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 café, where Daniel ordered a hearty stew while Kana opted for a simple salad.
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“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.”