A hush rippled through the chamber as the three entered.

From the raised platform, several gazes locked onto them. Some were mildly curious, while others were clearly appraising them. But two stood out. A woman in dark green clothes with hawk-like eyes narrowed ever so slightly, then brightened with subtle recognition.

Elder Erin's lips curved into a faint, intrigued smile.

Beside her, Elder Sylva maintained a stoic expression with his bald head, but deep inside was feeling surprised.

A loud, clear voice echoed across the chamber, drawing attention back to the center.

"Team 18," boomed a man in dark violet robes trimmed with gold. His voice was amplified by a stone in his staff. "State your names, and describe the sequence of your final trial."

Aston stepped forward first and gave a respectful nod. "Aston Rhyner."

"Genevieve Ortega," she followed crisply.

"Yosef Redrich," Yosef added, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly.

The robed man nodded. "You are the first to return. Unusual, given the nature of the forest, and the time it took. Proceed. How did you locate and defeat a 5-star Earthrend Ravager Boar?"

Genevieve glanced at Aston.

He nodded, then spoke plainly. "We located the boar after my spirit beast flew above the tree canopies. My spirit beast has an owl lineage, so it can detect further than most birds."

"Who led the charge?" asked another elder, eyes narrowed.

"I did," Aston answered.

There was a faint flicker of motion from Elder Erin. It was barely perceptible, but a pleased nod nonetheless.

"And how," asked Elder Sylva, his tone even but sharp, "did a group of unranked spirit professionals like you bring down a 5-star beast?"

Aston paused, then turned slightly, as if inviting the others to speak.

Genevieve stepped in. "We didn't overpower it. We outmaneuvered it. Created traps using terrain advantages, baited it into overexerting, then poisoned and restrained it with coordination from our contracted beasts."

Yosef added, "Also, the scout's plan took into account the boar's patterns. We hit it hard right as it was trying to retreat and recover."

Some elders murmured, exchanging notes with one another,

"Efficient," Elder Sylva finally said. "And the killing blow?"

"My Shadow Strider and his Glasswing Owl had a combined assault. His owl crippled its outer shell while my Umbra struck the nerve spine," Genevieve said.

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Another elder, this one with sky blue robes and spectacles, asked while tipping her glasses, "Did any of you sustain injuries?"

"Minor scrapes. We had basic salves from him, a candidate from Spirit Alchemist Division, but no high-grade elixirs," Genevieve motioned to Yosef, who just chuckled.

There was a pause. Elder Erin leaned back. Elder Sylva turned toward Erin with a barely concealed glance, as if picking up on something unspoken.

A few murmurs came from the various elders, particularly the Spirit Combat and Spirit Alchemy Divisions.

"The girl's a good seed."

"A Shadow Strider…"

"The young boy is rather laid-back, but…"

"That scout kid, the Scouting Arts Division is gonna have a field day."

The council chair raised a hand, silencing all chatter. "That will be all for now. You may proceed to the candidate's waiting hall."

"Rest assured," he added, "your performance, also you being the first one to come, will be remembered."

The trio bowed in unison.

As they exited through a side arch into the tent's inner chambers, Yosef muttered under his breath, "What was that last bit supposed to mean?"

Genevieve gave him a pointed look. "It means someone important got their eyes on us."

Aston said nothing, but a small, unseen smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

The inner chamber was far less grand than the council hall. A circular room with velvet-cushioned benches, a refreshment table stocked with different drinks and light snacks, and several tall crystalline screens displaying calming images of flowing streams and distant mountains.

It was still a tent, technically, but the space within was enchanted to muffle the outside and maintain a cool, soothing breeze. A soft hum resonated faintly from the floor.

"Wow," Yosef muttered, collapsing onto one of the benches. "I was expecting a crate and a cold floor. Not this."

Genevieve grabbed a cup of tea and sat beside him, still visibly digesting what had just happened. "They're watching everyone carefully. That wasn't just a formality."

"Yeah," Yosef said, staring up at the ceiling. "And I think we impressed them."

Aston sat a short distance away, Gray curling up again on his shoulder, purring softly.

He said nothing, but his eyes weren't relaxed.

"You alright?" Genevieve asked.

"I'm fine," Aston replied. "Just thinking."

The trio fell in silence for a few moments, letting the atmosphere settle. A few other academy staff came and went, dropping off new tea kettles and small plates of fruit. But no other participants entered.

The minutes stretched.

An hour passed.

Then two.

Just as Yosef leaned back with a dramatic sigh and mumbled, "Maybe we really were the ones who made it through," the flap of the tent rustled.

Bootsteps echoed on the floor.

A second team entered.

At the front strode a young man with a branded uniform. It was dusted, but intact, a faint smear of blood on his cheek like a war mark rather than a wound. His slick-backed hair gleamed from the lights inside the tent.

His spirit beasts flanked him as he walked forward.

It was Tristan's team.

Behind him were his teammates: one had long, purple hair, accented by his purple Enchantment Arts Division robe, while the other had an elegant smile with her sky blue robes from Support and Healing Division. Their spirit beasts stood guard behind them.

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