Chapter 13: The First Test

The tension in the air was thick as Kael stood among his group, his heart pounding in his chest. Around him, the other competitors were forming into their groups of five, murmuring among themselves. Some looked confident, others nervous, but all of them were keenly aware of the gravity of the situation. The Academy trials weren’t just a test of strength—they were a test of will, strategy, and potential. Only ten would be chosen.

Kael glanced at the four people standing with him. Two of them were familiar faces from his village—Tarin, a broad-shouldered farm boy who had always been one of the stronger kids in the village, and Mira, a quiet but quick-witted girl who had shown talent in healing. The other two were strangers, likely from neighboring villages. One was a tall, lanky boy with an air of quiet confidence, and the other was a muscular girl with a large hammer slung over her back.

They exchanged brief nods of acknowledgment, but there was little time for introductions before the viscount’s scout, the gray-haired man who had addressed them earlier, stepped forward again.

“For your first test,” the scout announced, “we will be gauging your ability to work as a team. In the wild, strength alone means nothing if you cannot cooperate with others to overcome threats. You will face a challenge that will test both your individual skills and your ability to function as a unit.”

Kael’s mind raced. A team-based trial. This wasn’t what he had been expecting, but it made sense. The Academy was a place where warriors and mages trained not just for individual glory, but to defend the kingdom and fight alongside others. The ability to work with a team, even in high-stakes situations, was crucial.

“The task is simple,” the scout continued, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. “Each group will be assigned an area in the forest. There, you will find a series of challenges—both physical and strategic. Complete as many as you can within the allotted time, and your performance will be judged accordingly.”

Kael’s heart quickened. The forest. This was familiar territory for him, but the mention of both physical and strategic challenges made him wary. He knew how to fight, and he could handle himself in a battle, but strategy? That wasn’t something he had much experience with. He would have to rely on his teammates.

“You have two hours,” the scout finished. “Begin.”

The groups immediately sprang into action, each one heading toward the edge of the forest where their designated areas awaited. Kael’s group moved quickly, following the path that had been marked out for them.

As they entered the forest, the atmosphere shifted. The sunlight barely penetrated the thick canopy overhead, casting the area in a muted, greenish glow. The air was cooler, and every sound seemed amplified—the rustling of leaves, the snap of twigs underfoot, the distant calls of birds and animals.

Kael took a deep breath, centering himself. He had spent countless hours in the forest, hunting beasts and honing his skills. This wasn’t new to him. But now, with the added pressure of the trial and the presence of his teammates, he had to stay focused.

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“We need a plan,” the lanky boy said, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, but there was a sharpness to it, as if he was used to taking charge in situations like this. “The scout said we’ll face multiple challenges. We should prioritize the ones we’re best suited for.”

Kael nodded, but remained quiet for now, letting the others speak. He wasn’t the type to take charge, especially in a situation like this where he didn’t know his teammates well enough to judge their strengths.

The muscular girl with the hammer—Sera, Kael remembered from earlier introductions—crossed her arms. “Physical challenges, I can handle. I’ll take point on anything that requires strength.”

“And I can handle healing if anyone gets injured,” Mira added, her quiet voice steady. “I’m not much of a fighter, but I can support from the back.”

Tarin, the farm boy, spoke up next. “I’m more of a brawler, but I’m not bad with a bow either. If we need ranged support, I can do that.”

Kael listened, taking in the information. His role was obvious—combat. His experience fighting beasts, along with his Sharp Senses (Stream) and his budding Agility (Flicker) talent, made him a good fit for tracking and direct engagements.

“I’ll handle combat and tracking,” Kael said finally, his voice steady. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the forest. I can lead us through if we need to hunt or find something.”

The lanky boy—Alec—nodded in approval. “Good. We’ll stick to our strengths and adapt as we go.”

They moved deeper into the forest, their eyes peeled for any sign of the challenges the scouts had set up. It didn’t take long before they encountered the first one: a clearing filled with wooden structures arranged in a pattern, with ropes strung between them at various heights. It was an obstacle course, clearly designed to test agility, speed, and coordination.

“We’ll need to move fast,” Alec said, his sharp eyes scanning the course. “But we can’t just rush through it. There could be traps or hidden obstacles.”

Kael stepped forward, his Sharp Senses already picking up on the subtle shifts in the air. He could sense the tension in the ropes, the way the structures were set up to make the course more challenging than it appeared.

“I’ll go first,” Kael said, his voice low. “I can guide the rest of you through it.”

Without waiting for a response, he moved forward, his body moving fluidly as he ducked under the first set of ropes. His Agility (Flicker) was already helping him maneuver through the obstacles, though it wasn’t as refined as it could be. Every movement required focus, and he could feel his body straining to keep up with the demands of the course.

As he moved through the obstacles, he called back instructions to the others, pointing out where to step, where to duck, and where to be careful of hidden traps. The others followed his lead, moving with varying degrees of success. Sera powered through the course with brute strength, her hammer swinging as she knocked obstacles out of her way, while Alec and Mira followed more cautiously, relying on Kael’s guidance.

They made it through the course faster than Kael expected, but there was no time to celebrate. The forest was filled with more challenges, and they had only just begun.

The second challenge came not long after—a puzzle, set up near the base of a large tree. A series of wooden blocks arranged in a complicated pattern, clearly designed to test their mental acuity rather than their physical skills.

Alec stepped forward immediately, his sharp eyes scanning the puzzle. “I’ll handle this. We need to figure out the sequence to unlock the next path.”

Kael stayed back, letting Alec work. This wasn’t his area of expertise, but he admired Alec’s confidence and focus. They worked together in silence, each team member staying alert for any threats while Alec manipulated the blocks.

Minutes passed, tension building as they watched Alec work. Kael’s sharp senses tingled, but he pushed the feeling aside for now. They were doing well, moving through the challenges faster than he had anticipated.

But as Alec solved the puzzle and they prepared to move on, Kael’s instincts screamed at him. Something was wrong.

Just as the puzzle clicked into place, Kael turned, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the forest around them.

They weren’t alone.

“Someone’s coming,” Kael hissed, his hand tightening on his sword. “Get ready.”

The group tensed, their eyes darting around the clearing. Kael could feel the presence of others nearby—other competitors, likely—but there was something off about the way they were approaching.

Whoever they were, they weren’t here just to complete the trials.

They were here to take out the competition.

The trial wasn’t just about overcoming obstacles and showing strength.

It was about surviving whatever came next.

The first figure appeared from the shadows, moving silently through the trees. Kael’s Sharp Senses (Stream) flared to life, picking up every subtle shift in the air as the figure drew closer. He could tell immediately that they were experienced—far more experienced than anyone else he had seen so far.

“Get ready,” Kael whispered, his grip tightening on his sword. This wasn’t just a trial anymore.

It was a fight.