Not a single person in the stands knew that directly beneath Frostfang’s white stone floor, a lonely figure was silently hiding in the deepest darkness.
Aboveground, the master of ceremonies was probably calling out the names of the outstanding representatives of the noble families one after another. Franziska guessed as much, because she could faintly hear his high voice suddenly turn reverent whenever he mentioned Rebecca, Johannes, and Thomas—the names destined to become the brightest stars of this year’s festival.
“Thomas...”
The name slipped softly from her pale lips.
Franziska opened her eyes, her lashes trembling slightly. The hand hidden beneath her wide sleeve trembled involuntarily for a brief moment as well. She felt her heart flare hot, her breathing falter for an instant when that name brushed against her mind.
How long had it been? Since the day he had left her his handkerchief, gently wiping away the scrape, then bent down and said in a low voice:
“Don’t just keep your head down, and don’t just stay silent. No one will remember your name that way. But I remember it now. Your name is Franziska. It’s a beautiful name.”
It had been a beautiful afternoon. The sunset had draped a gentle, glittering cloak over his shoulders. His radiant smile, and her reflection in his eyes, had always been the only reason Franziska continued to endure, growing a little braver with each dark day.
“The first round has begun. Her Highness will be the second person to undergo the bloodline aptitude test. It’s currently the Little Duke’s turn. Young Miss Franziska, are you ready?”
Just like now.
The old physician’s cold voice cut through her memories and pulled her back to reality.
“I’ve always been ready,” Franziska replied calmly, her gaze serene.
Standing directly beneath the statue of the Goddess, Franziska could clearly feel each wave of energy fluctuating above. Perhaps because they had connected so many times, a strange yet sufficient soul link existed between her and Rebecca, allowing Franziska to pinpoint Rebecca’s exact location without having to appear in person.
She took the familiar silver knife from the tray a maid brought over. The old wound on her wrist had not yet fully closed. Without the slightest hesitation, Franziska placed the blade against it and cut another long, thin line.
A sharp pain flashed through her, then was quickly subdued by numbness.
Thick drops of blood slowly seeped out along the knife’s edge. Franziska stared at them for a moment, then softly whispered an ancient phrase in a dark, archaic language. Before the red drops flowing from her body could fall into the jade bowl, each one drew along a thread of pale light and traveled toward its destination.
In truth, Franziska did not know why she knew those strange syllables by heart. No one had taught them to her. She did not know where she had learned them.
It was as though no one had ever taught her those strange syllables. Yet whenever she needed a method to transmit spiritual power quickly without causing too great a disturbance, the ancient phrase would naturally appear in her mind.
Franziska did not ask why. She only trusted that she had to begin.
Aboveground, Johannes had just completed the bloodline test.
A towering Black Leopard spirit appeared behind him. Its body was powerfully built, its claws razor-sharp, its cold golden eyes looking down at the stands as though everyone there were nothing more than weak creatures waiting to be subdued. It raised its head high and roared.
A surge of energy spread throughout the arena, making the flags in the stands tremble.
Arrogant, free, and powerful—just like him.
The cheers immediately erupted like rolling thunder.
“Little Duke Johannes has completed the test with the highest resonance among the first group of candidates!”
Johannes calmly let his bloodline spirit circle around once before summoning it back. Everyone was admiring Crozier’s most powerful Leopard Fang. No one noticed that Johannes was not looking at his bloodline spirit, nor at the cheering crowd. His gaze passed over Rebecca and stopped at the hidden passage leading down to the underground level.
No one saw it.
But Rebecca did.
Even though it lasted only an instant, Rebecca caught that gaze perfectly.
As if sensing his sister’s eyes on him, Johannes pretended not to notice. He casually shifted to one side, but the hand hidden inside his armored glove clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. He knew Franziska was directly beneath his feet. He knew she would have to perform the secret ritual for Rebecca next. And he also knew that if the ritual lasted too long, her still-recovering body would not be able to endure it.
“Jo.”
Rebecca suddenly called to him softly.
Johannes turned to look at his sister.
“It’s my turn.”
“I know.” He swallowed hard.
“Then stop looking down there.” Rebecca’s voice remained calm, and she did not look at him, but Johannes heard the warning and reproach in her words.
He did not answer.
Rebecca lifted her head and calmly took one step toward the resonance crystal. At that moment, she suddenly smiled at her brother, who still stood tall in his light armor, commanding and striking. Though the Black Leopard spirit behind him had already faded away, the innate pressure of the strong still lingered faintly in the air.
“Go on, Rene.” Johannes curled his lips into a smile, regaining his usual arrogant, leisurely bearing and making countless noble ladies in the stands clutch their chests, their cheeks flushing pink.
Rebecca laughed. She closed her eyes and gently placed her delicate hand against the surface of the crystal.
The instant she made contact, the persistent blockage in her body abruptly vanished, replaced by an astonishing sense of openness. At the same time, a gentle, warm stream of energy silently flowed into her chest. It was like a sturdy shield protecting Rebecca’s heart, yet also like chains locking the black mist in place and preventing it from running wild.
Rebecca’s spiritual power immediately began to circulate.
BOOM!
A pure-white Snow Leopard spirit, proud and breathtakingly beautiful, appeared. It leisurely swished its thick tail, then raised its head high, puffed out its chest, and let out a long, proud cry. Beneath the September sky, a windless snowfall suddenly poured down, glittering and radiant like thousands of stars falling from the heavens.
The stands fell silent before that fairy-tale sight, then immediately erupted into frenzied cheers.
This was the first time Rebecca had summoned her Snow Leopard spirit before such a large crowd. It was also the first time most of the people had witnessed Crozier’s “spirit” and pride shine with their own eyes.
The breathtaking scene captivated everyone. Johannes and Thomas were no exception.
Only Thomas did not look as astonished as everyone else. He had known for a long time how beautiful and powerful Rebecca’s bloodline spirit was. He also knew how long she had waited for this day.
And to obtain this dazzling moment, somewhere beneath the statue of the Goddess, someone was paying the price.
Thomas shifted his gaze away from the glittering snowfall and toward the small, dark passage in the corner of the arena, the one that drew no attention at all. He stared at that door for a long time, his expression gradually growing somber, his contemplation turning frighteningly deep.
A maid carrying a tray of fruit and snacks happened to walk past. Thomas softly called her back.
“Where is she?”
The maid froze, then lowered her head in confusion.
“Your Grace?”
“Where is the person treating Rebecca?”
For the first time since the Trial Festival began, Thomas was no longer looking toward the brilliant ceremonial platform. His gaze bored down into the darkness that no one wanted to look at.