The first test was designed to assess the overall physical fitness and endurance of the candidates. It was a grueling obstacle course set up in a large, open field. The course consisted of high walls to climb, long balance beams to cross, heavy sandbags to carry, monkey bars to traverse, and a challenging series of jumps and leaps to navigate. Candidates went one by one with the instructor overlooking everything, wearing an unreadable expression

Among the candidates, a diverse array of powers was on display, making the entrance exam a truly spectacular sight to behold.

There was a young woman with the ability to manipulate water, using it to propel herself through the obstacles with an elegant fluidity. Another candidate, a burly man, wielded control over earth, his hands glowing as he manipulated the soil to create makeshift steps up the wall, providing him a faster route.

A petite woman with tattooed arms and legs showed no visible ability flowed gracefully through the course. She paused briefly after each obstacle to think of the best path forward.

Another, a lithe and agile man, possessed the ability to control wind, creating gusts that allowed him to leap and soar between the obstacles with ease.

As Liam watched, he saw the expressions on the faces of those who struggled: frustration, fear, and exhaustion. The physical demands were clearly overwhelming for some of the candidates, and it became apparent that not everyone would pass this first test.

Still, Liam was encouraged by the resilience and determination displayed by many of his fellow aspiring adventurers. They pushed their limits, some overcoming their initial difficulties and emerging stronger for it.

Liam, with determination in his eyes, took a deep breath and prepared himself for the first course. He could feel the energy within him, fueled by his newfound light powers, pulsating in anticipation. As the starting signal echoed through the arena, Liam bolted forward with a burst of speed he never knew he was capable of.

The first obstacle was a series of swinging logs, their momentum threatening to knock the candidates off balance. As Liam approached, he used his affinity for light to heighten his reflexes and perception. He timed his steps with precision, avoiding the logs with grace and ease.

Next up was a high wall that needed to be scaled. Remembering the lessons from Rolf, Liam channelled his light energy into his muscles, providing him with a surge of power. He leaped and grabbed onto the wall's edge, pulling himself up and over the top with an impressive display of strength and agility.

After the wall, a series of balance beams crossed over a pool of water awaited Liam. He took a moment to assess the situation, drawing upon the light within to steady himself. As he stepped onto the beam, he felt a surprising stability in his footing, allowing him to cross the beams with confidence and balance, barely even teetering.

Finally, Liam faced the last obstacle: a set of monkey bars suspended over a pit. Using his light-enhanced muscles, he gripped the first bar and began swinging from one to another. He struggled at this, not used to the exercise, however still making it to the end without falling.

As Liam cleared the final obstacle and landed on the other side of the course, he felt a rush of exhilaration. He couldn't help but smile, realizing that not only had he completed the course, but he had done so with remarkable speed and finesse. One of the fastest to do so. The weeks of training and dedication had paid off, and Liam could feel a newfound confidence blossoming within him.

After the first trial, Torvald leads the group down some steps and after opening a thick steel door he ushers them through.

The room in which the next trial takes place is an enormous, cavernous chamber with soaring ceilings and imposing stone walls. Designed to accommodate large-scale magical and physical combat, the space is both awe-inspiring and intimidating. Illuminated by an array of enchanted, floating orbs that cast a cool, even light throughout the chamber, the room seems to stretch on endlessly.

The floor is made of a solid, durable material that can withstand the powerful impacts of magical spells and physical force, yet it is marked by numerous scuffs, scrapes, and burn marks—testament to the many battles that have taken place here. The walls, too, bear the scars of past combat, with chips and cracks marring the otherwise smooth stone surfaces.

Supportive pillars inlaid with glowing runes break up the flow of the arena. Several small alcoves are dotted around the walls, each one hosting a statue. A nearby candidate points out that none of the statues are the same.

To one side of the chamber, there is a long observation platform, elevated and protected by a transparent magical barrier. It seems to be powered by a glowing crystal at each corner of the barrier.

From here, instructors, fellow students, and examiners can safely observe the trials unfolding below. The platform is equipped with comfortable seating and is spacious enough to accommodate a sizable audience.

After a short break, the candidates gathered for the second test, where they would display their powers. The arena had been set up with a variety of targets scattered at varying distances and heights. Each candidate was given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities, both offensive and defensive, by engaging the targets.

A tall, muscular candidate with the power to control wind stepped forward confidently, raising his arms as he manipulated the air around him. With a flick of his wrists, he sent a series of powerful gusts of wind towards the targets, toppling them with ease. His face held an expression of pride as he turned to face his fellow competitors. Liam noted that the gusts were powerful but lacked any cutting power.

Another candidate, a young woman with silver hair and eyes that seemed to glow with an inner light, demonstrated her control over water. She raised her hands, and the water in the nearby trough rose in response, forming a swirling vortex around her. She focused her energy and sent a jet of water towards the targets, hitting them with pinpoint accuracy, causing them to shatter on impact.

A wiry young man with a smattering of freckles across his nose displayed his power over electricity. He generated sparks of energy between his fingertips, then unleashed a powerful bolt of green lightning towards the targets. The lightning split into multiple streams, each one finding its mark, and the targets burst into flames upon contact. Lastly, he raised a hand and with a clenched fist the air was split. A large thundercrack temporarily robbed everybody of their hearing.

A girl with delicate features and wispy hair demonstrated her power over nature, commanding vines to sprout from the ground beneath the targets. The vines wrapped around the targets, constricting them and but failing to crush completely. With a strained expression these vines returned to the ground, after another moment of concentration her body was wrapped in a thorny brown armor. She finished with sweat on her brow, clearly tired.

When Liam's turn came, he once again channeled his light energy, focusing it into his hands. With a deep breath, he released a powerful beam of concentrated light towards the targets. The beam pierced through the targets with ease, leaving a trail of dazzling, golden light in its wake. Feeling inspired by one of the earlier candidates, Liam conjures a quick burst of light. The brief flash leaves most of the others rubbing their eyes and blinking.

As each candidate showcased their abilities against the targets, the excitement in the arena grew, and the onlookers whispered among themselves, speculating on who would make it through the rigorous entrance exam and secure a place in the adventure guild.

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The atmosphere in the arena grew tense as the instructor announced the third and final test. He began pairing candidates into teams of three, explaining that teamwork and adaptability would be the most important traits for the combat trial.

“I will be watching for communication and teamwork here. If you try to win alone without working together, I promise you will fail.” He finishes with a grin.

After creating the teams, he informed them that their final challenge would be a combat test against one or more of the statues. He will be choosing appropriate enemies for each team and controlling the statues with his power.

“How will you know what is appropriate?” asks a tattooed girl.

“Good question, for one, I have an excellent spiritual sense. I can get a very good estimate as to how strong each of you are. Secondly, you all filled out the form, outlining what spirit you have and your abilities.” He finishes sternly.

The girl simply nods, satisfied with the answer. She shuffles over to her teammate and they begin talking quietly amongst themselves.

Before the test began, the team members decided to take a moment to introduce themselves.

Liam extended his hand to the wind-wielding man, who introduced himself as Corin. Corin had a confident and relaxed demeanor, with tousled brown hair and piercing green eyes. He explained that he came from a long line of wind mages and was eager to prove his worth as an adventurer.

Next, Liam turned to the water spirited woman, who introduced herself as Lila. Her dark blue eyes and long, flowing silver hair seemed to mimic the very water she commanded. She holds a sceptre of white wood in her hands. Once she is distracted Liam quickly inspects it.

Palewood Sceptre

While very weak and easily broken when used as a bludgeoning weapon. This sceptre will enhance healing spiritual powers channelled through it.

After the introductions, Liam, Corin, and Lila shared a brief moment of solidarity. Despite having just met, they knew they needed to rely on each other to succeed in the upcoming test. They exchanged reassuring nods and prepared to face the challenge that awaited them.

A few feet away from Liam's group, another team of three candidates prepared to face their test. This group consisted of a tall, muscular man with fiery red hair named Brann, a slender woman clad in green robes with an air of grace named Seraphine, and a young man with dark skin, intense eyes, and a shortbow called Malik. As they stood in a tight formation, sizing up their stone elemental adversary, the tension in the air was palpable.

With a look of concentration and some complex hand movements, one of the larger, unarmed statues starts to move. With shaky movements it walks forward to the centre of the arena.

As the test commenced, Brann unleashed his control over fire, stepping forward with a battle cry. He hurled searing flames at the stone elemental, leaving scorch marks on its rock-hard body. The heat was intense, causing his teammates to shield their eyes and take a step back. His face was a picture of determination and focus as he carefully timed each strike, trying to break the elemental apart.

While Brann focused on the offense, Seraphine showcased her expertise in earth magic. She gracefully weaved her hands through the air, creating barriers and trenches with a flourish of her fingers. The very ground beneath the team's feet responded to her commands, attempting to control and slowdown the construct.

The young man with the bow, Malik, revealed his ability over ice. His eyes glowed with intensity as he called upon his powers. The three arrows he held in his hand take on a frosty aura and he quickly started to fire at the statue. The arrows fail to pierce, but do chip the stone, leaving icy patches of stone behind.

However, the team were not communicating with each other, and several times Brann’s fire attacks were colliding with his teammate’s icy arrows, partially nullifying both attacks. Seraphine has to adjust her summoned walls and trenches, as her teammates accidently walk into them.

“Malik, you aim for the knees and joints, try to weaken it. Brann, go for the chest and head. And stay out of my way, I will keep it busy!” Seraphine quickly yells out.

She continued to retreat, staying close to the construct. With its attention on her, she backs away and while attempting slow it down with her own earthen abilities.

A particularly powerful but poorly aimed fire bolt left the elementals stony fist smouldering. With a jerky movement, the fist exploded, shards of fiery rock searing through the air.

Seraphine, took the brunt of the attack, she hit the ground as the concussive force blasted her backwards.

Brann and Malik were far enough away to be merely peppered and took superficial damage.

With its movement no longer impeded the elemental loomed toward Malik, the floor took on a icy sheen as the boy held his hand out. The effort left him panting as he stumbles away.

Brann is quick to take advantage of the monsters unsteady footing. His eyes begin to glow a deep red as a fearsome bolt of fire becomes to form in his hands. He unleashes his most powerful attack yet and the elemental falls to the ground with an explosive thud.

As the battle against the stone elemental comes to an end, one of the healers on standby hurriedly makes their way towards Seraphine, who had been knocked unconscious during the fierce encounter. The healer, a middle-aged woman with gentle eyes and a steady hand, kneels beside the young mage, her fingers softly glowing with a soothing, green light.

Tension fills the air as the healer works, the candidates unsure if she will be ok. Liam could see doubt creeping onto the face of some others and the sound of muttered conversation breaks the silence. Looking at Torvald, Liam notices that he seems relaxed.

The healer continues to work, carefully assessing Seraphine's condition. She healer reaches out to touch the injured girl’s forehead, allowing the healing magic to flow into her body. The onlookers watch with bated breath as the healer works her craft, restoring Seraphine's vitality and easing her pain. Seraphine's breathing steadies, her injuries visibly healing before their eyes.

Once satisfied that Seraphine's condition is stable, the healer calls upon a few assistants to help move her to a safer location for further treatment. With practiced precision, they carefully lift the still-unconscious girl onto a stretcher and carry her away from the battlefield, providing her with the care and attention she needs to recover.

Their victory served as a reminder to Liam and the other candidates that teamwork and adaptability were just as crucial as raw power when facing the combat trial.

After calming everybody down Torvald pointed to the next group, who hesitantly move toward the arena.

The three young adventurers step into the combat chamber, their eyes scanning the room for any hint of what their trial might involve. As they assume their positions, two smaller stone statues break free from their station—one wielding a sword and shield, the other armed with a bow.

The team's largest member, a hairy teenage with an enormous battle-ax, boldly charges forward at the statue brandishing the sword and shield. He swings his weapon with impressive force, only for it to be expertly deflected by the statue's shield. The statue retaliates, driving its sword into the warrior's side, but he grits his teeth and presses on, undeterred. The statue’s dull sword fails to cut, but the warrior is clearly in pain.

Simultaneously, the second team member, a lithe and nimble rogue, takes on the statue with the bow. She ducks and weaves between its arrows with astonishing speed and grace, her daggers flashing with shadowy energy as she strikes with precision. Yet, despite her best efforts, the stone archer seems unphased, easily parrying her daggers or simply ignoring the damage. With a vicious backhand, the archer statue sends the girl stumbling.

Liam notes that the smaller statues are noticeably faster than the previous groups enemy.

Now free to shoot, the archer statue begins to launch arrows at the third teammate.

He stood shaking in fear, clearly not used to combat and unsure what he should do. After a moment he bends down and places his palm on the ground, a small patch of floor begins to glow a deep shade of red. Before he can finish his attack a stone arrow hits him on the arm, breaking his concentration.

The boy begins to flee, looking for cover behind a pillar. Meanwhile the axe wielding teenage is locked in a fierce battle with the stone statue. Blood drips from a cut on his forehead. He takes a moment to step backwards and wipe his brow clean. The statue is not without damage either, it’s shield lays smashed on the ground several paces away.

The archer gives up on trying to hit the cowardly boy and begins to target the warrior, he is able to defect the first shot with some lucky timing. However between his original opponent and follow up shots he is being quickly backed against a wall.

Seeing her teammate under intense pressure the girl lunges toward the archer. Her body streaks with shadowy energy. The archer once again attempts to parry her dagger combo, raising the stone bow to deflect.

However, the girl quickly adjusts her movement into a powerful kick at the statues knee. It falls to the ground, and she follows up with both daggers, dark energy trails behind both daggers as they pierce the chest of the archer. It’s movements still as life fades from the construct.

Liam’s eyes widen as he watches the larger teen. During a skilful series of swings and trusts the axe head seems to grow with each movement. The larger boy ends the trial with a heavy swing, his axe cleanly removes the swordsman statue’s head.

The trio exit the arena to seek healing, the smaller boy trailing behind with his head hanging low.

Torvald indicates to Liam’s group, it is now their turn. With a nod to his teammates, they walk into the arena.