Bab 23: Chapter 23 - The First Trial: Somnomancer and Divine Herald
The beings inside the box had used their various powers, but none of them could match the power of the Princess.
Many of them were exhausted, their energy and unique abilities nearly depleted. Some had fainted from the extreme fatigue, while others chose to rest for the moment.
Noble Hilda couldn't help but glance again at Qrolo, who was now also inside the box of the Princess's power. She recalled the time they found him in the forest.
"I think that strong Aruha can get out." Noble Hilda said, still looking at Qrolo.
"Who are you referring to, Noble Hilda?" the Princess asked in confusion. Noble Hilda pointed to Qrolo.
"That being, he's interesting. I think he has a unique power." Noble Hilda replied.
"It's good that he survived." Noble Estifon said.
"I also thought he wouldn't make it, given the deep wounds he had when we found him in the forest; unconscious." Noble Estifon added.
"It only means one thing—he truly has a unique power because he managed to survive that day." Noble Hilda said in amazement.
"I remember too. I can't be mistaken. The destined one, he's the one I returned to the world of humans using my power, the Mirror of Red Light. I didn't expect him to be the destined one." Noble Rufino said in disbelief.
"What? He's that woman?" Noble Hilda asked in shock.
"Do you mean to say that you had already seen the destined one before?" Noble Hilda asked, confused.
"Yes, Princess, she was with the Aruha we found unconscious and saved in the forest." Noble Estifon replied.
The Princess raised her eyebrow, still unconvinced that someone like Yana was the destined one. She felt no power from Yana and was certain she was just ordinary.
It puzzled her why the elder who could foresee things declared that Yana was the destined one. The Princess was confident that Yana would never prove herself and that the elder's vision was mistaken regarding the destined one.
"If she is indeed the destined one, then she should be able to prove herself. This trial is interesting, Princess, certainly entertaining." Noble Hilda said excitedly, unable to suppress a smirk.
"No, I am certain she will prove nothing to me and will only embarrass herself." the Princess said seriously, resting her chin on her hand.
The waiting-in-ladies continued to fan the Princess and the three noble siblings without a pause.
"Well, let's see if she truly is the destined one. She should find a way to get herself out from under the Princess's power." Noble Rufino said.
Meanwhile, as the news about the harsh and difficult trial given by the Princess spread and became the talk of the entire palace, it reached the King. The King learned about what the Princess had done to her guests by making them participate in the trial.
Almost everyone in the palace, especially the Chamberlains, could talk of nothing else but the ongoing trial that the Princess was conducting for the King's guests. The King was annoyed, but there was nothing he could do because he knew his only daughter well. She had her own principles and was fond of making her own decisions without consulting her father first.
The King could do nothing but let his daughter lead and do as she wished because he also had great trust in her, believing that her decisions would be right, even if they involved harsh and difficult choices for the participants in the search for powerful and unique Aruha, as well as for their guests.
The King had also been very busy, as he had received many letters about the worsening various problems in his kingdom. Many citizens were appealing and asking for help and change from the King, as severe poverty and famine gripped the entire eastern region.
Thus, the King was finding ways and conducting research, also seeking help from his right-hand men—the Chancellors and Prime Ministers—to resolve the escalating issues in the eastern part of his kingdom.
At the same time, he had great faith in the words of the elder Derum, who had visions about the so-called destined one. The King believed that this person would pass the Princess's trial and that he would eventually meet this person.
"Indeed, the princess is truly beautiful. This is the first time I've seen her in person." Kenro remarked while gazing at the princess, seated and observing their actions.
"And you still have time to praise her, she's too stern." Qrolo replied as he utilized his power. With his ability to control dreams and create or manipulate objects and weapons, he crafted various weapons as he attempted to break the transparent wall of the princess's power box, but it hardly showed any signs of damage.
"Annoying, his power is too strong." Qrolo muttered in frustration, trying again to teleport but failing. Thus, they couldn't leave inside the box of the princess's power.
Yana, feeling sorry, watched them; she felt like a burden since she had no means to help. Being an ordinary person without any powers, she feared failure in proving herself worthy as the chosen one to the princess.
Meanwhile, as the three noble siblings and the princess watched, Estifon suddenly stood up, catching their attention. He looked serious as he observed Qrolo, who was crafting various objects he used to attempt to break the wall of the princess's power box.
"That Aruha, he truly is unique. Look at what he can do." Noble Estifon marvelled.
"He's creating different things." Noble Hilda remarked.
"It's not just any ordinary power, and only a few Aruhas possess such unique abilities." Noble Estifon explained.
"If that's the case, what kind of power does he have?" Noble Rufino furrowed his brow inquiringly.
"He is a Somnomancer, capable of controlling things in the dream world. A Somnomancer's power is strong once they fully understand how to use it." Noble Estifon elaborated.
"His power is indeed unusual; I think he might pass the test." Noble Rufino said.
"I knew it, I wasn't wrong earlier. His aura is truly interesting, and I can sense he has a unique power. I was right about him." Hilda said excitedly, her eyes gleaming with excitement towards Qrolo.
"It's too early to say he'll pass the test. He may have a unique power, but his power hasn't done anything yet to get us out of my power." the princess stated.
"The Princess is right." Noble Rufino agreed.
"But it's getting entertaining, though." the Princess countered, and the three noble siblings smirked.
"The ability to create things he desires, like those weapons, is called Somnial Artifice, one of the primary powers of a Somnomancer." Noble Estifon added.
"How do you know all that?" Noble Hilda asked.
"I enjoy reading books about the unique powers of Aruhas from ancient times. I read about it in a book, and I never imagined there would still be Somnomancers in our time." Noble Estifon replied.
"I wonder which lineage of Aruhas he comes from? He's truly interesting." Hilda marvelled, still smiling as she observed Qrolo.
Kenro felt pity for Qrolo as he saw him troubled and weary from using his powers. Despite the heaviness of the decision, Kenro had no choice but to utilize his own power.
He removed the bandage wrapped around his left hand and revealed the hole in his palm. An intense wave of unease washed over him, almost paralyzing him, but he closed his eyes and tried to focus on their current situation. He knew he needed to find a way to help Qrolo break through the wall of the box they were trapped in.
Kenro raised his left hand while his right hand gripped his left wrist, summoning all his strength to release the power emanating from the hole in his palm. A blend of black and blue energy emerged.
"Divine Grip!" Kenro shouted as he directed his power towards the wall of the box.
All the Aruhas inside the box were amazed, their eyes fixed on Kenro in astonishment.
He attempted to break through the wall of the box, but his power and strength were not sufficient, even his mastery his ability is insufficient. Fear also gripped Kenro, fearing he might lose control of his power and cause harm to the Aruhas inside the box. His strength was nearly depleted with each attempt to use his power.
Kenro couldn't understand how he acquired such power, nor did he know the origin of his Divine Grip ability. There was a bandage wrapped around Kenro's hand due to a troubled past involving his power, and he avoided using it whenever possible.
In moments like these, however, he had to use his power in hopes that it would help them escape, even though he didn't fully understand the power or how to wield it properly. Unfortunately, his power was still not strong enough, and he ended up failing just like Qrolo. His strength was nearly depleted.
Kenro slowly knelt on the floor, his power slipping back into his palm, causing his palm to bleed profusely. The hole in his palm remained open and never closed. That was also the reason why there was always a band wrapped around his palm.
Yana and Qrolo immediately ran to the kneeling Kenro.
"Kenro, are you okay?" Qrolo asked with concern. Kenro remained bowed, still kneeling, clutching his left palm which continued to bleed.
"K-Kenro, your palm is bleeding." Yana stuttered, deeply worried for Kenro.
"I'm fine, please hand me the bandage." Kenro said.
Qrolo quickly stood up, picked up the bandage from the floor, and gently returned it to Kenro's left hand, who was weakening.
"Are you sure you're okay? Your palm is still bleeding." Qrolo double-checked, also concerned for his friend.
"I really am fine, the bleeding will stop on its own shortly after the bandage is applied again." Kenro assured.
Meanwhile, both the noble siblings and the Princess were equally amazed and entertained by the guests.
"Estifon remarked in wonder at that distinctive and intriguing power. He's indeed a Divine Herald." noted noble Estifon in admiration of Kenro's displayed power.
"A Divine Herald?" asked noble Rufino and Hilda simultaneously, surprised and curious.
"I seem to be amused by the guests, It's getting more entertaining." the Princess said with fascination and amusement in her voice.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone