Lily watched the sky grow brighter as the sunrise approached, shades of orange and pink spread across the horizon. Rai was still absent… Her gaze kept darting back to the edge of the forest, waiting for him to emerge with Alan. The animals that had crossed the finish line with their riders stood nearby, making soft sounds as they grazed and relaxed; plenty of food was waiting for the creatures with a bigger appetite. Lily glanced around at the other contestants who had already finished the placement exam. Haruki was resting against a tree.

“Still no sign of Rai?” Tamarri asked, appearing beside Lily.

Lily shook her head, slightly frowning. “Not yet…”

Nearby, Fu the puppet said, “Perhaps they got lost,” he chuckled. “Or even worse…”

“What is your problem!?” Lily said.

Large teeth clamp right next to Lily’s face, startling her. It was a Drako, a beast with reptile-like skin that is known for its brutal appetite. Kenji was riding on top of it.

“Don’t be surprised. Weaklings like them aren’t built for this type of life,” Kenji said.

“Mochi,” the strange apprentice, Mochi, said.

“That forest can be quite unpredictable…” Neptus was lying on the floor, seemingly exhausted. “Mochi, I could have really used your help back there.”

“Mochi Mochi,” it said, flipping its back towards the sky once again.

“Speak for yourself,” Lily said. “Rai! Alan! Hurry up!” she shouted towards the forest.

Ayame stood next to her animal, a large, fluffy hare-like creature, gently stroking its fur as it nibbled on a blade of grass. She was busy capturing more pictures for her followers, posting them under ‘Pass the first stage!’ She caught Lily's eye smiling, “You want to jump in,” she said.

“I’m okay….” Lily said.

“Suit yourself,” Ayame said, going back into her usual selfie-taking and social media scrolling.

Duke joined in. “They'll make it out together.”

“How do you know?” Lily asked.

“If he’s anything like my little brother was, he’ll make it out,” Duke said.

“What’s he like?” Alan asked.

Duke, smirking, said, “Stubborn.”

Lily appreciated their confidence, but she couldn't shake the worry within her. The forest was full of dangers, and Rai and Alan had started the exam at a disadvantage. She scanned the tree line again, willing them to appear.

Just then, a sound echoed from the forest. Everyone's heads turned toward the noise.

Rai and Alan finally emerged, their faces marked with dirt and exhaustion! They were both running from a large furry-pig-like creature with two large teeth.

“Keep running!” Rai shouted. “We’re almost there!”

“Rai! Alan!” Lily called out, relief is evident in her voice.

Rai managed a tired grin, but as he did, the piego used its protruding teeth to poke each of the behinds of the two it chased, causing Rai and Alan to launch into the air, landing amongst Plu on its back. The piego, noticing them on its head, sporadically zig zagged forward, attempting to throw them from its back, however noticing the Drako ahead, the piego, quickly halted, skidding across the dirt until it just barely passed the finish line, flinging the other’s right off.

Plu, however, landed right in Lily’s arms, saying, “Plu!” as it rose its arms to the sky, excited to see Lily.

“Hey Plu,” Lily said, petting it on the head.

The piego, quickly turning around, proceeded to race towards the forest with the Drako, its natural predator, in hot pursuit.

Kenji had jumped off, scowling as he walked towards Rai. “Should have given up when you had the chance,” he said, before turning to leave.

Mr. Briggs, who was watching alongside Eloise, announced, “Rai and Alan, you have passed the first stage.

Huffing, Rai said, “Told you we'd make it,” giving Lily a thumbs-up.

Alan looked pale, but he nodded in agreement. “Never again…”

The other contestants gathered around, some offering congratulations and pats on the back. Everyone had faced the forest's challenges, and they had all come out stronger for it.

“How many people are left?” Rai asked.

“With you, that makes three teams left…” Lily replied.

“Hey look!” Daichi stated, pointing at the sky.

From the forest, an enormous bird emerged. It was easily bigger than any animal present, causing them all to scatter. Lily, peering in, noticed someone dangling from the talon of the bird. Seppe!

“Help!” he shouted, closing his eyes. His body wrapped the talon for dear life, occasionally slipping before scurrying back up. “Kiku!” he cried.

On top of the bird, Kiku was sitting crouched within the spacing of her oversized bird-shaped hoodie. She looked tired, having just woken up from another long nap, no doubt.

As the bird approached, its heavy wings flapped, causing many to raise their arms in defiance of the wind pressure. Gracefully landing, Kiku hopped off, while Seppe finally let go, his face revealing a faint blue from the ordeal. Kiku pat the bird on its beak, before it flew off, passing the forest onto territory far beyond their view.

Mr. Briggs announced, “Kiku and Seppe, you’re the final team to have passed the first stage.”

Alan, walking up to Eloise, nervously stated… “Back in the forest… We encountered a member of the vanguard. Jimbuu.”

“Jimbuu…” Eloise said. Looking at some of the many guards nearby, she gave a head nod, and they ran into the forest. “Thank you,” she said placing a hand on Alan’s shoulder, causing his nose to burst with blood.

Walking up, Rai asked, “You’re going to continue the competition?”

“Hm, why do you think they sent me to host this exam,” she said confidently. Eloise gave a nod to another team of guards whose job was to locate the remaining contestants in the forest. “The matches will continue,” she said to Rai. “Remaining elites. Congratulations on passing the first exam. We will now be moving, immediately, into the next stage.”

“What?! Already…” Alan said, rising from the floor.

“As an apprentice, there will be times you will be asked to push far beyond your normal limits. This will test those boundaries,” Eloise stated as the morning sun finally rose over the distant forest. Everyone grew quiet. “You will be paired off into two-versus-two duels to test your abilities in combat and teamwork. The winning teams will advance to the final stage of the examination.” Contestants exchanged looks of determination. “Let’s begin by announcing the teams.”

“The first duel. Neptus and Tamarri versus Haruki and Rai!” Mr. Briggs said.

Neptus and Tamarri nodded at one another.

“Let’s do this," Neptus said, appearing beside Tamarri.

“Right,” Tamarri said.

“Where is this arena going to be held, exactly?” Lily asked.

Looking towards two other guards standing beside Eloise, they each activated their flux force. Roots emerged from the ground, and together, they were able to form an arena made of clay.

“Clay root?” Seppe said, studying their powers.

Alan, flipping through his book stated, “Correct. The root is derived from Pottersaps, flowers located only within the Tenochstone Ruins.”

Alan, seeing Haruki and Rai convene, stated, “Looks like Haruki is unofficially being incorporated into this whole thing.”

Lily snickered, “Right.” Haruki had the luck of constantly getting paired with them, it's no wonder he’s becoming accustomed.

“Haruki, can you wait up for a moment,” Rai said, running behind a tree. His voice only slightly echoed out. “Come on! Okay, jacket rides for a month… and a strawberry ice cream…” Not long after, Rai reappeared beside Haruki.

“If the teams are ready, please take your places,” Mr. Briggs said.

Haruki nodded his gaze on the arena. “We're ready.”

Standing upon the arena, the duel was set to commence.

“The rules are simple. Defeat the opponent, whatever means necessary, or, knock them from the arena.”

Gulp. “Whatever means necessary…” Lily and Alan said, simultaneously.

“The rules differ from the previous exam, watch yourself,” Duke said.

“Begin!” Eloise stated.

Tamarri, emitting steam from his nose, caused the entire arena to be obscured.

“Not this again...” recalling the bubble mist. Rai couldn’t see a thing, and when he tried to focus on their flux force, the steam’s lingering flux floated all around, making it nearly impossible to find.

“Hey, that’s nice and all, but how am I supposed to find them,” Neptus complained. Quickly sensing something, he moved to his left as an arrow grazed his cheek. “They can see us?!”

“Not likely,” Takumi said. “But don’t worry,” he stated, jumping high into the air.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

“Careful, he’s a Solomon. He can utilize his abilities however he sees fit,” Haruki said. Retrieving another arrow, he split it in two, placing half back into his quiver and the other on the string. They were designed this way; to split or combine. Can’t risk using the bigger one just yet.

Rai, having experienced more than one occasion of being forced to fight blind, closed his eyes focusing on the noises around him. “Uh! Above!” Haruki and Rai both lunged out of the way. The ground quaked from the collision nearby.

“I missed,” Tamarri said. His eyes widened seeing Haruki, eyeing him dead on with his bow ready to strike.

“I don’t think so,” Neptus said, jumping from the steam and grabbing the bow, but Haruki, quick-witted, flipped Neptus over his back, chasing after him as they disappeared into the thickness of the steam.

“We can’t even watch the fight,” Lily complained, when suddenly, an orbiting ball appeared before her, its camera lens blinking twice before swaying back at a different angle of the fight.

“Lucam’s?” Alan questioned.

“Check your badges,” Mr. Briggs stated.

Lily, pulling out her porting badge, shuffled through the features, finding one that stated ‘live’ on it. Upon clicking it, the fight was shown clearly.

“Thanks to Lulu Tech we’re able to watch the fight, regardless of the steam,” Mr. Briggs said.

Rai, seeing a faint shadow under his feet, lunged again and again, as Tamarri came crashing down attempting to smash him into the ground.

“Don’t you get tired of jumping!” Rai shouted, before lunging once again to dodge Tamarri’s descent.

Tamarri, standing, said, “The Minus whose ability I’ve become accustomed to is the creature known as Serpentine Marauder. The creature lives within rivers and is known to spray steam from its gills; hot enough to kill smaller creatures surrounding-” A punch collided with the chin of Tamarri, sending him flying backward.

“Yeah, just keep on yapping, it’ll make this all the easier,” Rai said with a smirk.

“Tamarri’s Minus is known to form when merging with the root of the plant known as Vapora-Flora. The Bonsku hot springs, near the mountains surrounding Thundertyde, are only available due to these plants dug deep below the springs,” Aland said.

“Ah, what I would do for a hot bath right about now,” Ayame stated, imagining herself at the hot springs.

“Ayame!” Rina shouted, appearing from the forest with many other guards. Alongside her, Peon, who was slouching the entire way, and Jack.

“What’s wrong with Jack?” Lily asked.

“Yeah, he’s normally full of energy...” Alan said.

“Ayame! Never again…” Rina said, hugging her friend. “I expected my partner to actually be of use, but all he did was let me make the decisions. It was torture!” she exclaimed, tears running down her eyes.

“Careful, you’ll mess up the mascara,” Ayame said.

“Oh, right,” Rina said, dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

“Hey Jack!” Daichi said. “I swore you’d be one of the first. Huh, where’s Chloe-”

Jack pushed right past Daichi, a look of remorse on his face.

The guards, addressing the situation, stated, “She’s in critical condition… I can’t say if she’ll make it…

“She’s receiving treatment within the medical tent,” another stated.

“What?!” many apprentices were shocked about the news.

“I- I don’t know what happened…” Jack said, his fist trembling. “She was right by my side. I left for a few minutes to look for a source of food, but when I came back, she was gone. I looked everywhere…” tears welled in Jack's eyes. “I failed her as a teammate!”

Gaius, standing alone, listened in on the conversation, hardly showing much care to the news of Chloe’s current state as he watched the fight proceed. What a waste of time…

Meanwhile, in the fog, Neptus continued to dodge numerous arrows. “How in the hell is he finding my location?!” Swiveling through the fog, three splints found their way into the leg of Neptus, causing him to fall to his knee. “He’s shooting twigs now?!” he stated, yanking them out of his leg.

The steam thickened the air, but Haruki stayed sharp, relying on his instincts to pinpoint his opponent's position. He crouched low, eyes locked onto the faintest shadows through the haze, tracking movement as precise as a hawk would its prey. Now having a confident idea of his location, Harki shouted, “Rai, stay over there!”

“Something’s coming,” Neptus said.

Tamarri, defending himself from the relentless onslaught from Rai, stated, “He just won’t stop.”

“Like hell I’m going to stop and let you out of my sight again!” Rai shouted back. Placing his hands out, fingers intertwined, he shouted, “Ikken!” Tamarri stuck his arms out in defense, ready for the attack, however, nothing came. “Come on, what is up with this thing?!” Rai shouted.

Tamarri, seeing as nothing occurred, sensing Haruki’s charging flux, erupted with steam, propelling Rai several feet away. Reaching into his back pocket, Tamarri grabbed what looked to be a red spikey fruit. Quickly swallowing it, Tamarri launched himself into the air.

Neptus, sensing the looming threat, reached for the opal necklace, taking a step back in the process, but his foot slipped off the stage. I’m at the edge?!

“Ignition strike, times two!” The flux surrounding the arrows doubled. The blast, cleared any remaining steam blocking his view, racing directly toward Neptus.

Landing in front of Neptus, Tamarri appeared, successfully intercepting the attack and taking the full impact. In his hand, he held a frying pan, which the arrowhead seemed to be slowly piercing through.

“Tamarri!” Neptus shouted.

From the fruit Tamarri ate, his body started to slightly expand, and the tips of his soft brown fur began to grow red. “Pan-tastic, Parry!” with a deciding swing, he sent the force of the explosion straight back at Haruki.

“WHAT?!” Haruki, not expecting this, quickly pulled out an arrow, fired another ignition strike moments before the wave of fire could reach him, effectively canceling out the counterattack, but as a result, it sent him soaring straight toward the end of the arena. Utilizing an arrow, he dug it into the ground, hoping to slow his momentum, but it was no use. Haruki flew off the stage, landing on the grassy floor.

“Haruki has been eliminated.”

“Yay! Go bear!” Ayame shouted.

“What just happened,” Rai stated, looking around at the arena which had finally cleared of the dense steam.

“Tamarri are you-” Neptus froze. There was a small hole pierced right through the frying pan, and behind that, right through the abdomen of Tamarri.

“Not only did he redirect the blast, but he positioned the pan in such a way that if the arrow did pierce through, it wouldn’t hit his teammate he was protecting,” Duke said, observing the match intently.

“Is he going to be okay?” Rina asked.

Tamarri fell forward, however, Neptus caught him, laying him down gently. Noticing Tamarri’s short breaths, Neptus whispered, “He’s alive.”

“Tamarri is unable to battle, therefor he has been eliminated,” Eloise said as guards quickly removed him from the arena, rushing him to the med tent with Chloe.

Gaius sneered at Neptus, “Using a teammate as a shield? Seems you've mastered being weak and pathetic. No wonder you left your family behind.”

Neptus, angered, took a step towards the edge of the arena. “What you say?!”

“Children, children, let's play nice. The sandbox is big enough for all of us.” Rai said, grinning as he snatched an apple mid-air he had taken out.

“Hey, is that…” Alan wondered out loud, seeing the apple.

“Who’re you calling a child!” Neptus yelled, steam rolling out his ears, while Rai snickered. “This isn’t some game, I’m trying to save my family!”

Putting on a theatrical expression, Rai threw a hand to his forehead and adopted a dramatic tone. “Oh, the tragedy! I've left my family behind to become an elite!” Rai exaggeratedly wiped away an imaginary tear. “It’s just too much to bear!” He paused, glancing at Neptus with a teasing grin.

“Rai…” Lily muttered to herself, aware of what he was doing.

“You think this is some kind of joke!” Neptus said, clenching his fist.

“Oh, boo hoo. You're not the only one with problems,” Rai said, taking a bite of the apple. causing Flux force to gather within him.

“Ah-!” Inari, who normally had an emotionless expression, furrowed her brows as she watched Rai closely. This feeling…

Yes! It worked. Gazing at Neptus, he said, “I suggest you get outta here,” stretching his hands out while intertwining his fingers.

“What does a powerless Abminus intend to do?” Kenji smirked.

“Hm, just you wait and see,” Lily responded.

Kenji, with a look of irritation, turned away, watching the fight.

Neptus heart pounding in his ears, went back to a time he had tried so hard to forget. Sounds of clashing steel and shouting warriors - replaced by the crunch of dirt under his bare feet as he fled the Kingdom of Atlas. He stumbled, his breathing ragged, adrenaline urging him onward. His small hands scraped against the rough ground as he caught himself from falling. “I have to keep going,” he whispered to himself. Ahead, he saw a boulder and an undergrowth of bushes. He forced his aching legs to carry him there.

“This way!” voices called out.

Swiftly, Neptus ducked behind it, feeling the rough, yet, cool stone against his back. Holding his breath, he waited patiently as the distant thud of hooves arrived. Riders. His heart raced even faster, and he pressed himself tighter against the boulder, trying to become one with it. The riders drew near, their shouts and laughter echoing in his ears.

“Did you see him?” one called out, voice laced with eagerness.

“Not a trace.”

“He couldn't have gotten far,” another answered, frustration creeping into his tone.

“We should have brought the hounds!”

“Hey! I wasn’t the one who said, ‘It makes the hunt more thrilling without’, was I?!”

“Chancellor Plut isn’t going to be happy if the boy escapes…”

Neptus squeezed his eyes shut, praying they’d hurry up and leave.

Horses kicked dust into the air, almost causing him to cough as he accidentally inhaled some. His throat burned, trying to hold down multiple bursts of air until one barely slipped out.

“You hear that?” someone stated… Examining their surroundings, one rider got off, tracing his surroundings. He inched near the place where Neptus was hiding.

“Come on, we’re wasting time,” a rider spoke, right before the other was about to find Neptus. “He could be getting farther as we speak!”

“Alright,” the rider on the ground said, returning to his steed.

As the riders continued their pursuit, Neptus dared to take a shallow breath, his lungs tight. He remained silent and still as the riders' voices faded into the distance. Glancing at an opal necklace, tears streamed down his face. “I swear… I swear it, I swear it, I swear it! I’ll free you all!”

The memory slipped away, leaving Neptus back in the present. He had never forgotten that helplessness he felt so long ago.

“Last chance amigo,” Rai said, ready to fire his ikken.

Neptus, carrying a new look of resolve, touched the opal necklace around his neck. “Just try it!” Activating his root powers, the roots that formed, caused the arena to crack, however, instead of appearing from the ground, they materialized in thin air around him.

“It can’t be?!” Mr. Briggs stated. “Another four-star root!”

“Impossible?!” Gaius stated.

Neptus, similar to Rai, stretched his arms outward, but instead of intertwining his fingers, he rotated them and kept them in the shape of a fist, placing them against one another. A massive amount of flux started to gather.

“What root is that?!” Lily said, looking at Alan who was rapidly flipping through his book.

“I don’t know, it’s not in the data book,” he replied.

“That’s because this root is only one of speculation…” Duke said, a smile apparent on his face. “Galaxy root, said to grow from meteors that crash into the planet.”

“How can you tell?” Seppe stated.

“Just watch,” Duke said.

“Whoa…” Rai said, seeing flux swirl around Neptus. The sun, which had now been shining bright, suddenly disappeared, clouded by stars littering the skies. The entire spacing they were in was now a dazzling starlight scenery wrapping Neptus. Smirking, “That’s some serious power you’ve got there, think you can handle it!” Rai raised his flux, now equally flowing with flux, though unlike Neptus whose energy seemed to come from the stars, Rai came from the earth.

“Try me!” Neptus shouted.

“You asked for it!” Rai yelled. “Ikken!”

“Galactic Surge!” Neptus shouted.

The arena shook as the attacks collided in the center of the arena. The swirling cosmic black wave from Neptus’s attack, and the air whirl fused with flux from Rai’s, struggled against one another. The intense collision sent shockwaves rippling across the ground, causing the arena to quiver.

Rai, wincing in pain, arms trembling, fought to hold his ground. “You're not going to win that easily, Neptus!” he shouted, his voice tight with strain as he pushed more power into his ikken.

Neptus’s eyes locked onto Rai's, arms quivering under the pressure, stood firm, saying, “Neither.. are.. you!” he called out, also releasing more power into his attack. The swirling vortexes of air and cosmic energy clashed fiercely, pushing back and forth in a battle of raw power.

Many apprentices watched, barely able to view the collision between the two. Neither combatant showed any sign of backing down.

Rai’s vision started to blur, his legs quickly grew weak; memories of his time in Underrena flooded his mind. 'Don’t let that fire… ever fizzle out... Now go...' “I already told you... it never will!” he shouted.

The arena lit up, and everyone was blinded as an explosion resonated throughout the entire field—even the small orbiting camera was sent flying.

Slowly, the sunlight reappeared. As the smoke cleared, grasping the edge of the arena, only inches from touching the floor, Rai.

On the other end, Neptus, outside of the ring. He was unconscious.

Rai, struggling, dragged himself back onto the stage, lying on his back breathing heavily.

“Winner, Rai and Haruki…” Mr. Briggs stated, loss for words.

Guards ran over to Neptus, who was knocked out, carrying him over to the med tent.

“We did it,” Rai said, looking at his outstretched hand.

“Way to go!” Lily shouted.

“That was amazing!” Alan said, stars in his eyes.

Many apprentices took the scenario differently, except Kiku, who was sleeping, per usual.

Kenji was furious. “But how?!” I thought he was powerless… Wasn’t he a Root Root Abminus?

Duke also had a look of concern. Did he always have this ability? I didn't even see any roots emerge...

“These two…” Eloise whispered to herself. Knowing that she was in charge of the placement exam, she shook off the matter, continuing with the matches. “Ahem. Our next match, Lily and Mochi versus Fu and Kiku!”

“Hah! This will be a walk in the park,” Fu stated.

Lily gazed at him, annoyed.

Rai, wearily walking off, slumped over next to Lily. “I’m beat…”

“Good job!” Lily said, fist-bumping Rai.

“Thanks. Now, it's your turn,” Rai said with a confident smile.

Lily nodded, confidently looking forward while clenching her fist. “Let’s do this!”