The Trial's Purpose

Looking at the countless bodies of goblins and wolves strewn all around him, Cedric takes a moment to relax. In front of him stood the violet-colored portal, glowing eerily. Trying not to get entranced by the endless violet waves pulsating across the portal's surface, Cedric glances up and sees a floating 9 above the portal.

He had just finished the 8th wave, fighting off a small army consisting of six goblins and wolves alike. Suddenly, he was asked if he was ready to face the boss of this stage. Taking a moment to observe his wound, a jagged cut to his side, Cedric winces at the ugly tear and the searing pain it causes. He had gotten too carried away and forgot his positioning for a moment, which was all it took for a goblin to swipe its weapon, a piece of scrap metal, at his side.

"Sigh, I'm still getting used to fighting opponents smaller than me for once," Cedric mutters to himself. "At first, it looked like an inferior weapon compared to an actual dagger, yet it turned out to be a weapon much more brutal than it's sharpened counterpart. This piece of scrap ripped my skin more than cut it."

Trying to take his mind off of the throbbing ache from his wound, Cedric turns to look at his surroundings. He witnesses the endless wasteland stretching as far as his mortal eyes could see and feels the searing heat coming from above. Calm as a lake, he lifts his head up and relishes in the new hurdle he is to overcome. Cedric was never one to back away from a tough situation. He has witnessed firsthand how strong he managed to become from his father's endless training. "Not strong enough, it seems," he thinks to himself as he lowers his head and stares at the portal's immediate surroundings, seeing all of the corpses strewn about. Wincing, Cedric stands up.

"If I don't move these guys, I'm going to have a hard time fighting another group of enemies. I almost stumbled a couple of times already in the previous battle. Better to be safe than sorry."

Grabbing the leg of a deceased wolf, Cedric begins to drag it away from the area where he plans to face his next wave. While holding the leg, he is suddenly struck by an idea. "Why not use these bodies to my advantage? I can place them strategically to disrupt the army's footing. If they send in more goblins or wolves, assuming the wolves rush at me from the onset, I can deal with them while the goblins are climbing over their comrades' bodies."

Lifting his hands in an attempt to rejoice at the impeccable plan, he says, "Cedric, you're a goddamn genius! Haha-ugh" feeling his unpleasant wound, he is brought back to reality. Carrying on with his plan, he places the bodies in a wave pattern, stemming from the smallest wave right in front of the portal.

"Phew, now... meditation."

Dropping to the ground, Cedric crosses his legs, thinking about this last confrontation.

"I've probably amassed around 90 points by now. In order to afford some basic equipment, I should quit right here and reenter again. SCRAP did say that the equipment provided by the ship could be brought into the Forge's trials... Hmm... I remember seeing other trainees wearing armor while running through the agility trial. Assuming the agility trial does not provide the equipment like this Strength trial does, it could be entirely possible for me to quickly gather up 1,800 points to obtain a full set of gear. I can then come back and finish this trial by then. But why would this trial give out equipment in the first place? Any trainee could just at least get a weapon and come back inside to easily traverse through the waves. What if..."

Widening his eyes, Cedric is struck by a sudden thought and mumbles to himself, "There's nothing stopping us from clearing these trials with better equipment. But by the time we come back fully armored, there'd be no point in doing these trials since it would all be so easily achieved."

"Which means we are initially meant to train here. Why just give out equipment for trainees to pass the Forge? These items are the lowest possible rank - mortal rank set items. The Federation wouldn't even bat an eye if these were given out for free. The prices are also far too cheap."

"I believe those who are weak and unwilling will just buy their equipment and forget about the trials, focusing on getting the endless canteens. Where the true prize is in passing these trials."

Remembering the text written on the trial's entrance - "There are hidden ways to obtain bonus points" - Cedric makes a decision. "This is it. I won't use any equipment to pass this trial. This is my chance to prove myself to all of you. Siegward, I hope you won't be too disappointed once I come back to beat your ass in the arena."

Standing back up with a resolute gaze, Cedric announces, "I am ready."

Suddenly, the portal expands, doubling in size from its previous height of 2 meters. Cedric is struck by a loud roar, and he clenches his sword, looking towards the portal with bated breath. "Fuck, there's no way that was a goblin's roar." He takes a few steps back to distance himself further from the portal, and from it steps out an imposing figure with a body built like a fortress, reminding Cedric of his father. "It's not a goblin... It's an orc. Fuck me," he mutters to himself.

Widening his eyes in shock, Cedric attempts to enter a proper stance, but his hands shake ceaselessly from the copper-rank aura emitted by the orc. Looking up to the sky, Cedric shouts in frustration, hoping someone will hear his plea. "How am I supposed to fight this guy?"