Two long lines snaked across the newly repaired central stage of the colosseum. One line for nobles stood pristine and orderly, every student standing with perfect posture. The other line for commoners was lively and full of energy, though still neatly divided into three rows like soldiers in formation. The arrangement prevented overcrowding and allowed the teachers a clear view during inspections.

Aiden stood tall in the center row of the commoner line, radiating calm confidence. To his left, in the parallel row, stood Luna. Behind Luna was Nayla, with Valeforia looming possessively behind her. Selvara followed with her usual crossed-arm posture, and Venya brought up the rear of that row.

To Aiden’s right, in the other parallel row, stood Thristle. Behind her was Lysandra, followed by Arisha. Vegia shyly positioned herself behind Arisha. In Aiden’s own center row, Nyxion pressed close behind him, Xylandra loomed protectively behind Nyxion, and Zerra bounced excitedly behind Xylandra.

Behind all of them stood Kee, Mee, and Liana side by side, filling out the rows.

Serica and Vaara had already left.

On the noble side, across the clear divide, the three rows were much more rigid. Elarion and Elara stood side by side, both bandaged from their respective fights. Ela stood in a row parallel to Aiden’s group. Further along the noble lines, in scattered groups, were Mariana Marinova, Katerine Lenbourg, Aletha Thunderheart, Nina Ignis, Calantha Cutlass, Alya Luminari, and Aeris Aeropex. All of them, bandaged and looking visibly annoyed and frustrated after their earlier defeats.

Lin Xinying stood parallel to Thristle in the nobles’ section. She waved toward her friend with a bright smile, and Thristle waved back happily, using quick sign language (Not the actual sign language) to chat with her.

The noble section was muttering among themselves with clear annoyance.

"Disgraceful... a commoner actually won the trials."

"How humiliating for the Voss family..."

"Elarion and Elara both lost... what a stain on our reputation."

The commoner line, however, was proud, happy, and buzzing with excitement.

"Did you see Lord Aiden destroy that Voss heir?" one boy whispered loudly. "He made it look effortless!" 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Another grinned. "I’m telling you, I’ll follow Lord Aiden forever after today. He’s going to change everything for us!"

The girls in the commoner line were especially vocal, their voices full of admiration.

"Lord Aiden looked so cool and strong the whole time..."

"That smirk when he was fighting... I can’t stop thinking about it. He’s so handsome!"

"I wish I could be one of his wives... he’s perfect."

Aiden, standing calmly in the center row, glanced to his right. Thristle was happily signing back and forth with Lin Xinying, both girls smiling brightly.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly with possessive intent.

"Thristle..." he called, his voice smooth but carrying clear authority.

Thristle stopped mid-sign and turned toward him. "Yes—?"

Before she could finish, Aiden reached out, grabbed her by the waist, and pulled her into a rough, claiming kiss right there in the middle of the formation.

Thristle’s eyes widened for a split second in surprise, but she quickly melted into the kiss, her hands coming up to clutch his shirt as she kissed him back passionately.

Aiden made sure the kiss was deep and possessive, one hand firmly on her lower back, the other tilting her chin up. He was deliberately showing off — making it crystal clear to everyone, especially Lin Xinying, exactly who Thristle belonged to.

Across the divide, Lin Xinying’s face turned bright red. She blushed furiously and quickly hid half of her face behind her hand, peeking through her fingers with wide eyes.

The entire commoner line erupted in excited whispers and giggles.

"Lord Aiden is so bold!"

"Look at him claiming her right here!"

"He’s so hot when he does things like that..."

On the noble side, the muttering grew even more annoyed.

"Disgusting... doing that in public..."

"Commoner behavior..."

Thristle finally pulled back, breathing heavily, cheeks flushed. She looked up at Aiden with shy but adoring eyes. "H-Heart Lord... she is watching..."

Aiden smirked, his hand still resting possessively on her waist. "Good. Let her watch. I want her to know you’re mine."

Luna, standing nearby, crossed her arms but couldn’t hide her smirk. "Master is showing off again. Though I can’t blame him. Thristle looks cute when she’s all flustered."

Nayla chuckled. "That was quite the display. Poor Lin Xinying over there is blushing so hard she might faint."

Valeforia grinned wickedly. "Mmm, I approve. Claim what’s yours, Husband."

Lysandra shook her head with a soft laugh. "You really can’t resist, can you?"

Zerra bounced excitedly. "That was so romantic! And bold!"

Xylandra smiled gently. "You certainly made your point clear."

Nyxion nodded approvingly. "As you should."

Selvara huffed, though her cheeks were slightly pink. "Hmph. Showing off in front of everyone... how shameless."

Venya giggled. "But it was kind of hot though..."

Arisha and Vegia exchanged amused glances, while Aethoniel hid her face in embarrassment.

Kee whistled low. "Sir really doesn’t hold back, huh?"

Mee looked at Kee, blushing, and Kee returned with a smirk.

Liana bounced on her toes. "Onii-Chan, give me a kiss!"

Ela watched the scene quietly, her expression a mix of surprise and lingering conflict.

From the noble line, Lin Xinying finally lowered her hand, still blushing furiously. She gave Thristle a small, awkward wave, clearly flustered by what she had just witnessed.

Thristle, still in Aiden’s arms, waved back shyly before looking up at him again. "My King... you’re so possessive today..."

Aiden leaned down and whispered against her ear, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Only because I want everyone to know exactly who you belong to. Especially your little friend over there."

Thristle’s face turned even redder as she buried it against his chest, purring softly.

Elowen Voss stood rigidly at the front of the assembled lines, her sharp features tight with barely concealed irritation. Mira Vale stood gracefully beside her, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips.

Elowen’s amplified voice rang out across the central stage, clipped and frustrated.

"The trials are now officially over. All students will be teleported to a grand hall for a royal dinner in honor of the conclusion of this year’s trials. Those who applied for the dorms will have their names called shortly. Remain in your formations until the teleportation begins."

A soft ripple passed through the air, like heat haze rising over summer stone. The floors blurred. The gallery stretched and folded in on itself. One heartbeat, the students stood shoulder-to-shoulder in stunned silence.

The next heartbeat, they were standing inside the grand hall.

Massive chandeliers of glowing crystal hung from the vaulted ceiling, casting warm golden light over long, elegant tables already laden with exquisite food. The scent of roasted meats, fresh bread, and sweet desserts filled the air.

Aiden didn’t miss a beat.

His left arm was draped possessively over Luna’s shoulders, pulling her snug against his side. His right arm wrapped around Thristle’s waist, pressing her close as well. Both girls were flushed and purring softly as they leaned into him.

Aiden’s hand on Luna’s side slowly slid upward until his palm cupped the underside of her full breast, giving it a firm, teasing squeeze through her uniform.

"Mmm... you two feel so good pressed against me like this," he murmured, voice low and husky, meant only for them. "Especially after I just won. My naughty girls."

Luna purred louder, rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, her tail wagging rapidly. "Master... your hand is so bold. Squeezing me right here in front of everyone... It’s making me all hot and bothered."

Thristle’s cheeks burned bright red, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she pressed her soft chest more firmly into his palm, voice eager. "My King... it feels really good when you touch me like that."

Aiden chuckled darkly, his thumb brushing over Luna’s nipple through the fabric, making her gasp softly. "Good. Let them see. I want everyone to know these breasts belong to me." He turned his head and gave Thristle’s breast a gentle but possessive squeeze as well. "And these too. My sweet, Thristle... getting all flustered just from a little touch."

Luna leaned up and whispered hotly against his ear, "Master... if you keep squeezing like that, I might start purring too loudly. Then everyone will know how wet you’re making me..."

Thristle bit her lip, eyes half-lidded as Aiden’s fingers continued their naughty exploration. "I... I like it when you’re possessive... It makes me feel wanted..."

Aiden grinned, giving both girls another firm squeeze before sliding his hands lower to rest on their waists, though his fingers still occasionally drifted up to tease the sides of their breasts. "You two are adorable when you flirt back. Keep talking like that, and I might have to drag you both to a dorm room before dinner even starts."

Meanwhile, the rest of the wives stood close by, watching the display with a mix of amusement and envy.

Nayla smirked. "Look at them... already getting handsy. Save some for the rest of us, Husband."

Valeforia licked her lips. "Mmm, the way you’re groping them so openly... It’s turning me on. I want that treatment next."

Zerra bounced excitedly. "Hero is so bold! But it’s cute how Luna and Thristle are purring for him!"

Lysandra shook her head with a fond laugh. "Try not to cause a scandal before we even sit down for dinner."

The grand hall buzzed with conversation as students settled in for the royal dinner, the end of the trials marking the true beginning of their new life at the academy.

---

END OF Chapter : 329 : HANDS!

---