After the practical lesson on aura techniques concluded, they returned to the classroom. Moments later, the headmaster entered the hall with heavy steps, his imposing silence instantly silencing the whispers.
The eight heirs were seated, ready for the next lesson, but the headmaster's expression hinted that something was about to happen.
He stood before them, his deep voice echoing through the room:
"I have met with your fathers… the kings of the eight families. After a long discussion, a fateful decision has been made."
All eyes turned to him, tension filling the air.
He smiled a mysterious smile, then continued:
"You will all be sent to the Rift of the Old World, the Abyss Prison."
Silence fell. Even the heirs' breaths seemed to hold for a few seconds.
Eliza took a step forward, her face pale.
"The Abyss… prison? Is it the same place that…"
The Director cut her off, his tone stern.
"Yes. The Abyss, the same place where criminals from the era of the First Massacre are held, built by the founder of the Luwen family, the same place where it's said prisoners don't die."
Stutter gasped in surprise, while Camellia crossed her arms with feigned interest, her eyes blazing with defiance.
Ryan raised his eyebrows with a smug smile.
"So… you'll be testing our mettle there?"
The Director nodded.
"Exactly. This test is designed to measure your progress… since the moment you arrived at the Academy."
Kyle slammed his fist on his chair, sparks flying from his fingertips.
"Just what I was waiting for! A fight fit for the heirs, not restrictive training!"
Even Lucien, usually so calm, gave a cold smile and said,
"So we'll see who truly deserves to stand at the top."
All eyes finally turned to Saruto, who sat silently, his arm resting on the table, a mysterious glint in his eyes. He said nothing… just that cold smile that only heightened the tension in the others.
The headmaster concluded,
"Prepare yourselves. Tomorrow at dawn, you will go to the prison… and then, you will enter the test that will determine who among you is the strongest."
As he left, the class erupted in whispers and excitement.
Some talked about plans, others about the fear of what they might face.
But what was certain for everyone… was that the Abyss prison would be no mere test.
It would be a real war, where every step could mean the difference between being the one who upholds your family name as the strongest.
The dawn was unlike any other morning at the academy. A sky heavy with clouds, an air thick with solemn silence, and the eight heirs stood lined up before the colossal black gate, shimmering with purple mist—the gate that would lead them to prison.
Their eyes glowed with excitement and fear, their hearts pounding to the rhythm of war.
The teachers stepped back, clearing the arena, while on a raised platform behind them sat the eight kings, each in his own grandeur and majesty, silently observing their sons.
The procession began…one by one, until only the headmaster and Saruto remained. Saruto stood motionless for a moment before the gate, all eyes fixed upon him. He turned slowly toward the rows of seated kings, his eyes blazing with cold arrogance. Then, suddenly…he unleashed his aura, a dark, purple aura that swept across the arena, heavy as a mountain.
An aura of blatant defiance, as if to say to the assembled kings:
"Watch closely…I am the strongest."
Eyebrows shot up, and some of the kings chuckled. The Storm King said loudly,
"Your son, Loki… possesses the same pride as you."
The Light King replied with a composed smile,
"He possesses more than pride… he possesses certainty."
The praise flowed between them, each commending the other's children, but eyes never left Saruto until he was swallowed up by a gatekeeper, followed by the warden.
After Saruto passed through, he found himself facing a vast prison built with high walls. The guards were constantly changing positions, and in front of the gatekeeper stood a figure dressed as the prison warden, with a scar over his right eye and long white hair.
He chuckled softly and said to himself,
"Welcome, our esteemed visitors… Welcome to the Abyss Prison."
Saruto stepped forward, raising his hand, and said, "Uncle Riser, I haven't seen you in ages."
The warden turned and saw that it was Saruto. He bowed and said, "Mr. Saruto, welcome. I didn't know you would be one of the participants in the test."
Saruto ordered him to stand up and said, "I came to see what level of power they've reached. Which prisoner do you think will be my opponent?" Razor replied, "Judging by your strength level, the prisoners are probably third-tier or higher."
The warden interrupted, "Let's leave that for now. Everyone is waiting for the test to begin."
Raiser turned and saw the other heirs, then led them into the prison.