Chapter 16: The First Trial

Later that evening, a letter arrived at Alex's dormitory. The wax seal bore the emblem of the Zenith Academy Council—a summon.

The note was simple: "Report to the Grand Hall at dawn. Your trial begins."

The academy's ranking trials were held every three months, a chance for students to rise or fall in standing. But Alex knew this was different. Someone was testing him.

At dawn, he arrived at the Grand Hall, where only a select group of students stood waiting. Among them was Lena Valtor, a silver-haired prodigy known for her icy demeanor and lethal precision, and Darren Kaine, a muscular brute who relied on raw strength over technique.

Before them, Head Instructor Veylon Graves stood with his arms crossed. His piercing gaze swept over them like a hawk assessing prey.

"This trial will not be ordinary," he announced. "You will be entering the Abyssal Rift."

Murmurs of shock erupted.

The Abyssal Rift was a forbidden zone, a remnant of the ancient Abyssal War, where corrupted creatures roamed and aura behaved unpredictably.

Alex remained composed. Another opportunity.

"This will be a team-based survival test," Graves continued. "Survive three days, retrieve the artifact at the Rift's core, and return. Succeed, and you will be rewarded greatly. Fail… and you may not return at all."

A grin spread across Alex's lips. Perfect.