The end of the Camp trials.
A test designed to assess whether a trainee possessed what it takes to do well the Awakening Ceremony.
If one of the aspiring trainees were successful in the trial, it meant that they had graduated the Camp.
If not, then they would have just wasted their time, and in the case where their family were in a tight spot financially, then they would have squandered the money used to enter the Camp, because of their blunder.
Needless to say, it was an important occasion. It would be understandable if a trainee was overwhelmed and felt like the nerves were going to eat them whole. That would the normal reaction.
Nico's, however, slightly differed.
Sure, anxiety and apprehension gripped his heart in a vice-like grip. However, accompanying that feeling was a sort of excitement that foretold his eagerness at undergoing the trial.
That he was standing in front of the cabins of the Three Ancient Heroes further stoked that sentiment.
It meant he was one step closer to completing the Camp, and conversely one step closer to being able to see his family again.
'I hope Charlotte isn't driving Mom too crazy.' Nico thought with a smile.
That smile quickly dimmed as his musing turned toward his father.
His eyes rippled with sadness.
Nico felt a comforting hand pat his shoulder. He shifted his head, Henry's face coming into view. The trainee's green eyes shone with sympathy and brotherly warmth.
His cheek remained bandaged, although thankfully, Nico sensed that the degree his friend winced due to the pain had lessened.
The brown-haired boy merely nodded and offered a soft smile in response to Henry's gesture.
To his left, Leon mirrored the farmer's actions. His large hand grasped Nico's shoulder firmly.
When his friend turned in his direction, the half-blood sent an encouraging gaze. One that desired to make his companion forget whatever dark thoughts had occupied his mind.
A warm feeling bloomed in Nico's chest. A wide grin split his features. He was lucky to have these two as his friends.
"Alright, listen up," William's booming voice rolled across the trainees, any conversations happening coming to an instant stop. The youths turned toward the man, their gazes brimming with nervous anticipation.
William stared at his students for a long second. Just as the silence was about to turn uncomfortable, he cleared his throat, "As you're aware, the day has arrived for you to undergo the end of Camp trials. I'll explain how it will go shortly, but first I would like to give you a parting message.
"Since this is the last time we'll all meet together like this, I would like to say it has been a pleasure being your instructor. Although most of you are annoying little brats," the white-haired man's gaze briefly swept through the young nobles, "you have proved your mettle and determination as humanity's future pillars. Wherever you end up in life, I hope you can look back on this time in the Camp and fondly reminisce."
The Head instructor paused.
"Now, enough sappiness. I will now explain how the trials will go down," the anticipation in the space rose a notch higher. William's tone remained measured, "As you know, there are three Cabins: Courage, Determination and Hope. You will line up in front of the Cabin you wish to enter. After experiencing the trial, you will exit the structure and inform me of the Ancient Spirit's verdict. Questions?"
The black-clad trainees glanced at each other. Finding none of their peers had any questions, they all simultaneously shrugged.
William shifted his gaze upward and intoned in a solemn, heavy tone:
"Then, with no further ado, let the trials begin."
***
Lining up in three different queues, each in front of one of the metallic statues, the trainees fidgeted, their limbs trembling softly as they wrestled with their nerves, trying to calm themselves down.
There was no specific order with which they stood in line. It was just whoever was quickest gained the right to enter the cabin first.
Nico stood in the queue that faced the effigy of the Ancient huntress. After some hesitation, he chose to undergo the Hope trial.
His reasoning was that he was already determined and felt that he possessed a semblance of courage inside.
Instead, what he identified as his weakness or something lacking was…
…hope.
Ever since the death of his best friend, Nico found his ability to hope had dulled. That experience had permanently broken something within him.
He wasn't sure if he was ever going to get that back.
As such, Nico thought he might as well enter the one trial where he had a chance at somewhat fixing the consequence of the mistake, he had made in the past.
The boy sighed and rubbed his face. He shifted his gaze to the left and stared at his two roommates.
The farmer had chosen the cabin with the effigy of a warrior pointing his spear toward the heavens: Determination.
Nico didn't discern why Henry had chosen such a trial. All he did was wish his friend well, and silently pray that he passed his test.
He then moved his gaze further, stopping at the outline of a burly figure with slightly pointed ears.
Leon had picked the cabin that had the effigy of a Knight erected in front of its entrance: Courage.
Nico idly wondered if the fact that his friend was a half-blood had played any part in influencing his decision. He sensed that might be the case.
'Either way, fate be with you, Leon and Henry.'
Nico muttered a silent prayer for the success of his companions, before he turned his attention inward and focused on calming himself.
He had to ensure he was in as best a condition as possible - both physically and mentally. It would not do if he had failed the trial because he had been unprepared.
Nico inhaled and exhaled, tapping into the quasi-meditative state to soothe any agitation he had. As the line in front of him slowly moved forward, he continued working on himself.
He paid no heed to his surroundings. His only focus…
…entering the trial in an optimum state.
***
William stood to the side of the Ancient statues, wearing a pensive expression. He trained his gaze on the three doors of the cabins, awaiting the exit of and verdict of how his students had fared during the test conjured by the spirit.
From the corner of his eye, the white-haired instructor noted that the trainees who were closer to the beginning of the queue were more fidgety, having a harder time suppressing their nerves.
William almost pitied their plight. Almost.
As someone who had undergone his own trial back when he was but a young boy, he knew every trainee faced a different trial from their peers.
That was why it was futile to predict what one might face before the assessment.
The young novices would just have to do their best.
William's gaze suddenly sharpened as he spied movement from the entrance of the three cabins at the same time. Evidently, the youths inside had finished their trials concurrently.
Which was not unusual, although a little on the uncommon side.
The scarred man watched with impatience as his three students strode toward him. Two of them wore broad grins, their eyes sparkling with euphoria.
The other trainee, however, paled and looked as if they had just lost ten years of their life.
William sighed. Based on their expressions, he already knew who had passed and who didn't.
'Oh, my dear students, the time has come for you to embark on the journey to challenge your fates… for life is but a constant struggle. A painful and maddening struggle... '