章 37: The Fifth Trial

Kai took a deep breath, his eyes flickering over Ken as he gritted his teeth. The Shadow Trials had originally been undertaken by a character yet to be introduced. She hadn't won the Shadow Essence, but she had provided valuable information about the trials, which was how Kai and the other readers of Adventurer's Crusade knew about them. Even so, he was uncertain if anyone had ever completed them.

He clutched his sword tightly, facing the Grand Magus of Shadows. Ken had a unique backstory; once one of the most powerful Grand Magus in the Kingdom, he had fallen from grace after a lower-ranking Magus accused him of sexual assault. The claim was quickly backed by others, and within days, Ken's reputation lay in ruins. He had left the Kingdom, ridiculed by the very people he had once protected. But Kai knew those accusations were baseless, born out of jealousy for Ken's power and position.