"And now, let us welcome our contenders for the Goddess' Trial!" a bald man on the podium spoke solemnly.

Yeah, it's finally starting. Cid does not know what, exactly, should happen at the Trial, but if Alpha and girls said it's gonna be fun, then probably they are right.

Judging from the words of bald man (uh, Nelson was his name, he thinks?), the contender will come forward in the shiny dome to, what, give the spirits of deceased a chance to estimate their abilities? Then if the contender passes requirements this place will summon him an opponent. Should contender come out victorious, they get a large sum of money and a chance to make a career. Sounds good, actually.

Oh, and the three princesses were in VIP lounge up above. They wanted for him to come with them, but Cid declined. Eh, it's fine, upon realizing who else was in VIP lounge he lost last bits of wish to go there, anyway. Yep, Beta in her Natsume Kafka disguise was sitting with princesses. And knowing how jealous she was even when he was interacting with Shades, no doubt any little talk with princesses will spark a flaming tornado.

So, no, he's not going. Instead let's watch this interesting event. First guy comes up and… Nothing happens. The guy becomes frustrated and leaves the dome… Huh, if Cid recalls correctly it costs 150.000 Zeni to just participate, and you don't get any compensation should you fail… Yep, poor guy just lost a sum.

A dozen or so guys failed, too. Real pity, that's 1.950.000 Zeni lost. Good thing Gamma covers everything for him now.

"Next pretendent: Annerose Nichtsehen!"

And the whole place breaks in ovations. Looks like that girl is hella popular? Should be strong then.

Oh, the dome actually answered! And he can see some curious things happening… Well-well-well, if it isn't the spatial magic he was searching for! Though it's mixed with something else… He will need some time to decipher-

What do you mean it's over?!

The woman on the stage cleaned her sword and placed it back in , she won in mere seconds. Are all spirits here that weak?!

Next time a contender summoned a spirit it was actually a fierce battle that lasted for a few minutes. The end result: contender lost with heavy injuries. Huh, could it be this swordswoman is actually just really strong? If it's like that, he actually found a third Heroine for his list…

Another seven contenders stood up, and all lost. Some lasted for a couple of minutes, some lost in mere seconds. But it was not enough for him to actually decipher what is going on with spatial anomalies! Well, looks like he will need to go up closer. And for that he will participate himself.

"And our next contender is- Who is that?!"

A man in black coat jumped up on the stage and came closer into the dome. The moment he did, the ancient symbols started flowing and glowing. However, as time passed, they did not stop like with all previous successful contenders. Instead, the waves of magic started rising up, opening a black portal.

"The ancient memories slumber in the Sanctuary. And today, I shall set them free," his calm and confident voice reverberated across the arena.

He raised his hand and pulled something invisible to himself. The next moment, his opponent finally arrived.

"I-Impossible…" Nelson's eyes widened.

"T-The Witch of Calamity?!" Natsume Kafka placed her hand on the mouth.

The tall woman clad in clothes dark as night itself stepped up from the portal. Her raven hair flowed in the air as she slowly descended on the arena. Once her feet finally found the ground, her violet eyes locked onto her opponent in curiosity.

"You know her?" Alexia asked the obviously more knowledgeable people.

"Aurora, the Witch of Calamity…" Nelson nodded in fear, "legends say it that she was the reason our world was on the brink of catastrophe millennia ago."

"Catastrophe?…" Rose turned her head.

"It is not a well-known story, after all, so no wonder only those who purposely try to find it know about the events…" bald man sighed as he finally calmed down.

"The Trial summons a worthy opponent for the contender… Does that mean that Shadow?!…" Alexia's widened her eyes in realization.

"Impossible," Nelson shook his head, "there never was someone as strong as the Witch of Calamity herself. She was responsible for destruction of civilization. No matter how strong one is, he will be nothing more but a fodder against Aurora…"

Iris frowned at his words and focused on the arena.

Alexia and Rose gulped at his words. There's no way someone would be that strong, right?

Natsume Kafka finally finished scribbling something in her notebook. Her sky-like eyes were watching raven-haired woman. 'Kafka' was worried for her beloved Lord. He always wins, but judging from the man's words, if something goes south…

No. Beta knows that Lord Shadow knows no defeat.

'There's no way…'

Cid was watching his opponent. The way she moved, the way she appraised him, the way her feet were standing… Everything said: she knows what she does.

It was first time when Cid met someone like her in this world. It was first time someone actually knew what, exactly, is true spirit of battle. Even now, whilst they were still, a "conversation" was taking place.

Cid calmed down his heart. It is the first time he ever felt something like that. The first time a mere look from someone sent a pleasant shivers down his spine…

'My dear, lovely… Violet…'

He does not know her name, but he does not need to.

Then, he decided.

'After you.'

He made a step to the left. The next moment the place where he stood was pierced by red spear.

It would be easy to completely overwhelm her with his superior magic abilities, but what fun would it be, then? He intentionally set a limit. He will only use swordsmanship and close quarters combat. Let the true skill decide who is the winner.

One spear goes forward. It breaks in two. Two spears. One in front, another from the left. Slash one with sword, send it into another. Spears meet each other and fall.

They explode into countless small needles and continue flying into him. Blood Magic. He was not the first user of it in this world. Curious. She tries to overwhelm him with numbers.

He watches as the needles come closer. Then he makes his move.

All the needles were slashed. In but a moment, his sword danced in the air and deflected each and every projectile from his opponent.

Violet smiled at him and nodded. A bloody red spear appeared in her arm.

She lunges at him. Spear is longer than a sword, so as long as she maintains the distance, she will remain at advantage.

She does maintain her distance. Each time he tries to come closer, she forces him back with her spear. He does not wish to take a single hit. They are dancing. To take a hit is to break the rhythm. That will not do.

He ducks under spear. He places his sword above to stop the spear from coming down. He immediately takes her in a grappling hold. She does not know how to fight unarmed. Somewhat funny.

She ceases any resistance.

"It was a good dance."

"Yeah, it sure was."

"A shame you are but a spirit of the past. I would wish to have a conversation with you at your peak."

"Oh, is that so…? Ha-ha, first time someone says that to me."

"Their problem, then."

"Hmm…" she nods at him.

The next moment, his dagger pierces her heart. She casts him last sad smile and dissipates in red right.

A sense of loss appeared in his soul.

"How- How could that be…" Nelson could no longer hold himself. He stared in horror at what happened in the arena.

No one could believe what happened, either. One moment, Shadow is being held back by Aurora's relentless attacks. Next moment, they are engaging in close battle. Last moment, they see her blood as she disappears.

Alexia was closely watching their battle to imprint every single move of theirs into her memory. A doubt seeped into her mind.

'And he thinks I will some day grow enough to give him a challenge…'

Rose was enamored with a beautiful dance again. It reminded her of times, long buried in her memories…

Iris for the first time in her life felt conflicted about her power. It was clear she was nowhere as capable as the two fighters. The difference between her and Shadow Garden's top executives was large, but she believed with enough work she could one day catch up to them. This battle, however, shook her heart.

Beta was writing and sketching down everything that happened during the battle. She even felt a bit guilty for doubting her Lord. After all, it is clear that he is God in human form. How could he ever experience a loss?

Shadow looked around one last time and disappeared from view. Then the dome shined.

"A pity…"

Cid was sad. The first person ever to actually give him a sense of satisfaction, only to be taken away like that. Well, she was from this Sanctuary, so if he managed to break the code down, maybe he will be able to take her from here? She doesn't have a body, but when did that stop him? He will think of something…

Hm, what's this?

A door? A large dark blood-stained door… All filled in Ancient Symbols. That appeared right after he defeated Violet. And that door emits these same spatial anomalies.

"Well then… I hope you will give me answers I am looking for."

And then he started studying its inner workings. Hmm, how interesting… It serves as a point between this place and some kind of… Dimension? Seems really similar to Material World-Connection Point-Shadow Realm… If he actually studies it, he may unlock the way to Spatial Magic… And maybe even take his lovely Violet away from that place.

"Stop shaking. I will not do anything rash. I will only study you. Then study what you are made of. Then study your inner workings. Then I will dissect you to understand more. It won't be painful, just trust me on that," his eyes turned red.

The door really wanted to get away. It was first time it met someone that insane, but unfortunately, it was stuck with the True Demon in front of it. Even now, she could feel the horrific scent of something beyond this world.

When Cid reached for the door, it could only pray that whatever he does will not damage it beyond repair.

"It worked…"

Cid studied the door for some time only to realize that it was indeed nothing more than a connecting point with workings similar to that of Material-Shadow Point. After some consideration and double checking with his Shadow Sense, he went in.

And now Cid was in some room, with walls made of stone. Oh, here's also strange wooden door. And the place also tried to suppress his magic, but to no avail.

"Why, hello there."

The voice from behind was familiar. He was sure he heard it no longer than a few minutes ago.

"Ah…" he couldn't contain his excitement.

"Hmm, long time no see, right?" he turned around to see the beautiful tall woman with eyes akin to that of his magic smiling at him.

"Indeed, I missed you a lot… Violet," in the next moment he slashed away at the chains that bind her to the wall.