Ramiel trained his body physically in the next few days, dedicating all of his free time to this endeavor. Every day, he would personally go into the sub-training facility beneath their house and spend hours training with the use of cutting-edge technology that was mixed with magic crystals they had obtained from dimensional animals. Modern equipment and holographic simulations in training rooms enable Ramiel to push his physical boundaries beyond what he could have imagined.
The magic crystals, sourced from dimensional creatures, enhanced the effectiveness of his training, enabling him to achieve remarkable progress in a shorter span of time.
While maintaining close ties with his family, Ramiel also sought guidance from Grandpa Tang and Grandma Mao, who helped him refine his combat techniques and harness the full potential of the magic crystals. Through their expertise and support, Ramiel was able to unlock new levels of strength and gain his form in just a few days.
Ramiel meditated inside the training hall with Ariella Laila, Grandpa Tang, and Grandma Mao. He was able to finally tap into his tri-core and stabilize his newfound powers. With each passing day, Ramiel's control over his abilities grew stronger, allowing him to channel his energy more efficiently during their training. A week passed as he was preparing to return to Arcane and continue his task there.
Everyone was waiting for him to once again fall asleep. This situation went on for many times. He was living a double life, both in Arcane and on earth. As Ramiel continued to balance his responsibilities in both Arcane and on Earth, he found it increasingly challenging to keep his two lives separate. The constant back-and-forth between the two worlds began to take a toll on him, both mentally and physically. However, Ramiel knew that he had a duty to fulfill in both places and was determined to find a way to maintain his double life without sacrificing either one.
But something was happening in between; even though he unexpectedly entered an unfamiliar realm, it might be the dreaming realm, but somehow different. It was a place of mystery and uncertainty in the dreaming realm, but it was filled with powerful beings and magical creatures.
Ramiel soon realized that this was a reflection of his inner turmoil, a manifestation of his struggle to keep his two worlds apart. he called it the in-between realm. As he navigated through this in-between realm, he encountered strange and dangerous entities that seemed to feed off of his inner conflict. They taunted him, tempting him to give up one of his lives and fully embrace the other.
But Ramiel refused to give in. He knew that he needed both Arcane and Earth to feel whole and fulfilled. Each world had its own unique challenges and joys, and Ramiel couldn't imagine giving up either one.
So he continued to fight against the temptations of the in-between realm, determined to maintain his balance and fulfill his duties in both places. As time went on, Ramiel's strength and resilience were tested, but he never wavered. He found ways to integrate his knowledge and skills from each world, using them to his advantage in both places.
And slowly, the in-between realm began to lose its power over him. Ramiel had found a way to make peace with his double life without knowing the significance of his action. As he chose both lives as important, embracing the unique challenges and joys that came with them, his two bodies were now merging without him noticing anything.
He had become a master of balance, and his presence was felt and respected in both Arcane and on Earth. And as he lay down to sleep each night, Ramiel no longer feared the in-between realm. He knew that it was a part of him, a reminder of his journey and his ability to overcome any obstacle. And with that thought, he drifted off into a peaceful slumber, ready to face whatever challenges awaited him in the morning.
This particular situation went on; going back and forth in two realms was like dancing between two worlds. Ramiel found solace in the seamless transition as if he had unlocked a hidden power within himself. The boundary between Arcane and Earth blurred, and he effortlessly navigated through both realms, embracing the unique experiences each had to offer. It was a testament to his growth and adaptability, proving that he was no longer bound by the limitations of a single existence.
It went on for weeks until the day of the Royal Academy evaluation test, and everything that happened was kept hidden from everybody. He knew sharing his story before was already a burden to everybody because it was truly a remarkable event that no one could explain.
However, he couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for keeping it a secret, especially from those who were important to him and who had always supported him. But he also knew that revealing his newfound abilities could potentially put them all in danger.
As for how he now feels, it is best to gradually explain himself, especially to those who were in Arcane. His earthly education was full of ups and downs and struggles, but he managed them all. Bullies were no longer a hindrance, as he was now more concerned with the inevitable reality that he must face in this world, and because he was able to accomplish many changes physically and his fighting skills were proven at the Ethereal Academy survival and martial arts training classes, those who resented him were unable to specifically insult or bully him anymore. This was because he was able to raise his level from ten to twenty before the end of the current academic year.
The chief dean of the academy, Ms. Dolores Tesfaye, launched the start of the five-day evaluation exam, signaling the beginning of the Ethereal Academy assessment test. The exam would cover a wide range of topics, including magic theory knowledge, combat methods, and strategy. and actual application of all these in an environment they will face in the future. It was required of the students to show that they were proficient in both the mental, magical, and physical components of their training.
The results of this evaluation would determine how far they could go in the academy and perhaps even lead to new prospects in the Ethereal League.
Each level of class will battle and survive inside the dense, large artificial forest and face various challenges and obstacles designed to test their skills and adaptability. This simulated environment would push the students to think critically, make quick decisions, and work together as a team. It was a rigorous and demanding process, but one that would ultimately prepare them for the real-life situations they would encounter as members of the Ethereal League.
All 200 students were transferred to a different location while they were under a sleeping spell, as they all woke up, they saw an unfamiliar place filled with towering trees and lush vegetation. The air was thick with the scent of earth, and the sounds of chirping birds echoed through the forest. Confusion and curiosity filled their minds as they realized they were no longer in the controlled environment of their training facility. Uncertain of what lay ahead, they knew they had to quickly gather their wits and assess their surroundings to determine their next course of action because they assumed the test would be held in the mini-forest near the gymnasium.
But to their surprise, they were in vast and unfamiliar territory. Ms. Dolores explained through a virtual hologram from a flying drone that this was part of the challenge—to adapt to new environments and situations quickly. The students were given a map of the area and were instructed to find their way back to the academy within a certain time limit. Along the way, they would encounter various magical creatures, traps, and puzzles that they would have to overcome using their knowledge and skills.
As the students set off on their journey, they were filled with a mix of excitement and nervousness. This was the moment they had been training for, and they were determined to prove themselves. Some students relied on their magical abilities, while others used their physical strength and combat skills.
It was a true test of their individual strengths and weaknesses, as well as their ability to work together as a team of seven or more members. But unlike the rest, the Amahle Zadzisai team only consists of her and Ramiel.
Numerous automatic drones were deployed to monitor each student activity while in The Southeast Asian rain forests, adding an extra layer of challenge to their mission.
The dense foliage and unpredictable terrain made it difficult for the team to navigate and communicate effectively. However, Amahle and Ramiel's unique bond and trust in each other allowed them to overcome these obstacles with ease. Together, they relied on their sharp instincts and resourcefulness to outsmart the drones and successfully complete their objectives.
The Fu Xi Shi Corporation supplied the tactical uniforms they were donning. Every different-level student, from the youngest at 17 to the oldest at 24, had specific equipment that was tailored to their unique skills and characteristics. By doing this, they could be sure they were ready for everything that could come up during their examination. Rather of fighting holographic foes to win points at the academy gymnasium, the pupils were to engage in a real-life combat simulation, or true survival.
The stakes were higher than ever because failure would mean missing out on the chance to show that they could protect innocent lives while also moving up the level and becoming certified as actual Ethereals.
But something was off.
Ms. Dolores Tesfaye was in the main control room, where most of the high-ranking guild leaders were watching, when vital information came to her attention that the area they selected was no longer safe. Ms. Dolores Tesfaye quickly relayed the urgent information to the guild leaders, who were taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. The safety of the participants became their top priority, forcing them to swiftly devise a new plan and relocate to a secure area before the rift matured and opened.
Meanwhile, student participation had a normal and uneventful first day, and all the elite students were disappointed that all the hard work was tested by only surviving inside a dense forest with no combat or real-life threats. It seemed like a waste of their training and skills. Rumors started circulating among the students, questioning the purpose of this assessment and whether it truly reflected their capabilities as Ethereals.
Until a dimensional rift opened a few feet from where the majority of students were camping, the details of the test were unclear. The sudden appearance of the rift sparked both excitement and apprehension among the students, as they wondered if this unexpected event was part of the assessment or an unforeseen danger. As they anxiously awaited further instructions, their anticipation grew. They were eager to prove themselves in a real-life scenario and finally put their training to the test.
The rift was pulsating with an energy they had never felt before; everyone was wondering if this was real or artificial, as the intensity of the pulsations seemed almost otherworldly. Some students speculated that it could be a result of advanced technology, while others entertained the possibility of supernatural forces at play.
Regardless, their curiosity and determination to succeed only heightened as they prepared themselves mentally and physically for whatever lay beyond the mysterious rift.
Gazing upon a massive chasm that was around twenty feet in height and width, Ramiel and Amahle Zadzisai were facing each other. Fortunately, they were separated from the majority of the pupils. Many of the more powerful students made the decision to camp close to their original places of waking, believing that this was the same location from which they would be taken away. They were, regrettably, far closer to the divide than the two and a few students who were camped by the river.
Everyone was told to leave right away and head toward the extraction site, which was situated on the other side of the gap, when an emergency evacuation was declared. Since Ramiel and Amahle were farther away, they soon understood that, in order to get to the extraction location, they would have to travel through uncharted territory. In a race against time, they packed their luggage and joined the few other students who were there at the same place.
Unfortunately, it was too late. The pupils watched in horror as the pandemonium they saw erupted before their very eyes as the split broke up and a myriad of strange creatures poured out. They soon came to the conclusion that they had little chance of making it to the extraction location safely and that they would need to devise a new strategy in order to survive.
Ramiel was eager to battle, but he could only take on a low goblin at level 10. Acknowledging their own limits, the other students proposed taking a safer route in order to avoid coming into direct contact with the monsters. They made the decision to scout the area in order to look for any undiscovered trails or other escape routes that might take them to safety.
But something caused everyone to tremble with horror.
as many hellhounds and a level 50 lich emerged from the gap. The level 50 lich and its legion of hellhounds presented an extremely dangerous menace that the pupils were not equipped to handle. When they realized their original strategy was no longer feasible, panic broke out. A few simply fled, leaving behind all of their gear. Due to the mundane circumstances they had faced earlier in the day, many of them were only dressed to the barest minimum; yet, the lowering sun did not favor them as they witnessed the monsters of death entering Earth in their current location.
The lich floated with a stall composed of human bones in its hands. And as it got closer to them, all it had to do was wave a hand to instantly kill seven of the nearby pupils. Fear had paralyzed the remaining pupils, keeping them from fleeing, and their hearts were thumping in their chests. As they frantically tried to figure out how to protect themselves from the lethal lich, desperation set in. The seriousness of the situation became more and more evident with every second that went by, forcing them to act fast and plan their course of survival.