The third phase began without a grand announcement.
The structure of the arena changed subtly. The main stage remained, but now there was a greater focus on the judges' area. An artifact was brought to the center, placed on a base of dark metal.
A sphere.
Translucent.
With an unstable internal glow.
I recognized it immediately.
Truth Stone.
One of the guild officials stepped forward.
"In the final phase, evaluations will be linked to the stone. No score can be falsified or manipulated. All intent will be validated."
Silence.
The audience didn't fully understand.
But the judges did.
I kept my gaze fixed on the sphere.
That changed everything.
It wasn't just about evaluating.
It was about exposing real judgment.
No margin.
No adjustment.
No convenience.
One of the judges beside me exhaled slowly.
"This just got serious."
I didn't respond.
It already was.
From the moment I accepted.
The same official continued.
"Additionally, judges with direct ties to participants will have their evaluations automatically blocked."
Now there was a reaction.
Low.
But present.
Glances were exchanged.
Some discreet.
Others not so much.
I remained still.
It was expected.
And necessary.
Without that…
the result would have no value.
The system was activated.
One by one, the judges touched the stone.
When it was my turn, I stood.
Walked to the center.
Without hurry.
Without deviation.
I touched the cold surface of the sphere.
For a moment…
nothing happened.
Then the internal glow reacted.
Expanded.
And stabilized.
A silent connection.
Direct.
I returned to my place.
Without comment.
Without reaction.
But now…
there was no turning back.
The final phase began.
The participants would enter one last time.
No repetition.
No margin for error.
It was the definition.
The first entered.
Different from the other phases.
Now there was pressure.
Visible.
Even among the most experienced.
Movements slightly more restrained.
Gazes more calculated.
The stone recorded everything.
Not just execution.
But intent.
The judges began to evaluate.
Scores were assigned in silence.
No exchange.
No discussion.
Each decision was individual.
And final.
Rai'kanna entered.
I observed.
But did not evaluate.
The moment she stepped onto the runway, I felt the stone's connection react.
A subtle block.
Clear.
I couldn't vote.
As expected.
But that didn't stop me from seeing.
And she…
was better than before.
No excess.
No forced provocation.
Now there was control.
And real confidence.
She finished the presentation with precision.
No flaw.
No excess.
She exited without looking back.
Elara came right after.
Same pattern.
But elevated.
Each step was clean.
Each movement, intentional.
No room for doubt.
She wasn't competing.
She was executing.
And that… commanded respect.
The stone didn't allow me to evaluate.
But it didn't need to.
It was clear.
Vespera entered next.
Consistency.
But with adaptation.
She adjusted according to the environment.
Precise reading.
Stable execution.
Hard to surpass.
Liriel was the last of the group.
And, like before…
she didn't draw attention at the start.
But also like before…
she didn't need to.
She built presence throughout the path.
No mistakes.
No variation.
When she finished…
it was impossible to ignore.
Lyannis watched everything from outside.
Attentive.
Serious.
No comments.
Scarlett entered afterward.
And this time…
there was no initial hesitation.
She started strong.
Aligned posture.
Steady gaze.
Controlled breathing.
She learned.
And quickly.
But there was still something different.
It wasn't just technique.
It was intent.
She wasn't there just to compete.
There was a goal.
Clear.
Direct.
And it reflected in her movements.
When she reached the center, she didn't hesitate.
She stopped at the exact moment.
Turned with precision.
And continued.
No break.
No flaw.
Her best execution so far.
Perhaps the best of all up to that moment.
The audience reacted.
Stronger.
Clearer.
The judges began to write with more attention.
I felt the stone.
Not blocking.
But pressing.
As if demanding coherence.
The other participants continued.
But the level now was different.
Every detail mattered.
Every mistake…
cost dearly.
Time passed.
The final presentation ended.
Silence.
Not immediate.
But growing.
The audience realized.
It was the end.
The judges began recording the final scores.
No conversation.
No adjustment.
No external influence.
I remained still.
Without direct participation.
But fully aware of what was happening.
The stone glowed again.
Processing.
Validating.
Confirming.
The result was being defined.
Without interference.
Without distortion.
Exactly as it should be.
Rai'kanna looked at the stage.
Elara maintained her posture.
Vespera analyzed.
Liriel didn't look away.
Scarlett stood farther back.
Breathing controlled.
But tense.
Lyannis watched them all.
Silent.
The system finished.
The stone's glow dimmed.
Stabilized.
And then…
the official stepped forward.
With the result in hand.
No one spoke.
No one moved.
But everyone knew.
The decision was made.
And it couldn't be changed.
Now…
all that remained was to reveal it.
And deal with whatever came next.