Trial and Tribulations (and Terrors of Teamwork)

The day started off in chaos. Kade was jolted awake not by the morning bell but by a sound so deafening it could have been mistaken for an explosion. As he shot upright, his roommate, Taro, sat cross-legged on the floor, staring intently at a glowing scroll.

"Taro, what the hell was that?" Kade barked, rubbing his ringing ears.

He looked up nonchalantly. "Sound amplification spell. Needed to hear the lecturer's voice better during review. Accidentally reversed it."

"Accidentally?" Kade repeated, incredulous. His irritation grew as the dormitory erupted into chaos—students shouting, doors slamming, and one very irate instructor bursting into their room, only to slip on Kade's discarded boots and fall with a resounding thud.

By the time order was restored, Kade had resigned himself to another less-than-stellar day at Ironclad Academy.

The announcement of the day's group trial did little to improve his mood.

"Today," Instructor Varen declared, "you'll be retrieving a Phoenix Gem from the depths of the enchanted forest. Teamwork will be paramount."

Kade winced as the teams were announced. His name was called alongside:

Lina, a bubbly healer whose clumsiness was the stuff of legend. She once healed a sparring partner's sprained ankle but gave them uncontrollable hiccups for an hour.

Rik, the self-proclaimed "Wind Emperor," whose ego was matched only by his lack of self-awareness.

Taro, his sarcastic roommate who seemed more amused than annoyed by life's absurdities.

"This," Kade muttered, "is going to be a disaster."

The forest was at once as entrancing as it was perilous. Golden leaves crested trees overhead, and otherworldly, glowing flora pulsed with a soft glow. Lina, ever inquisitive, stretched out a hand to reach out to a shining flower; yelped in pain when it snapped shut around her finger.

"Perhaps don't touch the man-eating plants," Taro drawled.

Rik, forging ahead, called out, "Fear not! I, the Wind Emperor, shall lead us to victory!"

"Does he always talk to himself in third person?" Kade asked of no one in particular.

"When he's gonna do something asinine," Taro said back.

Their walk took an abrupt turn when they came across a small, fluffball. It chirped innocently with its round eyes sparkling.

"Oh, cute." Lina breathed, stepping forward. Rik puffed up his chest instead.

"Step aside! I'll show you how a true warrior handles wild beasts!" he declared. He stamped his foot, and the creature tilted its head. Then, it grew. And grew. And grew.

Within seconds, the once-adorable critter towered over Rik, its fangs bared. With a scream that shattered any illusions of bravery, Rik scrambled up a tree. The creature lunged, but Lina's hasty spell left it drowsy, collapsing at the base of Rik's perch.

"Brilliant leadership, oh Wind Emperor," Kade said, stifling a laugh as Rik shakily climbed down.

Their next task was no joke. Deep within the forest stood a golem of wood and stone, huge and blocking their way. It glowed red in its eyes as it let out a mighty roar, the ground shaking at their feet.

Rik came forward, unmoved. "Leave this to me!" he declared, whipping up a wind that stripped away the leaves that covered the golem's body, revealing stone beneath.

"That's impressive," Kade said, clapping slowly. "You gave it a makeover."

Lina tried to help, casting what she assumed was a weakening spell. The golem's mangled arm was replaced with new vines and bark. She flinched. "Oops?"

Kade let out a heavy sigh. "We're doomed."

As the golem continues its advance, something inside Kade slowly stirs. Shadows around his feet writhe, reacting to his hopes. He closes his eyes and wills the darkness to move. Tendrils of shadow shot up into the air, weaving illusions to confuse the golem long enough to grab the Phoenix Gem and retreat.

Back at the academy, Rik loudly recounted their "victory," exaggerating his role every time he recounted it. Lina chimed in eagerly and blissfully failed to see through the absurdity. Taro leaned against the wall and whispered, "Yeah, let's give him a medal for not getting squashed."

Kade said nothing, his mind elsewhere. The shadows had seemed alive, responding to his will in a way that was both fascinating and terrifying. As the others laughed and celebrated, he couldn't shake the memory of how the darkness had surged at his command.

From the hidden corner of a faraway corridor, a hooded figure watched for the team's return and scanned out Kade. Then, their silhouette disappeared, leaving no sign of having been there.