Silence shrouded the courtyard, as if the four Marked present were the only entrants alive.

  The more likely explanation was that the remaining survivors were hiding, waiting for the trial to end - or for the perfect chance to strike.

  Kai teleported away from Gideon’s bloodied corpse and emerged in front of his deadly bodyguards. Blood leaked from the corpse’s devastating wounds, flowing toward the trio in a single stream, like an accusing finger.

  The flying woman hovered past the body, closing the distance to the trio of murderers.

  The three ruthless Marked tensed. Alira and Rusk prepared their Gifts, ready to add another kill to their growing list.

  Kai shook his head. “I’ll handle this - be ready for anything.”

  They frowned. He couldn’t blame them - the flying woman was dangerous. They didn’t know if she’d attack them next.

  But Kai didn’t want to fight her. She had helped them kill Gideon, and he had just fought two battles back to back.

  He was tired. His body thrummed with vigour, but his dulled mind begged for rest.

  His suit couldn’t cure the mental exhaustion from ceaseless fighting.

  Kai was confident they could kill the woman if it came to it. But why create an enemy - or a corpse - out of a potential ally? He didn’t need the points or the hassle.

  But it wasn’t his choice to make.

  He was still a Target. Would the flying woman risk a three-on-one fight for an extra twenty points? Or had she realised the points weren’t as important as the system claimed?

  Maybe she remembered him saving her life? That was wishful thinking - he had extended space before her. How could she know he was the one who did it? His Gift wasn’t flashy or obvious - perfect for subtlety, terrible for taking credit.

  If he brought it up - she could curse him as a liar, or grow angry at the memory of her scorched sister, friend, or lover.

  Not worth the risk - better to bank on their mutual hate of the dead noble lying in a pool of blood.

  But nothing was guaranteed - Kai had to prepare for anything.

  He forced a smile and waved at the approaching woman. Her gaze locked on him. She maintained her vigilance but made no move to attack - a good sign.

  Kai knew little about her, but one thing was certain - she wanted Gideon dead.

  He gestured toward the nearby corpse. “Thanks for your help killing the bastard.”

  She nodded. “Thank you too. The despicable wretch deserved it.”

  Kai nodded enthusiastically. “We made a good team, didn’t we?”

  The flying woman narrowed her grey eyes. “Are you pledged to House Nivisara?”

  Kai masked his confusion with a wider smile. He glanced at Alira - she shrugged.

  “No. Just an orphan.”

  “Orphan? You keep interesting company.”

  “You know my companions?”

  “I know of the prin—Lady Nivisara - as does every noble not living under a rock.” Her gaze swept over Alira and Rusk, then returned to Kai.

  He was missing something. Had he been living under a rock? Was Alira famous? The more he heard, the sharper his curiosity grew.

  The limited books he had stolen a peek at said there was no royalty among the nobles. They were ‘Lords’ and ‘Ladies’. He assumed the ‘princess’ thing was an insult, but—

  “Alira, do you know this lady?” Kai asked.

  Alira shot him an icy glare. “No. I don’t have the time or the desire to keep up with every noble.”

  Kai struggled to keep a straight face. Shouldn’t nobles be well-versed in politics? Was Alira a problem child?

  If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  He sighed. “Apologies, my lady. I’m Kai. How should I address you?”

  The flying woman’s silver hair fluttered in the wind. Her grey eyes pierced him. “Call me Liora of House Ventarra.”

  She descended gracefully to the ground beside Kai, gripping her wooden spear, her feet still inches from the concrete. He gripped the hilt of his sword.

  The corners of her mouth curved slightly. “I have no reason to fight you. I came here for the Ashvale boy.”

  Kai’s gaze tracked her movements. “You’re not hunting for points?”

  “No need.” She glided closer. Alira’s daggers whirled behind her, ready to fire. Rusk glanced down at his boxers and resigned himself to watching the scene unfold.

  Liora moved beside Kai and stared down at Gideon’s corpse. Pure, pleasant air filled his lungs. It was like standing in a summer field - instead of beside a man with a hole in his head.

  Liora’s voice was smooth, calm. “I have a feeling you know the points are a distraction too - bait for the foolish and violent.”

  Kai turned to face her. “This trial isn’t about points. It’s about betrayal - and being the last ones standing.”

  Her brows lifted. “Interesting way to put it.”

  He scoffed. “How would you describe this slaughterhouse?”

  Her slight smile grew but didn’t reach her eyes. “This trial’s about trust and survival.”

  Kai held back a laugh at her naivety. Trust? How could you trust anyone when trapped in a maze with a bunch of murder-crazed Gifted?

  Kai glanced at his companions. Alira stood ready to attack if Liora tried anything. And despite Rusk’s reservations - he’d probably abandon his last shred of dignity if it came down to it.

  But that wasn’t foolish, blind trust - it was fragile trust built on mutual benefit. Mutual benefit was a better deterrent to betrayal than blindly trusting strangers.

  Unless you wanted to get taken advantage of - or killed.

  Kai shook his head. Liora’s idealism was…nice, but misguided in a world like this. He gestured at Gideon’s corpse again. “I think he - and most of the Marked here - would disagree.”

  Liora’s mouth tightened into a firm line. A solemn air surrounded her. She spoke softly. “Don’t you think that’s a shame?”

  Kai’s eyebrows climbed. But before he could respond, a message entered his mind.

  [You have survived as a Target. You gain 20 points.]

  Kai’s shoulders relaxed a little, but he didn’t let his guard down. A new Target would be here any second. And no matter how idealistic Liora seemed - she could be buttering Kai up for a surprise attack.

  Liora disappeared - then reappeared a few feet away from Kai.

  She can teleport? No - she must be the new Target.

  Liora sighed and glanced at her new position. “How troublesome. Well, what are you going to do, Kai? Will you choose trust or betrayal? Killing or surviving?”

  Kai chuckled. “How disingenuous. I don’t know you enough to trust you - killing you hardly counts as betrayal.” A smirk tugged at his lips. “Nobody survives the First Trial without killing - or hiding while someone else does the dirty work.”

  Liora glided towards Kai again, smiling as if she didn’t fear him.

  His gaze locked onto her as he shrugged. “Anyway, you have no reason to fight me - and I have no reason to fight you. The enemy of my enemy is a potential friend, right?”

  Liora moved within striking distance. Kai tightened his grip on his sword - the metal pommel bit into his palm.

  Her voice was soft and playful. “You want to be friends?” Liora rested a hand on Kai’s shoulder. Her fingers were smooth, though her nails were chipped and scuffed from combat or training. He fought the urge to cut her down. With her hand on his shoulder, she shifted toward his back.

  He shifted without hesitation - he knew better than to show his back to a potential enemy.

  Liora held back a laugh. “How can we be friends if you don’t trust me?”

  “Since we’ve just met - stay where I can see you for now.”

  She gave his shoulder a light squeeze before stepping in front of him. Her relaxed posture seemed out of place in the tense courtyard. A floral sweetness brushed Kai’s nose.

  “Well,” Liora said, “there’s no reason for me to stay here. I’ll be—“

  “Wait,” Kai interrupted. “Why are you so calm?”

  This naive woman was gonna get herself killed if she trusted everyone like this. Her idealism was cute, but impractical. She had helped him kill that noble bastard - the least he could do was help her understand the truth of this cruel world.

  “What if I was lying? What if we ambushed you?”

  A warm smile spread across Liora’s lips. “Oh, I know you hold no ill intent toward me.”

  Kai almost covered his face with his hand. This woman didn’t have long to live. The fact she had survived this long was surprising. Although she was right this time - maybe she had luck like Rusk?

  “How? How could you know? I know I’m persuasive - but…”

  She shook her head. “My Curse told me. I hope we meet again, Kai.” She glanced at Alira and Rusk, her back open and vulnerable to Kai’s steel blade. “Lady Alira…naked man.”

  “The name’s Rusk! And I’m not naked - are you blind?” Rusk gestured at his boxers. Any dignity he had left was long gone.

  “Ah, my apologies Rusk. I hope we meet again as well.” Liora’s smile dimmed, her eyes fixing on Alira. “Lady Alira, find me when you’re ready to deal with Prince. I’d hate to miss that fight.”

  Alira nodded. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

  Liora nodded back. She glanced at Kai once more. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, Kai. And thank you for saving me.” She levitated into the air and flew away from the courtyard.

  Kai turned toward his bodyguards - his gaze falling on Alira. “There’s a prince now?”

  Alira sighed and shook her head. “No…it’s complicated.” Her floating daggers coalesced into an icy blade. Kai gestured to a courtyard entrance. They paused to let Rusk salvage threads from Gideon and Bernard’s corpses before moving on.

  Alira spoke as they walked. “There are no princes - officially. Lord Ashvale merely changed his name to ‘Prince’.”

  “This guy calls himself a prince, and everybody else plays along? Doesn’t that make the Lords mad? Shouldn’t they kill him?”

  Alira laughed, a sight Kai hadn’t seen before. But it was bitter laughter, devoid of joy. “You don’t know much about nobles, do you?”

  Kai saw no reason to lie. “I don’t - enlighten me.”

  Rusk had reclaimed a shred of dignity. Black trousers now covered his legs, ethereal threads coiling around him as they left the courtyard.

  Alira let out a heavy breath. “Prince will conquer the noble houses and crown himself king - if I don’t stop him.”

  Did Rusk preserve his dignity?

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