Finally, the day of Asher's trial dawned. Morning light streamed through the windows of the hideout, casting a hopeful glow on the gathered team members. Garrick's voice, resonant with authority, broke the silence. "Today marks the culmination of your training, Asher. Your growth has been remarkable, and now it's time to put your abilities to the test."
As the team filed out of the hideout, anticipation hung in the air. Asher's heart raced, a blend of excitement and trepidation surging within him. He knew that success in the trial meant more than survival—it was a chance to prove his worth and secure his place among these remarkable individuals.
The trial grounds were vast and varied, reflecting the diversity of the world they inhabited. Rolling plains stretched to meet dense forests, and towering mountains loomed on the horizon. It was a terrain that echoed both beauty and danger, a mirror of the challenges they faced.
Garrick's voice rang out once more, outlining the trial's parameters and objectives. The team's unity was palpable as each member offered words of encouragement to Asher. "Trust in your abilities," Kael advised, his fiery gaze alight with confidence. "Remember that we stand with you," Evelyn added, her icy presence radiating warmth.
With a deep breath, Asher lied on the bed as the only way to enter the trial grounds is by sleeping and after the trials, the body will be taken into the dreamrealm. After he opened his eyes, he saw the difference of where he was and how the air felt different—it was clear without pollution.
With his entry, the voice spoke again, "Participant has entered the trial ground. Please choose your weapon. As this is the third time participant is taking the trial, 80% of participant reward will be confiscated, and the weapon quality and durability will be reduced."
With the coming of the voice, he also saw different rows of weapons. He decided on a short sword and a round but short shield.
After the weapon choice, his surroundings suddenly blurred, and standing in front of him was a rat the size of a house cat in his previous world. He knew this was a rat due to the noise it made and its appearance.
As the stare-off continued, he felt nervous. Although he had been through training, he had never done a practical session before.
Deciding to use all he was taught, he raised the small shield over his head to guard his face and eyes. Just when he was starting to think that the rat was not going to attack, it suddenly screeched, and he felt dizzy, breaking his stance.
Right after that, the rat followed up with a charge and bit his toe, tearing it off entirely. After the attack, the rat moved back and started to gnaw on his toe.
He felt excruciating pain and screamed out in agony, as even though his body couldn't enter the dreamrealm yet, it still felt real. With anger in his eyes, he raised the short sword and charged at the rat, determined to kill it this time around.
He threw his shield at the rat and used his sword to hack towards it. Although he had limited fighting experience, he had theories from his training. With the shield thrown, the rat jumped over it, and right as it did that, the sword struck, splitting the rat's head.
Just when he was feeling relieved that he had won, the voice came again, "Participant has won the first stage. 2 minutes to the second stage. Be prepared."
Heaved a sigh of confusion as this was totally different from what he had learned. Also, wasn't the tutorial only one stage, and right after that, he would wake up?
The voice clarified, "Participant hasn't unlocked his ability, so until the participant is able to unlock his ability, he won't be able to leave the trial ground."
Asher felt downcast, but he was determined to figure out how to use his abilities. With each passing moment, the trials he faced also increased. Some challenges were based on monsters, some his inner fears, and some reflections of his past.
After the 10th stage, he had already become accustomed to facing various monsters. Every skill acquired during his training was put to the test, and with each challenge surmounted, Asher's confidence swelled. Time seemed to blur as he ventured deeper into the trial, drawing upon the strengths of his newfound companions. Yes, he had finally been able to use abilities.
During the 15th stage, he had summoned a wolf, though he hadn't grasped how he had done it. Faced with a troll threatening death, just as the troll was about to strike, he called out a word and the wolf appeared, biting the troll. The wolf was powerful, but after killing the troll, it remained motionless.
He could even see arrogance in the wolf's eyes, a disdainful look directed at him.
"Participant has completed 19 stages. The next stage will begin in the next 2 minutes."
With a sigh, he wondered how long this would continue. He regulated his breathing, preparing for what was next.
"The stage begins in 10, 9... 3, 2, error, error, error."
Just before the start of the stage, the monotone voice sounded an alarm. The space before him turned black and began corroding backward. Everything around him turned illusory. A huge fracture formed, a vacuum sucking everything in. Before being sucked in, he heard a howl filled with both anger and disdain.
He woke up, touching himself to confirm he was still alive. Asher realized that he had succeeded, even though he didn't understand what happened to the voice or why it started shouting "error." All that mattered was that he had survived.
Back at the hideout, the team welcomed Asher with open arms. Their smiles conveyed pride and camaraderie, a shared victory that bound them as a united force. Garrick's approving nod spoke volumes, affirming Asher's place among the Dawnbreaker team.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Asher found solace in the knowledge that he had overcome not only the trial but also his own doubts. The Dreamrealm's challenges still loomed, but he faced them with newfound confidence, armed with the support of his teammates and the strength he had cultivated within.
The echoes of the Dreamrealm resonated within him, a reminder of the journey he had undertaken and the path that lay ahead. With every step forward, he would continue to grow, to learn, and to forge bonds that transcended the confines of reality.