The world has always been unfair. The strong prey upon the weak. Those at the bottom of the food chain can only await their fate. The weak will always be oppressed… like we always have been.

Our country has a hierarchy system that governs it. It goes from nobles, demibloods, midbloods and low bloods; that’s us. Us “bloods” or anything lower than nobles are required to pay tribute to those of higher status as they “protect” us. Bloods are distinguished by how much military power they have or how strong they are, in simple terms.

Our family, the Venicks, have been struggling financially since Kael knows when. Our family has never had anyone strong born out of it. Khalil, my father, could not even use arcana, or those who came before him. By some unknown reason, I was blessed with the power of arcana.

My power is weak but it’s there… which leads to why I am taking the assessment. To be allowed to take the assessment, one must be able to produce arcana…

Whatever happens next, will happen.

“Lantern Venick. I’m here for the assessment.” [Lan]

A tall woman with sunken eyes and reddish brown hair; took a long look at me.

“Hmmm” [Adviser]

She then took out an orb-

“Put your hand over it, release as much arcana as you want, this was made indestructible so help yourself” [Adviser]

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Gulp…

Here goes

Voooom

"Eh?" [Adviser]

Figures... looks like a dying firefly.

“Ah...Hmmm, that’s enough” [Adviser]

“…what’s next?” [Lan]

“Ah yes, right this way” [Adviser]

The woman then gestured me to follow her. She led me to the “white room” gate where my test is to take place. She gave me a bracelet that matches hers-

“This is what keeps us together, take this off and you’ll end up in a different zone. Wear it at all times” [Adviser]

“Got it” [Lan]

“Shall we?” [Adviser]

“Okay” [Lan]

And so… we went through the gate.

A wide room filled with nothing, absolutely nothing; this is what the white room is. There are no walls, no ceiling, just a floor that stretches out further than the eyes can see.

“Ready your weapon! Here you’re on your own, stay sharp!” [Adviser]

“Yes!” [Lan]

I took out my dagger and after a few moments, monsters appeared.

Goblins. A low class monster that was pretty weak. Goblins appeared, one after the other. I was now facing 6 armed goblins: 2 with short swords, 2 with spears, 1 with a bat and 1 with a knife. The 2 with short swords immediately lunged their attacks at me.

“”KAH!”” [Goblins]

CLANG!

Of course I flinched and almost got hit. Luckily, I parried their strike. What I had forgotten at that moment was that I was not only facing 2 goblins. The 2 with spears went behind me-

Thonk…

“Guh?!” [Lan]

-stabbing me with their spears. I managed to dodge 1 spear but the other wounded my left shoulder.

“Tch” [Lan]

““KEKEKE!””

I twisted my body to break free of their pincer attack.

“Hah!” [Lan]

I ran to get away from them and that’s when I felt a burning sensation on my back. The goblin who had a knife…

“Keke…” [Goblin]

-when I glanced at him, he was unarmed. As I reach for my back, his knife was there.

“Damn it” [Lan]

I really thought that goblins were just a bit stronger than slimes who did nothing but I was wrong, they could do party tactics, use their heads and even follow formations. Have I been living under a rock? I’ve been too naïve. I have to take this seriously.

I have to fight.

I have to win.