Chapter 20: The Trial of Resolve

The towering gates of the coliseum loomed ahead, their surface etched with glowing runes that pulsed faintly with magic. The structure was ancient, its walls whispering of countless battles fought within. Axton, Elias, and Lira walked in silence, the weight of the announcement still heavy in the air.

The morning sun bathed the academy grounds in a deceptive warmth, but it did little to soothe Axton's nerves. His ribs ached with every step, but the system's assurance that his recovery was nearly complete gave him some relief. He clenched his fists, the memory of the Quest Log replaying in his mind:

Active Quest: Survive the second trial and earn 50 points.

He'd barely survived the first trial, and now the stakes felt even higher.

"I hate this waiting," Elias muttered, breaking the silence. "Makes it worse. Like we're walking to our execution."

Lira shot him a glare. "You're not helping, Elias."

"Just saying what everyone's thinking," he replied with a shrug.

Axton stayed quiet, his mind racing as they approached the coliseum gates. His fingers itched to open the system screen again, but he resisted. He couldn't risk anyone noticing.

The inside of the coliseum was just as overwhelming as its exterior. Rows upon rows of seats spiraled upward, filled with instructors, senior students, and even a few spectators. At the center of the massive arena was the sandy battlefield, dotted with strange obelisks that hummed faintly with energy.

Axton's eyes darted to the obelisks, their presence unsettling. He could feel something emanating from them, a pressure that prickled at the edges of his senses.

"Whatever this trial is, it's not going to be simple," Lira murmured, her sharp eyes scanning the arena.

Before Axton could respond, a voice boomed across the coliseum, amplified by magic. An instructor, a tall woman with steely gray hair and an aura of authority, stood at the center of the arena.

"Welcome to the second trial," she announced, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "You've proven you can survive as a team. Now, you must demonstrate your ability to adapt, strategize, and protect one another under pressure."

The murmurs ceased instantly. Axton felt his stomach tighten as the woman continued.

"This trial will test not only your skills but your ability to trust your teammates. The obelisks you see before you are the keys to your survival. Each obelisk emits a unique energy that will attract the creatures hidden within this arena. Your task is to defend the obelisks and ensure they remain active until the trial ends. If all your obelisks are destroyed, your team will fail."

A collective gasp rippled through the participants. Axton's heart sank. Defending multiple points while fending off creatures sounded like a nightmare.

"The trial will last one hour," the instructor continued. "Points will be awarded based on how many obelisks you protect and how well you work as a team. Prepare yourselves—this will begin shortly."

Axton exchanged a glance with Elias, Lira, and Darren as the instructor finished explaining the rules.

"Great," Elias muttered. "More monsters."

"We need a plan," Lira said, her voice firm as she folded her arms. "We can't just charge in and hope for the best."

"She's right," Axton agreed. "We'll need to split our focus. One of us at each obelisk, but we should stay close enough to help each other if things get bad."

"Are you sure about that?" Elias asked, frowning. "We're stronger together. Splitting up might get us picked off."

"We don't really have a choice," Darren said quietly, his gaze fixed on the nearest obelisk. "If we stick together, the other obelisks will fall. We'll lose for sure."

Lira nodded. "Exactly. It's risky, but it's the only way to cover enough ground."

Elias sighed and shrugged. "Fine. But if I get eaten, I'm blaming all of you."

"Don't worry, we'll keep you alive," Darren said with a faint smirk.

Axton managed a weak smile, though his mind was elsewhere. The system's voice echoed in his thoughts.

Would you like to access the shop?

He hadn't dared look during the walk to the coliseum, but now, as the trial loomed, he realized it might be his only shot at survival. While Elias and Lira strategized, Axton glanced away and muttered under his breath.

"Show me the shop."

The translucent screen appeared in his vision, its glow invisible to everyone else.

Shop:

1. Minor Healing Potion – 10 points

2. Stamina Boost – 15 points

3. Basic Skill Scroll – 25 points

4. Lightning Spark (1% Unlock) – 50 points

His eyes locked onto the last item, his chest tightening. Lightning Spark. The first step toward unlocking his affinity. But he didn't have any points yet.

"Figures," he muttered, frustration bubbling inside him.

"What figures?" Elias asked, snapping Axton back to reality.

"Uh, nothing," Axton said quickly. "Just… thinking out loud."

Elias gave him a curious look but didn't press further.

The instructor's voice boomed, signaling the start of the trial.

"Begin!"

The obelisks flared to life, their glow intensifying as the arena shifted. The ground trembled, cracks spreading across the sandy floor. From the shadows, twisted, four-legged beasts with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws began to emerge.

Axton's heart pounded as the first wave of monsters charged toward them.

"Go!" Lira shouted, breaking into a sprint toward one of the obelisks.

Axton and Elias exchanged a quick nod before heading to their own positions. Axton reached his obelisk just as the first creature lunged at him.

He ducked instinctively, the monster's claws grazing his shoulder. Adrenaline surged through him as he spun and kicked the beast in the side, sending it sprawling.

"Host's physical capabilities enhanced by 5%," the system informed him.

"Not now," he muttered, focusing on the fight.

The creature snarled and charged again, its glowing eyes locked on him. Axton grabbed a broken piece of wood from the ground, using it as a makeshift weapon. He swung it with all his strength, connecting with the creature's head. It collapsed with a whimper, but two more took its place.

"Host, earning points from defeated enemies will unlock additional options," the system chimed.

"Great timing!" Axton snapped, dodging another attack.

He fought with everything he had, his body aching with the effort. The creatures seemed endless, and the obelisk pulsed behind him like a fragile beacon.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lira holding her ground, her movements precise and deadly. Elias was faring less gracefully, his swings wild but effective.

Axton's grip tightened on his weapon as he realized they wouldn't last an hour like this. The creatures were relentless, their numbers overwhelming.

"System," he muttered under his breath. "How many points do I have?"

Current balance: 35 points.

"Not enough," he growled, slamming his makeshift weapon into another beast. "How do I get more?"

Host must eliminate enemies or complete objectives.

Axton glanced at the glowing obelisk behind him, an idea forming in his mind. If the obelisk was the key to the trial, maybe it could do more than just attract the monsters.

He placed his hand on its surface, feeling the hum of energy beneath his palm. The creatures hesitated, their snarls faltering as the obelisk's glow intensified.

"Host, interacting with the obelisk enhances its energy output. Enemies will become more aggressive, but point rewards will increase."

Axton cursed under his breath. "Of course it's a risk."

But he didn't have a choice. He focused on the obelisk, letting its energy flow through him. The creatures roared in response, their attacks growing fiercer.

Points earned: 45. Current balance: 80 points.

The notification flashed in his vision, and Axton didn't hesitate.

"Buy Lightning Spark!" he shouted.

Confirm purchase?

"Yes!"

A jolt of electricity shot through his body, the sudden surge of power leaving him breathless. His hands crackled with faint sparks, the air around him humming with energy.

The creatures paused, their glowing eyes fixed on him. Axton didn't wait for them to recover. He raised his hand, instinctively directing the sparks toward the nearest beast.

A bolt of lightning arced from his palm, striking the creature dead.

Axton's lips curled into a grin, the fear in his chest replaced by exhilaration.

"I can work with this."

The scent of charred flesh filled the air as the last creature near Axton collapsed, smoke rising faintly from its still body. He instinctively clenched his hand into a fist, trying to suppress the faint sparks still dancing across his palm.

"Did anyone see that?" The thought stabbed through his mind as his gaze darted around the arena.

Elias was locked in a chaotic battle nearby, while Lira gracefully dispatched enemies in a flurry of movement. Darren was too far away, struggling against a group of creatures. No one was looking his way.

But the question lingered—what about the instructors?

High above the arena, in the stands, several instructors observed the trial. Most of them had their attention fixed on the students who stood out most—those with already awakened powers or impressive combat skills. Axton's modest performance hadn't drawn their attention yet, and he could only hope it stayed that way.

The system's voice broke through his thoughts.

"Lightning Spark ability unlocked. Remaining energy is sufficient for one additional use before cooldown."

"One more use?" Axton whispered under his breath, his jaw tightening. He flexed his fingers, but the faint crackle of energy faded just as quickly as it appeared. I can't risk it again. Not unless I'm sure.

The creatures surged again, their glowing red eyes narrowing as they honed in on him. Axton's chest heaved as he raised his weapon, relying on sheer strength to fend them off.

"Host is advised to prioritize survival," the system murmured, its tone neutral.

"Yeah, I figured," Axton muttered through gritted teeth. He swung his weapon, shattering the skull of an oncoming beast. His muscles burned, his movements growing slower with every strike.

The obelisk behind him flickered, its glow dimming as the creatures pressed closer. Panic bubbled up in Axton's chest. If the obelisk fell, it wouldn't just be his failure—it would drag down the entire team.

"Host has sufficient energy for one more ability use," the system reminded him.

Axton hesitated, his eyes fixed on the flickering obelisk. He couldn't let it fail, but if he used the lightning again… What if someone saw?

Gritting his teeth, he made his decision. Turning slightly away from the others, he raised his hand, keeping his movements as subtle as possible.

A quiet hum filled the air as a surge of electricity crackled to life, leaping from his palm to the closest creature. The beast shrieked, its body convulsing before collapsing in a smoking heap. The other creatures hesitated, their glowing eyes flicking toward the fallen monster in confusion.

The obelisk behind him pulsed, its glow stabilizing.

Axton's heart pounded as he glanced around. No one seemed to notice. Elias was still caught in his chaotic battle, and Lira was too focused on her own struggles to look his way.

As for the instructors… Axton dared a quick glance toward the stands. None of them appeared to be watching him specifically.

They didn't see… right?

"Host's actions were unnoticed," the system confirmed, as if reading his mind.

Axton exhaled shakily, the tension in his chest easing slightly. He couldn't afford to think too much about it now. There were still creatures to fight, and the trial wasn't over yet.