As Cale led the six trainees deeper into the Fracture, they found themselves in a dense forest, the towering trees casting long shadows across the uneven terrain. The air was thick, and the scent of damp earth clung to them as they pushed forward. Cale, walking ahead, barely glanced at the environment, his attention focused solely on the path ahead. The six behind him, however, felt the weight of the Fracture’s magic, making their steps heavier and their senses sharper.

"This place is strange," Jinwoo muttered, gripping his sword tightly as his eyes scanned the surroundings. "It feels… alive."

Minho nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his arcane blade, a faint glow emanating from the runes etched along its edge. "That’s because it is. The Fracture warps reality here. Stay on guard."

Cale suddenly stopped, turning to face the group. His cold, unreadable gaze made the air even heavier. "This is as far as I go," he said flatly. "Your test begins here."

The group looked at each other, tense and uncertain. "What do you mean?" Haejin asked, glancing nervously between Cale and the trees around them. She could sense something lurking in the forest.

"You’ll be fighting without me. Figure out your teamwork, your roles. I won’t interfere," Cale said, crossing his arms and stepping back. "I’m only here to watch."

Before they could ask more, the ground beneath them vibrated. From the shadows of the trees emerged five Red Hounds, their massive forms almost blending into the crimson hues of the forest. Their glowing eyes locked onto the group, teeth bared and growls low.

"Red Hounds!" Minseok hissed, drawing both his swords, the dual blades gleaming under the fractured light. "We’ve got to form up now."

Haejin, staying calm despite the tension, quickly cast her spells. Then shouted "Haste and strength magic on all of you!" she called, her hands glowing with vibrant energy as she sent the enhancements rippling through the team. Immediately, the group felt a surge of power, their movements becoming faster and their strength heightened.

"We need a formation!" Taeyang shouted, cracking his knuckles as his fists glowed with raw power. "Kyungsoo, you’re the shield. Get up front. Minho, Jinwoo, on the sides. Minseok, stay flexible in the middle. Haejin, stay back and support!"

Kyungsoo, holding his large shield, charged forward, planting his feet firmly in the ground as the first Red Hound lunged. His shield absorbed the impact with a loud clang, pushing the beast back. "I’ve got the front!" he shouted, bracing himself for the next attack.

Minho moved to the right, his arcane blade glowing brighter with each step. "I’ll cover your flank, Kyungsoo!" he yelled, slashing at a Red Hound that tried to circle around. His blade cut deep, leaving a trail of arcane energy behind as the beast yelped in pain and staggered.

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On the left, Jinwoo kept his sword ready, moving fluidly beside Taeyang. "We’ve got this side," Jinwoo said, his eyes sharp as he slashed at another Hound that tried to leap at him. He parried its bite and then drove his blade deep into its side.

Taeyang, with his fists glowing a fiery red, didn’t bother with weapons. He charged at the third Red Hound, meeting it head-on with a powerful punch to the jaw that sent the creature sprawling to the ground. "Come on!" he shouted, his grin wide as he prepared to take on more.

Minseok, positioned in the middle, kept his eyes on the battlefield, his dual swords flashing as he deflected attacks from any Hounds trying to break through their formation. His blades moved swiftly, cutting down any that got too close to Haejin, who stood behind him.

Haejin, focused and calm, continued to cast support spells, her magic flowing through the group like a river of power. "You’re stronger now! Don’t hold back!" she called, her voice steady even as the battle raged on.

The Red Hounds, though vicious, were finding it difficult to break through the coordinated defense. Kyungsoo’s shield was like an impenetrable wall, while Minho and Jinwoo attacked from the sides, using their weapons to keep the beasts at bay. Taeyang’s brute strength crushed any Hound foolish enough to challenge him directly, and Minseok’s dual blades cut down the stragglers with precision.

The group was working well together, their movements fluid and their roles clear. But the Red Hounds weren’t giving up. They regrouped, circling the group with growls even more menacing than before.

"They’re about to charge again," Minho warned, tightening his grip on his arcane blade.

"Then we hit them harder," Taeyang said, his voice full of confidence as his fists glowed brighter.

Cale watched silently from the sidelines, his expression neutral. He was studying their every move, but so far, he hadn’t seen a need to step in. "They’re doing well," he muttered to himself, impressed by how quickly they had adapted to the situation.

As expected, the Red Hounds charged again, but this time the group was ready. Kyungsoo, his shield raised high, blocked the first two Hounds that came at him, holding them off with sheer strength. Behind him, Haejin chanted softly, her magic swirling around the group, boosting their speed and power even more.

Minho dashed to the right, his arcane blade glowing as he slashed through one of the Hounds, the magic cutting deeper than before. The beast howled in pain and fell to the ground.

Jinwoo, not to be outdone, swung his sword in a wide arc, striking down another Red Hound with precision. "One more down!" he called out, sweat dripping from his brow.

Meanwhile, Taeyang delivered a devastating punch to the third Hound, the force of his attack shattering the creature’s jaw and sending it crashing into a nearby tree. "That’s three!" he grinned, his fists crackling with energy.

In the center, Minseok moved like a whirlwind, his dual swords a blur as he cut through the remaining Red Hounds. His movements were graceful yet deadly, each strike precise and controlled. "I’ve got them!" he shouted, finishing off the last two with swift, lethal strikes.

The Red Hounds lay defeated, the oppressive atmosphere lifting slightly.

Panting and drenched in sweat, the group stood victorious, their formation still intact. They exchanged relieved smiles, knowing they had passed their first real test as a team.

Cale approached slowly, his expression unreadable as he looked over the six trainees. "Not bad," he said, his voice calm but with a hint of approval. "You figured out your roles and fought like a team. But don’t get cocky. This was just the beginning."