The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 62: The Trial Beyond Light

The morning sun rose—but it brought no warmth.

Overnight, the strange announcement had shaken the academy to its roots. Professors held hushed meetings. Students whispered rumors in corridors. Even the bravest of the Every Royal Class looked uneasy.

Outside the Lunar Dormitory, Zen leaned against the railing, arms crossed, eyes narrowed at the tower in the distance where the Deputy headmasters gathered. Nex hovered silently for once.

[SYSTEM]: "So... Not a dream, huh?"

"No," Zen said, voice low. "Something's coming."

[SYSTEM]: "I analyzed the announcement. That wasn't regular system protocol. Whatever 'Trial Beyond Light' is... it wasn't from the academy."

Zen turned. "Then who?"

[SYSTEM]: "Either an ancient entity with access to the root system... or something worse."

Before Zen could respond, a loud gong sounded. All students were called to the Astral Amphitheater—the academy's ceremonial ground that hadn't been used in decades.

Lyra and Sylvia found Zen at the main stairs.

"You felt it too, right?" Lyra asked, folding her arms, her usual playfulness replaced by wariness.

Zen nodded. "We'll find out soon."

Sylvia frowned. "Everyone's saying we might be forced into another dungeon. But this one isn't normal."

---

Astral Amphitheater – The Gathering

Thousands of students packed into the massive circular arena. The Deputy Headmaster of Eboncrest, Elandor Veylin, floated into the center, cloak billowing with magic as his voice thundered without shouting.

> "Students. You have heard the message."

> "We did not send it."

A ripple of gasps spread through the crowd.

> "An ancient force—older than this world's system—has awakened. It issued a challenge to the ones marked by fate. Three days from now, the Trial Beyond Light will begin."

> "This is not part of our curriculum. It is... beyond even the gods we know."

Murmurs rose. Panic stirred. Zen's eyes narrowed. Lyra gripped his sleeve without realizing.

> "To ensure safety, all chosen students will be monitored. And yes, not all of you have been chosen."

Glowing marks suddenly appeared over select students' chests—runic circles shimmering like constellations. Zen. Lyra. Sylvia. Arisella. Fiora. Elvren. Others too.

> "If your mark has appeared... you are one of the chosen."

> "The Trial cannot be stopped."

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> "You have three days to prepare."

> "Survive... and you may change the fate of this world."

And with that, Elandor vanished.

---

Later – Courtyard

Zen sat beneath a tree, reviewing his status.

[SYSTEM]: "So. Destiny's calling. Again. You ever get tired of being a main character?"

Zen exhaled deeply. "What do you think this trial is?"

[SYSTEM]: "It called itself 'Beyond Light.' That means it might take place outside of normal magic laws. Maybe a subdimension. Time could warp. Rules could break. Fun, huh?"

Lyra arrived, flopping down beside Zen and handing him an apple. "I stole it from the kitchen. You're welcome."

"You're a criminal now?"

"Only when I'm hungry."

Sylvia appeared too, holding a thick book. "I've been trying to research the phrase 'Trial Beyond Light.' Nothing in the library."

Zen looked between them. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Lyra smirked. "Aww. Look at you being a softie."

"I'm not."

"Liar."

[SYSTEM]: "He is. Full-on secret softie. Likes moonlight walks, sword polish, and emotionally repressed confessions."

Zen coughed. "Ignore him."

---

Training Begins – Day One of Preparation

The chosen students were given access to a special training field: The Void Garden—a mystical ground where time flowed differently. One hour inside equaled 30 minutes outside.

Zen, Lyra, and Sylvia trained harder than ever.

Sylvia practiced her Ice Bloom magic with greater control, forming elegant weapons of frost.

Zen honed his sword strikes into something near-perfect.

Lyra trained her healing and support, managing to push through her limits with a spell that created a protective dome—a skill she jokingly called "Lyra's Bubble of Please Don't Die."

They fought animated constructs. Dodged magical traps. And teased each other mercilessly in between.

At one point, Lyra "accidentally" cast Blessing Veil directly into Zen's face.

"I swear, I tripped," she said.

Zen, glowing with radiant sparkles, looked unimpressed. "You tripped?"

Sylvia: "That was very deliberate."

[SYSTEM]: "It's okay, Zen. Now you sparkle like a magical girl. I support this character development."

---

A Private Night Before the Trial

That night, Zen stood outside again, staring up at the sky.

Lyra approached quietly.

"You're worried," she said.

He nodded. "This isn't like the dungeon. This... feels like something we weren't meant to touch."

She leaned against him lightly. "Then we'll slap fate in the face together. You, me, Ice Queen Sylvia , and Princess

Zen chuckled. "We're a strange team."

Lyra glanced at him. "But a strong one."

A beat passed. Then she added softly, "You're always standing alone. Even when you're surrounded. Why is that?"

Zen didn't respond at first.

"...Because if I fall," he said, "I want no one to fall with me."

She looked at him. "That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard."

And she came close and petted his head.

Zen froze.

[SYSTEM]: "Warning: Heart rate spike detected. System suggests deep breathing and/or accepting the hug."

Zen slowly returned the hug.

No words were spoken after that.

---

The Final Countdown

As dawn broke on the final day, a rift tore open in the sky above the academy—swirling, blinding light.

The Trial had come.