Thorne's hearty laughter resonated through the tent, a vivid contrast to his intense evaluation. His boisterous demeanor seemed to echo off the walls, a testament to his undeniably jovial personality. "You're tougher than you look, lad," he exclaimed, a hearty grin on his face. "You've got potential."

I stood frozen, gasping for breath, the exertion of the trial still rippling through my body. The weight of the experience was settling in, a visceral reminder of how close I had felt to the edge. It was as if the very fabric of reality had strained against me, threatening to engulf me in its relentless grip.

Meeting Thorne's gaze, I managed to find my voice amidst the fatigue and extreme mental exhaustion. "I appreciate that," I barely gasped. Collapsing on the floor, a sense of accomplishment for surviving the shock of this trial rose to greet me.

With a casual motion towards the exit, Thorne gestured me forward. "Don't worry, you'll feel better soon. Well, off you go," he declared, his voice resolute. "Seraphina's up next. She'll take care of you better than me or Orion could."

Taking a deep breath, I steadied myself, still feeling the echoes of Thorne's trial reverberate within me.

As I hobbled out of the tent, I left behind the towering figure of the combat instructor, his encouraging words echoing in my mind.

The next tent beckoned, its entrance a threshold to the next chapter of my interview process.

Inside the tent, a different atmosphere awaited. Seraphina, the third instructor, sat in the center of the room. Her brown eyes, framed by square glasses and luscious dark hair exuded an air of wisdom and serenity.

"Welcome, Alex," she said with a gentle smile, her voice carrying a soothing quality that put me at ease.

I returned her smile, a mixture of curiosity and respect filling my gaze. "Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you Professor Seraphina."

She gestured for me to take a seat across from her, and as I settled in, I felt a sense of openness in her presence, as though she was genuinely interested in understanding me beyond the surface. Woah, she really is different from Thorne and Orion, I thought to myself.

"Let's begin, shall we?" Seraphina's tone was warm and inviting. "Unlike those muscleheads, I'm here to learn more about you, Alex. Your aspirations, your background, and what brings you to our Adventurer's Academy."

She smiled at me gently, "I just need to make sure you'll be ready to spend the next years here - potentially without meeting or seeing your family."

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I nodded, my gaze steady as I met her eyes.

"So, please tell me about yourself - why are you here? Why are you applying to be an adventurer cadet?"

Where should I even begin? As countless thoughts and memories rushed through my mind, one commonality stood out.

"I've always had a yearning for adventure," I began, my words a fusion of sincerity and unyielding resolve. "I could never lead a life of monotonous repetition. I need to explore new horizons, meet new people, and make my mark on the world. Even if that means leaving people behind."

Seraphina listened attentively, her gaze unwavering as she absorbed my words. "And your family? What do they think of your decision?" she inquired gently.

A pang of nostalgia and longing washed over me as thoughts of my family flooded my mind. I quietly chuckled to myself as memories rushed back to me. Memories of my first steps, my first adventures, the woods, of Lily.

"They don't know about my decision."

Seraphina's eyes held a soft understanding, a depth of emotion that resonated with my own feelings. "Family is a precious bond," she mused, her voice carrying a touch of melancholy. "I, too, once left mine in pursuit of my own path."

I sensed a story there, a shared experience that she carried with her. "What happened?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

A wistful smile tugged at the corners of Seraphina's lips. "That's a story for another time. However, I realized, as you will too, that family and friends are truly valuable. They are the anchor that keeps us grounded, the support that carries us through life's challenges."

Her words struck a chord within me, a reminder of the bonds I had forged and the ones I had left behind. "I understand," I said, a mix of heartbreak in my voice.

Seraphina's gaze held mine, a mixture of empathy and encouragement. "It's not wrong to seek adventure, Alex. But remember that the people who love and support you are just as important. Cherish those connections, for they are the true treasures on your journey. As cliche as it sounds, it is true. What you've left behind can never be recovered. Remember that. Treasure what you have now."

I nodded, a renewed sense of purpose filling me. "I will," I affirmed, my voice carrying a newfound resolve.

Seraphina's smile was a testament to the wisdom she had shared. "I have no doubt that you'll find your way, Alex. Your path is your own, and every step, every encounter, will shape the adventurer you become. From the sounds of it, you have no attachments which would make it hard for you to succeed or focus on learning here. I would love to have someone as passionate as you enter the academy."

Upon the conclusion of my discussion with Seraphine, I slowly left the tent. The lessons from my encounter with Seraphina lingered in my mind, however. Had I made a mistake leaving my parents, Kael, and Lily behind? I had fastidiously ignored thoughts about my secret departure from Havenwood ever since leaving those woods.

Now, however, due to my conversation with Seraphina, I began to second-doubt myself. Would I have been happier spending time with Lily in the village? Learning from Kael?

I shook my head. These were useless thoughts.

Pushing them from my mind, I began to slowly walk towards the final, towering, black tent which lay nearby. Within it was the last section of the interview - the headmaster Eamon.

With a nervous sweat, I opened the tent flaps and entered, prepared for the worst.