Chapter 10: completed exams and academy regulations

Moments after Aria, Sylvana, and Sylvia arrived outside the labyrinth, three other participants emerged from the swirling mist. A young man with an intense gaze from his crimson eyes walked out, followed by a young man with delicate fox ears and tail, his expression calm yet attentive. Not far behind them, a young girl with ice-blue hair radiating a cold yet fragile aura followed. Their arrival was just like any other participant who had just completed the second trial.

Sanith, the Dream Weaver, ever calm, raised his hand. "For those of you who have successfully emerged from the Labyrinth of Silver Whispers," his voice remained melodious yet held authority, "please rest and recuperate. You have demonstrated remarkable potential." He gestured towards a clearing near the forest. "You may wait there until all participants of the second trial have finished."

Aria, Sylvana, and Sylvia walked towards the designated area. "He... why does he feel so familiar?" Aria murmured, her gaze briefly fixed on the red-eyed youth. An odd sensation tickled her memory upon seeing him, something vague and inexplicable, yet she quickly dismissed it.

Sylvana observed the three newcomers with composure. "Indeed. We have all passed the same trial."

"Hopefully the next trial won't be too difficult," Sylvia remarked, stretching her stiff limbs.

Aria nodded slightly. "We will face it together."

[... ]

Time passed, and one by one, the remaining aspiring heroes emerged from the labyrinth, some looking exhausted and injured, yet relieved to have overcome the arduous trial. When the last participant finally appeared, Sanith spoke again. "Very well, one hundred individuals have successfully completed the second trial." He regarded them with a discerning gaze. "Now, the third trial will soon commence. You will be under the supervision of Master Borin, a dwarf with unparalleled combat experience."

Shortly after, a stout dwarf with a fiery red beard and a large war hammer slung across his back approached them. "You hundred who survived the maze? Not bad," he grunted in a deep voice. "Follow me. I will take you to the arena where you will prove yourselves worthy of entering the Hero Academy of Nytharia."

Master Borin led them towards a vast open arena, surrounded by large stones and spectators who were academy instructors. "The rules of the third trial are simple," Borin explained, casually swinging his war hammer. "You will fight one-on-one. The winners will advance to the academy. Only the fifty best will be accepted. Remember one crucial rule: no killing. Subdue your opponents, make them yield, but do not take their lives. Is that clear?"

Master Borin announced the pairings for the third trial. Aria stepped into the arena with determination, her training sword gleaming. She channeled a bit of magic into her blade, making it sharper and more agile. Her opponent was a large youth with an axe, but Aria nimbly evaded each attack, utilizing her speed and magic to subdue him without causing serious harm.

Sylvia entered the arena with a confident smile. She summoned thorny vines from the ground, ensnaring her bewildered opponent. Then, she used her magic to manipulate the plants around the arena, creating thorny walls and flowers that released sleeping pollen, effectively incapacitating her foe.

Sylvana gracefully stepped into the arena, and as her opponent approached, she raised her hand. A large bear materialized from the shadows, roaring fiercely and causing her opponent to tremble in fear. Sylvana commanded the bear to subdue him, and with a single swipe of its paw, the bear accomplished the task.

Xarther entered the arena with an intense gaze from his crimson eyes. He used no magic at all, relying solely on his extraordinary physical strength and speed. Each of his blows shattered his opponent's defenses, and with a few swift movements, he forced his opponent to yield.

Faun leaped into the arena with agility, his fox ears and tail twitching. He used illusions to confuse his opponent, creating afterimages of himself that moved quickly and unpredictably. Then, with his sharp claws, he struck his opponent's weak points, causing him to surrender in pain.

Lyra entered the arena with a cold aura emanating from her body. She created rapidly moving ice statues, attacking her opponent from multiple directions. Her opponent tried to shatter the ice statues, but Lyra easily froze him with her ice magic, ending the fight quickly and efficiently.

After a series of thrilling and sometimes brutal fights, the dust in the arena slowly settled. Master Borin, with a satisfied expression, counted the remaining participants. "Fifty individuals," he grunted loudly, his voice echoing throughout the arena. "You are the best of the hundred. You are worthy to proceed further."

Borin gestured for the successful participants to gather in the center of the arena. "Now, listen carefully. The Headmaster will arrive to greet you personally."

A murmur of excitement and curiosity spread among the fifty remaining participants. The Headmaster of the Hero Academy of Nytharia was a legendary figure, one of the heroes from a bygone era still alive to this day. Tales of his bravery and power had become part of Nytharian folklore. They were all eager to see the face of the hero whose name was so revered.

Aria, Sylvana, and Sylvia exchanged glances, sharing the same anticipation. Xarther, Faun, and Lyra also stood among the group, their expressions difficult to read yet clearly holding a similar interest. The Headmaster's arrival felt like the beginning of a new chapter in their journey, a step closer to their dreams of becoming heroes of Nytharia. They waited with bated breath, ready to meet the legend himself.

[...]

Moments ago, in a quiet room within the Hero Academy of Nytharia, with walls adorned with paintings of legendary heroes, Headmaster Eldrin stood facing a large window overlooking a verdant valley. Behind him stood Theron, an old elf with a wise face yet deep worry etched in his eyes.

"Eldrin," Theron began, his voice soft yet authoritative, "we both know what lies within my grandson, Xarther."

Eldrin sighed heavily. "Yes, Theron. Xarthos... the presence of that ancient demon within him is a great risk we are taking."

Theron walked closer, his hopeful gaze meeting Eldrin's contemplative one. "I know your concerns, Headmaster. But I believe in Xarther. There is something within him... a resilience that transcends the demon's influence."

Eldrin turned, raising an eyebrow at Theron. "Your conviction is strong, Theron. Considering what we know."

Theron nodded firmly. "I have watched my grandson since birth. I have seen his struggles, his rejection of the darkness that gnaws at him. That obsidian bracelet is not just a restraint, Eldrin. It is a symbol of his desire to control his own destiny."

Eldrin walked slowly towards his desk, picking up the familiar black obsidian bracelet. "That promise... the promise I made to your lineage, Theron, is indeed difficult to break."

"This isn't just about a promise, Headmaster," Theron interjected with urgency. "It's about potential. If we guide him correctly, if the Academy gives him a chance, I believe Xarther can become a great hero. Not because of Xarthos, but in spite of Xarthos."

Eldrin placed the bracelet back down, his gaze returning to the valley view. "There will be trouble, Theron. I feel it. The conflict within him could become a real threat."

"We will face it together," Theron replied with conviction. "We will be the wall behind him, helping him fight that darkness. Destiny is complex, Eldrin, but it is not immutable. I believe in my grandson."

Eldrin turned back, a hint of doubt in his eyes beginning to fade. "I want to believe your conviction, Theron. I want to see hope in this darkness. Very well. We will give Xarther this chance. But remember, Theron, my watch will be strict. One mistake..."

"There will be no mistake, Headmaster," Theron cut in with a firm tone. "Xarther will prove himself."

[...]

Back to the present, a hush fell over the arena as all eyes turned towards the source of soft light appearing at the far end. The light grew brighter, taking the form of an old man with a long white beard that reached his chest. His eyes radiated wisdom and quiet strength. This was Eldrin, Headmaster of the Hero Academy of Nytharia.

Eldrin walked slowly towards the fifty successful participants, his gentle yet assessing gaze sweeping over their faces one by one. "Welcome, aspiring heroes of Nytharia," his voice resonated softly yet clearly throughout the arena. "You have successfully overcome two arduous trials. Now, you stand at the threshold of the Academy gates."

He paused for a moment, allowing his words to sink in. "Within this academy, there are several rules you must understand and abide by. First, the currency used here is Hero Points. You earn these points by completing various missions assigned by the academy or through your bravery in vanquishing the demons that threaten our peace."

Eldrin continued, "Second, fighting amongst students outside the designated arena is strictly forbidden. This academy is a place for learning and growing together, not for unnecessary conflict. If there are issues, resolve them with dignity or report them to the instructors."

"Third," Eldrin emphasized, "within these walls, all student statuses are equal. Regardless of your origin, family wealth, or initial strength, what will be valued is your effort, dedication, and heart as a hero."

"Fourth," he went on, "every student is required to perform an act of kindness each month by undertaking at least one humanitarian mission or assisting those in need. Being a hero is not just about power, but also about compassion and the desire to do good."

"Finally," Eldrin concluded with a hopeful gaze, "always remember your purpose here. You do not automatically become heroes simply by entering the gates of this academy. You must learn, train, and prove yourselves worthy of that title. Only those students who successfully graduate from the academy will be recognized as true heroes of Nytharia."

Eldrin offered a faint smile. "Welcome once more. Your journey has just begun."