"Oh, don''t worry, nothing special," said Nora. "I''m just trying to get used to this place and meeting new people… or shades… or whatever… all the time."


    Lukan continued to look at Nora incredulously for a few seconds and then shook his head.


    "Alright," he said hesitantly. "If you say so. Anyway, if we are stuck here, should we explore a bit?"


    The well appeared to be precisely what it seemed: a simple, sturdy structure made of stone, with fresh water at the bottom. Surprise, surprise! Nora and Lukan inspected it carefully but found nothing hinting at anything strange. Of course, they couldn''t check it for poisons or anything like that. But at least none of Nora''s new senses made her suspect anything.


    Satisfied with the well''s straightforwardness, they moved on to explore the cabins. Inside the first of them, the air was cool and still. The door opened to a small but neat entrance room that led to two more not-too-large rooms. Each with a bed—plain but sturdy, the kind meant for practical use rather than spending lazy pastime.


    The wooden floors creaked softly under their weight as they explored. Everything seemed to be well loved and used, but there was no dust to be seen anywhere, no rubbish, no things left out of place. It was as if the cabin was just cleaned or even created out of nothing in its current state.


    Lukan knocked on the walls, took the measure of the beams and support structures, and nodded approvingly.


    "Sturdy, good quality," he said. "This should be safe for us to sleep in later."


    "So, are you an expert?" Nora said and smiled. "At least we won''t be sleeping on the ground tonight."


    "I am, as a matter of fact," Lukan said. "I''m a professional builder."


    "Ah, that''s nice!" said Nora. "Making stuff with your hands. I envy you a bit. I''m a software engineer."


    "A soft-engi-what?" asked Lukan.


    "Yeah, I should have expected that…" said Nora. "How to explain? So, you have different mechanisms here? Carts or whatever. Where I come from, these mechanisms can be quite complicated. And I write special commands to move them."


    "So, you are a mage and work with artifacts?" asked Lukan. "You could have just told me that."


    "Well… No, but really, I guess, I am a mage now," said Nora. "But it isn''t what I did before... Sort of... But if you look at it from your perspective... Well, we can call it that. But I just got my powers recently."


    Nora stopped and looked at Lukan in frustration.


    "It''s hard to explain!" she exclaimed, throwing up her arms.


    Lukan raised his palms in a placating gesture, a broad smile on his face.


    "Wait, wait, wait!" he said. "Don''t worry. We were just having some small talk. No need to sweat it out! Everything''s fine! I''m a builder, and you are a soft-whatever-mage. That''s fine!"


    "Software engineer," said Nora with a sigh. "Alright, we sleep here. And they got us separate rooms. What else do we have?"


    The pair moved to the second cabin, which housed a modest kitchen and a pantry. Wooden shelves lined the walls, stocked with essential ingredients: grains, herbs in jars, and even some cured meat hanging from hooks. A small cellar revealed more food—enough to last them for quite some time if needed.


    "Whoever set this place up really wanted to make sure we''re not starving," Lukan said, peeking into the storage jars. "There''s enough food here to feed us for at least a week. Maybe more!"


    Nora nodded, impressed by the foresight of the Guardian or whoever made this construct for her.


    "You are right. It seems they expect us to stay here for a while," Nora said, taking all the food into account. "Should we expect more guests?"


    "No idea! How would I know?" said Lukan, not stopping the exploration.


    It was the third cabin that caught Nora''s attention the most. Her eyes lit up as she entered the sturdy building, immediately spotting a rack and a few shelves filled with what looked like very practical outdoor clothes.


    They looked a bit like they were taken out of a medieval reenactment museum or a fantasy game. Still, it wasn''t like Nora was in a position to complain.


    "Finally!" she exclaimed, "I have something more appropriate than this blanket!"


    Without hesitation, Nora grabbed some underwear and then the nearest outfit—a pair of sturdy leather pants and a tunic. Momentarily, she let Sumi''s blanket slip from her shoulders, dropping it to the floor, not even giving a single thought to the fact that Lukan was standing in the same room, just a few steps away from her.


    Nora stood there for a moment, completely nude in the soft light that filtered through the cabin''s window, her skin bathed in the warm glow. The sunlight accentuated the toned muscles of her body, shaped by years of hiking and regular physical training. Somehow, the warmth felt more magical than anything she had ever experienced.


    For a brief moment, it returned her to that glade where her life was changed forever.


    However, Nora''s entrancement was interrupted by Lukan''s surprised cough.


    Nora turned on the spot, finally remembering she wasn''t alone. Momentarily, she tried to cover her body with her hands and grab Sumi''s blanket from the floor once again.


    Lukan immediately averted his gaze, his cheeks flushing a little. It was strange to see that blush coming through from under his dark fur, and Nora couldn''t stop herself before laughing out loud.


    "Uh... maybe I should give you a moment," Lukan muttered, his voice awkward and strained. "I didn''t want to startle you. But I didn''t expect this... display either."


    Nora chuckled again, regaining her composure. "Ah, I''m sorry, I got distracted," she said. "This place is different. And you don''t need to be so shy, Lukan. I''m just getting dressed."


    After putting on the panties and a surprisingly comfy top, she began pulling on the leather pants. All the clothes were amazingly well-fitting and felt nice under Nora''s touch.


    Still looking away, Lukan managed a sheepish smile. "It''s not that. It''s just—well, you clearly don''t skip out on physical training," he said. "You''ve got a body that''s definitely ready for what awaits us. Whatever it is. Strong, capable... not something you see every day."


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "I have my pants on. You can look," said Nora, grinning at the compliment. "Well, glad to hear I''m not completely out of place for this kind of adventure. Thanks, though."


    Nora couldn''t stop herself but to run her hand again over the clothes she just put on. The feeling was... magical. She had never worn anything that felt that good.


    "Are all the clothes here so nice?" she asked. "Is it some magic or whatever?"


    "I don''t know. I guess my clothes are ok," said Lukan. "I''ll have to test the ones left for us here to tell."


    As Nora pulled the tunic over her head, Lukan finally chanced a glance back, clearly relieved to see she was now fully dressed.


    "I wasn''t trying to make things awkward," he added, scratching the back of his neck. "But yeah, you look like you can handle yourself out here."


    "No worries," Nora said. She adjusted the tunic, folded Sumi''s blanket, and put it aside. "No harm done. Now, let''s get ready to tackle whatever this place throws at us. That is if you don''t want to change clothes as well. I can wait outside if you prefer that."


    ***


    Fully dressed in practical clothes and outfitted for the forest and whatever magical elements might come into play, Nora felt a bit more prepared. Prepared for what, though? She still didn''t know what exactly awaited her. A trial? A test? Did her clothes and gear even provide any benefit?


    After regaining his composure, Lukan gave Nora a nod. "Well, if you''re suited up, there are a few things to keep in mind," he said, shifting into a more serious tone as he surveyed their surroundings.


    "You mentioned that you are from a different place," Lukan said confidently. "And your… profession… sounds strange. So, here is my advice. Out here, survival isn''t just about strength. You''ll want to be mindful of your surroundings—listen for unusual sounds and watch for changes in the environment. I''m not a great expert in magical places. But if you say you have at least some magical powers, we''ll probably have to use all you can muster."


    Lukan looked at Nora as if expecting her to start complaining or contradicting him. But she kept silent, listening intently to what he had to say.


    When he didn''t continue, she said: "Well? I''m listening!" Nora said. "I''m happy to get any advice. You say you are not an expert. In that case, I''m not even an apprentice."


    "In that, you are probably wrong," said Lukan. "If you have magic, you are an Apprentice. But we''ll figure out that soon anyway. I''ve traveled a bit and this definitely is a magical place. It probably means it can shift and transform in ways that mess with your senses."


    He gestured toward the equipment in the cabin. "Good boots will keep you steady. And always carry something sharp," Lukan looked at Nora as if calculating how much experience she had. "I mean like a knife. Even if you don''t think you''ll need it. You never know what''s coming."


    Nora nodded, listening intently as Lukan continued giving her practical advice on surviving in natural and magical environments.


    "And don''t forget," Lukan added. "Stay hydrated. That well''s here for a reason. And it would probably be safe to use its water. It would have been strange if the powers that put us here decided to poison us after all that trouble. Drink when you can. But don''t drink from random streams we''ll meet later unless you''re sure the water''s clean. As I said, magic messes with things out here. It''s not just the creatures that''ll get you—sometimes, it''s the land itself."


    Nora fastened a leather belt around her waist and grabbed a small utility knife from the shelf. "Got it. Be prepared, stay alert, and watch the water," she beamed at Lukan. "It looks like many basic things remain the same no matter where you come from."


    Lukan smiled approvingly. "Good! Now, let''s take stock of the supplies here and figure out our next move."


    Together, they explored the rest of the cabin, gathering some essential gear before heading back to the kitchen area for a quick meal, ready to face the trials ahead. Finally, Nora felt like she had recovered most of the items she had lost during the transfer to the dream world.


    When they came outside, Lukan started laughing.


    "I''m sorry, I didn''t want to comment on your choice of clothes before," he said with a wide grin. "You never know what people choose to wear in a strange land. And you sort of confirmed you weren''t from these parts. But still, I''m happy you finally got to choose something more fitting."


    "Don''t get me wrong, I''m happy that Sumi had this blanket," said Nora, unable to resist smiling as well. "Otherwise, I''d have to walk around tits out. That may be a bit unreasonable in an unfamiliar forest, right?"


    "Sumi?" asked Lukan.


    "She''s my friend," said Nora. "We got separated earlier. I really hope to find her soon."


    "Well, I''m sure we''ll find her," said Lukan. "At least I was traveling alone. And as you are comfortably clothed now, let''s rest a bit, get some food, and start figuring out our next steps. It seems to be the only way for you and Sumi to reunite!"


    ***


    A while later, after a hearty meal and another round of herbal tea, Nora and Lukan stood beside each other, their gazes fixed upon the looming stone archway adorned with ancient runes. Nora''s hands trembled slightly as she reached out to touch the rough surface. Her heart raced with anticipation for the unknown challenges that lay ahead.


    The grand arch didn''t allow them to figure out what awaited them after they stepped through it. It wasn''t wholly hiding what was behind it. But a strange shimmer hinted that by going through, they should appear elsewhere. The vague outline of the scene behind the veil differed from this small village square. It wasn''t a mere passageway but a portal.


    Lukan, sensing Nora''s nervousness, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Are you ready for this, ginger girl?"


    Nora took a deep breath, gathered herself, and flashed him a determined smile. "More than ready, wolf boy."


    Seeing Nora was still apprehensive, Lukan took the lead, striding confidently toward the archway and through it into the unknown. Left without any choice, Nora sighed and followed close behind, her mind buzzing with excitement and curiosity about what awaited them in the first trial.


    As they stepped further into the unknown, Nora couldn''t help but wonder what dangers and surprises awaited them. But one thing felt certain—even if they didn''t know each other for long, they were in it together, and nothing could stop them now.


    Trial 1: Offense or Defense?


    The strange, shimmering mist of the passageway dissipated, revealing a vast arena that stretched before them. Its expanse was daunting and filled with a series of obstacles, reminding Nora of an average reality-show challenge. But, of course, with a twist.


    Lukan and Nora stepped inside, immediately struck by the sheer scale of the arena. On one side, towering stone pillars stood on the ground, their surfaces worn and cracked as if they had stood for centuries. The pillars seemed to form a complex puzzle of sorts.


    Nora''s mind raced as she tried to make sense of them—did they have to be moved? Did Nora and Lukan have to climb to the top? Or perhaps there was a hidden mechanism to be unlocked through their proper arrangement?


    She approached and ran her hand over one of the stones, feeling its rough, ancient texture, her brow furrowing in concentration. Still, there were no other sensations to guide her through the process yet.


    Nora pushed one of the pillars a little bit, and it shifted a few millimeters.


    "Why would I even think something magical would happen if I touched them?" asked Nora aloud. "It''s only a day since I got my powers, but already, I suppose everything has to have some magical meaning."


    Lukan stood beside her, his sharp eyes scanning the area. "Maybe it''s not exactly about magic," he muttered, his voice thoughtful. "But these pillars don''t look like they''re here for decoration. And you should trust your instincts. That''s how it usually works."


    He approached one of the pillars in turn, giving it a tentative push.


    It didn''t budge.


    "Whoa! They''re solid…" he said in awe. "But you were able to shift it while I can''t! Maybe there''s a pattern we''re missing. They look too deliberate to be random. It looks like you have a skill that should help us. You just have to figure out which one. In the end, there aren''t that many of them, right?"


    "Yeah... sure..." said Nora.


    Lukan paced between the pillars, evaluating their spacing and alignment. Nora joined him, her analytical mind working in overdrive, trying to piece together the puzzle. Still, even walking between the pillars didn''t help to activate anything.


    Then, they turned their gazes toward the opposite side of the arena. The scene was not as serene there. A series of fiery obstacles blazed there, flames leaping into the air in unpredictable patterns. The heat radiating from that side was intense, even from a distance, and Nora felt a wave of apprehension covering her.


    While with the pillars, she was just clueless, it was the overheated part of the obstacle course that made Nora reevaluate even the fake confidence she tried to present to Lukan.