Chapter 17: The Trial

The day started with a buzz of anticipation. At breakfast, Professor Salazar stood at the front of the dining hall, his sharp gaze sweeping over the first-years.

"Today marks your first trial in the forest," he announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "You will face Ravorns, Level 1 predators known for their cunning and ferocity. Work together, defend each other, and earn your points. Do not be afraid, for this is your first time fighting beasts, whereas students from the city have experience fighting with beasts."

The words sent a chill through Axton. While many of the city students appeared calm and even eager, the villagers whispered nervously among themselves. This was the academy's first time sending first-years into real combat, and for those like Axton, who had no formal training or powers, the stakes felt impossibly high.

At the edge of the forest, the first-years gathered in small teams. Professor Salazar briefed them on the rules: survive the Ravorns, work together, and return to the starting point within three hours. Points would be awarded based on their performance.

Axton stood with Elias, Lira, and Darren, all of them tense.

"Stick close," Elias said, gripping his sword tightly. "We've got this."

The forest loomed ahead, dark and unwelcoming. As the teams stepped inside, the thick canopy swallowed the light, and the sounds of nature grew louder.

The group moved cautiously, their eyes darting to every shadow. Axton's hands were clammy as he clutched a wooden branch he'd picked up, his only weapon.

The first Ravorn struck like a shadow, leaping from the underbrush with a feral snarl. Its sleek, wolf-like body moved with terrifying speed, its glowing yellow eyes fixed on the group.

Elias reacted first, stepping in front of the others with his sword drawn. The beast lunged, but Elias deflected its attack with a wide swing.

"Lira, use your vines!" Elias shouted.

"I'm trying!" Lira yelled, her voice shaking. Green energy pulsed from her staff, and vines shot up from the ground, wrapping around the Ravorn's legs.

The beast thrashed wildly, snapping at the vines. Darren hesitated, his sword trembling in his hands.

"Darren, help me!" Elias shouted, struggling to keep the beast at bay.

Axton's heart raced. Gritting his teeth, he swung his branch at the creature's head, managing to daze it momentarily. Elias seized the opportunity to deliver a powerful strike, his sword cutting deep into the beast's side.

The Ravorn yelped and collapsed, its body twitching before going still.

"That was too close," Lira muttered, her face pale.

"And that was just one," Elias said grimly.

The team pressed on, encountering more Ravorns along the way. Each fight tested their limits, with Axton barely managing to keep up. His lack of training showed, and his arms ached from the effort of swinging his makeshift weapon.

Then, disaster struck.

A sudden ambush from three Ravorns sent the group scattering. Lira's vines caught one beast, but the other two broke through, their snarls echoing through the forest.

"Fall back!" Elias shouted, but chaos erupted as the group was forced to split up. Axton stumbled over a tree root, and when he looked up, he realized he was alone.

The forest felt different now—darker, colder. Every sound set him on edge.

Axton didn't have long to gather his thoughts. A low growl rumbled from behind him, and when he turned, his blood ran cold.

A massive creature stepped out of the shadows. It was a Ravorn, but much larger than the others, its body covered in jagged scars and its red eyes glowing with malice. This was no ordinary beast.

The creature lunged without warning, its claws swiping at Axton. He barely managed to dodge, but the beast was relentless. It circled him, its growls vibrating in the air.

Axton swung his branch, trying to keep the beast at bay, but it snapped the weapon in half with a single swipe.

Axton refused to back down. Grabbing a rock from the ground, he hurled it at the beast, hitting it square in the face. The creature snarled, more annoyed than hurt, and charged at him.

It slammed into Axton, sending him crashing into a tree. Pain shot through his body, but he forced himself to stand. Blood trickled down his forehead, blurring his vision.

The beast attacked again, its claws raking across Axton's arm. He cried out in pain, but still, he didn't give up. He threw punches, kicks—anything to keep the creature away—but it was useless. The beast was too strong.

With one final swipe, the creature sent Axton sprawling to the ground. His body felt heavy, his strength fading.

As Axton lay there, his vision darkening, a strange hum filled the air.

[SYSTEM INITIALIZATION COMPLETE.]

[Host Compatibility: 97%]

[ACTIVATION REQUIREMENT: ACCEPT.]

The glowing screen appeared before his eyes, the words blurring as his consciousness wavered.

[30 SECONDS UNTIL SYSTEM SHUTDOWN.]

The timer ticked down.

25 SECONDS.

The beast loomed over Axton, its jaws snapping inches from his face.

15 SECONDS.

"I… accept," Axton whispered, his voice barely audible.

The moment the words left his lips, a surge of energy coursed through his body. His senses sharpened, and he felt a strange warmth spreading through him.

Before the beast could strike again, a sudden burst of light blinded it. Axton collapsed, the system's voice echoing faintly in his mind:

[WELCOME, HOST.]

The last thing he saw before blacking out was the instructors arriving, their weapons flashing as they drove the beast away.