Raizel woke to the sound of low growling.
His crimson eyes slid open, glinting faintly in the dark. Shadows twisted across the ceiling of his room, pooling unnaturally in the corners like liquid smoke. A heavy pressure lingered in the air — wrong, unnatural. It coiled around his throat like unseen hands.
Fenrir's growl deepened. The massive beast lay stretched out near the door, red eyes glowing like embers in the dark. His lips curled back, revealing jagged white teeth.
Raizel sat up slowly, resting one hand against Fenrir's scarred head. His fingers brushed over the thick black fur, and the growl softened — but the pressure in the air remained.
Someone was watching him.
Raizel's gaze sharpened. "Come out."
Silence.
Fenrir's fur bristled beneath his hand. Raizel's gaze flicked toward the darkest corner of the room. There — a ripple, like the air distorting. A faint glint of gold.
Raizel's eyes narrowed. "Lucien?"
Nothing.
The presence faded. The pressure lifted.
Fenrir huffed and lay his head back down, still tense beneath Raizel's touch.
Raizel's gaze lingered on the empty corner of the room for a moment longer before sliding his hand from Fenrir's fur. "Tch. Coward."
The Academy courtyard was unusually loud that morning. Students were gathered in uneven clusters, voices rising and falling in excitement and tension. The sky overhead was crisp and blue, the morning sun cutting across the marble courtyard in long golden streaks.
Raizel stood at the edge of the gathering, half-listening to the noise. Orion stood at his side, practically vibrating with anticipation.
"They're finally doing it!" Orion grinned, clapping his hands together. "A Divine Trial!"
Dante, standing slightly behind Orion, crossed his arms and sighed. "That's not a good thing, you idiot."
"Sure it is!" Orion punched his fist into his palm. "It's a perfect chance to show everyone Master's strength!"
Raizel's gaze sharpened. "I never said I was participating."
Orion's smile didn't falter. "Yeah, but you'll change your mind when you see how weak everyone else is."
Before Raizel could respond, the headmaster's voice rose above the crowd.
"The Divine Trial will begin shortly. Teams will be assigned randomly. This is a test of not only your strength — but your ability to survive."
Raizel's eyes narrowed faintly. A test of survival?
Lucien stepped into view near the headmaster's side, dressed in black robes, his golden eyes glinting beneath the morning light. He didn't look at Raizel directly, but the small smile on his lips said enough.
Raizel's smirk returned. Tch. Transparent.
Dante's shoulders tensed. "We don't have to do this, right?"
Orion grinned. "Of course we do!"
Raizel said nothing. His gaze remained on Lucien.
A cold wind swept through the marble archway as the trial began. Raizel stood at the center of the simulation chamber — a massive illusionary realm forged from divine magic.
The terrain was brutal — jagged cliffs, roaring waterfalls, and shifting stone. Thick fog coiled around the edges, distorting sight and sound. Other gods stood in the distance — teams already forming.
Raizel stood alone, hands in his pockets. Orion and Dante flanked him — Orion practically bouncing on the balls of his feet, Dante looking vaguely resigned.
"This is gonna be fun," Orion said.
"Try not to die," Dante muttered.
"You worry too much!"
A pulse of magic rippled through the air. Zephyros, Ignis, and Chronos stepped into view, flanked by their respective teams. Zephyros's silver hair caught the light as he rolled his shoulders.
"This should be interesting," Zephyros said, eyeing Raizel with a lazy smile.
"Don't hold back," Ignis added, flames curling between his fingers.
Raizel's gaze sharpened. He hadn't moved since the trial began. "Not interested."
"Don't worry," Chronos said, his deep voice calm. "We'll keep it fun."
Zephyros vanished in a flash of silver light. Orion barely raised his spear in time before Zephyros's fist smashed into him, sending him skidding across the rocky ground.
"Orion!" Dante shouted.
Ignis followed immediately after, his hands igniting with golden fire as he lunged toward Dante. Dante conjured a shield of light — but it shattered instantly beneath the impact.
Dante hit the ground hard, coughing.
Orion growled and forced himself to his feet. "I'm not done yet—"
Chronos appeared in front of him, sword raised. "Yes, you are."
The sword came down —
Raizel's figure blurred.
The next thing anyone saw was Chronos's body slamming into the cliffside so hard the stone cracked beneath him.
A wave of dark energy pulsed through the air, warping the fog.
Raizel's figure materialized between Orion and Dante, one hand raised. His crimson eyes gleamed beneath silver lashes.
Zephyros's smirk faded. "Oh."
Raizel's gaze darkened. "Enough."
Orion's eyes widened. "Master…?"
Raizel knelt beside Dante's collapsed form, pressing two fingers to his throat. Dante's breathing was shallow.
Raizel's expression darkened.
A ripple of shadow curled beneath his feet. The temperature in the air dropped. Raizel's gaze lifted toward Zephyros.
"Was this the plan?" His voice was low.
Zephyros's smile was strained. "Come on, it's a trial—"
Raizel's figure blurred.
The next moment, Zephyros was airborne, Raizel's hand gripping his throat.
"Master's pissed," Orion whispered.
Zephyros's eyes widened as Raizel's grip tightened. Shadows curled beneath his fingertips.
"Stop." Lucien's voice cut through the air.
Raizel's gaze flicked toward him.
Lucien's golden eyes were calm. "Let him go, Raizel."
Raizel's grip tightened. Zephyros's breath hitched.
Dante stirred weakly. "Raizel…"
Raizel's gaze sharpened. A slow exhale left his lips.
He dropped Zephyros. The god hit the ground hard, coughing violently.
Raizel stood and turned toward Dante, ignoring Lucien's lingering gaze. Orion immediately dropped to his knees at Raizel's side.
"I knew you'd save us, Master!"
Raizel gave him a flat look. "Shut up."
Orion's grin widened.
Later that evening, Raizel sat beneath the dark sky, perched on the edge of the Academy's highest rooftop. The stars were cold and distant. Fenrir lay beside him, red eyes glowing faintly.
"You let him live," Fenrir's growl seemed to say.
Raizel's lips curled faintly. "Not yet."
Footsteps.
Lucien's silhouette appeared beneath the moonlight.
"Protecting them was dangerous," Lucien said softly.
Raizel's gaze didn't shift. "Is that your way of thanking me?"
Lucien smiled faintly. "Not at all. But it's curious."
"Careful, Lucien," Raizel said. "Push too hard and you might break."
Lucien's golden eyes glinted. "Perhaps I'm counting on it."
As Lucien's figure disappeared into the dark, Raizel's gaze narrowed.
A low growl rumbled from Fenrir's chest.
Raizel's hand curled into his fur.
"Soon."