《Ascendant - Serendipity [Progression Fantasy]》 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?¡± The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. 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. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. 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. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°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 in case 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. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. 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 in case 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 in case 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, four 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.¡± * * * If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. 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. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°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.¡± Chapter 7: The Final Trial (2) Chapter 7: The Final Trial (2) Daniel encased his shield in rock to increase its strength. With his new abilities, he¡¯d found that he could still change the shape of the shield by controlling both the vines and the rock at the same time. Although it would take a bit of getting used to, he only had about 2 hours to learn it. Rushing forth with his sword and shield in hand, Zephyr stood still. Seemingly expecting more, Daniel obliged. He dropped some acorns behind him and carried them around behind Zephyr like they were surfboards, and the earth was the waves. As it seemed Zephyr didn¡¯t notice, Daniel took his chance. Projecting his mana into the acorns which sat around Zephyrs¡¯ legs, Daniel leaped forwards and tried redirecting some of Zephyrs¡¯ energy into them to speed up the growth with his essence threads. Trees sprouted from underneath Zephyr, coiling around his legs and moving quickly up his body. In no time at all he was completely covered, not a patch of skin uncovered. Making space for Zephyrs¡¯ face, Daniel took some energy from the tree, both partially healing his leg, and causing the tree to retract back. Despite his winning stance, Daniel flinched. There was a vast amount of energy flowing out from the next square over. Shit¡­ is Kana alright? Who am I kidding, it must be her with the power, there¡¯s no way Kaelin could do that. Anyway, gotta concentrate. ¡°Not so tough now then eh.¡± Zephyr didn¡¯t look phased at the blatant taunts Daniel threw his way. As always, his expression blank, he sighed. All of a sudden, the trees started to wither away, its branches writhed around as if they felt pain, they turned black like coal and shrivelled up into twigs. Even the trunks did the same. Eventually all that was left was a rotten pile of God knows what kind of sludge. It seemed like they¡¯d aged more than a thousand years in only a few seconds. ¡°What the fuck!? What is that, what did you do!¡± What the hell¡¯s going on, is he trying to kill me!? ¡°You aren¡¯t going to get far if you don¡¯t know the basics on what each thread can do. You seemed almost just as surprised at my speed increase earlier.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not just that Zephyr, can¡¯t you feel it?¡± ¡°That power¡¯s nothing to scoff at, but you should really focus on this fight rather than the one next door.¡± Zephyr grabbed Daniel¡¯s sword and shield, causing the same thing to happen. Rock crumbled away into dust, the vines and brambles decayed quickly and slipped right off Daniel¡¯s arms. Jumping back to make some space, Daniel plunged his hand into the earth, removing it to reveal a stone gauntlet encasing his fist. Stepping forwards to meet Daniel, Zephyr blocked the first punch. This was followed up by a flurry of attacks from Daniel. ¡°You can¡¯t just keep blocking. Where¡¯s the counterattack?¡± ¡°Good question.¡± Zephyr replied. Stepping back lightly, a wave of earth was sent forwards, knocking Daniel off balance. He fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground, dust billowing up around him. ¡°Shit, I¡¯m out of seeds.¡± Daniel exclaimed, rolling to the side in an effort to dodge any incoming attacks. After the dust cloud cleared, Daniel saw Zephyr covered head to toe in a makeshift set of armour, crafted from the very rock at his feet. Each piece looked like it had been drawn up by a 10-year-old. He might be strong, but he clearly wasn¡¯t an artist. Daniel stood still and concentrated on the earth. If he was to copy this technique, he¡¯d need every ounce of magic in him. He stomped forward heavily, propelling shards of stone up from his feet and had them hover around his head. Zephyr watched, and darted forwards. Daniel remembered his practice, albeit limited, and focused. Flinging the shards one at a time at Zephyr, he begged for one to hit some flesh or at least break Zephyr¡¯s armour. But alas, nothing. Zephyr grabbed Daniel by the shoulders and threw him to the ground violently. Calling vines up from below, Zephyr wrapped Daniel up like a present with a little bow on top and faced the referee. ¡°Winner: Zephyr Kalyndria,¡± the referee announced. Zephyr swept his hair back, turned away from Daniel, and left the arena just as smug as when he had entered. Daniel stared at where Zephyr had stood in disgust. * * * At the same time in the arena just one over, Kana had an easy matchup. Not like Kaelin could fight anyway. If anything, it made it harder for Kana to prove herself. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Kana started the fight produced a variety of illusions, some clones, some monsters, but nonetheless scary to someone without magic. Kaelin ran around the square trying her luck at the various versions of Kana with her fists. ¡°I know you¡¯re lacking magic, but still, this isn¡¯t really much of a fight.¡± Kana said from behind. ¡°You really shouldn¡¯t have given yourself away!¡± Kaelin shouted, charging at the newly revealed Kana. But again, she struck air. ¡°There isn¡¯t anyone there. There never has been.¡± Kana started, her voice echoing inside Kaelin¡¯s head. ¡°See, I¡¯ve been in your mind this whole time. You clearly haven¡¯t had any mental training, despite the amount you¡¯ve practiced everything else. Although it wasn¡¯t easy, your mind is weak! I know I¡¯m talented but still¡­ I¡¯m barely a beginner. It shouldn¡¯t have been that easy to break in!¡± The words rattled inside Kaelin¡¯s mind; this torment felt near eternal. Kana produced haunting images of her and Daniel, pushing them into Kaelin¡¯s mind to subdue her as she inched closer, not wanting to break the spell. Kaelin cried out in pain, clearly the high-pitched noise was too much, the screaming she heard was her own, but Kana¡¯s spells were amplifying it and throwing it right back at her, containing it within her head. Kana was only a few meters away, so close to her goal. ¡°AHHHHHH¡± That was Daniel¡¯s scream. Kana thought about stopping to go see if he was okay but decided against it. He¡¯d never let it go if she lost to Kaelin, not even if it was forfeit. So, she hoped for him to be okay, and continued with crafting her plan. This plan was to get up behind Kaelin, grab her by the neck and put her in a choke hold, forcing her to surrender. Mind threads were mainly used as support in proper fights, although some talented mages could produce physical copies of their illusions to help fight. In 1 on 1s, they were forced to be resourceful, and physical training was definitely up there on their list of things to do. And because of this, Kana was stronger than most guys her same age, though this didn¡¯t mean much when magic was involved. ¡°AHHHHHHH¡± Again, Daniel. But as she brought her focus back onto Kaelin¡­ something had changed. Compared to the previously lacking aura, an immense power was flowing out of her. Despite her experiences with it being limited, she was sure. This felt so similar to the aura of those who used time threads. It couldn¡¯t be a coincidence. Then, she just wasn¡¯t there, though with all that power, it wasn¡¯t hard to notice Kaelin behind her. Without delay, Kana was knocked prone and lay flat on the ground. Shocked, Kana blinked a few times, pinching herself to check she wasn¡¯t dreaming. This was real, and she had to accept that. Rolling to the side, she summoned 6 clones, the most she could control, and started to formulate a plan. Kaelin wouldn¡¯t last that long with so much power being used, her body wasn¡¯t used to it and hadn¡¯t been trained in magic at all. Using so much energy will eventually tire her out and cause her to collapse. Although it wouldn¡¯t be the most gracious victory, a win is a win, nonetheless. The idea is to keep producing clones to take up Kaelin¡¯s time and therefore energy, the only problem is whether she could last any longer. Controlling the clones took up a lot of energy in its own right, if she could get it over quickly, she would. But trying that led to a much greater chance of claiming a loss. Kaelin, overflowing with power darted between the clones, each time one was disrupted, Kana made a new one and moved herself in an effort not to get caught. Kaelin¡¯s movement was slowing down significantly, no longer was she faster than the eye can see in fact, she wasn¡¯t too much faster than Kana herself, but still, it seemed that Kana was losing. The speed at which Kaelin was slowing down was nothing when compared to how quickly she could destroy the illusions. Kana had to act. And fast. She shifted her positioning, creating the illusions in front of Kaelin rather than around her, Kana hoped this would take her attention away from her surroundings and push her focus onto the clones. Kana crept up behind Kaelin, but she noticed. Kaelin sent a punch right into Kana¡¯s abdomen, sending her flying. The increased speed along with Kaelin¡¯s already well-trained body was enough to launch her across the square. Landing just in front of the border she gasped for air, trying to get her breath back. Kana was winded, unable to move and in devastating pain. Kaelin walked slowly toward Kana, her power dissipating. She picked her up by the arm and threw her out of the ring. ¡°Winner: Kaelin,¡± Darrek declared. As the announcement was made, Kaelin collapsed. The medics were called over and took her away into a building nearby on a stretcher, while Kana was treated in the arena. She spat blood from her mouth to the side bitterly. What a joke. She had no magic, for 19 whole years when most people had all their affinities by age 16. Even Kana was late only unlocking it in her late 15s but at 19 was simply unheard of. *** Kana looked around for Daniel after she¡¯d been healed up only to find his still stuck tied up like a present. ¡°At least I wasn¡¯t the only one who lost.¡± Kana said with a laugh. ¡°Just hurry up and get me out of this¡­ I can¡¯t believe they left me like this.¡± Kana crouched down and untied the knot, releasing Daniel back into the world. ¡°It¡¯s pretty surprising Zephyr¡¯s magic¡¯s still stopping you from using your own on it.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not that cool, anyway what was that power I felt in your battle, surely that was you right? Also, how¡¯d you manage to lose to Kaelin!?¡± ¡°You¡¯ll never guess¡­¡± Kana started, still feeling the shock, ¡°She randomly unlocked a time affinity of all things! Out of no-where this massive power came flooding out of her, she was fast as lightning. Honestly, I¡¯m surprised I even lasted as long as I did after that. Although she did collapse right after she¡¯d thrown me out of the square.¡± ¡°You¡¯re okay though right? That was some crazy power. She must be proper chuffed to have done that. Although it¡¯ll take a while for her to get to grips with it, and anywhere near us will take her at least a year, no matter how talented she is.¡± ¡°And I thought the gods looked favourably upon you. That power after just having unlocked your affinity could be a real danger, although she¡¯ll be a big asset to the kingdom, as much of a weakling she was.¡± Despite how much they disliked her, they had to admit, it was pretty impressive. ¡°Also, what was up with you, I heard some pretty loud screams, were you okay?¡± Kana said worriedly. ¡°Nothing I can¡¯t handle, just a broken leg¡­¡± ¡°And the second one?¡± ¡°That was me putting back into place.¡± ¡°Oh my god we need to get you to one of the medics!¡± Kana exclaimed, ¡°Fuck, if only they weren¡¯t all with Kaelin.¡± Kana lifted him over her shoulder into a fireman carry and took him to the nearest medical centre. ¡°Do you really have to carry me like this? It¡¯s a bit embarrassing.¡± ¡°If you want to be worried about something as trivial as that, you shouldn¡¯t have done this to yourself.¡± Chapter 8: New Jewellery Chapter 8: New Jewellery Daniel woke to the sounds of busy voices and creaky floorboards, the faint scent of herbs filling the room. The soft glow of the medical centre¡¯s lamps illuminated the room, emitting a mild greasy scent. Kana was perched on a chair beside his bed, one leg crossed over the other, flicking absentmindedly through a small papyrus notebook. ¡°Kana?¡± Daniel groaned as he awoke. "Finally, you¡¯re awake." she said without looking up, her tone clipped. "Thought you might sleep through the results." Daniel groaned, sitting up slowly. His ribs ached from the beating he¡¯d taken at the hands of Zephyr Kalyndria. "I¡¯m fine." he muttered, though the pain lacing his voice said otherwise. "Thanks for dragging me here, I guess. When did I fall asleep?" Kana snapped the notebook shut and stood. "You were silent as a katen for most of the journey, I¡¯m not sure when it happened but it wasn¡¯t long after we¡¯d left, you must¡¯ve been quite tired after your fight¡­ Anyway, don¡¯t thank me. Just make sure you¡¯re not late for the ¡®Big Reveal¡¯. It¡¯s in an hour at the main hall by the arena. Be quick.¡± She tossed a fresh shirt and trousers onto his bed and strode out before he could reply. *** An hour later, Daniel joined the rest of the competitors in the main hall, where anticipation buzzed through the air. Mr. George Calton, a stern but fair man with sharp features and an imposing presence, stood at the front with a codex in hand. ¡°Cutting it close, aren¡¯t you?¡± Kana said to Daniel as he strolled over. ¡°As always¡± Daniel replied, nonchalantly. "Firstly," Calton began, his deep voice cutting through the murmurs, "I¡¯d like to congratulate everyone here on how far they¡¯ve come, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll grow into astounding mages should that be the path you choose. However, the results of the Thread Trials were about more than passing or failing. They were to determine who among you showed the potential to be the absolute best, to find out whose future was worth investing in." He paused, scanning the room. "Those who passed will be personally invited, by me, to take the entrance exam for the Royal Magic Academy of Luneah. Pass that, and you¡¯ll earn a full-ride scholarship. All fees paid for including accommodation, food and of course a weekly allowance, no matter what we prioritise both your education, and equality among our students, despite being a predominantly noblesse institution." Excitement rippled through the crowd, though Daniel stood with his arms crossed, his face betraying none of the emotions swirling within. Calton flicked open the codex and began reading the names of those who had passed. "Zephyr Kalyndria, Kana Elysion, Kaelin Crown, Lena Sparrow, Daniel Crestfall, and Guy Harrick.¡± Daniel exhaled in relief after hearing his name called. When Calton finished, he addressed the group. "To those whose names were called, congratulations. There will be an announcement in one weeks¡¯ time at the Royal Magic Academy. There, you will learn more about the exam taking place 3 days later. If you plan to attend, come back here around 4 to see me and I will personally arrange lodgings for your stay in the capital, both leading up to and during the exam. To those who didn¡¯t make the cut¡­ my sincerest apologies, there is no doubt in my mind that you are some of the best mages of the current times, and I wish you well in future endeavours.¡± Daniel exchanged a glance with Kana, who offered a rare smirk. "Looks like we¡¯re headed to the academy!" she exclaimed. Zephyr, standing near the front, barely acknowledged the announcement, his focus elsewhere. Kaelin and Lena shared an excited hug, their relief palpable. Guy, meanwhile, was grinning ear to ear, clearly thrilled to have made the cut. As the hall began to empty, Kana nudged Daniel with her elbow. "Hey, Crestfall, care to take a walk? We¡¯ve got time to kill before heading to Calton." Daniel raised an eyebrow. "A walk? What for?" Kana rolled her eyes but kept her tone light. "Oh, I don¡¯t know. To see the town, maybe grab some lunch? Or are you planning to sit in a corner somewhere until we leave?" Daniel hesitated but shrugged. "Fine. Lead the way." The streets were lively as they wandered through the market district, vendors hawking everything from enchanted trinkets to freshly baked goods. Kana kept the conversation flowing, her usual sharpness softened by a genuine excitement of their upcoming journey. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. "You ever think we¡¯d make it this far?" she asked, glancing sideways at Daniel. "Honestly, I never doubted myself" he said, proudly, "Although the maze was pretty tough.¡± Kana laughed, a rare and musical sound. "Well, you still made it, despite having such a thick skull." They stopped at a small caf¨¦ with outdoor seating, the bitter scent of roasted coffee beans filling the air. Daniel ordered a simple tea and cake, while Kana opted for a more elaborate pastry. As they ate, Kana leaned forward slightly, her tone teasing. "So, what¡¯s the plan, Crestfall? You gonna wow everyone at the Academy, or just try not to embarrass yourself?" Daniel smirked. "Probably both¡­ although I might struggle with the latter. What about you?" "Oh, I¡¯ll wow them." Kana said confidently. "You can count on that. No-one¡¯s ever seen a mage quite like me before.¡± ¡°You can say that again.¡± Daniel remarked. ¡°Oi, finish up then let¡¯s get moving. I know we have a whole ¡®nother week, but it¡¯s the capital! There¡¯s so much to do! So much food to eat and places to see!¡± As the afternoon sunbathed the town in a warm glow, Kana tugged Daniel¡¯s arm. "Come on. Let¡¯s go check out the market before we leave this place behind." He shrugged, following her as she led the way into the bustling streets. The market was alive with chatter and the scent of freshly baked bread, spiced meats, and blooming flowers. Kana stopped at a stall selling trinkets, her fingers brushing over a delicate silver bracelet. "Think it suits me?" she asked, tilting her wrist to catch the light. Daniel barely glanced at it. "Sure. It¡¯s nice." She rolled her eyes. "You¡¯re hopeless, Crestfall." They wandered further, stopping occasionally to admire street performers or sample snacks from vendors. At one point, Kana spotted a small group of children playing with each other, their laughter filling the air. She paused, a soft smile crossing her face. "Makes you wonder what it was like before all this competition, huh? When life was just... fun." Daniel glanced at her, surprised by the wistfulness in her tone. "Didn¡¯t think you were the nostalgic type." She shrugged, her usual sharpness returning. "Don¡¯t get used to it." They continued wandering around after lunch, checking out the various shops and stalls propped up beside the streets. One stall in particular stood out among the rest. While most boasted banners in a multitude of colours to attract attention, this stall was made up of blacks and greys, a stain on the canvas of wonder the market district contained. Curious, Daniel and Kana edged closer. At the front there was a table spanning the length of the stall, on it were various pieces of jewellery and other odd items. One such item was a box, opening it revealed a small ballerina which spun slowly as music played out from the bottom. Placing it back on the table, Daniel noticed rustling coming from underneath one of the tables in the back, which housed a large quantity of boxes, most of which were overflowing. ¡°Hey, someone there?¡± Daniel asked, warily. A head poked up from the back, a wide smile growing as they noticed Daniel and Kana standing at the front. ¡°Oh yes yes, I¡¯m here, I¡¯m here.¡± They said, carefully moving some of the boxes out of their way as they made their way to Daniel. ¡°See anything you like?¡± ¡°If I¡¯m being honest, I¡¯m honestly not sure what any of it is. Care to explain?¡± ¡°Oh¡­ yea sure, well¡­ in the past, around a thousand years ago, when the order of mages was still around, they constructed a few lairs, catacombs, and whatnot. But recently, in these places, strange items and the likes have been dug out from crates hidden away, very good spots as well. I mean we¡¯ve known about all their underground hideouts for decades but these¡­ these places¡­ somehow, they¡¯ve eluded us for all this time. I mean it was only, what¡­ last year, I think, the first ones were uncovered. Either way that¡¯s what all these are. No-one really knows what they¡¯re meant to do¡­ but if you buy up you might be the first to find out, eh. How¡¯s that sound?¡± Kana slowly turned to face Daniel, her puppy-dog eyes piercing straight into Daniel¡¯s heart. ¡°Fine, which one?¡± ¡°Yessss! Oooh, there¡¯s so much choice! This necklace is nice¡­ what d¡¯you think?¡± She spun to face Daniel, a beautiful silver necklace with a piece of Jade hanging at the bottom, surrounded by encrusted diamonds. Blushing, Daniel turned away sheepishly. ¡°Y-yea, it looks good¡­¡± ¡°Oh, come ooon. What a boring answer.¡± She says, turning back to the stranger. ¡°We¡¯ll take it!¡± Gazing over the various items, Daniel spots a bare-bones, platinum-coloured wristband and picks it up, inspecting it. ¡°And this please¡± ¡°How wonderful! I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll love them, I wish you well in uncovering their mystery! That¡¯ll be 1 Aur 50.¡± Begrudgingly, Daniel handed over the cash and sighed before they continued down the market. Eventually, they made their way back toward the main hall to meet Mr Calton for the allocation of their lodgings. They stood in line behind Guy, he hadn¡¯t left since they¡¯d been dismissed, clearly impatient and excited about his potential future. Although a capable mage, from what Daniel had seen, he wasn¡¯t exactly talent of the century. *** After having been assigned somewhere to stay, the rest of the day seemed to pass in a blur of celebration and farewells. Daniel wandered the training grounds of the academy with Kana, their conversation ranging from their fights to idle speculation about the academy. They passed Zephyr, on his way to something apparently urgent judging by the vigour with which he was walking. Guy was nearby too, chatting animatedly with a few of the other competitors who hadn¡¯t made the cut but seemed to be in high spirits, nonetheless. As they entered the guest accommodation, they veered off from each other on their way to their rooms. Daniel on the fourth floor, and Kana on the second. By the time evening fell, Daniel found himself cosied up in his bed, the invitation to the academy resting in his hands as he held it above his head. The embossed seal gleamed in the dim light, a tangible reminder of how far he¡¯d come - and how much further he still had to go. He turned it over in his hands. A slow smile spread across his face, equal parts determination, and anticipation. The Thread Trials may be over, but his position still wasn¡¯t certain. No information was allowed to leak on the entrance exam so for all he knew, the worst was yet to come. Chapter 9: The Royal Exam Chapter 9: The Royal Exam Daniel stepped out of his room, he and Kana had been staying as guests at the Royal Magic Academy for the past week. The capital of Erundal bustled with energy even in the early hours of the morning, its cobblestone streets filled with merchants setting up stalls and carriages rattling by. He adjusted the strap of his satchel, which carried his entrance exam documents and a change of clothes. The Thread Trials had concluded only a week prior, but it already felt like a lifetime ago. This was the day that everything they had worked for culminated in the chance to enrol at the Academy. Kana emerged from the dormitory behind him, her auburn hair tied back neatly, and an excited glint in her green eyes. ¡°Ready for this?¡± she asked, her tone light but charged with anticipation. Daniel nodded, though a hint of nerves churned in his stomach. ¡°As ready as I¡¯ll ever be. A whole week of waiting didn¡¯t help much.¡± Kana grinned. ¡°That just means we¡¯ve had a whole week to prepare, and if I¡¯m not wrong, we still have another three days. Come on, we should get moving before the streets get too crowded.¡± The two made their way through the winding streets of Luneah. They passed by familiar landmarks: the sprawling market square, the grand fountain adorned with carvings of mythical beasts, and the towering spires of the Royal Library. Having stayed at the academy since the end of the trials, they¡¯d had time to explore the city and immerse themselves in its vibrant culture. Despite the nerves of the upcoming exam, Daniel couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the beauty of Luneah. The group of Thread Trial qualifiers and other hopeful academy candidates stood in a hall had gathered on a platform. Zephyr stood a short distance away, exuding his usual calm confidence, his gaze focused on the academy spires. Kaelin and Lena chatted excitedly near the edge of the group, their energy infectious even from a distance. Guy, leaning against a pillar, was already munching on a pastry he¡¯d picked up from a vendor. Mr. George Calton¡¯s authoritative voice cut through the chatter. ¡°Good morning all¡­ you are the best of the best, and I¡¯m hoping I¡¯ll be accepting many of you into the academy this year to start your journeys. There are some here who will be remembered for centuries, but just the same, some of you, won¡¯t be making it in. I sincerely wish you all luck, but don¡¯t expect that it¡¯s a given now that you¡¯re here!¡± he called, standing atop a small crate to address the gathered group. ¡°You have exactly three days to prepare for the entrance exam. During this time, you¡¯ll have access to much of the academy¡¯s resources, including its libraries and training grounds. Make good use of them.¡± He stepped down, his dark brown eyes scanning the group. ¡°For those of you who were staying in academy-provided lodgings, we are having to change your allocations. Please follow me. I¡¯ll show you to your new quarters. And then afterwards, you should be able to retrieve your stuff.¡± The group followed Calton through the bustling streets of Luneah. Daniel couldn¡¯t help but take in the sights¡ªthe elegant fountains, the finely dressed citizens, and the vibrant magic coursing through the air. It was a far cry from the humble streets of his hometown. As they approached the academy gates, the sheer magnitude of the institution hit them. The wrought-iron gates stood tall, flanked by statues of legendary mages from Erundal¡¯s history. Beyond them, sprawling courtyards and grand buildings loomed, each humming with ancient power. Although the guest dorms were inside the academy, they¡¯d only been allowed to use a side entrance, so going through the main gates was quite the experience. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. ¡°Damn, this is crazy¡­¡± Kana remarked, her voice softer than usual. Daniel nodded, for once at a loss for words. This was it. The culmination of their efforts during the Thread Trials. The chance to prove themselves worthy of the academy¡¯s halls. *** After being shown to their quarters, the group dispersed to settle in. Daniel¡¯s room was modest but comfortable, with a large window overlooking the courtyard. He set his bag down on the bed and took a moment to absorb his surroundings. The academy was nothing like he had imagined. It was grander, older, and brimming with an energy he could feel in his bones. He thought he¡¯d seen a lot of the academy in the past week, but clearly that was just the outskirts of the grounds. Being this far in, it all seems too good to be true. A knock at the door broke his thoughts. He opened it to find Kana leaning casually against the frame. ¡°It seems like we¡¯re neighbours¡± She said with a laugh, ¡°Anyway, don¡¯t get too comfortable. We¡¯ve got an academy to explore.¡± Daniel smirked. ¡°Lead the way.¡± The pair wandered through the academy¡¯s labyrinthine halls, occasionally passing other competitors, students, and staff. They found themselves in the library, a massive room with towering shelves that seemed to stretch endlessly upward. The scent of old parchment and ink filled the air, and the soft glow of enchanted lamps illuminated the space. ¡°This place makes the town library look like a broom closet,¡± Daniel muttered, his gaze trailing along the rows of books. ¡°Let¡¯s hope you¡¯re as good at studying as you are at throwing punches,¡± Kana quipped, pulling a dusty tome from a nearby shelf. ¡°Funny¡­¡± Daniel replied, rolling his eyes. But his attention was quickly drawn to a display case in the centre of the room, housing a series of ancient artefacts. One in particular caught his eye: a twisted, silver emblem engraved with intricate runes. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± he asked, nodding toward it. ¡°No idea,¡± Kana replied, peering at the plaque. ¡°But it¡¯s got something to do with the academy¡¯s founding. Maybe you should ask one of the librarians if you¡¯re that curious.¡± Daniel filed the thought away for later, his curiosity piqued. For now, there was too much to see and not enough time. *** By the time evening rolled around, the group reconvened in the dining hall. The space buzzed with the energy of new arrivals, all eager to make their mark at the academy. Daniel spotted Zephyr sitting alone at a table near the window, his expression unreadable as he stared out into the darkening sky. Kaelin and Lena sat together, chatting animatedly with a few other qualifiers. Guy, predictably, was already on his second plate of food. ¡°We¡¯re gonna have to work real hard from tomorrow.¡± Kana said as she and Daniel sat down with their trays. Daniel nodded, his gaze lingering on the academy crest etched into the hall¡¯s far wall. ¡°Let¡¯s hope we¡¯re ready.¡± He couldn¡¯t shake the weight of what was to come. The Thread Trials had been difficult, but this¡­ this was an entirely different level. The Royal Magic Academy wasn¡¯t just a school. It was a proving ground for the best and brightest. And Daniel wanted in. ¡°Right¡­ goh any iheas?¡± Daniel said, food falling out from his mouth. ¡°Eugh, don¡¯t speak with your mouth full pleeeease. It makes me feel sick.¡± Kana complained, ¡°You¡¯re acting just like Guy.¡± ¡°You can¡¯t compare me to ¡®im, we¡¯re nuffin¡¯ alike!¡± Guy sat on his own, wolfing down a third portion of the meal, clearly aiming for fourths. The academy¡¯s food was much better than anything they would¡¯ve been able to make back home, all the chefs were previously some of the best in the city, and the current head chef even won the Boer award last year. With Guy¡¯s love for food, there was no doubt he¡¯d be in the running soon. Even if not a chef, he¡¯d make a bloody good judge. Although he didn¡¯t seem like much at first glance, Guy was a very capable mage. If it weren¡¯t for his rotund qualities, he might end up being a match for Kana. He was quite smart, makes good decisions in battle but¡­ he¡¯s just way too easy to hit. It¡¯s like attacking an unmoving wall. ¡°Anyway, I have a few ideas. I¡¯m thinking first day we head to the library and see if we can figure out what our new jewellery can do. If we have spare time, or in your case give up, I thought we could spar a little. The other days I¡¯m not sure though. We¡¯ll so how it goes.¡± ¡°Good plan¡­ I was getting curious about this thing.¡± Daniel said, rubbing the bracelet which surrounded his wrist. Chapter 10: The Academy Awaits Chapter 10: The Academy Awaits Morning sunlight filtered through the tall, ornate windows of Daniel¡¯s new room. He stretched, still marvelling at how the Academy quarters felt both luxurious and intimidating. The fine embroidery on the curtains, the polished wooden floor, and the incredible craftsmanship of the furniture; it all served as a reminder that he wasn¡¯t in a simple training camp anymore. The faint sound of bustling activity outside snapped him out of his thoughts. Kana¡¯s voice called through the thin door. ¡°Daniel, get moving! We¡¯ve got shit to do.¡± He quickly dressed, fastening his bracelet ¨C the same one he''d received from that sketchy merchant after the Thread Trials. It still felt foreign on his wrist, like it held secrets he hadn¡¯t yet unravelled. When he opened the door, Kana was leaning against the wall, arms crossed. ¡°Took you long enough,¡± she teased, flashing a grin. ¡°Ready to hit the library?¡± ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Daniel muttered, running a hand through his hair. ¡°I say it¡¯s time we find out what these things can do.¡± As they made their way through the winding halls of the Academy, the energy around them was palpable. Other hopeful candidates moved with purpose, some already deep in discussions about strategies, while others appeared overwhelmed by the sheer scale of their surroundings. The library was just as awe-inspiring as it had been the day before. Rows upon rows of ancient tomes stretched endlessly, and the faint scent of parchment hung in the air. A soft, magical glow illuminated the shelves, casting a serene light that made the space feel almost sacred. ¡°Alright, what¡¯s the plan of action?¡± Daniel Replied ¡°I say we need to find out what they¡¯re made of first. Then if nothing seems interesting ¨C we should look for magical residue. Although it might be hard to get access to the right equipment, I''m sure we¡¯ll figure something out.¡± ¡°Sounds good¡± Kana said, setting her sights on a nearby section labelled ¡®The Natural World.¡¯ ¡°You take a look at the metals; I''ll go for alloys. Let¡¯s figure out what these bracelets are made of.¡± Daniel nodded, heading to his assigned aisle. He scanned the spines of the books, his fingers trailing over the intricate lettering. ¡°Rare Metals & Their uses¡± ¡°The History of Gems Across Time¡± ¡°Testing for Metals¡± he muttered, pulling the last one off the shelf. He flipped through the pages, looking for any kind of silver metals which looked similar to the bracelet. He marked the pages as he went ¨C there were a lot of contenders, Daniel was only a quarter of the way through the book, and he¡¯d already found 12. ¡°Find anything?¡± Kana¡¯s voice broke his focus. She was carrying two books, her excitement evident. ¡°Yeah, sort of,¡± Daniel replied, showing her the page. ¡°I found about 30 different metals they could be made from, unless you haven¡¯t found anything I say we just split and test them.¡± Kana¡¯s eyes lit up. ¡°Wow, I¡¯m surprised there are so many contenders! I found quite a few alloys. Once you¡¯re done let¡¯s switch. You never know, they might not be made of the same things.¡± Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. ¡°Yea, I mean I didn¡¯t think about that. I¡¯ll see you in a few hours then, good luck!¡± *** They each spent the next 3 hours, immersed in their tests. Only occasionally popping over to check on one another. Finally, Daniel flipped the last page of the book which had been marked before heading back to Kana to switch books. ¡°Find anything?¡± Daniel asked. ¡°Yea, I think mine is made from Tannenite.¡± Kana replied excitedly. ¡°How did you figure that one, wasn¡¯t your book only alloys?¡± ¡°Yea it was, but there was one alloy which is just the same as is used in batteries. You first check for the mana conductivity being at or above 6, then see how well it keeps it. Although it was a good conductor the mana dissipated pretty quickly.¡± ¡°I¡¯m guessing the conductor part was the Tannenite then?¡± ¡°Exactly! Now try testing yours, if it is a battery, you could get at least 100 Aurs for it.¡± ¡°Yea they¡¯re bloody expensive. You¡¯d have to be a noble to afford one of them.¡± Daniel started projecting his mana into the wristband, clearly strained. ¡°When do I stop?¡± ¡°The book says to keep going until you feel your mana push back ¨C that¡¯ll mean it¡¯s full.¡± After 3 minutes of the constant effort, Daniel started to feel faint. The bracelet vibrated harshly, causing red burn marks to appear around Daniel¡¯s wrist. ¡°Daniel be careful, it¡¯s not meant to take this long, you might hurt yourself!¡± ¡°Y-yeah¡­ sure.¡± Daniel replied, strained in his voice as with his movements. Panting, Daniel sat on a nearby chair. He took off the bracelet and grasped his wrist. The burns had torn through three layers of skin, the smell of charred flesh lingered in the air, brought upon by the blackened lumps which still sat, welded to the area around the wound. ¡°You need to see a doctor¡­ NOW!¡± Kana cried, her teary eyes staring directly at the injury, wanting to look away, but unable to. ¡°Look it¡¯s fine¡­ is it a battery or not, what does it say?¡± ¡°Well¡­ yea. None of the mana you projected into it has left. Even most batteries have at least an 80% efficiency but this¡­ this is something else. It has an incredible capacity and an even better efficiency. I mean we¡¯re looking at 100%, this is amazing. This is a one of a kind, I bet you could even get 100,000 Aurs for it at auction.¡± ¡°I could¡­ but I should keep it. Who knows what people would do to get their hands on it. Anyway, this could be it¡­ the thing which sets me apart.¡± ¡°Not everyone needs one of those, but if you insist¡­ just be careful. Okay?¡± ¡°Sure. Anyway, let¡¯s get going, it¡¯s about time for lunch.¡± ¡°Uh-uh, you are NOT getting out of going to see the doctors, you¡¯re coming with me.¡± *** By the time they left the doctors, having bandaged up the gash on his wrist, the sun was high in the sky. The courtyard buzzed with activity as candidates practiced their spells and sparred under the watchful eyes of Academy staff. The sight was both inspiring and nerve-wracking. ¡°Think we should join them?¡± Kana asked, nodding toward a group engaged in a heated duel. Daniel hesitated. ¡°Maybe later. I still need to grab something to eat. And anyway, let¡¯s stick to our plan. We need to be as prepared as possible.¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Alright, but don¡¯t think you¡¯re getting out of sparring. You still owe me a rematch after that embarrassing loss during the Trials.¡± Daniel groaned. ¡°You¡¯re never going to let me live that down, are you?¡± ¡°Nope,¡± Kana replied, her grin widening. *** The next two days passed in a blur of preparation. They divided their time between studying theory in the library, training in the practice grounds, practicing his use of the bracelet ¨C now worn on the other wrist, and strategizing for the upcoming exam. Daniel couldn¡¯t help but notice the tension building among the candidates. The stakes were high, and everyone knew it. On the evening before the exam, the dining hall was unusually quiet. The usual chatter and laughter were replaced by hushed conversations and contemplative silence. Daniel sat with Kana, their plates barely touching. ¡°Hard to believe it¡¯s finally here,¡± he said, staring at the Academy crest on the far wall. ¡°Yeah,¡± Kana agreed, her voice uncharacteristically soft. ¡°But we¡¯ve got this. We¡¯ve come too far to fail now.¡± Daniel nodded, though the weight of the moment pressed heavily on him. The Thread Trials had been challenging, but this was different. The Royal Magic Academy wasn¡¯t just any goal ¨C it was a dream. One they¡¯d had ever since unlocking their affinities. And tomorrow would decide if they were truly worthy. Chapter 11: The Royal Entrance Exam Chapter 11: The Royal Entrance Exam The morning of the Royal Magic Academy entrance exam dawned crisp and clear, but Daniel barely noticed. His stomach churned as he stepped out of his dormitory, the weight of the day pressing heavily on his shoulders. Kana walked beside him, unusually quiet. The past three days had been filled with relentless preparation, but no amount of studying or training could ease the tension that gripped him now. The academy grounds buzzed with activity as students gathered in the central courtyard, waiting for the exam to begin. The air was thick with anticipation, the hum of whispered conversations filling the space. Daniel scanned the crowd, spotting familiar faces among the hopefuls. Zephyr stood with his arms crossed, and eyes focused, exuding his usual confidence. Kaelin and Lena whispered excitedly, their energy a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere. Guy, true to form, was munching on an apple, seemingly unfazed by the pressure. A hush fell over the crowd as Headmaster Calton stepped onto a raised platform. His gaze swept over the assembled students, his presence commanding immediate attention. ¡°Welcome to the Royal Magic Academy entrance exam,¡± he announced, his voice steady and authoritative. ¡°Today, you will face three tests. The first will assess your theoretical understanding of base magic. To maintain fairness, there will be no questions on specific magics. The second will measure your magical control and finesse, determining your aptitude level within the academy. The third and final test will be a combat trial, where you will showcase your abilities in a one-on-one duel. Passing these exams will grant you entrance to the academy. However, exceptional candidates may earn the sponsorship of a professor, granting them privileges beyond standard admission.¡± Murmurs rippled through the crowd. The sponsorship system was well known, but few ever earned such an honour. Daniel exchanged a glance with Kana, who smirked. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ll have to put on a show.¡± He exhaled slowly, steeling himself. ¡°Let¡¯s just focus on passing, no hope if we fail there.¡± *** The first test took place in the Academy¡¯s grand lecture hall. Rows of desks stretched across the massive room, each set with parchment and ink. The moment Daniel sat down, an invigilator distributed the exam papers, his expression stern. ¡°You have one hour. Begin.¡± Daniel turned over his paper, scanning the questions. The exam covered everything from the history of magic to everything we, as a society, know about the threads. Some questions were straightforward, while others required deep analysis. But nothing came up which he and Kana hadn¡¯t gone over together beforehand in the library. This was a piece of cake compared to what they had expected from the entrance exam. Although it makes sense considering the academy prioritises the magic aspect over the academics. *** The second test was held in one of the academy¡¯s practice halls. The large chamber had massive marble pillars lining the walls. A professor stepped forward, holding a codex, presumably listing the candidates¡¯ names. ¡°This test will evaluate your magical control. Each of you will be given a unique task to complete, based on your most proficient affinity. Your performance will determine your current skill level in regard to base control. But don¡¯t worry, we aren¡¯t forgetting that skill on the battlefield is much more than the depths of one¡¯s affinity. That¡¯s what the final test is for.¡± Candidates stepped up one by one as they were called. Some fumbled, crumbling under the pressure of all who were watching. Which to be honest wasn¡¯t many. Being forced to do this one by one was incredibly boring. And yet others clearly knew what they were doing. The highest tier which had showed up was a Mid-tier, that being none other than Guy. By Achelous, if only he¡¯d lose some weight, maybe then he¡¯d have a decent chance on the battlefield ¡°Daniel Crestfall¡± He swallowed hard as his name was called. He stepped forward, heart pounding. For him, the first task was simple: Using a bush, skilfully cut into a dome as a reference, Daniel had to grow another, from the seed, into the exact same shape. Channelling his mana through the threads, he projected his energy into the plant. This task required precision, shaping the bush by controlling the flow of energy into specific branches of the sapling. He took a deep breath, steadying his hands. Slowly, methodically, he manipulated the threads, forcing them into the correct form. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Daniel breathed out heavily as he released his control. Although not perfect, it was a remarkable effort. ¡°Hmm,¡± the examiner looked to be in deep thought. While awaiting his judgement, Daniel nervously fidgeted. Peering back, Kana held her thumbs up at him excitedly. At least I¡¯m not the only one who thinks I did well. ¡°Low-Mid tier.¡± Relief and disappointment warred within him. Although it may not have been the highest tier, all it showed was that he had room for improvement. Especially if he wanted to catch up to Zephyr. He stepped back, watching as Zephyr took his turn. He was made to increase the speed of his limbs by different amounts. For a time mage, this was a much more difficult endeavour than it seemed. Having completed the test, he stepped back confidently, not seeming bothered to listen to what the adjudicator had to say. ¡°Mid-tier.¡± Daniel clenched his fists. No surprise there. Finally, Kana stepped up, ready for her turn. The mind mages in the group had especially struggled. Not one of them had surpassed low tier. And Kana knew she was different. Stepping up to the top, the adjudicator turned to her. Her task was to create 3 illusions, all acting out different tasks, given one at a time by the judge. First, she was asked to make a large man dancing on his own in the corner. ¡°Next you are to make a battle between two illusions. Make sure it is for everyone here to see. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll be dictating what is to happen. So just focus on crafting the image.¡± Usually in a fight, you only made illusions which affected your direct opponent, since otherwise you would have to influence either an area, or the collective to make it visible to all. Murmuring continued amongst the crowd of candidates waiting for their turn. Daniel watched intently as Kana struggled. Although in a battle she could normally summon around 5 clones, now she was having to fucus on both their appearance and what she was making them do. Although realistic, the quality was obviously reduced from normal. They felt off. The faces weren¡¯t quite right, as weren¡¯t the clothes. As if they were a wax figure, the face didn¡¯t move as it should¡¯ve and the jacket which one was wearing looked stuck to its body, unmoving and stiff. ¡°Alright that¡¯s enough. You may stop.¡± Panting, Kana released her magic. The stamina one had to use in order to influence so many people was incredible. It was as if she had run for miles on end, with only pure willpower keeping her going. ¡°Low-Mid Tier¡± Stepping down proudly, she stumbled over to Daniel and punched him lightly on the shoulder. ¡°Can¡¯t be that strong if even I can catch up.¡± She said, still panting for breath. Taking a few steps more towards the bench at the back, she collapsed to the floor. ¡°Kana!¡± Daniel exclaimed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­ Daniel, was it? No matter. She¡¯s just unconscious. Must¡¯ve zapped most of her energy to keep that illusion going.¡± The adjudicator stood there unmoving as her eyes scanned the crowd of candidates which stood before her. ¡°Guy, would you please go take her to the infirmary. You know where it is right?¡± Guy nodded hastily, surprised at having been volunteered for the job. ¡°Let me go with her, I need to make sure she¡¯s okay!¡± Daniel said, angst in his voice. ¡°No. Emotions only get in the way. She needs to rest until the combat exam tomorrow afternoon with absolutely NO distractions. Be that whining friends or worried family.¡± Daniel stepped back, although disappointed, the worry he¡¯d first felt when she fell had mostly dissipated. One left. Then we¡¯ll be there. Finally. *** The final test took place in the academy¡¯s duelling grounds, a massive open-air arena lined with barriers to protect the audience. Candidates were paired off, their names called in twos to step into the ring. With 4 rings, there were multiple battles going on at any one time. Daniel stood at the edge of the arena, his heart pounding as he watched the first duels unfold. Some were over in seconds, a clear mismatch of skill levels. Others were fierce, drawn-out battles, each combatant pushing their limits. Finally, his name was called. ¡°Daniel Crestfall versus Kaelin Crown.¡± Kana called out before he left. ¡°Don¡¯t forget all the training we did. And only use that bracelet if you have to, remember what it did to you the first time you used it.¡± Daniel rubbed his wrist, recalling the harsh burns he had received a few days prior. This time he had only gone until it started to vibrate. No more mana was stored for a fear of it uncovering the last wound, or worse, breaking a bone. It took him around 2 minutes to fill it to the level he had it now, so re-filling mid-match wouldn¡¯t be too hard. Although, doing that would mean he wouldn¡¯t be able to use magic for the duration. The main idea was to get a large power boost at a crucial moment as a finisher or to turn the tide of the battle. If all went to plan, he wouldn¡¯t need to use it twice anyway. Not moments later Kana was called up against Guy. Waving to Daniel, she strode off, ready for her fight. Daniel followed suit, walking with vigour over to his side of the ring, Kaelin stood on the other side giving Lena a hug before turning around to face him. The announcer stood by the side of the ring, below the tower which the referee sat in. ¡°Bout four, Daniel Crestfall, left, versus Kaelin Crown, right,¡± he started, ¡°Please refrain from aiming for killing blows, should the situation seem dangerous we have high-tier mages on standby as well as essence mages for healing any injuries you may have received during the battle. We will only stop if it seems a life is in danger, otherwise that is up to you to surrender.¡± She¡¯d better be listening; surrender might be her only option. Daniel thought this, losing track of what the announcer was saying. ¡°Finally, should you lose, you will not immediately be refused entry, this is a place for you to show off your skills, and everything we are shown will be taken into consideration. With that said, are both competitors ready?¡± Looking at Kaelin, the announcer waited for approval. She nodded to confirm. The announcer turned, Daniel agreed, and a countdown ensued.¡± ¡°Three¡­ Two¡­ One¡­ FIGHT!¡± Chapter 12: One More Step Chapter 12: One More Step Daniel clenched his fist as the announcer called for the start of the fight. Kaelin stepped forwards and started to move towards him. This was it. If he did well here, life was sorted. Doing well in the academy didn¡¯t seem that hard. The biggest problem was getting in. Looking around at the people watching, Daniel took a deep breath and focused. Plunging his fists into the ground, making sure not to cover the bracelet, he formed two gauntlets of stone. The fluid rock crept up his arm forming a set of full plate armour from head to toe. Some pieces had been omitted in order to increase his agility. Full plate was often too clunky to move in. Kaelin started to circle the arena, and Daniel followed suit. They walked opposite each other, sizing up their opponent. Kaelin should be an easy fight, just cause she¡¯s got some magic now, she really shouldn¡¯t be much of a challenge. Anyhow, better get this fight started. Daniel took a large step forward, stomping down on the ground causing a multitude of rock shards to burst forth from the ground and hover around Daniel, circling his head like a halo. He rushed forwards, sending a barrage of shards at Kaelin¡¯s face, re-loading each time he ran out. Kaelin put her arms up to block the incoming missiles, dodging the ones she could. As Daniel got closer, he could see that she was littered with cuts all over from his attacks. Remembering the need for a weapon, Daniel dove to the ground and slid, Gathering the earth into a sword and shield as he did. Popping up with style, he spread the brambles from the pouch on his left up his arm to coat the shield. With the earth giving it structure and the brambles acting as a deterrent from any retaliation, Daniel felt ready. Kaelin stood, calm as ever, facing Daniel as he continued his onslaught with her hands raised. Once Daniel was within range of Kaelin, he took the first swing. As his sword came down on Kaelin, she seemed to move faster, dodging out of the way. He tried again but he just kept missing. No. It was more than that. Each time he swung, she seemed to get faster. Faster and faster and faster. Daniel couldn¡¯t keep up. Kaelin was running circles around him as he kept trying to get a hit in. But it wasn¡¯t just her. Everything¡­ everyone was getting faster. No. That wasn¡¯t it. He was getting slower. This bitch! How could she do this. Daniel thought time could only be used on oneself not others. Despite her inherent lack of training with the threads, she was still beating him. It wasn¡¯t even a fight at this point. Daniel had to lock in. Throwing acorns beneath his feet, just outside the slow zone, whilst Kaelin was still focused on punching him. As Kaelin¡¯s fist hit his face, he activated them. Using the mana in his bracelet for a boost in power, Daniel projected all of his mana into the seeds with one great push. The trees grew beneath him, quicker than Kaelin could react, even whilst in the slow zone. The trees which he had forced to grow still contained some lingering mana. Daniel stood atop the tallest tree, looking down on Kaelin. She stood, mouth agape, right next to the trunk on one of the trees. Not getting away this time. Daniel started funnelling all of his mana into the bracelet. He¡¯d need the extra boost in case of an emergency like last time. And using the remainder of the mana left stored in the trees, he¡¯d started to enact his plan. Kaelin This was a tough fight. Daniel had his affinities for 6 years now. Kaelin only had hers for a few days. Even with the last-minute training, I still stand no chance. Though it was nice of him to help me out. Especially when I¡¯m not even part of the academy yet¡­ but it looks like I never will be. Kaelin studied Daniel¡¯s movements up in the tree, wondering why he hadn¡¯t come down to attack her again. ¡°AHHHH¡± Kana cried out as her leg was pulled out from under her. There was a root from one of the trees tied in a knot around her leg. Daniel must¡¯ve been watching to make sure she didn¡¯t move while he tied her up. Jumping down from the branch he¡¯d been standing on, Daniel laughed. This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°I can¡¯t actually believe you got caught! In no world would I have thought it would be that easy, even if it is only you.¡± Concentrate! You can do it! Just remember what he taught you. If you¡¯re ever constrained by a nature wielder, just break out. It¡¯s not that hard¡­ right? ¡°And to think I almost got worried back there! How stupid am I.¡± Daniel exclaimed, still laughing at his supposed stupidity. ¡°I guess I can stop charging this then.¡± Daniel mumbled, turning to the bracelet on his right hand. Daniel kicks her in the side, causing a cry of pain to erupt from her mouth. ¡°You¡¯d best not be about to give up already. I still have a whole lot more to show off.¡± Daniel whispered to her, his face close. Shit why isn¡¯t this working! I¡¯m sure this was how he said I should do it. Fuck this hurts. Just work! Daniel kept attacking her, despite she being defenceless. Each punch brought forth a new sound, along with a variety of soon-to-be bruises. Suddenly, the pain got too much. Kaelin¡¯s power surged forth throughout her body, giving her both a burst of speed, and turning the root around her leg into rotten goo. Daniel ¡°What the hell? Why¡¯d she struggle so much if it was that easy to escape? She¡¯s probably just trying to put on a show thinking I¡¯ll be easy once she starts trying. What an arse! With her newfound power, Kaelin retreated to the other side of the arena to gather her thoughts while Daniel sneered at her inherent bitch-y-ness. ¡°Wait¡­ MY BRACELET. She stole my mana from it. How th- Fuck that, she¡¯s done¡± If this keeps up, I might end up killing her. Let¡¯s see how far this so-called ¡®infinite battery¡¯ can go. Daniel watched Kaelin stand at the other end of the arena and waited until his bracelet was at the capacity he¡¯d set, just barely vibrating, moving with the power it held. It¡¯s not enough, this was barely enough to escape that slow-field she put up¡­ I need more. Daniel continued filling his bracelet, the vibrations increasing steadily in power until it was burning straight through his wrist, a layer of charred skin and flesh building up around the thin chasm created. ¡°Arghhh Fuck. This¡¯ll do, better stop before it breaks a bone.¡± The pain was unbearable¡­ for most. Daniel had built up his pain tolerance slowly in the fights he and kana had as kids. Not once did they hold back. A canyon in his wrist was certainly up there, but he¡¯d seen worse. He got more scars a year than legs on a centipede. A voice called out from his left. ¡°Hurry up or I¡¯ll have to go to the pub alone!¡± It was Kana with her usual encouragement. With that, Daniel decided to act. I¡¯ve gotta get close, otherwise I won¡¯t be able to push all my mana into Kaelin. If this doesn¡¯t work though I¡¯m fucked. But what¡¯s life about if not taking risks. Running straight at Kaelin, Daniel stomped forwards and sent a shockwave through the earth. Kaelin was thrown off balance. In her confusion, Daniel erected a wall of stone between them as to hide his actions. He dropped some vine seeds at his feet, using the earth as a platform to transport them. Daniel sprinted directly at the wall looking like an idiot to the spectators. But at the last moment, he bent the wall on it¡¯s side into a ramp. While he ran up, he sent the seeds around behind Kaelin, careful not to tip her off. As he reached the top, his plan was in place. Jumping down at Kaelin, he triggered the vine cocoon to trap Kaelin. Or it would have had she not dodged to the left at the last second. Apparently, the time magic worked on reaction time as that kind of speed was inhuman. Daniel fell towards her, no way of moving around as Kaelin reared up for a punch. Daniel¡¯s face flew directly at her fist. But he wasn¡¯t done yet. Daniel knocked her arm to the side and grabbed it, he pulled her to him, slamming his arm into her neck. Using her as a pivot to swing himself round. He locked up her neck into a chokehold, pulling tight as he did. ¡°You gonna surrender?¡± Daniel sneered, not giving her room to breathe, let alone answer. ¡°Well, if not, I¡¯d best keep going!¡± Keeping her still, Daniel stabs and essence thread into her thigh, keeping the other end connected to himself. Daniel took in the energy from the bracelet, draining it until it was empty. He cried out in pain and quickly projected in all into Kaelin. Finally settling down, the bracelet fused with his melted flesh, surrounded by blackened skin, the scent of a freshly seared steak with a coppery tinge filled the air around them. Kaelin cried out in pain, the audience winced, hearing what sounded much like torture. Suddenly Kaelin stopped. Yes yes YES! I knew it¡¯d work. She must be uncon- ¡°¡­¡± What the- Time had stopped. All around him, nothing moved. No. They were moving, just¡­ very slowly. No one in the stands moved but Kaelin, her body was convulsing in slow motion. As if everything had slowed down. Daniel tried, but he couldn¡¯t move. His mind was locked in a state of thought, while his body was essentially paralysed. Daniel spent a lifetime there. The mental anguish of his situation, no contact with anyone, was too much. by his 22nd birthday, he was already crazy enough not to notice. Kaelin Fuck, I¡¯m stuck, I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d be able to react so quickly. I guess all that training had paid off. If this is where I go, I¡¯m glad I lasted so long. It¡¯s not like I have no chance, they still might let me in. After all, only like 1 in 1000 who unlock an affinity can use time magic. ¡°You gonna surrender? Well if not, I¡¯d best keep going!¡± Daniel said, disregarding her inability to speak. What the fuck? Of course I would If I could. Shit, get me out! Suddenly, a searing pain shot through her leg, she looked down to see a bulging essence thread pulsing mana into her leg. Daniel looked strained, clearly struggling after having contained all the mana in his body. Kaelin fell unconscious. *** She awoke to the sounds of shouts coming from all around her. She was sat on some strange goo. Quite similar to that of the aged toot she was caught in earlier. It had also left a trail on her neck. She got up, her hearing still fuzzy, and her vision even more so. Shaking the black stuff off her, she looked around. Kana sat crouched over the substance crying, she picked up a silver bracelet and sneakily slipped it into a pocket. How strange. Kaelin thought. She stood, observing her surroundings, remembering what had occurred. Once her hearing had cleared up, she listened in on what Kana was saying. Although she was blubbering, it wasn¡¯t too hard to hear. ¡°Daniel. Why why why Daniel why.¡± Sniff sniff Then she realised. Her memory pieced together, the black goo, the bracelet. Oh my god. Was that me? Kana stood still, stunned at the scene unfolding before her. I killed him. Chapter 13: Criminal Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. Chapter 14: First Day Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. Chapter 15: Club Fair Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Chapter 16 - Aria - Aria Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Chapter 17 - Life This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Chapter 18 – The Ruins Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Chapter 19 – In Preparation Chapter 19 ¨C In Preparation Kaelin barely slept that night. She lay on her bed in the academy dorm, the faint glow of moonlight casting long shadows along the stone walls from a gap between the curtains. Her bag sat at the side of her desk, its contents weighing heavily on her thoughts. Every time she closed her eyes, the words from the books she had taken surfaced again. Spells with despicable consequences. Magic designed not just to harm, but to torture. She had taken them, despite knowing she shouldn¡¯t have. This knowledge should¡¯ve stayed hidden, and most likely would have. But now, they had been set free, and she was faced with a choice: to use what she had learned or let the knowledge rot inside her mind. Not all of them were deadly, or even painful. And most of them required minimum five mages to perform. The next morning, she dragged herself to homeroom, still groggy. The usual noise of students chatting and shuffling books filled the air, but something felt different today. The moment she stepped inside, she noticed the change. Professor Alden, their homeroom teacher, stood at the front of the room, arms crossed. The usually relaxed man had a sharp glint in his eye today, and behind him, the academy''s emblem hung on a banner. A formal announcement was coming. ¡°Take your seats,¡± Alden said, his voice carrying easily over the murmurs. ¡°As you should all know, considering I only told you a few days ago, the mid-years are approaching. This is not just any test ¨C it is a tradition between the three main classes of the academy. A practical application of all you have learned so far. And this year, the challenge is a monster subjugation.¡± A ripple of excitement passed through the room. Kaelin straightened, suddenly more awake. Elric continued, ¡°Now I know I¡¯ve already told you this, but by now you should have sorted yourselves into groups of three. These will be the teams in which you complete this exam. Should you fail, there will be both catchup lessons with your individual magic instructors as well as your teachers for each of the core subjects. Then, if you fail the practical test during the end of years¡­ We will be forced to expel you.¡± Suddenly it got a bit more serious. Although no one was particularly worried, the thought still lingered. ¡°While none of the teachers are meant to say anything until now, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve all realised that the classes are sorted 1, 2 and 3 based on ability shown in the entrance exam. This will be a chance for people in the lower classes to rise. Should a team from classes 2 or 3 double the score of a team in a class above them, once individual ability and class work have been taken into account, they may have the chance to switch. A day before the event, you will all be told where it is taking place, and day of, each team will be assigned a monster to fight.¡± ¡°¡­¡± The entire class was silent, listening intently for anything they could use in their favour. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, all the monsters will be apprentice level, and moniteurs will be on site to keep away any ranked higher. Each group will be monitored individually to ensure safety, but you are expected to handle the task on your own. In just a moment, I would like one representative of each team too come up to the front with names. Should anyone be left without a team, they will be grouped up by me.¡± Murmurs broke out again, this time with nervous energy. Monster subjugation wasn¡¯t just a sparring match or a controlled exercise. It was real combat. Real danger. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Kaelin¡¯s stomach twisted, but she forced herself to stay impassive. She could handle this. She had to. Elric pulled out a scroll. ¡°Now then, one at a time, a single member from each team should come up with names.¡± Kaelin¡¯s fingers tightened around the edge of her desk. She was glad she and Lena were able to take Zephyr in, even with his stuck-up attitude and their limited contact. The first person went up, and Professor Alden called out the names to check everyone agreed. ¡°Elena, Tomas, and Varik.¡± He looked up, scanning for their faces, checking they agreed. ¡°When I call your names, please raise your hand if you are willing to be in these teams. ¡°Reese, Guy, and Kana.¡± Names to be called as people went up, a small line at the front of the class, and with each one, Kaelin felt more and more estranged. Whether these partnerships were based on ability or friendships, she didn¡¯t even know most of them. They didn¡¯t give her the chance to let her get to know them. Before long she was snapped out of her daydream by a voice calling her name. ¡°Kaelin, Lena, and Zephyr.¡± Kaelin looked to her left, but Lena was still sat down. Looking to the front of the classroom, Zephyr was standing next to Professor Alden. Lena nudged Kaelin, telling her to raise her hand. The room fell quiet for a brief moment before whispers spread. Kaelin didn¡¯t have to guess why. Lena was well-liked, and she wasn¡¯t too bad at fighting, both close range and support. But pairing up with the two probably least well-known people was a surprise to most. People knew of the relationship between Lena and Kaelin¡­ But Zephyr? They could only guess why. His talent was undeniable ¨C being a tri-affinity mage with good grasp on all three made him one of the strongest students at the academy, even as a first year. But it also made him distant. He had no close allies, and despite his skill, people kept their distance. To them, he seemed out of reach. Alden ignored the murmurs. ¡°You will find out the destination in three days. Prepare accordingly.¡± *** Later that day, Kaelin caught up with Lena outside the library. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯re thrilled about our team.¡± Kaelin said, falling into step beside her. Lena glanced at her and smiled. ¡°What do you mean, I¡¯m thinking we might just win this! I mean think about it, we have both the students of the head of time here, Mr Martin, and then there¡¯s me. Don¡¯t worry about it. There isn¡¯t a team better.¡± Kaelin scoffed. ¡°That¡¯s one way to look at it.¡± ¡°I might even have a chance to cuddle up to Zephyr, start to put the moves on him if you know what I mean.¡± Lena said with a sly smirk. ¡°What do you think of Zephyr anyway, you keep making it seem like he¡¯s your worst enemy.¡± Kaelin exhaled. ¡°He¡¯s strong. More than strong, honestly. But he keeps himself separate from everyone.¡± ¡°I think he just doesn¡¯t trust people,¡± Lena murmured. ¡°Maybe this will be good for him. And for us.¡± Kaelin wasn¡¯t so sure. *** Later that evening, she found Zephyr at the academy¡¯s outdoor training grounds. He was stood by the weights, doing physical training, just as Kaelin had planned to. Kaelin crossed her arms and leaned against the fence. ¡°Are you planning on being a pain to work with?¡± Zephyr didn¡¯t stop what he was doing, but a flicker of amusement passed over his expression. ¡°Depends. You planning to get in my way?¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°No. But I¡¯d rather not die because we didn¡¯t work together.¡± Zephyr finally paused, lowering the weight back onto the ground. He studied her for a moment before speaking. ¡°You¡¯re sharp. You fight dirty. That might actually be useful.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll take that as a compliment,¡± Kaelin said dryly. Then, after a beat, she added, ¡°Look. I know neither of us are the most... approachable people. But if we¡¯re going to do this, let¡¯s at least agree not to sabotage each other.¡± Zephyr considered her words before nodding. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of it.¡± A pause. Then, unexpectedly, he said, ¡°Do you ever feel like you¡¯re on the outside, looking in?¡± Kaelin blinked. That was... not what she had expected. She shrugged. ¡°Most days.¡± Zephyr tilted his head slightly, as if weighing something in his mind. Then he returned to his stance. ¡°We¡¯ll see how this goes, then.¡± Kaelin watched him for a moment longer before turning away. Something had shifted between them. A small crack in the walls they had both built. And as she walked back to her dormitory, she couldn¡¯t stop the nagging thought at the back of her mind. Like she had forgotten something. She was sure they¡¯d win. They had more than one advantage over the others. She knew the location, giving an easier time preparing, and no other team had a group as powerful as their own. Oh shit, I was gonna work out! Cursing herself, she arrived at her room. Her fingers brushed the edge of her bag, where the books were hidden beneath a layer of folded clothes. She told herself she wouldn¡¯t use them. She just wasn¡¯t sure she believed it. Chapter 20 – The Grand Plan Chapter 20 ¨C The Grand Plan Kaelin arrived at the designated meeting spot ¨C a quiet corner of the academy¡¯s courtyard, tucked away behind a row of tall hedges. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long golden rays over the training grounds, and a cool breeze rustled through the trees. Lena was already there, sitting on a stone bench with a small notebook in her lap. Zephyr, of course, was late. Kaelin crossed her arms. ¡°Did you tell him the right time?¡± Lena nodded. ¡°I even wrote it down for him.¡± Kaelin sighed and sat down beside her, drumming her fingers against the stone. It wasn¡¯t like she was eager for this team meeting, but the sooner they figured things out, the better. The monster subjugation was in two days, and they needed a plan if they wanted to get through it unscathed. Finally, Zephyr strolled into view, hands in his pockets, his usual expression of detached amusement firmly in place. ¡°You¡¯re both early,¡± he said. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re late,¡± Kaelin shot back. Zephyr gave a slight shrug as he sat down across from them. ¡°So, what¡¯s the grand plan?¡± Lena, ever the peacemaker, ignored the tension and flipped open her notebook. ¡°I took notes on potential threats we might face. Now that I think about it, I don¡¯t think we¡¯ve told you yet¡­¡± ¡°Told me what?¡± Zephyr asked. ¡°Well¡­ Kaelin might have pulled a few strings and got an early tell on the location of the event.¡± ¡°Oi, I didn¡¯t do any of that. My club supervisor told me. I didn¡¯t even ask!¡± Kaelin retorted. Kaelin leaned forward. ¡°Anyway, from what I¡¯ve found, there are 4 main monster types in the eastern forest area. Dire Wolves, Great Boars, Salamanders and Purlovia. From these, I¡¯m hoping we get to hunt the Great Boar. It best fits our team. Second, I¡¯m thinking Dire Wolves or Purlovia since they¡¯re of equal difficulty. If we get stuck with the Salamanders, we might be in trouble. They¡¯re small, about the length of a horse, but only up to our waists. Dire wolves are fast and hunt in pairs, so we¡¯ll need to be careful about getting flanked. But compared to the rest, they¡¯re pretty dumb. Great Boars have tough hides and are resistant to fire, poison and whatnot, but they¡¯re sluggish, so it shouldn¡¯t be too hard to catch and kill.¡± Zephyr listened quietly, his sharp gaze flicking between them. ¡°Who¡¯s taking what role?¡± Lena tapped her quill against the paper. ¡°I¡¯m not too bad at close combat, but I¡¯m best at providing support from the backline using defensive walls and the like.¡± Kaelin nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll handle close combat then. I didn¡¯t train this body up for nothing you know! I use to keep up with most of the kids in the village even without magic, I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll be even better now I have it.¡± Zephyr exhaled through his nose, the closest thing to a laugh Kaelin had ever heard from him. ¡°Figures you¡¯d want to fight up front.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°And you?¡± Zephyr¡¯s expression turned serious. ¡°I¡¯m an all-rounder. Having 3 affinities sure makes it easy. I can fight up close and far with the Nature threads, time helps me keep my distance when needed, and I can help support with mind, although I¡¯m pretty shit with it. I focused most of my time learning the other two. This time at the academy was meant to help me get to grips.¡± Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Lena made a note. ¡°Here¡¯s what I¡¯m thinking. With great boars ¨C Both of you fight up front, I¡¯ll try keep it¡¯s focus while you attack from the sides. Dire wolves and Purlovia ¨C lets have Kaelin and I up front, Zephyr you stay back and try help with mind magic while firing off some long ranged shots. If, god forbid, we have to fight salamanders: I think we¡¯ll just have to improvise. From what I¡¯ve heard, they¡¯re too unpredictable to get a good strategy.¡± Kaelin chewed on her lip. It was a good plan ¨C one that maximized their strengths. But it might not be enough for the salamanders. She thought of the books hidden under her bed, of the forbidden spells she¡¯d read late into the night. There were spells in those pages that could make them untouchable, that could ensure they not only survived but dominated the event. And yet... She glanced at Lena, who was scribbling details with a determined expression. At Zephyr, who watched them both with unreadable eyes. ¡°Kaelin?¡± Lena asked, tilting her head. ¡°You went quiet.¡± Kaelin shook her head. ¡°Just thinking. It¡¯s a solid plan.¡± Zephyr studied her for a long moment before leaning back. ¡°We¡¯ll see if it holds up in the field.¡± She forced a grin. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll find out.¡± They continued refining their strategy, discussing escape routes, potential complications, and backup plans. But the entire time, Kaelin¡¯s mind kept circling back to one question: Would she use the knowledge she had stolen? It might not be humans she would be testing them on, but if she used it once, what¡¯s to stop her using it again? *** Kaelin stood in front of her locker, adjusting the straps on her travel bag. The academy had provided them with essential supplies for the subjugation task ¨C rations, medical kits, and emergency flares. Across the room, Lena excitedly went over their strategy, flipping through a small notebook filled with careful notes. ¡°I looked over the possible targets again, just in case. All the monsters in the forest are apprentice rank, but they¡¯re still dangerous. Kaelin nodded, barely listening. Her mind kept returning to the book¡¯s pages, the spells with consequences far worse than a simple injury. These monsters were no joke. Would using just one spell be so bad? Zephyr entered the room without a word, dressed in dark travel gear. He slung his bag over his shoulder, his expression unreadable as always. Lena glanced up at him before turning back to her notes. Kaelin, however, studied him. He looked¡­ tense, but not in the way she expected. Not just battle-ready, but like something deeper was bothering him. Maybe he was finally feeling the weight of the mission. ¡°We should get moving,¡± Zephyr said, his voice even. ¡°Our transport leaves in ten minutes.¡± *** The carriage ride to the eastern forest was quiet, save for the occasional sound of the wheels crunching over gravel. Kaelin and Lena sat on one side, Zephyr on the other, the space between them thick with unspoken thoughts. Outside, the terrain slowly shifted from the structured academy roads to wilder, less traversed lands. Occasionally Kaelin noticed Lena look up from her notebook and take a peek at Zephyr, his shiny black hair flowing in the wind. Lena tried to lighten the mood. ¡°This will be a great chance to test our teamwork! I mean, we all bring different skills. Kaelin, you¡¯re unpredictable, and Zephyr, you¡¯re¡­¡± She hesitated. ¡°Well, you¡¯re really powerful¡­ And after all it¡¯s not like this will be the last time we work together.¡± Zephyr didn¡¯t react. He stared out the window, watching the landscape blur past. Kaelin smirked. ¡°I like how you skipped over my actual skills.¡± Lena laughed. ¡°You know what I mean.¡± For the first time in a while, Kaelin felt a bit of the tension ease. Even if it was temporary. *** By the time they arrived at the forest, the sun was just reaching its peak. Each of the teams gathered in a group around Professor Alden, about to give a speech. He raised his hand to silence the crowd. ¡°As you will have noticed, today we are at the eastern forest. There are 4 types of monster present here. Dire Wolves, Salamanders, Purlovia, and Great Boars. Each group will be assigned one type to hunt. This is the minimum for a pass. Should you succeed in your assignment, you may go and hunt the other types.¡± The crowd murmured. It¡¯s not that no-one had expected this kind of thing, but it was only just starting to properly set in. ¡°Finally, the points system. Other than passing, you should all be looking for a high placement. For your first kill of each monster type, you will get 10 points. Each subsequent kill will only award 2 points. So it is advantageous to try go for the rest of them, even after completing the one you were assigned. I will call out the name of the person who registered your group, followed by your target.¡± He started down the list, many people being given each of the four. Finally he reached Kaelin¡¯s group. ¡°Zephyr. Purlovia.¡± Chapter 21 – The Hunt Chapter 21 ¨C The Hunt With their target given, they started into the forest. Making sure they were out of sight, Kaelin brought 6 maps out from her bag. Once she found the one for the eastern forest, she unfolded it and lay it on the grass. ¡°What¡¯s all this?¡± Zephyr asked. Kaelin was focused on finding their location, so Lena replied in her stead. ¡°Sorry, we didn¡¯t have a chance to tell you. Since we knew we were gonna be in the eastern forest, we thought we¡¯d bring a territory map. But so we didn¡¯t get caught out, we decided to bring the maps for a bunch of other areas which could¡¯ve been picked.¡± Kaelin adjusted her gloves. ¡°Right, we¡¯re about here. Currently we¡¯re in the Great Boar territory. We¡¯ll have to cross through the Dire Wolves¡¯ area before we can start on hunting the Purlovia.¡± Lena tapped her chin, thinking. ¡°That shouldn¡¯t be too hard. It would be best that we stay out of sight while we get over there. The points won¡¯t count if we kill a Dire Wolf before the Purlovia. Zephyr, do you think you could use an illusion to make us invisible?¡± ¡°I¡¯m not sure. I can do it on myself, but I¡¯ve never tried over 3 people before.¡± Zephyr replied. ¡°Alright, tell us if you need a break, and Kaelin could use earth magic to cover us while you rest.¡± *** After 2 hours of travelling, the group finally made it to the Purlovia¡¯s territory. On the way there, they had seen 4 groups of Dire Wolves. The illusions were almost foolproof, if it weren¡¯t for Zephyr struggling to cover all of them. The illusion had even failed once, but Kaelin put them underground before anything could notice them. After making sure they were alone, Lena spoke. ¡°I read up on the Purlovia before we left. Be careful to check the trees around you, they like to cling on to the trunks and jump down on top of you. Luckily, they stay away from each other, so we should be fine as long as we keep our eyes open.¡± Zephyr nodded. ¡°I can handle getting it into a position for you to fight it. I could coax it down with some stone bullets, but you two need to focus on getting the kill.¡± Kaelin crossed her arms and looked at Lena. ¡°How do you wanna split this?¡± Lena met her gaze. ¡°You¡¯re good at seeing patterns. You¡¯ll figure out how it moves before we do. So try to stick behind me until you do. From then just go all out, and I¡¯ll help from the sides¡±. Kaelin blinked. That was¡­ unexpected. Lena wasn¡¯t wrong, but she hadn¡¯t expected her to acknowledge it. She rolled her shoulders. ¡°Come on. Let¡¯s get going. We¡¯re gonna have to be quick if we wanna win.¡± They moved into position, carefully making their way through the thick underbrush. The deeper they went, the quieter the forest became. That was never a good sign. *** Night fell, and the air turned cold. They still hadn¡¯t seen a single one. Kaelin crouched behind a cluster of rocks, watching the shifting darkness between the trees. A Purlovia could be anywhere. They had prepared an open area nearby. The idea was to funnel it there using Zephyr as bait. A twig snapped behind her. Kaelin tensed,her hands at the ready should she have to fight , but it was only Zephyr. He knelt beside her. ¡°I¡¯ve spotted one about a hundred meters away. Just wait here for when Lena and I come running past.¡± Kaelin exhaled through her nose. ¡°Why is Lena going with you? Weren¡¯t you gonna try get it down on your own?¡± The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°That was the plan, but she thought it would be better if she protect me so it didn¡¯t grapple me on the way down.¡± Zephyr disappeared back into the darkness of the forest, and Kaelin waited. Only a few moments later, Zephyr came running through, Lena in his arms, followed by a large badger-like creature, with long claws on both its hands and feet. It thundered through the path they had lay out like an entire stampede. Kaelin jumped out from the bushes where she was hiding and shouted to Lena, ¡°I¡¯m ready, get its attention, and I¡¯ll start attacking. Remember, safety is top-priority!¡± When it heard Kaelin shout, it turned. She barely had time to react before it lunged. The Purlovia was fast ¨C too fast. She twisted out of the way as sharp claws raked the space where she had been stood. Zephyr immediately countered for her, a large stone spear sent barrelling through the undergrowth, but the creature was already gone. A blur of black and white vanishing into the trees again. ¡°Damn it,¡± Kaelin hissed. ¡°It¡¯s like its testing us.¡± Lena¡¯s voice came from the other side. ¡°We need to trap it!¡± Zephyr moved, his threads pulling on the earth to make a thick barrier. Kaelin¡¯s heart pounded. The Purlovia was unpredictable, constantly shifting between visibility and shadows. If they didn¡¯t pin it down soon, they¡¯d be the ones getting hunted. Her mind raced. A solution existed. She knew it did. And then she thought back to the books. She hesitated. Just one spell. Just a second of absolute advantage. The book had a technique that could lock the creature in a time loop, keeping it stationary. She could win them this fight. But what was the cost? She would only be able to hold it for a few seconds, and it would most likely cause her to faint. But still¡­ was it worth it? Kaelin clenched her jaw. She needed to decide. Now. Kaelin took a sharp breath. The decision was already made. She pushed energy into her legs and burst forwards toward the Purlovia. There was no way she would use any of those spells. If she used one once, what was to stop her from repeating this. The Purlovia lunged again, its claws outstretched, Kaelin ducked under its swinging arm and slid. She was trying to reach its underbelly for an open shot at a weak point. Lena was right. It hadn¡¯t been long but she already understood how it attacked. Even with its speed, all Kaelin had to do was speed up her mind to match it. With the heightened processing speed, she was able to dodge the many shots it took at her. Kaelin was crouching on the ground underneath its belly. She took a deep breath before increasing the speed in both her arms and legs, with this extra energy, she threw a punch directly into its stomach. The Purlovia was thrown onto its back, legs flailing in the air. Before either Zephyr or Lena could take the opening Kaelin had made for them, the Purlovia was gone. No. Not gone. Just waiting. Kaelin saw it darting around behind the cover of the trees. Then it darted at Zephyr. He couldn¡¯t see it. ¡°ZEPHYR BEHIND YOU!¡± Kaelin shouted, but it didn¡¯t reach his ears quick enough. The massive paw of the Purlovia hit Zephyr in the side, flinging him to the side, causing him to smash into a tree. He sat there, blood dripping from his chest and mouth. Lena didn¡¯t hesitate, she ran at the Purlovia, erecting walls made from the thick roots of the trees which surrounded her. ¡°Be quick! I can¡¯t hold it off for long!¡± Lena shouted to Kaelin. ¡°Zephyr. Can you speak?¡± He shook his head and grimaced. The pain seemed nigh unbearable. ¡°Don¡¯t try¡­ I know we were told not to¡­ but let me try to heal it. Please. You might not live long if I don¡¯t.¡± Zephyr¡¯s head fell, he wasn¡¯t awake. She had to act quickly. Kaelin put her hands out to his chest, pulling the large splinter from his chest, she started. Please. Let him be okay. This is all my fault. I could¡¯ve prevented this. We could¡¯ve killed it by now. A great orange light erupted from her hands. It was blinding. So bright she couldn¡¯t see what happening underneath. When the light died down and she took her hands away, he was healed. While his clothes were still ripped, and blood still sat around where the splinter had pierced him, the wound was gone. Kaelin shook Zephyr trying to wake him, to no avail. ¡°Lena, I¡¯m coming, hold on just a second longer!¡± Kaelin picked up the stone spear which was lying nearby from when Zephyr had launched it only a few minutes earlier and surged forwards. Her spear, robust as ever, plunged into the creature¡¯s flank. The Purlovia shrieked, but Kaelin didn¡¯t stop. Lena had contained it on three of four sides, and Kaelin relentlessly pierced it with the spear until it hit bone and broke. The shattered pieces of the spear sat inside the beast, like shrapnel, hurting it every time it moved. Kaelin suddenly felt dizzy. A sharp, stabbing pain lanced through her skull, her body swaying as her knees gave out beneath her. The world spun violently, her limbs too heavy to respond. She was aware of the sounds of battle continuing, distant and muffled, as though she were hearing them from underwater. The last thing she saw before the darkness took her was Zephyr darting past her, finishing the creature off with a brutal strike with some sort of stone club that sent a tremor through the ground. Chapter 22 – The Mallet Chapter 22 ¨C The Mallet Kaelin woke to the sound of voices. Her head throbbed, and for a moment, she could only make out blurred shapes against the night sky. The scent of damp earth and crushed leaves filled her nose, grounding her in reality. Then, as her senses slowly returned, she saw Lena kneeling beside her, shaking her lightly. ¡°She¡¯s waking up,¡± Lena called, relief evident in her voice. Zephyr crouched nearby, arms crossed. His usually impassive face was tight with frustration. ¡°You passed out. We got the kill, though. It worked.¡± Kaelin groaned, pushing herself up on unsteady arms. Every muscle in her body ached as though she had run for hours without stopping. ¡°How long was I out?¡± ¡°Only about five minutes.¡± Lena helped steady her, her grip firm but careful. ¡°I don¡¯t understand. How did you heal me? Why did you even try, that could¡¯ve killed me! There were essence mages on standby watching each group, we were told that. IF we were in trouble, they would¡¯ve stepped in.¡± Kaelin hesitated. She was just trying to help. How was she going to explain her healing spell, that wasn¡¯t normal. Time magic was only meant to be able heal small wounds, this shouldn¡¯t have been possible. And even the colour was different. ¡°It doesn¡¯t matter. We need to keep going if we wanna win. We still have the Dire Wolves, Salamander and Great boar to kill. But don¡¯t try that again. At least not on me. You heard Aric.¡± Kaelin exhaled, shaking off the last remnants of exhaustion. She had survived. More importantly, they had won. ¡°Did you mark the body? We need proof of the kill.¡± ¡°Were you not listening at all in the beginning?¡± Lena said, disappointedly. ¡°There¡¯s a group of mages on each group, they track our kills for us.¡± Kaelin pushed herself fully upright, testing her balance. Her head was still spinning, but she could walk. She¡¯d just have to be careful. They moved swiftly, retracing their steps through the dense forest. The thrill of the hunt still lingered, but now it was mixed with something else. Despite having made good with Zephyr, it felt as if it was all for naught. Zephyr stayed at the front, shielding them with an illusion from the remaining monsters they passed by. As they neared the edge of the Purlovia¡¯s territory, Zephyr spoke up. ¡°As soon as we get past here,¡± He said, pointing to the map, ¡°lets kill the first Dire Wolf we see. We need to speed up, it took us too long to find and kill a Purlovia.¡± Kaelin replied, holding on to Lena for balance, ¡°Sounds good, I¡¯ll be fine in a few minutes.¡± The group sat idle for no more than 10 minutes before making their way across the border. When hunting Dire Wolves, if you found a den in which the mother had pups, you were recommended to leave as quickly as you could. Dire Wolf mothers were incredibly protective of their young and it could get dangerous quick. The forest had settled into an eerie quiet, its usual symphony of nocturnal life replaced by an oppressive stillness that made the air feel thick and heavy. The scent of damp earth mingled with something far more pungent ¨C raw meat, wet fur, and the unmistakable scent of predators lurking nearby. Kaelin walked toward the smell. The dense underbrush parted, revealing a clearing dominated by the ominous entrance to a Dire Wolf den. The gaping maw of the cave loomed ahead, its edges littered with bones¡ªsome stripped clean, others still bearing remnants of flesh. A fresh carcass lay near the entrance, its torn hide evidence of a recent kill. Zephyr came to a halt, scanning the area before turning to the others. "Good, let¡¯s finish this quickly. We¡¯re still lagging behind This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Lena stepped forward, gripping the stone spear, made for her by Zephyr, with both hands. "We''ve wanted to test ourselves. Now''s our chance." A guttural growl echoed from the den¡¯s depths. Two massive forms emerged, silver eyes gleaming in the moonlight as they walked forward. The Dire Wolves were nearly twice the size of an ordinary wolf, but no more intelligent than their smaller counterparts. The wolves¡¯ thick, dark pelts were marred by old scars. One bared its fangs, saliva dripping as it fixed its gaze on the intruders. The other, bore a particularly jagged wound along its flank, a testament to battles survived. But to the Kaelin and the group? A target to hit. Kaelin¡¯s pulse quickened, a grin flickering at the edges of her lips. "Two at once? Perfect." Lena rolled her shoulders, exhaling slowly. "Let¡¯s not waste time. Remember, Zephyr stay back, Kaelin ¨C get behind me." The wolves moved first, their hulking forms lowering into a predatory stance before charging. Lena threw up a wall to protect them as it lunged. It¡¯s claws could be heard scraping against the stone. Lena took a stone saber from the ground and turned to Kaelin. She motioned for Kaelin to go round one side while she would go the other. Kaelin nodded to her and stepped round, spear at the ready. Meanwhile, the second wolf sped towards Zephyr, him having successfully directed its attention his way. It stretched out to its limit and slashed at him. Zephyr increased his speed and dodged to his left. It was fast. But Zephyr was faster. He ran round behind the wolf, conjuring a stone mace from the ground. The wolf looked left and right, searching for Zephyr. But he was already gone. Zephyr had jumped above the wolf, out of sight. Gravity took hold, and Zephyr fell. On his way down, he struck the wolf in the head. Zephyr heard a crack, but as he looked up, the wolf merely shook it off and snarled. Zephyr seized the moment while the wolf was still disorientated, and he slammed his foot into the ground. A jagged spike of earth erupted beneath the wolf, striking its underbelly and sending it sprawling. Zephyr looked at the tip of the rock he¡¯d attacked the wolf with. It was blunt. The end must have snapped off on its tough hide. The creature snarled, scrambling upright with fury burning in its eyes. ¡°Well shit.¡± At the same time, Lena rushed out form behind her protective wall, flinging a rock at the creature, attracting its attention. She produced an odd short spear, built with a large flat piece on one end, and a mallet from the earth. Lena threw these over the wolf and shouted to Kaelin, ¡°Use this. Try get above the wolf, throw the spear into its head and hit it a few times with the mallet. Should crack the skull!¡± Once that was done, Lena had to face the wolf head-on in order to make time for Kaelin. She feinted left before thrusting forward, but the wolf twisted at the last moment, snapping its massive jaws just inches from her arm. She cursed, tightening her grip, her body coiled like a spring. Kaelin caught the weapons, one in each hand. She looked to Lena who was already fighting the wolf and smiled. Thanks. She thought to herself. Kaelin gripped the spear hard and focused the time threads into her legs. She pushed it to the limit, and jumped. Kaelin soared above the trees and looked out across the horizon. How beautiful. Then she started to fall. Looking down at the wolf below her, Lena seemed to be keeping it relatively still. Kaelin focused all her energy into her arms, along with speeding them up to her max. She threw the spear at full power, letting gravity aid in its momentum. The spear hit and the wolf shrieked, it cried out in pain and shook to try remove the weapon, but it was lodged in tight. Now for the finishing blow Kaelin held her mallet with both hands above her head. The wolf steadily got closer. Closer. Closer. And Kaelin struck. The mallet propelled the small spear through the skull, letting it pierce the brain of the wolf. As Kaelin dropped to the ground panting, blood spewed from its head like a volcano, and a pale pink mixture pooled around its head. Kaelin didn¡¯t leave clean. She had splatters of blood all up her body, staining her clothes. ¡°Great job. But we can¡¯t rest yet, Zephyr¡¯s still fighting one on his own.¡± The remaining Dire Wolf snarled at Zephyr, its hackles raised, its silver eyes darting between the three of them. Blood seeped from the wound on its side which had been re-opened by Zephyr, but its spirit remained unbroken. It let out a deep, warning growl ¨C then, with a cautious step backward, it turned and disappeared into the darkness of the den. Kaelin exhaled, her chest rising and falling with exertion. "It¡¯s retreating." Lena wiped her spear clean, nodding. "Smart choice." Zephyr flexed his fingers, scanning the area. "We shouldn¡¯t linger. There might be more nearby who heard the first ones¡¯ cries.¡± Kaelin agreed. Every muscle in her body ached, the strain of the fight weighing heavily on her. They had won, but the battle had drained them. As they left the clearing, the tension in the air eased¡ªbut the reminder lingered. The forest held no mercy, and this was only the beginning. As they moved through the trees, Zephyr cast Kaelin a sidelong glance. "At least no-one got hurt this time.¡± "I did¡­ just a little," she admitted. "Nothing major." He studied her for a moment before nodding. "Next time, let¡¯s aim for no damage. It¡¯s only a Great Boar. I¡¯m sure we can do it fine.¡± Lena chuckled, rolling her shoulders. "That¡¯s all good with me!¡± Chapter 23 – Salamanders Chapter 23 ¨C Salamanders The group pressed onward, moving carefully over the rough terrain as the forest thinned around them. The scent of damp earth faded, replaced by something heavier ¨C an acrid, sulfuric tang that clung to the back of Kaelin¡¯s throat. The temperature had risen noticeably, the air growing thick and stifling as they left the Great Boar territory behind. Kaelin wiped a bead of sweat from her brow. "I take it we¡¯re getting close?" Lena nodded, her gaze sharp as she scanned the rocky landscape ahead. The ground had become uneven, fractured by deep crevices and jagged ridges. Sparse tufts of hardy vegetation clung to the stones, their edges singed, as if exposed to heat far stronger than the sun alone could provide. ¡°Salamanders like to nest underground,¡± Lena murmured, kneeling near a patch of scorched earth. She ran her fingers lightly over the blackened surface. ¡°This was burnt recently.¡± Zephyr crouched beside her, pressing a hand against the warm stone. ¡°If they¡¯re nearby, they¡¯ll be in the tunnels beneath us.¡± He looked up, scanning the area until his gaze settled on a narrow ravine that split the ground ahead. ¡°There.¡± Kaelin followed his line of sight. A deep fissure yawned open in the earth, wide enough to swallow an entire wagon, as if the earth had a tear. The rock formations around it were slick with condensation, and a faint, shimmering heat rose from below. The scent of sulfur was stronger here, mingling with the dampness of the cavernous space beyond. She exhaled. ¡°Great. A lovely dark hole to climb into. Remind me why we aren¡¯t fighting the Great Boar first?¡± Lena rolled her eyes. ¡°We¡¯re going for the Great Boar last, that way we can stay in one place until the end killing them. If we spend time searching for one now, there¡¯s gonna be extra time spent travelling, and we don¡¯t really have time to waste.¡± Zephyr stepped closer to the edge, peering into the depths. ¡°There¡¯s a path down, but it¡¯s steep. We¡¯ll have to be careful.¡± Kaelin glanced at the sheer rock walls. They descended in uneven slopes, jagged ledges jutting out at irregular intervals. In some places, thick roots wound their way through cracks in the stone, offering potential handholds. ¡°Careful,¡± she muttered, swinging a leg over the edge, ¡°isn¡¯t exactly my strong suit.¡± With that, she began to descend into the crevasse. The descent was slow and tense. The deeper they went, the more oppressive the heat became. The walls of the fissure glistened with moisture, the damp stone radiating warmth as if the very earth itself had been scorched from the inside out. The only sound was the soft scuff of boots against rock, the occasional scrape as one of them adjusted their grip. Halfway down, a chunk of stone broke loose beneath Kaelin¡¯s foot. She sucked in a sharp breath as she slipped, her fingers scrambling for purchase. For a brief, heart-stopping moment, she was weightless ¨C then her hand caught a thick, gnarled root jutting from the rock face. She dangled for a second before hoisting herself back onto the ledge. ¡°Still in one piece?¡± Zephyr called from below, watching her with amusement. Kaelin shot him a glare. ¡°Laugh it up.¡± Lena reached the bottom first, stepping onto the uneven ground with a quiet grunt. She took her spear out from the makeshift scabbard on her back, sweeping her gaze around the cavern. ¡°This has gotta be a nest.¡± Kaelin dropped down beside her, shaking out her sore arms. The cavern stretched before them, wider than she¡¯d expected. Pools of water had gathered in shallow dips in the stone, the surfaces steaming faintly. Stalagmites jutted up in uneven clusters, the ground between them littered with deep grooves and scorched markings. The air was thick, oppressive. This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. Zephyr ran a hand along the rock wall. ¡°This heat isn¡¯t natural.¡± Kaelin glanced at the charred remains of something unidentifiable near one of the pools. A shiver ran down her spine. Lena knelt beside another patch of burned ground, her fingers brushing over the marks. ¡°They¡¯ve been here recently.¡± Kaelin exhaled. The weight of the cavern pressed in around them, the heat wrapping around her like a heavy cloak. The group started along the first tunnel, water dripping from above, the walls moist. Faint yips and loud barks could be heard echoing through the tunnel. Some got quieter as the salamanders moved away, other were getting louder. Too Loud. Suddenly a large salamander poked its head around the corner. It was as long as a fully grown horse, but no taller than Kaelin¡¯s waist. It was black with orange spots and a fire lighting its tail. When it noticed the intruders, a great flame was lit going down from the top of its head to the end of its tail. It looked remarkably like the spines on a hedgehog, flaring up in order to invoke fear into its enemy. Except in contrast to the hedgehog, this was something to fear. The Salamander was still an apprentice class monster, but it was much stronger than the Great Boar. The two ends of the spectrum sat side by side in the same forest. What a coincidence. While the Salamander was on the verge of being Soldier tier, the Great boar was near the bottom of the apprentice. The cavern pulsed with heat, their vision hazy, the glow of molten rock casting jagged shadows across the walls. Kaelin steadied herself, her breath shallow as the two salamanders coiled, their crimson scales shimmering in the flickering light. Their glowing yellow eyes locked onto the intruders, forked tongues flicking in anticipation. Zephyr cracked his knuckles. "We take them together. No one splits up this time." Lena nodded, gripping her spear. "Agreed. Let¡¯s make this quick." The first salamander lunged, its massive jaws snapping toward Kaelin. She reacted instantly, placing a speed spell on her legs to aid in her retreat. The creature¡¯s momentum faltered, just enough for her to dodge to the side. Zephyr capitalized on the opening, slamming his foot into the stone and summoning a jagged spike of earth beneath the beast. The salamander shrieked, its tail thrashing as it twisted away from the attack. The second salamander lunged at Lena. She spun, using the momentum to drive her spear forward, aiming for the soft flesh underneath its weak hide. The weapon struck and got lodged in the back of the creature, but the salamander hissed and lashed out, forcing her to backpedal. Kaelin ran round to Lena in order to attempt a manouver they had been planning to try out since the fight with the Dire Wolves. Kaelin was to focus on accelerating Lenas legs while distracting the enemy. Lena would then move into a blind spot in order to attack. Lena gave her the signal, and Kaelin threw her spear at the Salamander. While it would leave her defenceless, Kaelin was confident in Lena¡¯s abilities. Meanwhile, after the salamander¡¯s attack, Zephyr wasn¡¯t done. He focused his energy, the air around him shimmering as his Nature Threads pulsed. Vines erupted from the cracks in the stone, wrapping around the first salamander¡¯s limbs, holding it down as he moved in for a final strike. The first salamander broke free of Zephyr¡¯s restraints with a furious roar. It lashed its tail, sending a wave of molten rock splattering across the cavern. Kaelin barely ducked in time, feeling the searing heat against her skin. Zephyr launched a counterattack, summoning another stone pillar that crashed into the beast¡¯s head, stunning it just long enough for him to drive his spear deep into its neck. The salamander let out a final, pained cry before collapsing, its body twitching before going still. Breathing heavily, Zephyr surveyed the battlefield. The smell of burnt stone and sulfur filled the air. He noticed Lena and Kaelin fighting the other salamander and went over to help. As he arrived at Lena¡¯s side, she said to him, ¡°You all done?¡± Zephyr simply nodded in response. ¡°Can you get make some new weapons quickly, mine will probably break after this.¡± Zephyr exhaled, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair. "Sure, won¡¯t be long." Zephyr looked down at the earth and started to eject some pristine stone armaments for the three of them to use. Lena looked back at the salamander and leapt into action. No sooner than she charged forwards did the salamander use its limited neck flexibility to look up and launch a fireball at the ceiling. It exploded on impact causing a rockfall. Lena was blown back, and a stone blockade was erected between Kaelin and her. While Lena was stuck with Zephyr and the salamander, Kaelin was on her own. ¡°Come on, get up. We won¡¯t last long if we try fighting it in such an enclosed space. Theres a small path through here. I¡¯ll block off the entrance once we get in.¡± Kaelin shouted through the boulders. ¡°LENA! LENA!¡± There was no response. No sound could travel through, and so Lena couldn¡¯t hear her. ¡°Shit.¡± Chapter 24 – IT Chapter 24 ¨C IT Kaelin¡¯s breath came in short, sharp bursts as she pressed her hands against the rough stone wall. The Fire Salamander was on the other side of the wall. Had it fled? Were Lena and Zephyr okay fighting it by themselves? Faint embers still clung to the edges of the freshly formed barrier, their glow casting flickering shadows against the cavern walls. Her fingers twitched. Time magic could be unpredictable, but if she could just rewind the moment before the wall formed ¨C what was she thinking? She had never been able to turn back time that far. And certainly not on such a large area. She clenched her fists. ¡°Think. Think.¡± The tunnels stretched out before her, winding into darkness. The only source of light came from the occasional molten cracks in the stone, where the heat of the salamanders had warped the rock. Going back the same way they had come wasn¡¯t an option. She had to push forward. She moved cautiously, footsteps light, ears straining for any sound beyond the crackling heat. If the second salamander had fled, where had it gone? And more importantly ¨C were there others lurking down here? A distant scraping sound made her freeze. Her pulse quickened as she turned toward the noise. It wasn¡¯t the sound of claws against rock. It was heavier, more deliberate. Something was moving beyond the next tunnel bend. Kaelin exhaled slowly, shifting into a low stance. If it was the salamander, she¡¯d have to be smart about this. A direct confrontation wasn¡¯t ideal, especially with how drained she felt. But if she could get past it, then that would mean the path connected to where the others were. A shadow flickered against the molten glow. Too tall. Too humanoid. Her stomach twisted. That wasn¡¯t a salamander. The scraping grew louder, the sound of metal dragging against stone. Then, a voice ¨C low and rasping, the syllables thick and guttural. Kaelin didn¡¯t understand the words, but she knew one thing: whoever was speaking wasn¡¯t friendly. She took a slow step back, pressing herself against the cave wall. The air felt colder, despite the heat radiating from the molten veins. Her mind raced. Who else could be down here? The figure stepped into view. Cloaked in tattered, soot-stained robes, its face was hidden beneath a dark hood. In one hand, it held a jagged, rusted blade. The other looked to be clinging on to thin air. Kaelin¡¯s breath caught in her throat. The figure tilted its head, as if sensing her presence. Then, without warning, it gripped the rusted blade tighter. Kaelin braced herself, expecting an attack. But instead of striking at her, the figure drove the blade into its own stomach. Kaelin¡¯s eyes widened in horror as the figure staggered, blood spilling from the wound. A gurgling rasp escaped its lips, and just before it collapsed, she heard the whispered words: "For the cause." Then, silence. Kaelin stared, frozen, as the body slumped against the cavern floor. Kaelin stood, stunned, as she stared at the fallen figure. Blood pooled around the rusted blade lodged deep in its gut, staining the ground in dark crimson. The air felt thick with unease, the remnants of the figure¡¯s whispered words ¨C ¡°For the cause¡± ¨C echoing in her mind like a curse. Her pulse quickened as she cautiously stepped closer, her eyes scanning the motionless body, trying to find any hint of information. Was this an ally? An enemy? She couldn¡¯t tell. The figure¡¯s tattered robes were soaked in blood, the fabric clinging to the form in an unnatural way. They were plain, worn from use, but they didn¡¯t seem to belong to any specific faction she recognized. The person¡¯s hands were still tightly gripping the rusted blade, knuckles white, as though they had held onto it in defiance even in their final moments. Kaelin¡¯s mind raced, searching for any clues that might help her understand who or what had just given its life in front of her. Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work! She knelt slowly, her fingers brushing against the knife that had fallen to the ground beside the body. It wasn¡¯t like anything she had seen before ¨C not in the academy, not in any of the books she¡¯d read. Kaelin¡¯s eyes narrowed. She was no stranger to the world, but this felt¡­ wrong. She couldn¡¯t bring herself to take it. Not yet. The figure, the knife, everything about this felt like it belonged in some dark and twisted book. Was there something lurking even deeper in the cavern? Were they trying to keep her out? Or had this person been a part of something she didn¡¯t understand? She glanced back down at the body, looking for any identifying markings. There was nothing. No insignia, no distinguishing marks on the skin. The robes were nondescript, stained with ash and blood. The person¡¯s face was hidden beneath the dark hood, but the rest of their body was skeletal, frail. Not someone who had lived a life of luxury or power, this was a life spent in the shadows, in hardship. A cold shiver ran down her spine. The words from the figure¡¯s last breath gnawed at her. For the cause. But what cause? Was it a cult? A rogue faction? She had no answers. No direction. She stood slowly, her heart still pounding in her chest. She had to keep moving. Her instincts screamed at her to leave, to avoid getting caught up in whatever dark web this figure had been part of. But a part of her ¨C the curious, determined part that had gotten her into so much trouble already ¨C wanted to understand. She wanted to uncover the truth. But before she could make a decision, another sound sliced through the silence. A new scraping noise. Different. Like claws dragging against stone. Kaelin¡¯s head snapped toward the tunnel entrance. She froze, every muscle tensing, her eyes darting to where the sound had come from. The scraping grew louder, and this time it wasn¡¯t just a distant echo. It was close. Too close. Her stomach lurched. The figure had been the first, but it wouldn¡¯t be the last. Kaelin¡¯s fingers tingled, her pulse quickening as she reached for her magic. Time magic. She could slow it down, speed herself up, but there was no guarantee it would work in this confined space, especially not with so much uncertainty. There was no time to waste. She gritted her teeth and pivoted toward the tunnel that stretched deeper into the darkness. She couldn¡¯t afford to be here when whatever else was lurking in the shadows arrived. She turned her back on the body, her senses on high alert, and bolted toward the tunnel. The scraping sound followed her, now unmistakably louder, as if the unknown presence was in pursuit. Kaelin¡¯s boots pounded against the stone floor, echoing through the winding tunnel. She didn¡¯t dare look back. Didn¡¯t dare to slow down. The fear of what was chasing her, or what might happen if she was caught, was enough to fuel her flight. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her body already drained from the earlier fight with the salamanders. But she had no choice. She had to move faster, had to find a way out before she was cornered. She sped up her legs, the walls of the tunnel narrowed as she ran, the heat from the molten cracks above casting an eerie, flickering glow. The air was thick, stifling, and the smell of burning stone mixed with the sharp scent of blood. Every footstep felt heavier than the last as she sprinted through the winding passage. Her mind raced, each thought coming faster than the last: Where was Lena? Where was Zephyr? She could still feel the weight of their absence, the knowledge that they were likely on the other side of the rock wall, unable to help her now. The isolation clawed at her, but there was no time to dwell on it. The scraping grew louder, closer, and she could almost feel the eyes of whatever creature or person was pursuing her. What it was didn¡¯t matter. What mattered was survival. Kaelin¡¯s foot caught on a jagged rock, and she stumbled, barely catching herself before crashing to the ground. Panic surged through her chest, but she pushed it down. No. She couldn¡¯t afford to fall. She couldn¡¯t afford to let herself be caught. She pressed forward, faster now, her breath ragged and shallow. The tunnel seemed to stretch on endlessly. Each turn, each new bend in the cavern only seemed to lead to more darkness. The light from the molten cracks barely illuminated her path. She had no way of knowing what lay ahead, what dangers might be waiting around the next corner. Then, as if on cue, another scraping sound echoed in the distance. The thing following her was persistent, relentless. And now there was another. Her heart hammered in her chest. She could feel the weight of the air, thick with the threat of whatever followed, pushing her forward, making her feet move faster, more erratically. She couldn¡¯t stop, couldn¡¯t slow down, not even to rest, because she knew that if she did, the thing behind her would catch up. She reached a junction in the tunnel. Three paths stretched before her, all equally dark and unwelcoming. She paused for a split second, her mind racing, trying to weigh her options. Each direction seemed to lead to more unknowns. But one thing was clear: she couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. The sound of the scraping was growing louder again. Her eyes flicked to the left, then to the right. The centre path seemed like the most direct, but it was also the most exposed. Without thinking, she dove down the path to her right, her feet pounding against the stone floor. The sound followed her, growing louder. She could hear something. No, someone moving, a series of dragging footsteps coming closer. But she didn¡¯t dare look back. She couldn¡¯t. With a final burst of speed, Kaelin sprinted down the narrow tunnel, her heart hammering in her chest. Whatever was behind her was relentless, and she couldn¡¯t let it catch her. The path ahead was a blur, and as the sound of the scraping grew louder still, Kaelin¡¯s breath hitched in her throat. She could feel it coming for her, but she was too far down the tunnel now to turn back. And in the distance, she could see the faint glow of another molten crack. She was close to something. Something she could only hope would be her salvation. As she drew nearer, the scraping stopped. And a chilling silence filled the air. Chapter 25 - Escape Chapter 25 - Escape Kaelin pressed on, forcing herself forward even as her lungs burned and her legs screamed in protest. The eerie silence that had replaced the scraping sounds was almost worse than the noise itself. It meant that whatever had been following her was either waiting, given up, or more likely had found another way to catch up. The narrow tunnel twisted and turned, the molten cracks in the walls offering little comfort as they cast erratic shadows around her. Every flicker made her pulse spike, her senses on high alert. She wasn¡¯t just running blindly anymore ¨C she needed a plan. Her mind raced as she tried to piece together what she knew. The figure that had killed itself. The strange rusty knife. For the cause. None of it made sense, but she couldn¡¯t afford to dwell on it. Survival came first. Up ahead, the tunnel widened into a cavern. Kaelin slowed her pace, pressing herself against the wall, scanning for movement. The cavern¡¯s ceiling stretched high above, jagged with stalactites, and a small pool of molten rock bubbled at its center, giving off a dim orange glow. No immediate threats. She stepped forward cautiously, eyes darting to each of the three tunnels leading out of the cavern. She had to pick a path, but without Lena and Zephyr, she had no idea which way led back to the surface. Then ¨C a sound. A faint, rhythmic tapping. Kaelin turned sharply toward the nearest tunnel on the left. The sound wasn¡¯t the unnatural scraping from earlier, this was different. It was methodical, controlled. Footsteps. Heart hammering, she edged toward the sound. If it was another of those figures, she needed to know. Holding her breath, she inched forward, careful not to let her boots scrape against the stone. The tunnel stretched on, the sound growing louder. Then, just ahead, she saw it ¨C the body of the figure from before, collapsed where it had fallen. A pool of dark blood had soaked into the stone beneath it, but the body itself remained eerily still. Kaelin hesitated before stepping closer. The sight of the jagged blade still lodged in its gut made her stomach turn, but she had to check. If this thing had carried anything ¨C anything that could explain what was happening, she needed to know. She crouched beside the corpse, her fingers hovering over its robes. The fabric was coarse and stained, smelling faintly of ash. Carefully, she patted it down, searching for pockets, weapons¡­ anything. Nothing. Frustration flared inside her. No sigils, no notes, no clues. Only the strange rusty blade it had held in its grasp before it died. Maybe I should take it¡­ I bet Aric will know something. A chill ran through her. Whatever strange religion had been at work here, it wasn¡¯t just any old cult. And it was still out there. A distant noise snapped her attention back to the tunnel. The rhythmic tapping had stopped. Silence pressed in around her, thick and suffocating. Then, a new sound ¨C movement. And it wasn¡¯t alone. Kaelin shot to her feet and bolted, dashing down the nearest tunnel without hesitation. Her pulse roared in her ears as she ran, twisting through the darkness. The heat from the molten cracks seared her skin, but she didn¡¯t slow down. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. She couldn¡¯t. *** Zephyr Zephyr moved quickly through the tunnels, keeping Lena close. The molten glow of the cavern walls cast flickering shadows around them, but his focus remained sharp. He knew Kaelin had been separated, but getting lost themselves wouldn¡¯t help her. ¡°We need to find her fast,¡± Lena murmured beside him, gripping her staff tightly. ¡°I know,¡± Zephyr said. His tone was clipped ¨C efficient. Worrying wouldn¡¯t help. Thinking would. They had doubled back twice already, avoiding paths that felt too unstable or led deeper into the tunnels. His mind worked through the layout, searching for the best route to Kaelin. If she had kept moving, she¡¯d be searching for them too. Then, a distant sound¡ªquick, sharp footsteps. Zephyr tensed, motioning for Lena to stay close. ¡°Someone¡¯s running.¡± Lena¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°Kaelin?¡± Zephyr wasn¡¯t sure. But he had a bad feeling. They pressed forward, picking up speed. If it wasn¡¯t Kaelin, then someone else was moving through these tunnels. And after having almost lost his life to a salamander, he wasn¡¯t eager to find out who else might be lurking down here. They turned a sharp corner, only to freeze in place as another noise echoed from a different tunnel ¨C a low, breathy laughter, distant but unmistakable. Lena swallowed hard. ¡°Tell me that was just the wind.¡± Zephyr¡¯s expression darkened. ¡°It wasn¡¯t.¡± The sound faded, leaving only the faint crackle of molten stone. Zephyr¡¯s grip tightened on his spear. Whatever else was down here, it was watching. Waiting. But they had no time to waste. ¡°Come on,¡± he said. ¡°We¡¯re close.¡± *** Kaelin Her heart pounded as two figures emerged from the darkness. Relief flooded through her when she recognized them. ¡°Zephyr? Lena?¡± Lena exhaled sharply. ¡°Kaelin!¡± She rushed forward, gripping Kaelin¡¯s arm. ¡°Are you okay? We lost sight of you when the salamander collapsed the tunnel.¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Kaelin said, though her hands still trembled from the adrenaline. ¡°But something else is down here.¡± Zephyr¡¯s upturned eyes scanned their surroundings. ¡°We need to keep moving. If you saw something, we can¡¯t stay in one place.¡± Kaelin nodded. ¡°I ran into someone. Or something that looked like a person. They had this rusty knife, but it looks odd. And then they¨C¡°She swallowed. ¡°They killed themselves. And I think there are more of them.¡± Zephyr¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°Great.¡± Lena paled. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ terrifying.¡± ¡°Did you see anything?¡± Kaelin asked Zephyr. ¡°Just more tunnels and a few salamander tracks,¡± he replied. ¡°But if there¡¯s something else down here, we shouldn¡¯t wait to find out what it wants.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t argue. The idea of getting out of here, together, was the only thing keeping her from panicking completely. They moved quickly, retracing their steps through the tunnel. The air was thick with heat and the scent of molten stone, but Kaelin remained focused, listening for any signs of movement. Then, in the distance ¨C laughter. Kaelin stiffened beside Zephyr, and she felt the shift in the air. Not just fear, anticipation. ¡°I don¡¯t like this,¡± she muttered. Zephyr agreed. ¡°Neither do I.¡± They pressed on, the laughter fading as they reached a fork in the path. Zephyr exhaled sharply. ¡°The left tunnel should take us up toward the surface. The right¡­ I don¡¯t know.¡± Lena gripped her staff tightly. ¡°Then we stick with what we know.¡± Kaelin nodded. ¡°Agreed.¡± As they took the left path, Kaelin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something. Someone was watching them. And it wasn¡¯t finished. Kaelin took in a deep breath as they emerged from the tunnels, the cool night air washing over her like a wave of relief. The oppressive heat of the underground had left her clothes damp with sweat, and the fresh breeze was a welcome change. Overhead, the moon cast a pale glow across the rocky terrain, and in the distance, the dense forest loomed ahead. Despite the exhaustion weighing down her limbs, a sense of triumph coursed through her. They had survived the tunnels, but the test wasn¡¯t over yet. Zephyr exhaled sharply beside her, his grip on his dagger finally relaxing. "We made it." Lena stretched, rolling her shoulders. "I swear, if I never see another salamander again, it''ll be too soon." Kaelin couldn''t argue. She glanced over her shoulder at the cave entrance, half-expecting something to follow them out. But nothing came. The horrors that lurked in the tunnels were behind them now. Even so, unease prickled at the back of her mind. Something about what she had seen ¨C about that hooded figure and its strange clothes, the knife, it didn¡¯t sit right with her. But she shoved the thought aside. She could worry about it later. Zephyr pointed toward the forest, where the land sloped downward into a wide valley. "That''s Great Boar territory. If we move quickly, we can take them down before the test ends." Lena groaned. "Do we have to?" Kaelin smirked. "Want to finish this test with a lower score?" Lena sighed. "Fine. But let''s make it quick." Chapter 26 - The "Grate" Boar Chapter 26 - The Grate Boar The trio moved swiftly through the thick underbrush, their boots muffled against the damp earth. The air was thick with the scent of soil and foliage, but there was something else too--- ¨C the sharp, musky odor of beasts. Kaelin knew they were close. Her fingers twitched, ready to fight at a moment¡¯s notice. A rustling sound made them all freeze. Then, from the underbrush, the first boar emerged. It was massive, as tall as a horse, and as wide as a carriage. Its thick hide rippled with muscle. The bristled fur stood on end, and its deep-set eyes gleamed with a dull, stubborn stupidity. Unlike the salamanders, the Great Boars weren¡¯t quick, but they were relentless, and their sheer durability made them formidable foes. The boar charged. Zephyr sidestepped with practiced ease, his dagger flashing as he aimed for its flank. The blade struck true, but barely pierced the hide. Kaelin¡¯s eyes widened. Even with his strength, the weapon had done little more than scratch it. The beast let out a snort and whipped its massive head around, forcing Zephyr to leap back. Another charge could be lethal if they weren¡¯t careful. "Their hides are too thick!" he called. Kaelin reacted instinctively, producing a slowing aura around the boars¡¯ feet to slow its movements. But it barely faltered. The effect was there, but sluggish creatures were naturally resistant to time magic. The beast simply powered through, shaking its head as if shrugging off an annoyance. Lena lifted her hand, summoning thick vines to wrap around its legs. The greenery surged up from the earth, coiling around the beast like a net. But the moment it struggled, the vines snapped like brittle twigs. "Are you kidding me?!" Lena yelled, frustration clear in her voice. Another boar emerged from the brush, then another. Soon, seven of the monstrous creatures were closing in, their hooves pounding the dirt in slow, steady rhythms. They weren¡¯t fast, but they didn¡¯t need to be. They were walls of flesh, moving forward with unstoppable momentum. "Blades won¡¯t work unless we go for the weak points!" Kaelin called. She scanned the creatures, looking for any openings. The eyes, the throat, the joints ¨C those were their best bets. "Aim for the eyes!" Zephyr reacted first, vanishing in a blur of motion. He reappeared near the nearest boar, driving his dagger toward its eye. The creature grunted, shaking its head violently as the blade connected. The wound wasn¡¯t fatal, but it staggered backward, disoriented. Kaelin took her chance. She sprinted forward, vaulting over one of the creatures and landing behind it. Her blade slashed at the softer flesh beneath its jaw, drawing blood. The boar roared in pain, but it was still standing. It swung its head wildly, nearly knocking her off her feet. Lena abandoned her vines and instead swung her spear with raw force. The solid wood cracked against a boar¡¯s snout, making it recoil. "They¡¯re tough, but they still feel pain! Keep hitting them!" The fight became a brutal contest of endurance. The trio dodged and weaved between the beasts, striking at any weak spots they could find. Even with their combined efforts, every boar took multiple hits to bring down. Lena¡¯s thick spear splintered a tusk, but the beast kept coming. Zephyr¡¯s dagger found another eye, yet the creature still thrashed in blind fury. Kaelin twisted time around herself again, dodging a sweeping tusk that would have gutted her. A particularly large boar lunged at Zephyr, its powerful charge kicking up dirt and grass. He barely managed to roll away in time, but before he could regain his footing, another boar barrelled toward him from the side. Kaelin acted without thinking, pulling at her time threads to slow the second boar just enough for Zephyr to dodge. He landed on his feet, nodding in gratitude before twisting his dagger into the first boar¡¯s exposed throat. The beast let out a strangled gurgle before collapsing. Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more. Lena, gritting her teeth, used her vines more strategically ¨C she couldn¡¯t hold the boars down, but she could throw them off balance. She forced roots to burst from the earth, tangling their hooves just long enough to create an opening. Kaelin and Zephyr capitalized on each opportunity, striking at tendons, throats, and eyes. The battle raged on. Kaelin felt the strain of constant movement, her body screaming in protest. The boars were strong, but their injuries were accumulating. Zephyr fought with ruthless efficiency, every strike precise and calculated. Lena, though exhausted, never let up, her staff a blur as she landed blow after blow. Finally, the beasts began to slow, their powerful bodies growing sluggish from blood loss and pain. One by one, they fell, their massive bodies shaking the earth as they collapsed. The last two finally hesitated, their wild eyes darting between the three of them. They weren¡¯t mindless ¨C they could tell they were losing. With a final snort, they turned and bolted into the trees. Kaelin exhaled, catching her breath. "Cowards." Zephyr ran a hand through his hair, surveying the battlefield. Thirteen massive bodies lay sprawled across the clearing, their once-intimidating forms now lifeless beneath the moonlight. The scent of blood and earth filled the air, the remnants of their struggle still fresh. Lena let out a weary chuckle, leaning on her staff. "Please tell me that¡¯s enough." ¡°It¡¯s gotta be. There¡¯s no way anyone else managed to kill one of each, and still had time to hunt more.¡± Kaelin replied, still panting. As if it had been waiting for them to finish, a loud chime echoed through the air. The test was over. Lena groaned before collapsing onto the grass, arms spread out. "Finally." Zephyr let out a slow breath, wiping his blade clean against his sleeve. His usual composure was back, but Kaelin could tell he was just as drained as the rest of them. Kaelin sat down beside Lena, letting herself relax for the first time in hours. She stared up at the sky, the stars twinkling above them. The test was over. They had survived. *** The next day, once they had gotten back to the school and the points were tallied up, the first-year students were all gathered in the great hall. The trio stood in a cluster of anxious students. The air was thick with anticipation as the instructors prepared to announce the scores, and Kaelin could feel her pulse quickening. Her mind raced through the events of the test ¨C how they had fought tooth and nail to bring down the dire wolf, only for the other to run away and how the Great Boars had nearly overwhelmed them, how they had almost been killed by the fire salamander¡­ What had happened in the cave¡­ But it was the results that mattered now. "Alright, settle down!" Instructor Fennick called out, his voice booming across the hall. He was tall, with a stern face and a perpetual smirk. "I know you all want to know how you did, so I¡¯ll get straight to it." He unfurled a scroll, eyes scanning the names. "Team 4 ¨C Kaelin, Lena, Zephyr," he called. The trio stepped forward, faces tense. Instructor Fennick cleared his throat dramatically, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Please come up to the top! Congratulations, you came in first," he said, pausing for a moment to let the news sink in. "You were one of only three groups to manage to beat one of each monster. Quite the feat, I must say." A ripple of surprised murmurs spread through the crowd, and Kaelin couldn¡¯t suppress the grin that tugged at her lips. First place. She¡¯d heard the rumours about how difficult everyone else had found the test, and to hear that they had come out on top made the tension of the last few days finally ease from her shoulders. "I¡¯d say you all handled that test with grace," Fennick added with a sly smile, glancing around the room before turning back to them. "Those boars were a real hassle, but you grated through them with ease, so be happy!" The students around them groaned, some chuckling, while others rolled their eyes. Kaelin shot a look at Fennick, but the man only grinned wider. "Alright, alright," Fennick said, shaking his head, clearly enjoying the reactions. "No more jokes. You earned sixty-four points for that impressive showing. You¡¯ve done yourselves proud. Well done." Lena let out a soft breath, her expression one of quiet relief. "Sixty-four points. We really did it." Zephyr crossed his arms, his usual aloofness replaced with a rare smile. "Guess everyone else missed out by not teaming up with us after all.¡± Kaelin gave a small chuckle, feeling the pride rising in her chest. "Guess so." Instructor Fennick raised a hand, gesturing toward the rest of the students. "So, take your rest, Team 4. You¡¯ve earned it. The rest of you ¨C keep pushing, and we¡¯ll see what you¡¯re made of at the ¡®End of Year¡¯ exam! With that, the trio exchanged relieved glances and began to make their way toward the door. "Doesn¡¯t it feel grate to be at the top.¡± Zephyr muttered with a smirk, nudging Lena. Lena shook her head, laughing softly. "You just can¡¯t help yourself, can you?" Zephyr grinned, casting a sideways glance at the other students still standing around. "What can I say? We won. Might as well savour it." Kaelin smiled as they walked out, feeling the weight of their victory settle in. Whatever came next, she knew they¡¯d face it together ¨C and maybe, just maybe, they''d keep up their streak at the top. Chapter 27 - The Great Bore Chapter 27 - The Great Bore Kaelin stared at the chalkboard, her chin resting in her palm as the instructor droned on about magic theory. She had stopped paying attention ten minutes ago ¨C not that it made much difference. The material wasn¡¯t difficult. If anything, it was insultingly simple. She had already mastered the foundational aspects of time threads, and yet here she was, forced to sit through another lecture on the basics. She sighed, shifting in her seat. The academy had been exciting at first, full of challenges and new experiences, but now it felt like a cage. Most of the lessons were too easy, the tests predictable. The only thing that had kept her engaged was her training with Aric ¨C until he, too, had started holding her back. If she had to sit through another monotonous lesson about thread stability, she might actually lose her mind. She let her gaze drift around the room. A few students were diligently taking notes, their quills scratching against parchment. Others were fidgeting, clearly as bored as she was. One boy was nodding off, his head drooping dangerously close to his desk. Kaelin resisted the urge to groan. How was this supposed to make her stronger? The real world wasn¡¯t going to wait for her to carefully analyse patterns, it demanded instinct, adaptability, and pure power. As the minutes dragged on, she let her mind wander. What was she even doing here? She wanted to grow stronger, to push her limits, to understand the depths of her magic. But how was she supposed to do that when no one would teach her anything worthwhile? The academy¡¯s so-called advanced curriculum was just an endless repetition of what she already knew. Finally, the bell rang, signalling the end of class. Kaelin was out the door before the instructor could even finish dismissing them. She strode through the hallways, barely noticing the other students chatting in small groups. They were probably talking about the upcoming weekend, where most of them would relax or practice in their own time. Kaelin, however, had other plans ¨C or at least she would, if Aric ever stopped treating her like a child. Finding him wasn¡¯t hard. He was in the usual spot, an open training hall reserved for advanced students. He stood near the centre, arms crossed, observing two upper-year students sparring. The air crackled with magic as threads of energy wove through their attacks, but Kaelin barely glanced at them. She had only one focus. She marched up to him. ¡°Teach me something new.¡± Aric barely glanced at her. ¡°You need to refine what you already know.¡± Kaelin scowled. ¡°I¡¯ve refined it. I can slow, hasten, and even reverse small-scale events. What else is there?¡± Aric sighed, finally turning to face her. ¡°You think mastering the basics means you¡¯re ready for the next level? Time magic isn¡¯t something you rush. You have control, but control isn¡¯t enough.¡± She clenched her fists. ¡°Then let me prove it.¡± Aric shook his head. ¡°Not yet.¡± Her frustration boiled over. ¡°You¡¯re just wasting my time.¡± ¡°If you think that, then you still don¡¯t understand what it means to wield time magic,¡± Aric replied coolly. ¡°Come back when you do.¡± Kaelin bit back a retort, glaring at him before storming out of the training hall. She needed an outlet ¨C something, anything, to break the monotony. She wandered the academy grounds, her temper simmering. The worst part wasn¡¯t Aric refusing to teach her, but the nagging feeling that he might be right. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. She hated that. Hated the idea that she still wasn¡¯t ready, that there was something she was missing. But how was she supposed to find out what that was if no one would push her past her limits? That opportunity came sooner than expected. As she made her way toward the dining hall, she spotted a familiar face leaning casually against a pillar ¨C Aria. The older girl was flipping through a book, but when she noticed Kaelin, she smirked. ¡°You look like you¡¯re about to explode.¡± Kaelin folded her arms. ¡°I might. Aric refuses to teach me anything worthwhile.¡± Aria laughed. ¡°That sounds about right. He¡¯s got that whole ¡®mentor withholding knowledge for your own good¡¯ thing going on.¡± Kaelin groaned. ¡°I don¡¯t need coddling.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Aria said, snapping her book shut, ¡°if you¡¯re looking for something more interesting than whatever dull routine they¡¯ve got you stuck in, me and Professor Elric are planning another trip to the ruins this weekend. You in?¡± Kaelin blinked. ¡°Another set of ruins?¡± Aria nodded. ¡°Not the ones from last time ¨C these are deeper in the valley. Supposed to be more intact. They also haven¡¯t been explored, you might even find some untouched artifacts. Thought you might want the option.¡± Kaelin hesitated for only a second before nodding. ¡°Absolutely.¡± Aria grinned. ¡°Knew you¡¯d say that. We¡¯re heading out at dawn on Saturday. Should be fun. Don¡¯t worry about organising your leave permit, Elric will get that sorted.¡± Kaelin smirked. Finally, something that wasn¡¯t mind-numbingly dull. The academy had lost its shine for now, but this? This was something worth looking forward to. The weekend couldn¡¯t come soon enough. The next day crawled by just as slowly. Kaelin went through the motions of her classes, barely listening as instructors droned on about mana conservation and historical applications of thread magic. At dinner, she picked at her food, her thoughts already on the ruins. Lena and Zephyr sat across from her, engaged in conversation about their latest combat lessons. Kaelin barely heard them until Zephyr nudged her plate with his fork. ¡°You look like you¡¯re plotting something.¡± She smirked. ¡°Maybe I am.¡± Lena raised a brow. ¡°That¡¯s not reassuring.¡± Kaelin leaned back, stretching her arms. ¡°Just thinking about the weekend.¡± Zephyr narrowed his eyes. ¡°You¡¯re not talking about resting, are you?¡± Kaelin grinned. ¡°Nope.¡± Lena sighed. ¡°You¡¯re going to do something reckless, aren¡¯t you?¡± Kaelin shrugged. ¡°Depends on your definition.¡± Zephyr sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes. ¡°Just don¡¯t get yourself killed.¡± Kaelin¡¯s grin widened. ¡°No promises.¡± She could already feel the excitement buzzing in her veins. The weekend was going to be anything but boring. Later that evening, as she made her way toward the courtyard, Kaelin spotted Lena and Zephyr talking near the fountain. They stood close, engaged in conversation, Zephyr gesturing idly while Lena laughed at something he said. The sight of them together sent a strange pang through her chest ¨C though she wasn¡¯t sure why. Without hesitation, she strolled up to them. ¡°What are you two whispering about?¡± she asked, sliding into the conversation as if she¡¯d been there all along. Lena turned to her with a bright smile. ¡°Oh, just talking about the last trial. Zephyr was explaining his fighting style!¡± Zephyr smirked. ¡°It¡¯s called skill.¡± Kaelin snorted. ¡°Right. Because you weren¡¯t showing off or anything.¡± He shrugged. ¡°Maybe a little.¡± Lena nudged Kaelin playfully. ¡°You¡¯re just jealous.¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes but grinned. ¡°Please. If anything, I should be giving him pointers.¡± They chatted for a while, the conversation light and easy. Zephyr was less guarded than usual, and Lena seemed genuinely happy. The three of them rarely had moments like this, free from tests and looming challenges. It was nice ¨C though Kaelin couldn¡¯t shake the nagging feeling that something had shifted. *** Later that night, as Kaelin was heading back to her dorm, Lena caught up to her, her expression unusually thoughtful. ¡°Hey,¡± Lena said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking¡­¡± Kaelin raised a brow. ¡°About?¡± Lena hesitated for a moment before smiling. ¡°I think I¡¯m going to ask Zephyr out.¡± Kaelin blinked. ¡°Oh.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve been getting along really well lately,¡± Lena continued, her voice carrying a note of excitement. ¡°I don¡¯t know, it just feels right.¡± Kaelin forced a smirk. ¡°Well, he¡¯d be an idiot to say no.¡± Lena beamed. ¡°You think so?¡± ¡°Obviously.¡± Lena hugged her suddenly. ¡°Thanks, Kaelin. I know you and Zephyr bicker all the time, but I think you two are actually kind of similar.¡± Kaelin scoffed. ¡°Now that¡¯s just insulting.¡± Lena laughed before heading off, leaving Kaelin alone with her thoughts. For some reason, her stomach felt oddly tight. Shaking it off, she turned toward her dorm, but the feeling lingered. Maybe it was just the boredom getting to her. Chapter 28 – What A Little Minx! Chapter 28 ¨C Zena or Lephyr? Kaelin sat cross-legged on her bed, a thick notebook open in front of her. The dorm room was dimly lit by a single lantern, casting flickering shadows along the walls as she scribbled furiously, transferring every spell she had found in the forbidden texts into her own handwriting. Each incantation, each technique ¨C carefully noted and preserved. She had already decided what to do. The real books, with the original copies of the spells would go to Aric. If anyone at the academy knew more about them, it would be him. But she wasn¡¯t about to give up her edge. If Aric dismissed them as useless or dangerous, then at least she¡¯d still have her own records to study. The original texts were too risky to keep, but this? This was manageable. It was lucky Aria had wanted to visit another new ruin this weekend. This way she could pass it off as only just having found them. Getting the answers she wants, without getting into trouble. Satisfied, she closed the notebook and tucked it beneath her mattress. She¡¯d slip the transcribed versions into her bag before heading out to meet Aric. But first, she had other matters to attend to. A knock at the door startled her. She quickly slid off the bed and cracked it open, relaxing when she saw Lena standing there, arms crossed and grinning. ¡°Busy?¡± Lena asked, peering past her into the dim room. Kaelin shrugged. ¡°Just getting a few things in order. What¡¯s up?¡± Lena hesitated, shifting on her feet. ¡°I need your advice on something.¡± Kaelin arched a brow. ¡°That¡¯s new.¡± ¡°Oh, shut up.¡± Lena rolled her eyes, but there was a nervous energy in her voice. ¡°I wanted to ask¡­ where do you think would be a good place to take Zephyr on a date?¡± Kaelin blinked. ¡°Wait, what?¡± Lena flushed slightly. "I already told you I wanted to ask him, I just want to do it in the right place, right time. You know." Kaelin wasn¡¯t sure how to respond. Her mind flashed back to earlier that day when she¡¯d interrupted them talking. They had looked comfortable, easy with each other. Lena did say she had wanted to but¡­ ¡°You¡¯re serious?¡± she asked, mostly to buy herself time. Lena huffed. ¡°Yes, I¡¯m serious. I just don¡¯t know where to do it. Somewhere nice, but not too formal. Something that fits him.¡± Kaelin leaned against the doorframe, thinking. ¡°What about the Hanging Gardens? It¡¯s quiet, and there¡¯s a stunning view over the lake. People go there to relax.¡± Lena¡¯s eyes brightened. ¡°That could work. He does seem to like nature.¡± ¡°Glad to be of service.¡± Kaelin forced a smirk, hiding the strange knot in her chest. ¡°Let me know how it goes.¡± Lena grinned. ¡°I will.¡± As Lena walked away, Kaelin shut the door and leaned against it, exhaling. The moment of silence gave her a chance to acknowledge the strange irritation creeping through her mind. It didn¡¯t make sense ¨C why should she care? Zephyr was Lena¡¯s choice, and if she wanted to go for it, Kaelin had no reason to object. So why did it feel so... off? She pushed the thought away and turned her attention back to her desk. The trip to the ruins was tomorrow, and she still had to make sure she was ready. Pulling out a fresh piece of parchment, she started a checklist: Her mind wandered as she wrote. The last ruins trip had been exciting, full of unexpected discoveries. This one would be even better. There was always the chance of uncovering something truly valuable ¨C something the academy had missed. And if she found anything related to Time magic, all the better. Maybe Aric was holding her back, but that didn¡¯t mean she had to wait for his approval. But above all, she might finally find out something about those spells. Once she had her supplies gathered, Kaelin placed everything into her satchel and secured it tightly. She glanced at the clock. There was still some time before lights-out, but nothing else left to do. She considered heading outside to get some air, but the idea of running into Lena or Zephyr again made her hesitate. Instead, she flopped onto her bed and stared at the ceiling. The excitement of the upcoming ruins trip was enough to push aside any lingering thoughts about Lena and Zephyr. She had bigger things to focus on. Whatever was stirring inside her? She¡¯d deal with it later. *** Kaelin was up before dawn, the thrill of adventure chasing away any grogginess. She dressed quickly, throwing on a sturdy outfit suited for exploration. Slinging her satchel over her shoulder, she left the dormitory quietly, careful not to wake anyone. The meeting point was near the academy¡¯s outer gates, where a few early risers were already passing through. As she approached, she spotted Aria standing with her arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. ¡°About time,¡± Aria said, smirking as Kaelin approached. ¡°Thought you¡¯d overslept.¡± Kaelin snorted. ¡°Please. I was ready before you even got out of bed.¡± Aria chuckled. ¡°Sure you were.¡± She glanced at Kaelin¡¯s satchel. ¡°You pack everything? Rope, supplies, anti-venom?¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes. ¡°Yes, mother.¡± Aria ignored the jab, instead shifting her stance. ¡°This trip should be good. The ruins are older than the last ones, and we might actually find something useful this time.¡± Kaelin¡¯s pulse quickened. ¡°Yea¡­ nothing there last time. Think there¡¯ll be some kind of old-timey textbooks?¡± Aria shrugged. ¡°Hard to say. But with how eager you are, I¡¯d bet you¡¯ll dig up something interesting.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°That¡¯s the plan.¡± Professor Elric arrived, interrupting their chatter. ¡°Right, that all of us? Not found any new members yet have you Aria?¡± ¡°No, that¡¯s all of us. Surprising you even bothered to ask.¡± Aria replied, her voice carrying an annoyed intonation. With the group assembled, they¡¯d soon be off. Kaelin felt her anticipation building. Whatever awaited them in the ruins, one thing was certain ¨C this was far more exciting than some academy lecture. Kaelin looked back at the student starting to flow out from their dorms like oil slick and sighed. The academy can¡¯t be boring forever. It¡¯s just a lull in life. *** The morning mist clung to the ground as Kaelin walked alongside Aria and Professor Elric, the rhythmic crunch of their boots against the dirt path the only sound breaking the silence. The academy had long since faded from view behind them, swallowed by the dense forest that framed their journey. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and the distant call of morning birds. Despite the early hour, Kaelin felt alert, a familiar thrill settling in her chest at the prospect of uncovering something hidden, and finally a chance to find more out about those damned spell books. Professor Elric led the way, a man of few words but sharp eyes. He carried himself with an air of quiet authority, his thick traveling cloak swaying with each step. He was one of the few professors who didn¡¯t seem overly cautious about taking students into the unknown. That, or he was just confident enough in his own abilities to keep them safe. ¡°How much farther?¡± Aria asked, adjusting the straps on her pack. She carried most of their shared supplies, though Kaelin had insisted on bringing her own essentials. Elric didn¡¯t slow his pace. ¡°An hour, maybe less. The ruins are in a valley past the ridge. We should be careful ¨C there¡¯s no telling what state they¡¯re in.¡± Kaelin tightened her grip on her satchel, mentally running through her notes. This site was supposedly older than the previous ruins they had explored, untouched for centuries. That meant there was a chance, just a chance, that something valuable lay hidden within. They walked in relative silence, the landscape gradually shifting as they climbed the rocky ridge Elric had mentioned. The trees grew sparser, the ground more uneven. By the time they reached the peak, the sun had fully risen, casting golden light over the valley below. Nestled between jagged cliffs, the ruins sprawled out in a fractured mess of crumbling stone and overgrown vegetation. Time had not been kind to the olden mages, those who were presumed to have built these ruins. Parts of the structure had collapsed entirely, leaving behind remnants of walls and half-buried archways. Despite the decay, Kaelin could make out the distinct signs of old pathways winding through the rubble. Elric surveyed the area with a measured gaze. ¡°Stay close. We don¡¯t know how stable this place is.¡± Kaelin and Aria exchanged a glance before following him down the slope, carefully picking their way over loose rocks. The closer they got, the more Kaelin¡¯s excitement built. Unlike the previous ruins, these looked largely undisturbed. No signs of recent visitors. No remnants of past expeditions. Just the weight of history pressing down on them. As soon as they reached the outskirts, Kaelin spotted something that made her pulse quicken ¨C engravings. Faint, worn down by time, but unmistakably carved into the stone of a broken pillar. She stepped closer, brushing away some of the dirt and vines. The symbols weren¡¯t familiar, but they were intricate, looping into patterns that almost seemed to shift if she looked at them too long. ¡°Elric,¡± she called, gesturing him over. The professor crouched beside her, studying the engravings with a thoughtful expression. ¡°Interesting¡­ This script isn¡¯t one I recognize. It could be pre-Imperial, but it¡¯s not like anything we¡¯ve found before.¡± Kaelin traced a finger over one of the symbols, the stone cool beneath her touch. There was something about it ¨C something that sent a shiver down her spine. Aria huffed. ¡°Great. More creepy symbols. Last time, half of them turned out to be meaningless.¡± Kaelin wasn¡¯t convinced. Meaningless or not, there was always something to uncover. And she wasn¡¯t leaving until she found it. They moved deeper into the ruins, stepping carefully over broken stone and tangled roots. Vines coiled around fallen pillars, nature reclaiming what time had abandoned. As they walked, Kaelin noticed more symbols, scattered across walls, and buried half in the ground. Some were nearly identical to the first, while others looked newer, their edges sharper, as if they had been carved long after the original structure had fallen. ¡°Someone¡¯s been here before,¡± Kaelin muttered. Elric nodded, running his fingers over a fresher carving. ¡°Possibly looters, but this is deliberate work. Not mindless scavenging. And this set of ruins were only found not long ago.¡± Aria frowned. ¡°Then why does it look like they stopped halfway through?¡± It was true ¨C some carvings appeared unfinished, their patterns abruptly ending as if the creator had been interrupted. Kaelin¡¯s unease grew. The silence of the ruins felt heavier now, no longer just the quiet of an abandoned place, but something more¡­ expectant. Elric stood and dusted off his hands. ¡°Let¡¯s press on. If someone left in a hurry, there might be something here worth finding.¡± Kaelin grinned. That was exactly what she¡¯d been hoping to hear. They ventured toward what remained of the main structure, an arched entryway that still stood, partially buried beneath layers of stone. Kaelin felt drawn to it immediately. Something about the way the light hit the worn steps, the way the air seemed cooler just beyond the threshold ¨C it was inviting and foreboding all at once. Elric stepped forward first, assessing the stability of the ground before motioning them through. Kaelin followed, her breath catching as she stepped into the shadowed interior. The chamber beyond was vast, larger than it had seemed from the outside. Sunlight streamed through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating dust motes that drifted lazily in the air. The walls were lined with more engravings, but these were different ¨C more structured, more intentional. At the centre of the room stood a pedestal, its surface smooth except for a single carved symbol at its centre. Kaelin moved toward it while the others looked around the outer edge. Kaelin¡¯s heart pounded as she approached. Something about this was important. She could feel it. She checked to make sure they weren¡¯t watching and placed the books on the pedestal. ¡°Elric,¡± she called again, voice hushed. ¡°I think I¡¯ve found what they were looking for.¡± Chapter 29 - Beneath the Ruins Chapter 29 - Beneath the Ruins Elric frowned as he traced his fingers over the faded engravings along the chamber walls. The symbols, though unfamiliar, carried a sense of purpose ¨C structured, deliberate, unlike the scattered carvings outside. He had seen many ruins in his years of study, but something about this place unsettled him. Perhaps it was the sheer stillness of the air, or the way the dust seemed to hover, waiting for movement to stir it back to life. Behind him, Kaelin moved toward the centre of the room, while Aria kept around the outside of the room the other side of him. He kept checking the mysterious letter, runes. Noting them down, hoping to be able to learn something new about the olden mages. He heard Kaelin shout out to him. ¡°Professor Elric¡­ I think I¡¯ve found what they were looking for.¡± Those people, they¡¯d gotten here before them. ¡°I¡¯ll be over in a second. Just finishing some notes.¡± He heard Aria move over to Kaelin, they were chatting about something. Suddenly a low rumble shook the ground beneath them. Elric''s eyes widened as a loud scraping noise came from behind him. He spun on his toes, hoping to catch what might be happening, but nothing. In an instant, they were gone. The pedestal stood with 4 books on top of it in the centre. The room fell silent. Elric''s stomach dropped as he rushed forward, falling to his knees where they had stood just moments ago. His fingers skimmed the smooth stone, now showing no sign of the trap that had claimed them. He pressed his palm flat against the surface, searching for a seam, a lever ¨C anything. Nothing. He exhaled sharply, forcing himself to think. Panic would do nothing. He had to assume they were still alive. If the ruins had been designed to kill intruders, they would have been crushed instantly. This had to be something else¡­ But what? Straightening, he scanned the chamber for clues, heart pounding. There had to be another way to get down. Kaelin Aria walked over, admiring the sigil on the top of the pedestal. ¡°What are these books? Have you checked them out yet?¡± Aria asked. ¡°Nah, they might be trapped, didn¡¯t want to trigger something.¡± ¡°Good point, better not touch them. What¡¯s this sigil though, think it might mean something?¡± Aria asked, moving her hands over it in curiosity. But she pressed too hard. The sigil collapsed inwards, it was some sort of button, a trigger. They heard a loud grinding beneath them, then suddenly they were falling. There had been a platform beneath where they were standing, and it spun on an axis, no evidence it was ever even there. Kaelin hit the ground hard, the impact jarring through her limbs. Dust filled her mouth as she coughed, pushing herself up onto her elbows. Dim, flickering light illuminated the cavernous space around her, casting jagged shadows along the walls. The air was thick with the scent of damp stone and something metallic, rust maybe. Or blood? A groan sounded beside her. ¡°That ¨C ¡°Aria¡¯s voice was strained. ¡°Arghh¡­ That was unpleasant.¡± Kaelin twisted toward her, relieved to see Aria mostly intact, though covered in dust. She was still lying down, clutching her side and rubbing her shoulder where she must have landed. The two of them had fallen through some kind of hidden mechanism, but the question was ¨C where exactly had they ended up? ¡°Here, let me.¡± Kaelin said. Aria didn¡¯t reply, so Kaelin put her hands to Aria¡¯s side and used her time magic to reverse time on the wound, in hopes of repairing it. Stolen story; please report. ¡°Thanks, feels a lot better.¡± Kaelin scanned their surroundings. They were in a vast underground chamber, larger than the one above. The walls were lined with more of the same engravings, though these pulsed faintly, as if responding to their presence. Stone pillars stretched toward a ceiling lost in shadow, their bases cracked and weathered. The floor was uneven, broken in places to reveal yawning crevices that led even deeper into the earth. A shiver ran down her spine. ¡°Well, this is ominous.¡± Aria pushed herself to her feet, dusting off her clothes. ¡°You think Elric even knows where we are?¡± Kaelin sighed. ¡°I doubt it. That trap was designed to keep people out ¨C or in.¡± She moved toward one of the walls, running her fingers along the engravings. Up close, she could see they weren¡¯t just decorative. They had depth to them, intricate patterns winding together like threads in a tapestry. She recognized some elements from her own studies ¨C magic, symbols meant to represent different threads of power. But there were two she didn¡¯t recognise. They were different. They had the rune for mind, followed by a brain. Nature, with a picture of a leaf. Essence, and a picture of an ankh. Then the rune for Time, with an hourglass by its side. The last two, however, Kaelin couldn¡¯t decipher. Next to the runes were first, a five-pointed star. Second was a snake, placed in a circle, eating its own tail. Aria crossed her arms. ¡°Please don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re about to start pressing things again.¡± Kaelin gave her an innocent look. ¡°I would never. Just let me write these down quickly. This is stuff no one¡¯s ever seen¡­ probably.¡± Aria groaned. ¡°Just¡­ just help me figure out how we get out of here before Elric has an aneurysm up there.¡± Kaelin smirked but nodded. Their best bet was finding another mechanism, something to reverse whatever had triggered the floor. Either that, or they would have to find their own way out. Her fingers brushed over a particular engraving ¨C a thread with scissors seemingly ready to cut it. For some reason, it seemed almost familiar. When she touched it, nothing happened. ¡°Kaelin, try not to keep touching things.¡± ¡°Ehh, nothing happened. If feeling around got us down here, maybe it¡¯ll get us out?¡± Aria huffed. ¡°Or maybe it¡¯ll drop us even further.¡± Kaelin smirked but didn¡¯t press anything¡­ yet. She was just as eager to get out of here as Aria, but there was something about these symbols, about this place which called to her. The five-pointed star, the snake, were they being worshipped? It seemed too perfect being placed so close to the other elements. Were there other elements we didn¡¯t know about? She pulled her notebook from her satchel and started sketching. The patterns were intricate, looping in ways that seemed almost alive. The familiar symbols of the known Threads of power ¨C Mind, Nature, Essence, and Time were all accounted for, but those last two¡­ She tapped the page with her quill. ¡°They¡¯ve got to mean something.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great and all,¡± Aria said, crossing her arms. ¡°But you can decipher it when we¡¯re not buried underground.¡± Kaelin chuckled. ¡°Fine, fine. Let¡¯s find a way out before Elric loses it.¡± The two began moving deeper into the passage, their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone. The air was thick, carrying the scent of dust and timeworn decay. Unlike the chamber above, this space felt untouched by the outside world. No signs of prior exploration. No footprints in the dirt. The passage sloped downward, uneven stone making their footing tricky. They moved cautiously, relying on the faint glow of the bioluminescent moss which lined the wall, illuminating their way. Then, the tunnel widened into a larger chamber. Kaelin¡¯s breath hitched. ¡°Look at that.¡± In the centre of the room stood three towering statues, all weathered with age but still imposing. All three depicted humanoid figures, with no defining features. The two smaller ones were stood side by side in front of the third, symbols as if on a plaque, sat below. The one on the left had a snake, its tail sitting gracefully in its own mouth to create a perfect circle ¨C the same snake symbol she had just sketched. The other ¡®plaque¡¯ was carved with a five-pointed star at its centre. Below the symbols were more runic lettering, different to what had spelled out the elements where they had first fallen. How interesting. Its like the runes are a language using pictures. A single symbol for each of the elements but here¡­ there¡¯s a sentence. Aria took a wary step forward. ¡°Alright, I¡¯m officially unsettled.¡± Kaelin approached the final statue, her eyes scanning it for something. Anything. This, unlike the others, had no symbol at the bottom. A single sentence was strung out. Despite still being unable to read it, Kaelin copied it as closely as she could. The runes were faded, difficult to make out, but there was enough to complete the picture. ¡°This isn¡¯t just decoration,¡± Kaelin said softly. ¡°These must have been the figureheads of some religion.¡± Aria crouched down beside the statue of the humanoid figure. ¡°So, what? Some ancient civilization worshipped these symbols?¡± ¡°Or feared them,¡± Kaelin murmured. She stepped closer to the final statue¡¯s plaque and felt the stone. It was rough, like someone had sanded it down to remove an engraving or image. ¡°Someone tried to erase this,¡± she realized aloud. ¡°But why?¡± Aria straightened. ¡°Maybe because whatever this was meant to represent wasn¡¯t exactly friendly. You never know, maybe they were leading some kind of fascist movement and they¡¯re simply getting rid of its logo.¡± Kaelin couldn¡¯t argue with that. The statues felt significant, but there was no telling whether they supported a good cause. The atmosphere of the chamber was heavy, like the weight of history pressing down on them. Suddenly, a distant sound rumbled through the walls ¨C a low groan of shifting stone. Aria tensed. ¡°Uh¡­ that¡¯s not good.¡± Chapter 30 – GET OUT Chapter 30 ¨C GET OUT Kaelin¡¯s pulse quickened. ¡°We need to find a way out of here. Fast.¡± They exchanged a glance, then turned their attention to the chamber¡¯s edges, searching for anything that resembled a doorway. There had to be something. These ruins were too complex for this to be a dead end. Then Kaelin spotted it ¨C another engraving near the base of the snake statue. This one was different from the others, depicting a thread being severed. ¡°Aria, over here,¡± she called. Her friend approached warily. ¡°You¡¯re not seriously thinking of touching that, are you?¡± Kaelin hesitated. The last time they had interacted with something in these ruins, they had fallen through the floor. But if this was a mechanism, it might be their only way out. She exhaled. ¡°Just hold your breath. It might be quite the ride.¡± Before Aria could protest, Kaelin pressed her hand against the engraving. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the ground beneath them rumbled, and the wall ahead shifted, revealing a passageway carved into the stone. Kaelin pouted. Awwww, I was hoping some floor would open up beneath us again. But see, touching things works. I promise, this time it¡¯ll be the way out.¡± Aria sighed. ¡°One of these days, it¡¯s going to get us killed.¡± ¡°But not today,¡± Kaelin said. She took a large step into the pitch dark passageway and disappeared. Aria looked around, seemingly worried for her friend, but before long, Kaelin poked her head back through, revealing herself. ¡°Come on then! The surface isn¡¯t gonna come to us!¡± The passage beyond the hidden doorway was narrow and uneven, carved as if by rough hands rather than precise tools. Kaelin and Aria moved cautiously, their steps echoing softly against the stone. The air was cooler here, damp with the scent of earth and age, and every few feet, dust cascaded from the ceiling in lazy spirals. "I hate this place," Aria muttered, rubbing her arms as they pressed forward. "Just putting that on the record." Kaelin smirked but said nothing. She couldn''t blame her. The ruins had been nothing but trouble so far, and they still weren¡¯t out of danger. If anything, they had only traded one unknown for another. They walked in silence for several minutes, winding deeper into the underground structure. The passage sloped downward at first, then abruptly veered upward, forcing them to climb over uneven rock formations. It was clear this tunnel hadn¡¯t been designed for ease of travel. Then, up ahead, a faint glow filtered in through a jagged opening. ¡°There!¡± Kaelin pointed, heart pounding with relief. ¡°That¡¯s got to be a way out.¡± Aria exhaled. ¡°Finally.¡± They quickened their pace, scrambling up the final stretch of the passage, but as they neared the light, their relief turned to dismay. The opening led into a massive crevasse, its walls stretching impossibly high. A soft shaft of daylight filtered down from above, illuminating a vertical climb that would test every ounce of their strength. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Kaelin peered up, squinting. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ not exactly a door.¡± Aria groaned. ¡°Of course not. That would be too easy.¡± She approached the edge, glancing down. The drop was steep, disappearing into an abyss of shadow. Going back wasn¡¯t an option. Their only path was up. ¡°Alright,¡± Kaelin said, rolling her shoulders. ¡°We climb.¡± Aria shot her a look. ¡°That¡¯s your grand plan? Just¡­ climb?¡± Kaelin gestured to the walls. ¡°The rock¡¯s rough enough to get a grip. And look¡ªthere are ledges. We can use them to rest if we have to.¡± Aria muttered something under her breath but didn¡¯t argue. With no better alternatives, they had no choice. Kaelin tested the nearest handhold, fingers curling around a protruding edge of stone. It felt sturdy enough. She hoisted herself up, seeking out her next foothold. Aria followed suit, the two of them moving slowly, methodically, testing each hold before committing their weight. The first few meters passed without issue, but soon, the exertion began to set in. Their breathing grew heavy, muscles straining with each pull. Dust clung to their skin, and small pebbles tumbled loose beneath their feet, vanishing into the depths below. ¡°Don¡¯t look down,¡± Kaelin advised. ¡°Wasn¡¯t planning to,¡± Aria gritted out. Halfway up, they paused on a narrow ledge, catching their breath. Kaelin flexed her fingers, shaking out the ache that had begun creeping into her arms. Aria wiped her brow. ¡°You do a lot of climbing in your spare time?¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°You¡¯d be surprised.¡± Aria shook her head, muttering something about reckless habits, but before she could say more, a sharp cracking sound split the air. They both froze. ¡°What was that?¡± Aria whispered. Kaelin turned her head, scanning the rock face. Then she saw it ¨C a thin fracture running through the stone just above them. And it was widening. ¡°Move!¡± she shouted, pushing off the ledge just as the section of rock broke away. It crashed downward, taking several handholds with it. The impact sent a tremor through the wall, causing more debris to loosen. Aria yelped as a chunk of stone struck her shoulder. She clung to the rock, breathing hard. ¡°This is officially the worst day of my life.¡± That was no understatement. Aria¡¯s shoulder dripped wit blood, a chunk of flesh above the triceps was hanging off slightly. Blood gushing. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, just focus on getting to the top.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t argue. They had to keep moving. Aria reached out to a root and had it wrap around her arm like a thick tendril. It held the flesh in place and prevented as much blood loss as she could. The next stretch was brutal. Their arms ached, their legs trembled, and every muscle burned with the effort. At one point, Kaelin nearly lost her grip when a foothold crumbled beneath her. Aria lunged, grabbing her wrist just in time. They hung there for a breathless moment before Kaelin scrambled back into place, nodding her thanks. Despite the near miss, they pushed onward, inching closer to the top. The sunlight grew stronger, the opening widening into what looked like the surface. With a final push, Kaelin hauled herself over the edge, collapsing onto solid ground. She turned, reaching down to grab Aria¡¯s hand and pull her up beside her. They both lay there, panting, staring up at the sky. Aria groaned. ¡°I¡¯m never going underground again.¡± Kaelin laughed breathlessly. ¡°You say that now.¡± They stayed there a moment longer, letting the tension drain from their limbs. Then, slowly, Kaelin sat up, taking in their surroundings. They had emerged onto a rocky plateau, the ruins now hidden beneath them. In the distance, she could make out the distant silhouette of their original entry point. Aria sat up beside her, rubbing her arms. ¡°We should head back to Elric before he sends a search party.¡± Kaelin nodded but hesitated, glancing back toward the crevasse. Something about all of this still didn¡¯t sit right with her. ¡°This place is ancient,¡± she murmured. ¡°But it¡¯s barely been studied. Why did it take so long for anyone to find these ruins?¡± Aria frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kaelin gestured around them. ¡°Think about it. This isn¡¯t some random pile of rocks. There are symbols here that no one recognizes. Right out in the open. How has this never been noticed before?¡± Aria followed her gaze. ¡°You¡¯re just being overly skeptical, we¡¯re out in the middle of no-where. The world is vast, it¡¯ll be ages before they¡¯re all found.¡± Kaelin exhaled slowly. ¡°I dunno. I have a feeling something more is going on.¡± Aria rolled her eyes. ¡°Come on. Stop theorizing and get back to reality. We need to get moving.¡± Kaelin stood, dusting herself off. ¡°I guess we should get back. But¡­ I think we need to come here again. With someone who studies ancient history, maybe they¡¯ll be able to make some sense of this.¡± Aria groaned. ¡°You just love trouble, don¡¯t you?¡± Kaelin grinned. ¡°It keeps life interesting.¡± They turned toward the ruins, making a beeline for their camp, the weight of the discovery lingering in the air behind them. No matter what sort of secrets these ruins held, Kaelin had to find out. Chapter 31 – A Discovery Chapter 31 ¨C A Discovery Kaelin and Aria trudged across the rocky expanse, the weight of their discovery still settling in. The sun had shifted in the sky, casting long shadows over the landscape. The climb had left both of them exhausted, but the urgency to return to Elric kept them moving. Every step was a reminder of their ordeal underground ¨C the dust in their lungs, the scrape of stone against their palms, the eerie silence of the ruins. As they neared their original entry point, Kaelin spotted a familiar figure pacing anxiously near the edge of entrance to the main set of ruins. Elric. Even from a distance, his tension was palpable. His usual composed demeanour had cracked, revealing an uncharacteristic restlessness. The moment he saw them, he rushed forward, his face a mix of relief and frustration. "By God, you¡¯re alive!" he exclaimed, stopping just short of grabbing Kaelin by the shoulders. His sharp eyes scanned them both, checking for injuries. "What in all the heavens were you thinking? I turn around for one moment, and you vanish into the depths of who-knows-where!" Aria raised an eyebrow, brushing dust off her sleeves. "It wasn¡¯t exactly planned. The floor decided it didn¡¯t like us." Elric pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. "You¡¯re both fortunate you didn¡¯t end up buried beneath the ruins. Do you have any idea how worried I was?" His gaze softened slightly as he studied them again, as if ensuring they were truly standing before him and not some illusion. Kaelin shifted, glancing at Aria before speaking. "We found something. There was this large chamber with 3 statues. Two of them were smaller but they were all human-like. I¡¯m thinking it might be another religion from around the time. Were there any others back then? Oh and there were also some symbols.¡± Elric¡¯s brows furrowed. "No¡­ The church of Achelous has been the only religion in the continent for at least the last few millennia. It must be something else. What kind of symbols were they?¡± Kaelin hesitated. She wasn¡¯t sure how much she should reveal just yet. She pulled the bag off her shoulders and revealed a notebook. She carefully flicked to the page she had written on the larger statue. Making sure not to reveal any others. ¡°I found this line inscribed next to the statues. Any ideas?¡± Elric took the book from her hands, his expression shifting from concern to fascination. He read over it a few times, trying to make something of it. "This language¡­ it¡¯s archaic, but it seems similar to the runes we¡¯ve found elsewhere. This is what the order of mages used," he murmured. "Where exactly did you find these?" Kaelin crossed her arms. "In the chamber beneath the ruins. The statues each had a plaque on the bottom.¡± Kaelin thought about what to say about the others briefly, ¡°The largest one was the only one with anything on it. But whatever this place was, it was built to last, it¡¯s been millennia since anyone¡¯s been down there. And someone, a long time ago, must have written this, wanting it to be found.¡± Elric¡¯s grip on the book tightened. "This could be a monumental discovery. If we can translate this, we might uncover something lost to history." Kaelin nodded, feigning a casual tone. "I was hoping to study them in my free time. Maybe I can help decipher some of it." Elric regarded her for a long moment before sighing. "I suppose you¡¯ve earned that right. I¡¯ll need to make a copy for the board but be careful with it. Should you find out what it says, tell any of the professors immediately. Is that clear?¡± ¡°Yes, thank you very much sir!¡± The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Kaelin nodded, tucking her notebook away in her pack. She had no intention of letting all the knowledge slip through her fingers. She would study it, yes ¨C but she had another plan in mind. Aric. If anyone could make sense of them, it was him. She just had to find the right way to ask without revealing too much. ¡°Also, what happened to the books which were on the pedestal?¡± Kaelin asked curiously. ¡°Those? I had assumed they were yours, so I kept them safe. Here you go. Don¡¯t worry, I didn¡¯t read them.¡± Eldric said, a subtle wink shot her way. ¡°No not, not at all! That was what I first wanted to show you. They were sitting atop the pedestal when we arrived. I thought they might be of note.¡± Kaelin said as she took them into her hands. ¡°I¡¯ll give them into Aric when we get back. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be able to help us figure out what they are.¡± ¡°WHA- Oh¡­ Ok. They are yours to keep. As is the law, finders keepers. But please do consider donating them to the architecture core. As you should know, you are only given a week to research them yourself before they must be handed over.¡± ¡°What? I thought I owned them?¡± Kaelin said inquisitively. ¡°Well of course they still belong to you. With any texts found in a ruin, the Royal Architecture core is allowed to¡­ seize them for up to a month, one week after they were first found. This is all to prevent people from hoarding knowledge and the likes.¡± Elric straightened, running a hand through his hair. "We¡¯ll need to report these to the academy though. They¡¯ll want a team here to secure the site before treasure hunters catch wind of it." Aria groaned. "So, what you¡¯re saying is, we¡¯re about to be buried in a mountain of scholars with magnifying glasses and zero sense of adventure." Elric gave her a dry look. "If by that you mean experts who won¡¯t go falling through the floor, and almost dying, I might add, then yes." Kaelin smirked, slinging her pack over her shoulder. "We should get moving before the sun sets. I¡¯d rather not spend the night out here." Elric nodded, his expression still heavy with thought as he carefully tucked the book under his arm. "Agreed. Let¡¯s head back. And Kaelin?" She looked up. "Don¡¯t go running off again. Next time, I might not be able to find you." Kaelin gave him a cheeky grin. "I¡¯ll try my best." As they began their trek back, the weight of their discovery settled in. Kaelin had a feeling this was just the beginning. The ruins had given up some of their secrets, but not all. And she intended to uncover the rest ¨C one way or another. In an attempt to break the silence, Kaelin spoke up snarkily, ¡°But for the record, you didn¡¯t find us. We found you.¡± *** Upon arriving at the academy, it was already past midnight. Saturday had ended, and the new school-week had just begun. Kaelin headed straight to her room and put the ¡°newly found¡± books on her desk. Good. At least the books are legal now. I should go about seeing Aric tomorrow. I¡¯m sure the ¡°Royal Building Society¡± or whatever pretentious name they went under could be stopped by him. I don¡¯t even want to think about what they might do if they realised that I¡¯ve had access to these¡­ these god awful books. I can¡¯t let the country get a hold of them. They¡¯ll surely use these to ¡°benefit¡± the country in some way or another. Kaelin checked for her spare notebooks under her mattress. The ones she had re-written the spells in. They were all accounted for. Perfect. I can hand these in and see what Aric has to say about it. While I¡¯m there I should ask about the symbols. He might have something to say. Ooh and maybe he¡¯ll let me learn something new! Kaelin stayed up for two further hours into the night in an effort to understand the runes she had noted down in her book, but she was unable to find any correlation. It was like a code, where each word might have had a different key to decipher it. Before she knew it, it was morning. A streak of light shone through a crack in the luxurious blue curtains, causing her face to glow a bright white. Kaelin sat up in her chair and stretched. She felt a constant ache in her lower back, a side effect of sleeping awkwardly at her desk. Looking down at her research from the night before, she decided to get back to work before Lena came over to grab her. Better freshen up first. Can¡¯t be walking around in the same dusty clothes I was yesterday. When Kaelin finally got to work, she¡¯d noticed something. In all of the symbols for each magic type, there was some continuity. At the right side of the symbols, you could see a line down and to the left, with another line placed just below. And she found the same thing by the other symbols. Although it was possible for it to be some sort of language structure which was used next to a single character sentence, it was much more likely to be the part which dictated Magic. ¡°Kaelin!¡± Lena shouted from behind her door. All this pointed to two brand new ¨C or more likely old ¨C magic types. Kaelin had so many questions, but she was about to be late, so this could wait ¡®till later. Chapter 32 - Avoidance Chapter 32 - Avoidance The academy was alive with its usual weekday bustle ¨C students moving between classes, instructors calling out reminders about upcoming exams, and the constant hum of conversation filling the hallways. The scent of parchment, ink, and teen boys filled the air, mingling with the sound of hurried footsteps and the occasional burst of laughter. The academy had always been busy, but today, it felt suffocating. Kaelin kept her head down, moving swiftly through the corridors, trying to blend into the sea of students. She wasn¡¯t in the mood for small talk. More specifically, she wasn¡¯t in the mood for Lena. Ever since she¡¯d returned from the ruins, she had this gnawing feeling in her chest that wouldn¡¯t go away. It wasn¡¯t just the discovery of ancient symbols or the unsettling knowledge that something had kept those ruins hidden for so long, nor was it the word shattering knowledge that there could be magic types other than the 4 that the world knew of today¡­ It was Lena and Zephyr. The thought of them together made something twist inside her, something she didn¡¯t want to analyse too closely. She¡¯d thought she¡¯d be fine with it. She should be fine with it. But no matter how much she reasoned with herself, it still felt like something hurt inside. It was probably that Zephyr had basically stolen Lena away from her. They¡¯d known each other since they were born. Their mothers had been friends since they were kids. This was a multi-generational friendship which had been taken away in a mere few months. Yea, that was it. She spotted them in the courtyard between morning lectures. Lena and Zephyr were sitting together on one of the stone benches, their heads bent in quiet conversation. Lena¡¯s expression was soft, her usual enthusiasm dialled down to something gentler, something Kaelin had never seen her wear so easily. And Zephyr ¨C Zephyr was actually smiling, something rare enough to make Kaelin¡¯s stomach tighten. Kaelin quickly ducked behind a group of students before either of them could notice her. It wasn¡¯t that she was mad at Lena. She wasn¡¯t even mad at Zephyr. But something about seeing them together made her stomach churn in a way she couldn¡¯t quite explain. It was easier to avoid it altogether. She spent the next few hours carefully slipping through the academy, ensuring she never crossed paths with either of them. She lingered longer in classrooms before leaving, taking different hallways than usual, avoiding communal areas she knew they liked to frequent. It felt ridiculous, like she was running from some kind of confrontation that wasn¡¯t even real. But every time she almost turned a corner and saw them, every time she heard Lena¡¯s voice mixed with Zephyr¡¯s, she felt that same twisting in her gut. By the time lunchtime rolled around, she had had enough of weaving through the academy like a thief avoiding capture. She skipped the dining hall entirely, her appetite non-existent, and made her way toward one of the smaller study rooms at the edge of campus. The place was mostly empty ¨C students preferred the main library or the open courtyards to work. Here, it was quiet. Isolated. She set out her notes on the runes she had copied from the ruins, forcing herself to focus. But her mind kept wandering. Why does this even bother me so much? If it¡¯s all really about Me and Lena¡¯s friendship, I should be happy for her! It¡¯s not like I had some grand plan to date Zephyr or anything. Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. She shook her head, gripping the edge of the desk. Maybe it was just the way things were changing. Maybe that was all this was. It wasn¡¯t about Zephyr. It wasn¡¯t about Lena, not really. It was just ¨C before, it had always been her and Lena. Just the two of them, facing whatever the academy threw their way. And now, suddenly, there was someone else. Someone who mattered more. She rubbed her temple, frustrated with herself. This was stupid. Childish. She needed to get over it. A knock at the door startled her, and she froze. For a moment, she thought it might be Lena, but when the door cracked open, it was only another student peeking in to see if the room was free. Kaelin sighed in relief and returned to her work, ignoring the heavy feeling in her chest. *** The rest of the day passed in a blur of classes and training. Kaelin spent most of it keeping to herself, answering only when spoken to, and making sure she was always just a little too far away for Lena to reach her. She skipped the usual sparring rounds after class, citing an injury to avoid getting paired with Zephyr. She didn¡¯t sit in her usual spot in lecture halls, instead choosing a seat near the back where she could vanish into the background. By the time evening arrived, she felt drained, both from the effort of studying and from the weight of everything she was trying not to think about. Kaelin exhaled slowly, rubbing her temples as she shut the book in front of her. The symbols and their possible meanings swam in her vision, exhaustion making it impossible to focus. She needed more time, more research ¨C but that would have to wait. Right now, she had more immediate problems. Like avoiding Lena and Zephyr. She had been careful all day, timing her movements so she wouldn¡¯t run into them. The moment Lena had knocked on her door that morning, Kaelin had shoved her notes under her bed and excused herself, claiming she had urgent business to attend to. It wasn¡¯t that she wasn¡¯t happy for them. She was ¨C or at least, she told herself she was. Lena had been so excited when she confessed her feelings, and Kaelin had even encouraged her to go through with it. But now that it had happened, now that they were together, something about it just made Kaelin¡¯s stomach twist uncomfortably. She sighed, shaking her head as she paced her dorm room. It was fine. She¡¯d adjust. She always did. A soft knock at her door made her freeze. ¡°Kaelin?¡± Lena. Kaelin hesitated. She could pretend she was asleep, but Lena knew her too well for that to work. If she didn¡¯t answer, Lena would just come back later. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile onto her face and opened the door. Lena stepped in, closing the door behind her. She looked hesitant, as if sensing Kaelin¡¯s mood. ¡°I, uh¡­ I didn¡¯t see you much today.¡± Kaelin shrugged, moving to sit on the edge of her bed. ¡°Had things to do.¡± Lena studied her, then sat beside her. ¡°Kaelin, are you okay?¡± ¡°Yea, I¡¯m just a bit tired.¡± ¡°You¡¯re a terrible liar.¡± Kaelin forced a laugh. ¡°I¡¯m fine, really. Just busy with¨C¡° She gestured vaguely toward the books on her desk. ¡°You know, studying, some stuff I found in the ruins yesterday, all that fun stuff.¡± Lena didn¡¯t look convinced. She was quiet for a moment before she sighed and leaned back on her hands. ¡°I wanted to talk to you about Zephyr.¡± Kaelin stiffened but nodded. ¡°Yeah?¡± Lena smiled, though there was a nervous edge to it. ¡°He¡¯s¡­ different than I expected. I mean, I knew he was confident, but I think I thought he¡¯d be more, I don¡¯t know¡­ forward?¡± She shook her head. ¡°He¡¯s actually really shy when it comes to this sort of thing.¡± Kaelin raised a brow. ¡°Zephyr? Shy?¡± ¡°I know, right?¡± Lena laughed softly. ¡°It¡¯s kind of cute, actually. Like, he tries to act all composed, but when I held his hand earlier, he nearly tripped over his own feet.¡± Kaelin snorted despite herself. That was hard to imagine. Zephyr, the ever-unshaken, effortlessly talented mage, tripping over something as simple as hand-holding? Lena glanced at her, smile faltering. ¡°Are you really okay with this?¡± Kaelin forced a smile. ¡°Why wouldn¡¯t I be? You¡¯re my best friend. If you¡¯re happy, I¡¯m happy.¡± Lena frowned. ¡°You don¡¯t have to fake it.¡± Kaelin hesitated, then sighed. ¡°I guess¡­ I just feel like things are changing too fast.¡± Lena squeezed her hand. ¡°I¡¯ll always be here.¡± Kaelin nodded, but as Lena left, the feeling of loss still lingered in her heart. Chapter 34 - Suspicion Chapter 34 - Suspicion Kaelin moved swiftly through the dimly lit corridors of the academy, her satchel pressed tightly against her side. The weight of its contents felt disproportionate to mere books ¨C these tomes carried the weight of secrets, their implications vast and unsettling. The ruins had yielded more than just fragments of history; they had exposed knowledge long buried, possibly erased from the annals of magical study. Her hope was that Aric could help her understand something more. She reached his study and knocked firmly. The door swung open almost instantly, as though he had anticipated her arrival. "Kaelin," Aric greeted, his eyes sharp as they scanned her tense posture. "You look troubled." She stepped inside, glancing briefly at the numerous scrolls and aged manuscripts that lay scattered across his desk. The room smelled of parchment and candle wax, the fire in the hearth casting elongated shadows across the bookshelves. The walls bore inscriptions of modern spell-work, diagrams, and quotes that most students never even glimpsed. Wasting no time, Kaelin withdrew the books from her satchel and placed them on his desk. "As you know I¡¯m a part of the ¡°Archaeology Society¡±, and during our outing on Saturday¡­ I found these." she stated, her voice steady despite the excitement bubbling beneath the surface. "In there, are some quite impressive spells, along with some which would probably get someone arrested if they used them. And then there were these¨C ¡° She unfolded a separate parchment, revealing the runic symbols she had meticulously transcribed. "There were three statues in some chamber. This sentence here was inscribed beneath the largest statue in the ruins and the two smaller ones had these symbols under them. These symbols¨C ¡° Kaelin stopped for a moment. She contemplated her choices before continuing. ¡°I found them elsewhere as well. They were carved into the walls of an earlier room. Next to them were the runes along with symbols for each of the magic types ¨C Mind, Nature, Essence and Time. If you look here,¡± Kaelin said, pointing to the latter half of each of the magic symbols. ¡°You see this same piece repeating. But it¡¯s only ever with the magic runes, none of the symbols in this sentence have any similarity.¡± Aric nodded along as she explained her thoughts. ¡°Hmmm, let me take a better look at it in my own time. Maybe I¡¯ll be able to find something?¡± While Aric¡¯s words said good, his tone seemed concerned. ¡°Thanks a lot.¡± Aric took the parchment of runes in his hand. ¡°Hmmm, that one¡¯s new¡­¡± He muttered, looking at the snake. ¡°Do you know what this is called?¡± Aric didn¡¯t wait for an answer. ¡°This is an Ouroboros. It¡¯s commonly depicted as a snake or dragon eating its own tail. Ouroboros in Elden Script means ¡®Tail-eater¡¯ Fitting, isn¡¯t it?¡± Aric looked like a fanatic as he said this. ¡°It is said to symbolise the eternal cycle of life, death and renewal. How no matter what. Our fate leads us to death. And after that, to the praise of Achelous, we are born again.¡± Aric said this placing the parchment on the table, putting his hands together, looking to the ground, praying. Looking up, his expression darkened slightly as he reached for the topmost tome. His fingers traced its worn leather cover with an almost reverent caution before he began flipping through its fragile pages. His gaze moved methodically, absorbing the unfamiliar script and the diagrams that adorned its margins. The flickering candlelight reflected off his eyes, making his intent focus seem even more piercing. "Sorry, where exactly did you say you found these?" he asked, his voice controlled but edged with curiosity. Kaelin hesitated only briefly. "I didn¡¯t, but in the main room up above, the underground section, there was a lone pedestal in the centre. On the top of it were the books. It was right at the predestal where Aria and I fell.¡± Aric exhaled slowly and deliberately, shutting the book with a muted thud. "This knowledge is dangerous, Kaelin. You know about the Royal Archaeology Core right? We can¡¯t let them get a hold of it. Since they¡¯re in cahoots with The Royals, the information would go straight to the militaryWould you mind if I kept these? If I held owneships You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Kaelin¡¯s heart pounded. "Which is precisely why they should be examined. What if these symbols represent a lost school of magic? What if they were erased not because they were dangerous, but because someone wanted them forgotten?" Aric studied her intently before exhaling through his nose. With measured movements, he pulled the books closer to him. "I will need time to examine these thoroughly." Kaelin¡¯s fingers twitched at her sides. "You¡¯re confiscating them?" Aric¡¯s expression remained unreadable. "I am ensuring they are studied with the caution they demand. You don¡¯t yet understand the full implications of what you¡¯ve found. Some knowledge is buried for a reason." Irritation flared within her. "I can handle this. I¡¯ve already started deciphering some of the symbols¡ª" "Which is exactly my concern," Aric interjected, his voice firm but not unkind. "Your intelligence is not in question. But wisdom comes from experience, and you lack that. There are forces at play beyond your comprehension. Trust my judgment. When I have assessed the significance of these findings, I will share what is necessary." Kaelin¡¯s jaw tightened. She could feel herself being shut out, yet she knew pressing the issue further would accomplish nothing. Instead, she nodded stiffly. "Fine. But don¡¯t keep me in the dark." Aric regarded her for a long moment before inclining his head. "I wouldn¡¯t dream of it." Yet as she turned and left his study, unease settled in her stomach. His words had been carefully chosen, his reactions too measured. He knew more than he was letting on. And Kaelin had no intention of waiting idly for answers. Kaelin¡¯s fingers traced the parchment where she had carefully copied the ancient runes, her thoughts churning with a mix of excitement and unease. The flickering candlelight cast shifting shadows across her desk, making the symbols seem almost alive. She had spent hours studying them, trying to decipher their meaning, but the more she stared, the more questions surfaced. Aric¡¯s words echoed in her mind ¨C__________ That revelation had sent shivers down her spine. If it was truly forbidden, why had she found traces of it hidden beneath the academy? She leaned back, exhaling slowly. The academy had always felt vast and full of secrets, but now it seemed different. Kaelin constantly felt unsettled. Like the professors knew she was poking around and were out to get her. If these magics had been known about so long ago, why was this the only place it was seen? Why hadn¡¯t there been other records? All the other types popped up everywhere in old texts and the runes for them were well known because of it. Her gaze flicked toward the window. The academy grounds were bathed in the silver glow of the moon, the usual bustle of students replaced by an eerie stillness. She should be in bed. Most of the academy was. But sleep wouldn¡¯t come. Not with all these questions gnawing at her mind. Kaelin¡¯s fingers tightened around the parchment before she decisively rolled it up and tucked it into her satchel. There hadn¡¯t been any leads in the library, and Aric warned against searching by herself. Should she just listen? What does it matter to her if there are new magic types which no one had seen in a few thousand years? Anyway, Aric said he would start teaching her something new. Maybe she should focus on that first. Who am I kidding. I couldn¡¯t stop if I tried. *** Kaelin took the chance to visit the training grounds, hoping to take her mind off things. The training grounds were deserted at this late hour, the vast stone courtyard bathed in pale moonlight. There was still one person present. Zephyr. He was at the gym section on the far end of the area doing pull ups. His broad, muscular black glistened with sweat. As Kaelin got closer, she hear him speaking to himself. ¡°Six fifty-five. Six fifty-six, Six fifty-seven.¡± He went up for another, but his arms wouldn¡¯t let him. Zephyr tutted before mumbling to himself, writing something down in a note pad. ¡°Six fifty-seven. Could be better¡­¡± Kaelin crept up behind him, hoping to give him a shock. Kaelin shouted put her hands on his shoulder and shouted, ¡°BOO!¡± Zephyr didn¡¯t even flinch, he turned to face her, muscles bulging. ¡°Oh hey, surprised to see you here at this time¡­ What time is it anyway?¡± ¡°It¡¯s almost midnight. And I come here all the time thank you very much!¡± Kaelin said defensively. Zephyr replied sarcastically. ¡°Oh do you? Don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever seen it. Must be when I¡¯m not here.¡± ¡°Just shut it already!¡± Kaelin shouted back. Zephyr stared at her inquisitively, seemingly deciding whether to ask or not. ¡°Why are you looking at me like that?¡± Kaelin asked. Zephyr thought for a second before asking. ¡°Why are you here? You¡¯ve never come to the gym at night before. You always go in the day, at the most it¡¯s just after dinner but never this late. Is something up?¡± Kaelin stopped. How¡¯d he know? I thought I was being pretty discreet about it. "No, nothing¡¯s up¡­ Just couldn¡¯t sleep.¡± Zephyr dismissed her answer immediately. ¡°Stop lying, you aren¡¯t very good at it.¡± ¡°¡­¡± Kaelin said nothing. ¡°Come on, you can¡¯t take the world on alone.¡± ¡°Fine. I found some stuff in the ruins which is putting me off. Come here same time tomorrow and I¡¯ll show you.¡± ¡°I¡¯m always here, eleven till one.¡± Zephyr said, excitedly. ¡°Promise me you won¡¯t tell Lena though. She can¡¯t know about it! I don¡¯t want her getting involved.¡± Kaelin replied worriedly. ¡°I won¡¯t tell her, don¡¯t worry.¡± ¡°Promise me!¡± ¡°I promise I won¡¯t tell her. I don¡¯t want her in danger any more than you do. After their exchange, they both went back to working out. At one in the morning, Zephyr left. But Kaelin kept going, she couldn¡¯t sleep with all this swirling around in her head. As the night deepened, Kaelin stood on the stone, lost in thought. Then, some movement caught her eye. She stiffened, staring out into the night to get a better look. A lone figure moved through the courtyard, pausing occasionally as if checking for something ¨C or someone. Kaelin¡¯s breath hitched. It was Aric. Chapter 35 – Belief Chapter 35 ¨C Belief The next day, Kaelin arrived at the gym around 10PM, but Zephyr wasn¡¯t there so she started working out. Today was legs, her warmup was fairly tame, lunges and stretches dominating most of the first half an hour before she moved onto her proper sets. For the main event, she went for a healthy dosage of squats, deadlifts and split squats. By the time Zephyr arrived, she was halfway through the workout. ¡°Hey Kaelin, how long have you been here?¡± Zephyr called out from across the courtyard. ¡°Only an hour don¡¯t worry. I was starting to think you might not be coming though.¡± ¡°So what¡¯ve you got to tell me?¡± Zephyr asked inquisitively. ¡°Look. This is big. It changes almost everything you might know.¡± ¡°Oh shut up and tell me. I don¡¯t need any of this bullshit. Stop trying to drag it.¡± ¡°Fine.¡± Kaelin sighed as she wobbled over to Zephyr. Her legs weak from the exercise. Once she made it over the low wall surrounding the gym, she placed her notes down on top and jumped up. ¡°Come on, take a seat. You might need it.¡± Zephyr jumped up on the other side of the paper. ¡°What¡¯s this then?¡± Kaelin¡¯s notes rested between them. The runes were laid out across the top one. All of her findings were spread throughout the pages. ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± Zephyr muttered, flipping through the pages. ¡°I said I didn¡¯t want any bullshit. There¡¯s no way this is true!¡± Kaelin nodded, her fingers tracing the symbols. ¡°Trust me, I found these underground in the ruins. There¡¯s no way I would lie about something like this.¡± ¡°Look I don¡¯t know what¡¯s happened between you and Lena but you can¡¯t just try to trick me with all this. What were you gonna do if I¡¯d believed you? What was the point? There isn¡¯t a single thing my belief could¡¯ve got you. Is this a test? Were you seeing if I¡¯d tell Lena? There¡¯s gotta be something real. I said I wouldn¡¯t tell her!¡± ¡°Nah, this is it. Look, I wouldn¡¯t lie to you. I have some other theories too if you want to see them. I only wrote down my research here in case someone found them. My ideas are all stored up here,¡± Kaelin said, pointing to her temple with a grin. ¡°I really don¡¯t need this right now. Just don¡¯t¡¯ talk to me until you¡¯ve got all this figured out. Get a grip Kaelin.¡± ¡°Stop, I¡¯m telling the truth! You¡¯ve got to believe me! I have some more proof!¡± ¡°Do you? Are you sure, absolutely, 100% sure about this?¡± ¡°If I¡¯m being honest, no. But I think its pretty likely. When I showed this to Aric, he gave away something big.¡± ¡°Go on¡­¡± Zephyr ushered lightly. ¡°Well¡­ Basically, when he took a look at them, he said nothing to the Ouroboros but for the star he said he hadn¡¯t seen it before. I might be going crazy, but surely that means he¡¯d seen the snake previously. He knows something. This is all true, I¡¯m sure of it! Zephyr watched her carefully. ¡°Just stop trying to convince me. If you get some proper evidence, maybe I¡¯ll think about it. But right now? You¡¯re just speaking out of your arse. Someone might have just been down there graffitiing or something, you don¡¯t know. And about Aric, are you sure he wasn¡¯t just talking about either of them? Maybe he hadn¡¯t seen the Ouroboros before either.¡± Kaelin¡¯s grip tightened on the book. She wasn¡¯t sure. That really may have been the case. But it all felt right somehow. Something had resonated with her. ¡°Look, I don¡¯t have anything else, you just have to. Please!¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Zephyr turned and walked over to the gym to start his work out. Her jokes were starting to get to him. She sounded so insistent that it was true. What if¡­ no. Of course it isn¡¯t. There¡¯s no way this had been kept quiet for thousands of years. There would have at least been some kind of writing or literature with it... right? *** Kaelin returned to her dormitory straight away, exhaustion tugging at her limbs but her mind buzzing with possibilities. She sat by the window, the midnight sky was an inky black, while the moon glistened, illuminating the campus. Tracing the symbols once more, she drew them out over and over, half-hoping they might respond. If there had been ¡®new¡¯ magic hidden in history¡­ what else might be out there? She got up from her chair and looked around the room. Immediately, her eyes were pulled toward the corner of her room where an old trunk sat, untouched for months. A sudden, nagging feeling urged her forwards, and her vision was tinted orange, like it was being affected by magic. Kneeling beside it, she carefully lifted the lid and dug through its contents, feeling for the pull. She went through old notes, scraps of parchment, a few keepsakes from home. Then, her fingers brushed something unfamiliar. A folded piece of parchment, brittle with age. Slowly, she unfolded it. More runes sat at the top. But beneath them, a scrawled note in faded ink. They¡¯re lying to you. Don¡¯t trust Aric. Leave the runes for now, they¡¯ll make sense soon. A chill ran through Kaelin¡¯s spine. What the fuck. Kaelin thought. How long had this been here? What did it mean? Should she trust it? Why would she just forget about the magic? Too many questions. Kaelin was too engrossed in surprise to notice that both her vision had returned to normal, and the inherent pull she had felt was gone. There was no way Zephyr would believe her now. Maybe she should just come out and say it was a joke. Yea, that would be best. If he didn¡¯t trust her enough to believe her the first time, it wasn¡¯t worth chasing. Kaelin stared at the parchment, her breath shallow. The ink, though faded, still carried a sense of urgency, as if the writer had been desperate to get their message across. But who had written it? And why was it in her trunk? She had never seen this before, never placed it there ¨C yet somehow, it had been waiting for her. Her hands trembled as she folded the note back up. Had someone planted it? If so, why now? Was it a warning, or was it a trick? The words echoed in her head. They¡¯re lying to you. Don¡¯t trust Aric. She shoved the note into the pages of her journal and slammed the trunk shut. She needed to clear her head, to step away from the suffocating weight of uncertainty. Grabbing her coat, she left the dormitory, letting the frosty nights¡¯ air sting her cheeks. The campus grounds were nearly deserted at this hour, the occasional lantern casting elongated shadows across the cobbled pathways. As she wandered, her feet carried her back toward the gym, where Zephyr had gone to work out. Maybe he was still there. Maybe she could talk to him or at least watch him train. She¡¯d do anything to ground herself in something real. The rhythmic sound of fists striking a training dummy echoed through the gym. Kaelin lingered near the entrance, watching Zephyr as he moved with precise, almost mechanical focus. His muscles tensed and relaxed with each blow, his breathing measured. Even now, with no one to impress, he pushed himself. It was admirable. Frustrating, but admirable. Kaelin trudged across the academy grounds, her resolve hardening with each step. The previous night had left her restless, questions spiralling in her mind, but Zephyr had made it clear that he wouldn¡¯t entertain theories without solid proof. Maybe he was right. Maybe she had been grasping at straws. Maybe it was all just an elaborate coincidence. By the time she reached the training field where Zephyr often ended his days, she had settled on her course of action. If he wasn¡¯t going to believe her, then she¡¯d make it easier for him. She¡¯d pretend it was all a joke, that she had been messing with him the entire time. That way, he wouldn¡¯t dismiss her entirely in the future when she actually had something real. Zephyr was mid-stretch when she approached, his expression unreadable as she stood a few feet away, hands shoved into her pockets. The crisp morning air carried the scent of damp earth, and the faint mist that clung to the grass made everything feel quieter, more isolated. ¡°Hey,¡± she called casually. He gave her a sidelong glance, finishing his stretch before straightening. ¡°What do you want?¡± Kaelin rocked back on her heels, exhaling dramatically. ¡°Alright, alright, I admit it. I was messing with you.¡± Zephyr¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What?¡± ¡°The runes, the symbols, the secret magic,¡± she waved a hand dismissively. ¡°It was all just a joke. I thought it¡¯d be funny to see how long I could keep you hooked.¡± He studied her, eyes narrowing slightly. A silence stretched between them, the weight of it pressing against her ribs. The way he was looking at her ¨C it was like he could see straight through the words, peeling back layers she didn¡¯t even know were there. ¡°You¡¯re lying,¡± he said, voice low but sure. Kaelin smirked. ¡°Am I? Or are you just mad that you fell for it?¡± Zephyr crossed his arms, the muscles in his jaw tightening. ¡°That¡¯s a lot of effort for a joke.¡± ¡°What can I say? I get bored easily.¡± She shrugged, letting the grin linger, though inside, doubt gnawed at her. ¡°Just figured I¡¯d come clean before you started thinking I¡¯d lost my mind.¡± He didn¡¯t respond immediately, and for a moment, she thought he was going to press further, to demand the truth. But then he exhaled, shaking his head. ¡°You¡¯re ridiculous.¡± ¡°You love it.¡± She winked before turning on her heel. ¡°Later, Zeph.¡± As she walked away, she could feel his eyes on her back, but she didn¡¯t dare look. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe, if she stopped digging, she¡¯d stop seeing things that weren¡¯t there. Chapter 36 – Manipulation Chapter 36 ¨C Manipulation Zephyr leaned against the stone railing of the academy¡¯s inner courtyard, his thoughts still tangled from last night¡¯s conversation with Kaelin. The sun had risen higher now, casting long shadows over the walkways below. Aric stood beside him, scanning the empty grounds with a distant expression, his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°She gave up,¡± Zephyr said finally, his voice flat. Aric turned his head slightly, his face betraying no reaction. ¡°Did she?¡± ¡°She said it was all a joke.¡± Zephyr exhaled, running a hand through his hair. ¡°The symbols, the new magic, all of it. Just her messing with me.¡± Aric hummed in thought, his fingers tapping idly against the stone. ¡°Well that¡¯s good. She might not have been exactly right, but she wasn¡¯t far off.¡± Zephyr hesitated. He had expected to feel relief, but instead, there was an itch at the back of his mind that wouldn¡¯t go away. Kaelin had been too insistent before, too convinced. Now, she was brushing it off like it was nothing. It didn¡¯t add up. ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he admitted. ¡°She was too smug about it. Like she wanted me to believe it, even if it wasn¡¯t true.¡± Aric finally turned to face him, studying him with a calculating gaze. ¡°From my research, I¡¯ve learnt there used to be a group of mages who experimented on humans.¡± Zephyr frowned. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°The things they did¡­ they were awful¡­ inhumane. These experiments came to naught, yet still they tracked their progress in the now ruinous environments. Engravings on the walls. New symbols here and there. All that stuff about ¡®new magic¡¯ was just a coincidence. Nothing more, nothing less.¡± Aric continued, Zephyr intrigued. ¡°I¡¯d wager she still thinks she¡¯s onto something, either way I¡¯m glad she¡¯s given up trying to get you in on it. Now that she¡¯s on her own, she will let her guard down. If there is more to this, she will reveal it eventually.¡± Aric¡¯s voice was even, measured. ¡°Patience, Zephyr. If something is there, it will come to light in time.¡± Zephyr exhaled sharply. He hated waiting. He hated not knowing. But Aric had a point. If Kaelin had really given up, then there was nothing to worry about. And if she hadn¡¯t¡­ He glanced toward the academy halls, where Kaelin had disappeared earlier. Then she¡¯d eventually slip up. And he¡¯d be watching when she did. *** Kaelin spent the morning distracted, her thoughts drifting constantly back to Aric. The anticipation gnawed at her ¨C what would he teach her next? Would it be something groundbreaking? Something that would push her abilities further? She found herself glancing at the clock every few minutes, willing time to move faster. But the academy day stretched on at its usual, maddening pace. By the time lunch arrived, she was starving and restless. The cafeteria was bustling, filled with students eager for a break from their studies. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted meat filled the air, but Kaelin barely noticed it. She spotted Lena at their usual table near the far window and made her way over, sliding onto the bench beside her. The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Lena barely looked up from her plate, absently pushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she chewed. ¡°You look tense,¡± she noted after swallowing. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡± Kaelin hesitated, tapping her fingers against the wooden table. ¡°Nothing,¡± she said, though her mind was anything but quiet. ¡°Just¡­ thinking.¡± Lena smirked. ¡°Thinking? Is everything okay? That could be dangerous.¡± Before Kaelin could retort, Zephyr plopped down beside Lena, draping an arm over her shoulders in a casual, almost lazy manner. His other hand held an apple, which he bit into without a care. ¡°What¡¯s so dangerous?¡± he asked, mouth half-full. ¡°Kaelin thinking,¡± Lena supplied, grinning. Zephyr hummed as if considering the concept, then shot Kaelin a sideways glance. ¡°Yeah, that does sound risky.¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t shrug him off. ¡°You two are hilarious,¡± she deadpanned. ¡°Truly, I¡¯m honoured to be in the presence of such comedic geniuses.¡± Zephyr squeezed her shoulder lightly before pulling back, but he didn¡¯t move far. If anything, he seemed content to stay close, listening as Kaelin and Lena fell into easy conversation. They talked about the end of year exams coming up, the latest rumours about which professors were the toughest graders, and the ongoing rivalry between two of the academy¡¯s most competitive student duelling clubs. Kaelin found herself easing into the moment, momentarily forgetting her earlier restlessness. It helped that Lena was animated as always, her hands moving expressively as she spoke. Zephyr, for his part, followed along, a flicker of amusement in his gaze every time Lena got particularly passionate about a topic. ¡°So,¡± Lena said, nudging Kaelin¡¯s foot under the table, ¡°you¡¯re being weirdly quiet. Spill it. What¡¯s actually on your mind?¡± Kaelin hesitated. She couldn¡¯t exactly tell Lena everything, not yet. But she could skirt the truth. ¡°Just¡­ feeling stuck,¡± she admitted. ¡°Like I¡¯m waiting for something to happen, but it never does.¡± Zephyr, who had been lazily spinning his apple on the table, finally spoke. ¡°Waiting won¡¯t do anything. If you want something to happen, make it happen.¡± Kaelin gave him a flat look. ¡°That¡¯s a very Zephyr thing to say.¡± ¡°Because I¡¯m right.¡± He smirked, popping another bite of apple into his mouth. ¡°And you know it.¡± Lena laughed. ¡°He¡¯s got a point. But if you need something to shake things up, we could sneak into Professor Aric¡¯s office.¡± Kaelin snorted. ¡°No thanks, I¡¯d rather not spend a week cleaning the bathrooms as punishment.¡± Lena leaned in, grinning. ¡°Fine, but at least let¡¯s do something fun. Maybe sneak into the alchemy lab and see what happens when we mix volatile ingredients?¡± Zephyr snickered. ¡°That¡¯s how people lose their heads.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Lena said, unbothered. ¡°A worthy sacrifice for the pursuit of knowledge. Though in Kaelin¡¯s case, we wouldn¡¯t lose much.¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes again, but she couldn¡¯t help the small smile tugging at her lips. ¡°You two are ridiculous.¡± Zephyr, instead of answering, simply stretched his arms behind his head, his gaze still lingering on Lena. Eventually, lunch ended, and Kaelin parted ways with them. She spent the afternoon at the archaeology society with Aria, though their meeting was mostly casual conversation. Despite being surrounded by books and maps detailing the history of magic and the kingdom, Kaelin found it difficult to focus. Her thoughts kept drifting to Aric, to the possibilities of what he might teach her next. She longed for something concrete ¨C something that would prove she wasn¡¯t just spinning her wheels. By the time evening arrived, she was itching to burn off some restless energy. At nine, she made her way to the gym, throwing herself into training. The repetitive movements helped clear her head, her body moving on autopilot as she worked through her drills. Sweat dripped down her back as she practiced strikes and dodges, her mind momentarily freed from its constant overanalysing. There was something soothing about the way her body fell into rhythm, muscle memory taking over where conscious thought left off. Time passed in a blur, and before she knew it, the clock read eleven. She wiped sweat from her brow, gathering her things. Just as she turned toward the exit, she caught sight of Zephyr walking through the courtyard. He hadn¡¯t noticed her yet, but she knew if she stayed, an awkward conversation was inevitable. He had a way of seeing through her moods, of picking up on things she wasn¡¯t ready to talk about. And right now, she didn¡¯t have the energy to pretend she wasn¡¯t waiting for something ¨C something she wasn¡¯t even sure she could put into words. Not in the mood to deal with that, Kaelin jumped the wall and fled. The breeze carried a hint of rain, the sky thick with clouds that swallowed the stars. She inhaled deeply, letting the fresh air fill her lungs. Maybe tomorrow would bring the answers she was looking for. For now, she just needed to breathe. Chapter 37 – Loneliness Chapter 37 ¨C Loneliness Kaelin had noticed the shift between Lena and Zephyr long before either of them had the courage to say anything aloud. It was subtle, manifesting in lingering glances, in the way their personal space blurred as if an invisible thread had drawn them closer. It wasn¡¯t obvious, in fact most people probably wouldn¡¯t have picked up on it. But Kaelin had spent enough time in their company to recognize the undercurrents beneath the surface. They were together now, officially. Not that the distinction mattered. The dynamic between them had changed, leaving Kaelin on the periphery, an observer rather than a participant. She told herself it didn''t matter, that she had no reason to care. But as the days passed, the feeling gnawed at her, an unshakeable feeling that something had changed at a fundamental level. Lena still smiled at her the same way, still tried to involve her in the same harebrained schemes, but it was impossible to ignore how her attention always seemed to drift back to Zephyr. Inside jokes that had once been shared between the three of them had, at some point, evolved into something exclusive to just the two. Zephyr, for his part, remained unchanged ¨C still insufferably confident, still naturally gifted at everything he attempted, still unreadable when he chose to be. But when he looked at Lena, there was something softer in his expression, something Kaelin had never seen directed at herself. That was fine. It wasn¡¯t like she had wanted that from him. The very idea was absurd. She pushed the thought away as she navigated the academy halls, weaving through the clusters of students buzzing with anxious energy. The upcoming End of Year exams dominated every conversation, whispers filled with speculation and dread. If you failed these tests, your time at the academy was over. In the world of magic, a failed student of the Royal Magic Academy has a worse time than someone who never made it in at all. By the time she reached the homeroom, most of the seats were already occupied. Her gaze instinctively flickered toward the back of the room, where Lena and Zephyr sat with their heads tilted toward one another, their conversation laced with quiet laughter. Kaelin hesitated. For a fleeting moment, she considered joining them. But then Lena reached out, her fingers brushing Zephyr¡¯s wrist in a casual yet intimate gesture, and something in Kaelin recoiled. Instead, she took a seat near the middle of the room, schooling her expression into something impassive. A familiar sensation curled in her chest ¨C not quite jealousy, but a hollow ache, a reminder of how easily things changed. They hadn¡¯t abandoned her, not exactly, but she could feel the distance stretching between them, widening with every shared moment she wasn¡¯t a part of. Professor Alden entered a moment later, his mere presence suffocating the remaining whispers. Known for his ruthless pragmatism, he wasted no time, dropping a stack of parchment onto the desk with a dull thud. ¡°The End of Year exams will take place in two weeks,¡± he announced without preamble. ¡°This year, they will be conducted in teams of two.¡± A ripple of murmurs swept through the room. Kaelin barely registered them, her mind already whirring. Teams of two? That was unusual. The academy prided itself on fostering both individual, and team strength. Being tested in a group too large for solitary growth, and too small for proper strategies and teamwork seemed like a waste of time. Alden continued, unfazed by the shift in atmosphere. ¡°Your partners have been assigned by your homeroom instructors based on compatability. Or in this case, lack thereof. For you all, the person who did the choosing¡­ was me. There will be no appeals, no switching.¡± He lifted the list and began reading off names. Kaelin forced her breath to remain steady. Where would she go? She hadn¡¯t had much contact with the other people in her class since the beginning of the year. The majority of them had tried their best to stay away, and the rest had succeeded. Any of them was as likely as the other, unless¡­ Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. ¡°Kaelin Crown and Kana Elysion.¡± The words landed like a punch to the face. She stiffened, fingers curling against the edge of her desk. Kana. Of all the possible choices, they had paired her with the one person in the academy who had every reason to despise her. A murmur rippled through the room, a few lingering glances cast her way. Everyone knew what had transpired during the Thread Trials. Kaelin had killed Kana¡¯s best friend, Daniel, in the final duel. It hadn¡¯t been premeditated she still wasn¡¯t really sure how she had that much power. Her memories of the moment had been gone the moment she regained consciousness¡­ but she could guess. The battle had been brutal, an unforgiving display of skill and desperation, and Kaelin had done what she needed to survive. But intentions meant little in the face of cold reality. She had walked away from the arena. Daniel hadn¡¯t. The duel had been sanctioned, a formalized test of ability, yet that didn¡¯t erase the weight of what had happened. Kana hadn¡¯t spoken more than a few words to her since. Kaelin could still recall the way she had looked at her, Daniel laid in her arms, raw fury barely restrained beneath the surface of her skin. The academy preached discipline, but no set of rules could erase the kind of grudge that came from watching a friend fall. And now she was expected to work with Kana as though none of it had ever happened. A cold weight settled in her stomach. She risked a glance toward the back of the room, where Lena and Zephyr remained immersed in hushed conversation, both unaware of what had just happened, and unconcerned by their own pairing. Had she ever truly been a part of their world, or had she merely occupied a space that was now being filled by something stronger? A bond she couldn¡¯t compete with? At what point had she become an afterthought? She wrenched her gaze away, jaw tight. It didn¡¯t matter. None of it did. She hadn¡¯t come to this academy to make friends; she was here to prove herself. And if that meant facing Kana, then so be it. At least in battle, there was no room for pretence. No need for false smiles or carefully chosen words. In the arena, things were simple. And Kaelin had always been pretty good at surviving. *** Later, Kaelin found Kana seated at the far end of the cafeteria, isolated by choice rather than circumstance. Unlike most students, who gathered in loud, buzzing groups, Kana occupied a table alone, picking at her food with disinterest. The academy was a place of constant movement, of shifting alliances and power plays, but Kana had always carried herself with the confidence of someone who needed no one. Now, in the wake of the exam announcement, her solitude seemed deliberate. A wall erected before anyone could even consider approaching. Kaelin hesitated for only a moment before she squared her shoulders and strode forward. Whatever bitterness lingered between them, they were going to have to work together. Avoiding the conversation wouldn¡¯t change that. Kana didn¡¯t look up when Kaelin stopped beside the table, her focus seemingly fixed on the half-eaten meal in front of her. It wasn¡¯t until Kaelin cleared her throat that Kana finally acknowledged her, gaze flickering up with the kind of sharpness that made it clear she¡¯d rather be anywhere else. ¡°What do you want?¡± Kana asked, voice clipped. Kaelin didn¡¯t flinch, though she could feel the tension rolling off Kana in waves. ¡°We¡¯re partners. Figured we should talk.¡± Kana let out a short, humourless laugh. ¡°Talk? About what?¡± Kaelin¡¯s fingers tightened slightly at her sides, but she forced herself to keep her tone level. ¡°The exams. We don¡¯t know what they¡¯ll entail yet, but if we¡¯re going to be working together, we should at least establish some kind of understanding of each other¡¯s abilities.¡± Kana¡¯s expression was unreadable, but the set of her shoulders betrayed her irritation. ¡°That¡¯s unnecessary.¡± Kaelin arched a brow. ¡°How do you figure?¡± Kana stabbed a piece of fruit with her fork and twirled it between her fingers. ¡°Because I don¡¯t intend to rely on you.¡± The words were light, almost flippant, but Kaelin caught the weight beneath them. The unspoken resentment, the simmering disdain that Kana was too controlled to voice outright. She wasn¡¯t surprised, not really. But some part of her had hoped that Kana, pragmatic as she was, would at least be willing to put personal feelings aside. ¡°That¡¯s a mistake,¡± Kaelin said evenly. ¡°Like it or not, we¡¯re in this together.¡± Kana finally set her fork down, folding her hands neatly on the table. When she spoke again, her voice was eerily calm. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for this.¡± ¡°Neither did I.¡± Kana studied her for a long moment, as if weighing whether it was worth the effort to continue the conversation. Eventually, she exhaled through her nose and pushed her tray aside. ¡°I¡¯ll handle my end. You handle yours. That¡¯s all there is to discuss.¡± Kaelin clenched her jaw. It wasn¡¯t unexpected, but the sheer finality in Kana¡¯s tone made something in her chest twist. She had fought too hard, survived too much to let something as petty as personal animosity get in her way. If Kana wanted to act like she could go through this alone, fine. Kaelin would make sure she saw just how wrong she was. Chapter 38 – The End of Years’ Chapter 38 ¨C The End of Years¡¯ Kaelin sat at the edge of the training field, arms crossed over her knees, watching as the other students gathered in their usual clusters. It had become a routine sight ¨C the same groups, the same conversations, the same unspoken lines drawn between them. She had never truly been part of any of them, but now the divide felt wider than ever. Kana stood with her back to her, talking with another group of students. She didn¡¯t need to turn around for Kaelin to know exactly what expression she wore ¨C the same cold indifference she had maintained since the Thread Trials. It wasn¡¯t outright hostility, not anymore. Kana didn¡¯t waste energy glaring or making sharp remarks. She had simply reduced Kaelin to nothing. A presence ignored, acknowledged only when absolutely necessary. Kaelin supposed that was a step up from the outright venom she had faced in the weeks following the duel, but in some ways, it stung worse. Hatred was something you could fight against. Being treated like a ghost? That left her standing in the silence, alone. Not that it was anything new. She sighed, glancing toward the far side of the field where Zephyr and Lena were practicing their spells together. Zephyr¡¯s magic pulsed in controlled bursts, threads of shimmering blue and green flickering in his grasp. Lena was laughing, arms raised as she manipulated the vines she had summoned from the ground, weaving them through Zephyr¡¯s attacks with ease. They had always worked well together. And lately, Kaelin wasn¡¯t sure if there was room for her in that equation. She wasn¡¯t avoiding them, not exactly. It was more that every time she approached, she could feel the weight of her own presence, like an unwanted shadow stretching across something bright. Lena had always been warm, welcoming, but Kaelin couldn¡¯t shake the thought that maybe her inclusion had been more of a courtesy than anything else. That maybe, now that Zephyr and Lena had grown closer, they didn¡¯t need her lingering at the edges of their world. So, she had started keeping her distance. Just a little. Just enough to see if they would notice. They hadn¡¯t. Not really. Kaelin exhaled sharply and pulled her gaze away, fixing her stare on the dirt at her feet. It was stupid to dwell on. She wasn¡¯t here to make friends ¨C she had told herself that from the beginning. She was here to prove something. To be something more than the girl everyone whispered about in passing. The whispers had started again. Not about Daniel this time, though that wound had yet to fade, but about something new. A test. A challenge. The End of Year Exam. The instructors had yet to confirm anything, but speculation spread like wildfire. Some claimed it would be an endurance test; others whispered about a combat trial against upperclassmen. No one knew for certain. Somewhere near the weapons rack, two students exchanged hushed words, glancing her way before resuming their conversation. Another pair stood beneath the shade of the willow trees, their voices just loud enough for her to catch fragments ¨C last year¡¯s exam was brutal¡­ at least three failed outright¡­ wonder if they¡¯ll make it harder this time¡­ Kaelin clenched her fists. It didn¡¯t matter what the test was. She couldn¡¯t fail. She wouldn¡¯t fail. ¡°You¡¯ve been brooding in the same spot for twenty minutes.¡± Kaelin jumped at the voice, looking up to find Aric standing over her. He didn¡¯t look down at her with pity or concern, just mild amusement, like he had seen this a hundred times before. ¡°I don¡¯t brood,¡± she muttered, shifting her posture slightly. Aric raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. ¡°Sure. And I¡¯m a baker.¡± Kaelin scowled. ¡°What do you want?¡± ¡°To tell you something before you sink so deep into that hole of yours that you miss it entirely.¡± He nodded toward the gathering students. This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it ¡°Professor Alden¡¯s making an announcement. Probably about the exam. You might want to be there¡± She followed his gaze, noticing for the first time that a hush had fallen over the field. The instructors were assembling, Alden at the centre, a clipboard in hand. The weight in the air had shifted ¨C uncertainty thickened into anticipation, apprehension coiling in the space between each breath. Some students leaned forward, eager, while others stiffened, bracing themselves for whatever came next. Kaelin pushed herself to her feet, rolling her shoulders. Whatever this test was, it would determine her standing. And if there was one thing she knew, it was that she wouldn¡¯t be left behind. Not again. Alden stepped forward, his voice cutting through the quiet buzz of the gathered students. "Listen up, everyone! The End of Year Exam is coming, and this year¡¯s challenges will test every skill you¡¯ve learned. Each trial will assess not only your magical abilities but your teamwork and adaptability under pressure." Kaelin felt her stomach tighten. They were about to find out what they would face. "The first trial will be a Raid," Alden continued, his tone matter-of-fact. "Two teams will race to the heart of an ancient ruin. At the core, an idol must be retrieved. The first team to reach it wins. But you won¡¯t just be racing each other, no. There will be threats inside the ruins, which you lot will have to deal with. Lower-apprentice creatures, traps, and unstable structures making it all the more challenging. You¡¯ll need to work as a team, or you¡¯ll most definitely fail." A murmur of excitement and dread ran through the crowd. Kaelin felt her throat dry at the mention of monsters and traps. Her eyes flicked toward Kana, who stood stiffly in her group. They had been paired together, just as Kaelin had feared. She swallowed hard, pushing down the unease. It wasn¡¯t the worst thing that could happen. But she had to admit, the tension between them, from the death of Daniel, made it feel like a mountain to climb. Alden¡¯s gaze swept over the students before continuing, his voice lowering. "The second trial will test your survival skills. Each team will be dropped into an isolated wilderness area for three days. You¡¯ll need to gather food, water, and resources to survive, and then make your way to an extraction point. Cooperation will be essential, and you¡¯ll need to make smart decisions to avoid failure." Kaelin¡¯s mind whirred, but her attention snapped back to Kana. Kana had her arms crossed tightly, her jaw clenched, but her eyes were focused elsewhere, deliberately avoiding Kaelin. The chill between them was undeniable, a stark contrast to the warmth that surrounded Zephyr and Lena as they listened, side by side. Alden¡¯s voice rang out again. "The final test will be a Gladiator Battle ¨C a large-scale battle royale. Last mage standing wins. You¡¯ll face each other in combat, and this will be the ultimate test of everything you¡¯ve learned. Much unlike the other two tests, this won¡¯t have an affect on whether you stay in the school. This, is merely a time to show off your strength¡­ and the winner gets 1000 Aur to spend as they please." Kaelin bristled at the mention of combat. She didn¡¯t care much for the reward, though she could very well send it back home. Her mind raced over the implications of each trial, but the thought of facing Kana in that battle, after everything, was enough to make her stomach churn. She glanced toward her, but Kana remained indifferent, as if Kaelin didn¡¯t exist in her world. Kaelin had always prided herself on being able to adapt. But this... this would take more than just skill. It would take something else. And with Kana as her teammate, there was a heavy weight to that truth. As the instructors dispersed and the students began to break into their groups, Kaelin took a steadying breath. She couldn¡¯t let herself get lost in the tension. She had to confront Kana, had to at least try to bridge the divide between them before the exam truly began. If they were going to survive these trials, they''d have to function as a team. With reluctant resolve, Kaelin walked toward Kana, the ground beneath her feet suddenly feeling like a long distance. "Kana," she began, her voice softer than she meant it to be. "We need to talk." Kana didn''t immediately respond. She kept her gaze straight ahead, as though Kaelin wasn¡¯t even there. ¡°I know you¡¯re still angry,¡± Kaelin continued, fighting the lump that formed in her throat. "I remember what happened with Daniel... and I understand why you hate me." Kana¡¯s body stiffened at the mention of her late friend¡¯s name. She turned slowly, her eyes colder than Kaelin had ever seen them, but there was no anger ¨C not exactly ¨C just a hollow void. ¡°I don¡¯t hate you,¡± Kana said flatly. ¡°I just don¡¯t care. I don¡¯t have the energy to waste on you. You killed him. End of story.¡± Kaelin swallowed. ¡°I never meant for that to happen. It was a mistake. I... I didn''t want him to die. I just...¡± ¡°You don¡¯t get it,¡± Kana cut her off, voice sharp. "You don¡¯t get that he was my best friend. That I cared for him. And that¨C ¡±Her voice cracked, and she quickly composed herself. ¡°You took that from me.¡± ¡°I know," Kaelin whispered, feeling the weight of every word. "And I¡¯m sorry. I don¡¯t expect you to forgive me. But we have to work together now. The exam... the trials. I promise I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to help us both get through it.¡± Kana¡¯s gaze hardened again, but after a long moment, she gave a slight nod, still not meeting Kaelin¡¯s eyes. "We¡¯ll have to see if you can live up to that promise." Kaelin stood still for a moment, unsure if they had made any progress at all. But there was something in Kana¡¯s voice that hadn¡¯t been there before ¨C a crack in the wall of indifference. That, at least, was a start. ¡°Let¡¯s just get this over with,¡± Kana muttered before turning and walking away. Kaelin stood there for a moment longer, the silence between them heavy. She wasn¡¯t sure if their uneasy truce would hold, but it was something to work with. And if she was going to survive these trials, she would have to make it work. Chapter 39 - Futuresight Chapter 39 - Futuresight The training field was bustling with students, all of them preparing for their own lessons, sparring with each other, or practicing their spells. But Kaelin stood apart from the crowd, feeling the weight of expectation pressing down on her chest. Today, she was going to begin learning something entirely new ¨C a skill which Aric had mentioned a few times before, yet her knowledge was too lacking to try figuring it out herself. Futuresight. The concept had been explained to her in vague terms, being able to see the future, a slight edge in combat, the ability to anticipate movements before they happened. She had heard about it from the Aric, but the way he spoke of it made it sound more like a myth than a skill. Still, she was here, and she had to make it work. There was no room for failure. She had learned that lesson long ago. Kaelin¡¯s gaze flickered around the training field, where students worked in their respective pairs. Zephyr and Lena were in the far corner, their movements synchronized as they practiced their spells. Zephyr, ever the skilled tri-affinity mage, wove his Time magic with effortless grace, performing skills and weaving patterns she had never even heard of. Lena, with her commanding control over Nature magic, complemented him perfectly. They had always made a formidable pair. Kaelin could feel the distance growing between her and them, a space that was less about physical separation and more about skill. Zephyr¡¯s effortless precision and Lena¡¯s steady focus were becoming increasingly out of her reach. It wasn¡¯t that they didn¡¯t include her ¨C they did ¨C but lately, Kaelin couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that they didn¡¯t really need her. It was a feeling she had buried, trying to ignore it, but it was there. She pushed it aside, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. ¡°Kaelin,¡± came the voice of Aric, breaking through her thoughts. She hadn¡¯t realized how far away her mind had wandered, but now he stood before her, eyes sharp and expectant. Kaelin blinked, trying to steady her nerves. This was it. Futuresight. The one skill that could level the playing field. The one that could make her more than just The Killer, or The Third Wheel. She didn¡¯t want to disappoint him. ¡°You ready?¡± Aric asked, his tone not unkind, but his gaze calculating. Kaelin nodded, pulling her focus back into the present. "Yeah, I''m ready." Aric studied her for a moment, his lips barely curving into a smile. ¡°Alright then. First, I¡¯m going to walk you through the basics. Futuresight isn¡¯t about controlling time itself; it¡¯s about sensing it ¨C feeling it. You need to become attuned to the smallest shifts in the fabric of time. It¡¯s not something you force, it¡¯s something you allow.¡± Kaelin frowned, unsure how to even begin. ¡°So¡­ I¡¯m supposed to feel time? How does that even work?¡± Aric¡¯s expression softened, though only slightly. ¡°Think of it like listening to the wind or feeling the pull of the earth beneath your feet. Time is a constant, but it shifts. You need to sense the moments before they come. It¡¯s a subtle feeling, but once you can connect with it, it becomes instinctive.¡± Kaelin nodded, though it was hard to wrap her head around the idea. She had always understood magic as something tangible, it all happened naturally. But this? This was different. This was something more abstract. ¡°Start by closing your eyes,¡± Aric instructed, crossing his arms and stepping back. ¡°Take a few deep breaths and try to clear your mind. Let everything around you fade into the background. Just focus on the now. Focus on the moment.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. Kaelin obeyed, inhaling deeply as she shut her eyes. The noises of the training field, the rustle of leaves, the low murmur of students talking, the distant clink of metal, they all faded as she concentrated on her breath. The feeling of the air moving around her, the steady beat of her heart, the ground beneath her feet. Everything was still. Everything was constant. But as the seconds ticked by, Kaelin began to grow restless. She tried to focus harder, to pull on some unseen thread of time, but nothing came. Nothing shifted. Her mind raced, trying to grasp something that wasn¡¯t there. ¡°Focus,¡± Aric¡¯s voice cut through her thoughts again, sharper now. ¡°You¡¯re straining too much. Futuresight isn¡¯t about forcing it. You can¡¯t control it. It¡¯s about sensing the movement of time, opening the path for it to come to you.¡± Kaelin¡¯s chest tightened. She had to get this. She had to get this. But all she could feel was the deepening frustration settling into her gut, twisting and gnawing at her patience. She tried again, reaching out with her mind, trying to feel the slight shifts, the almost imperceptible movements of the future. But it was like trying to catch a breath in the wind, every time she thought she had it, it slipped away. Minutes passed. The world around her didn¡¯t change. The pressure on her shoulders only grew heavier. ¡°Alright, enough,¡± Aric said at last, his tone not unkind but firm. ¡°You¡¯re trying too hard. You need to let go. Futuresight is not a battle to be won through force. It¡¯s a dance with time, a quiet connection.¡± Kaelin opened her eyes, frustration evident on her face. ¡°I don¡¯t get it. I¡¯m doing what you said. I¡¯m trying to feel it. But nothing¡¯s happening.¡± Aric¡¯s eyes softened, though his expression remained neutral. ¡°It will take time. These things don¡¯t come quickly. You need to trust the process. Futuresight is a rare gift. Not everyone can master it, but if you can, it will be invaluable. I believe in you.¡± Kaelin clenched her fists. She didn¡¯t want to be the one who failed. She couldn¡¯t let that happen. Not here, not now. Before she could respond, a voice cut through the air, cold and commanding. ¡°I¡¯m here, Aric.¡± Kaelin turned to see Kana standing a few feet away, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She had arrived late, but that was nothing new. Kana always had a way of making an entrance, her presence demanding attention without saying a word. Her posture was tense, her eyes locked on Kaelin with something unreadable in her gaze. Aric nodded toward Kana, his eyes flicking between her and Kaelin. ¡°Ah, good. Kana. You¡¯re just in time. You¡¯ll be working with Kaelin on this.¡± Kaelin¡¯s stomach sank. She hadn¡¯t expected Kana to be her partner in this exercise, and given the history between them, it wasn¡¯t a partnership she was thrilled about. The tension between them had only grown since the Thread Trials ¨C since Kaelin had killed Kana¡¯s best friend, Daniel. It wasn¡¯t that Kaelin had meant to do it. In the heat of the battle, she didn¡¯t even remember it happening, she awoke, and realised from its aftermath. But that didn¡¯t change the fact that Kana blamed her. And Kaelin couldn¡¯t blame her. She had taken something from Kana that could never be replaced. ¡°I¡¯m not here to hold your hand, Kaelin,¡± Kana said, her voice colder than usual. ¡°So don¡¯t expect me to go easy on you.¡± Kaelin forced herself to meet her eyes, doing her best not to flinch under the weight of Kana¡¯s icy stare. ¡°I don¡¯t need you to go easy on me.¡± The words came out sharper than she intended, but Kana didn¡¯t flinch. She just gave a small, almost imperceptible nod and stepped forward. ¡°Alright then,¡± Aric said, sensing the unspoken tension. ¡°Kaelin, you¡¯ll need to focus. Kana, guide her through it. I hope you understand, I brought Kana here since she is your partner for the exam, is she not?¡± ¡°Yea¡­ she is. Kaelin closed her eyes again, trying to steady her breath. The world seemed to stretch and grow quiet around her as she tried to calm her mind. It wasn¡¯t about controlling time, not really. It was about feeling it. Feeling the shift, the moments before they happened. For a brief moment, something flickered ¨C a shift in the air, a faint pull of something that wasn¡¯t quite there yet. It was too brief, too subtle to grasp fully. But it was something. ¡°Focus,¡± Aric¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°Try again.¡± Kaelin nodded, forcing herself to concentrate. But the more she tried, the further the sensation seemed to slip away. It was like chasing a shadow that always stayed one step ahead. Her stomach twisted with frustration, and she felt the weight of her failure pressing down harder with each passing second. ¡°Don¡¯t strain so much,¡± Aric said quietly, watching her closely. ¡°You¡¯re trying too hard. Relax into it.¡± Kaelin clenched her jaw, trying to find the balance. The feeling of time slipping away, always just out of her reach, was maddening. She tried again, closing her eyes and pushing away the frustration. She let herself relax. Let the future come to her. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. And then, just as quickly, it was gone. She opened her eyes, her chest tight, the feeling of failure settling in her stomach. There was still so much she didn¡¯t understand. Still so much she couldn¡¯t do. But she wouldn¡¯t give up. Not yet. Chapter 40: No Time to Waste Chapter 40: No Time to Waste Kaelin¡¯s breath came in short, measured exhales as she struck forward with a precise, sweeping motion. Her wooden training sword clashed against the dull steel of her instructor¡¯s, the force of impact sending vibrations up her arm. She gritted her teeth, adjusting her stance, but the moment she did, a sharp tap landed against her ribs. "You''re still too stiff, Kaelin." The voice was even, but firm. "Move with the attack, not against it." Kaelin exhaled sharply, stepping back. "I''m trying, Caeria." Caeria studied her with a critical eye. The woman was lean and sharp-featured, with a duelist''s grace in every movement. As the academy¡¯s primary combat instructor, she oversaw the training of students who lacked strong offensive magic. This included Kaelin, whose Time threads weren¡¯t exactly known for brute force. But knowing that didn¡¯t make it any less frustrating. Caeria tilted her head. "You''re overthinking again." Kaelin frowned. "No, I''m not." "You are," Caeria said without missing a beat. "Swordsmanship isn¡¯t about reacting to every single movement. It''s about feeling the flow of battle. If you hesitate, you lose." Kaelin tightened her grip on the wooden sword. "Then let me try again." Caeria arched an eyebrow, but nodded. "One more round. Then you''re meeting with your team." Kaelin barely held back a groan. She stepped forward, trying to loosen her posture the way Caeria had demonstrated. The moment Caeria moved, Kaelin reacted instinctively, bringing her sword up in a desperate block. Too slow. The impact rattled her bones, and before she could reset, Caeria shifted, knocking her weapon aside with ease. Another hit to the ribs. Kaelin cursed under her breath. Caeria lowered her practice blade, expression unreadable. ¡°You rely too much on brute force,¡± she said. ¡°That works when you''re stronger than your opponent. You''re not.¡± Kaelin''s jaw clenched. "Then what should I be doing?" Caeria gave her an appraising look. "You''re a Time wielder. You need to fight like one." Kaelin blinked. "That would be easier if I could actually use foresight." "It might be easier, but remember, the majority of time wielders aren¡¯t able to do it either. If Aric sees it in you, I¡¯d trust him. But you might want to hurry up," Caeria gestured toward the far end of the field. "Because I doubt Kana is going to w ait for you to catch up." Kaelin turned her head, catching sight of Kana standing near the edge of the training grounds. The other girl hadn''t even glanced in her direction. Kaelin exhaled sharply. "Go," Laecia said. "And don¡¯t waste her time." Kaelin didn''t argue. She was already certain Kana thought she was a waste of time. *** Kana barely acknowledged Kaelin as she approached, her arms crossed as she surveyed the training field. She always carried herself with that same sharpness, an air of control Kaelin could never quite decipher. Still, she stopped beside her, folding her own arms. "We need to figure out how we¡¯re going to do this." Kana glanced at her. "You mean how I¡¯m going to have to carry this team?" Kaelin bristled but forced herself to keep her voice steady. "You don¡¯t even know what I can do yet." Kana¡¯s lips curled, creating a disappointing look. "I have a pretty good idea." Kaelin clenched her jaw. Of course she did. Kana¡¯s affinity wasn¡¯t Time ¨C it was Mind. She could read surface-level thoughts, twist perceptions, influence decisions. It wasn¡¯t omnipotent, but it made her obnoxiously good at understanding people before they even spoke. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Which meant she probably already knew how badly Kaelin was struggling. "Can you not dig through my head right now?" Kaelin muttered. Kana sighed, as if she were the one dealing with a headache. "Relax, I don''t have to. You wear everything on your face." Kaelin scowled. "If you¡¯re so good at reading people, why don¡¯t you use it to make sure we don¡¯t fail this exam?" Kana turned to face her fully. "Because it doesn''t work like that." Kaelin frowned. "What do you mean?" Kana hesitated, just for a second, before schooling her features back into neutrality. "I can¡¯t force someone to do something they don¡¯t want to do. I can nudge them, influence them, but if they have a strong enough will, they can push back." Kaelin absorbed that. "So if I wanted to, I could block you out?" Kana¡¯s smile didn¡¯t quite reach her eyes. "You think you could." Kaelin didn¡¯t press the point. Instead, she exhaled and refocused. "Fine. You nudge people. What else?" Kana¡¯s expression turned calculating. "I can disrupt focus. Throw off someone''s thought process. Make them doubt themselves, hesitate at the wrong moment." Kaelin nodded slowly. "So¡­ you¡¯re just for support, basically." Kana shrugged. "I guess you could say that.¡± Kaelin rolled her shoulders, thinking. "And if we are in a battle, what¡¯s your biggest weakness?" Kana arched an eyebrow. "Other than my brilliant, unreliable teammate?" Kaelin shot her a glare, but Kana didn¡¯t drop the amused look. After a long pause, she relented. "I don¡¯t have the kind of magic that wins a fight directly. I can make some illusions, sure, but I don¡¯t hit hard. If someone gets close enough to swing a sword at me, I¡¯m at a disadvantage." Kaelin filed that away. "Then we need to keep enemies at a distance." Kana hummed noncommittally. "Which would be easier if you had actual combat magic." Kaelin forced herself to keep her voice level. "That¡¯s what the sword is for." Kana didn¡¯t say anything for a moment, but there was something unreadable in her gaze. "We¡¯ll see." Kaelin hated how much doubt was packed into those two words. Still, they had something now. A rough idea of what Kana could do, at least. But it wasn¡¯t enough. Kaelin still couldn¡¯t see the future. And if she couldn¡¯t unlock Time Sight before the exam, she could very well end up as dead weight. She knew it. And worse, so did Kana. *** By the time training ended, Kaelin''s frustration was reaching a breaking point. Her muscles ached from sparring, her mind felt heavy with doubt, and despite hours of effort, her magic remained just as stubbornly unresponsive as before. The pressure was suffocating. She wasn¡¯t like Zephyr, who had effortlessly mastered futuresight. She wasn¡¯t like Kana, whose abilities, flawed as they were, still functioned. She was stuck. And failure wasn¡¯t an option. "You''re thinking too hard again," Kana¡¯s voice cut through her spiralling thoughts. Kaelin exhaled through her nose. "And you''re always in my head." Kana rolled her eyes. "You don¡¯t have to be a mind reader to see how obvious you are." Kaelin hesitated, the words from earlier looping back. You¡¯re trying to push through it instead of actually understanding it. Maybe Kana wasn¡¯t wrong. Maybe she was forcing it too much. But she didn¡¯t have time to slow down. Three days. That was all she had to make this work. *** Her dormitory was quiet when she entered, the faint glow of enchanted lanterns casting long shadows along the walls. She dropped her wooden sword onto her desk and sank onto her bed, rubbing her temples. Futuresight was supposed to be her key advantage, but it remained stubbornly out of reach. Aric had told her it was possible. He wouldn¡¯t have said anything if he hadn¡¯t believed it. So why wasn¡¯t it working? She thought back to what Caeria had said earlier ¨C fight like a Time wielder. But how? ¡®Futuresight wasn¡¯t something she could force. It wasn¡¯t about brute strength.¡¯ At least that¡¯s what they all kept saying. Maybe she was approaching this all wrong. Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock at the door. Kaelin sat up, surprised. No one usually sought her out this late. ¡°Come in.¡± The door swung open, and to her mild irritation, Kana stepped inside without waiting for an invitation. She closed the door behind her, leaning casually against the frame. "You look like you¡¯re thinking too hard again," Kana said, her tone dry. Kaelin sighed. "What do you want?" Kana tilted her head. "You said we need to figure out how we¡¯re going to do this, right? So let¡¯s figure it out." Kaelin frowned. "You mean now?" Kana smirked. "What, were you planning to sit here and hope the answers come to you in a dream?" Kaelin scowled but didn¡¯t argue. She had been hoping for some kind of breakthrough. Kana, annoyingly, had a point. "Fine," Kaelin muttered, standing. "What¡¯s your idea?" Kana¡¯s smirk faded slightly, her expression turning more calculating. "Your problem is obvious. You¡¯re treating your magic like it¡¯s a wall you have to break through. It¡¯s not." Kaelin folded her arms. "Then what is it?" Kana shrugged. "A thread, duh. It¡¯s a connection. Something you have to listen to, not force." Kaelin hesitated. A connection¡­. The phrase stuck in her mind. It made sense, in a way. Threads were the foundation of magic. Every wielder had their own, and Time was no different. But she had always imagined her magic as something external, something she had to grab onto. What if that was wrong? Kana must have seen the shift in her expression because she continued, "If I had to guess, your magic is already trying to tell you something. You just aren¡¯t paying attention." Kaelin exhaled slowly. She didn¡¯t like taking advice from Kana, but she had nothing else to go on. "Alright," she said. "So how do I listen?" Kana gave her an unreadable look. "That¡¯s something you¡¯ll have to figure out yourself." Kaelin rolled her eyes. "Of course it is." Still, she felt the first spark of understanding. If she wanted to use Futuresight, she had to stop forcing it. She had to let it happen. The realization didn¡¯t solve everything, but it was a start. Kana pushed away from the door. "We¡¯ll test it tomorrow. Try not to fall apart before then." Kaelin shot her a glare, but Kana was already gone. Kaelin sat back down, pressing her hands against her temples. Three days. She had to make this work. Chapter 41 – Taking Progress to New Heights Chapter 41 ¨C Taking Progress to New Heights The next morning, Kaelin arrived at the training grounds earlier than usual. The air was crisp, the sun barely above the horizon. She closed her eyes, steadying her breathing. Listen. She had spent the night replaying Kana¡¯s words, trying to shift her perspective. If Time Sight wasn¡¯t something she could force, then maybe she had to let it unfold naturally. She opened her eyes and focused. For a moment, there was nothing. The world was still, the distant sounds of students murmuring in the background. Then¡ª A flicker. It was faint, barely a whisper of sensation, but for a fraction of a second, she felt something shift. A ripple in the air, a subtle pull at the edge of her awareness. And then it was gone. Kaelin sucked in a breath, her heart pounding. It had been there. Brief, fleeting, but real. She could do this. She just had to figure out how to hold onto it. Footsteps approached, and Kaelin turned to see Caeria striding toward her. "You¡¯re early," the instructor noted. Kaelin straightened. "I need the extra practice." Caeria studied her for a moment, then nodded. "Good. If you¡¯ve already warmed up, let¡¯s begin." They moved through the drills, but Kaelin kept her focus inward, trying to recapture that flicker of awareness. It was frustrating ¨C every time she thought she had it, it slipped away. Caeria struck forward, and Kaelin barely dodged in time. "You¡¯re hesitating," Caeria said. Kaelin exhaled sharply. "I¡¯m trying to¨C ¡° "Stop trying. Just do." Kaelin gritted her teeth. Easier said than done. She forced herself to focus. Caeria moved again, her blade slicing through the air. This time, Kaelin didn¡¯t react immediately, she felt for it first. A flicker. She moved. The wooden sword missed her by inches. Caeria¡¯s expression didn¡¯t change, but Kaelin swore she saw the faintest hint of approval in her eyes. "Again," Caeria said. Kaelin nodded. She wasn¡¯t there yet. But she was getting closer. By the time she met up with Kana that afternoon, Kaelin felt like she had taken the first real step forward. Kana raised an eyebrow as she approached. "You look less miserable than usual. Did you actually figure something out?" Kaelin smirked. "Maybe." Kana sighed dramatically. "Guess we¡¯ll see." They found an empty space to practice, and Kana took a step back. "Alright. You say you¡¯re getting closer? Let¡¯s test it." Kaelin braced herself. "What are you going to do?" Kana¡¯s smirk was sharp. "Try to distract you. Try not to fail." Kaelin barely had time to process before a wave of confusion slammed into her. It was subtle, a whisper in her mind, but it made her second-guess everything¡ªwhere she stood, what she was doing, even the passage of time itself. She staggered, her vision warping slightly. Kana watched her with interest. "Well?" Kaelin clenched her jaw. No. She wasn¡¯t going to lose. She forced herself to listen. To focus past the unnatural fog in her mind. This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. A flicker. It was stronger this time, more distinct. She latched onto it. Suddenly, she saw it. A flash of movement ¨C a glimpse of Kana¡¯s fist barrelling toward her. She opened her eyes, but it was too slow. Kana¡¯s fist was already there. It met Kaelin¡¯s face, and she was thrown to the side. Kana blinked. Then, to Kana¡¯s surprise, she grinned. "Well, well. Finally." Kaelin let out a breath. "I¡¯m getting there. I saw something, I did!" Kana nodded, an unfamiliar glint of respect in her eyes. "You sure? Looks to me like I hit you." ¡°Oh shut up, I did! Just not enough to do anything with it.¡± Kana stepped closer, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement as she looked Kaelin over, head tilting in mock curiosity. "Let me guess," she said, her voice dripping with condescension. "You think you¡¯re special because you caught a tiny glimpse of the future?" Kaelin¡¯s jaw tightened. She didn¡¯t ¨C no, wouldn¡¯t react. Kana fed on reactions, thrived on them. If Kaelin so much as twitched, the other girl would drag the conversation on, pushing deeper and deeper until she found something to tear apart. Still, a hot spark of anger ignited in Kaelin¡¯s chest. Because Kana wasn¡¯t wrong. For a fleeting second, she had thought it would be enough. That if she could just see a little further ahead, everything would fall into place. But it hadn¡¯t. It had barely helped at all. Kana laughed, the sound light and airy. "You should see your face. You really thought that would be enough, didn¡¯t you?" Kaelin exhaled slowly through her nose, schooling her expression into something neutral. She didn¡¯t have time for this. She had more important things to focus on than Kana¡¯s petty games. "I don¡¯t have time for this," Kaelin said, voice flat. "That¡¯s funny," Kana mused. "Since you¡¯re supposed to be a Time wielder and all." Kaelin¡¯s fingers curled into fists. She turned on her heel, ready to leave, but Kana¡¯s voice followed her, softer, now dangerous in a way that had nothing to do with her magic. "You¡¯re going to get left behind." Kaelin froze. Kana stepped closer, her voice a quiet murmur, meant only for Kaelin to hear. "Zephyr, Lena¡­ they¡¯re moving forward. And you? You¡¯re stuck." Kaelin¡¯s nails dug into her palms, her heartbeat pounding in her ears. She didn¡¯t need Kana to tell her that. She already knew. It was something she had felt creeping in, inching closer with every failure, every moment where she couldn¡¯t quite keep up. Zephyr was a prodigy. Lena was growing stronger every day. And Kaelin? She was still here, struggling to make use of a power that was supposed to set her apart. She wanted to snap at Kana, to tell her to shut up, to remind her that she wasn¡¯t infallible either. But the words caught in her throat. Because Kana had already won. She forced herself to walk away without another word, even as the weight of those words settled heavily on her shoulders. *** By the time training ended, Kaelin¡¯s irritation hadn¡¯t faded. If anything, it had only deepened, settling into something cold and heavy in the pit of her stomach. She needed a distraction. She headed toward the cafeteria, not entirely sure why. Maybe she was hoping for something familiar¡­ something normal. Maybe she just wanted to sit with Zephyr and Lena and forget, even for a little while, about how frustratingly useless both she, and her magic felt right now. But the moment she stepped inside, she hesitated. Zephyr and Lena were already sitting together at their usual table, deep in conversation. They were laughing about something, something Kaelin wasn¡¯t a part of. She stopped in the doorway, the noise of the mess hall fading into a dull hum around her. They hadn¡¯t even noticed she wasn¡¯t there. Her gaze lingered on them for a long moment. Zephyr leaned forward, gesturing animatedly, a smirk tugging at his lips. Lena was grinning, her head tilted as she listened. They looked¡­ at ease. Like nothing was wrong. Like they didn¡¯t even know she wasn¡¯t there. Normally, they would have saved her a seat. Normally, they would have waved her over. Normally, she wouldn¡¯t have even thought about it ¨C she would have just walked over and joined them. But now? Her stomach twisted. They don¡¯t need me here. The thought came unbidden, cutting deeper than she expected. She should go over. She should sit down, act normal, shake off the weight pressing down on her. But she didn¡¯t. Instead, she turned on her heel and left without a word. *** Later that evening, Kaelin found herself in the library, hoping the quiet would drown out the restless frustration clawing at her chest. The table in front of her was cluttered with books, heavy tomes filled with theories on Time magic, detailed analyses of sight and perception, even historical accounts of past Time wielders. She had flipped through nearly a dozen of them, searching for something, anything that might tell her what she needed to know. But nothing helped. Nothing told her how to make her Foresight work as it should. Nothing told her how to make that one second stretch into something useful. She ran a hand through her hair exhaling sharply, and a chair scraped against the floor. "You¡¯re restless," a familiar voice observed. Kaelin glanced up. Aric stood nearby, watching her with his usual unreadable expression. She hesitated for a moment before sighing and closing the book in front of her. "I saw it." Aric raised an eyebrow. "Did you?" Kaelin nodded. "Only for a second. But it was too short. I couldn¡¯t react in time." Aric hummed, stepping closer. "That will change." Kaelin frowned. "How?" Aric pulled out the chair across from her, folding his hands together as he sat. "Futuresight isn¡¯t about seeing," he said. "It¡¯s about understanding." Kaelin blinked. "Stop waffling! What does that even mean? Are you trying to be like some weird riddler? Just speak normally!" Aric studied her for a moment before continuing. "One second means nothing if your mind cannot process it fast enough. What good is foresight if you do not comprehend what you are seeing?" Kaelin¡¯s fingers tightened around the edges of the book. "I still don¡¯t get it! Can¡¯t you just tell me what I need to do?¡± Aric inclined his head. "Fine, if I must. You need to practice, train your body to react within that second. Your mind to think within it. Only then will your sight become more than just a passive glimpse." Kaelin swallowed, her frustration warring with a new, simmering determination. Aric leaned forward slightly. "But be careful, Kaelin. Time is a dangerous thing to wield carelessly." Kaelin exhaled slowly. "I know." Aric held her gaze for a long moment, as if weighing something unspoken. Then, finally, he stood. "Then I expect progress." With that, he turned and left, his presence fading into the quiet hum of the library. Kaelin let out a slow breath, rubbing her temples. One second wasn¡¯t enough. But it was a start. And she wouldn¡¯t stop until she made it work. Chapter 42 – The Hammer and The Shadow Chapter 42 ¨C The Hammer and The Shadow The sun hung low in the sky, stretching shadows across the academy¡¯s proving grounds. Golden light bathed the gathered students, casting a warm glow over their tense faces. Despite the crisp afternoon air, a thick anticipation weighed over the field, humming like an unseen force waiting to be unleashed. Kaelin stood in the midst of the crowd, arms crossed, gaze locked onto the ruins ahead. The sight of them sent an odd mixture of excitement and unease curling in her stomach. The ruins were vast, their jagged remnants clawing at the sky like broken teeth, crumbling stone softened only by time¡¯s relentless march. Vines wove through the cracks like veins, nature slowly reclaiming what had once been lost. But the beauty of it was deceptive. Beneath the aged stone and creeping moss, danger lurked. This was no ordinary training exercise. This was a battlefield. And although the mid-years¡¯ were tough, this was her first real test. Her fingers twitched at her sides. She needed to prove herself. To herself. To them. A sharp voice cut through the low murmur of students. ¡°Alright, listen up!¡± One of the instructors, a stern-faced woman with piercing eyes, strode forward, her boots crunching against the dirt. Silence fell instantly. ¡°Your objective is simple,¡± she continued, sweeping a glance over them. ¡°Retrieve the idol from the deepest chamber of these ruins and bring it back to the surface. First team to do so wins. Expect resistance ¨C both from the ruins and each other.¡± A ripple of excitement coursed through the crowd. A race. A fight. A test of skill, endurance, and strategy. The instructor¡¯s voice remained steady, unwavering. ¡°Teams have already been assigned. You¡¯ll be facing another duo in this challenge, so don¡¯t expect a free pass. Be quick, be smart, and watch your backs. The monsters inside won¡¯t kill you, but they will make you regret letting your guard down.¡± A murmur of unease followed her words, but Kaelin barely registered it. She already knew her partner. She had known for days now. That didn¡¯t make it any easier. ¡°Kaelin Crown and Kana Elysion,¡± the instructor called out. Kaelin¡¯s stomach twisted. She didn¡¯t turn to look, but she felt it ¨C the slow curl of Kana¡¯s disappointment, manifesting itself on her face, the weight of her gaze like a knife pressed against her back. This was going to be a disaster. The names of their opponents came next: ¡°Rhen Alden and Sienna Vale.¡± Kaelin¡¯s jaw clenched. That wasn¡¯t good. Rhen was a powerhouse, his body held cast amounts of muscle, he often gave himself stone gauntlets and just beat down on his foes. It¡¯s hard to imagine where this brutish nature may have come from, him being Professor Alden¡¯s son. Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Sienna, on the other hand, was a ghost in the darkness, slipping between shadows with unnerving ease. Kaelin couldn¡¯t quite remember what affinity she had, her lack of contact with the class was really showing. Much unlike Kaelin and Kana, they complimented each-other perfectly. Kaelin shifted, shooting Kana a glance. She was inspecting her nails, the picture of boredom. She doesn¡¯t care. Frustration burned in Kaelin¡¯s chest, but she swallowed it down. Getting angry wouldn¡¯t help. But it didn¡¯t stop the thought from creeping in¡ª We¡¯re at a disadvantage before the test even starts. *** The stone bench was cold beneath Kaelin as she sat with her arms crossed, staring at the ruins in the distance. The proving grounds stretched before them, bathed in the late afternoon glow, but the sight did little to calm her nerves. The ruins were ancient, their skeletal remains jutting toward the sky like the ribs of some long-dead beast. Crumbling stone archways barely clung to their foundations, draped in creeping vines that had long since claimed dominance. From this distance, it almost looked peaceful, bathed in gold from the sinking sun, the jagged edges softened by the shifting light. But Kaelin wasn¡¯t fooled. That place breathed danger. She should have been excited. This was a test, an opportunity to prove herself. A chance to show the instructors, and everyone else, that she wasn¡¯t just another thread-wielder struggling to keep up. That she deserved to be here. But instead, she was stuck with her. Kana Elysion. The girl lounged against the bench beside her, arms draped lazily over the backrest, looking as if she had no care in the world. She had the kind of effortless confidence that made Kaelin¡¯s teeth grind, like she was always in control, always one step ahead, and didn¡¯t need to try. Kana turned her head, expression amused. ¡°So,¡± she drawled, ¡°do you actually have a plan, or were you hoping to just wing it?¡± Kaelin shot her a glare. ¡°We¡¯ve done our strengths, now let¡¯s work out how to cover our weaknesses.¡± Kana smirked. ¡°That¡¯s cute. You think we have weaknesses. Maybe you do¡­ actually, you definitely do.¡± Kaelin clenched her fists, pressing her nails into her palms. ¡°If we want to win, you need to take this seriously.¡± ¡°I am taking this seriously.¡± Kana gestured vaguely toward the ruins. ¡°I seriously think we don¡¯t need to overcomplicate things.¡± Kaelin inhaled sharply through her nose, willing herself to stay calm. ¡°Fine. Let¡¯s start with the obvious. We¡¯re against Rhen and Sienna.¡± Kana hummed, tapping her nails against the bench. ¡°He¡¯s a hammer, she¡¯s a shadow. Straightforward enough.¡± ¡°They¡¯re fast,¡± Kaelin pressed. ¡°They¡¯ll take the direct route. Rhen can just punch through obstacles, and Sienna will find shortcuts in the dark. We can¡¯t out-muscle them.¡± Kana rolled her eyes. ¡°Yes, thank you, O¡¯ Lord Strategist¡­ I can see the obvious.¡± Kaelin ignored her. ¡°We need to be smarter. The ruins are ancient. There will be traps, shifting pathways, things they won¡¯t anticipate.¡± Kana tilted her head, dark eyes glinting. ¡°And how exactly do you plan to anticipate them?¡± Kaelin hesitated. She hadn¡¯t wanted to bring this up, but¡ª ¡°¡­I¡¯ve been practicing Futuresight.¡± Kana stilled. For the first time, her expression changed. The usual smirk faltered, curiosity flickering across her face. ¡°No shit, I was there.¡± Wait¡­ I forgot about that. Kaelin shifted, suddenly uncomfortable. ¡°Look, I can see a good 2 seconds ahead right now. It¡¯s enough to let me avoid the odd trap or ambush.¡± Kana nodded. She studied Kaelin for a long moment before exhaling dramatically. ¡°Alright. That¡¯s actually useful.¡± ¡°Glad you approve,¡± Kaelin said dryly. ¡°Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself,¡± Kana said, her smirk creeping back into place. ¡°I¡¯ll be doing most of the work.¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes. ¡°You have Mind Threads. How exactly are you planning to help?¡± Kana waved a hand. ¡°Oh, I don¡¯t know. Maybe I¡¯ll make Rhen hesitate for a split second while you don¡¯t get turned into a smear on the ground.¡± Kaelin scowled. ¡°You can influence thoughts, not control them.¡± Kana grinned. ¡°Exactly. Influence them. Just enough to throw them off.¡± Kaelin hesitated. As much as she hated to admit it, Kana had a point. A single moment of hesitation from Rhen or Sienna could make all the difference. She sighed. ¡°Fine. But if we¡¯re doing this, we do it my way.¡± Kana raised an eyebrow. ¡°Your way?¡± ¡°We use Futuresight to navigate the ruins and avoid traps. You keep them distracted when we need it. And we don¡¯t waste time arguing in the middle of a fight.¡± Kana gave a mock gasp. ¡°Are you suggesting I might waste our time? How could you.¡± Kaelin shot her a flat look. Kana laughed. ¡°Alright, alright. I¡¯ll play nice.¡± Then she leaned forward, smirk widening. ¡°But just so we¡¯re clear, I still don¡¯t think you can keep up with me.¡± Kaelin smirked right back. ¡°Then you shouldn¡¯t find it hard to not slow me down.¡± bell rang across the field, sharp and clear. The trial was about to begin. Chapter 43 – If Only She Was Left to Rot Chapter 43 ¨C If Only She Was Left to Rot The bell rang for a second time, an indication for them to start. The moment it did, the four of them shot forward, dust and loose gravel scattering beneath their feet. The ruins loomed ahead, their gaping entrance swallowing the last of the sunlight as they rushed in. Rhen and Sienna wasted no time. Rhen took the lead, his powerful strides covering ground with ease. He didn¡¯t slow for obstacles ¨C he broke through them. When a section of collapsed stone blocked their path, he drove his fist into it, shattering it into manageable pieces. Sienna moved like a whisper of air, darting ahead, barely visible as she slipped into the ruins¡¯ shadows. Kaelin and Kana¡ª ¡ªwere already falling behind. ¡°Keep up,¡± Kaelin snapped, ducking beneath a low-hanging archway. Kana scoffed. ¡°Ugh, it¡¯s not all about being first. You¡¯re quite behind the times, aren¡¯t you¡­ Ironic.¡± Kaelin¡¯s teeth ground together. Ahead, their opponents disappeared deeper into the ruins, swallowed by dim light and ancient stone. Kaelin swore under her breath. ¡°Come on.¡± She surged forward, Kana moving beside her reluctantly, but at least she wasn¡¯t dragging her feet. The ruins were ancient. The walls bore faint carvings, half-erased by time. Battle scenes stretched across the stone, ghostly figures locked in combat. The further they went, the colder the air became. The scent of damp earth and old decay thickened, curling around them like unseen fingers. Then came the monsters. The first wave struck fast. Shadows rippled along the walls before lunging forward ¨C four-legged creatures, their bodies a jagged mess of rock and fur. Stonefangs. Their glowing yellow eyes locked onto Kaelin and Kana in an instant. Kaelin barely had time to react before one of them lunged, claws swiping through the air. She twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike. Kana, to her credit, reacted just as quickly. A flick of her fingers, and the creature hesitated mid-lunge, its momentum faltering just enough for Kana to step aside with practiced ease. Mind Threads. Kaelin had seen them in action before, but seeing Kana manipulate a creature¡¯s instincts so effortlessly sent a chill down her spine. What if Kana tried it on her? Could she resist? One second. That was all Kana needed. The beast reeled back, its brief hesitation enough for Kaelin to slam her boot into its side, knocking it off balance. It hit the ground with a heavy thud, snarling. More were coming. Their glowing eyes blinked to life in the darkness, shifting closer. Kaelin¡¯s breath came fast. They couldn¡¯t afford to waste time here. She moved first. She couldn¡¯t afford to hesitate. Another prowler lunged, and she twisted, shifting her weight, letting instinct take over. This time, she was faster. But not fast enough. The creature¡¯s claws grazed her arm as she barely dodged aside, pain flaring white-hot. She bit back a curse. Kana sighed. ¡°You¡¯re slow.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned, already moving, already pressing forward. There was no time to argue. They needed to catch up. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. But every second they wasted fending off these creatures¡ª Rhen and Sienna gained more ground. Kaelin knew one thing for certain. If they didn¡¯t figure out how to work together, they were going to lose. *** Kaelin moved swiftly, keeping her steps light as she scanned the uneven ground. She and Kana had barely entered the ruins, and already, their opponents were ahead. Rhen and Sienna had wasted no time charging forward, their combined strength and agility allowing them to take the fastest route. Kaelin could hear some distant movements, footsteps crunching on gravel, scrapes against the stone walls. Whether what she heard was the others, or monsters, she was in for it. They were getting too far ahead. She clenched her jaw. We need to move faster. Glancing back at Kana, she found the other girl trailing behind, hands in her pockets, expression one of complete boredom. Kaelin exhaled sharply. ¡°Are you seriously not going to try?¡± Kana lazily kicked a loose stone. ¡°Oh, I am trying. I¡¯m trying not to roll my ankle running after a team that¡¯s going to lose anyway.¡± Kaelin¡¯s patience frayed. ¡°You do realize we¡¯re part of that team, right?¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Correction ¨C you¡¯re part of that team. I¡¯m just here for the entertainment.¡± Kaelin had to resist the urge to strangle her. ¡°You¡¯re unbelievable.¡± ¡°And you keep overthinking,¡± Kana shot back. ¡°You keep acting like we¡¯re doomed just because they¡¯re ahead. We won¡¯t lose, trust me.¡± She stretched her arms above her head. ¡°Let them run ahead. We¡¯ll find another way.¡± Kaelin turned away, frustration simmering beneath her skin. She¡¯s not taking this seriously at all. Fine. If Kana wasn¡¯t going to help, she¡¯d do this herself. *** The two wove through the ruins, taking a side path that led into the shadowed interior of a collapsed building. It was slower, but Kaelin hoped it would help them catch up unseen. Stone pillars lined the way, their carvings faded from time. Moss covered the ground, slick and treacherous. ¡°I can hear them,¡± Kaelin murmured, pausing near a broken archway. Rhen and Sienna¡¯s footsteps echoed faintly from ahead. ¡°We¡¯re not as far behind as I thought.¡± Kana leaned casually against the wall. ¡°You¡¯re the one worried about time. I think we have plenty.¡± Kaelin ignored her and peered into the next corridor. It was narrow, the walls lined with deep alcoves. A perfect place for¡ª A rustling sound snapped her attention upward. Shadows moved. Kaelin barely had time to react before something lunged from the darkness. A skeletal beast, its ribs exposed, its skin long since rotted away. Hollow sockets glowed with an eerie blue light as it leaped toward her, claws bared. Kaelin threw herself to the side, the creature¡¯s claws raking across the stone where she¡¯d stood. She hit the ground and rolled, narrowly avoiding another swipe. Kana, meanwhile, remained exactly where she was. She yawned. ¡°Ah. Right. The old magic constructs. Forgot these things were still functional.¡± Kaelin scrambled to her feet, heart pounding. ¡°You forgot?!¡± Kana shrugged. ¡°They don¡¯t usually attack unless you make too much noise.¡± Kaelin clenched her fists. ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to warn me?¡± ¡°Maybe I wanted to see if you¡¯d notice first. Anyways, you should¡¯ve been listening in class when we were told about them. You aren¡¯t gonna stay ahead forever, especially if you¡¯re always in La La Land.¡± Before Kaelin could shout at her, the construct lunged again. She dodged, but its claws clipped her shoulder, tearing through her sleeve. Pain flared. Okay, enough of this. She reached for her Threads, but felt no need. Kana smiled lazily. ¡°This is all on you. It¡¯s basically some kind of soulless, heartless creature. Much like you. Without a mind, I can¡¯t do shit.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t hesitate. She pivoted, grabbed a fallen piece of stone, and swung it into the creature¡¯s skull. Bone cracked. The construct collapsed, its blue glow flickering before fading entirely. Panting, Kaelin stepped back. ¡°Would it have killed you to do anything?¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Where¡¯s the fun in that? I¡¯m not gonna risk my life when yours is there for the taking.¡± Kaelin groaned. ¡°You must have read the contract we signed. They aren¡¯t gonna help us, if we die, that¡¯s on us. Just, don¡¯t say stuff like that. It might end up coming true.¡± Kana walked past her, hands in her pockets. ¡°If only it did¡­ Come on, partner. We still have a trial to win.¡± *** They continued deeper into the ruins. The walls pressed in tighter, and the air grew colder. Kaelin kept her focus sharp. She wasn¡¯t about to get caught off guard again. Then¡ª Her vision blurred. For the briefest moment, the world shifted. She wasn¡¯t here anymore. She was two steps ahead ¨C running forward ¨C something was beneath her¡ª And then it was gone. Kaelin gasped, her body snapping back to the present. Her head pounded. The vision had lasted barely two seconds, but the warning was clear. A trap. Her foot skidded to a stop just before a seemingly solid patch of stone. There, hidden beneath layers of dirt, thin cracks lined the surface. The ground was unstable. A pitfall. She turned sharply. ¡°Kana, don¡¯t step there!¡± Kana raised an eyebrow, already mid-step. ¡°What?¡± The stone gave way. With a sharp crack, the ground crumbled beneath Kana¡¯s foot, sending her plummeting down. Kaelin lunged, instincts overriding thought. She caught Kana¡¯s wrist just before she could vanish into the darkness, the force nearly yanking Kaelin off her feet as well. Her muscles screamed as she tightened her grip, digging her heels into the loose ground. Below, Kana dangled over the edge of a deep crevice, her dark eyes wide before her usual smirk returned. ¡°Well,¡± Kana drawled, swinging slightly from Kaelin¡¯s grip, ¡°I thought you said you¡¯d get rid of the risk of shit like this.¡± Kaelin gritted her teeth, sweat beading at her temple. ¡°It¡­ It was only two seconds! I¡ª¡± Kana grinned. ¡°Two seconds too slow.¡± Kaelin hated how amused she sounded. ¡°Would you shut up and climb?¡± Kana gave a dramatic sigh but complied, using her free hand to grasp the ledge and hoist herself up with surprising ease. The moment she was on solid ground, she dusted herself off as if she hadn¡¯t just nearly fallen into a death trap. Kaelin, meanwhile, was still catching her breath, her heart pounding against her ribs. She scowled. ¡°You could at least pretend to be shaken up.¡± Kana grinned. ¡°Where¡¯s the fun in that?¡± Kaelin groaned, rubbing her temple. ¡°This is going to be a long few days.¡± Kana clapped her on the back. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, partner. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll get just fast enough to be useful soon.¡± Kaelin shot her a glare. Kana only smirked wider. Somehow, she already knew she was going to regret saving her. Chapter 44 – What Mockery Chapter 44 ¨C What Mockery The ruins stretched before them, an endless maze of broken walls and jagged stone. The once-proud structures were now reduced to skeletal remains, their crumbling facades covered in creeping ivy. Shafts of dim light filtered through cracks in the ruined ceilings, casting shifting patterns across the moss-covered stone. Kaelin exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. Her arms still ached from where the pitfall trap had nearly taken them both, and the effort to pull Kana up out from it. The encounter had left her rattled, not just because of her failure to react fast enough, but because Kana had immediately turned it into a joke. She glanced sideways. Kana walked with her hands in her pockets, a lazy smirk tugging at her lips as if they were strolling through a festival rather than navigating a dangerous ruin. It was infuriating. ¡°I don¡¯t get you,¡± Kaelin muttered, breaking the silence. Kana hummed, tilting her head slightly. ¡°You don¡¯t always need to get people. Just try to live your life without analysing every little detail for once.¡± Kaelin ignored the jab. ¡°You¡¯re strong. You¡¯re fast. You could take this seriously and actually win. So why don¡¯t you?¡± Kana¡¯s smirk widened. ¡°Oh? Are we having a heart-to-heart now?¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes. ¡°Forget it.¡± Kana¡¯s gaze lingered on her for a moment before she let out a dramatic sigh. ¡°Fine, fine. Since you¡¯re so curious¡ª¡± She stretched her arms overhead, lazily cracking her knuckles. ¡°Maybe I just don¡¯t care about proving myself to a bunch of instructors who think a few trials determine our worth. Maybe it¡¯s funnier to watch you stress over it instead.¡± Kaelin scoffed. ¡°Right. Because you definitely don¡¯t care.¡± ¡°Bingo. I knew you¡¯d get it eventually.¡± The worst part? Kana probably believed that. Kaelin shook her head. ¡°You¡¯re impossible.¡± ¡°I prefer irresistible, but that works too.¡± Kaelin turned away before she lost her patience entirely. For a moment, silence stretched between them. Only the distant echoes of their footsteps filled the void. Then Kana spoke again, voice deceptively light. ¡°So¡­ how¡¯s it feel?¡± Kaelin frowned. ¡°How¡¯s what feel?¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Being abandoned.¡± Kaelin stopped walking. She turned, slowly. ¡°What?¡± Kana shrugged, feigning innocence. ¡°You know. Lena. Zephyr. Seems like your closest friends are drifting away. Like an empty raft on the ocean.¡± She said the words with mock sympathy, like a cat toying with a trapped mouse. ¡°They both seem much better now that it¡¯s just the two of them. In fact, now that you¡¯re out of the picture, I heard they¡¯re actually making some friends. Looks like they finally found better things to do than babysit you, huh?" Kaelin¡¯s fingers curled into fists at her sides. ¡°Shut up.¡± Kana¡¯s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. ¡°Oops, I didn¡¯t hit a weak spot, did I?¡± Kaelin clenched her jaw, trying to tamp down the sudden surge of anger twisting in her chest. She wouldn¡¯t let Kana get to her. It wasn¡¯t true. Not entirely. Lena was still her best friend. Sure, they hadn¡¯t spent as much time together lately, but that didn¡¯t mean anything. And Zephyr¡ª She exhaled sharply. ¡°You don¡¯t know anything.¡± Kana hummed, tilting her head in mock curiosity. ¡°Don¡¯t I? People leave, Kaelin. Maybe not all at once, maybe not even on purpose. But eventually, they always do.¡± Kaelin turned away, resuming her pace. ¡°I¡¯m not doing this with you.¡± Kana followed, chuckling under her breath. ¡°Oh, I know. You¡¯d rather bottle it all up and pretend nothing¡¯s wrong. Very mature.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. Kaelin refused to respond. They walked in silence after that. But the words lingered. *** The ruins grew darker as they ventured deeper. The air thickened, damp and heavy with the scent of earth and rot. The distant sounds of battle had faded, either the other team had moved too far ahead, or they were being more careful. Kaelin forced herself to focus. She couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted. A low growl cut through the silence. Kaelin stopped. Kana¡¯s smirk vanished instantly. From the shadows ahead, three hunched figures slunk forward. Their long, wiry limbs twitched, jagged teeth glinting in the dim light. Goblins. Kaelin tensed. Not good. Goblins weren¡¯t particularly strong, but they were quick, vicious, and smart. And the one in the centre, clutching a gnarled wooden staff wrapped in twisting vines¡ªwas a shaman. Kaelin¡¯s stomach dropped. Magic. The shaman hissed something in its guttural language, tapping its staff against the ground. The air shifted, Kaelin barely had time to register the movement before thick roots burst from the floor, lunging toward them like snapping jaws. She leapt back, narrowly avoiding being ensnared. Kana sidestepped effortlessly, eyes sharp. ¡°Well,¡± Kana muttered, ¡°this just got interesting.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°We take out the shaman first.¡± Kana snorted. ¡°Wow. What a brilliant strategy.¡± ¡°Less talking, more fighting,¡± Kaelin shot back. One of the goblins lunged, swinging a rusted blade at her side. Kaelin ducked, twisting to drive her elbow into its ribs. The creature snarled but staggered back. Kana, meanwhile, flicked her fingers toward the second goblin. The air around it seemed to shift for a brief second, the creature hesitated mid-strike, its expression clouding. Then the effect faded. Kana clicked her tongue. ¡°Tch. Resistant little things.¡± Kaelin had no time to question it ¨C the shaman had raised its staff again. Her vision blurred. Time twisted. She saw it ¨C three seconds ahead. The staff glowing¡ªroots everywhere¡ªwrapping around her legs¡ªconstricting. She reacted. Kaelin moved before the spell was even cast, darting to the side. The roots erupted exactly where she¡¯d been standing. The shaman¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. Kaelin was already closing the distance. She grabbed a loose shard of broken stone, gripping it tightly. One second. The shaman raised its staff in panic. Two seconds. Kaelin swung. Three seconds. The rock slammed into the shaman¡¯s skull. The creature let out a choked cry before crumpling to the ground. The remaining goblins shrieked in alarm. Kana whistled, looking impressed. ¡°Huh. Guess you can do something useful.¡± Kaelin, still catching her breath, shot her a glare. ¡°Told you.¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Still slow, though.¡± Kaelin groaned. ¡°Just help me finish this.¡± Kana cracked her knuckles. ¡°Gladly.¡± The last two goblins hesitated, then turned and bolted into the ruins. Kaelin let out a breath, lowering her stance. ¡°That¡¯s right. Run¡± Kana stretched her arms behind her head. ¡°You know, you almost looked competent back there. You could¡¯ve even given those goblins a run for their money.¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes. ¡°Shut up.¡± Kana grinned. ¡°Aww, don¡¯t be mad. You should be proud. Three whole seconds? At this rate, you might be the next oracle!¡± Kaelin exhaled through her nose. ¡°You¡¯re insufferable.¡± ¡°And you¡¯re still too slow, let¡¯s step it up a notch, eh?¡± Kaelin knew better than to argue. Because, deep down, she agreed. Kaelin¡¯s fingers curled into fists as she forced herself to focus. The weight of exhaustion dragged at her limbs, but she couldn¡¯t slow down. Not now. They were close, she could feel it. Kana walked beside her, moving with the same lazy stride she always had, as if the battle from earlier had barely even registered. Her hands were tucked into her pockets, her posture loose, but Kaelin wasn¡¯t fooled. There was an edge to Kana¡¯s silence, a calculation behind her dark eyes. Kaelin didn¡¯t push it. She had no patience for another round of Kana¡¯s taunts, not after what she¡¯d said earlier. "Looks like Zephyr and Lena found better things to do than babysit you, huh?" Kaelin¡¯s jaw tightened. She wouldn¡¯t let Kana get under her skin. They turned a corner, stepping into a wider corridor lined with ancient carvings. The symbols were too worn to make out, but they felt important, like remnants of something far greater than the trial they were competing in. Kaelin¡¯s gaze flickered to them briefly before scanning the path ahead. Still no sign of Rhen and Sienna. How far ahead were they? Her muscles tensed, frustration biting at her. They had lost too much time fighting that shaman. If they didn¡¯t catch up soon, they might as well forfeit. She picked up the pace, boots crunching against loose debris. Kana, of course, didn¡¯t match her urgency. ¡°What¡¯s got you so wound up?¡± Kana asked, tilting her head slightly. ¡°Afraid your real friends are gonna win their own match without you there to cheer them on?¡± Kaelin exhaled sharply through her nose. ¡°Not in the mood, Kana.¡± Kana smirked. ¡°You¡¯re never in the mood. I think that¡¯s the problem.¡± Kaelin clenched her fists but forced herself to keep walking. She pressed on, voice mockingly casual. ¡°You know, you and Lena used to be inseparable, right? And now she¡¯s spending more time with that other girl from the advanced class. What was her name again?¡± She snapped her fingers. ¡°Talia? Yeah, Talia.¡± Kaelin forced her voice to stay level. ¡°Lena can be friends with whoever she wants.¡± ¡°Sure.¡± Kana hummed. Kaelin¡¯s fingers twitched. She would not react. She refused to give Kana the satisfaction. Still, the words dug under her skin like splinters. Kana let the silence stretch, eyes watching her closely. Then, she sighed, shaking her head. ¡°You know, it¡¯s almost sad. You talk so much about teamwork, about winning, but in the end, your team doesn¡¯t really care about you, do they?¡± Kaelin stopped walking. Kana took another step before realizing. She turned, raising an eyebrow. Kaelin¡¯s hands trembled at her sides, but when she lifted her gaze, her expression was cold. ¡°Say whatever you want about me,¡± she said quietly. ¡°But don¡¯t talk about them.¡± Kana studied her for a long moment, then gave a slow, lazy shrug. ¡°Suit yourself.¡± Kaelin took a steadying breath and moved. She wasn¡¯t wasting another second listening to Kana¡¯s nonsense. The passage ahead sloped downward, leading into a vast chamber. The stone walls widened, towering overhead in jagged arcs. And at the far end¡ª She heard them. Faint voices, just beyond an ancient doorway. The idol room. Her pulse jumped. They had finally caught up. Chapter 45 – The Heist Chapter 45 ¨C The Heist The idol room stretched before them, ancient and bathed in the flickering glow of torches mounted along the crumbling stone walls. Shadows stretched long across the floor, dancing over the faded carvings of long-forgotten deities. The chamber smelled of damp earth and old stone, thick with the weight of history. At the heart of the room, resting on an ornate pedestal, sat their target. The idol. A smooth, obsidian relic, both in the shape of, and no larger than a human skull, its polished surface inscribed with delicate spirals. Even from across the room, Kaelin felt an odd pull toward it, like a whisper in the back of her mind. It wasn¡¯t magic, at least, not in a way she could sense, but the weight of its presence was undeniable. Kaelin¡¯s fingers twitched. It was right there. So close¡ª A soft rustle behind her yanked her from the thought. She forced herself to exhale slowly, pushing aside the rush of adrenaline burning through her limbs. Focus. They weren¡¯t alone. Ahead, standing just before the pedestal, Rhen and Sienna lingered, eyes locked on the idol. Kaelin¡¯s breath hitched, and she immediately slipped back into the shadows of the ruined archway, pressing herself against the cool stone. Kana did the same, her expression unreadable as she peeked around the edge. ¡°Well, well,¡± Kana murmured, voice barely above a whisper. ¡°Looks like someone else did the hard work for us.¡± Kaelin¡¯s mind raced. If Rhen and Sienna had beaten them here, that meant they had already disarmed any traps. No pitfall surprises, no sudden magical defences. They had paved the way to the pedestal. All Kaelin and Kana had to do was take it from them. Kana nudged her lightly with her elbow. ¡°So, what¡¯s the plan, leader?¡± Kaelin exhaled through her nose. A direct fight would be stupid. Rhen was skilled, more skilled than she was, even with her recent improvements, and Sienna wasn¡¯t exactly weak either. They had been a team from the start, covering each other¡¯s weaknesses. She and Kana, meanwhile, were barely tolerating each other. No, brute force wouldn¡¯t work. They had to be smarter. Kaelin turned to Kana. ¡°You can read minds, right?¡± Kana grinned, her dark eyes gleaming. ¡°Not deeply, but any surface thoughts are mine for the taking.¡± Kaelin met her gaze, a slow smirk forming. ¡°Then find out their plan, and let¡¯s make them hand it over.¡± Kana¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Now this is my kind of teamwork.¡± *** Moving carefully, Kana slipped behind another cracked pillar, blending seamlessly into the shadows. Kaelin, on the other hand, stepped forward, letting herself be seen. Rhen turned first, sharp eyes locking onto her immediately. His stance shifted, a flicker of caution. Sienna followed a second later, her fingers tightening around the idol. Kaelin swallowed and let her breath hitch slightly, selling the act. ¡°You¡¯re still here?¡± she asked, keeping her voice just slightly breathless. ¡°Didn¡¯t you hear it?¡± Rhen narrowed his eyes. ¡°Hear what?¡± Kana, hidden just out of sight, pushed. A ripple of influence, subtle as a whisper. Kaelin watched as Rhen¡¯s expression flickered, his focus wavering just enough to plant a seed of doubt. Kaelin took another step forward, letting her hands shake slightly as if she had just run for her life. ¡°I- I don¡¯t know what it was, but it was big. It nearly tore through the wall behind us.¡± She let her voice waver just a little more, adding an edge of urgency. ¡°We barely made it past.¡± Sienna shifted uncomfortably, glancing toward Rhen. Kana nudged again, pressing the uncertainty deeper. Kaelin saw it in Rhen¡¯s fingers¡ªthe way they twitched toward the idol, a small, subconscious movement. Sienna hesitated. ¡°Maybe we should¡ª¡± ¡°Go,¡± Kaelin urged, lowering her voice. ¡°If we stay here, we¡¯re trapped. That thing¡­ whatever it is, might come this way. We need to get out of here, now.¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Rhen¡¯s jaw clenched. Kaelin held her breath. Then¡ª ¡°Fine,¡± Rhen snapped. ¡°We¡¯ll move.¡± Sienna still looked uncertain, but as Rhen turned toward the entrance, she followed, snagging the Idol as she left. Kaelin barely had time to smother her grin before¨C A flicker of motion. Sienna¡¯s fingers slipped. The idol tumbled. Kaelin lunged. Her hands closed around the obsidian skull, yanking it away before Sienna could react. A heartbeat of silence. Then, ¡°You little¡ª!¡± Kaelin threw it at the pillar Kana had hidden herself behind. A lone hand popped out from behind, catching the skull as it flew. She called back before bolting off, ¡°Thanks you two! Get running Kaelin, I doubt they¡¯re gonna play nice.¡± Kaelin ran after Kana, speeding up her legs for a burst of power and speed. *** Shouts erupted behind them. Kaelin didn¡¯t waste time looking back, she just ran. The ruins blurred past her, dark corridors twisting and stretching like a labyrinth. The air was thick with dust and the scent of old stone, her heartbeat pounding against her ribs. Kana was beside her, moving just as fast, the idol clutched between them. ¡°They¡¯re gaining on us,¡± Kana muttered. Kaelin didn¡¯t need to check, she could hear Rhen¡¯s footsteps slamming against the stone behind them, fast and determined. ¡°Then run faster,¡± Kaelin hissed. A sharp whistle cut through the air. Kana cursed. ¡°Oh, come on!¡± Kaelin barely had time to react before a shard of stone whizzed past her shoulder, slamming into the stone beside her. Rhen was attacking. Sienna¡¯s voice rang out. ¡°Don¡¯t let them get away!¡± Rhen replied, clearly frustrated ¡°Yea, no shit! What do you think I¡¯m trying to do!?¡± Kaelin¡¯s breath came fast and shallow. Think. Futuresight, now. Her vision flickered. The world stretched. She saw further now. Whether it was because of the stress or the panic, she saw five seconds ahead. A flash of movement. Another bolt, aimed directly at Kana. Kaelin reacted before she could think. She grabbed Kana¡¯s arm and yanked her left, just before the attack whizzed past the place where her head had been. Kana stumbled slightly but caught herself, throwing Kaelin a sharp look. ¡°What¡ª¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t explain. She just ran. They had the idol. But Rhen and Sienna weren¡¯t giving up. The chase wasn¡¯t over. The ruins shook. A deep, ominous groan rumbled through the ancient stonework, like a dying beast taking its final breath. Dust billowed from the cracks in the walls, and chunks of debris crumbled from the ceiling, crashing to the ground in violent bursts. Kaelin barely had time to brace herself before another tremor rolled through the structure, nearly knocking her off balance, blocking off the path ahead. "What did you do?" she shouted over the noise. Behind her, Rhen was breathing hard, his hand stuck in the hole he had created in his last attack. "I¡ª" Rhen hesitated, realization dawning in his expression. "I was trying to block you off!" Kaelin''s stomach dropped. Idiot. He hadn''t just cut them off, he''d destabilized the entire ruin. A sharp crack split the air as a massive stone slab broke free from the ceiling. It plummeted, crashing into the ground with a force that made the entire chamber lurch. Kana cursed. "Great. Fantastic. We¡¯re all going to be buried alive because he has anger issues." Kaelin didn¡¯t wait to hear Rhen¡¯s defence. She spun on her heel, gripping the idol tighter as she bolted for the exit. "Move!" The corridors twisted ahead, dark and unsteady as debris rained from above. The tremors worsened, shaking loose entire sections of the ruins. Jagged cracks raced across the stone, threatening to send everything tumbling down. Kaelin¡¯s pulse pounded. They had seconds before the entire place collapsed. Behind her, Kana kept pace, moving with effortless speed despite the chaos. Even Rhen and Sienna, though their expressions were twisted with frustration, weren''t stupid enough to stay behind. Kaelin''s mind whirred through possibilities. If they were too slow, if she miscalculated for even a second. Her vision blurred. A five-second flash. The world warped ahead of her, debris crashing down, a boulder splitting the path, a narrow gap just wide enough to slip through. Kaelin snapped back to the present. ¡°Left!¡± she shouted. Kana, despite herself, didn¡¯t hesitate. She veered sharply, just as a massive stone slammed down behind them, cutting off their previous path. Rhen and Sienna barely made it past in time. The walls trembled. The final collapse was coming. The exit was ahead, just past a stretch of unstable flooring. Kaelin¡¯s mind flashed forward. A step too slow meant death. A moment¡¯s hesitation meant getting buried alive. She clenched her jaw. Not an option. Kaelin surged forward. With every ounce of strength, she leapt. Her foot barely touched the edge of the cracked stone before she pushed off, launching herself toward the open air. The others followed. Kana, fast and fluid. Sienna, right behind her. Rhen, teeth gritted. The floor caved in. For a split second, Kaelin thought Rhen wouldn¡¯t make it. But he lunged, barely catching the edge of the threshold as the last of the ruins collapsed behind him. A deep, earth-shaking boom filled the air as the temple gave one final, agonizing groan¡ª Then it was gone. Dust and debris billowed into the night sky. The ruins of the ancient structure had been swallowed by their own weight, leaving behind nothing but rubble and silence. *** Kaelin lay on her back, breathing hard, the idol still clutched in her fingers. Her heartbeat hammered in her ears, her limbs aching from exertion. For a moment, nobody moved. Then Kana gave a slow, dry laugh. Kaelin turned her head, watching as Kana rolled onto her side, propping herself up on an elbow. "You know," she said, voice slightly hoarse from the dust, "I hate to say it, but that was actually kind of fun." Kaelin groaned. "We nearly died." Kana smirked. "Exactly." Before Kaelin could respond, a new voice cut through the air. "Well," Instructor Aldric stood at the edge of the clearing, arms crossed, watching them with mild amusement. "That was certainly... dramatic." Kaelin forced herself to sit up. Others were approaching, the examiners, the other students who had been waiting for the results. Rhen cursed under his breath. He looked about one second away from punching something. ¡°You cheated,¡± he muttered, glaring at Kaelin. Kaelin, still too exhausted to care, just shrugged. ¡°What the fuck are you on about? Your mate here dropped the idol, we won.¡± The instructor smirked. "Indeed, you did." Later, after everything had settled, after the results had been officially announced and the trial declared over, Kaelin found herself sitting on the cool grass, exhaustion settling into her bones. She barely reacted when Kana flopped down beside her. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. ¡°You¡¯re not as useless as I thought,¡± Kana said casually. Kaelin snorted, rubbing her temples. ¡°High praise.¡± Kana smirked. "Don¡¯t get used to it." Kaelin rolled her eyes but found that, for once, the frustration wasn¡¯t there. Just exhaustion. Maybe ¨C just maybe ¨C they were finally starting to figure out how to work together. Chapter 46 – The Second Test Chapter 46 ¨C The Second Test The academy courtyard was quieter than usual, the glow of the setting sun casting long shadows over the worn stone benches. The excitement from the ruins trial had mostly faded, replaced with a growing tension as students turned their focus toward the next challenge ¨C the wilderness survival test. Kaelin leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees, eyes narrowed at the rough sketch she had drawn on the paper. The wilderness trial would be held deep in Erundal¡¯s forest reserves, far beyond the academy¡¯s training grounds. They¡¯d be left there for three days, forced to survive with no supplies and no outside assistance. She exhaled sharply. ¡°Alright. Food, water, shelter, navigation, avoiding threats. Those should be the priorities.¡± She tapped her fingers against the ground, her mind already sorting through possible solutions. ¡°We need to figure out a proper plan before we go in.¡± Across from her, Kana sat perched on the edge of the table, one leg propped up as she idly twirled a strand of her dark hair. ¡°How exciting,¡± she deadpanned, voice laced with sarcasm. ¡°Three whole days of sleeping in the dirt and eating leaves.¡± Kaelin shot her a flat look. ¡°That attitude is going to get us killed.¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Oh, don¡¯t be so dramatic. It¡¯s just a glorified camping trip.¡± Kaelin resisted the urge to roll her eyes. ¡°We¡¯ll see how you feel when we¡¯re hungry, freezing, and being hunted by beasts.¡± Kana waved a hand dismissively. ¡°Please, there¡¯s no way the instructors will let us starve. They¡¯ll probably leave food sources somewhere, this is still a test, not an actual exile.¡± Kaelin frowned but didn¡¯t argue. Kana had a point. The academy wouldn¡¯t just dump them into the wilderness without some way to survive. Or would they? Either way, it won¡¯t be easy. She glanced at the dirt map again. ¡°Even if there are resources, we¡¯ll need to find them first. We don¡¯t know what kind of terrain we¡¯ll be in, but water should be our first priority. We need a flowing source, preferably a river or a spring, but no lakes or ponds!¡± Kana stretched, arms above her head. ¡°Then we just follow the sound of running water. Done. Why can¡¯t we use lakes?¡± ¡°Still water. It makes you sick.¡± ¡°Why?¡± Kana replied, clearly trying to be annoying. ¡°Oh just shut it. If I knew why we got sick, I wouldn¡¯t still be in school.¡± Kaelin clenched her jaw. She hated how Kana acted like this was all some casual game. ¡°And if there¡¯s no running water nearby? If we¡¯re in dense forest, we might not hear it.¡± Kana groaned. ¡°Then we¡¯ll walk until we find some. Problem solved.¡± Kaelin exhaled sharply. ¡°Not if we waste all our energy wandering in circles. We need a strategy.¡± She grabbed a stick and sketched a rough path through the dirt. ¡°Best approach is to find high ground first. A hill, a ridge, something we can climb. That¡¯ll give us a view of the area so we can look for water sources. Also, there¡¯s a chance the water might flow from the top.¡± Kana hummed in mild approval. ¡°Fine. That makes sense.¡± Kaelin ignored her smug tone. ¡°Once we have water, we need shelter. Nights in the wilderness can get dangerously cold, and we don¡¯t know if it¡¯ll rain.¡± Kana tilted her head. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t a cave be best?¡± Kaelin shook her head. ¡°Too risky. There could be animals inside, and if we get caught in a storm, we might end up trapped by flooding. A lean-to or a dug-out shelter would be safer.¡± Kana groaned. ¡°Ahhhhh, so much effort.¡± Kaelin tightened her grip on the stick. ¡°If you have a better idea, feel free to contribute.¡± Kana frowned but didn¡¯t answer. Kaelin rubbed her temple. ¡°Alright, next is food. Hunting is our best option, but we can¡¯t rely on it entirely. We don¡¯t know what kind of wildlife is in the test area, and we might not have the right tools.¡± Kana¡¯s expression shifted slightly. ¡°I can handle hunting.¡± Kaelin raised an eyebrow. ¡°You? What, are you planning to strangle animals with your bare hands?¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. Kana grinned. ¡°No, I¡¯ll just make them hesitate for a second, then I¡¯ll stab them in the gullet. Easy peasy.¡± Kaelin frowned. ¡°Are you sure? You¡¯re way too confident in your magic. Be careful. That might not always be enough.¡± Kana threw her head back and laid down on the table she had been sitting on. ¡°Ughhh, I got it don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re acting like an old lady.¡± Kaelin sighed. ¡°Fine. You handle hunting. I¡¯ll focus on finding edible plants and trapping smaller game. That way, we won¡¯t be dependent on just one food source.¡± Kana shrugged. ¡°As long as I don¡¯t have to eat bugs, I don¡¯t care.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°No promises.¡± Kana groaned dramatically. ¡°Ugh, I hate this already.¡± Kaelin ignored her. ¡°Fire is another issue. We¡¯ll need to start one fast at night for warmth and cooking. Do you have any experience with fire-starting?¡± Kana gave her an incredulous look. ¡°Do I look like someone who¡¯s ever started a fire?¡± Kaelin huffed. ¡°Figured as much. I can try using flint if we find some, but worst case, we¡¯ll have to use friction methods.¡± Kana¡¯s nose wrinkled. ¡°Sounds tedious.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t bother responding. A silence stretched between them, the reality of the test settling in. This wasn¡¯t like the ruins challenge. This would be longer, harsher. Then Kana spoke, her voice quieter but laced with something sharp. ¡°You know, it¡¯s funny.¡± Kaelin glanced up. ¡°What is?¡± Kana tilted her head, dark eyes glinting. ¡°That you¡¯re stuck with me.¡± Kaelin¡¯s brow furrowed. ¡°What¡¯s that supposed to mean?¡± Kana grinned. ¡°I think it¡¯s ironic that the only person stuck with you now is someone who doesn¡¯t even like you.¡± Kaelin inhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. ¡°Then why are you still here?¡± Kana leaned back, folding her arms behind her head. ¡°Because, like it or not, we¡¯re in this together. And I always play to win.¡± Kaelin forced herself to exhale. ¡°Then start acting like it.¡± Kana laughed. ¡°Maybe I will, maybe I won¡¯t¡­ We¡¯ll see.¡± The conversation died, tension lingering between them. Kaelin turned back to her dirt map, refocusing on their survival plan. They had a long test ahead, and whether she liked it or not, Kana was her only ally. For now. The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth, pine needles, and the faint tang of wet stone as Kaelin stood on the academy¡¯s northern plateau, waiting for the trial to begin. The sky above was clear, but there was a lingering chill, the remnants of a long night, making the morning feel heavier, as though the world itself was holding its breath. Students gathered around in clusters, some pacing, some silently checking their gear, while others exchanged hushed words, the air thick with anticipation. The low murmur of voices buzzed in the background, a mixture of nerves and adrenaline. Each person adjusted their packs, weapons, and the supplies they''d been given, ensuring everything was secure. For most, the weight of the challenge ahead was settling in. This trial was different from the ruins challenge they¡¯d faced before. No ancient traps to avoid, no creatures to battle in a collapsing underground labyrinth. This time, the enemy wasn¡¯t something that could be fought or defeated. The wilderness itself was the trial, an untamed force that required cunning, patience, and endurance. The goal was simple: survive for three days, gather the necessary resources, and make it to the extraction point. But it wasn¡¯t going to be easy. Not with the academy¡¯s standards. They wouldn¡¯t just make it a matter of walking from one point to another. The wilderness would test their every decision, their every step. Even the best-prepared would have their limits stretched. And if they failed¡­ they could say goodbye to their Academy Life. Kaelin exhaled slowly, feeling the cool air fill her lungs as she flexed her fingers. She could already feel the weight of her pack, the equipment inside digging into her shoulders, but the discomfort was the least of her worries. She had to be sharp. They had to be strategic. This wasn¡¯t just about enduring the elements; this was about outsmarting them. They needed food, water, shelter, things they would have to find, craft, or barter for in the wilderness. But there were dangers beyond just the lack of supplies. Wild animals, environmental hazards, and the unknown were waiting. The academy wouldn¡¯t let them get comfortable. The goal wasn¡¯t just survival. They had to be ready for the unexpected. A voice broke through her thoughts, smooth and mocking, as always. ¡°Try not to get yourself killed out there.¡± Kaelin turned at the sound of Zephyr¡¯s voice, her gaze locking with his. His usual confident smirk was in place, a crooked expression that said he was entirely too comfortable with the situation. But there was something else in his eyes, something deeper, harder to read. For a moment, his gaze flickered, a glimmer of uncertainty or maybe something like concern, before it was gone, replaced by that familiar cocky arrogance. She crossed her arms, her stance unbothered but her eyes narrowing slightly. ¡°I should be saying that to you,¡± she shot back, her tone sharp, but she couldn¡¯t help the flicker of a smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth. Zephyr¡¯s smirk widened, though there was an edge to it. ¡°Please, I¡¯ll be fine. I don¡¯t have a deadweight partner holding me back.¡± Kaelin¡¯s eyes narrowed even further, her jaw tightening. ¡°And I don¡¯t have someone slowing me down.¡± She knew exactly what he was trying to do, poke at her, challenge her. And maybe he was right. Maybe she was slower than him. But that didn¡¯t mean she was weak. Zephyr only chuckled in response, his laughter light but filled with an edge of something unreadable. Without another word, he turned away to join Lena, giving her a peck on the cheek as he said hello. The faint sound of his footsteps fading as he moved off toward the rest of the group. It was nice to know he hadn¡¯t completely forgotten about her. Kaelin clicked her tongue in irritation and turned her attention back toward Kana, who had been lounging against a nearby tree. Kana¡¯s hands were stuffed casually in her pockets, her expression relaxed, though the glint of amusement in her eyes told a different story. She had seen the exchange between Kaelin and Zephyr. ¡°You two should just kiss already,¡± Kana muttered, loud enough for only Kaelin to hear. Kaelin¡¯s face burned with a sudden rush of heat, her thoughts scrambling. ¡°Shut up,¡± she muttered, her voice lower than she intended, but the colour in her cheeks betrayed her. ¡°You and I both know he¡¯s with Lena.¡± Kana grinned wider, clearly enjoying the reaction she had provoked, ¡°Oh I know all too well.¡± She simply tilted her head back against the bark of the tree and closed her eyes, seemingly uninterested in the moment now. But Kaelin couldn¡¯t shake the teasing words from her mind. A moment later, the instructor¡¯s voice rang out, clear and commanding, cutting through the ambient noise. ¡°All groups, prepare for deployment.¡± Kaelin¡¯s pulse quickened as she snapped to attention. The trial was beginning. *** Trees loomed above her, their trunks wide and gnarled with age. A light mist hung low to the ground, winding through the underbrush like a living thing. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and moss, the faint smell of water, and the promise of a long, difficult journey ahead. Kaelin¡¯s heart raced. This was it. The survival test had officially begun. Chapter 47 – Out Scouting Chapter 47 ¨C Out Scouting The moment Kaelin¡¯s boots hit the forest floor, she crouched instinctively, absorbing the impact with bent knees. The weight of her pack pressed against her shoulders as she took in her surroundings. The towering trees stretched high above, their thick canopies filtering the daylight into shifting patterns of shadow and light. The air smelled of damp moss, rich soil and nature itself. A rustle to her right made her tense, but it was just Kana, brushing herself off as she straightened. ¡°Well, this is exciting,¡± she muttered dryly, scanning the dense undergrowth. ¡°Dropped in the middle of nowhere with no map, no guidance. Just ¡®survive for three days¡¯ and hope we don¡¯t end up eaten by something.¡± Kaelin ignored her tone, her mind already running through the priorities. Water first. Then shelter. Kana would deal with food. Kana groaned. ¡°You¡¯re seriously making me walk already?¡± Kaelin gave her a flat look. ¡°Would you rather die of dehydration?¡± Kana sighed dramatically but didn¡¯t argue, which was a small miracle. ¡°Fine. You lead, survivalist.¡± Without wasting any more time, Kaelin set off, keeping her pace brisk but steady. She listened for the sound of moving water, the rush of a stream or the babbling of a brook. The academy wouldn¡¯t have stranded them somewhere completely barren, there had to be a water source nearby. The undergrowth was thick in places, forcing her to weave through tangled branches and step carefully over gnarled roots. Kana followed without complaint, though Kaelin could feel the weight of her bored stare at her back. After several minutes, Kaelin slowed. A deep frown settled on her face. There was moisture in the air, but no clear indication of a stream. If they wasted too much time searching, they¡¯d be left scrambling to build shelter before nightfall. Kaelin sighed to herself before speaking up, ¡°You know what, you go search for food, I¡¯ll keep going with the shelter and water. Let¡¯s meet back here when the suns at 45 degrees, sound good?¡± ¡°Yea, whatever.¡± *** Kaelin¡¯s gaze lifted to the canopy above. The forest stretched endlessly in all directions, but the treetops thinned slightly in some areas, suggesting a break in the terrain. Higher ground. Maybe I should climb higher, get a better vantage point. Kaelin approached the nearest sturdy tree and tested its bark. Good grip. With practiced ease, she jumped, catching a low branch and hoisting herself up. Hand over hand, she ascended swiftly, boots pressing against the rough trunk for balance. As she climbed higher, the forest opened up around her. A cool breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying with it the distant chirps of birds and rustling foliage. She paused near the top, bracing herself against the thick branches as she scanned the horizon. Then she spotted movement in the distance. Two teams, four people total, were engaged in a skirmish near a rocky outcrop. Even from this distance, Kaelin could see flashes of magic, glimmering strands of light weaving through the air as they clashed. One student swung a stone blade, while another deflected the blow with a dagger he had sneakily hidden behind his back. Kaelin narrowed her eyes. This wasn¡¯t an academy-sanctioned fight. It was survival¡­ competition. Some students had clearly decided that the best way to get ahead was by eliminating the opposition early, and they might not have the wrong idea. Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings. A part of her itched to get closer, to watch, to assess their fighting styles. But she knew better than to get involved. Instead, she shifted her weight and leaped. The first branch she landed on swayed under her weight, but she adjusted quickly, bending her knees to absorb the impact before springing forward. Jumping from tree to tree, she moved like a shadow, her steps light and precise. The higher vantage point gave her a better look at the surrounding terrain. She spotted it a moment later, a thin silver ribbon cutting through the greenery. A river. Kaelin smirked. Finally. *** Once she got to the river, Kaelin ran her fingers along the damp soil, assessing the texture. The stream had carved a small crevasse into the earth over time, leaving behind a shallow, half-exposed cave along its banks. The walls were sturdy enough, and the overhanging roots from nearby trees provided extra reinforcement. It wasn¡¯t spacious, but that was exactly what made it perfect. A hidden shelter. A place to stay off the radar. After seeing the skirmish between the other teams, Kaelin had no intention of setting up camp in the open. If groups were already fighting on day one, there was no telling what would happen by the third. She rolled her shoulders, tightening her grip on a sturdy branch she had broken off earlier. Digging with just her hands would be slow, but this? This would speed things up. She crouched low and got to work, using the branch to pry loose the softer parts of the dirt, widening the natural hole beneath the embankment. The more she dug, the more stable the space became, deep enough for both her and Kana to fit inside without being completely exposed. The cool earth was a welcome contrast to the humid air outside. Kaelin worked methodically, reinforcing the edges with fallen branches and packing the walls with damp soil to prevent collapse. She even wove together some thick leaves and twigs to create a makeshift covering that could be pulled over the entrance, camouflaging it from sight. By the time she was satisfied, her arms ached, and her fingers were caked in dirt. She sat back, surveying her work. It¡¯s not perfect, but it¡¯ll do. Now, she just needed Kana. Pivoting mid-air, she made her way back toward Kana, jumping through the trees, landing gracefully on the last branch before climbing down. As her boots hit the ground, Kana lazily lifted her head. She found Kana exactly where she had left her, lounging against a fallen log with a dead rabbit dangling from one hand. ¡°Where the hell have you been?¡± Kana drawled, lifting her head lazily. ¡°I was starting to think you ditched me.¡± Kaelin crossed her arms. ¡°If I did, you¡¯d be dead by morning.¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Damn, okay. Sassy much? Anyway, what¡¯s the plan?¡± ¡°I found a nice place to stay. A hidden spot near the stream.¡± Kana¡¯s brow rose slightly, and she tilted her head in interest. ¡°Oh? And here I was, ready to sleep under a tree like a proper savage.¡± She held up the rabbit. ¡°I even caught dinner.¡± Kaelin gave her a look. ¡°Let¡¯s just get to the shelter before someone else finds us.¡± Kana chuckled but followed without protest, the rabbit swinging idly in her grasp. By the time they reached the crevasse, the sun had begun to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the landscape. Kaelin pushed aside the makeshift covering, revealing the entrance to their underground hideout. Kana let out a low whistle. ¡°Huh. I gotta admit, I was expecting a hole in the ground, but this? This isn¡¯t bad.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°I mean¡­ It¡¯s not much better than that, but I¡¯m glad you approve.¡± Kana crouched down and peered inside. ¡°Cozy. Hope you don¡¯t snore.¡± Kaelin rolled her eyes and crawled inside, brushing off the packed earth on the floor before settling in. Kana followed suit, tossing the rabbit onto the ground between them. Kana sat on a rock, stretching her legs. ¡°You sit here making us a fire, and i¡¯ll go hunt something else. This rabbit ain¡¯t gonna feed the both of us.¡± Kaelin frowned. ¡°Alone?¡± Kana smirked. ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re worried about me.¡± ¡°I just don¡¯t want to have to drag your unconscious body back to camp when something bigger than you decides to fight back,¡± Kaelin muttered. Kana waved her off. ¡°Relax. I¡¯ll be fine.¡± And before Kaelin could argue, she was gone, disappearing into the trees. Kaelin exhaled sharply, rubbing her temples. Great. Now she had to try start a fire alone. She had just started looking for sticks when a rustle in the underbrush made her freeze. Her hand hovered near her dagger as she turned slowly. A pair of yellow eyes peered at her from the foliage. A beast? A student? Kaelin kept still, waiting. Then, with a flicker of movement, the creature darted away, vanishing into the undergrowth. She exhaled slowly. That was too close. Shaking off the nerves, she returned to her work. By the time Kana returned, smugly tossing a freshly caught rabbit onto the ground, the fire was almost done. All that was needed was to light it. Kana raised an eyebrow. ¡°Not bad.¡± Kaelin wiped sweat from her brow. ¡°Took you long enough.¡± Kana flopped onto the ground, stretching. ¡°What can I say? I like a challenge.¡± Kaelin sighed but let it go. They still had two more days to survive. And she had a feeling things were only going to get harder from here. Chapter 48 – The Embers of Pain Chapter 48 ¨C The Embers of Pain The underground shelter was quiet, save for the faint sound of running water from the nearby stream. The walls of packed earth muffled the outside world, enclosing them in a small pocket of space barely big enough for two. Despite the cramped quarters, it was safe. Hidden. Kaelin sat cross-legged on the ground, a sharp knife in hand as she worked on skinning the rabbit Kana had brought back. Across from her, Kana did the same, though with far less enthusiasm. ¡°Ugh,¡± Kana muttered, wrinkling her nose as she pulled back the rabbit¡¯s fur. ¡°This is disgusting.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t bother looking up. ¡°You¡¯re the one who insisted on hunting.¡± Kana scowled. ¡°I thought it¡¯d be fun.¡± She peeled away another section of skin, grimacing. ¡°This is not fun.¡± Kaelin smirked but kept her focus on her own rabbit. The process was messy but necessary. If they wanted to eat, they had to do the work. For a while, they worked in silence, the only sounds being the occasional squelch of flesh and the rustling of fur being stripped away. Then, without thinking, Kana spoke. ¡°My father used to do this all the time.¡± Her voice was different, softer, more distant. Kaelin glanced up. Kana¡¯s expression was unreadable, her dark eyes focused on the task at hand, but her usual smirk was gone. Something about the way she said it made Kaelin hesitate. ¡°Used to?¡± Kana¡¯s knife slowed. There was a long pause before she exhaled through her nose. ¡°Yeah. Used to.¡± Kaelin studied her for a moment. The way her hands tensed slightly. The way she wasn¡¯t making eye contact anymore. Then it clicked. ¡°He¡¯s gone,¡± Kaelin said quietly. It wasn¡¯t a question. Kana let out a short, humourless laugh. ¡°Yep.¡± Kaelin didn¡¯t respond right away. She wasn¡¯t good at this kind of thing. Sympathy, comforting words, they didn¡¯t come naturally to her. Instead, she kept working, her hands steady as she finished preparing her rabbit. ¡°When?¡± Kana paused, then shrugged. ¡°A few months ago. Right before I started at the academy.¡± Kaelin¡¯s gut twisted. So recently. She hadn''t known. No one had mentioned it. She set her knife down. ¡°How?¡± Kana¡¯s lips curled into something that might¡¯ve been a smirk if it weren¡¯t so hollow. ¡°Bandits.¡± She flicked a glance toward Kaelin. ¡°Not exactly a grand story.¡± Kaelin frowned. ¡°Doesn¡¯t have to be.¡± Kana hummed in response but didn¡¯t say anything else. The silence stretched between them. It was different from before. Heavier. Kaelin turned back to her rabbit, gutting it with practiced ease. She didn¡¯t know what to say. She didn¡¯t even know if she should say anything. Instead, she focused on something she could do ¨C getting a fire started. Kaelin set her finished rabbit aside and pulled a bundle of dried vines from her pouch. She had gathered them earlier, knowing they¡¯d be useful. Carefully, she twisted them into a makeshift rope, pulling it taut. Kana watched with mild curiosity. ¡°What are you doing?¡± ¡°Making fire.¡± Kaelin pulled a thick, straight branch from her pile of supplies and tied the vine around it, securing it tightly. Then, she positioned a small, flat piece of wood beneath it. Kana raised an eyebrow. ¡°The fuck are you doing? This how you start a fire?¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°Yea, my mum taught me. Perfect for when you¡¯re out in the wild. Wet or dry, this gets the job done.¡± Kana made a face but didn¡¯t argue. Kaelin braced the wood with one hand and began moving the bow back and forth, spinning the drill against the base. Nothing happened for a while, then a yellow glow appeared around the central stick. The extra friction generated heat, and soon, smoke curled from the tiny indentation in the wood. Kana leaned forward slightly, watching. ¡°You¡¯ve done this before.¡± Kaelin nodded. ¡°No shit. My mum didn¡¯t just teach me this for fun. We used to go camping a few times a year. Even once we stopped I did it every so often. This kind of skill is quite easily forgotten, I thought it might come in handy someday.¡± Kana huffed. ¡°Didn¡¯t think ¡®someday¡¯ would mean being stuck in the wilderness with me, did you?¡± Kaelin snorted. ¡°Nope.¡± The wood smouldered, the ember glowing faintly. Kaelin carefully transferred it to a small pile of dried leaves and gently blew on it, coaxing the tiny flame to life. A few moments later, the fire flickered to life, casting a warm glow inside their shelter. Kaelin placed it in the makeshift fireplace in order to help remove the smoke produced. This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it. Kana let out a low whistle. ¡°Not bad.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°Told you.¡± They placed the prepared rabbits on skewers and set them over the fire. The smell of cooking meat quickly filled the air, some might argue this was better than school food. But they¡¯d be idiots. Kana leaned back against the dirt wall, stretching out her legs. ¡°It¡¯s a bit flavourless. Got any salt?¡± Kaelin sighed. ¡°I really can¡¯t tell if you¡¯re trying to be funny, or if you¡¯re actually curious.¡± Kana blushed and shouted out defensively. ¡°Course I¡¯m joking!¡± Kana looked down at her food and took another bite before speaking. ¡°You¡¯re actually pretty cool¡­ I don¡¯t forgive you for what happened to Daniel, but I can tell it must¡¯ve been an accident. I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t believe you before. I guess anger kinda clouded my vision or something¡­ You know?¡± Kaelin arched an eyebrow. ¡°No¡­ not really¡­ but thanks. Should I take it as a compliment?¡± Kana shrugged. ¡°Take it however you want.¡± Kaelin shook her head but didn¡¯t press the issue. For a while, they ate in silence, the crackling fire filling the quiet. Then Kana spoke again. ¡°You ever lost someone?¡± Kaelin blinked, caught off guard by the question. She hesitated before answering. ¡°No.¡± Kana chuckled under her breath. ¡°Huh. Lucky you.¡± Kaelin poked at her food. ¡°I don¡¯t think luck has anything to do with it.¡± Kana tilted her head. ¡°Nah, maybe not.¡± Another pause. Then, Kana sighed and ran a hand through her dark hair. ¡°It¡¯s weird. One day, someone¡¯s just¡­ there. And then they¡¯re not.¡± Kaelin stayed quiet. Kana gave a small, dry laugh. ¡°I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m telling you this.¡± Kaelin took a bite of her food. ¡°Because there¡¯s no one else to tell.¡± Kana blinked, then smirked. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you insightful.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t talk about it, do you?¡± ¡°No¡­ No point.¡± ¡°Maybe not.¡± Kana studied her for a long moment, then sighed. ¡°You¡¯re annoying.¡± ¡°So are you.¡± Kaelin smirked. Kana let out a soft laugh. It wasn¡¯t mocking this time. It was¡­ real. Kaelin didn¡¯t say anything, just took another bite of her food. Maybe they weren¡¯t friends. Maybe they never would be. But for now, sitting by the fire, sharing this moment, Kaelin felt a connection. *** The fire crackled low, its flickering glow casting dancing shadows on the earthen walls of their shelter. The scent of roasted rabbit still lingered in the air, mixing with the crisp night breeze that drifted in from the small crevasse opening. The night was calm, the exhaustion from the day settling into Kaelin¡¯s limbs like lead. For once, there was an almost comfortable silence between her and Kana, no sharp remarks, no passive-aggressive jabs. Just quiet, the fire¡¯s warmth stretching between them. Kana shifted, breaking the moment. "I''m gonna get some air," she muttered, standing and stretching out her arms. Kaelin, too comfortable by the fire, waved a lazy hand. ¡°Don¡¯t get eaten.¡± Kana snorted but didn¡¯t reply as she ducked out of the shelter, her boots scuffing against the dirt as she climbed up the crevasse wall. Kaelin barely registered it, too content with the rare peace. Until¡­ ¡°Kaelin¡­¡± Kana¡¯s voice was different this time. Not irritated, not bored, but weary, worried. Kaelin¡¯s stomach tensed. ¡°What?¡± she called back. No response. Frowning, she pushed herself up, grabbed her sword, and climbed out of the shelter, following the path Kana had taken. When she reached the top, she found Kana crouched low against a tree, eyes narrowed. Kaelin crept up beside her. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Kana gestured with a tilt of her head. ¡°Look.¡± Kaelin followed her gaze. Through the gaps in the foliage, she saw it, movement. Two figures slipping through the trees, their forms nearly blending into the shadows. They moved fast, their steps careful, deliberate. Kaelin felt her pulse quicken. ¡°Ambush,¡± Kana murmured. Kaelin¡¯s grip on her sword tightened. ¡°They know where we are.¡± Kana exhaled through her nose. ¡°They must¡¯ve followed the smoke.¡± Kaelin cursed under her breath. ¡°Fuck, I should¡¯ve thought about that.¡± She barely had time to think before something shifted. Her vision blurred. Ten seconds ahead. A hammer, spinning through the air. It hit Kana, slamming into her side, knocking her off balance. She crumpled to the ground, she seemed in pain, unable to breathe. The vision snapped away. The present came rushing back. Kaelin looked to her right, and the hammer flew past her head, an orange streak following it like a comet. It slammed into the dirt behind her, embedding deep into the earth. Kana let out a startled curse, snapping toward the direction it had come from. Kaelin, however, barely reacted. That was weird. But she had more important things to focus on. The ambushers were already upon them. The first attacker lunged, a spear wielder, their weapon gleaming in the moonlight. They moved fast, thrusting with practiced precision straight for Kaelin¡¯s ribs. Kaelin¡¯s instincts kicked in. She twisted aside, dodging by a hair¡¯s breadth. The spear sliced through empty air. Kaelin retaliated instantly, bringing her sword up in a quick slash, forcing the attacker back. To her left, Kana was already engaged with the second assailant, a dual-wielder, their sharp stone knives flashing in the firelight. They moved like a shadow, striking low, fast. Kana blocked the first swipe with the side of her forearm, layered with a set of makeshift gloves and countered with a wild swing, but the ambusher ducked and pressed forward, relentless. The third attacker, the hammer wielder, was still at a distance, pulling another weapon from their belt. Kaelin¡¯s focus snapped back to her own fight. The spear wielder was quick. They recovered instantly, pivoting into another attack, the spear coming in low toward her legs. Her vision flickered. Ten seconds ahead. A quick feint. A low thrust. Kaelin reacted before it even happened. She kicked up a chunk of loose dirt with her boot, sending it flying toward the attacker¡¯s face. It wasn¡¯t much, but it was enough to throw them off. Kaelin surged forward. She slammed the pommel of her sword into their shoulder, making them stagger back with a curse. To her left, Kana¡¯s fight was turning against her. Kaelin barely turned in time to see the dual-wielder¡¯s knife slicing toward Kana¡¯s ribs. Kana wasn¡¯t fast enough. Kaelin didn¡¯t hesitate. She crashed into Kana, knocking her out of the way. The knife missed, carving only through empty air instead of flesh. Kana hit the ground with a grunt, blinking up at her. ¡°What the hell?¡± ¡°Focus,¡± Kaelin snapped. Kana didn¡¯t argue. She rolled to her feet, her stance shifting, more controlled. For the first time, they moved together. Kaelin parried the spear wielder¡¯s next strike, pushing them back. Kana, meanwhile, twisted into a counterattack, catching the dual-wielder¡¯s arm and slamming her knee into their ribs. The attacker choked out a breath, stumbling. Kana followed up with a brutal kick to the shin. They collapsed with a curse. The hammer wielder, seeing their team losing, spat in frustration. ¡°Tch. Not worth it.¡± Without another word, they turned and fled into the trees. The spear wielder hesitated for only a second before following. Silence. The only sound was their own heavy breathing. Kaelin lowered her sword slightly, watching the treeline. When it became clear the ambushers weren¡¯t coming back, she let out a slow breath. ¡°Well,¡± Kana finally muttered. ¡°That was fun.¡± Kaelin let out a dry laugh, wiping sweat from her forehead. ¡°Speak for yourself.¡± Kana exhaled, rolling her shoulders. Then, she turned, looking at Kaelin, really looking at her. Something in her expression shifted. ¡°¡­Thanks,¡± she muttered. Kaelin arched a brow. ¡°For what?¡± Kana hesitated. ¡°For saving my ass.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°Damn right.¡± Kana rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue. The tension between them wasn¡¯t gone, not completely. But something had clearly changed. Kana was willing to listen. And maybe they¡¯d be able to actually work together. Chapter 49 - Appreciation Chapter 49 - Appreciation The survival trial was proving to be¡­ easy. Too easy. Kaelin stretched her arms behind her head, her body relaxed against the thick branch of an oak tree as she gazed down at the forest floor below. A warm breeze whispered through the leaves, carrying the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. Sunlight streamed through the canopy in broken patches, casting golden rays that flickered with every swaying branch. From this vantage point, she could see the slow-moving stream glistening in the daylight. Their hidden shelter, a dugout within the crevasse wall, remained untouched, concealed from any prying eyes. Kaelin exhaled, shifting her weight. This was almost¡­ boring. There was no frantic pace, no immediate sense of danger. No one to fight. Most teams were likely hunkering down just like they were, conserving energy, waiting for the moment when the extraction point was revealed. That was when the real battle would begin. But for now? It was just waiting. She adjusted her position, her fingers curling around a branch overhead before she swung forward and hopped to the next tree. Her boots barely made a sound as she landed, finding balance with practiced ease. Kaelin had always been good at this, moving unseen, navigating terrain with a natural grace that others lacked. She smirked. While other students were stuck trudging through the underbrush, she had the high ground. Jump. Land. Adjust. Repeat. With each leap, she took in more of the forest, scanning for movement, for anything that might signal another team nearby. But there was nothing. Her mind drifted to Kana. The other girl had left their shelter that morning with nothing but a dagger, muttering something about hunting before vanishing into the trees. That had been hours ago. Not that Kaelin was worried. Kana could handle herself. Still¡­ Kaelin slowed, resting her back against the trunk of a towering fir as she peered down at the world below. She had spent most of the day scouting, leaping from tree to tree, making note of useful landmarks, rivers, rock formations, paths that others might take. But there was nothing pressing. Nothing urgent. The realization left her with an odd feeling of restlessness. The last test was chaos. Kana being Kana. Their opponents. Heck, they almost even got buried alive. Here, there wasn¡¯t much to do. What did they even want to test? What¡¯s the point? Why chuck them into the wild? How is failing this worth getting expelled over? She huffed and crossed her arms, kicking her foot against the branch. Maybe she should find something to do. *** Kaelin eventually made her way back to the stream, hopping down from the last tree and landing lightly on the mossy ground. She crouched by the water¡¯s edge, scooping up a handful and splashing it over her face. The coolness was refreshing, chasing away some of the heat clinging to her skin. Three days of this. She glanced upstream, then downstream. The water wasn¡¯t deep enough to swim in, but it was steady, clean. A good resource. It¡¯s Surprising no one else has tried to put up camp nearby. The problem was, she was starting to feel like she wasn¡¯t actually surviving. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. Not really. She had expected more danger, wild beasts, treacherous terrain, maybe even a storm. But instead, the forest was peaceful, untouched. It felt like the academy was handholding them. Kaelin scowled, tossing a pebble into the water. She didn¡¯t want to wait around for things to happen. She wanted to be doing something. She sighed and stood, stretching her arms before turning back toward the trees. She would go on another round of scouting before heading back to camp. If nothing else, it would keep her occupied. *** By late afternoon, Kaelin found herself back at their shelter, perched lazily on a rock near the entrance. She twirled a small twig between her fingers, waiting. Still no sign of Kana. She wasn¡¯t concerned, not really. But she was bored. A rustling in the brush caught her attention. Kaelin flicked her gaze toward the treeline just as Kana emerged, carrying a limp rabbit in one hand and a dagger in the other. The other girl looked completely unfazed, as if she hadn¡¯t just spent half the day tracking and killing prey. Kaelin raised an eyebrow. ¡°Took you long enough.¡± Kana shot her a dull look. ¡°You could¡¯ve hunted, too.¡± Kaelin smirked, flicking the twig aside. ¡°Nah. That¡¯s your job. You hunt, I skin, we eat. Simple.¡± Kana rolled her eyes but didn¡¯t argue. *** The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in streaks of deep indigo and violet. A thin crescent moon hung overhead, casting a pale glow through the branches. The fire was small, just enough to provide warmth and cook their meal without drawing attention. Kaelin crouched near the flames, rolling her shoulders before setting to work. The fresh rabbit Kana had brought back lay before her, its fur still intact. With practiced ease, Kaelin unsheathed her knife and set the blade against the animal¡¯s skin. A sharp inhale. She didn¡¯t need to look to know that Kana had turned away. Despite how she held face the night before. Kana seemed awfully averse to the preparation. Kaelin smirked. ¡°You know, for someone who has no problem killing them, you sure can¡¯t stand to watch this part.¡± Kana huffed, her back still turned. ¡°It¡¯s different.¡± Kaelin raised an eyebrow. ¡°How?¡± Kana shifted. ¡°It just is.¡± Kaelin chuckled, shaking her head as she continued her work. The knife slid cleanly through the fur, peeling it back with careful precision. She had done this plenty of times before, though not often in such a setting. The fire crackled, filling the silence between them. Kana had fallen uncharacteristically quiet. Kaelin didn¡¯t question it at first, Kana was hardly the chatty type. But as the silence stretched on, she finally glanced up, curiosity piqued. Kana was still sitting with her back to her, arms resting on her knees. But there was something¡­ off. Her shoulders were tense. Her gaze distant. For a moment, Kaelin considered saying something, some half-assed attempt at comfort, or acting like she cared. She did, but she also knew better. So instead, she reached for her knife again and simply said, ¡°You don¡¯t have to watch.¡± Kana didn¡¯t respond. But she didn¡¯t get up and leave, either. And somehow, that felt like enough. *** By the time the rabbit was cooked, the tension had eased, if only slightly. The fire crackled, its warm glow flickering over the rough walls of their crevasse shelter. Shadows danced with every shift of the flame, twisting and stretching like silent spectres against the earth. The air was thick with the scent of charred meat and damp soil, mixing with the cool breeze rolling in from the nearby stream. Kaelin sat cross-legged near the fire, tearing a strip of meat from the roasted rabbit and popping it into her mouth. It was dry and bland, but it was food, and that was all that mattered. Across from her, Kana remained turned away, sitting near the shelter¡¯s entrance with her arms folded over her knees. She hadn''t watched the skinning. Hadn''t watched the cooking, either. But now that the hard part was over, she was stealing quick glances over her shoulder, as if debating whether or not she actually wanted to eat. Kaelin, being the generous person she was, tore off another piece and casually tossed it in her direction. Kana caught it without missing a beat, fingers closing around the still-warm meat before she shot Kaelin an unimpressed look. Kaelin smirked. ¡°What, you¡¯re too good to take food from me now?¡± Kana huffed but didn¡¯t throw it back. She turned it over once in her hand before biting off a small piece. For a while, they just ate. Not in comfortable silence, exactly. But it wasn¡¯t hostile, either. The fire filled the quiet, its steady crackling mixing with the soft murmur of the stream outside. The wind stirred the canopy above, making the trees whisper with each passing gust. It was peaceful, in a way. She shifted her gaze toward Kana, who was still avoiding direct eye contact, eating in slow, measured bites. Weird. Kana never had trouble speaking her mind. If something annoyed her, she made it known. If she was angry, she let it show. But now, she was¡ª Quiet. Kaelin watched her for a moment longer before poking at the fire with a stick. ¡°So,¡± she said, ¡°how many did you see today?¡± Kana glanced at her, brow furrowing. ¡°What?¡± ¡°Other teams.¡± Kaelin gestured vaguely toward the woods. ¡°Anyone nearby?¡± Kana shrugged, wiping her hands against her pants. ¡°Only one pair. They didn¡¯t notice me.¡± Kaelin hummed in acknowledgment. Good. That meant they weren¡¯t an immediate problem. The fire flickered, casting shifting patterns of light over their faces. Kaelin stared into the embers, letting her mind drift. After a moment, Kana spoke again. ¡°What about you?¡± Kaelin blinked, glancing up. ¡°What?¡± Kana rolled her eyes. ¡°Did you see anyone?¡± ¡°Oh.¡± Kaelin tilted her head, thinking. ¡°Nah, no one. I thought I might see some further up the river, but it seems like everyone¡¯s staying away or something. Maybe they think everyone else are already here.¡± Kana snorted. ¡°Cowards.¡± Kaelin smirked. ¡°Strategic.¡± Kana shook her head but didn¡¯t argue. Instead, she let herself lean back on her elbows, finally looking relaxed for the first time that night. Another lull fell between them, but this one wasn¡¯t as heavy as before. The night stretched on, the fire burned low and it seemed like Kana finally appreciated Kaelin¡¯s company. Chapter 50 – True Comfort Chapter 50 ¨C True Comfort The wind whispered through the canopy, a crisp breath of air that rustled the leaves and sent tiny ripples across the sea of green. Kaelin moved with it, vaulting from branch to branch, her body in perfect harmony with the forest¡¯s rhythm. Every leap felt effortless, as natural as breathing. She barely noticed the rough bark beneath her fingers as she caught herself, barely heard the creak of bending wood as she shifted her weight to prepare for the next jump. This was freedom. She landed lightly on a sturdy branch, the thick limb steady beneath her feet. Here, above the tangled undergrowth, everything was open. The shadows of the forest floor, the damp soil littered with roots and fallen leaves, all of it was far below, hidden beneath an endless canopy of shifting sunlight and green. She didn¡¯t belong down there, wading through the dirt and thorns. Up here, she could breathe. Kaelin steadied herself and took in her surroundings. The forest stretched on endlessly, an unbroken expanse of towering trees and rolling hills. Golden shafts of light pierced through gaps in the leaves, illuminating patches of bark and moss with a soft, hazy glow. The scent of damp earth mixed with the faint, sharp tang of pine, rich and fresh. The world pulsed with quiet life. The trees swayed gently, whispering as the wind curled through their branches. The distant gurgle of flowing water echoed faintly through the woods, a stream, somewhere nearby, winding its way through the undergrowth. The occasional snap of a twig, the rustle of shifting leaves, the slow creak of a tree bending in the wind. Kaelin listened. Even in stillness, the forest never truly slept. A flicker of movement caught her attention. A streak of reddish-brown fur darted across a lower branch, claws clicking lightly against the wood. Kaelin¡¯s gaze followed it, a squirrel, quick and nimble, its sleek body weaving effortlessly through the maze of twigs and leaves. She smirked. A little acrobat. The squirrel moved with instinctual precision. Every leap was measured, every twitch of its bushy tail calculated for balance. It ran along the branch, hesitated for a split second, then turned its head sharply toward her. Dark, beady eyes locked onto hers. Then came the scolding. A rapid burst of sharp, clicking chatters filled the air, high-pitched and indignant. The squirrel¡¯s small front paws twitched, claws gripping the bark as it continued its relentless tirade. Kaelin arched an eyebrow. ¡°Oh, I¡¯m sorry. Am I intruding on your branch?¡± The squirrel¡¯s tail flicked sharply, its clicks growing even more frantic. It took a step forward, then another, as if debating whether to stand its ground or flee. Kaelin crossed her arms and smirked. ¡°You really think you can chase me off?¡± Another rapid burst of chatter, almost as if answering yes. She huffed a quiet laugh. ¡°Touchy little thing.¡± The squirrel, seemingly satisfied that it had made its displeasure known, turned, and bolted. It leapt from branch to branch with practiced ease, its tiny frame vanishing into the thick tangle of leaves above. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Kaelin shook her head. She knew better than to underestimate creatures like that. The forest belonged to them, the nimble ones, the small ones, the ones who had spent their entire lives learning its hidden paths. She was just a temporary visitor, a stranger passing through. She let out a slow breath and took in the world around her once more. The canopy stretched in every direction, dappled with shifting patches of light and shadow. Below, the forest floor remained cloaked in green, thick with undergrowth and fallen leaves. The trees stood tall and ancient, their trunks gnarled and scarred from centuries of wind and rain. Kaelin glanced toward the horizon. From up here, she could see far beyond the dense thickets of trees. The stream she had found earlier wove its way through the land like a silver ribbon, its shimmering surface catching the sunlight as it flowed through the heart of the wilderness. And yet¡­ This trial still felt easy. With a contented sigh, she shifted her stance and prepared for her next leap. The wind curled around her, carrying the crisp scent of pine and damp earth. The branch swayed slightly beneath her weight, but she barely noticed. The world blurred for a heartbeat as she pushed off, soaring effortlessly through the air. Somewhere above, hidden in the canopy, the squirrel let out one last chattering remark, one final warning before she vanished into the trees. Kaelin wiped the sweat from her brow as she landed lightly on a thick tree branch, her sharp gaze scanning the forest floor below. The sound of trickling water reached her ears, soft, rhythmic, a clear contrast to the usual rustling of leaves and distant bird calls. The stream. She grinned to herself. Finally. Pushing off from the branch, she dropped down, twisting mid-air to land in a crouch. The ground was damp beneath her fingers, the scent of wet earth and moss filling her lungs. Rising to her feet, she moved toward the sound, stepping lightly over tangled roots and fallen leaves. The stream came into view a moment later. It was narrow but lively, its water gliding over smooth stones, swirling around fallen branches before continuing its winding path through the forest. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, catching on the surface, making it shimmer like liquid silver. Kaelin knelt by the edge, running her fingers through the cool water. Fresh. Clean. Still, curiosity pulled at her. She straightened, following the stream¡¯s course. It moved with a lazy confidence, trickling between thick undergrowth, cutting a path through the otherwise dense forest. Kaelin followed along, stepping on flat stones where the water ran shallow, letting the flow guide her deeper into the wilderness. The trees gradually began to thin. In their place, moss-covered rock formations jutted up from the earth, rising on either side of the stream like the remains of some long-forgotten pathway. The ground sloped downward, subtly at first, then more steeply, until the towering rock walls fully enclosed the stream¡¯s path. Kaelin paused, glancing upward. The sheer cliffs reached high into the sky, their surfaces worn smooth by years of water carving through the stone. Thin vines clung to the cracks, dangling like nature¡¯s own curtains, while patches of moss spread across the walls in deep green streaks. The sun was still visible above, but its light barely reached the ground here, casting long shadows across the cool stone. A canyon. Or, at least, something close to it. Kaelin whistled under her breath. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect this.¡± She stepped forward carefully, her boots brushing against wet rock as she followed the stream deeper into the passage. The air was noticeably cooler here, carrying the faint scent of damp stone and plant life. Small trickles of water seeped from the walls in places, forming delicate rivulets that joined the stream below. A single bird call echoed from somewhere far above, but beyond that, the canyon was eerily silent. Kaelin tilted her head. No animal tracks. No movement. A place like this should have been teeming with life, birds nesting in the cliffs, insects crawling along the rocks, perhaps even small animals stopping by to drink from the stream. But there was nothing. Just the quiet hum of flowing water and the distant rustling of wind through the vines above. Something about it sent a prickle up her spine. She crouched, running a hand along the stone wall. The surface was cool and damp, worn smooth in some places but rough and fractured in others. This place had been shaped by time itself, carved and hollowed by the persistence of water. And yet¡­ She couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that she wasn¡¯t supposed to be here. Not that she was in danger. No, it wasn¡¯t that. It was more like she had stumbled into something old. Something untouched. A place forgotten by time, hidden away from the rest of the forest. She exhaled sharply, shaking off the thought. Doesn¡¯t matter. This place was still useful. The walls provided natural shelter, and the stream was a perfect source of fresh water. If nothing else, it might be a good fallback point if things went south. Still, she made a mental note to keep an eye on it. With one last glance around, Kaelin turned back the way she came, her footsteps echoing softly against the rock. Chapter 51 – The Extraction Point Chapter 51 ¨C The Extraction Point A deep, resonant voice boomed across the forest, cutting through the rustling leaves and the distant murmurs of wildlife. It wasn¡¯t just loud, it seemed to vibrate through the very air, unsettling the stillness that had settled over the wilderness. ¡°Attention participants. The extraction point is now open. Your objective is to reach the highest point in the forest. The first teams to arrive will secure their place in the next phase.¡± The voice echoed, bouncing between the towering trees, rolling over the dense canopy before fading into the distance. For a moment, the forest paused. The insects, which had been humming in a constant, rhythmic drone, quieted. The leaves ceased their restless rustling. Even the wind hesitated, as if listening. Kaelin, perched comfortably on a thick branch, let out a slow, unimpressed breath. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one way to ruin the ambiance.¡± She glanced down at the forest floor far below. The rich scent of damp moss, wild earth, and pine needles filled her lungs, grounding her in the moment. She had spent the last day moving through this place, navigating its tangle of undergrowth and high-reaching branches. It was quiet, untamed, a place ruled by the natural order. And now? Now, it was about to become a battlefield. The silence didn¡¯t last. Somewhere in the distance, leaves rustled as unseen figures began to move. A twig snapped. A startled bird burst from the underbrush, wings flapping furiously as it vanished into the sky. Then, the real noise started. Shouts. Footsteps. The dull thud of hurried movements. The other students were mobilizing. Kaelin¡¯s lips curled into a smirk. Time to go. She shifted her stance, adjusting her footing before springing forward. Her body twisted mid-air, limbs instinctively adjusting to control her descent. A heartbeat later, she caught another branch, fingers grazing the rough bark as she pushed off again. She moved fast, weaving through the canopy, each leap precise and controlled. The wind rushed past her ears, a sharp, cool contrast to the lingering warmth of the sun-dappled leaves. Shafts of golden light pierced through the gaps in the foliage, illuminating specks of dust floating lazily in the air. The forest stretched endlessly below her. She caught glimpses of movement in the shadows, other teams shifting through the undergrowth, figures darting between trees. But she wasn¡¯t interested in them. Her focus was set on one thing. Kana. She needed to get back to their base. Not because she was worried. Not exactly. Kana was capable. Tough, sharp, and far from helpless. But Kaelin had a feeling that things were about to get messy. And if there was one thing she had learned in her time at the academy, it was that being alone in the middle of chaos was a surefire way to get yourself taken out. A flicker of movement below caught her eye. Kaelin¡¯s gaze sharpened as she slowed, crouching low on a branch. Through the shifting leaves, she saw a group of students already locked in battle. It was a full-blown clash. Magic crackled in the air, vines lashed out from the ground, a shimmering barrier flickered, and a streak of fire shot through the air before dissipating against the damp earth. The air buzzed with energy, thick and tense. A student wielding a massive war hammer swung in a wide arc, the metal head glinting in the fragmented sunlight. The sheer force behind the attack sent dirt and leaves flying as it barely missed its target. Kaelin¡¯s grip on the branch tightened. She scanned the fight quickly, her eyes flickering between the combatants. No sign of Kana. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. Good. Hopefully, she hadn¡¯t been dragged into something like that. Kaelin didn¡¯t linger. She had her own destination. Pushing off from the branch, she surged forward once more. The world blurred, the sensation of flight lasting only a second before she landed again, adjusting her momentum with ease. The base wasn¡¯t far now, just beyond the ridge, where the stream had carved a path through the stone. The familiar landmarks passed beneath her as she moved, the gnarled oak with its twisted roots, the large outcrop of rock overlooking a small clearing, the patch of ferns that had been trampled by passing animals. She¡¯d spent two days in this forest. She knew it now. And that knowledge told her something was¡­ off. She slowed slightly as she neared their hidden shelter. Kana wasn¡¯t inside. Instead, she was standing near the base of a thick tree, arms crossed, her posture rigid. Her gaze was fixed on the trees, her sharp eyes scanning the shifting shadows. The usual calm expression she always wore was still there, cool, unreadable. But Kaelin noticed the slight tension in her shoulders. The way her fingers curled just a little tighter against her arms. The way her weight was shifted ever so slightly forward, as if bracing herself. A thought flickered through Kaelin¡¯s mind. Was she looking for something? Or¡­ someone? A slow smirk tugged at Kaelin¡¯s lips. She dropped down from the tree without warning, landing lightly just a few steps away. Kana turned sharply, her body tensing for a split second before her gaze locked onto Kaelin. For a moment, she didn¡¯t speak. Then, in a voice that was entirely too casual, she said, ¡°Took you long enough.¡± Kaelin raised an eyebrow. ¡°What, worried about me?¡± Kana huffed, looking away. ¡°Hardly.¡± But she didn¡¯t deny it. Kaelin let out a soft chuckle, rolling her shoulders. ¡°Well, I¡¯m touched.¡± She tilted her head toward the distant treetops. ¡°Hope you¡¯re feeling up for a hike. We¡¯ve got a mountain to climb.¡± Kana exhaled through her nose, running a hand through her dark hair. ¡°¡­Fantastic.¡± Kaelin grinned, eyes gleaming. This was going to be fun. *** The journey toward the mountain¡¯s peak had started well enough. Kaelin took to the trees as usual, leaping effortlessly from branch to branch, her body moving with the practiced ease of someone who belonged here. The wind rushed past her, leaves whispered as she disturbed them, and the rhythmic creak of branches bending under her weight followed her ascent. Kana, however, was stuck on the ground. ¡°You know,¡± Kaelin called down as she landed on a thick branch overhead, ¡°this would be much faster if you stopped trudging around like a commoner and joined me up here.¡± Kana shot her a dry look. ¡°We¡¯re both commoners! And not everyone spends their free time playing monkey.¡± Kaelin grinned. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll teach you.¡± Kana opened her mouth, probably to refuse, but Kaelin didn¡¯t wait for an answer. She dropped down and landed lightly in front of her. ¡°Come on, it¡¯s not that hard.¡± She gestured to a sturdy, low-hanging branch. ¡°Just start there.¡± Kana eyed it skeptically. ¡°This is a waste of time.¡± ¡°No, climbing a mountain on foot is a waste of time,¡± Kaelin countered. ¡°Now get up there.¡± Kana let out a long, suffering sigh but finally grabbed hold of the branch, hoisting herself up. She moved cautiously, picking her footing carefully, adjusting her balance with calculated precision. Kaelin rolled her eyes. ¡°Why are you moving like you¡¯re walking on glass? The trees aren¡¯t going to break beneath you.¡± Kana muttered something under her breath but didn¡¯t argue. Still, it was clear she wasn¡¯t used to this. Every movement was slower than it needed to be, and while she was capable, she lacked the instinct to move with the trees rather than against them. Kaelin smirked. ¡°Let me help with that.¡± Kana narrowed her eyes. ¡°That¡ª¡± Kaelin placed a hand on her shoulder. A pulse of Time magic surged through Kana¡¯s legs, accelerating her movements. The result was instant. Kana launched herself toward the next branch with far more power than she expected. Too much power. Her foot hit the bark, but the force sent her reeling forward, arms flailing as she overshot the landing. Kaelin¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Wait¡ª¡± Kana barely had time to yelp before she plummeted. Branches snapped beneath her as she tumbled through the canopy, her body twisting as she tried to slow herself down. But the speed of her fall, the erratic momentum, and the thick foliage blocking her vision made it impossible. With a final crash, she hit the ground, right in the middle of a pre-existing fight. Kaelin winced. ¡°¡­Oops.¡± Below her, chaos erupted. Kana had landed directly between two warring teams, who had already been mid-battle before she quite literally dropped in. One student¡ªa boy with mind threads¡ªwhipped around, startled, flames still flickering between his fingers. Another, a girl wielding Nature threads, hesitated mid-swing, her vines halting their attack for a split second as they processed the unexpected intruder. Kana groaned, pushing herself up. ¡°Kaelin, I swear¡ª¡± The moment she spoke, the nature-wielding girl lunged. Kana barely dodged in time, rolling out of the way as flames seared the ground where she had just been. The Nature mage¡¯s vines lashed out, but Kana managed to twist away, her agility saving her from getting pinned immediately. Still, she was outnumbered, off-balance, and Kaelin was still up in the trees. Yeah, no. That wasn¡¯t going to work. Kaelin dropped. The world blurred as she fell, her body twisting mid-air before landing smoothly just behind Kana with a superhero-esc landing. Her fist planted in the floor, one knee up, the other on the floor. She stood, everyone staring at her like she was some sort of demon. She grabbed Kana¡¯s wrist, yanking her back just as another vine whip was launched at her ankles. The heat of the burn scorched as it licked her leg, leaving behind the sharp scent of burning flesh. ¡°Kana, let¡¯s go.¡± Kana¡¯s breath hitched. Kaelin grinned. ¡°Didn¡¯t see that one coming, did you?¡± Kana glared. ¡°Shut up.¡± ¡°Oi, where you lot going. We ain¡¯t done with you just yet!¡± ¡°Kana?¡± ¡°Yea?¡± ¡°You thinking what I¡¯m thinking?¡± ¡°Get the fuck outta here?¡± ¡°Nah. We best deal with these guys before they hurt themselves.¡± Kana sighed. ¡°Fine. At least let us make it quick.¡± Kaelin shrugged, stepping forward as the two opposing students shifted into proper stances. The boy rolled his shoulders, a blue aura surrounding his hands, while the Nature wielder crouched slightly, her vines coiling like snakes, ready to strike. This was about to get interesting. Kaelin tilted her head. ¡°Alright,¡± she murmured to Kana. ¡°Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re better at fighting than you are at climbing.¡± Kana exhaled sharply, rolling her shoulders. ¡°Just try to keep up.¡± Kaelin smirked. Now they were talking. Chapter 52 – The Escape Chapter 52 ¨C The Escape The scent of charred grass lingered in the air, mixing with the damp earth and the distant tang of pine. Leaves rustled in the trees above, whispering warnings Kaelin didn''t need to hear. She already knew, this wouldn¡¯t be easy. She and Kana stood side by side, breaths even, eyes locked onto the two opponents in front of them. The girl, a nature wielder, exuded a quiet confidence, her stance solid and unshaken. Her long, dark hair was pulled back into a high ponytail, but a few loose strands framed her sharp features. She had the look of someone who knew she was in control. Someone who had never lost a fight she didn¡¯t plan on losing. The boy, a mind mage, stood slightly behind her, his expression unreadable. His presence was almost lazy, hands tucked into the folds of his uniform as if he wasn¡¯t concerned about the fight at all. But Kaelin wasn¡¯t fooled. He was already trying to worm his way into their heads, she could feel it, the faintest buzz at the edge of her thoughts, like fingers tapping against glass, looking for cracks. "Should we end this quickly?" the girl asked, rolling her shoulders as the vines at her feet slithered forward, curling in anticipation. "Why rush?" the boy replied, his voice smooth, detached. "Let them tire themselves out first." Kaelin let out a slow breath, rolling her own shoulders in response. "They talk a lot, don¡¯t they?" she muttered. Kana hummed, shifting her weight slightly. "Must be compensating." Kaelin smirked. "Agreed." That was all the warning they had before the girl struck. A vine shot forward with a sharp crack, snapping toward Kana¡¯s legs like a whip. Kana dodged, twisting to the side, but she wasn¡¯t fast enough. The second vine came out of nowhere, wrapping around her ankle in a tight coil. The girl yanked. Kana was ripped off her feet, the sudden motion throwing her toward the ground. But before she could crash, Kaelin was already moving. She caught Kana¡¯s arm, twisting her weight to counter the force. Instead of falling, Kana used the momentum to her advantage, letting Kaelin guide her. She shifted mid-air, angling herself just right, then snapped her leg out, catching the nature wielder in the ribs. The girl gasped, stumbling back. The vines slackened for a moment. Kana didn¡¯t hesitate. She ripped herself free, landing lightly on the ground beside Kaelin again. Kaelin grinned. "Nice recovery." Kana tossed her hair back. "I don¡¯t need saving." "Didn¡¯t say you did," Kaelin replied, her grin widening. "I just didn¡¯t want you eating dirt before we¡¯ve even started." The mind mage sighed, rubbing his temple as if their conversation annoyed him. "Are you two always this irritating?" Kana tilted her head. "Are you always this boring?" Kaelin barked out a laugh, but it was cut short by the sudden pressure building in her skull. It wasn¡¯t painful, not yet. But it was there, the push of foreign magic against her mind, testing for weaknesses. She clenched her jaw, shoving back against it. The pressure wavered slightly, but the boy didn¡¯t relent. He wasn¡¯t trying to control her outright, just throw her off, make her hesitate. It almost worked. Almost. A vine lashed out toward her neck. Kaelin¡¯s Futuresight flared. The world slowed. She saw the attack before it happened, watched the way it would curve, how it would snap back if she dodged too early. She ducked at the perfect moment, pivoting on her heel to slip behind the nature wielder before the next strike could come. Kana took the cue immediately. She lunged forward, forcing the mind mage to shift his focus. His control over Kaelin faltered for a split second. It was enough. Kaelin moved like a shadow, weaving between the vines as if they were nothing more than shifting branches in the forest canopy. The girl snarled in frustration, her hands jerking as she sent more vines after Kaelin, but she was too slow. Kaelin caught one mid-air, twisting it in her grip and pulling. The girl stumbled forward, off-balance. Kana was already moving. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. She spun low, sweeping the girl¡¯s legs out from under her with a sharp kick. The nature wielder hit the ground hard, a sharp gasp escaping her lips. Kaelin immediately jumped back, expecting retaliation, but the girl stayed down, groaning. Kana smirked. "That¡¯s one." The mind mage remained standing, but his expression was different now, more alert, more careful. His gaze flickered between the two of them, assessing. Kaelin narrowed her eyes. He wasn¡¯t done. Kana must¡¯ve sensed it too because she exhaled sharply. "Alright, then. Round two?" The mind mage smiled, slow and deliberate. "Let¡¯s see how long you last this time." And just like that, the pressure in Kaelin¡¯s head doubled. She barely had time to prepare before the world around her shifted, twisting. Kana staggered, pressing a hand to her temple. "What the hell¡ª?" Kaelin¡¯s Time Sight flared instinctively, trying to adjust, trying to see through whatever illusion was settling over them. But this wasn¡¯t an illusion. It was a warping of thought, a shift in perception. The ground tilted. No, not the ground, her sense of the ground. Her footing felt unsteady, her movements slowed, sluggish. Kana was struggling too, her stance wobbling slightly. The mind mage sighed. "You two are quick, I¡¯ll give you that. But you¡¯re relying too much on instinct." Kaelin gritted her teeth, forcing herself to focus. Time magic worked differently than mind magic. It was about shifting moments, adjusting paths, not controlling perception. But that didn¡¯t mean she was helpless. Her mind pushed back, harder, stronger. She¡¯d felt this before, the haze of exhaustion, the blur of dizziness. She knew how to fight through it. Kana, however, was still struggling. Kaelin clicked her tongue. "Kana, keep moving!" Kana snarled. "Easy for you to say!" The mind mage smirked. "You¡¯re already losing." Kaelin shook her head. "No. We¡¯re just getting started." She pressed forward, ignoring the sluggish weight pulling at her thoughts. The mind mage¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He hadn¡¯t expected her to move so quickly. Good. Kaelin closed the distance in a blink, Time Sight guiding her steps. She saw his reaction before it happened, the shift of his stance, the way his magic pulsed in preparation. She moved before he could. A sharp jab to his side. He gasped, staggering. The haze lifted, just a fraction. Kana recovered instantly. She lunged, her fist connecting with his jaw in a solid, satisfying hit. He stumbled back, blinking rapidly, shaken, but still standing. The nature wielder groaned from the ground. The fight wasn¡¯t over yet. Kaelin smirked. Good. The forest pulsed with the remnants of their battle. The distant rustle of leaves, the heavy breathing of four exhausted fighters, the faint crackling of disturbed undergrowth, it all seemed unnaturally loud in the stillness that followed their exchange. Kaelin''s heart slammed against her ribs, her muscles burning with exertion. Her boots dug into the soft earth as she steadied herself, glancing at Kana out of the corner of her eye. Kana was still on her feet, but only barely, her chest rising and falling in uneven gasps. Sweat clung to her brow, strands of hair sticking to her skin. Across from them, their opponents had regrouped. The mind mage rolled his jaw as if testing it, his expression a mix of irritation and renewed focus. The smug amusement that had danced in his eyes earlier had faded, replaced with something sharper, colder. "Not bad," he admitted, absently flexing his fingers. "You''re stronger than I expected." The nature wielder exhaled sharply, brushing dirt from her arm where Kana had managed to land a hit earlier. Her vines coiled restlessly at her feet, twitching with anticipation. "We underestimated them," she muttered, casting a sidelong glance at her partner. "That won''t happen again." Kaelin swallowed back the unease creeping into her chest. She wasn¡¯t sure how much longer they could keep this up. Kana was fast, but she was running out of steam. Kaelin herself could barely keep up the evasive movements, her body slowing fractionally with each passing second. They had to end this. Before she could act, the nature wielder struck. The vines lashed out with renewed speed, twisting through the air like living whips. Kaelin threw herself backward, narrowly avoiding one that snapped just inches from her face. Another shot toward her ankle, forcing her to twist mid-air and land awkwardly, her knee barely absorbing the impact. She had no time to recover. Kana grunted sharply, yanked forward by a thick vine that had wrapped itself around her wrist. Her feet barely had time to skid against the dirt before she was dragged off balance. "Kana!" Kaelin lunged toward her, but the mind mage was already moving. His magic struck like an unseen force slamming into her skull. A dizzying pressure clamped down on her thoughts, warping the edges of her perception. The forest twisted, her vision bending as if the world itself had been tilted off its axis. Voices whispered at the back of her mind, faint but insistent, pulling her into something deeper. No. Kaelin gritted her teeth, pushing back with everything she had. The resistance slowed her down, her limbs feeling heavy, disconnected. She staggered, her knees nearly giving out beneath her. Kana struggled against the vines, her breath coming in sharp, uneven bursts. The nature wielder pulled her closer, her expression unreadable. "You''re fast," she admitted. "But you rely too much on dodging." "Which," the mind mage added smoothly, stepping forward, "only works if you can actually move." Kaelin forced her body to respond, clenching her fists. Think. There''s always a way out. Then Kana¡¯s voice cut through the haze. "Kaelin. Move." A sudden, unnatural pulse filled the air. Before Kaelin could process it, her legs obeyed. There was no thought behind it, just action. Her feet pushed off the ground, muscles tensing as if this had always been the plan. Kana moved at the exact same moment, their jumps perfectly synchronized. They launched backward. Off the cliff¡¯s edge. The wind roared past them, the forest stretching below like a vast sea of green. Leaves and branches blurred in their vision as they plummeted toward the ground. The world spun for a moment, gravity seizing control, the weightlessness almost surreal. The fall lasted seconds but felt longer, the rush of air sharp against Kaelin¡¯s skin. Then, impact. They crashed through the thick undergrowth, the dense tangle of bushes and vines catching their fall. Leaves exploded around them, branches snapping under their weight. They tumbled, rolling through the foliage before finally coming to a jarring stop. Above them, voices carried over the edge. "Did they just¡ª?" "What the fuck!?" There was a pause, then a scoff. "Idiots. There''s no way they survived that." Another moment of hesitation, then the crunch of retreating footsteps. "Not worth checking. Let''s go." Silence. Kaelin groaned, shoving a branch out of her face. Every muscle in her body protested, bruises already forming from the landing. "What. The. Hell." Kana, sprawled beside her, exhaled sharply. "You''re welcome." Kaelin sat up slowly, rubbing at her arms where scratches stung against her skin. "You made me jump off a damn cliff." Kana lifted her head just enough to shoot her a look. "And? We''re alive, aren''t we?" Kaelin opened her mouth to argue, then shut it. She let out a long breath, flopping onto her back. "I hate you a little bit right now." Kana smirked, brushing twigs from her hair. "No, you don¡¯t." Kaelin groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You owe me." Kana chuckled, stretching her arms. "I''ll buy you lunch. If we ever get out of here." Kaelin sighed. "Fine. But I¡¯m getting extra dessert." Kana rolled her eyes, but the faint smile on her face didn¡¯t fade. They had escaped. They were safe. Chapter 53 – The Climb This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Chapter 54 – The Second Test Comes to an End The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there. Chapter 55 – So What if I’m Crazy? You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author. Sick Notice Im really sorry to all my readers who have been expecting chapters. I¡¯ve fallen very ill and am bedridden. I¡¯ll hopefully be better by end of tomorrow so I¡¯ll be posting Friday Saturday and Sunday along with possibly some extra next week as well to get on top of the writathon. These extra chapters won¡¯t be counted towards the ones I owe from reaching goals. This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. I hope you can all understand. Farewell, I hope you¡¯ve enjoyed what I¡¯ve been putting out so far!