering to himself, "A man of few words, indeed," in reference to Tyron\'s succinct announcement. The other Elders nodded in agreement, but their focus quickly returned to the unfolding match below.

As the combatants squared off, Ashley stood at her end of the pit, watching intently. Han glanced at her, his gaze filled with contempt. He couldn\'t understand why the Earl had even allowed such a weakling to participate. He was determined to prove the superiority of the Kein family over the Nel Gor line.

"Begin!" Elder Tyron\'s voice rang out like a bell, signaling the start of the fight.

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Han wasted no time. He lunged at Ashley with his spear, aiming to close the distance before she could cast a spell. But Ashley had anticipated his strategy. With a calm expression, she whispered a single word: "[Lúma]."

A brilliant light exploded from her spell, momentarily blinding Han and forcing him to halt his assault. The crowd gasped as Ashley gracefully sidestepped his initial attack. Ray, seated near Ashley\'s father, watched with interest. The spell Ashley had used, Lúma, was a simple one—often used to light dark dungeons or caves—but its application in battle was clever. It had bought her the precious time she needed.

Han, disoriented, swung his spear wildly in all directions, trying to regain his bearings. His eyes eventually cleared, and when he spotted Ashley again, his face twisted into a sneer. "Your petty tricks won\'t work, mage," he spat, confidence oozing from his voice. He prepared to strike again, fully intending to close the gap and land a blow.

But Ashley remained unshaken. Her calm demeanour was unnerving, as if she knew something Han didn\'t. Even the crowd sensed that the battle wasn\'t as one-sided as it appeared. Despite Han\'s taunts, there was a tension in the air that hadn\'t been there before.

Suddenly, Elder Tyron\'s voice cut through the pit like a sharp blade, "Winner, Ashley Nel Gor."

The declaration stunned Han. Confused, he whirled to face the Elder, demanding an explanation. "How can the fight be over? I still have the advantage!" he shouted, frustration dripping from his words.

Elder Tyron remained composed, merely raising a hand and pointing upwards. Han, his brow furrowing, followed the direction of the Elder\'s finger. When his gaze lifted, his heart sank. Hovering above the pit, suspended ominously in the air, was a massive ball of fire.

Ashley had been preparing her true attack all along. While Han had been blinded and distracted by her initial spell, she had conjured a fireball of terrifying size, one that now loomed over him, ready to fall at her command. The realization hit him hard. His spear clattered to the ground as he dropped it in surrender, defeat washing over him.

The crowd erupted into cheers, many of them in awe of Ashley\'s display of both strategy and power. Even those who had doubted her strength now had to admit that her magic was formidable. Ray, watching from above, couldn\'t help but feel impressed.

As Han bowed his head and retreated, Ashley stood tall in the center of the pit, her victory assured. She had not only outwitted her opponent but had also showcased the deadly potential of even the simplest of spells when used with precision and foresight. This was not just a victory—it was a statement.

Ashley Nel Gor was not to be underestimated.

Mage Ray held his chin, deep in thought, eyes narrowing in contemplation as he tried to unravel the mystery of how Ashley had managed to cast such a powerful fireball so quickly. Yes, she had used a clever diversion, but that could have only bought her a few precious seconds. Still, what she had accomplished was nothing short of remarkable. His thoughts were interrupted when Ashley\'s father, noticing Ray\'s perplexed expression, spoke up, his voice filled with pride. "Double casting. She\'s grown stronger."

Ray blinked, surprised. Double casting? That explained it. Ashley had cast two spells simultaneously—one as a diversion and the other, the fireball, which she had quietly prepared during the chaos. Truly, she was a genius. Ray couldn\'t help but wonder if he was witnessing the rise of another legendary figure, someone like the Archon of Warfare, known for her blazing spells that could burn even the heavens. A prodigy in the making.

"What happened in the first trial?" Ray muttered under his breath, still trying to comprehend the depths of Ashley\'s abilities. But before he could delve further into his thoughts, Elder Tyron\'s commanding voice snapped him back to reality.

"Next match: Commoner, Noelle Valtherin, will face Roy Wein Gor!" the Elder announced, his voice booming through the arena.

The crowd of commoners erupted in cheers, their enthusiasm swelling as Noelle stepped forward. She had become a symbol for them—a commoner rising among nobles. Her story was one of resilience, and her supporters roared louder, their hopes pinned on her victory. Roy, standing at the edge of the pit, was less than pleased. His face twisted in disgust and rage. The idea of facing a commoner was beneath him, an insult to his noble blood.

Noelle, however, remained calm and composed. She stood without a weapon, her hands relaxed at her sides. The sword she had inherited from her mother had melted during their fight with the dungeon monster, but Ashley had promised to commission a blacksmith to craft her a new one. For now, she was weaponless—but not defenseless.

Roy\'s lip curled into a sneer. "How dare she enter the pit without a weapon," he muttered, gripping the hilt of his sword tightly. He was determined to teach her a lesson she wouldn\'t forget. He would slice her hand off and remind her of her place—far beneath him.

Elder Tyron\'s voice rang out, signaling the start of the fight. "Begin!"

Without hesitation, Roy charged at Noelle, his sword gleaming as he prepared to strike. But then, in an instant, his world flipped. He didn\'t even see it coming. One moment, he was on the offensive, and the next, he was on the ground, gasping for air. Noelle\'s foot pressed firmly against his chest, holding him down.

"Winner, Noelle Valtherin," Elder Tyron declared, his voice laced with approval. The speed and precision with which she had dispatched Roy were nothing short of impressive. Her agility and strength had caught everyone by surprise, including the nobles in the booth.

Roy\'s face was a mask of disbelief. How could a commoner—without a weapon, no less—have defeated him so effortlessly? The nobles watching from above had once dismissed Noelle as a mere survivor of the dungeon, attributing her success to Ashley\'s presence. But now, their opinions were changing. They began to see Noelle as more than just a fortunate commoner. Some of them even whispered amongst themselves, considering her potential. Perhaps she would make a fine addition to their families.

As Noelle returned to her assigned room, the crowd continued to cheer her name, their admiration for her growing with each match. Her potential, once overlooked, now seemed limitless.

Meanwhile, David sat quietly in his own room, his mind elsewhere. He had heard Elder Tyron\'s call for him. His opponent would be none other than Ashley Nel Gor.

He leaned back, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.