The morning sun barely pierced through the thick blanket of clouds as the cadets assembled at the training grounds. A chill hung in the air, marking the arrival of winter, its biting cold cutting through the cadets' uniforms. The once vibrant training fields now lay dusted with frost, each breath they exhaled forming clouds of vapor. Despite the cold, there was a tension in the air, an anticipation for what was to come.

Instructor Tora stood at the front of the field, his arms crossed, his gaze stern. His presence alone was enough to command silence. He had called the remaining cadets for an important announcement, and they all knew it was something big.

Of the original group, only 15 cadets remained in their third year of military training. Among them, four stood out—Isaki, Riku, Balko, and Jenia—each having grown stronger in their own ways. As they took their places, they exchanged glances, knowing that whatever this announcement was, it would be a turning point.

Tora's voice cut through the cold air like a sharp blade. "Cadets, you've come a long way. Three years of blood, sweat, and sacrifice. And now, you stand at the threshold of the most important moment in your training."

The wind howled through the trees at the edge of the camp, sending shivers down their spines, but no one moved. Every eye was on Tora.

"There are ten villages in the southern territory," he continued, his voice carrying across the field. "Each village, like this one, has its own group of cadets nearing the end of their third year of training. Only the best of the best will have the chance to move forward, to enter one of the three prestigious academies."

At this, a murmur rippled through the group. The academies were legendary, the gateway to becoming elite warriors, protectors of the realm. But the idea of competing for one of those coveted spots sent a wave of anxiety through the cadets.

Isaki glanced at Riku, who nodded subtly, their silent understanding reaffirming that this was what they had been training for.

Tora raised a hand, silencing the whispers. "But only ten from each village will be chosen. And that's not just based on how well you've completed your tasks here. You'll need to prove yourself in combat."

Balko raised an eyebrow. "Combat?"

Tora's expression hardened, his tone even more serious. "In your final month of training, you will face experienced warriors in one-on-one duels. These won't be ordinary opponents—they've been handpicked to test your skills, your will, and your ability to adapt in real combat situations. This is not a game, cadets. This is your final trial."

Jenia furrowed her brow. "One-on-one against experienced warriors? But we've never fought anyone like that before."

Tora nodded. "Exactly. You've spent three years preparing for this. Everything you've learned will be tested—your Aura manipulation, your physical strength, your strategy, your ability to think under pressure. The warriors you face won't hold back. Neither should you."

The gravity of Tora's words settled over them like a thick fog. The quiet field felt heavier, as if the earth itself was bracing for the coming storm. Tora looked at each of the cadets in turn, his eyes locking with Isaki's for a brief moment.

"You have one month to prepare," he continued. "Use it wisely. Sharpen your skills, push your limits. Only those who prove they have what it takes will advance. This is not just about strength; it's about heart and determination. Now, prepare yourselves."

With that, Tora turned and walked off the field, leaving the cadets standing in stunned silence.

Balko was the first to break the silence. "Well, that's... a lot to take in."

Riku crossed his arms, his gaze thoughtful. "It's more than just a fight. It's a test of everything we've learned. If we don't step up, we won't make it."

Isaki clenched his fists, his mind racing. "He's right. We can't just rely on brute strength. We have to think. We have to fight smarter."

Jenia sighed, rubbing her arms against the cold. "I knew there'd be a final test, but I didn't expect it to be like this. Fighting experienced warriors? They'll have techniques and tricks we've never even seen."

Balko chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. "At least we know we're stronger than we were three weeks ago. And if I can handle Aura-infused bees, I think I can handle anything."

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Isaki gave a small smile but shook his head. "This is different. We'll need to use everything we've got. The Aura, our combat skills, and more importantly—our heads. They're not going to go easy on us just because we're cadets."

Riku nodded. "We can't afford to lose now."

The group fell silent again, each of them deep in thought, contemplating the month ahead. The cold was growing harsher, the sky above turning a deeper gray as winter settled in around them.

As the month wore on, the training intensified. The temperature dropped further, with snow beginning to blanket the fields and mountains. The cold stung their skin, making each movement in training feel heavier, but the four cadets persevered, knowing the final test was just around the corner.

Frost clung to the trees and rooftops, and the wind howled through the camp, a constant reminder of the harsh conditions they'd have to endure. Each day, they pushed their bodies and minds to the limit. Sparring sessions became longer, more intense, as they sought to prepare for the unknown challenges ahead.

"I never thought I'd be grateful for all that time on the mountain," Balko said one morning, his breath visible in the cold air. "At least we know how to handle tough conditions."

Isaki nodded, tightening his grip on his practice sword. "This last month is going to be the hardest, but we're ready for it."

Jenia summoned a small flame in her palm, watching it flicker in the icy wind. "I just hope we're prepared enough. Those warriors won't be like anything we've faced."

Riku smirked, adjusting his stance as they prepared to spar again. "We've come too far to back down now."

The snow continued to fall softly around them as they trained, the cold biting at their skin but their determination burning stronger than ever. With each passing day, they grew more focused, more united, and more determined to face the final trial.

And as the last month of their military training approached its end, the cadets knew one thing for certain: they were ready for whatever lay ahead.

_____________________________________________________________________

The cadets stood in a tight formation at the training grounds, their breaths visible in the cold morning air. Snowflakes drifted down lazily from the overcast sky, but the crisp chill did little to calm the growing tension. The time had finally come—Instructor Tora was about to announce the start of the final trial.

Tora stepped forward, his eyes scanning the group of remaining cadets. His presence, as always, commanded attention, and the field fell silent as he spoke.

"Today," he began, his voice carrying over the assembled cadets, "marks the beginning of your final trial. This will be the test that determines whether you have what it takes to move on to the academy. As I told you before, this will not be an easy task."

The cadets stiffened, their hearts pounding with anticipation. Tora paused, then gestured to the two figures standing just behind him.

"These two warriors will be your opponents," he announced. "Both are highly skilled, and both have mastered the third level of Aura."

The two men stepped forward, and all eyes turned to them. The first was a large man with a broad chest and shoulders, easily towering over most of the cadets. He had short, grizzled brown hair and eyes and a thick beard that framed his square jaw. His armor clung to his powerful frame, and the massive sword strapped to his back seemed almost too large for most to wield, but he carried it with ease. His name was Jurge, and he exuded a quiet, intimidating strength.

The second warrior, Marcus, had a leaner but still formidable build. His sharp features and piercing black eyes gave him a focused, almost calculating demeanor. His dark hair, streaked with hints of gray, was slicked back, and he moved with the controlled grace of someone who had spent years honing his skills. Though not as physically imposing as Jurge, Marcus held an air of deadly precision. He, too, carried a sword, though it was sleeker and built for speed rather than brute force.

Both men wore matching expressions of calm confidence, the kind of assurance that came from decades of battle experience. The sight of them sent ripples of anxiety through the group of cadets.

"Jurge and Marcus," Tora continued, "have reached the third level of Aura mastery. However, for this trial, they will be limiting themselves to the second level."

At this, the cadets exchanged uneasy glances. Second level of Aura? That was no small feat. Even using the second level required intense concentration, discipline, and years of practice. Among the cadets, only four had even begun to manifest the second level of Aura—and those four knew just how difficult it was to maintain in combat.

"Second level?" Balko muttered under his breath, his brow furrowed in concern. "That's already more than most of us can handle."

Jenia, standing beside him, nodded, her face tense. "And they're using that as a limitation? I can barely hold onto the second level for more than a few minutes."

Tora raised a hand to quiet the murmurs among the cadets. "I know what you're thinking," he said, his tone more reassuring now. "You're not expected to defeat them outright. Your goal is to show them what you've learned. If they deem your performance satisfactory, the duel will end. Focus on showing your strength, your Aura control, and your determination. Victory is not the only path to success."

This eased some of the tension, though the weight of the trial still hung heavily in the air. Each cadet knew that, regardless of victory or defeat, they had to give it everything they had.

Tora's sharp eyes moved over the group once more before calling out the name of the first cadet.

"Riku," he said, his voice firm.

The cadets' heads turned to Riku, who straightened his posture, his expression unreadable. A brief moment of silence followed as the significance of the first duel set in. This was it—the beginning of the final test. The start of the battle that would determine their futures.

Riku took a deep breath and stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Marcus, the leaner of the two warriors. The field grew even colder, the icy air biting at their faces, but the weight of the moment was all that anyone could feel.

Tora's voice echoed across the field. "The trial has begun."