The next day all the students gathered outside the cabins, eagerly awaiting the announcement of today's competition. Lina stood beside me, her usually pristine white hair was frizzy from the windy conditions of the mountains and her cheeks and nose bruins red from the coldness. She glanced over and caught me looking.

"What are you staring at, you dimwit?" she spat quietly, nudging my shoulder.

"Just that the princess looks like a normal adventurer for once," I joked.

"What secret of Falyn Elway's childhood will I peel from Myla's mind this time, I wonder," she said, smirking as she crossed her arms.

I scoffed, "You wouldn't."

She smirked and her eyes locked with mine. "Try me, Fal."

The dwarven mountains have made her feisty.

Lily stood quietly beside us, waiting for the professor's announcement. Looking over at her, I caught a glimpse of Leiah's group doing the same, as well as Hanz's.

Professor Rinehall, accompanied by his colleagues, stepped forward, capturing our attention.

"Good morning, everyone!" Professor Rinehall's voice rang out, his enthusiasm evident. "I hope you're all well-rested and ready for today's challenge. Allow me to introduce the competition for today, a little one we like to call 'Capture the Beast'!"

Excitement buzzed through the crowd as we listened intently, eager to learn the details of the competition. The professor continued, outlining the basic premise of the challenge.

"The objective is simple," Professor Rinehall explained. "Each group of students will race to capture the beast shard of a particular creature residing atop the formidable Dwarven Mountains. The first group to retrieve the shard and bring it back to the designated checkpoint, which will be the cabins, will be declared the winners."

Gasps resounded through the crowd upon hearing the words "top of the dwarven mountains." From that phrase alone, I knew that this challenge wouldn't be easy. From the research I've done, only the strongest beasts reside up there, and on top of that, the weather conditions only get harsher.

One student raised his hand, and it didn't take long for Professor Rinehall to call upon him.

"What type of beast is it?" his voice quavered, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.

"The beast you guys will be aiming for is none other than a Drowl," the professor answered as if we should have expected this.

The crowd erupted into murmurs and whispered conversations upon hearing the news.

A Drowl was a winged creature slightly smaller than a wyvern. Its kind usually used wind or ice mana for offensive measures. Its speed was nothing to scoff at, as I had read. But its most notable ability was its camouflage. It could blend in with its icy habitat like a gecko.

That ability alone was what would make this challenge difficult.

Professor Rinehall continued.

"Now, now, class. I know what you're all thinking. Yes, this is a difficult task to ask, but when has pushing yourself to your limits ever been easy? Look around you, at each and every one of your teammates, and answer me this: Do you want to stay at this level of strength forever?"

The professor's words silenced the crowd.

"If not, tests like these are necessary. They build character, and when pushed to the edge, you see how true your resolve is." Professor Rinehall's serious tone suddenly lightened. "Worry not, though, class. If your team wins, the rewards will be fruitful. The reward for this competition will be mana stones and potions. These potions will aid in speeding up your mana core breakthroughs, granting you a significant advantage. Additionally, the winning group will receive a spell book of their choice, allowing them to further expand their magical repertoire."

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A murmur of anticipation rippled through the crowd, and the promise of such rewards sparked a newfound determination within each of us. Professor Rinehall concluded his announcement, a smile adorning his face.

"So, students, prepare yourselves for an exhilarating challenge," he declared, his voice brimming with excitement. "May the best group emerge victorious! Good luck!"

The air was charged with a mix of anticipation and eagerness as we absorbed the details of the competition. The opportunity to test our skills, overcome the perilous Dwarven Mountains, and claim valuable rewards beckoned us forward. With renewed determination, we gathered our gear and readied ourselves for the thrilling race ahead, fully aware that this would be a competition to remember.

There were around sixteen teams, all aiming for this one beast. I looked around at all the students, stunned, as I donned my light battle gear, provided to every student by the school.

Hanz made his way over to me. "Looks like the competition will be harder than we thought."

I nodded. "Agreed."

He looked over to where Renz was standing. "He is the only person I'm worried about, though. Him and the Leiah girl."

"They are stronger than the rest, but I still wouldn't let your guard down," I advised.

He nodded. "You're right." He began walking back to his group. "Well, I'm going to get back to my team and figure out a game plan. Good luck, Fal."

"Good luck to you too, Hanz."

He turned and smiled. "No mercy on the battlefield."

"I wouldn't want it any other way."

***

The competition began at noon, which was now only five minutes away.

"So, what's our strategy, Fal?" Lina asked, as Lily listened in.

"Waiting," I replied.

They both looked at me, confused.

"Why would we wait?" Lily asked.

"We will let the other groups fight it out and search for the Drowl, but the minute someone finds it, we will overtake them and steal the shard," I explained.

Lina looked at me, disappointed. "How underhanded, Fal. That is the last thing I expected from you."

"Do you want to win or not?" I challenged.

She sighed. "I guess it's not a bad plan. But if anyone asks, I'm saying it was your idea."

I laughed. "Sure, go ahead."

"It doesn't sound too bad of an idea," Lily said. "I believe it just might work."

Just as Lina was about to speak again, Professor Rinehall called out. "All teams, line up. The competition will begin soon."

The three of us lined up with the rest of the teams, feeling the tension building in the air. Professor Rinehall stood at the front, his stern gaze scanning the participants.

"Welcome, students," he announced, his voice echoing across the field. "Today, you embark on a quest to retrieve the Drowl shard. The team that successfully locates and secures the shard will earn great recognition and a substantial reward." He reminded us.

The crowd murmured with anticipation, and I could feel the intensity of the competition rising. Professor Rinehall continued, "Remember, this competition is not just about strength and skill. It requires strategy, teamwork, and clever thinking. Not only will you have to retrieve the Drowl shard, but to do so, you must slay the Drowl. It stays hidden within the vast forest that lies ahead. Only the most resourceful and determined team will prevail."

As the clock struck noon, a loud horn sounded, signifying the start of the competition. Teams dispersed in all directions, eager to gain an advantage. Lina, Lily, and I stuck together, determined to execute our plan.

"Our main objective is just getting to the top for now," I said as we all ran.

Lily and Lina nodded in agreement, and we moved swiftly through the dense, snow-covered forest, navigating the undergrowth and keeping a watchful eye on other teams. We could hear distant sounds of clashes and shouts as teams engaged in skirmishes. The chaos of battle surrounded us, but we held our ground, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

Hours passed as we made our way through the treacherous terrain, carefully avoiding confrontations with other teams. The snow-covered path grew steeper, the air colder, and the wind stronger as we ascended the Dwarven Mountains. The challenge of the journey itself tested our endurance and determination.

Finally, we reached a clearing where we could catch our breath. Spotting an under-cave, I gestured for the group to follow, and Lily began preparing a fire. Due to our skillful evasion of confrontations, I assumed we were the first team to reach this high up the mountains.

I nodded, scanning the surroundings. "Keep your guard up. Teams could be anywhere."

Just as I finished speaking, a powerful gust of wind blew through the clearing and the cave, almost knocking us off balance. The wind seemed to carry a faint, haunting melody that sent shivers down our spines.

A loud roar followed the strong winds. It sounded as if it was coming from a good distance away.

"Someone found it," I said, dashing toward the sound.