ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 166: THE DIVINE SHIELD

High above the clouds, the Vice-Chancellor and the Academy’s pillars watched the fierce duel unfold below. The intensity of Callista’s attack caught their attention, and murmurs rose among them, each seasoned figure assessing her power.

One of the pillars, Carmilia the Ice Queen spoke up with a narrow look on her face. "That explosive power... it has to be the Thamuz family’s ’Dark Pride.’ There’s no other explanation for that boost in her abilities."

The Vice-Chancellor nodded, his face lined with both admiration and concern. "Yes, the Thamuz family’s secret technique. Dark Pride doubles their strength whenever their dignity or pride—whether personal or familial—is at risk. But it comes at a severe cost."

General Cao chimed in with a deep frown on his face. "The backlash of Dark Pride is brutal. Once it wears off, it leaves the user physically drained, often wounded internally. For those who overuse it, the repercussions are even more dire—it’s rumored that they can lose part of their cultivation base permanently."

The Vice-Chancellor frowned. "I worry about Callista. She’s talented, but the Thamuz family’s obsession with pride is a double-edged sword. It pushes them to extremes, but it also traps them within a cycle of vengeance and retaliation. If Callista’s not careful, she might pay a price too high."

They continued to watch the duel, all too aware that Dark Pride would push Callista to levels that could easily overwhelm Charlotte—but at a cost that could echo far beyond this single battle.

Back on the platform, Charlotte gritted her teeth, her breathing labored as Callista’s unrelenting strikes crashed against her shield. With every clash, her defenses crumbled a little more, each blow forcing her to her knees. She could feel her strength slipping, her limits rapidly approaching. But something within her stirred—a resolve that refused to be crushed.

"I have no choice," she whispered to herself, barely audible amidst the clash of their weapons.

Gritting her teeth, Charlotte closed her eyes, focusing every ounce of energy she had left. She steadied her breath, then extended her shield hand with resolve, summoning an ancient power she’d only read about, never attempted. The air around her vibrated as she channeled it, a golden aura swirling into existence around her. She called upon The Divine Shield.

As she activated it, an ethereal glow enveloped her, forming an immense barrier that shimmered with a power that felt ancient, otherworldly. The moment it materialized, Callista’s spear crashed against the shield but was instantly repelled, leaving her stumbling backward. This was no ordinary shield—its defense was absolute.

Up in the clouds, the Vice-Chancellor’s eyes went wide with disbelief. "The Divine Shield," he whispered. "I thought it had vanished with the old generations."

General Cao’s jaw clenched, awe flickering across his usually impassive face. "That technique was said to be lost. This girl…"

Carmilia’s voice was a hushed murmur, "A power from the days when legends roamed. How could she…"

Vlahiç and Bowen exchanged a quick look, their surprise evident. This was a move reserved for only the most ancient of protectors.

Back on the platform, Charlotte held the Divine Shield firm, Callista’s attacks now powerless against it. With a final, exhausted push, she repelled Callista with enough force to send her sliding backward, nearly to the edge of the platform. Callista stumbled, her strength drained from her Dark Pride technique, until she finally fell to one knee.

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Sylvester’s voice rang out over the crowd, signaling the end of the duel. "Victory goes to Charlotte!"

A stunned silence hung over the crowd, then erupted into cheers. But as Charlotte stood in her victory, her knees shook, barely able to withstand the effort of holding the Divine Shield for those last critical moments. She had won—by the skin of her teeth.

As the cheers from the crowd began to settle, Kaelen leaned closer to where Guinevere stood, his brows furrowed. "What on earth was that?" he asked, glancing at his sword, which seemed to hum with an uneasy energy, vibrating softly at his side. "The Blade of Eternity is acting strange, like it recognizes something about that shield."

Guinevere’s eyes were still wide, her expression laced with disbelief and curiosity. "I can’t believe she managed it," she murmured, almost to herself. She took a deep breath, then turned to Kaelen, her tone low and serious.

"That shield is called The Divine Shield, and it’s not just any defensive technique. It’s ancient, older than almost any known spell or skill within human or magical domains. The elves created it back in the early ages, an era steeped in legends and wars. They used it as a barrier against powerful threats when they fought to protect the realms they watched over. Back then, only their High Protectors—their most skilled defenders—could wield it."

Kaelen’s eyes widened, a glimmer of understanding dawning on him. "The elves… that explains why it felt like something far more than just a technique. But how did Charlotte manage it?"

Guinevere shook her head slowly, still baffled. "No one knows. The Divine Shield was said to have disappeared after the last of the elven High Protectors vanished centuries ago. It’s supposed to be impossible to learn without years of training and a connection to the High Protectors’ ancient lineage."

Her gaze flickered toward Charlotte, who was catching her breath, her face pale but victorious. "If Charlotte can harness that kind of power… she might be more connected to the elven heritage than we know, or perhaps she’s touched something forgotten within the land itself."

Kaelen nodded, his expression thoughtful. "So this isn’t just some high-level skill. It’s… it’s like a relic from a time long past."

"Exactly," Guinevere replied. "It’s a legacy left behind by the elves, perhaps even a guardian’s vow to shield others from harm." She paused, her voice dropping. "If Charlotte learns to wield it fully, she might be more formidable than anyone here realizes."

The gravity of the revelation weighed heavy, and they exchanged a look, both sensing that this year’s tryouts were about to shift in ways none of them could have predicted.