The Boy Who Walks Beyond The End-Chapter 76: Cats, ice and Kleez

While the Partner Trials continued across Eboncrest's reinforced arenas, some pairings were destined for legend. Others were destined for disaster.

And then there was Kleez and Sylvia.

The duo stood awkwardly at the edge of their assigned arena.

Sylvia adjusted the grip on her frost-forged sword, her white-blue braid falling over one shoulder like a waterfall as she glanced at Kleez—unexpectedly, they became partners for the exam.

Kleez stood barefoot.

A flower crown adorned his head. A chicken was peeking out of his bag. And he was holding... a kazoo?

[System: Even I don't know how he passed orientation.]

"YES!" Kleez grinned. "You, ice queen of elegance and deadly grace. Me, chaotic masterpiece of uncertain origin. Together—we are... FROZEN TANGO."

Sylvia blinked once. "I hate this already."

The arena shimmered to life. Their task? Defeat a pack of spectral wolves—illusions, yes, but deadly if mishandled.

Sylvia stepped forward, sword raised. "Stay out of my way."

"Oh, I never interfere. I merely enhance," Kleez said, and promptly pulled out a summoning scroll.

Sylvia paused. "You have what?"

The scroll lit up with glowing symbols.

Sylvia took a step back. "Wait, that's not authorized—"

BOOM.

A glitter explosion. Smoke. A small choir of meowing.

Then: CATS.

Dozens. Dozens of cats.

Some fluffy. Some glowing. One wearing sunglasses. One riding a tiny broom. One... made entirely of smoke.

They began chasing the wolves.

And each other.

And also Kleez.

Sylvia's eye twitched. "You summoned a... cat army."

Kleez ducked under a cat that was juggling snowballs. "Technically, it's a Feline Familiar Field Formation. Quad-F-class summoning. Probably illegal. But don't they look majestic?"

One cat hissed and launched an icicle.

Another meowed and exploded into confetti.

Sylvia facepalmed. "You're going to get us disqualified."

Kleez grinned. "But think about it—our story will live on forever."

Despite the absolute circus, the wolves were quickly overwhelmed by the spectral cats. Sylvia barely had to lift her blade.

She finally sheathed it and crossed her arms. "You did nothing."

"I did everything," Kleez replied, covered in fur, with two kittens nesting on his head like royalty.

[System: New title unlocked: Accidental Tamer of Mayhem. Fan favorite status increased.]

Back in the observation stands, Zen watched from afar with a confused, slightly horrified stare.

Lyra leaned beside him. "He grows on you. Like moss."

Zen frowned. "He hit on you again this morning."

"He hit on my lunch tray first."

Zen's expression darkened.

[System: Warning. Jealousy levels approaching 'Explodey' status.]

Meanwhile, back in the arena, Sylvia walked away silently. A snowflake trailed behind her blade.

Kleez called after her, "Wait! You didn't rate our chemistry on a scale from sizzling to interstellar!"

She didn't turn. "Negative infinity."

"Romantic tension! I knew it!" Kleez beamed.

A cat meowed approvingly.

---

And in the last arena, while others clashed with magic and steel...

Zen and Lyra stood side by side in the observation deck now, their trial completed, breath calm—but eyes watchful.

Below, the final pairing took to the field.

Arisella and Elvren.

Royal Class prodigies. Wind and fire incarnate. Two forces never meant to mix—yet perfectly suited for destruction.

Their battlefield trembled with pressure before a single spell was cast.

Arisella floated an inch off the ground, wind curling around her ankles like obedient serpents. "Try not to incinerate me."

Elvren cracked his knuckles, his red hair glowing faintly in the heat rising from his body. "No promises, princess."

The illusions in this final test weren't beasts—but constructs of ancient warriors. Faster. Stronger. Smarter. A final test of instinct and synergy.

The bell rang.

The storm began.

Blades of wind met roaring flame. Arisella danced across the battlefield, her movements a hurricane in motion. Elvren followed like a comet—unleashing waves of fire with ruthless precision. Not allies. Not enemies. Just two apex predators refusing to lose.

From the stands, Kleez (still covered in cats) squinted. "Are they... fighting the illusions or each other?"

Zen replied, "Yes."

[System: Confirmed. Chaos energy detected. High chance of permanent drama.]

Even Sylvia leaned forward now. "They're going to break the arena."

Indeed, cracks spidered through the enchanted ground as Elvren and Arisella unleashed a joint attack—Tempest Inferno—a fusion spell neither had ever dared attempt in training.

The illusions disintegrated.

So did half the arena wall.

Silence.

Then the instructor slowly raised a scorecard from the sidelines.

10/10.

Kleez whistled. "They Should Get Married."

Sylvia: "They should be contained."

Zen, dryly: "They should get counseling."

[System: New title unlocked: Chaos Siblings – May God help their future partners.]

And so the Partner Trials concluded—not just with fire, wind, ice, and madness—but with sparks of rivalry, harmony, and maybe, just maybe... something more...

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