Chapter 6: "Trial by Fire"
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[Page 1 – The Arena Wakes]
Wide shot: The massive Academy Arena, packed with students and teachers. Floating magic screens show the battlefield from every angle.
> Narration: No one cheers for the janitor.
Only silence and doubt.
> Panel: Yui enters the arena. Alone.
> Whisper: "Why even bother? He's not even ranked."
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[Page 2 – The Chosen Opponent]
From the opposite gate: a smug, armored student steps out — Rai Velden, Rank 3, known for lightning-fast strikes.
> Announcer: "Today's trial: Yui, unranked… vs. Rai of House Velden."
> Rai (grinning): "You sure you want this, janitor? I don't hold back."
> Yui (quietly): "Good."
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[Page 3 – Opening Clash]
The battle begins. Rai blitzes forward, striking fast.
> CRACK! Yui's wooden sword splinters instantly.
> Panel: Yui blocks with his arm — gets knocked back, coughing.
> Students laugh. Some boo.
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[Page 4 – Unfair Edge]
Rai charges a forbidden lightning rune on his blade.
> Staff (alarmed): "That rune's not regulation—"
> Teacher (cold): "Let it happen. If he's a danger, better to expose it now."
> Panel: Rai slashes — a bolt explodes near Yui, sending him flying.
> Rai: "Oops. Too strong?"
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[Page 5 – Refusing to Fall]
Yui rises slowly, bleeding from his shoulder.
> Yui (thinking): Faster. Stronger. Every second counts.
> Pulse. That white light in his chest glows brighter.
> Narration: His fear dulls. His instinct sharpens.
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[Page 6 – Momentum Shifts]
Rai slashes again — but this time, Yui ducks. Then counters. A glancing hit.
> Rai (surprised): "You… got faster?"
> Yui doesn't answer. His eyes are focused. Calm.
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[Page 7 – Power Revealed]
Rai sends a wave of lightning at Yui.
> Panel: Yui dives through it — rolls, grabs a fallen spear handle.
> The spear handle glows white as he channels his growing energy into it.
> White flames spark around his arms.
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[Page 8 – The Turning Point]
Yui dodges another attack. Then — crack! — his counterstrike lands square in Rai's gut, sending him skidding.
> Gasps from the crowd.
> Student: "Was that… mana control?!"
> Rai (growling): "You're nothing! You're—"
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[Page 9 – Final Blow]
Rai launches a final desperate strike. Yui meets him head-on.
> Panel: White flame bursts from Yui's chest — his power flaring in full for the first time.
> Narration: Born from struggle. Sharpened by pain.
Rank 0 ignites.
> BOOM! Their clash ends in an explosive impact.
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[Page 10 – Silence After Fire]
Dust settles. Rai is down, groaning. Yui stands, breathing hard, aura fading.
> Staff Member: "Enough! Match concluded."
> Murmurs shift — awe replaces mockery.
> Whisper: "He didn't just survive. He won."
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[Page 11 – Judgment]
The Headmaster steps forward.
> Headmaster: "Yui. You have not mastered control. But you have proven power."
> Scroll floats down, bearing a seal — "Provisional Rank: 0"
> Crowd murmurs again. Mixed reactions.
> Yui (thinking): "They still don't believe in me. Good."
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[Page 12 – Watching Eyes]
Cut to: Kael clenches his fist, furious. The cloaked figure stands behind him.
> Cloaked Figure: "It's started."
> Kael: "Then we end it. Before he grows again."
> Panel: Their shadows stretch unnaturally long — hinting at darker magic.
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[Page 13 – Final Panel]
Yui walks away from the arena, holding the rank scroll.
> Close-up: The scroll pulses faintly with white fire.
> Yui (thinking): "This is just the start.
I'm not done rising yet."
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— END OF CHAPTER 6