As Zephyr stepped into the swirling vortex, a blinding white light enveloped his senses, rendering him temporarily sightless. For what felt like an eternity, he was submerged in a sea of pure luminosity, devoid of any other sensations.
After several long minutes, the intensity of the light began to wane, gradually giving way to faint hues and shapes that danced at the edges of his consciousness. Slowly, the scene shifted, and Zephyr discerned colors other than blinding white, though everything remained obscured and hazy for a fleeting moment.
Then, as if a veil had been lifted, clarity emerged from the fog, revealing his new surroundings with startling clarity. With a steady gaze, Zephyr surveyed the unfamiliar terrain, taking in every detail now visible before him.
"What is this place?" Zephyr murmured, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse before him.
"I'm trying to figure that out myself," Browny replied, his voice tinged with uncertainty. It seemed that everyone else shared the same bewilderment, their expressions mirroring their collective confusion.
The area they found themselves in resembled a colossal arena, devoid of any seating for spectators. Its immense size stretched out before them, dwarfing their presence and making them feel minuscule in comparison. The sheer scale of the space was overwhelming, leaving them to wonder about its purpose and what awaited them within its confines.
The arena floor was intricately designed with sands resembling a miniature desert, juxtaposed against the sturdy metal walls that encased them, each segment weighing a ton. Overhead, the arena was crowned with a delicate yet durable canopy of thin glass, allowing the gentle rays of the sun to filter through without casting harsh shadows or causing discomfort.
Beneath their feet, the warm sands boasted a clean, golden-yellow hue, adding to the illusion of a desert oasis within the confines of the arena.
"Hey, guys, look over there! I see some people," a member of their group exclaimed excitedly, gesturing toward a particular direction and drawing Zephyr's attention.
Lost in awe at the breathtaking spectacle of the arena and its intricate details, Zephyr and the others momentarily forgot their confusion about their unexpected location. However, the lingering question remained: why were they here, when they were supposed to be at the academy?
As they turned their attention to where the man had pointed, another group of individuals began to materialize in the distance, gradually appearing until they were fully present. This new group comprised around a hundred individuals, both male and female, all of them sporting solemn expressions in stark contrast to the bewildered looks of Zephyr and his companions.
"I have a bad feeling about this," Zephyr thought, his unease growing as he observed the peculiar circumstances unfolding before him. "Appearing in what seems to be a modern arena, with a large group of people arriving with serious faces while we remain confused. Something just isn't right."
...
Meanwhile, in a nearby room not far from the arena, a group of individuals gathered around a large screen, their attention fixated on the live feed displaying the events unfolding within the arena.
"Hmm, it seems we have a considerable influx of recruits this year, unlike the previous year," remarked a man clad in an expensive-looking suit, his posture rigid as he surveyed the assembly within the arena. "I hope we'll see a higher survival rate in this batch, unlike last year's disappointingly few."
"Based on my calculations, we should anticipate a higher number of survivors this time, minimizing casualties," added a woman in a pristine white lab coat, adjusting her glasses as she peered intently at the tablet in her hand, which displayed the scant details of each individual within the arena. "Moreover, this year, adventurers have rallied volunteers to join our academy, increasing the likelihood of nurturing individuals with true potential to become skilled adventurers."
"I hope so," the man in the suit conceded, settling into a nearby seat with an air of calmness as he directed his gaze back to the screen.
"Just sit back and relax, sir," the lady reassured him with a gentle smile.
...
Amidst the uncertainty lingering in the arena, the piercing screech of the microphone speakers abruptly captured everyone's attention, silencing the murmurs and prompting all eyes to turn towards the source of the sound.
"Welcome, everyone! I am your instructor," rang out the melodious voice of a woman, capturing the attention of all present. "Some of you may be wondering why you've ended up here instead of the academy you were expecting. The truth is, before anyone can join the academy and become adventurers, you must first pass a test. The Test of Survival."
"What test are they talking about?" one participant voiced out, his confusion evident.
"Yeah, we were promised entry and abilities, not some test," another interjected, frustration coloring his tone.
Zephyr noticed a growing sense of discomfort among the crowd as murmurs of discontent rippled through the arena. Even the new arrivals seemed unsettled by the revelation of the impending Test of Survival, which did little to ease the tension permeating the air.
'I knew there was something strange about this situation,' Zephyr thought, his senses on high alert.
"The Test of Survival is designed to assess your potential to thrive in the harshest of conditions. Those who prove themselves worthy will have the privilege of joining our academy," the woman explained, her tone unwavering in the face of the growing unrest among the participants. "As for those who do not pass the test, well, you will find out soon enough. Let the test begin."
With those words, the tension in the arena reached a fever pitch, as uncertainty and apprehension filled the air, casting a shadow of doubt over the fate of all those gathered within its confines.
As soon as the woman uttered those ominous words, the entire arena began to tremble violently, threatening to unbalance everyone within its confines. The intensity of the rumbling was overwhelming, instilling a sense of unease and fear in the hearts of all present. Despite the structural integrity of the arena remaining intact, the unsettling sensation left everyone on edge.
Unbeknownst to the participants, four shuttle-like doors situated at each side of the arena slowly creaked open, revealing dark, hollow spaces beyond their thresholds.
Just as abruptly as it had begun, the rumbling ceased, leaving the arena engulfed in an eerie silence. For a moment, no one moved, the air heavy with anticipation and uncertainty, as everyone awaited the next development with bated breath.
"What was that? An earthquake?" a frightened female voice exclaimed, her tone laced with trepidation.
"That's impossible. This arena is constructed from the most advanced metals known to man. No earthquake could shake it with such intensity," a nearby man countered, his voice tinged with skepticism. Despite their uncertainty, they had no choice but to confront whatever lay ahead, whether it was the test the woman had mentioned or something else entirely.
As the murmurs of confusion and concern permeated the air, Zephyr remained contemplative.
"If this is a test, and trust me, I know tests, it won't be that easy," he mused to himself. His keen gaze swept across the arena, and he couldn't help but notice the four door-shaped openings positioned at each corner, a realization that dawned on him simultaneously with others in the crowd.
"Look, everyone!" a man exclaimed, his voice cutting through the tension as he pointed towards one of the openings. "It seems that earthquake was the test the lady talked about, and now the doors are open for us to leave!"
His words sparked a wave of relief among the crowd, their expressions shifting from fear to elation at the prospect of finally escaping the confines of the arena. However, amidst the jubilation, Zephyr and Browny remained skeptical.
"Zephyr, do you feel like this test was too easy? It almost feels like we didn't even undergo a proper trial," Browny remarked, his tone tinged with suspicion.
"Yeah, Browny. In all my life, I've seen tricks, and I know when I see one. And this feels like one of them," Zephyr agreed, his instincts warning him of potential deception.
Despite their reservations, the majority of the participants eagerly made their way towards the openings, their spirits buoyed by the promise of freedom. It seemed that the allure of escape outweighed any lingering doubts about the ease of the supposed test, as they eagerly sought to exit the arena and leave the unsettling experience behind them.
"Well, Browny, they're heading out, let's just—" Zephyr's words were cut short as he stumbled, kicking against something solid that sent a jolt of numbness through his toes. Bending down, he examined the unexpected object, his confusion mounting as he recognized it.
"Why is there a weapon on the ground?" Zephyr muttered, his gaze fixated on the sharp axe with its well-crafted wooden handle and secured with strips of rubber. "Browny, I think the test has begun."
As Zephyr processed the implications of the weapon's presence, a horrifying realization dawned on him. Meanwhile, the man who had directed everyone towards the escape route reached the opening, only to be halted by the chilling sounds of harsh breathing and growls emanating from within. Before he could react, a hand seized his neck in a vice-like grip, followed by a sickening crunch as a head tore into his flesh, severing it from his body and sending blood splattering across the ground.
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