CHAPTER 80: CHAPTER 80: THE DRAVENHART TRIAL

The sky was still dark, only a faint blue glow barely showing beyond the window. Axelius lay on his bed, but not properly. His head hung over the edge, upside down, eyes fixed on the glass window like he was waiting for something that refused to come.

He lazily raised his finger and tapped the crystal embedded in his ring. With a soft shimmer, the crystal detached and appeared beside the bed, reshaping itself into the small, fist-sized egg that hadn’t changed for years. He let out a groan, "Arghh, it’s still not hatching?"

Without waiting, he tapped the ring again, and the egg turned back into its crystal form and slipped into the ring like it had always belonged there.

From the bathroom, Owen bounced out, freshly washed and full of sarcasm. "That’s because you’re not a good father. I told you, you should warm it. Like how a hen sits on her eggs."

Axelius sat up, ruffling his hair in irritation. "Hey, I already tried that."

Owen hopped onto the bed. "Yeah. Once. You got embarrassed and threw a blanket over it instead."

Rolling his eyes, Axelius flopped back down. "So boring. Why’s the sun taking forever?"

Eventually, he sat up again and decided to go for a run. By the time the sun was fully up, he was out in the training field, wiping sweat off with a silk cloth tied loosely around his neck. As he jogged along the path near the outer gates, he noticed a few large carriages rolling in and parking at the estate’s entrance. He slowed, brows furrowing. "Huh?"

That’s when Millie came running toward him, panting. "Young master! There you are! You must come back at once! You need to prepare!"

"Prepare for what?" he asked, still wiping sweat.

"The Dravenhart Trial!" Millie said quickly. "It happens every four years. I was told it would be this afternoon, but there’s been a change. It’s starting this morning!"

"Dravenhart trial?"

"There wasn’t time! Come now Young Master, we must get you ready!"

Grumbling, Axelius followed her back inside. After a fast bath and being dressed in formal but still light clothes—gray with black details and silver lining—he stepped out of his room, hair neatly combed and skin fresh. Owen, now sitting lion his shoulder, looked around and started to explain.

"The Dravenhart Trial is a tradition for all direct and distant Dravenhart bloodlines. It happens once every four years. Anyone from age five to sixteen must participate. It’s not really a test of power—it’s a test of potential, bloodline strength, and survival instincts. It’s—"

"Move, loser."

Axelius blinked as Cyruz suddenly brushed past him, not even glancing back. Cedric followed close behind, looking smug as always, trailed by their maids and butlers.

Axelius stepped aside and clicked his tongue. "Tsk. What’s the point of this stupid trial?"

Owen opened his mouth to answer, but before he could, Millie cut in from behind, voice soft but firm. "The trial exists to remind all Dravenharts of their roots... and their place. Even if someone is weak now, the blood of the dragons still runs in them. The trial sees if that blood is sleeping—or already dead, Young Master."

As they continued walking through the hallway toward the gathering area, Axelius spotted Ellory in the distance. She walked gracefully, surrounded by her maids and two butlers, her eyes focused forward. She hadn’t seen him yet. Axelius didn’t mind. He slowed his steps, sighing.

"Another day... of trouble."

They reached the courtyard where several carriages waited—each one finely crafted, dark with silver or red trim, showing the pride of the Dravenhart family. Axelius spotted their family’s main carriage near the center, larger than the rest.

The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess were already inside, seated properly with Ellory between them. She glanced once through the window, saw Axelius from afar, and waved with a gentle smile. He didn’t wave back—just looked away and got into the second carriage meant for younger members of the family.

Inside, he slumped onto the cushioned seat, arms folded.

"Millie," he muttered, his eyes already closing. "Wake me up when we get there."

"Yes, young master."

The carriage rolled out of the estate gates and began its slow journey. They traveled through stone-paved roads, then rougher paths surrounded by tall trees and dense wildflowers. Time passed in silence. The only sound was the occasional creak of wood and the clip-clop of horses.

An hour later...

"Young master... young master, we’ve arrived."

Millie gently shook his shoulder. Axelius opened his eyes, blinking at the soft morning light filtering through the trees. As he stepped out, he saw the gathering.

They had arrived at the edge of Veilshade Forest—a vast, old woodland said to be part of the Dravenhart ancestral territory. A large open field stretched before the woods, filled with tents, carriages, and small platforms. Dozens of families were already there, dressed in fine but functional clothes for the trial.

Red hair seemed to glow everywhere—bright scarlets, deep crimsons, rusty reds. But not all shared the same color. Some had blond hair, dark brown, or even silver, though the red-haired ones were clearly more dominant in number.

Axelius stood near the carriage, eyes scanning the crowd.

"So many people with fire on their heads," he mumbled.

"That’s the blood of dragons," Owen whispered from his shoulder.

Some children were nervous. Others were excited. Ellory stood not far, now wearing light battle attire, talking with her mother. Cyruz and Cedric were laughing with another red-haired boy, probably a cousin.

Axelius stretched his arms and yawned. "So, what now?"

"The opening ceremony is next," Millie answered. "After that, the elders will explain the trial... then you go into the forest."

Axelius frowned. "All that walking? Should’ve stayed in bed..."

They began walking toward the central platform where a tall banner of the Dravenhart crest waved proudly in the breeze. The Grand Duke and Grand Duchess walked ahead in graceful steps, dressed in dark navy and red, their presence quieting the path they walked on. Behind them followed Ellory, upright and composed, her long auburn hair tied in a neat braid.

A few steps behind her were Cyruz and Cedric, speaking quietly, their maids following with items and refreshments.

And finally... at the very end of the line, dragging his feet and yawning like a lion cub after a nap, was Axelius.

He had a lazy look on his face, one hand rubbing his eye and the other stuffed in his pocket. He didn’t try to keep up. In fact, he looked like he’d rather turn around and sleep in the carriage.