Chapter 8: The Trial of Elements

Kaelen’s days at the academy became increasingly tense as he continued to grow stronger, balancing his advancement carefully to avoid suspicion. His training in Dark particles had reached a point where he could feel himself nearing the Novice Peak for Dark, a pivotal rank that would give him the foundation he needed to stand against his enemies. Yet he knew better than to push too quickly—every step forward had to be measured, calculated.

However, his carefully laid plans were thrown off when the academy announced the upcoming Trial of Elements, an annual competition designed to test students in their elemental abilities, combat skills, and mental fortitude. The trial was a celebrated event, with senior council members attending as spectators. For students, it was an opportunity to prove their potential. But for Kaelen, the trial was both an opportunity and a threat. Performing too well would draw unwanted attention; performing too poorly could risk his position in the academy altogether.

Preparing for the Trial

Two days before the trial, Kaelen met Mara in one of the academy’s secluded courtyards. She had been training relentlessly, her ice magic sharper, more refined than he’d ever seen. Her quiet determination mirrored his own, though he knew her reasons remained hidden, much like his own.

“Are you ready for the trial?” she asked, breaking the silence.

Kaelen gave a slight nod. “As ready as I can be. The trial’s more than just a show of strength—it’s a test of control. And the council will be watching closely.”

Mara nodded, understanding flashing in her gaze. “They’re looking for students who might pose a risk, ones who could grow powerful enough to slip beyond their grasp. There are rumors the council even selects certain students during the trial, recruiting them for… special tasks.” Her voice lowered, her gaze distant. “Those who are chosen rarely return the same.”

A shiver passed through Kaelen. He had heard whispers of students taken under the council’s wing, turned into tools for their hidden agendas. It was a fate he was determined to avoid.

“If I’m going to pass the trial, I need to maintain a low profile,” Kaelen said, his tone careful. “But I also can’t afford to fail.”

“Then show just enough,” Mara replied. “And remember, if things go wrong… I’ve got your back.”

Her words left him with a rare feeling of comfort. Trust was a luxury he could scarcely afford, but Mara’s alliance had proven invaluable. They shared an understanding, an unspoken pact to survive together in a world fraught with threats.

The Day of the Trial

The day of the Trial of Elements dawned bright and cold. The academy’s main courtyard had been transformed into an arena, complete with raised platforms, training dummies enchanted to mimic elemental attacks, and barrier spells designed to contain students’ powers within the area. Council members sat on a grand balcony above, their faces hidden in shadow as they observed the gathered students below.

Kaelen scanned the crowd, noting the tense expressions of his peers. His status window shimmered in his mind, reflecting his readiness:

[Status Window]

Name: Kaelen

Energy Heart Rank: Novice (Dark, Middle)

World Particles:

•Dark: 1100/3000 (Next Rank: Novice Peak requires 3000 particles)

•Light: 700/1000

•Space: 520/1000

•Mind: 450/1000

Skills:

•Dark Element Skills:

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•Shadow Veil (F) - Allows the user to blend into shadows for a short duration. Duration increases with energy heart rank.

•Dark Pulse (F) - Releases a surge of dark energy in all directions, briefly stunning nearby enemies.

•Dark Shroud (E) - Encases the user in a veil of darkness, rendering them nearly invisible for a short period.

•Umbral Grasp (E) - A spectral hand of shadow reaches out, able to grasp and drain energy from a target. Duration and strength increase with rank.

•Nightcaller (D) - Allows the user to summon shadows to attack or shield in battle. The strength of the summoned shadows increases with the user’s rank.

The trial’s overseer, Magister Ronn, stepped forward, his voice carrying through the arena. “Welcome to the Trial of Elements. Today, you will face three challenges. Each trial will test your control over your element, your combat skills, and your ability to think under pressure. Remember, this is not merely a display of strength—it is a test of your discipline.”

He paused, letting his words settle. “The first trial will assess your elemental control. You will be tasked with using your element to destroy targets at various distances. Precision, not power, will determine your success.”

The students began to line up, and Kaelen found himself in the middle of the group. He took a deep breath, focusing on his Dark energy, feeling the familiar pulse within his energy heart. He needed to be careful here. Using too much force could expose him, but a lackluster display would arouse suspicion as well.

When his turn arrived, he stepped forward, his eyes on the targets placed at varying distances. He raised his hand, summoning a controlled amount of Dark energy. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed a small Dark Pulse, striking the nearest target. The pulse was subtle but effective, just enough to destroy the target without drawing too much attention.

He continued, pacing himself as he struck each target with measured control. He avoided using Nightcaller or Umbral Grasp, sticking to lower-level spells that would appear well within his rank’s capabilities. When he finished, he stepped back, noting the approving nods from some of the instructors. It had been a careful balance, and he had managed to keep his strength hidden.

The Second Trial: Combat

For the second trial, students were paired for a mock battle designed to test their adaptability. Kaelen’s opponent was a water mage named Eryn, a skilled but overconfident student who often relied on brute force rather than finesse.

“Ready?” Eryn smirked, summoning a stream of water that coiled around his arms. “Let’s see if those shadows are as impressive as everyone says.”

Kaelen kept his face neutral. The council members’ gaze felt like a weight pressing down on him, but he pushed it aside, focusing on the fight. He would need to handle Eryn quickly and cleanly, without revealing his stronger abilities.

Eryn moved first, sending a wave of water crashing toward him. Kaelen activated Dark Shroud, blending into the shadows as the water passed through where he had been standing a moment before. He reappeared behind Eryn, his hands raised as he released a quick burst of Dark Pulse, aiming to disorient his opponent.

The pulse struck Eryn, making him stagger. Kaelen could see the flash of frustration in his eyes, but Eryn was quick to recover, retaliating with a series of water jets. Kaelen dodged, moving with fluid precision, keeping his movements efficient, evading rather than attacking outright.

Finally, Eryn overextended, lunging forward in an attempt to catch Kaelen off guard. Kaelen sidestepped, summoning a small shadow tendril with Nightcaller to entangle Eryn’s foot. The tendril was subtle, but it was enough to trip him, sending him sprawling to the ground.

Before Eryn could recover, Magister Ronn called an end to the match, his gaze sweeping over the combatants. “Well done, Kaelen. Controlled, focused, and precise. Eryn, you relied too heavily on power. Remember, strength without control is nothing but weakness.”

Eryn scowled, but Kaelen paid him no mind. He had completed the second trial without exposing himself, his restraint and discipline earning him quiet approval from the instructors.

The Final Trial: The Gauntlet

The third and final trial was known as the Gauntlet, a test of endurance and problem-solving that required students to navigate a maze filled with elemental traps and enchanted constructs. The Gauntlet was a trial designed to push students to their limits, forcing them to think quickly, adapt, and manage their energy reserves carefully.

As Kaelen stepped into the Gauntlet, the world shifted around him, the walls rising high and casting deep shadows over the winding paths. He felt his energy heart pulse, a reminder of the power he held within, power he would need to ration carefully.

He moved through the maze, encountering the first trap—a wall of flame that blocked his path. He activated Dark Shroud, blending into the shadows and slipping around the flames, careful not to use more energy than necessary. Further along, he encountered an earth construct, its massive stone arms swinging as it advanced.

Kaelen waited, observing the construct’s movements. He could sense the slight delay between its swings, a rhythm he could exploit. When it swung its arm again, he darted forward, using Shadow Veil to evade the blow and slip past the construct unscathed.

The maze grew darker as he moved deeper, the shadows thickening, and Kaelen felt the familiar pull of Dark particles in the air. His energy heart pulsed, feeding off the ambient particles as he navigated through traps and obstacles, each step bringing him closer to the Gauntlet’s end.

As he rounded a corner, he found himself face-to-face with a final challenge—a dark, spectral figure, its form shifting and ethereal. Kaelen’s pulse quickened. The figure was a shadow wraith, an entity conjured from Dark energy, designed to mirror and counter a mage’s own element.

The wraith lunged, and Kaelen reacted, summoning Nightcaller to create a shield of shadows. The wraith struck the shield, the impact reverberating through his energy heart. He could feel the wraith’s energy, its Dark particles colliding with his own, testing his strength.

Summoning his will, he reached within, drawing on his reserves. He activated Umbral Grasp, his spectral hand of darkness reaching out to drain energy from the wraith. The wraith shuddered, weakening as Kaelen pulled its energy into himself, reinforcing his own strength.

With one final surge, he released Dark Pulse, the shockwave dispersing the weakened wraith into fragments of shadow. The path ahead cleared, and Kaelen continued forward, emerging from the Gauntlet to the sound of scattered applause from the instructors.

As he returned to the courtyard, he caught sight of Magister Lorn on the council balcony, watching him intently. Lorn’s expression was unreadable, but Kaelen felt the weight of his gaze, the silent judgment that lay beneath.

He knew he had performed well, but he also knew that his every move had been scrutinized. The council’s interest was growing, their attention sharper. He had managed to balance his performance for now, keeping his strength carefully contained. But he could feel the pressure building, the council’s curiosity deepening with each trial.

As he walked away, he reminded himself of the path he’d chosen—the long, patient path to power and freedom. And though the council’s gaze bore down on him, Kaelen vowed that he would remain steady, hidden in the shadows, until the day he was strong enough to challenge them openly.

The trial was over, but his journey had only just begun.