Night of Celebration

As the instructors emerged from the forest, they were followed by the surviving students—some carrying the lifeless bodies of their fallen peers. Soon, everyone was accounted for—whether alive or dead. However, one body was missing.

Instructor Oliver's expression darkened. Without hesitation, he ordered six instructors to re-enter the forest and conduct a thorough search. "Find the body," he commanded. "Dead or alive, I don't want any loose ends."

Tension gripped the air. Some students wondered if one of their own had managed to escape. Others feared that a body lay hidden, silently decaying in the depths of the forest. Minutes dragged by, and frustration grew evident on the instructors' faces. Some even cast sharp glances at Ryan, as if blaming him for inspiring thoughts of rebellion.

Ryan felt sweat bead on his forehead. If the missing student had indeed escaped, the consequences could be severe—not just for the instructors, who would face punishment from Viscount Andrew, but for him as well. He had already drawn enough suspicion.

Just as the tension reached its peak, an instructor returned and whispered to Oliver. "Sir, we found the body. It looks like an animal attack. Half of it was eaten, but the clothing and belongings match."

A collective sigh of relief swept through the instructors. The change in Oliver's demeanor was clear—he relaxed, and his expression softened. Seeing this, the students inferred that the missing body had been found.

Turning to the group, Oliver addressed them. "As you may have noticed, 38 students have passed the exam. Two marked trees remained unclaimed—meaning some of you failed to search the outskirts of the forest thoroughly. A total of 15 students lost their lives."

Instructor Rus stepped forward. "Congratulations to those who survived. You have proven yourselves and will now become proud members of Viscount Andrew's forces."

Oliver nodded. "Now, you may all relax. Tonight, at 7 PM, there will be a banquet to celebrate your success. The Viscount himself will be in attendance. Tomorrow morning, you are free to leave. Until then, rest and recover. Dismissed."

A wave of relief swept through the students. Though no one smiled—exhausted and drained from the ordeal—their body language betrayed their quiet happiness.

Ryan, too, felt a sense of accomplishment. Finally, he had a say in his own life. Living here had felt like a prison, but now, he had the chance to leave. Still, he knew the challenges weren't over.

A Moment of Respite

As the students dispersed, some went to bathe, others visited the cafeteria, while some strolled around aimlessly or gathered in small groups to talk. Ryan took a moment to observe his fellow survivors. Among them were the top three students—and even Finn.

He also caught sight of few students who were friends of Bill who died in his hands.

As night fell, for the first time in months, there was no need for rigorous training. The students took their time preparing for the banquet. Though they only had their standard training uniforms, they wore them neatly, taking extra care with their appearance.

As Ryan adjusted his clothes, he found himself wondering—how many others before him had worn this same uniform? The Viscount certainly wouldn't waste money on new outfits for each batch of recruits.

Soon, everyone gathered in the open ground. A large bonfire blazed at the center, casting flickering shadows across the space. Long tables were lined with food—an abundance of both meat and vegetables.

Many of the students had never seen such a feast in their lives. Most of these dishes were luxuries reserved for the upper class. Their mouths watered at the sight, but their ingrained discipline held them in check. Six months of harsh training had conditioned them well. They stood in an orderly line, waiting for instructions.

The instructors gathered before them, and moments later, Viscount Andrew emerged from a tent, flanked by Instructor Oliver, Instructor Rus, and Mage Addison.

Andrew's gaze swept over the disciplined students, and he nodded in satisfaction before addressing them.

"Congratulations to those who have passed," he announced. "Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in your lives. Opportunities now lie before you—but to seize them, you must fight for them."

He paused, letting his words sink in.

"I know many of you hate me for bringing you here, for forcing you into life-or-death situations. But I have given you something few in the slums ever receive—a chance. A chance to break free from the cycle of poverty. Had you stayed where you were, you would have been born poor and died poor.

There are hundreds of thousands still trapped in that whirlpool of suffering. But you… you are among the few who will rise above it.

With my guidance and your dedication, you can carve your path toward greatness. You can become knights. Nobles. People of power."

Ryan listened, his face unreadable. Maybe that day will come, he thought. But how many of us will still be alive by then?

Andrew smirked. "I won't bore you with a long speech. I know you're all waiting for the food. Enjoy yourselves. Tonight, you celebrate."

The moment he finished speaking, the students—though eager—remained composed as they approached the tables. They filled their plates carefully, resisting the urge to grab everything at once.

There were even drinks—strong liquors that, in this world, had no age restrictions.

Excitement flickered in their eyes. This was a rare moment of indulgence, something they had never experienced before. As they sipped their drinks, their happiness became visible.

Watching them, Ryan felt a pang of sorrow.

Had it not been for their smiles, I might have forgotten that we're just children.

The Viscount left soon after, and with his departure, even the instructors seemed to relax. Laughter replaced tension, and for the first time in months, the students spoke freely among themselves.

Ryan found himself talking to Finn, who, after surviving the brutal exam, had shed some of his former fear. Other students soon joined in, even the girls, who had been mostly silent throughout their training.

For one night, at least, they allowed themselves to celebrate.

And so, the night passed in fleeting happiness.