The silence in the Arena of Souls was deafening. Leonardo stood amidst the fading blue sparks of the King's Shadow, his chest heaving as the temporary mana boost began to drain away. He felt every muscle in his body scream in protest, yet his eyes remained fixed on the royal balcony.
King Silas didn't say a word. He stood up, his golden cape billowing in the wind, and turned away, disappearing into the shadows of the palace. It wasn't a gesture of mercy; it was a silent acknowledgment that the game had changed.
Suddenly, the blue screen flickered one last time before going dark.
[Trial Conclusion: Success!] [Vetting Threshold Reached: Your destiny is being evaluated.] [Next Objective: Rest and Recover.]
Leonardo felt a soft hand on his shoulder. It was Aurora. She didn't look like a princess at that moment; she looked like someone who had just witnessed a miracle.
"You did it," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "But remember, Leonardo, winning the trial was the easy part. Surviving the King's court... that is where the real monsters hide."
As the guards moved in to escort him back to the guest wing, Leonardo felt a strange sensation in his pocket. The 500 gold coins from the system reward weren't just numbers—he could feel their weight. He was no longer a beggar or a 'trash'. He was a player in a world of kings.