Chapter 22: Survival Trial

High above the arena, Principal Hope stood on the floating platform. His voice, calm and clear, cut through the air and settled over every examinee below.

"This is your final trial, and it may very well determine whether you earn your place in the Federation's academies."

"Don't panic. Even if your first two rounds weren't perfect, this is your chance to prove yourself."

"Use your judgment, stamina, and willpower wisely. The monsters won't wait for you to think—but you can choose to prepare."

"Good luck."

The light engulfed them once more.

—

When Ryan opened his eyes, he stood in a desolate wasteland unlike any before.

Cracked stone. Blackened rubble. Scorch marks. The sky hung low and heavy, dim and unmoving. The air carried the faint scent of blood.

This was the third and final trial: the Survival Simulation.

[System Notification – Trial Rules]

Trial Duration: 20 minutes

Each monster kill earns points. Stronger monsters are worth more.

Once a wave is cleared, the next begins immediately. Difficulty increases each time.

Total score determines final ranking.

[Time Remaining: 20:00][Wave One Approaching…]

Ryan looked up calmly as a dark fissure tore across the sky.

Fifteen Nightmare Imps and five Flame Imps stood ready behind him, motionless. A quiet, disciplined legion awaiting orders.

A flicker crossed his mind.

"Silvia and Arwen are close. If either of them performs well here, they could overtake me in the final score."

"The board isn't settled yet."

"But I'm not giving them the chance."

He raised a hand slightly.

The first wave descended.

—

[Name]: Feral Beastslave

[Race]: Mutated Savage

[Strength]: 45

[Agility]: 20

[Intelligence]: 5

[Spirit]: 5

[Endurance]: 200

[Skill]: None

[Quantity]: 20

[Points per kill]: 10

The creatures roared as they charged from the fissure. Crawling on all fours, they resembled rabid animals rather than soldiers—mindless, blind, and doomed.

Ryan didn't move.

The Flame Imps stepped forward, raised their hands, and launched five arcs of flame across the battlefield. Fire swept over the monsters, igniting rows of bodies. The Nightmare Imps followed, finishing the stunned survivors in precise silence.

Twenty seconds. Total clearance.

[Current Score: 200]

—

At the observation deck, the atmosphere cracked for the first time.

"That's… the first wave?" Harker blinked, leaning forward in his seat as if he might miss something vital.

Eldric stared at the monitor. "He's just standing there? He didn't even move? All summons, full clear?"

He paused, breath catching. "We might… actually see the final boss get spawned."

Hope's voice floated behind them, soft but laced with something reverent.

"Not just finished. I think we're watching someone about to break the survival trial's all-time record."

Wave Two appeared.

—

[Name]: Goblin Bombardier

[Race]: Frenzied Goblin

[Strength]: 65

[Agility]: 90

[Intelligence]: 10

[Spirit]: 10

[Endurance]: 300

[Skill]: Rush Burst

[Rush Burst]: Short-range charge with explosive impact

[Quantity]: 30

[Points per kill]: 20

Dozens of small green creatures spilled out at once. Their feet moved too fast, their postures erratic. What they lacked in coordination, they made up for in speed—and destructive potential.

Ryan lifted a finger.

"Crossfire formation. Lock front arc, fifteen degrees."

The Flame Imps shifted in unison, forming a spread formation. Five bursts of fire exploded across the front line, disintegrating the lead wave. The survivors veered outward, only to be intercepted by the Nightmare Imps stationed at the flanks.

Clean. Efficient.

[Current Score: 800]

Wave Three arrived without pause.

—

[Name]: Shadow Stalker

[Race]: Interdimensional Lurker

[Strength]: 110

[Agility]: 130

[Intelligence]: 50

[Spirit]: 40

[Endurance]: 400

[Skill]: Stealth Strike

[Stealth Strike]: Becomes invisible after attacking. Reappears with guaranteed critical hit.

[Quantity]: 12

[Points per kill]: 30

This time, something changed.

The monsters didn't scream or charge.

They simply vanished.

The battlefield went silent.

But Ryan was already moving.

[Abyssal Link]: Shared vision. Stealth detection.

His eyes narrowed.

"Reveal them."

The eyes of all fifteen Nightmare Imps glowed deep blue. A heartbeat later, every hidden creature on the field was marked, traced, and targeted.

"Focus left five. Crossfire now."

Flame and shadow collided. Firestorms consumed their silhouettes as claws struck from every direction.

The ambush failed before it even began.

[Current Score: 1160]

—

Three waves. Four minutes.

At the observation deck, Harker exhaled a single word. "Insane…"

Eldric stood now, unable to sit, his eyes locked on the screen. "He's not even giving verbal commands. Just gestures. Intent. And they respond instantly."

Hope stood with hands behind his back. His voice was quiet but warm, filled with restrained admiration.

"This isn't a test anymore. He's showing us something else."

"He's not fighting the monsters."

"He's conducting a symphony."