Chapter 148: The Mirror’s Verdict

High Inquisitor Luke gestured with his thin, pale hand toward the two paladins standing beside him. The armoured men stepped forward, carrying a heavy velvet case decorated with golden sunburst seals.

They carefully unbolted the four brass deadbolts, opening the case to reveal the Divine Mirror. Its polished white crystal surface hummed with a harsh, concentrated holy element that caused the air to vibrate.

The tens of thousands of spectators in the surrounding stone benches leaned over the railings in complete silence. The ambient temperature of the Imperial Plaza dropped several degrees as the holy artefact activated.

On the high royal balcony, Prince Renard rested his hand against the hilt of his golden sword. Beside him, Princess Aria tapped her golden fan against her palm with a slow, rhythmic click.

Grandmaster Lazek Oberon stood near the central platform, his dark grey coat fluttering softly in the draft. His black eyes remained calm and unreadable, trusting the gold runic mesh seal hidden beneath Kale’s skin.

Kale Ardentis took three steady steps forward, stopping in the exact centre of the central stage. His gold-trimmed Master robes rested smoothly against his broad shoulders as he met the Inquisitor’s gaze.

’Do not hesitate, Inquisitor.’

Kale said, his calm voice carrying across the quiet plaza with absolute clarity.

’Perform your inspection so the ceremony may proceed without further delay.’

Luke let out a raspy, cold breath, taking the heavy silver frame into his thin hands.

’Arrogance will not save you if corruption resides within your marrow, boy.’

The High Inquisitor channelled a dense surge of his holy mana into the Divine Mirror. The polished white crystal face erupted in a blinding pillar of searching light, projecting a cone of energy onto Kale.

The searching white light engulfed Kale’s entire body, attempting to penetrate his pathways and resonate with any heretical mark. The ground around the central stage frosted over as the holy force expanded.

Beneath his high collar, the gold runic mesh hidden beneath his skin hummed as the holy energy touched the tissue. The dark World Dragon’s mark attempted to flare in rebellion against the intrusive light.

Kale immediately activated his Mental Bastion skill, establishing a cold, impenetrable wall around his core consciousness. He manually controlled his mana circulation, preventing any energetic spike from reaching the surface.

The earth element of the Terra Shell anchored his physical cells, providing an unyielding structural barrier. Simultaneously, the refined fire element of the Ignis Core continuously burned away the heretical friction before it could escape.

The white light of the Divine Mirror thrummed with increasing intensity, searching every biological node in Kale’s body. Yet the crystal reflection remained entirely clear, projecting only the image of an unblemished young master.

The mirror registered nothing but a stable, dual attribute harmony of earth and fire mana. No black aura appeared, no heretical resonance flared, and the artefact detected no draconic corruption.

Luke’s colourless eyes widened in absolute shock as he stared at the crystal face. He adjusted the angle of the mirror, channelling even more holy energy into the array until his thin hands trembled.

The white light surged to its peak, illuminating the entire central stage in a blinding radiance that made the front row spectators shield their eyes. Still, the crystal surface reflected no trace of corruption.

A loud wave of murmurs rippled across the noble balconies as the seconds turned into minutes. The paladins holding the perimeter shifted uncomfortably, their golden sunburst medallions humming without finding any target.

’Is your mirror broken, High Inquisitor?’

Kale asked, his green eyes shimmering with a cold, unblinking intensity.

’Or do you intend to blind the entire plaza because your false accusations have failed?’

Grandmaster Kraul stepped to the edge of the stone platform, his heavy voice booming across the plaza like a clap of thunder.

’Enough of this farce, Luke!’

Kraul roared, slamming his massive, muscular fist onto the wooden railing with furious force.

’You have subjected an Imperial Champion and Association Master to a public audit, and your precious mirror has found nothing!’

Prince Renard stood up on the royal dais, his boisterous laughter echoing over the silent benches of the spectators. He pointed a finger toward the central stage, his red hair catching the morning sun.

’A truly pathetic display, Inquisitor!’

Renard declared, raising his golden goblet toward the crowd with a broad, mocking grin.

’You have disrupted a state ceremony and slandered our victorious champion based on paranoid delusions!’

Princess Aria smiled softly behind her golden fan, her yellow eyes gleaming with a calculating, bright light. She looked down at Luke, her voice dropping into a sharp, icy tone that carried clearly.

’The Dragon Church has wasted enough of our time today, Inquisitor.’

Aria noted, her fan clicking shut against her palm with a sharp snap.

’Remove your paladins before the crown takes formal disciplinary action against your overreach.’

High Inquisitor Luke lowered the Divine Mirror with a slow, stiff motion, his thin hands shaking with cold rage. His pale face was tight with humiliation as the crowd began to jeer openly.

The noble ministers of House Morrow and the Divine Fist Sect watched in bitter silence. Their hope that the Church would eliminate the green-haired boy had been thoroughly crushed.

Luke stepped closer to Kale, his colourless eyes filled with an intense, predatory hatred that burned beneath his calm exterior. He rasped in a low whisper meant only for Kale.

’This outcome proves nothing, boy.’

Luke whispered, his voice dripping with venom.

’You have found a way to trick the glass, but the World Dragon sees all truths.’

Kale met the Inquisitor’s gaze directly, his green eyes cold and unyielding. His hands rested easily by his sides, showing no sign of hesitation or fear.

’Your fanaticism has blinded your judgment, Luke.’

Kale replied quietly, his voice calm and precise.

’Now take your paladins and clear the stage.’

With a sharp flick of his blood-red sleeves, High Inquisitor Luke turned around and led his fifty paladins away from the central stage. Their heavy iron boots clattered against the marble.

The entire Imperial Plaza erupted into thunderous cheers and applause as the Church forces departed in public disgrace. Tens of thousands of citizens stood up, celebrating the young Master.

Grandmaster Oram stepped forward with a warm, proud smile, raising his hands to address the roaring stadium. His gentle voice carried across the stone benches with absolute clarity.

’People of Emberheart, the Zenith Competition has concluded with absolute clarity!’

Oram announced, his voice echoing through the open stone arches of the plaza.

’We bestow upon Master Kale Ardentis the official victory honours of the Artificer division!’

Two royal guards marched up the marble steps, carrying a golden tray that held the official Master License and the heavy iron chest containing the Ancient rank elemental core.

Kale reached out and picked up the Ancient rank core, feeling its pristine, uncorrupted essence thrumming against his palm. The raw elemental density was immense, promising massive growth for Neo.

Deep within his shadow, Neo let out a quiet, satisfied trill through their shared taming bond. The catalyst required for the next phase of the Elemental Resonance Project was finally theirs.

Kale stored the Ancient rank core safely inside his spatial storage, adjusting his grey headband with a calm gesture. He offered a formal half bow to the cheering crowd and the dais.

Grandmaster Lazek Oberon nodded in quiet approval as his disciple walked down the steps toward the gold carriage. The Fleshcraft Grandmaster looked at his senior brothers with unmistakable pride.

Kale stepped inside the carriage, the heavy oak doors closing behind him as the horses began their march back toward the southern sector. He looked out the window at the passing spires.

He had conquered the public audit, secured permanent Master status, and claimed the ultimate catalyst for Neo’s next evolution. The Genetic Engineer was ready for the next phase of his rise.