Echoes Of The Void

Elias kept moving, each step carefully measured as he fought against the exhaustion creeping into his limbs. His earlier battle had drained him more than he liked to admit, and though his wounds weren't severe, they would slow him down if he wasn't careful. More importantly, his mana reserves were at a dangerous low. The fight had forced him to use more than he initially planned, and with the Gauntlet still far from over, he needed to reassess his approach.

He exhaled slowly, pressing a hand against his ribs where a bruise was already forming. Pushing forward recklessly would only lead to his downfall. His initial goal had been survival—to make it to the center and pass the stage. But now, with the way things were unfolding, he knew he had to be more strategic. The exam wasn't just about brute force; it was about proving one's worth. And while most participants were focused on eliminating rivals or simply making it through, there were other ways to stand out.

Special objectives.

The academy was known for testing more than just combat ability. It had been made clear from the start that hidden objectives were scattered throughout the trials, rewarding those with insight and adaptability. Elias had taken that into account when the Gauntlet began, and now it was time to act on it. He wouldn't waste time in pointless skirmishes. He had something bigger in mind.

Glancing around, he scanned the battlefield, taking note of his surroundings. The deeper he moved into the exam area, the denser the forest became, shadows stretching long beneath the canopy. He could hear the distant sounds of battle—clashes of steel, bursts of magic, shouts of pain and triumph. But they were far enough that he had a moment's reprieve.

Elias knelt, pressing his hand to the ground. He closed his eyes, focusing his limited mana into his perception. It was faint, but he could feel subtle distortions—hidden fluctuations in the environment that indicated something unnatural. A place where the academy had placed an objective.

There.

A whisper echoed in his mind, a fleeting murmur that sent a chill down his spine.

The void watches…

Pushing himself upright, Elias changed direction, moving swiftly yet cautiously through the trees. His breathing steadied as he navigated through the thick underbrush, his senses alert. He wasn't the only one searching for these objectives—others would be looking too. And unlike him, many of them would be at full strength.

Minutes passed, each one stretching as tension built. Then, as he moved past a thick line of trees, he saw it.

An ancient ruin stood partially hidden beneath the foliage, weathered stone structures covered in moss and vines. It was out of place in the middle of the Gauntlet battlefield, a clear sign that it had been placed here intentionally. Carved into the center stone was a glowing sigil, pulsating faintly with mana.

A test.

Elias approached cautiously, his eyes scanning for any immediate threats. No visible enemies. No traps that he could detect—yet. But experience told him it wouldn't be that simple.

He reached out, letting his fingers brush against the sigil. The moment he did, the ground trembled.

A pulse of energy surged through the air, and the temperature around him dropped. Elias took a step back, gripping his sword as a translucent figure began to materialize before him. A guardian construct, its form shifting like mist yet solidifying into a humanoid shape. It carried no weapon, but the pressure it exuded was unmistakable.

A trial by combat.

Embrace the unseen… The whisper returned, almost like a breath against his ear.

Elias tightened his grip on his sword, rolling his shoulders despite the dull ache in his muscles. He had expected something like this. And though he wasn't in ideal condition, retreating wasn't an option.

The construct moved first, a blur of motion as it closed the distance between them. Elias barely had time to react as a force slammed into him, sending him skidding back. He steadied himself, eyes narrowing. No physical weapon, but immense strength. If he took another hit like that, he wouldn't last.

He exhaled sharply, shifting his stance. If brute force wouldn't work, he needed to adapt.

The construct moved again, faster than before. But this time, Elias was ready. He sidestepped just as the strike came, his sword flashing as he delivered a precise counter. The blade passed through the construct's form, but instead of slicing through, it merely disrupted the mist-like body.

A direct attack wouldn't work. He needed another approach.

Elias' mind raced. The sigil—it was the source. If he could disrupt it, the construct would fall.

The guardian came at him again, its strikes relentless. Elias dodged, each movement precise but costing him valuable stamina. He couldn't afford to keep this up for long.

Then he saw his opening.

As the construct lunged forward, Elias feinted—a sudden, misleading shift in movement that made it react just as he planned. In that instant, he twisted his body, using wind magic to propel himself backward—straight toward the sigil.

The construct realized too late. Elias' hand slammed against the sigil, flooding what little mana he had left into it.

The effect was immediate.

The sigil flared with blinding light, and the construct let out a soundless cry. Its form wavered, destabilizing before dissipating into nothingness. The ground stilled, the air returning to normal.

Elias exhaled heavily, his legs nearly buckling beneath him. But he forced himself to remain upright as the sigil's glow shifted. The light condensed, forming into a small, crystalline emblem that floated gently into his palm.

A sign of completion.

He had done it. He had secured an objective.

Tucking the emblem safely into his coat, Elias took a shaky breath. The trial had cost him, but the reward would be worth it. The academy would recognize this accomplishment, and it would set him apart from the rest.

But he couldn't rest yet.

The Gauntlet was still ongoing, and there were more dangers ahead.

With one last glance at the ruins, Elias turned and disappeared into the shadows of the forest, determined to see this exam through to the end.

The void lingers… watching, waiting…