Chapter 4: Trial

The wind whispered across the trial grounds, filling the silence that stretched between them. Marilda sat opposite Astraea, her golden eyes fixed on the goddess. Neither spoke. Neither moved. Only the faint rustle of fabric and the steady rhythm of the breeze kept the moment from freezing completely.

At last, Astraea raised her teacup and sipped, her gaze never wavering. Marilda followed suit, lifting her own cup with deliberate calm. When she finally spoke, her tone was quiet, but resolute.

"If by joining your familia, you mean receiving a blessing like your adventurers, then my answer is no. I have no need for more power, and it would bring me no benefit."

Her words hung in the air, absolute.

Astraea set her cup down gently. She had expected such a reply, yet a small smile curved her lips regardless.

"Then," she said softly, "perhaps instead of joining… you would consider forming a contract with me?"

Marilda arched a silver brow, tilting her head. "A contract?"

Before she could voice her refusal, Astraea raised a hand. "Not the sort of binding oath you are thinking of. An equal contract between you and me."

Marilda's eyes narrowed. "Elaborate."

"I ask only this," Astraea said, her voice carrying both conviction and warmth, "that you serve as guardian to my familia. Protect my children. In return, you will hold the same standing as I do within the familia. You will share in what we earn, have our full support, and the freedom to walk away whenever you choose."

Her gaze flicked briefly to the adventurers gathered behind her before settling once more on Marilda. The offer was plain yet bold.

Astraea's offer made sense for a spirit like Marilda, she was not ordinary adventurer after all but a spirit. She stood almost on par with a divine being. To Astraea, granting special status was not excessive, but the only way to establish an equal bond. Gaining such a guardian would raise her children's safety beyond measure, a priceless exchange for mere titles and benefits. And as spirits are beings of freedom, to bind one with strict oaths would be nothing short of disrespect. By allowing Marilda the choice to leave at any time, Astraea showed both her goodwill and her deep respect toward her.

Marilda stared, surprise flickering beneath her calm exterior. The arrangement favored her heavily, almost absurdly so. She nearly said yes then and there.

Yet unease stirred in her chest, not rejection but hesitation. Was it truly right to simply take without trial? Perhaps it was Andrius's instincts bleeding into her own this sense that worth must be proven before protection was granted.

Her gaze drifted past Astraea to the adventurers waiting anxiously behind her. Slowly, she returned her focus to the goddess.

"…I will accept," Marilda said at last.

Relief flickered across Astraea's face, her smile brightening.

"But," Marilda continued.

Astraea paused, her brows knitting. "But?"

Marilda rose from her chair, her form unraveling in silver light. The room trembled as the woman's slender frame swelled, reshaped, and expanded until the mighty form of Andrius once more loomed before them. The dire wolf's shadow engulfed the adventurers.

"They must prove themselves worthy first," his voice thundered, deep and resonant. "If they wish to earn my guardianship, then let them challenge my trial."

The adventurers flinched. The goddess, however, merely tilted her head, studying him. "What kind of trial?"

Liam's gaze swept over the assembled adventurses. "I want to see their strength."

Astraea considered this, then turned her eyes toward the red-haired woman at her side. "Alise," she said softly.

The captain stiffened, pointing at herself in disbelief. "Me?"

Her goddess nodded.

Alise's throat tightened. She glanced to her vice-captain. "Kaguya, will you—?"

Kaguya's smile was faint, almost teasing. "I cannot steal your moment, captain. This one is yours."

Alise's smile faltered. She turned to the others, searching for support. Ryuu coughed and looked away. Lyra busied herself with her half finish gadget. Noin and Ryana whispered hurriedly to each other. Neze, who moments before had looked eager, avoided her gaze by staring at not so far the alpha wolf's.

The rest Asta, Iska, Celty shifted uneasily, none daring to volunteer.

Alise exhaled sharply. She understood. As captain, this burden was hers. The goddess had chosen her, and the spirit demanded a trial. Still, she cast one last look at Kaguya.

The vice-captain only closed her eyes briefly, whispering an apology in her heart. This was not malice or cowardice but merely trust. If the spirit wished to see Astraea Familia's strength, then there was no better representative than their captain.

"Hm." Liam voice rumbled, echoing against the stone. "Only one may face my trial."

Alise's nod she than stepped forward, hand brushing the hilt of her rapier.

Liam's gaze settled on her.

The trial was about to begin.

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"Child of Astraea… are you prepared for the trial?"

Liam's deep voice resonated through the arena as his massive lupine form dissolved into mist, leaving only his echo carried on the wind.

Alise Lovell tightened her grip on Crimson Order, the blade trembling faintly under the force of her heartbeat. She lifted it high, her expression firm.

"Yes," she declared, voice steady despite the storm curling around her.

"Very well. Then show me your skill."

The mist thickened, coiling like living smoke until the walls themselves glowed with the ancient sigil of Andrius. From the haze, Liam's colossal wolf form emerged once more, each step slow, deliberate, his luminous blue eyes never leaving her.

Alise drew in a sharp breath. Then, with no hesitation, she lunged.

The ground split beneath her boots as she surged forward, blade igniting in a blaze of crimson. The air sizzled with mana, her voice ringing out like a war hymn.

"Agaris Alvesynth!"

A pillar of scarlet fire erupted from her strike, searing across the mist and slamming into Liam's head. The blast roared yet the wolf did not budge. With a single sweep of his claw, frost condensed into a translucent barrier, shattering her magic as if it were brittle glass.

BOOM.

The backlash hurled Alise across the field, her boots carving trenches into the stone before she regained balance. She exhaled sharply, sweat dripping down her brow.

Liam's eyes glimmered, steady and unreadable.

"Good force," he rumbled. "But far too straightforward."

Alise's lips tugged into a grin. Her pulse was racing, her blood alive.

"Then I won't hold back."

She vanished in a blur, her sword flashing again and again, scarlet arcs slicing through the storm. Sparks scattered as her strikes crashed against Liam's fur of silver mist, each blow deflected with effortless sweeps of his claws.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The sound rang like hammer against anvil, filling the arena with raw pressure.

Then, with one casual motion, Liam swatted. The sheer force of the wind blasted her from her feet. She twisted in midair, stabbing Crimson Order into the ground to anchor herself as snow and frost surged around her.

"Hh… huff… huff…" Alise panted, shoulders heaving. Her right hand trembled from the impact, the muscles numbed by the recoil of power. She had known this spirit was formidable, but facing him directly drove the truth home—her full strength had barely grazed him.

And yet, as she raised her gaze, the wolf's glowing eyes did not radiate contempt.

They radiated recognition.

Liam had barely moved during their clash, the gulf between them undeniable. Still, there was no mockery in his stare only acknowledgment, and something more. Excitement.

So this is what it feels like… Liam thought, his chest stirring with a thrill he hadn't expected. Alise's movements, though fast as lightning to her peers, unfolded clearly before his eyes. He had underestimated himself, perhaps—but her determination, her will to stand unfaltering against overwhelming odds, stirred something within him.

It almost felt cruel, like sparring with a child. And yet, this was a trial. Not to crush her, but to measure her.

Liam turned his gaze from Alise, his towering form shifting as he looked to the edge of the arena. There, Astraea stood watching in silence, her eyes unwavering.

The two locked gazes.

Liam inclined his massive head, a wordless gesture of approval.

And Astraea's lips curved into a radiant smile.

Liam’s luminous gaze fixed once more on Alise.

“You have already passed the test,” he rumbled.

Relief washed over her face, her grip on Crimson Order loosening. A long sigh slipped from her lips only for her eyes to widen when the spirit spoke again.

“But… let me see your dodge skill.”

Alise froze. “Eh… there’s more?!” she muttered under her breath, dread prickling her spine.

The wolf began pacing around her, his massive paws pressing frost into the stone. Then, without warning, he burst into motion. A blur of silver fur and mist tore across the arena, circling her so quickly that phantom afterimages layered around her like a prison of speed. With every stride, the ground froze solid, leaving a lattice of ice in his wake.

Alise spun in place, blade raised, sweat trickling down her cheek. She couldn’t track him the sheer speed made it impossible to tell where the real Liam was. But she knew one thing, if this wasn’t the last trial, she was definitely nominating Kaguya next.

Then, in an instant, Liam’s blur condensed into one direction. His massive body charged straight for her, paws gouging an icy path across the ground.

Alise’s instincts screamed. She hurled herself to the side, rolling hard across the stone until her body skidded to a halt. Her chest heaved, a single bead of sweat trailing down her temple.

Too close…

But there was no pause. Liam resumed his circling, faster now, the sound of his claws on stone like a storm tearing the earth apart. Alise forced herself upright, holding her sword tighter, every muscle wound tight. Her crimson eyes sharpened with caution.

Liam noticed.

Good… she adapts quickly.

A thought sparked, mischievous and testing. Without breaking stride, Liam leapt high into the air. His silver body soared above the arena, blotting out the light for a heartbeat before his shadow fell upon the center directly over Alise.

Frost spiderwebbed across the ground, locking her boots in place. She looked up but it too late. His massive form descended like a falling star.

“—!”

Her blade ignited in fire, raised in desperate defense. The impact struck.

The explosion of ice and wind roared across the arena, swallowing everything in a storm of white. The shockwave rattled the walls, and Astraea’s children cried out, instinctively rushing forward.

But Astraea raised her hand, her expression tense but controlled. “Stay back.”

Their worry did not fade, yet they obeyed. The goddess’s eyes alone pierced the veil of mist, and only when her lips curved faintly did the others breathe again.

“The trial is finished,” she said softly. “Come we shall meet Alise.”

When the smoke cleared, the scene revealed itself.

Standing in the center was not the wolf, but Marilda the silver-haired woman. In her arms, held gently in a princess carry, was Alise.

The red-haired captain blinked in shock. She had braced for pain, for bone-crushing impact, yet what she felt was warmth, soft hands cradling her as though she were fragile glass. Slowly, hesitantly, she opened her eyes to meet the gentle smile of the spirit in her human form.

“You are not hurt, are you?” Marilda asked, voice calm and soft.

Alise shook her head quickly. “No… I’m fine.”

Marilda nodded once, lowering her carefully until her boots touched the ground. The captain tried to stand tall, but the exhaustion in her legs betrayed her, and she sank back down with a weak laugh.

Her fellow familia was already rushing to her side.

“I did it…” she whispered, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Of course you did, Captain!” Kaguya clapped, followed by cheers and praise from the others. Relief and pride mingled among Astraea’s children, their voices brightening the once.

Astraea herself approached, her gaze shifting from Alise to Marilda.

“So,” the goddess asked softly, “how was she?”

Marilda inclined her head, her golden eyes warm.

“…Worthy.”

Astraea’s smile deepened. “Good. Then, when we return to Orario, we shall make the contract official at the Guild.” Her eyes lifted to her familia, still chattering joyfully among themselves.

Marilda followed her gaze, her expression softening. “When do you depart for the city?”

“If possible tomorrow,” Astraea replied.

Marilda nodded. “Then use this place as your camp tonight.” She turned, her white dress and silver hair swaying as she walked toward the glowing sigil of Andrius carved into the wall. With each step, her form seemed to fade into the mist.

Astraea watched her go, a quiet nod accompanying her smile.

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(A/n: busy don't ask me)

(busy: okay)

(okay: what?)

(?: huh?)