“The Trial Begins”:1

The four of them stood together for the first time, a small huddle happened amid conversation and all the commotion. The atmosphere between them was tense, not aggressive, but it was uncertain. It was the quiet before the storm, and everyone was aware of it, they knew what it will lead to

Emil was the first to break the silence "Well. I suppose we are a team now. I'm Emil Valcrest. This is Luin and he is my friend. And we should work as a team now"

Luin nodded hesitantly, he started fidgeting as he replied "H-Hello

The boy opposite them was Kael Duskthorn he sported a cocky smile on his lips. With well-combed black hair, piercing green eyes, and a shining family crest embroidered onto his collar, he exuded the aura of a person who knew he was good and wasn't shy about showing how good he is

"Kael," he said matter-of-factly "Kael Duskthorn. Swordmaster Garion Vale's nephew, in case that means something to you." His gaze flicked to Luin for a moment, he said while hesitating "I guess I'll be carrying you three, huh?"

Luin scowled slightly but remained silent. Email glared

Neither of them had a chance to react before the last member of their group spoke and gave their introduction

"The name is Riven Harloft"

His voice was steady. It was Icy. Almost unreasonably steady. Riven stood there and with folded arms, his silver-blue eyes were tracking the others like prey in the sights of a hunter. His pale skin and dark-gray cropped hair and his unrevealing expression were usually incomprehensible, but even so, he seemed like a thunderhead that is always ready to unleash its wrath

"I hope we all try our best on this team challenge and get the most out of this" Riven threw in matter-of-factly. His tone didn't mesh with the words and his tone was firm

There was a short silence. Then Emil smiled and he said

"Let's focus on working together. We'll ace this trial as a team"

Kael smirked, Riven gave a brief nod, and Luin quietly smiled beside Emil

Ding!

Observer activated

Without moving, Emil glanced at each of them in turn. He used his soul insight skill on his teammates one by one. His vision shimmered slightly, and ghostly panels appeared before him

Name: Kael Duskthorn

Level: 6

Potential: B+

Element: Wind

Talent: Sword Mastery (Duskthorn Style)

Trait: [Quick Reflexes]

Note: Ambitious. Mildly arrogant but efficient in close combat. Trained by Garion Vale.

The next name displayed was Riven

Name: Riven Harloft

Level: 7

Potential: SS

Element: Ice

Talent: Silent Freeze Arts

Trait: [Frost Veins], [Killer's Calm]

Note: Dangerous. Controlled. Bears traces of high combat instinct. Hails from the Nightveil clan

Emil's eyes slightly narrowed on the last line

"SS potential already at the beginning of the academy?" he thought "He will be trouble but also a useful ally too, I will make sure to bring him on my side and I remember this guy is one of the strongest figures who uses a sword as the main weapon"

Before anything more could be said, the loud voice of the sword arts professor echoed across the grounds

"All students, gather near the gate! We're moving to the Trial Zone"

A stir ran through the crowd

The teams followed the professors across the academy's large training field. Eventually, they reached a glowing stone archway etched with runes. A magical portal shimmered inside it swirling, pulsing, humming with energy

"Woah" Luin whispered. "Is that a dungeon"

"A dimensional trial zone," Kael said with a grin "Simulated, but fully real in experience. They're rare. Expensive to maintain too. Guess the Academy does have the money to facilitate us, huh"

The students stepped through the portal in waves

When Emil's team entered, the world around them shifted

They stood at the edge of a black forest. Spindly, gnarled trees loomed overhead, the bark charring like coal. A thin mist spread along the ground, curling up around their ankles. Above the sky was shrouded in gray clouds, casting all things in a bleached, ghostly hue

In the distance, the woods gave way to serrated cliffs and crumbling stone buildings half-engulfed by nature. Remote howls seemed to ring across the air not animal, not human. Something in between

Trial Dungeon: Phantom Wilds

A perilous, monster-infested landscape with variable terrain traps and wandering beasts

Standing before them was a male professor who was wearing a gray robe. He stood tall, with short red hair and a sharp jaw. His eyes were hard as he scanned the crowd

"This is your first field trial, kids" he explained. "Within this dungeon are diverse beasts and they are illusions combined with actual summoned creatures. The objective is not to kill all of them but to survive and evolve, so you better not die"

He gestured to a faraway cliff edge, where a red, glowing crystal hung suspended over a stone platform

"That is your destination point. The designated area. Is One kilometer away from this point. Get there as a team or not at all"

A subdued gasp circulated among the students

Only those who attain it will proceed. And only those who do it in unison will be worthy of additional instruction. If one of you deserts your group, you fail

The professor stopped. "You can use any weapon, spell, or method you have. No live killing will be allowed, you can't fight each other. The dungeon has a safety limit that teleports you out if your vitals drop below a critical level. Nevertheless, it will hurt but at least you will not die. So fight smart"

Students were already murmuring around Emil

"Did he say one kilometer?"

"There are monsters in there"

"We've never fought anything real before!"

"What if we fail and die"

"Quiet!" the professor shouted "The trial starts in ten minutes. Get ready and take your positions"

Kael whistled. "One kilometer through a haunted forest with monsters? That's sort of fun"

"You have a strange sense of fun, Kael" Emil grumbled, before facing the others "We need to make a plan to work as a team"

Riven nodded. "Front and back. Kael and I lead and keep an eye out for traps. Luin provides magic support. Emil you coordinate and defend"

Kael arched an eyebrow "You issuing orders now? Who even made you our team leader"

"It's merely just a suggestion" Riven replied icily "Unless you would prefer to walk into an ambush"

Emil blocked their way. "That's enough. We all have our talents. Let's not squander time bickering. Riven's plan is sound. Let's proceed as a proper team and do what Riven told us to"

Kael snorted but did not dispute

Luin, however, was making furtive adjustments to the straps on his staff case. His eyes were anxious but resolute

"Do our best" he said, gentle but firm

Emil grinned

Another chime sounded in Emil's mind

[Main Quest Extension Unlocked]

Trial of Unity – Objective: Enter the designated area with your team whole.

Bonus Objective: Uncover the hidden anomaly in the dungeon.

Reward: ???

He did not show any reaction, but a new sense of seriousness came into his eyes

This was not a simple and regular exam

Something else lurked inside this location

He gazed up at the trees dark in front of him moved forward and led the team as a leader

"Move out, team"