《Ascendant - Serendipity》 New Story Coming!!! I''m so happy it is finally releasing! On the 16th of February, get ready for the first story in a 5 part series! Ascendant - Serendipity There will be 20k Words on release day (That''s 12 whole chapters!) and DAILY releases for up to 3 weeks after based on engagement (So get commenting!) Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.After that you can expect 3 Chapters Every Week! The releases will happen This will be a High fantasy/Action with progression and an incredibly Unique Magic system based around the threads which bind together the world! With interesting, complex and vastly different characters, what isn''t to love! The Amazing and Wonderful Author (me), will have consistent engagement with the even more Amazing and Wonderful audience. (That''s you by the way) There will be a discord server for announcements and chatting about the story at 100 followers. I''m hoping I''ll see lots of people here soon! Be sure to spread the news if you are excited! Chapter 1: The Capital - Luneah The training fields sat on the outskirts of Luneah, a patchwork of bare fields, open spaces and sparring arenas bordered by ancient, ivy-covered stone-brick walls which towered a fair thirty feet above any average human. The sun blazed overhead, its unrelenting heat casting shadows behind the few trees which lay in rows on the border of each plot of land. The faint scent of burnt grass lingered ¨C a mix of freshly cut grass and scorched earth. For any aspiring mage, this smell reminded them of their own ambition. Daniel stood near the centre of the field, his stance firm and commanding. His sharp blue eyes flicked across his surroundings as he stretched, rolling his shoulders before beginning his routine. The chatter of other trainees provided a constant backdrop around him. He didn¡¯t bother engaging with them. He was here for only one thing: to prove to everyone that he was the best, and that none of them could ever hope to stand up to him. His hands rose, weaving threads with a practiced ease. His arms and fingers flexed as he grasped the threads, pulling them out from thin air. Anyone not well-versed in the nature of threads would assume he was calling upon the devil himself. At first, they swirled lazily like smoke caught in an updraft, but with a flick of his wrist, they snapped into motion. The threads danced in intricate patterns; the outcome only known to the wielder. He turned toward a training dummy ¨C a life-sized wooden figure reinforced with steel bands ¨C and brought forth from the ground a mass of vines. They rose from the earth beneath the dummy and started coiling around it. After completely encasing the dummy, a loud dampened crushing sound was heard from within before the vines retreated and sat gently on the topsoil. Daniel stepped back, exhaling slowly. ¡°That¡¯s the third dummy you¡¯ve broken today,¡± Kana¡¯s voice called out from behind him. Daniel smirked as he turned to face her. Kana, with her auburn hair pulled into a tight braid running down her shoulder and her piercing green eyes, always looked like she was sizing people up. She leaned against a nearby post, arms crossed, and a slight smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. ¡°Can¡¯t help it if they¡¯re not built to last,¡± he replied, shrugging. ¡°Or maybe you¡¯re just overcompensating,¡± Kana shot back, though her tone held more amusement than bite. Daniel chuckled, summoning another thread but¡­ this one was different. Daniel drew energy from the very same vines he¡¯d used only a few seconds earlier. The thread shimmered red and black, winding through his fingers like it was alive. He brought it away from the vines and had it rest in his hands, coiled like a whip. With a flick, he lashed it toward another dummy, its tip wrapping around the figure¡¯s neck before jerking back sharply, decapitating the wooden figure in one fluid motion. ¡°Still compensating?¡± he asked, raising an eyebrow. Kana rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t reply. Instead, a faint, silvery thread of her own appeared in her hand. It moved like quicksilver, fluid and sharp, glinting in the sunlight. ¡°Do you wanna spar?¡± she asked, her smirk widening into a grin. Daniel shrugged. ¡°If you¡¯re looking to lose, then I don¡¯t see why not.¡± *** The two squared off in the open field, other trainees glancing over with mild interest. Kana twirled her Mind thread around her hand, her posture loose and relaxed, while Daniel summoned a mix of Nature and Essence threads, intertwining them into a dense, glowing lattice. Kana struck first, reaching out directly into Daniel¡¯s head with her mind threads. It wasn¡¯t physical; it didn¡¯t need to be. The thread shimmered in and out of sight, seen only by the caster, aiming for Daniel¡¯s focus. He felt the pressure immediately, a subtle but insistent pull at him, like a voice in his mind, urging him to falter. But it didn¡¯t faze him, the number of times she¡¯d tried this was uncountable. In fact, it seemed he might be developing a resistance to it. But she didn¡¯t know this, so he feigned struggle. ¡°Not bad, not bad,¡± Kana said, circling him. ¡°But how long can you keep that up?¡±You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. He chuckled under his breath. ¡°How stupid could she be!?¡± This much is nothing. He wouldn¡¯t even have noticed if it weren¡¯t for all her theatrics. He reached into a pouch on his side while slowly leading an essence thread to a tree on the edge of the arena. He pierced the side of the tree, drawing its energy into himself as it withers away slowly. Kana heard cries from the spectators and looked over, wondering what had them so frightened. Her eyes widened at the sight, a large oak tree was leaning over, its roots ripping, tearing away from the ground as it fell. A lone girl rushing in to move everyone out of the way. Although everyone was safe, dust billowed out from under it as it left a small crater around it. People sat, shocked just beside it. ¡°Kaelin¡­¡± ¡°What the hell? They¡¯re supposed to be watching our fight. Why is she getting all the attention?!¡± Kana shouted. She growled under her breath as she looked back to the fight, just to realise what had actually happened to the tree. ¡°Too late now to run!¡± Daniel told her, as if he¡¯d already won. He took his hand out of his pocket, a bunch of seeds sat in his palm. He snapped the glistening, red whip of pure energy back to his hand and used it to sling the seeds at Kana, landing them neatly in a circle around her with Daniel¡¯s threads connecting them all. ¡°Oh shit.¡± Daniel¡¯s whip sprung back to life as it pumped all of its energy straight into the seeds. Within less than a second Kana was encased in a cage of trees, with Daniel waltzing over carelessly to the cage. ¡°I¡¯ve won now haven¡¯t I, all that¡¯s left is for you to surrender!¡± He said, with a shrill undertone of pride. Kana didn¡¯t reply prompting Daniel to peek inside the cage. As he glared into the empty room, he felt a tap on his shoulder. ¡°I only have one affinity, and you still forgot what it does. What a blubbering oaf you¡¯ve turned out to be.¡± ¡°Illusions¡­¡± growling as he said this, annoyed at himself for underestimating her. ¡°Cute trick,¡± he said, his smirk unwavering. ¡°But I¡¯m just getting started.¡± He thrust his hand up, causing brambles to rise from another pouch on his left. They crawled up his arm forming the shape of a mace. The other hand being thrown down hitting the ground, causing brambles to surge outwards from his feet in a wave in all directions. He struck at the Kana in front of him with the mace in his right hand, only for her to dissipate on impact. His thorny tendrils lashing out in all directions. Called him out from behind the cage, only for him to discover a row of five sitting with their legs crossed on the ground. ¡°Trying to overwhelm me?¡± he asked, his tone light but strained. ¡°Something like that.¡± She replied with a joyful tone. Daniel retaliated with a barrage of brambles, assaulting as many as he could reach, ready to respond at close range should she appear behind him. As he walked calmly toward the last clone left standing, Kana jumped out from atop the cage, severing the connection between his threads and himself. Her threads forming an invisible barrier around Daniels mind, preventing him access to his magic. He looked back at her with a snarky grin. Daniel gritted his teeth and went in for a melee attack. Whilst Kana had assumed she¡¯d won due to his lack of magic, Daniel never even thought about giving up. Being a mage is all about adapting to your environment and securing a win no matter what. The crowd gasped as Daniel beat down on Kana¡¯s face, with her pinned down beneath him, unable to move. He kept going relentlessly while Kana started to look hazy. Finally, she fell unconscious, forcing her to release her hold on his threads, giving him back his full array of abilities. Daniel got up slowly, commanding vines to rise from the grounds beneath her. Lifting her into an upright position. She was finally trapped, cocooned, held up from below by the extensive network of roots and tendrils lying beneath her. From the brambles nearby, he crafted a wreath and lay it upon her head as he slapped her awake. ¡°You¡¯re not bad,¡± Daniel admitted, his tone almost respectful. ¡°For a Basic.¡± Kana¡¯s eyes flashed with defiance. ¡°And despite how it turned out today, you¡¯re not as good as you think you are.¡± ¡°That still won¡¯t change the outcome, just surrender already!¡± Kana scowled but didn¡¯t argue. ¡°Fine. You win. For now.¡± ¡°For now?¡± he repeated, raising an eyebrow. She didn¡¯t reply, her gaze shifting again to Kaelin. The girl was still there, and she wasn¡¯t even watching, just training on her own in some odd sort of hand-to-hand combat. Kana¡¯s hands trembled as she summoned another thread, weaving it around her brain to supress the pain she still felt. ¡°She really doesn¡¯t know when to quit.¡± Kana muttered, her voice strained, though the scornful tone remained. Daniel didn¡¯t reply. Something about the girl¡¯s mere presence just pissed him off. None of what she was doing could be considered admirable, all her efforts were futile especially when faced with magic. But he pushed the thought aside. Kaelin was far from where he was anyway. He probably wouldn¡¯t see her again after the trials ended. He would be invited up to the Royal Academy for Magic, and she would be cast back to whichever backwater village she came from. As the field began to empty, Daniel spared one final glance toward Kaelin. She was still there, drenched in sweat, her hands trembling but steady as she attempted the motion again. So stubborn, so persistent, yet ever failing. ¡°What a pitiful existence.¡± He thought. Kana pulled him back to focus with a nudge of her elbow, blood dripping from her face. ¡°Come on. You¡¯re going to need more than those dummies to impress the judges.¡± Chapter 2: The Maze The rising sun painted the horizon in muted hues of orange and pink, hints of grey from the clouds marred the horizon. The fresh sun¡¯s warmth smothered by a looming storm. The city provided free lodgings to those who were participating in the Thread Trials. The rooms were plain, had wooden walls and low ceilings with 6-8 people in each. Bunk beds lined the walls, with small bedside tables on either side, separating them. Daniel sat at the edge of his bunk, lacing up his boots. The room was almost silent, save the faint creak of wood beneath his weight and the soft murmur of the other trainees stirring awake. He¡¯d hardly slept, though not from nerves. Sleep was a luxury when every moment could be spent refining his craft. He just about overheard some of the early birds chatting about some money they were getting from the hosts of the trials. ¡°Did you hear we get 100 Rols each day we¡¯re still in the competition!¡± 100 Rols, or 1 Aur was enough to buy a meal for one at a decent restaurant or go do something in the city. No way these people are getting far, this kind of money is nothing compared to the reward if we win. The thread trials had loomed the trainees ever since they had applied in February. By now, everyone was either talking, or at the very least thinking about it. For Daniel, it was more than just a test. These trials were a chance to prove himself, to help him enter the academy, and to stand out in a world in which raw talent often overshadowed effort. The thought of failure wasn¡¯t a fear; it was an impossibility. As he stood, rolling his shoulders to ease tension, the door was thrown open. A younger trainee poked his head in, his face pale with nervousness. ¡°Hurry up, they¡¯re calling everyone to gather down past the river.¡± Daniel nodded curtly, brushing past him into the crisp morning air. The cool breeze snapped at his skin, causing him to shiver slightly. He glanced toward the maze¡¯s towering arch in the distance, the spectators could be heard even from where Daniel was standing. Finally¡­ everyone will learn my name. he thought. * * * The morning air carried a sharp bite, most trainees sat in groups no larger than 4, chattering amongst themselves. The shimmering archway marking the maze¡¯s entrance was a masterpiece of magic, essence and nature threads interwoven in an intricate pattern pulsing faintly like a heartbeat. Daniel stood with his arms crossed, exuding an air of calm confidence. His sharp blue eyes scanned the crowd, sizing up the competition. But he wasn¡¯t here to make friends. He was here to win. Nearby, a group of 6 or so people were giggling staring at something, or someone. Daniel¡¯s gaze followed their gaze, landing on Zephyr. The youngest tri-affinity mage in history stood near the front, relaxed and aloof, his tall frame radiating natural charisma. His chestnut hair caught the faint glow of the archway¡¯s light, and his amber eyes seemed to pierce through anyone who dared meet his gaze. People stole glances at him, their hushed whispers tinged with awe. Daniel¡¯s jaw tightened. Zephyr had a way of stealing the attention of the room without even trying, and it was really starting to piss him off. No matter how much Daniel trained, no matter how hard he worked, Zephyr was always there, effortlessly perfect, with talent that mocked Daniel¡¯s every achievement. ¡°Jealous much?¡± Kana¡¯s voice broke through his thoughts, dripping with amusement. She had been perched on a pillar beside him, arms crossed, her sharp grin aimed directly at him. Daniel frowned but didn¡¯t look at her. ¡°Not in the slightest.¡± Kana let out a low chuckle. ¡°Sure, of course you aren¡¯t. And I¡¯m the queen of subtlety. Don¡¯t worry, though. Someone might knock him off his pedestal today.¡± Daniel¡¯s eyes lit up after hearing this. ¡°Someone like you?¡± Kana¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Maybe. Or maybe I¡¯ll just toy with someone a little more... attainable.¡± Her eyes flicked toward Kaelin, who stood near the back of the group with her friend Lena, a strong, brunette girl with an affinity for Nature threads. Kaelin held a nervous but determined look on her face.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. Daniel barely spared her a glance. ¡°She¡¯s not worth your time. Just try not to get caught up in it all and forget to actually finish.¡± ¡°Maybe she isn¡¯t,¡± Kana admitted, twirling a loose strand of hair around her finger. ¡°But she¡¯s still quite amusing. I¡¯ll have my fun with her.¡± Before Daniel could respond, the proctor stepped forward, his sharp voice cutting through the chatter. ¡°Welcome to the first trial: The Maze.¡± The crowd fell silent as he continued. ¡°This maze is alive. It will change around as you navigate it, creating challenges that test not only your magic but your wit and determination. Only thirty people will advance, these will be the people with the fastest time, so be quick. Fail, and your journey ends here. Choose your paths wisely. And of course¡­¡± ¡°Good Luck¡± The shimmering archway brightened, and the proctor began calling names. ¡°Zephyr Kalyndria.¡± Zephyr strode forward, his expression calm, as if this were nothing more than a warm-up. He disappeared into the arch without hesitation, everyone gawking at him as he left. ¡°Kana Elysian.¡± Kana shot Daniel a wink. ¡°Don¡¯t wait too long, Daniel. I¡¯d hate for you to miss the party.¡± With that, she vanished into the maze. ¡°Daniel Crestfall.¡± He straightened, pushing aside a few people who were still in his way. This was his moment, and he wouldn¡¯t let anyone ruin it. He stepped through the archway, the world shifting around him as the maze swallowed him whole. * * * The maze was alive, its walls shimmering and pulsing as if breathing. Walls could be heard shifting all around, from right next door to hundreds of meters away. Daniel crept along, seeing his path back to the entrance being blocked off by one of the walls. Now it was really starting. His steps were quick and deliberate, it wasn¡¯t long before the maze presented its first challenge: a dead-end wall covered in shifting tiles, each glowing with a distinct set of colours. Having only had one path to follow, he couldn¡¯t have gone the wrong way. Although he could trace back, hoping for a wall to shift giving an opening, he decided against that idea. He wanted to face the challenges head on. Daniel paused, studying the pattern. Each tile seemed to pulse with a strange sort of melody. He was close. His focus was broken by a familiar voice. ¡°What¡¯s taking you so long?¡± He turned to see Kana approaching, her body wispy, like a vision or illusion, as if she wasn¡¯t actually there. She grinned, stepping past him with a confidence that bordered on arrogance. ¡°You always overthink things.¡± she said. ¡°And you always under.¡± Kana laughed, stepping through the wall, before poking her head back, her eyes meeting his ¡°I¡¯ll see you at the finish line¡­ if you¡¯re lucky.¡± Daniel tried lifting himself up and over the wall with a bundle of vines, but as his head reached the top of the wall, he hit something. An invisible barrier. ¡°I knew it couldn¡¯t be that easy.¡± He said with a sigh. After feeling around a bit, trying to figure out if there was a mechanism at work inside the wall, he saw a button near his feet and pressed it. ¡°I¡¯m such an idiot¡­¡± he said, shaking his head, as the door slid aside and opened up a variety of paths for him to choose from. Daniel pressed on, encountering a variety of traps and puzzles. His progress was steady, though slower than he¡¯d have liked. Every corner brought new challenges¡ªwalls that shifted like waves, platforms that collapsed at the slightest misstep, and creatures captured from deep into the wild lands, to guard key passages. Roughly halfway through the maze, Daniel rounded a corner and froze. A towering construct of stone and gears blocked his path, its glowing eyes locking onto him. It let out a low growl, its body rippling as if barely being held together. ¡°I didn¡¯t know they had golems!¡± he exclaimed. ¡°But it seems almost¡­ artificial.¡± The golem didn¡¯t give him much time to ponder, it swung a heavy arm of rock down on top of him, Daniel snapped out of his trance and dashed to the side. ¡°What a pain.¡± Daniel immediately countered with a multitude of vines, grown from the pouch on his side. He started lashing at the creature, but to no avail. It¡¯s resistance to brunt attacks seemed unimaginably high. The creature stomped forwards and swept the ground, responding only to its instincts. ¡°Without anything nearby to draw from, essence is useless. My vines aren¡¯t strong enough to crush it without the extra energy¡­¡± Suddenly he had an idea, ¡°If I wrap vines around it¡¯s legs, I can pull it to the ground, and it¡¯ll be completely immobile!¡± All that was left was to put his plan into motion. He started drawing its attention and ran round it in circles, planting his vines behind him, buried in the soil. But before he could spring his trap. Zephyr showed up. What the hell is he doing here?! Daniel thought. Zephyr stood there, surfing on a risen platform of vines, flowing like water. The massive golem turned towards him and charged. Zephyr stood in its path, unfazed. He turned his back on it, rose his hand into the air and clenched his fist. The golem stood still for only a second before a large tree rose inside it and grew outwards suddenly, causing the golem to explode. ¡°Where do you think you¡¯re going!¡± Zephyr ignored Daniel and kept surfing along on his platform. Chapter 3: Heightened Competition Chapter 3: Heightened Competition The faint echoes of shifting walls reverberated through the maze as Daniel stared at where Zephyr had stood, his hands clenched into fists. A mixture of frustration and awe churned in his chest. Zephyr hadn¡¯t even spared him a glance, as if Daniel was beneath him. The shattered remains of the golem littered the path ahead, faint green threads fading from the air where Zephyr had worked his magic. Daniel stepped over the broken pieces, his boots crunching against the debris. ¡°Show-off.¡± he muttered under his breath. Deep down, a thought nagged at him. How had Zephyr gotten an acorn in there so easily? There weren¡¯t any cracks in the golem¡¯s structure to use. It wasn¡¯t just power, this was something else, the kind of understanding Daniel had been striving for but hadn¡¯t quite yet reached. He shook his head. There was no time for doubts. The timer wasn¡¯t going to stop until he''d be finished thinking. * * * Kana crouched low, her sharp gaze darting between the shifting walls of the maze. The air was thick with tension, and she thrived in it. Every scrape of the walls shifting, every trap waiting to spring, made her pulse quicken. This was her kind of challenge, a test of wits and instincts where even the slightest hesitation could mean failure. A flicker of movement caught her attention. There, just beyond the next turn, was Kaelin, her braid swinging as she scanned the passage ahead. Kana¡¯s lips curved into a sly grin. Perfect. She stepped into the open, her boots scuffing deliberately against the stone floor. Kaelin spun toward the sound, her expression shifting from focus to wary surprise. ¡°Kana?¡± Kaelin¡¯s voice was cautious, her stance tensing as if ready for a fight. Kana leaned casually against the wall, crossing her arms. ¡°Well, well. Fancy meeting you here.¡± ¡°What do you want?¡± Kaelin asked, her eyes narrowing. A voice from behind made Kaelin turn. Another Kana stood there, feigning offense, placing a hand over her chest. ¡°What, no ¡®thank you for the company¡¯? I was starting to think you¡¯d gotten yourself lost.¡± Kaelin¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°I¡¯m fine on my own.¡± ¡°Sure, sure.¡± Kana drawled, pushing off the wall and strolling toward her. ¡°Is that why you¡¯ve been circling the same corridors for the last five minutes?¡± She gave an exaggerated glance behind Kaelin. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize indecision was a strategy.¡± Kaelin¡¯s cheeks flushed, turning back to who she assumed was the real Kana, only for no-one to be there. Despite the tricks she didn¡¯t rise to the bait. ¡°If you¡¯re not here to help, just leave.¡± Kana chuckled, her tone light but mocking. ¡°Help? Oh, sweetheart, I think you¡¯ve misunderstood. I just wanted to see how you¡¯re getting along.¡± Her grin widened. ¡°Spoiler alert: Not great.¡± she said with a chuckle. Kaelin glared, her fists clenching. ¡°You¡¯re wasting time doing this, what if you don¡¯t finish in time to pass?¡± ¡°Oh, don¡¯t you worry your pretty little face. That¡¯s not gonna happen. I¡¯d even argue it¡¯s time well spent.¡± Kana replied breezily. She walked past Kaelin, letting her shoulder brush hers in a not-so-subtle display of dominance. ¡°But if you truly insist, I¡¯ll leave you to flail around on your own.¡± She paused, glancing back with a smirk. ¡°Unless you¡¯re just too scared to admit you need me?¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t take the bait, her jaw set with determination. ¡°I¡¯ll manage.¡± Kana shrugged, turning away. ¡°Suit yourself. Just don¡¯t cry when you hit a dead end.¡± The walls scratched, shifting again as if to underscore Kana¡¯s words. Kaelin glanced over her shoulder, clearly torn between annoyance and the growing unease of being left alone. Kana slowed her pace, knowing Kaelin would follow despite herself. Sure enough, footsteps echoed behind her. Kana hid her grin, not bothering to look back. ¡°Couldn¡¯t resist, huh? It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll let you tag along, just as long as you keep up.¡± ¡°I¡¯m not following you.¡± Kaelin snapped. ¡°I just don¡¯t want to waste time arguing.¡± ¡°Of course. How silly of me to have thought otherwise.¡± Kana said with a mockingly sarcastic tone. ¡°Must be nice... living in a dream.¡± The corridor ahead narrowed, the flickering runes on the floor marking another trap. Kana knelt to inspect them, taking her time. She traced a finger over one of the glowing symbols, then glanced up at Kaelin with a calculated smile.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°This one¡¯s tricky.¡± Kana said, her voice casual. ¡°One wrong step, and... well, let¡¯s just say it won¡¯t be pretty.¡± Kaelin joined her, studying the runes with furrowed brows. ¡°They¡¯re tied to affinities,¡± she said after a moment. ¡°Essence, Mind, and¡ª¡± ¡°How cute, look at you trying.¡± Kana interrupted, her tone dripping with condescension. ¡°But you¡¯re missing the point. It¡¯s not about figuring it out. It¡¯s about deciding whether to risk it.¡± She stood abruptly, dusting off her hands. ¡°I think I¡¯ll let you go first.¡± Kaelin stared at her, incredulous. ¡°You¡¯re joking... right?¡± ¡°Not at all.¡± Kana stepped back, gesturing toward the glowing path with a flourish. ¡°By all means, show me your brilliance. I¡¯m dying to see if you¡¯ve got what it takes.¡± Kaelin hesitated, her eyes darting between Kana and the runes. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Kana taunted. ¡°Can¡¯t do it?¡± Kaelin straightened, her expression hardening. Without another word, she stepped forward, carefully placing her foot on the first rune. It lit up harmlessly, and she moved to the next. Kana watched, her amusement growing as Kaelin worked through the sequence. ¡°Not bad.¡± Kana called out; her voice laced with mock encouragement. ¡°Though I¡¯d pick up the pace if I were you. Who knows how long the runes will stay stable?¡± Kaelin ignored her, her focus unshaken despite the jab. Kana felt a flicker of annoyance. She wasn¡¯t used to people brushing her off so easily. When Kaelin finally reached the other side, she turned back, her expression triumphant. ¡°Your turn.¡± she said, her voice steady. Kana smirked, stepping forward with an exaggerated yawn. ¡°That was cute. Now watch how it¡¯s really done.¡± She injected her own magic into the first mind rune, and all the others de-activated. As she reached the other side, she glanced at Kaelin, her smirk widening. ¡°See? Easy. Try to think a little more next time.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t respond, her gaze fixed ahead. Kana¡¯s laughed outwardly and walked past Kaelin, patting her on the back. ¡°You¡¯ll get there one day.¡± Kana kept her pace brisk, not bothering to look back at Kaelin. The maze walls shifted again, stone grinding against stone as new pathways opened and old ones sealed off. Each turn brought new traps, but Kana breezed through them with calculated precision, barely sparing Kaelin a glance as she hesitated or stumbled behind her. ¡°You¡¯re slowing me down.¡± Kana said over her shoulder, her tone sharp. ¡°If you can¡¯t keep up, just admit it.¡± Kaelin¡¯s glare was like a dagger aimed at Kana¡¯s back. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for your help.¡± she bit out, quickening her pace to match Kana¡¯s. Kana chuckled darkly. ¡°Oh, you didn¡¯t? But you¡¯re still here, aren¡¯t you?¡± She paused at a fork in the path, glancing between the left and right corridors. Both routes pulsed faintly with glowing runes. Kaelin stepped up beside her, studying the paths. ¡°The left one¡¯s safer.¡± she said after a moment. ¡°The runes are a warning, but they¡¯re passive.¡± Kana tilted her head, considering the right path instead. ¡°And the right one?¡± Kaelin hesitated. ¡°It¡¯s more dangerous. Those runes are active traps.¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Kana¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. ¡°I think I¡¯ll take... the right path.¡± Kaelin blinked, caught off guard. ¡°What? Why would you -¡± Kana didn¡¯t wait for her to finish. She strode confidently down the ¡°more dangerous¡± corridor, her movements deliberate as she avoided the glowing runes with almost arrogant ease. Kaelin stared after her, her frustration palpable. ¡°Unbelievable,¡± Kaelin muttered under her breath before turning and heading down the left path. Kana¡¯s laughter echoed faintly from her direction. ¡°Good luck playing it safe, princess. See you at the end... if you make it!¡± Kaelin ignored her, focusing on navigating her chosen route. The left path was indeed less perilous, but it was also slower, with winding turns and dead ends designed to delay. She clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. Kana was toying with her, treating the maze like some kind of game. She wouldn¡¯t let Kana get to her. Not now. By the time Kaelin reached the final stretch of the maze, her breaths were shallow, and her nerves were frayed. The exit loomed ahead, its glowing archway a beacon of relief. But as she stepped into the clearing, she froze. Kana was already there, leaning casually against the wall beside the exit with an infuriatingly smug expression. ¡°Took you long enough.¡± Kana said, inspecting her nails as if she¡¯d been waiting for hours. Kaelin¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°You didn¡¯t have to make this harder.¡± ¡°Oh, but where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± Kana replied, her grin widening. ¡°Besides, it¡¯s not my fault you¡¯re slow.¡± Before Kaelin could respond, the sound of rapid footsteps echoed behind them. Both turned to see Daniel Crestfall sprinting down the final corridor, his face set in determination. ¡°About time someone interesting showed up.¡± Kana muttered, straightening. Daniel burst into the clearing, skidding to a halt as he spotted the two girls. His expression shifted to one of surprise, then annoyance. ¡°Of course, you two are already here.¡± he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Kana smirked. ¡°Well, well. Look who decided to join the party. Didn¡¯t think you¡¯d make it this far, Crestfall.¡± Daniel scoffed, brushing past her. ¡°Save it, Kana. I¡¯m not in the mood for your games.¡± ¡°Games?¡± Kana echoed, feigning innocence. ¡°I¡¯m just here to congratulate you on not dying. Though I doubt you¡¯ll be surprised to hear that Zephyr came in first.¡± Daniel rolled his eyes, turning his attention to Kaelin. ¡°How''d even you get here before me?¡± he asked, his voice holding a hint of annoyance. Kana stood there and laughed. ¡°She just followed me the whole way here.¡± Daniel shot her a glare. ¡°Thank god, if even she¡¯d beat me, I might have had to consider quitting.¡± Kana shrugged, unbothered. ¡°If you say so.¡± The three stood in tense silence for a moment, the exit looming just steps away. Finally, Daniel spoke, his tone impatient. ¡°Are we going through, or are we standing here all day?¡± Kana gestured grandly toward the glowing archway. ¡°After you, hero.¡± Daniel didn¡¯t wait for her permission. He strode through the exit without looking back, disappearing into the bright light. Kaelin followed a moment later, her shoulders stiff with lingering irritation. Kana lingered for a moment, her grin fading as she glanced at the now-empty clearing. The game was over, for now. But she¡¯d had her fun, and there¡¯d be more opportunities to mess with Kaelin later. With a final glance at the glowing archway, Kana stepped through, her smirk returning as the maze closed behind her. Chapter 4: Shifting Sands Chapter 4: Shifting Sands The arena buzzed with energy as the remaining thirty contestants from the Maze of Threads assembled. The air shimmered faintly with threads of magic, an unspoken reminder of the task ahead. For many, the previous trial had tested their limits; for others, it was only the beginning. The proctor stepped forward, their black cloak billowing in the breeze. ¡°Welcome to the second trial. From this moment forward, your focus will shift from endurance to strategy and survival. In this trial, your goal is simple: collect three emblems by any means necessary.¡± The crowd murmured in response, some with excitement, others with unease. ¡°There are emblems scattered around the arena. Sponsored by the shifting sands corporation ¨C Selling only the best equipment for survival in deserts and similar conditions. Get yours today at the Shifting Sands building in the capital. Situated just past the bridge.¡± The proctor continued, gesturing toward a vast stretch of barren terrain beyond the arena walls. It was no ordinary desert. The ground shimmered and writhed, as though alive, its surface constantly changing beneath the influence of invisible threads. ¡°Each of you will begin with one emblem. There aren¡¯t enough scattered for everyone to pass so fighting will be almost unavoidable. We have essence mages on standby encase of injury. To pass, you must acquire two more. The first ten to succeed will advance.¡± Whispers broke out among the contestants. A few exchanged wary glances; others, like Kana, grinned as though the challenge had already been conquered. Daniel Crestfall stood apart from the group, his cocky smirk firmly in place, masking the churn of anticipation in his chest. His fingers traced the smooth edge of the metal emblem in his palm, a single starburst etched into its surface. ¡°Survival of the fittest, huh.¡± he muttered, slipping the emblem into his pocket. He glanced at the contestants around him, sizing them up. Weak links to exploit, overconfident fools to outsmart, and... his gaze flickered toward Zephyr Kalyndria... those who posed a genuine threat. The proctor¡¯s voice cut through the murmurs. ¡°You¡¯ll have two hours. When the sands shift for the final time, anyone without three emblems will be eliminated.¡± Daniel rolled his shoulders, confidence rekindling as he prepared to step into the fray. The contestants were ushered to their starting points, spread out across the vast expanse. The moment the signal sounded, a sharp crack of magic splitting the air, Daniel surged forward. The sands shifted beneath his boots, rolling like waves and threatening to pull him off balance. He summoned his Nature threads, green tendrils snaking from his fingers to stabilize his footing. The threads extended, brushing against the terrain to sense for traps or hidden pockets that might consume him. It wasn¡¯t long before he spotted his first target - a younger mage struggling to maintain their balance. Their emblem hung from a cord around their neck, glinting in the sunlight. ¡°Perfect.¡± Daniel muttered, a sly grin curving his lips. He approached, his threads coiling like a serpent ready to strike. The younger mage noticed him too late. Daniel¡¯s vines shot out, forming a barrier that cut off their retreat. With a single, decisive motion, he snatched the cord from around the young mages neck and caught the emblem mid-air. ¡°Better luck next time.¡± he said, flashing them a smirk before sprinting off. As he moved deeper into the shifting field, the challenges grew fiercer. The sands churned unpredictably, forming sudden sinkholes and twisting ridges. Creatures captured from the wilds emerged, attacking any who dared venture too close. At one point, Daniel found himself facing a snarling hound formed of flame, its fiery eyes locking onto him. It lunged, and he barely dodged, his vines creeping out, attached to his arm to form a makeshift shield. The fight was brutal and draining, the vines and brambles he wielded weren¡¯t a good match for the fire encasing the hound. It was well known that Nature mages with a strong affinity could control the earth beneath their feet. Daniel had never really tried since he¡¯d assumed it would be too hard for him, especially without any training.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. As he¡¯d thought, nothing happened and the hound lunged at him again, his shield catching fire from its bite. Then he saw her - Kana. She was perched atop a ridge. She also had 2 emblems now. Two glinting tokens hanging from her belt. Her green eyes met his, and a wicked smile spread across her face. ¡°You¡¯re still one short, Crestfall.¡± she called, her voice mocking. Daniel¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Not for long.¡± She laughed, leaning against the ridge¡¯s edge as if daring him to try. ¡°You¡¯re welcome to try. But just know I don¡¯t play fair.¡± ¡°What if instead you help me out a bit over here!¡± Kana chuckled and jumped down from the ridge. ¡°Fine, if you insist.¡± She pierced the hounds mind with her threads and made it turn away, with an image of a bunny, some easy prey, appearing before it. It lunged at the ¡®bunny¡¯ expecting a quick meal. ¡°Thanks Kana, I owe ya one.¡± Daniel said as he lunged at the hound. Creating a sharp blade from the brambles. ¡°If I make it dense enough, no oxygen could creep inside, and it would be essentially fireproof.¡± As he did so, the hound turned back around, clearly annoyed at his lack of a meal. Only a bit too late did it do this, as it opened its mouth and roared, Daniels blade entered, piercing upwards through the brain. Daniel brought the blade down, and it sliced through its neck, cracking the lower jaw. Covered in splatters of the hound¡¯s blood, and his own from the brambles gripping his arm. He smiled at Kana. ¡°I would say you¡¯re next, but I don¡¯t see a point. Thanks for the help nonetheless.¡± He pierced the hound with essence threads and sucked the remaining life out of it to heal his injuries. Daniel¡¯s eyes locked onto his next target: a boy wielding Nature threads; he didn¡¯t look too difficult. Unlike Kana, there were no illusions or tricks here; this fight would be raw power and strategy. The boy, Jacob, stood his ground, the sand forming solid ground where he walked, sending ripples out when he took his foot off the ground. A faint smirk tugged at his lips. ¡°Come to lose an emblem, Crestfall?¡± he taunted. Daniel tilted his head, letting the insult roll off him like water. ¡°Funny, I was about to ask you the same thing. Aren''t you just holding on to that emblem for me?¡± Jacob didn¡¯t bother with more banter. He stomped, planting his foot solidly atop the ground. Shards of earth popped up around his as he caught them in his left hand. A sword springing up to his right. ¡°Are those meant to scare me?¡± Daniel joked. Jacob grunted as he flicked the spines from his left hand at Daniel like a buckshot from a shotgun. Daniel dodged to the side, some still scratching his jacket. Although none even made it as far as a flesh wound. ¡°That all you¡¯ve got?¡± Daniel teased, injecting his mana into the pouch on his pocket, vines creeping up his left arm for a shield, brambles up his right for a spear. ¡°No point fixing what ain¡¯t broken.¡± Jacob shifted tactics, planting his foot back onto the ground, sending a dense wave of earth to throw Daniel off balance. It surged toward him like a tidal wave. Daniel, not expecting this, fell to the ground. Surrounded by dust, he coughed, struggling to keep his eyes open. Just encase Jacob rushed him, Daniel placed a ring of acorns in front of himself. Through his blindness, Daniel made out the figure of Jacob rushing toward him and smiled. He knew this might happen. Daniel supplied them with magic, and they grew suddenly, encasing Jacob with a prison of trees. He panicked and gasped. Daniel stood up and turned his back on Jacob. ¡°You fell right into my trap, idiot.¡± No longer hearing any movement Daniel turned. Jacob wasn¡¯t there, he peered into the capsule of trees, a hole lay at the bottom. ¡°Fuck, of course he did! I''m the real idiot aren¡¯t I... Jacob.¡± A voice from behind and a stone knife laid on his neck. ¡°You sure are Daniel, poor poor Daniel. Should''ve paid more attention.¡± Daniel had a counter planned but needed to keep him talking. ¡°Now where are those emblems.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not all about winning Jacob, what if we just parted ways here and left each other to our own devices. Whatcha think?¡± ¡°What kind of a dumbass would I have to be to give up in this position, at this stage of the fight? Anyway, just tell me where you put your emblems, otherwise imma have to go looking myself.¡± ¡°I¡¯d say you¡¯d have to be a pretty big kind of dumbass. That was the best deal you¡¯re getting.¡± Daniel had vines creeping up his back over his clothes, just close enough to attack but not quite touching. They tied together Infront of his neck and pulled tight. Jacob fell backwards and was tied to the ground, pulling at the vines around his neck, trying to free himself from the chokehold. ¡°Your loss.¡± Daniel reached into Jacobs pockets, searching for the emblems, and whilst he did this, Daniel created a complete cocoon for him, not touching anything, nothing for Jacob to escape with. At last, he released the chokehold. ¡°Finally... ooh you have 2 as well? I might need an extra encase someone like Zephyr shows up wanting one of mine. Sorry.¡± Once Daniel had gone far enough away, he released his magic on the vines, allowing Jacob to use his own magic on them to escape. The final minutes of the trial were a blur. Daniel sprinted toward the designated endpoint, the shifting sands threatening to pull him under with every step. He crossed the line, three emblems in hand and his competitive fire burning brighter than ever. Well after this, the final signal rang out denoting the end of this challenge. Only 10 people had passed. The only ones of note were Kana, Zephyr, Himself and Lena, somehow her ¡®bestie¡¯ Kaelin had also passed, no doubt with Lena¡¯s help. As he stood among the ten victors, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but glance toward Zephyr, who had finished effortlessly. The tri-affinity mage didn¡¯t even look tired, his calm, detached demeanour an unspoken challenge. Daniel clenched his fists. He had made it through this trial, but there were still 2 more. Chapter 5: The Written Test Chapter 5: The Written Test The written test brought an eerie calm over the Thread Trials arena. Unlike the previous trials, where threads clashed and adrenaline soared, this wasn¡¯t as much a challenge to whittle down competitors as it was to check them for competency. Each participant was handed a scroll of questions, and they were seated in rows under the watchful eyes of proctors. The tension in the air was palpable, the scratching of quills the only sound. Daniel leaned back in his chair, scanning the scroll. The questions ranged from theoretical to practical, pushing the limits of their understanding of threads: He smirked at the historical one. "Easy." he muttered under his breath. Strategy was his forte, and his competitive nature ensured he wasn¡¯t about to let anyone outshine him here. Across the room, he caught sight of Kana, her quill darting across the scroll with ease. Unlike Daniel¡¯s cocky demeanour, she exuded a calm focus. Every so often, her brow furrowed, a hint of frustration breaking through her composed exterior. * * * After hours of intense concentration, the trial ended, and the participants were granted a day off to recover. Daniel was one of the first to leave the hall, his scroll turned in with a flourish. Kana followed shortly after, catching up to him as they exited the building. ¡°What did you think of the questions?¡± Kana asked. Her dark hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her piercing gaze demanded honesty. Daniel shrugged. ¡°Piece of cake. The Nature strategy one was practically written just for me.¡± She rolled her eyes. ¡°You mean the one about aerial attacks? You just love showing off your vines.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t help it if I¡¯m good at what I do.¡± he said with a grin. ¡°What about you? That dual-thread weave question seemed like your kind of thing.¡± ¡°It was fine.¡± Kana said, her tone neutral. ¡°But I¡¯m more curious about how you¡¯ll handle a day without any fights." ¡°I¡¯m not some battle-crazed lunatic.¡± Daniel retorted. ¡°Come on, I¡¯ll prove it. Let¡¯s make this day off worth it.¡± * * * The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Their first stop was the marketplace. Stalls lined the streets, selling everything from enchanted trinkets to exotic foods. Kana gravitated toward a stall displaying crystal thread charms, each shimmering with faint magical energy. ¡°These are beautiful.¡± she said, picking up a charm shaped like a crescent moon. Daniel snorted. ¡°You¡¯re actually thinking of buying one of those tourist traps?¡± ¡°Not everything has to be practical, Daniel.¡± she replied. ¡°Sometimes it¡¯s okay to just appreciate something for what it is.¡± He raised an eyebrow but didn¡¯t argue, instead pulling out his wallet to pay for it. ¡°Suit yourself. Just don¡¯t blame me when it turns out to be useless.¡± Daniel then brought them to a food vendor grabbing a few mystery meat skewers for them. They wandered through the market, the vibrant energy infectious. Performers demonstrated magic-based tricks, and children chased each other with some kind of toy trailing from their fingers. Daniel and Kana eventually found themselves at a small park overlooking a tranquil lake. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll bite.¡± Daniel said, plopping down on the grass. ¡°What¡¯s the plan now, Miss Relaxation Expert?¡± Kana sat beside him, her hands resting on her knees. ¡°How about we actually talk? No threads, no trials, just¡­ normal conversation.¡± Daniel leaned back, resting on his elbows. ¡°Sure. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± She hesitated before asking, ¡°Why do you always push so hard? I¡¯ve seen you in every trial. It¡¯s like you¡¯re always trying to prove something, but you always end up getting hurt in the process. Or you go ahead and pull off some crazy dangerous stunt.¡± His grin faltered for a moment. ¡°Maybe I do. But isn¡¯t that the point of being here? To prove we¡¯re the best? And you know they prefer it when it¡¯s flashy.¡± ¡°Is that all it is to you? Winning?¡± He looked away, the usual bravado replaced by a flicker of vulnerability. ¡°Maybe it is. Or maybe it¡¯s about not being forgotten. If you¡¯re not the best, you¡¯re just¡­ an extra, a side character in someone else''s story.¡± Kana didn¡¯t press further, sensing the weight behind his words. Instead, she pointed toward a coffee shop across the street. ¡°Come on, let¡¯s get something to drink. My treat.¡± The coffee shop was cozy, with the rich aroma of roasted beans filling the air. As they stepped inside, Daniel immediately noticed a familiar pair in the corner. Kaelin and Lena sat at a small table, their heads bent together as they pored over a map. Lena¡¯s laugh rang out, light and carefree, while Kaelin seemed unusually relaxed. ¡°Looks like someone¡¯s having a bit much fun.¡± Daniel muttered, nudging Kana. Kaelin glanced up, catching sight of them. Her expression shifted, wary but polite. ¡°Daniel, Kana.¡± ¡°Kana.¡± Lena noted, her tone neutral. ¡°Taking a break from plotting world domination?¡± Daniel laughed, but Kana merely smirked. ¡°We could ask you the same. What¡¯s the matter, Kaelin? Can¡¯t stay away from the competition?¡± ¡°Some of us know how to enjoy a day off.¡± Lena interjected smoothly, diffusing the tension. ¡°We¡¯ll leave you two to have your fun. Come on, Daniel.¡± As they moved to another table, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but glance back. Kaelin and Lena had returned to their map, their conversation animated. He frowned, a nagging sense of unease creeping in. * * * The rest of the day passed in a blur of idle exploration. Daniel and Kana visited a nearby library, where Kana lost herself in ancient texts while Daniel browsed aimlessly. They ended the evening at a quiet overlook, watching the sun dip below the horizon. ¡°You¡¯re not so bad at this relaxation thing.¡± Kana admitted, leaning back on her hands. ¡°Don¡¯t get used to it.¡± Daniel replied with a smirk. ¡°Tomorrow, it¡¯s back on the grind.¡± She shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips. ¡°Of course it is.¡± Chapter 6: The Final Trial (1) Chapter 6: The Final Trial (1) The evening sky painted the city in various hues of orange and gold as Daniel sat on a bench looking out over the river. After having been given an entire day to wander and relax, anticipation for the results was high. His heart beating rapidly, he took a deep breath and let out a sigh. He knew the written was only the true basics but still... He wasn¡¯t sure of the pass mark and nor was he sure how well he might have done. Despite that, he wasn¡¯t about to let himself fail just before the final test. If he wasn¡¯t gonna make it through, he would have failed earlier. He was sure of it. * * * The morning arrived and the ten remaining competitors gathered in the academy¡¯s lecture hall at 8 AM sharp, the air thick with expectation. A hush fell as a man entered carrying a clipboard, wearing a stern expression. ¡°Firstly, I''d like to congratulate you all.¡± he began, his voice steady but edged with authority. ¡°No one failed the written exam. You¡¯ve all proven yourselves capable of understanding the basics, really only a formality. Here we come to our final test. At fourteen hundred hours, you¡¯ll gather in the main training arena for the final phase of the competition. There, you¡¯ll learn more about the test. Please find your scores if you so wish and enjoy the rest of the morning. But first, I''d like to introduce the man who funds this event every year. Mr Calton, would you like to say anything?¡± George Calton was the headmaster of ¡®The Royal Magic Academy¡¯ based in Luneah. While funded partly by the royal treasury, the rest had to come from students. Those without scholarships were required to pay a minimum of 1750 Aurs, prices depending on optional amenities such as accommodation. Some of this was given to Calton as a salary. Mind you this ¡°salary¡± was many times higher than any old man could hope to spend. And so, Calton had put his money into finding mages with potential from all over the kingdom in the hopes of providing them scholarships to attend his school. This event, ¡®The Thread Trials, was one of many different events at which he looked for prodigies. Even so, it was the most widely known since more people had been given scholarships through this than any other. The announcement was met with a mix of relieved sighs and anxious murmurs. Daniel leaned back in his seat, crossing his arms as he tried to mask his unease. His eyes flicked to Kana, who sat a few rows ahead, sitting relaxed in her chair. He snapped back to Mr Calton, intent on listening, providing his full attention. He needed to give it his all. After the announcement, the competitors dispersed, leaving them with a good 5 hours to prepare. Daniel found himself wandering aimlessly through the city once again. The weight of the upcoming trial gnawed at him, but he refused to let it show. Deciding to look for Kana, he eventually ended up at the library, where rows of ancient tomes and scrolls promised a good distraction. Kana was indeed there, flipping through a thick book on Mind manipulation. Daniel hesitated before approaching her. ¡°Studying? I¡¯m starting to think you might be one of those loser types¡± he teased, leaning against the edge of the table. Kana looked up, arching a brow. ¡°Preparation isn¡¯t a weakness, Crestfall.¡± ¡°No no no, not at all! Not a weakness... just a bit boring.¡± Daniel said, sliding into a chair across from her. ¡°Why don¡¯t we go out and do something. If we fail this next test, it¡¯ll be at least another 5, 10 years before we see the capital again.¡± Kana rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t respond, her focus returning to her book. Daniel stayed a while longer, flipping through a few texts on Nature threads, though his mind wasn¡¯t fully on the pages. As noon approached, Daniel tried persuading Kana to come with him to grab a bite to eat. Much to his surprise she agreed. They left the library and wandered further into the city, looking for a good place to eat. The pair eventually settled at an outdoor caf¨¦, where Daniel ordered a hearty stew while Kana opted for a simple salad.This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. ¡°Honestly, I''m surprised you aren¡¯t going light considering the test in only a few hours.¡± ¡°No need for that, I can¡¯t fight on an empty stomach can I.¡± Looking over Kana¡¯s shoulder, Daniel noticed Kaelin and Lena at a steakhouse across the street. ¡°They seem confident.¡± Daniel remarked, nodding toward the pair. Kana glanced over briefly. ¡°Who? Oh, well being confident doesn¡¯t exactly mean being prepared does it.¡± ¡°I guess...¡± Daniel said. ¡°But I don¡¯t understand how she can be so confident when she¡¯s not even a basic. Just seems stupid to me. Anyway, I''ve got to go, I''ll see you at the trial, ok?¡± ¡°Yea, yea whatever. I didn¡¯t know you had any friends other than me. I was actually starting to get a little worried.¡± ¡°Oh, shut up will you!¡± * * * The clock struck two, and the competitors assembled in the main training arena of Luneah¡¯s academy. The space had been cleared for the occasion, with a large, open battlefield, previously containing many types of equipment. 5 squares had been cut out of the ground, presumably the arenas. Mr Calton stood at the centre, adjudicators standing either side. ¡°This trial will test your combat abilities in one-on-one duels.¡± Mr Calton announced. ¡°The rules are simple: each match will end when one competitor yields or is unable to continue. Remember, this is still a test. Injuring your opponent beyond necessity will result in disqualification. Finally, losing the match does not mean you fail the trial, we will be judging all of you based on the skills and power you display irrelevant of the outcome.¡± The competitors buzzed with excitement as the pairings were announced. ¡°Daniel Crestfall and Zephyr Kalyndria. You will be in the first square down on my left.¡± ¡°Kana Elysion and Kaelin Crown. Down there, one over from the others.¡± ¡°Lena Sparrow and Campbell Bardot. You two stay here just behind me.¡± Although he had kept going, the rest of the names faded into the background as Daniel¡¯s stomach dropped. Facing Zephyr was the worst possible outcome. He was going to get absolutely crushed. Either way, he had to try his hardest. Daniel stepped onto the battlefield, facing Zephyr. The tri-affinity mage stood tall, radiating an aura of confidence. There was an official stood just by the edge of the square. He announced the fight aloud and presented the rules alongside it. ¡°Fight one, Zephyr Kalyndria versus Daniel Crestfall. If you step outside the square, you lose. If wish to do so, you may surrender part way through, and you will lose. If you are incapacitated and are no longer able to fight, you will lose. Even if you lose, you still have a chance of passing. We mainly award points to the skills you present during the fights, although a win will still aid your chances of passing. When you hear the whistle, you may begin.¡± Fweeeeeeeeeeeeee Zephyr wasted no time in preparing his assault. Bombarding Daniel¡¯s mind with noise to distract him, Zephyr plunged his hand into the ground, clenching his hand into a fist. As he pulled his hand out from the floor, a sword of rock had been unsheathed from the earth. Stomping forwards, he sent a wave through the earth to throw Daniel off balance. Daniel, snapping out from the trance Zephyr had locked him in, noticed the wave and dodged quickly to the side. Oh shit, how¡¯s he already coming for me!? He sent vines up his left arm for a shield, and brambles up his right for a sword. They writhed in place as he stepped back, ready for the attack. Zephyr, seeing this prepared his own shield and sped up time around him, making him faster. The distanced closed between them and Zephyr swung. Not expecting him here this quickly, Daniel put his sword up as a reflex, as Zephyr swung down at his ankles. Crack The sword of limestone collided with Daniels leg, and a loud crack was heard throughout the arena. ¡°AHHHHHH¡± Daniel screamed in pain, nothing had ever hurt like this. Was it broken? Could he continue? Was he really about to lose like this already??? ¡°Come on, Crestfall,¡± Zephyr taunted, his voice calm but cutting. ¡°I¡¯m sure you can do better than that.¡± Struggling, Daniel stood shakily. His lower leg bent slightly more inwards than it should have. ¡°You bitch¡± Daniel murmured ¡°I really didn¡¯t want to have to use this, but what¡¯s the point in having it if I didn¡¯t.¡± Grunting heavily, Daniel projected his mana into the earth, feeling it as if they were one. Slowly what seemed like gloop travelled up his leg forming a cast. He wrapped it around his entire leg before clenching his fist. ¡°AHHHHHHH¡± His cries rang throughout the arena once again.¡± Daniel had formed a mould of his leg from the very rock beneath his feet and compressed it so tightly that the bone moved back to where it was meant to be, the rock acting as both a cast and a splint to help him keep moving. Zephyr stared blankly. ¡°Fine, I guess it¡¯s my turn then.¡±