The cold stone beneath my feet seemed to pulse with energy as we crossed the courtyard, following the robed figures toward the towering entrance of the Academy. Each step echoed ominously, reminding me of the enormity of the challenge ahead. My heart pounded in my chest, but I forced myself to remain calm, my gaze steady as I took in every detail of our surroundings.

The doors to the Academy loomed before us, impossibly tall and carved with intricate designs that seemed to shift and change when I looked at them directly. Somehow, I didn't feel nervous. The energy within me, the experiences I've already faced, knowing that I have a God behind me made me feel like I could face anything. After all, I am more than what these people know.

As we approached, the woman with piercing green eyes gestured toward the doors. They creaked open slowly, revealing a dimly lit hallway beyond. The robed figures led the way, their footsteps silent against the smooth stone floor. Lienad, Niasuh, and I exchanged quick glances, then followed, our nerves stretched taut with anticipation.

The hallway was lined with more of the strange runes, glowing faintly in the darkness. The walls seemed to close in around us, the ceiling arching high above, casting long shadows that danced in the flickering torchlight. It felt like the very air was alive with magic, seeping into my skin, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease even after what I just said. This place was ancient, its secrets buried deep within its stone walls. I had no idea what awaited us, but I knew it wouldn’t be easy.

Vaelios and the woman didn't seem to talk with one another, yet they knew exactly what the other person was saying, it seemed. Some sort of mental communication or telepathy? I wasn't sure.

"Hey, do you think they really would let us in even if we passed the test? For all we know, they might just put us in the bottom of the rung in the school, cleaning up the desks and t-"

"Shh!" Niasuh silenced him before he could say more and risk making one of the powerful figures angry. Thankfully, Lienad seemed to get the memo, and didn't talk for the rest of the brief trip.

Finally, the hallway opened up into a vast chamber. The ceiling stretched up into darkness, and the walls were lined with shelves upon shelves of ancient tomes and scrolls. In the center of the room, a large circular platform was set into the floor, inscribed with more of the glowing runes. The air hummed with energy, and the platform seemed to pulse with an otherworldly light.

The robed figures stopped at the edge of the platform, turning to face us. The woman with green eyes stepped forward, her gaze sharp and assessing.

“This is the Chamber of Trials,” she said, her voice echoing in the cavernous space. “Here, you will face the first test of your abilities. The platform will transport each of you to a different trial, designed to push you to your limits. You will be tested on your magical aptitude, your combat skills, and your ability to think under pressure.”

Lienad shifted uneasily beside me, his hand still resting on the hilt of his sword. Niasuh remained calm, though his eyes flickered with a hint of apprehension. I could feel my own anxiety growing, the weight of the unknown pressing down on me.

The woman continued, her gaze sweeping over us. “You will face these trials alone. There will be no assistance, no guidance. You must rely on your instincts, your training, and your will to survive. If you succeed, you will be granted entrance to the Academy, where your true training will begin. If you fail…”

She didn’t need to finish the sentence. The implication was clear.

Lord Vaelios, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward. His presence seemed to fill the room, commanding attention. “This is where your journey truly begins,” he said, his voice low and powerful. “The trials are designed to test your worthiness, to see if you have the strength to survive in this world. Remember what I told you—there is no room for weakness here. You must give everything you have, or you will be left behind.”

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. The gravity of the situation was sinking in, the reality of what lay ahead. But there was no turning back now. I had chosen this path, and I would see it through, no matter the cost.

The woman gestured toward the platform, and the runes flared with a bright, blinding light. “Step forward,” she commanded. “One at a time. The platform will take you to your first trial, the Trial of Combat."

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Lienad was the first to move. He took a deep breath, then stepped onto the platform, his expression grim but determined. The light intensified, wrapping around him in a swirling vortex of energy. In an instant, he was gone, transported to whatever trial awaited him.

Niasuh was next. He met my gaze briefly, offering a small nod of reassurance, before stepping onto the platform. The light enveloped him, and he too disappeared from sight.

Now it was my turn.

I hesitated, my heart pounding in my chest. The platform seemed to pulse with anticipation, the runes glowing brighter as if urging me forward. I took a deep breath, steeling myself, then stepped onto the platform.

The world around me exploded in light and sound, and I felt a rush of energy course through my body. The sensation was overwhelming, like being caught in a storm of magic, my senses bombarded from all directions. I felt like I was being pulled apart, torn from reality, and flung into the unknown.

And then, as suddenly as it began, it was over.

I found myself standing in the middle of a dense forest, the air cool and crisp around me. The trees towered high above, their leaves rustling softly in the breeze. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor. It was peaceful, almost serene—yet I knew better than to let my guard down.

This was the trial.

I glanced around, trying to get my bearings. There was no sign of Lienad or Niasuh, no indication of where I was or what I was supposed to do. The only sound was the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds.

Then, a low growl rumbled through the trees, and I felt a chill run down my spine. I turned slowly, my hand instinctively reaching for the sword at my side—only to remember I had no weapon. The growl grew louder, more menacing, and I could see movement in the shadows, something large and dangerous lurking just out of sight.

My heart raced as I scanned the area, searching for anything I could use as a weapon. A branch, a rock—anything. But the forest offered nothing. I was alone, unarmed, and whatever was out there was getting closer.

The growl turned into a snarl, and I caught a glimpse of glowing eyes in the darkness. Whatever it was, it was big—and it was hunting me.

Panic surged through me, but I forced it down, trying to think. I had to stay calm, had to find a way to survive. The trial was testing me, pushing me to see how I would react under pressure, and testing my combat strength.

The creature stepped into the light, and my breath caught in my throat. It was a massive, wolf-like beast, its fur black as night, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Its fangs were bared, saliva dripping from its jaws as it stalked toward me, its movements slow and deliberate.

There was no time to think. I had to act.

I grabbed a nearby branch, holding it in front of me like a makeshift spear. It was flimsy, barely more than a twig, but it was all I had. The beast growled again, then lunged.

I barely had time to react. I swung the branch with all my might, but the beast swatted it aside like it was nothing, its massive paw striking me across the chest. The force of the blow sent me flying, crashing into the ground with a thud. Pain exploded through my body, and I gasped for breath, my vision swimming.

The beast loomed over me, its jaws inches from my face. I could feel its hot breath on my skin, the stench of decay filling my nostrils. I was trapped, pinned beneath its weight, my mind racing in a frenzy of fear and desperation.

And then, something inside me snapped.

A surge of energy exploded from deep within, a raw, untamed power that I hadn’t known existed, like from another lifetime. An entire soul's worth of memories, experiences, and emotions sprouted out deep within my inner being. The beast recoiled, its eyes widening in shock as the energy radiated from me, pushing it back. I could feel the magic coursing through my veins, wild and uncontrollable, fueled by pure instinct.

The beast snarled, trying to resist, but the power was too much. With a final, deafening roar, it was flung backward, crashing into the trees with enough force to splinter the trunks. The energy continued to flow, spiraling out of control, threatening to consume everything in its path.

I struggled to contain it, to rein it in, but it was like trying to hold back a raging river. The power surged through me, filling me with a terrifying sense of strength and fury.

And then, just as suddenly as it began, it stopped.

The forest was silent, the air still and heavy. The beast lay motionless in the undergrowth, its body broken and lifeless. The energy had dissipated, leaving me drained and trembling, my heart pounding in my chest.

I had no idea what had just happened, no understanding of the power that had surged through me. But one thing was clear—I had survived the trial.

Barely.

I staggered to my feet, my body aching from the impact of the beast’s attack. The forest around me seemed to shift, the trees fading into mist as the world dissolved into light once more.

When the light faded, I found myself back in the Chamber of Trials, standing once again on the platform. Lienad and Niasuh were there too, both looking equally shaken, but alive.

The robed figures stood at the edge of the platform, their expressions unreadable. The woman with green eyes stepped forward, her gaze fixed on me.

“You have passed the first trial,” she said, her voice calm but carrying a note. She scanned the three of us, her gaze lingering slightly more on me, with her eyebrow crooked upward. "It may not have been how I imagined, or the orthodox way of how you usually pass the test, but still a pass nonetheless."

And with that, the next test was coming up: The Trial of Magic.