The Blades of Chaos

The platform shook loudly as whatever Iris had to face made its way out of the box. Each scaly leg showing more of the creature within. Iris was sweating profusely. He had never felt such pressure, even from the elders. He knew powerful beasts dwelled outside of the continent, but he never believed one of them would be trapped within the box. 

More and more of the creature was revealed. Many of the examinees tripped over themselves and others, scrambling to get away from the platform. While the platform had a see-through shield over it, the inside wasn't. It was a one way glass. Iris had to face this menace alone. 

Iris could only assume that it was a beast of legend. It's presence alone was enough to suffocate a normal person. The creature made its last step outside the box. Its shiny black scales glittering like jewels. Iris inhaled, it was a dragon. 'Ok, now I'm really dead.' He thought to himself. 

Looking down at its opponent the massive black dragon exhaled through its nose, causing a giant gust of wind to push Iris back about 3 feet. "So, you're the one who freed me? You don't look like much, a measly bronze rank like you." The dragon said, glaring at Iris. The dragon noticed the blade he carried. "Ah, no wonder. Hahaha, to think that blade would choose someone like you, and no, I'm not talking about that flimsy toy you're holding," The dragon says, laughing, "When you become diamond rank, come find me. I will help you with your… problem." 

The dragon smiled and unfurled his wings. In a swift motion he burst through the shield and took flight. He flew East towards the distant mountains. Iris just stood there, wondering what in the hell had just happened. He sheathed his sword. He had a lot to think about. But that could wait, Iris saw the elders approaching from the Tower. Most of them flew after the dragon. However, the grand elder flew into the previously shielded platform. He calmly walked towards Iris. The pressure he was giving off wasn't as strong as the dragons but it was much more frightening. 

"You, come here." The grand elder said, gesturing to Iris. Iris calmly walked up to him. The aura the grand elder was giving off nearly made him fall to his knees. However, he remained standing. He didn't want to look weak in front of the grand elder. "Yes sir?" Iris asked him. "What did that beast say to you?" The grand elder demanded. "Only to visit him when I become stronger. Other than that he said nothing." Iris replied simply. 

The grand elder's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure boy? Was that all he said?" The elder said, igniting a scary power in his eyes. Iris felt even more pressure from the grand elder. Iris' eyes started to become blurry. A small tingling came from Iris' hand. It flushed through his body, almost immediately calming him. HIs head cleared and he no longer felt the danger of the aura in front of him. However, Iris still acted like he was in trance.

The power the grand elder had used on him was called Truth's Gaze. It was a power very few in the world held. "Y-yes, that was all he said." Iris said in faux pain. The elder retracted his power and Iris fell to the ground. He panted, the aura was simply unimaginable, if his blade hadn't reacted he would have surely spilt his secret. 

The grand elder quickly turned on his heel and joined the, just now, returning elders. After a few minutes of conversation they left. Iris exited the platform. He blew a sigh of relief. He heard whispers around him.

"Who is that guy, did you see the monster that escaped the box?" A boy said.

"Woah, to think someone like him appeared, I don't even know if I could handle a wolf. Let alone a massive dragon." Another boy said.

Iris saw Luna looking at him. He flashed her a silent smile and continued his way over to the third year. "Oi, the hell was that? You're only a bronze rank. To think you'd have the power to summon an ancient dragon." The third year said, in a disbelieving tone. The trees swayed in the wind while Iris tried forming a response. He just couldn't think of anything. The situation was just too bizarre. Iris shook his head, "You're misinterpreting the situation. I was just really unlucky, that dragon could've just been ready to escape the box. I mean you saw the way he broke the shield." The third year laughed, "Yeah, yeah I did. Anyways since you managed to survive a breakout of megalithic proportions I think that in itself means you passed the first test. Go over and join that group over there and prepare yourself for a speech on test two." He laughed and pointed towards a group of examinees. 

'To think this kid would have the balls to stand before a black dragon. Even I couldn't do that. This year's bunch is definitely interesting.' Thought the third year. 

Iris walked over to the group and started to meditate. He didn't want to practice, afterall, he still wanted to watch Luna's match. Most of the students who didn't own weapons grabbed them off of a rack. Since you could use one or your own. You can still grab a sword after the match, however, if you fail you have to put the blade back. After meditating for a few minutes curiosity got the best of Iris and he walked over to the floating armory. 

The armory itself was a small, floating carriage with a small door. The inside however held all of the weapons of the Tower, save for the few more powerful artifacts. Iris tugged on the handle and walked into the armory after managing to open the small door. Walking inside he found all sorts of glittering weapons, shiny armors, and artifacts. Every weapon had a tracking sigil of the highest quality on it. Even if someone tried to steal one and run off they would be apprehended. 

The punishments for stealing a blade are severe. Sometimes even punishable by death. Iris walked around for a while not finding Luna's rapier. He was a little glad to not see it. He would have to explain to someone if he used it and they recognized it as one of the Towers weapons. He breathed a sigh of relief. 

There were two more blades in here that were legendary. No student had ever been accepted as their masters though. One was Frostmere, a legendary blade with cold powers. The other was the blade of the Flame King. These were both treated as one blade since their sheaths were inseparable. Iris found them not long after remembering their existence. He walked up to them, feeling their faint aura. They had been sealed not long after their discovery. They had been on the body of the Black King. He had slain two other kings and stolen their prized blades. He had used them to kill countless people, earning himself the title of Demon by all. 

Iris reached towards the blades, grabbing them. He then felt the elements raging through his body. Iris stepped back. He felt the pain and suffering of many souls within the blades. The rage of the Flame Blade and the icy regret of Frostmere brought Iris to his knees. Different emotions swept over his body as it was being both frozen and melted. His hand began glowing, quelling the emotions of the blade. 

A small blue light appeared from Frostmere. "This blade recognizes its master." The orb said. A small fireball appeared from Flame Blade. "This blade recognizes its master." "Use us well, young master." The orbs said in unison before dissipating. Iris looked at the sword on his hip. He had way too many weapons. "I need a spatial ring." He sighed. 

Spatial rings allowed the storing of a limited number of items. Some of the higher quality spatial rings could hide a whole house within them. As if sensing his worries, Iris' palm glowed a light purple and sucked the Dwarf's heirloom into it. "EH!?" Iris yelled. He was so confused. He set aside his confusion for now though. He had to go and see Luna's match. It would be interesting to see what she fought, at least, if it was anything like her last life. 

Iris, attaching the swords to his back exited the Tower's armory. He was greeted by soft sunlight. Luna had to wait three matches before hers. This was good, Iris was on time. The third year looked over at Iris and his jaw dropped. He saw the dual blades on his back and internally died. Multiple students' lives had been claimed by those blades, even diamond elites. He immediately went to contact the elders to tell them of the development. The bronze rank was most possibly the most powerful spirit he had seen thus far. Not only surviving a dragon, but taming the Dual Blades of Chaos. 

Iris found himself a nice patch of grass and sat down. "Ah, finally a brief moment of rest." He said to himself.