The news spread faster than a fire spell. In every corner of the academy, from noble dormitories to servant kitchens, his name was whispered. No longer as an anomaly or a zero-genius, but as the chosen champion—a title that was as befuddling as it was terrifying.

At the Imperial Palace...

Princess Selene Solaris gazed at the holographic projection of the official announcement, a faint smile playing on her lips. Her brother, Crown Prince Aurelian, stood beside her, his face etched with worry.

"You're playing with fire, Selene," Aurelian said, his usually confident voice strained. "Elevating this Nocturne anomaly to the main stage... it could be a disaster. What if he loses control?"

"On the contrary, Brother," Selene replied, her eyes never leaving Nihil's name. "Fire, when properly directed, can cleanse the forest of rotten wood. Professor Theron and his council allies have grown too comfortable with their power. Let them design an 'impossible challenge' for our anomaly. If Nihil fails and dies, our problem is solved. If Theron fails to kill him..." she paused briefly. "...then the entire Empire will witness his incompetence."

For Selene, Nihil was a tool. A scalpel to excise the political tumor from the Empire's body. Whether the blade would snap in the process was of no consequence.

In the Headmistress's Office...

Headmistress Alina Sunstone regarded the same document, but with a vastly different expression. A furrow appeared on her brow. She knew exactly what this was: an execution order disguised as an honor.

She summoned Nihil to her office.

"You've read it, of course," she said without preamble as Nihil entered.

"I have," Nihil replied.

"You understand what this means, don't you?" Alina continued. "This is no gift. It's a gallows pole. The challenge will be designed by a special committee. Theron is one of its members. They will devise an impossible scenario, tailor-made to exploit every weakness they believe you possess."

She regarded Nihil with a piercing gaze. "As Headmistress, I have the authority to declare you unfit to participate for medical or mental instability reasons. I can protect you from this."

It was an exit. An offer of safety.

Nihil thought for a moment. Heze's mind calculated the probabilities. Hiding behind Alina's protection would keep him safe temporarily, but it would brand him a coward. His enemies would merely seek other, more covert ways to eliminate him.

"Refusing means admitting that I have weaknesses they can exploit," Nihil said finally. "It would show fear. I prefer to face them in the open, where the whole world can see."

Alina regarded him for a long moment, then a rare smile appeared on her face. "You're truly no ordinary child." She stood. "Very well. If you're walking into the lion's den, I'll ensure you carry the sharpest sword."

She handed Nihil a new access crystal. "This grants you access to the Advanced Simulation Training Chamber. 'The Crucible,' as we call it. A place where elite Holy Knights train. There, you can face any scenario you can imagine. Use it wisely."

Their relationship had shifted. No longer merely observer and subject. Now they were mentor and student, preparing for the coming war.

Inside The Crucible...

The room was a massive cube with walls of unpolished black metal. As Nihil entered, the chamber came to life. Holographic projections created any landscape he desired.

He wasted no time. He knew his enemies would employ something he couldn't confront directly. He began his simulations.

First, swarms. Hundreds of golems attacked from all directions. He honed his Void Sonar to perfection, mapping the battlefield in his mind, and used Void Grasp with precision to shatter key points, causing chain reactions that collapsed enemy formations.

Second, area magic. The simulation unleashed thunderstorms and fire rains. He pushed his Resonance Shield to its limits, learning to modulate its frequency to withstand various energy types.

Lastly, he initiated his most dangerous training. He stood in the center of the empty room and closed his eyes. He knew his enemies would use curses, poisons, or mental attacks. He had to forge his defenses.

[Commencing Conceptual Refining: Passive Shield.]

[Objective: Create a thin aura of nothingness around the body to passively 'erase' malicious intent or low-level negative energy.]

This was a painful process. He tried to channel his Void power not as an active skill, but as a constant passive state. His head felt as if it would split. Blood dripped from his nose.

But gradually, he began to sense it. A thin, cold layer formed around his skin, a mini-void that made him feel increasingly isolated from the world, yet also... safe.

He pushed himself to the brink of exhaustion, collapsing to his knees, gasping. When the door to The Crucible opened, Celia stood there with a tray of food and stamina-restoring potions.

"Nihil..." she whispered anxiously, seeing his condition.

Nihil merely looked up, his crimson eyes blazing with cold determination. He wasn't training for a tournament.

He was preparing for his execution.

While Nihil forged himself in the flames, Velka Nocturne and her new allies began to move their pieces on the dark chessboard.

They met in a private study room belonging to Duke Alaric, a place shielded by the strongest counter-magic spells. Velka, Duke Alaric, and Tarek Mornhall. An impossible alliance.

"The information from the sanatorium is invaluable," said Alaric, pouring wine. "It confirms the Church of Life is involved in this conspiracy, likely researching and attempting to control Void power for their own ends. High Priestess Terra is now a target."

"But we can't attack the Church directly," he continued. "That would be tantamount to declaring war on the Pope. We need irrefutable evidence, and witnesses."

He turned to Tarek. "Doctor Elric. Reports from my agents indicate he didn't perish in the collapse. The Church managed to evacuate him. He's been transferred to a secluded monastery in the Dragon Mountains for 'redemption.' I want you and some of my best agents to 'pay him a visit.'"

Tarek sneered. "With pleasure. I have a few questions for this 'visionary.'"

"Miss Velka," said Alaric, now addressing her. "Your role is more subtle. You are a Nocturne. Use that. Begin approaching neutral nobles. Plant seeds of doubt about your father's sanity and decisions. Spread rumors. Let them start questioning whether Valerius is still fit to lead House Nocturne."

Meanwhile, at the Nocturne residence, Valerius received two reports that made him feel his world beginning to crumble.

First report: Tarek Mornhall had vanished from The Undercroft. His last trace was detected near one of Duke Alaric's properties. Valerius understood immediately. "Alaric... so you've finally decided to join the game."

Second report, more disturbing: Nihil had been designated as the first-year Champion at the academy. He read details of Nihil's victories, of his strange and uncontrollable power.

The curse... it had grown far beyond his control. His plans to contain it had failed utterly. And now, the anomaly was under the entire Empire's scrutiny.

Valerius walked to the oldest part of his residence, to a private chapel always locked. He opened a secret door behind the altar. A spiral staircase took him down to a cold basement.

In the center of the room stood a black obsidian altar pulsing faintly, its surface carved with spirals that seemed to draw in light. An altar identical to those of the Cult of Nullity.

This was House Nocturne's greatest secret. They were not victims of the curse. They were its jailers.

"You desire chaos," Valerius whispered to the silent altar. "You desire a stronger Vessel. I have failed to hide it from the world. Now... I will redirect it back to you."

He placed his hands on the cold altar and began to chant an ancient forbidden mantra, a language that should never be spoken by humans.

Valerius Nocturne made a desperate move. If he couldn't control his son, then he would deliver him to the only power that might: the Cult of Nullity. He would inform Ravenna Cruor where to find a "Vessel" far more intriguing than Velka.

He would sacrifice his own son to protect his family's secret. The game had entered its final, deadly phase.

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