Chapter 14: Trial of the Beginner

Cedric took a deep breath, stepping away from his victory over the Bokoblins and looking around, excitement shimmering in his eyes. The forest around him seemed to stretch on forever, but now he had the confidence to explore it with a sense of purpose. As he wandered, he noticed a glint of sunlight reflecting off something in the distance, half-hidden by the underbrush. He squinted, stepping closer, only to find a mysterious stone doorway embedded in the side of a small cliff.

The stone itself was covered in ancient markings, intricate symbols that felt both unfamiliar and exciting. Above the entrance, he read faint, ancient text that seemed to translate in his mind:

"Beginner's Trial: Prove your courage and skill."

"A trial?" Cedric muttered to himself, marveling at the doorway. "This world is full of surprises!"

With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, he stepped forward. The entrance shimmered as he walked through it, transporting him into a dimly lit, stone-walled chamber. Torches flared to life along the walls, casting eerie shadows across the stone floor. It was empty and silent, except for the soft whisper of the flames.

"Whoa… it's like I'm really there," Cedric whispered in awe, running his hand along the stone wall. The sensation was so real, down to the roughness of the rock and the slight chill of the air. Even though he knew he was only wearing a virtual helmet, the experience felt completely immersive.

"Alright, Link, let's see what you've got in store for me," he said, grinning.

The more he played, Cedric felt himself adapting to Link's movements. He'd studied martial arts in school, and the combat techniques were starting to feel intuitive. With each new encounter, Cedric could see his reflexes sharpening, his stance adjusting more like Link's, his own instincts combining with those of the character he controlled. This realization filled him with excitement as he was getting the hang of it!

Suddenly, the room darkened further, and Cedric felt a prickle of tension as a metallic, grating sound filled the air. Out of the shadows appeared a Guardian Scout—a small, spider-like construct with a single, glowing red eye, scanning its surroundings. The creature turned and focused on Cedric, its eye flashing with deadly intent.

"Oh no… what is that?" Cedric murmured, gripping his weapon tightly. He recalled Gelian's voice, encouraging him to stay calm and strategize. "It's just a game," he reminded himself, though his hands trembled slightly.

The Scout lunged forward, its metal limbs clicking as it moved with alarming speed. Cedric dodged to the side, barely avoiding the creature's spinning blade. He steadied his grip on his weapon—a sturdy wooden branch he'd found earlier. As the Scout drew back, charging its next attack, Cedric knew he had only seconds to strike.

He lunged forward, swinging his branch hard at the Scout's head. His weapon connected, sending sparks flying as it struck the Guardian's eye, which flickered in response. The creature reeled back, momentarily stunned.

"Ha! Got you!" Cedric grinned, feeling a rush of exhilaration.

But the Guardian recovered quickly, its eye narrowing as it refocused on him. With a whir, it began charging energy in its core, preparing for a devastating attack. Cedric's heart pounded. He frantically scanned the chamber for any objects that could give him an edge, and his eyes fell on a stack of metal crates against the wall.

He darted toward them, grabbing a metal shield he hadn't noticed before. As he held it up, the Guardian unleashed its laser, a blinding beam of red energy that slammed into his shield with a resonant clang. The force of the blast pushed him back a few paces, but the shield held.

"Whoa!" Cedric shouted, feeling the weight of his virtual shield. "This is amazing!"

The Guardian paused, seeming to recalibrate, and Cedric seized the opportunity. He charged forward, swinging his branch down with all his strength, hitting the Scout in its weak point—the eye. The creature shuddered and finally collapsed, its metal limbs twitching one last time before it went still.

System Alert: Guardian Scout defeated!

Cedric dropped to his knees, panting and laughing with exhilaration. "I did it!" he cheered, pumping his fist in the air. The adrenaline of battle left him both breathless and elated. He couldn't wait to share this victory with Gelian and the others.

Just as he started catching his breath, a small treasure chest materialized in front of him, humming with an inviting glow. He eagerly opened it to find an unexpected reward: a pair of sturdy boots, embossed with intricate patterns.

System Alert: You have received the Adventurer's Boots!

"These… they're beautiful," Cedric muttered, holding the boots up and admiring the craftsmanship. Every detail, every stitch looked real. He equipped them, feeling their weight and noticing how his virtual movements seemed slightly quicker, more agile. A grin stretched across his face.

Taking one last look around, Cedric exited the trial chamber. The blinding sunlight of the forest greeted him once again, and he shielded his eyes, feeling an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

Back in Gelian's cafe, he took a deep breath, a wide smile on his face. "Gelian was right. This world… it's like nothing I've ever known."

But before he could relish his victory, a new Guardian Scout appeared, its eye glowing menacingly as it approached. Cedric's heart sank. "Wait, what?! Not another one!"

He gathered himself, readying his weapon as he prepared for the challenge ahead. The excitement of combat ignited within him again, but as the Guardian unleashed a powerful laser, Cedric quickly realized the battle would be much tougher this time.

As he dodged and struck, he felt the intensity of the fight overwhelming him. The Guardian was relentless, and despite his best efforts, Cedric struggled to keep up. He swung his branch with all his might, landing a few solid hits, but the Guardian's counterattacks were fierce.

"Come on, Link! I can do this!" he shouted, pushing himself harder. But the Guardian unleashed another devastating blast, and Cedric barely managed to evade it, his energy waning.

"Just a little more!" he grunted, charging forward one last time. He aimed for the eye again, but the Guardian was ready this time, catching him off guard. The blast struck, sending him sprawling to the ground.

System Alert: You have been defeated.

Cedric groaned in frustration, panting heavily as he lay there. "No! I was so close!" He felt disappointment wash over him, but also a sense of pride for how hard he had fought.

As he respawned, determination filled him once more. "Next time, I'll be ready!" he declared, ready to tackle the next challenge that awaited him in this enchanting world. Each loss was a step closer to victory, and Cedric knew he would learn from this experience.

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