The Matriarch's court was restless. Whispers carried on winds from every tower: "The curseborn grows too bold." "He kissed the witch of thorns." "He walks with the mute." "He should have died." But it was General Kaela who silenced them all. By invoking a law that hadn't been used in two centuries. "Trial by Blood and Fire." > System Alert: Critical Story Branch Activated Title: Trial by Blood and Fire Trigger: Kaela's Emotional Spike / Loyalty Imbalance Required Outcome: Survive all three stages • Blood Duel – Combat Test • Fire Path – Endurance Test • Soul Mirror – Psychological Break Rewards: Loyalty Stabilization, Harem Advancement Time Remaining Before Trial: 8 Hours Ryon was dragged—ceremonially—before the arena of black stone and obsidian flame, surrounded by hundreds of warriors, priestesses, and nobles. Kaela stood at the center in crimson armor, eyes blazing, voice cold: "He consorts with the cursed." "He moves hearts too easily." "He tests the limits of loyalty." She looked him in the eye. Stage One: The Blood Duel Kaela herself did not fight him. Instead, she summoned one of her fiercest captains: Kisari the Flame Wolf, a woman taller than Ryon by half a head, body layered with fire-skin runes, her blade howling with heat. "You bleed," she said to Ryon. "Or burn." Ryon grabbed a short sword and took a stance. > System Boost: Skill Unlocked – Flame Evasion I Reflexes temporarily enhanced Weak Spot Analyzed: Kisari favors overreach after the third strike The first exchange was brutal. Kisari struck like thunder—three wide slashes, a leap, a burning kick that melted stone. Ryon ducked, rolled, baited. Then when she lunged high, he slipped under and slashed at her ankle. He flipped his blade, elbowed her in the stomach, and knocked her to the ground with the hilt of the sword. > System Update: Duel Stage Complete Health: Minor Bruising Flame Marks Resistance: +5% Audience Respect: +12% Kaela's Loyalty: Stabilized – 13% → 15% Kaela's smirk was razor-thin. "You bleed well. Let's see if you burn better." They stripped him of armor and clothes—leaving only a rune-cloth around his waist—and brought him before the Hall of Flames, a corridor of enchanted fire that warped mind and spirit. "You walk alone," said the Matriarch's priestess. "From one end to the other. Survive, and you may yet be more than flesh." The flames opened like a mouth. Pain licked every nerve. Visions blurred in the firelight: —His brother's face screaming. —Eluin, the dead city. —The boy whose body he now wore crying out in the dark. Every step brought new memories—some his, some not. But instead, he focused on names: Seyna. Avelyn. Kaela. Mirela. Serei. And when he stepped out the other side—burned, trembling, gasping—he was still Ryon. Trauma Resistance: +20% New Skill: Soul Burn Immunity (Low Tier) Fire Affinity: Activated (Dormant) Kaela's Bond Progress: 15% → 19% Soul Recognition: +1 – "Your soul is now visible to higher powers" Kaela met him at the edge, tossing him a cloak. "I don't scream for fire," he rasped. She grinned. "Then face your soul." Stage Three: Soul Mirror A crystal was placed before him. Until he looked into it. He saw himself—but not just the now. He saw every version of himself that had ever died. "You're not the original." "You'll fail them all. And she'll never love you." > System Alert: Fragmented Identity Detected Psychological Sync Required "I forge my name now." And the mirror cracked. > System Core Update: Name Path: Ryon Eluin Confirmed Soul Status: Stabilized Memory Lock (North) – Shaken Matriarch Interest Level: +5% Firebond Potential: Activated Trial by Blood and Fire – SURVIVED As the crystal shattered and fell away, the Matriarch herself descended from her throne, stopping inches from him. "You are not what I expected," she said. "No one is," Ryon replied. Then she touched his cheek softly. "You may yet survive this world."