Exiting my meditation, a giant wave of mana pass through my room, causing my skin to prickle. I felt unsettled, the best way I can describe it is the mana felt angry. Feeling slight vibration coming through the stone under my bed. As I shifted my body, stiff from hours of staying in the same position. A more significant rumble shook my room, knocking over the chair by the desk.

Wondering what was going on, as I thought about using the flower Daphnia left me to contact her. An even bigger quake happened, causing my whole room to shake. Runes intertwined in the stone walls flared to life, as a film of mana spread through the walls covering them in a soft glow.

The shaking stopped, and if I didn’t have my talent. I probably would have thought everything was fine. But I could still feel the ripples of the same angry mana pass through my room. Just when I was getting ready to get up. I felt a different kind of mana I’d even say familiar, appear in my room. A big blue oval materialized in front of me. As it hovered three feet off the ground, an image of Mancin and Daphnia appeared on its mirror-like surface.

“Oh Kyle, I’m sure all the racket has got you worried, but there is no need to fret. The cities wards have dispersed the vibrations.” Daphnia said, leaning over mancin’s shoulder looking worried.

“I’m okay, I just didn’t know what had happened, that’s all. Actually, I’m still not sure what is happening?” I said, staring at Mancin’s eyes. That looked like bright pools of shifting water.

Looking at Mancin, lovingly, Daphnia said. “I’m not entirely sure, Mancin is looking into it now.”

Just as we finished talking about him, Mancin’s eyes dimmed, returning to their dark-brown color. Giving his body a shake, looking at Daphnia than turning to me. Mancin said, “No need to be overly nervous. There seems to be a nest of long-tailed scrapers, in the south slum. That turned out to be bigger than what was to be expected. The guards were not prepared and made a big mess of things. But they were at least able to push the swarm back to their breeding grounds in the south crux.”

Pausing, his eyes flashing a bright blue color, Macin said. “Well that’s a surprise, I didn’t expect Eden to capitalize on current events. They just sent out a notice to all the trial-takers representatives. That the first test of this Admissions period is to aid the city in combating the long-tailed scraper infestation. Any trial-takers in the city should get ready to head to the long-tailed scrapers nest, to purge them from the city.”

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Looking affronted, Daphnia said, “What! How could they expect a group of children to take on a swarm of beasts? Especially with such little preparation and alone at that!”

Grabbing Daphnia’s hands as she started to work herself into a fit. Mancin said, “Dear, think about what Eden is, they only want the best. Not only that, Participants can work in teams, and Long-tailed scrapers aren’t that dangerous. Plus any trial-taker that doesn’t feel up to the task can back out.”

Letting out a breath in defeat, Daphnia said, “I guess you’re right, but it doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

They both turned to look at me. I don’t know, I mean I’m not really prepared, but having a team would definitely lessen the burden. It’s not like I’m defenseless. Either I have my new matrix plus I’m sure I can sling around raw mana if I have to.

Giving me a reassuring smile, Mancin said. “Listen, Kyle, whatever your choice is we’ll support you.”

Trying to sound as confident, as I was trying to make myself feel, I said. “I want to participate in the attack on the nest of long-tailed scrapers.”

Even though She looked worried, Daphnia said. “I’m sure you’ll do a great job, and With Madison and Alfred. That makes a battle-triad one of the basic units used for wide-scale battles. Make sure you get some sleep, tomorrow is going to be a busy day. I’ll wake you up or have Mancin wake you up to meet with Madison and Alfred to get ready.”

As participants of Eden’s first trial, across the free city prepared for their first test.

Along the border of the south slum. Stood not only the city guard but also several Guilds hired for extra aid in combating the long-tailed scrapers.

Coming back from the slums, the group of patrolmen saluted a tall man with a beard. The patrolman leading the group stepped in front of the others and said. “Captain, we just finished checking the low-wash, and it looks like the swarm haven’t made it that far.”

Shaking his head, the Captain said, “Good, good, with the low-wash, cleared, and twisted-bent cleared we just have to worry about the south-crux.”

The patrolman standing to the right of the man who reported to the Captain. Taking a gulp of air, he said, “But Captain, what about the people in the slums? The wards aren’t strong enough to keep out the swarm.”

Turning to look at the questioning patrolman, smiling the Captain said, “That’s the spirit; we are the free city’s guards. The fact that the slums are still apart of the city, most like to forget. There’s no need to worry that’s what we are here for. While you were checking low-wash, I got a message from the council. It looks like Eden’s first admissions test is to take care of our long-tailed scraper infestation. We are just here to help strengthen the wards protecting the houses. What’s your name patrolman, how long have you been a patrolman?”

Blushing from the compliment, the patrolman said, “Thank you, Sir, my name is Van Hanrick. I’ve been a patrolman for two years now, Captain.”