Few weeks before the recruitment ceremony in the heart of the ancient village of Tamarine, under the shadow of the towering Eldertree, Jamale stood with a stern gaze upon his two young proteges, Levis and Travis. The air was thick with anticipation, the kind that precedes the storm, as the kingdom's annual recruitment test loomed over them like a relentless wave ready to crash.
Levis, with his broad shoulders and eyes like steel traps, was the embodiment of physical prowess. His muscles were honed from years of labor in the fields, and his mind was sharp as a tack, his eyes so keen and vigilant to even the most subtle changes. Yet, in a world where magic was the currency of power, his empty mana was a gaping hole in his armor.
Travis, on the other hand, was a bundle of nerves wrapped in a thin veneer of bravado. His magical essence flickered like a candle in the wind, uncertain and erratic. He feared for Levis, whose reliance on knowledge and wits over spells could be his undoing.
Jamale, the old sage, had seen many a moon since he last stood in their shoes. "Recruitment has changed," he mused, his voice a low rumble like distant thunder. "In my time, we valued the spark of magic within and the strength of unity. Now, it seems, endurance overshadows the arcane."
In present time at the central city recruitment arena was abuzz with whispers and sideways glances as the duo passed. The other youths from around the kingdom, their auras shimmering with untamed magic, sneered at the sight of Levis, the anomaly among them. Their words were like daggers, thinly veiled beneath their breaths, doubting the pair's ability to survive the first trial.
Levis, however, was a fortress of focus. His mind raced with strategies, playing out scenarios of the unknown challenges ahead. 'How will I bridge the gap?' he pondered, his determination a silent roar in his chest.
The tests of Lyor's central city were notorious for their unpredictability, each year a new puzzle crafted by the enigmatic council. Jamale's knowledge was a relic of the past, his last assistance in the trials a distant memory from sixteen years ago. His advice was as elusive as the morning mist, leaving the young warriors to face their fate armed with nothing but their resolve.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky with strokes of crimson and gold, the king himself emerged. His presence was a beacon, drawing all eyes to his regal form as he welcomed the hopefuls. The moment was electric, charged with the dreams and fears of every soul in attendance.
Levis, Travis and the other youths from tamarine stood side by side, the weight of their village's expectations pressing down upon them. They were the underdogs, the outliers, but within them burned a fire that no amount of gossip could extinguish. They were ready to defy the odds, to prove that the heart of a warrior was measured not by the magic they wielded, but by the courage they held within.
The council's declaration rang out, a clarion call that set hearts racing and muscles tensing. The first test, they announced, would be a testament to sheer physicality—a trial of strength where the magical arts were strictly forbidden. Levis, whose very essence was devoid of magic, felt a twinge of frustration. He had been eager to test his mettle against the arcane, to face the sorcerous energies head-on. Yet, the challenge laid before him was one of brawn, not of mystic might.
A massive boulder sat at the foot of a steep incline, a silent challenge to all who dared. It was to be carried over a distance of 250 meters uphill by each of the hopefuls. Travis, a paragon of natural strength, approached the task with a nonchalant ease. The rock, formidable to many, was but a pebble in his path.
Levis, on the other hand, was a thinker, a planner. He surveyed the boulder, its rough surface a puzzle to be solved. With careful thought and precise movements, he found his method, a technique that would maximize his efficiency. His body and mind worked in perfect unison, and with a series of calculated maneuvers, he managed to transport the 150kg rock up the hill in less than the required six minutes.
Travis, who had not bothered with strategies, relied on his raw power to complete the task in under five minutes. Only a few, among them a handful of boys and the remarkable Freya, managed to best Levis's time. Freya, a girl of both friendly demeanor and surprising physicality, stood out not just for her strength but for her spirit.
As the day's trials came to an end, the participants, weary from the exertion, were offered a place to rest and acquaint themselves with one another. The exercise had spanned over eight hours, a testament to the number of participants from all corners of the kingdom.
Levis, ever the introspective soul, was lost in thought when Lady Freya approached. Her friendly nature was matched by a physical robustness uncommon in a girl. She quickly formed a bond with both Travis and Levis. Travis, in particular, found himself drawn to her, and they spent the night in deep conversation.
Travis shared with Freya the tales of Levis's rare condition, recounting the youth-only hunt where Levis had proven himself the most valuable participant. Freya, intrigued by Levis's background, felt a growing fondness for him.
Dawn broke on the second day, and with it came the next test, set against a backdrop of treacherous terrain. The candidates braced themselves, knowing that the day would demand every ounce of their courage and resolve.
As the first light of dawn stretched across the sky, the candidates gathered once more, their bodies still aching from the previous day's exertions. The council members stood before them, their faces etched with solemnity as they unveiled the second test.
"The trial you face today," began the eldest councilor, his voice carrying the weight of centuries, "will not only test your strength but your courage and your ability to adapt to the unpredictable whims of nature."
The candidates followed the councilors' lead to the edge of a dense forest, its trees towering like silent sentinels. The ground was uneven, littered with roots and rocks that threatened to trip the unwary. A narrow path snaked into the heart of the woodland, disappearing into the shadows.
"This is the Forest of Echoes," the councilor continued. "Your task is to navigate through its depths, reach the clearing at its center, and retrieve the Amulet of Valor. But be warned, the forest is home to creatures and illusions that will test your resolve. Only those who reach the clearing before nightfall will pass this trial."
Levis felt a surge of excitement. This was a challenge that called not just for physical prowess but for mental acuity. He glanced at Travis, whose confident smile had faltered ever so slightly. Freya, however, looked determined, her eyes alight with the thrill of the upcoming challenge.
As the test began, the candidates plunged into the forest. The air was thick with the scent of moss and earth, and the only sounds were the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of unseen creatures. Levis moved with purpose, his eyes scanning for the subtle signs that would lead him to the clearing.
Travis relied on his brute force, pushing through the underbrush and snapping branches in his wake. Freya, nimble and alert, seemed to dance between the trees, her intuition guiding her steps.
The forest tested them all, with illusions that disoriented and beasts that lurked in the shadows. Levis kept his focus, recalling the tales of old that spoke of the forest's tricks. He navigated through the deceptive terrain, his determination unwavering.
As the sun began to dip toward the horizon, Levis emerged into the clearing. The Amulet of Valor hung from a solitary tree, glowing with an inner light. He reached out, his fingers brushing against the cool metal, and as he clasped the amulet, a sense of accomplishment flooded through him.
Travis burst into the clearing moments later, his breath heavy, his clothes torn by the forest's grasp. Freya arrived soon after, her smile wide and victorious.
The three of them stood in the clearing, the trials of the day behind them, and the bond between them strengthened by the challenges they had overcome. They knew that the trials were far from over, but for now, they reveled in their triumph, the Amulet of Valor a symbol of their courage and resilience. Many others join the central and the trails was good for them all.
As night fell, the candidates made their way back to the camp, their hearts light with the knowledge that they had faced the Forest of Echoes and emerged victorious. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, but tonight, they were heroes in their own right.