Walking along the cobblestone path toward the training grounds, the glowing morning sun bathed us in its warm light, casting long shadows that danced with our steps. The air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of dew and wildflowers, a stark contrast to the tension buzzing among us.
The quiet hum of nature was broken only by the chatter of my classmates, their voices a mixture of excitement and nerves.
A mix of nervousness and excitement buzzed in the air, and as soon as we stepped inside, the chatter picked up again, louder and more incessant than before.
"I bet they're going to make us fight each other," someone muttered nearby, their tone more anxious than confident.
"Nah, they wouldn't throw us into something like that... right?" came the uncertain reply.
"I heard we'll have to demonstrate our skills in front of everyone," another voice said, barely containing their nerves.
"I just hope we don't get split up too much," another added. "Some of us work better together."
I glanced at Lily, who was walking beside me, arms crossed, and her expression was calm but watchful.
Alex, as usual, strode a few paces ahead, exuding a quiet confidence that seemed to settle the nerves of those closest to him.
Ahead, Sir Brook and Aristo waited at the center of the grounds, their contrasting presences drawing everyone's attention. Sir Brook stood tall and stern, his armor gleaming in the sunlight, while Aristo leaned casually on his fan, his platinum hair glinting like silver thread.
"Settle down," Sir Brook's gruff voice boomed, instantly cutting through the chatter. The group quieted, though the nervous energy lingered.
Aristo took a step forward, his fan flicking open with a soft snap. "Welcome to the training grounds," he said, his voice soft yet somehow carrying clearly to all of us.
"Today, we'll begin with evaluating your abilities and understanding your aptitudes. This is not a test to 'pass' or 'fail,' but a process to ensure you are placed in the group best suited to your potential."
His calm demeanor seemed to put some at ease, but Sir Brook's follow-up quickly dispelled any sense of relaxation.
"Make no mistake," he said, his sharp gaze sweeping across the group, "these tests are critical. The roles you take on in battle will depend on what we see today. Vanguard, Artillery, Support, Recon—you'll be sorted into groups where your strengths will shine, and your weaknesses can be improved."
The words hung in the air, a mix of challenge and promise.
"Form up into rows," Sir Brook barked. "We'll begin shortly."
Walking past the rows of people lined up in the training grounds, Sir Brook's heavy boots thudded against the ground, the sound carrying over the otherwise quiet space. He began speaking in his usual gruff, no-nonsense tone.
"There are 33 of you," he announced, his gaze sweeping over the group.
"We will be testing each of you individually. First, you'll tell us your skills and classes, then you'll demonstrate them. If you cannot demonstrate, you'll explain them."
His steps slowed as he scanned the rows, his sharp eyes lingering on a few of us before moving on. The weight of his scrutiny was palpable, making some of my classmates shuffle nervously in place.
"After that," he continued, "we'll be testing you physically. That includes running and basic strength assessments. Following that will be short weapons training to see if any of you show particular aptitude."
The murmurs of excitement and nervousness from earlier had all but vanished, replaced by a tense, focused silence.
Even the overly confident few who'd been boasting during the walk here seemed to shrink slightly under Sir Brook's commanding presence.
Pausing in front of a small group near the front, he crossed his arms. "This is not a competition," he said, his voice steady but firm.
"The purpose of these tests is to evaluate your strengths and determine where you'll be most effective. Every one of you has a role to play—whether that's leading the charge, supporting your team, or striking from the shadows."
He turned to Aristo, who stepped forward with a faint smile behind his fan. His movements were as fluid as his voice, which carried a calmness that contrasted sharply with Sir Brook's sternness.
"As Sir Brook mentioned," Aristo said, his voice smooth yet clear, "you will demonstrate or explain your abilities. Do not exaggerate or embellish them; accuracy is far more valuable than bravado. It is through understanding your true potential—not imagined glory—that we can ensure your success."
He paused, his fan flicking open in a fluid motion as his sharp, silver-rimmed glasses caught the light. Behind the calm smile that danced across his lips, there was something piercing in his gaze.
"I have also already taken a look at your aptitude with all things mana-related," he added, his tone taking on a pointed edge. "So, lie to me, and I will know."
A ripple of tension moved through the group. A few students exchanged uneasy glances, clearly unnerved by the statement. Others shifted uncomfortably, as if wondering how much Aristo already knew about them.
He snapped his fan shut with a soft click and continued as though he hadn't just issued a veiled warning. "Honesty, you will find, is not only the best policy, but the wisest. If you are weak, we will make you stronger. If you are talented, we will hone that talent. But that can only happen if you are forthright."
Sir Brook, standing to the side with arms crossed, let out a gruff snort. "You heard him. No sense pretending you're something you're not. Let's get on with it."
"Alex has given us a list of your names and has also arranged the allocation of your room nameplates, which you may have noticed this morning," Aristo said, his tone as smooth and unhurried as ever, though his gaze flickered with precision over the group. "Efficiency, after all, is paramount."
His words drew a few murmurs from my classmates, some nodding in recognition of the nameplates, while others exchanged glances as if they hadn't even noticed.
"Once your name is called, step forward, and we will begin your individual test," Aristo continued, snapping his fan shut with a sharp click.
His piercing eyes scanned the group once more before turning to Sir Brook, who had already begun flipping through a scroll.
"First up," Sir Brook announced, his voice booming across the training grounds, "Alex Haven."
Alex stepped forward with the confident ease you'd expect, his calm expression betraying no hint of nervousness.
His presence alone seemed to lighten the tension in the group, though whether that was reassuring or intimidating was anyone's guess.
"Let's begin," Sir Brook said, nodding toward Alex.
"Understood," Alex said, his tone calm and steady.
"My class is the -Magic Swordsmaster-. It grants me attunement to both the path of the sword and magic, allowing me to use them simultaneously and smoothly."
As he spoke, there was a quiet confidence in his voice, the kind that made everyone listen.
He paused briefly, then continued. "My primary skill is -Absolute Shielding-. It enables me to form a shield with a radius of three meters around me, capable of nullifying nearly all damage done to it for a limited duration."
A few murmurs rippled through the group at the description. It was clear that many of our classmates were impressed.
Sir Brook's sharp eyes narrowed slightly, scrutinizing Alex. "Impressive on paper," he said gruffly. "But this isn't about words. Demonstrate the shield."
Alex gave a curt nod. He stepped into the center of the training circle and held out his hand. With a smooth motion, a faint glow surrounded him before rapidly expanding outward.
The shield materialized as a translucent, spherical barrier that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, its edges crackling softly with energy.
"Looks sturdy," Sir Brook muttered, taking a step closer. Without warning, he reached for a nearby training sword and swung it hard against the barrier. The strike echoed like a dull thud, the energy rippling but holding firm and the wooden sword cracking and breaking.
"Hmm. As expected," Sir Brook said, stepping back and throwing the broken hilt to the side. "Good control, strong foundation. But remember, shields are only useful if the person behind them knows how to fight."
"I assure you, Sir Brook I intend to," Alex replied with a faint smirk.
Sir Brook snorted but didn't argue. "We'll see about that soon enough. Return to your place."
As Alex stepped back into the line, I couldn't help but notice the quiet sense of approval in Sir Brook's gaze, even if his tone didn't betray it.
"Next...."
------------------
One by one, we were called forward to demonstrate our powers. Elara showcased her abilities as a powerful ice mage, possessing skills that enhanced both her overflowing mana reserves and precise control.
Lily, on the other hand, revealed herself to be an incredibly gifted saint, wielding potent healing and buffing powers that radiated strength and reassurance.
Others may not have had abilities as powerful, but they were just as useful in their own right.
"Finally, lucky last, Drey Edwards"
Stepping forward, I cleared my throat. "Uh, my class gives me an inclination to the six elements. Two of my skills assist with training, and the third grants me an attunement to nature called -World's Whisperer-."
Sir Brook took a step forward, his sharp gaze fixed on me. "That's rather vague, is it not?" he asked, his tone skeptical.
I nodded, a bit sheepishly. "I apologize. The descriptions I can see are quite vague as well. However, -World's Whisperer- has already allowed me to sense presences before I could see them and to discern the emotions of the wind—whether it was happy or scared."
A flicker of interest passed over Aristo's face as he snapped his fan shut.
"Now, isn't that an interesting skill," he mused, his tone calm yet intrigued, his silver-rimmed glasses catching the sunlight. So what about your increased mana?"
'what, my mana had increased but not by that much surely.'
'status'
[Name: Drey Edwards ]
[Description: Finally better than average]
[Level: 0 ]
[Health: 220 ]
[Mana: 170 ] *
[Stats:
Vigor: 11
Mind: 17 *
Endurance: 11
Strength: 16
Agility: 12
Dexterity: 10
Intelligence: 10
Additional points: 0 ]
[Classes]
[Class: 6 Spiritual Root Cultivator]
[Skills: + Press to extend]
'It went up again,' I thought, noting the slight increase in my attunement or awareness. 'Must have been when I was sitting in the window earlier.'
"I think that's due to my class," I said aloud, glancing between Sir Brook and Aristo.
Aristo tilted his head, adjusting his silver glasses as his sharp gaze fixed on me. "Hmm, I see," he replied, his tone thoughtful, almost amused.
"Now that we've assessed your abilities, we'll be organizing you into your respective combat and support groups. Once assigned, we'll move on to the physical tests."
Sir Brook's sharp gaze swept across the group as he began reading the names.
"The Vanguard Group will consist of seven of you, focused on frontline combat and defense. The members are Alex, Markus, Izzie, Reyna, Garrett, Kara, and Ronan."
"The Mystic Vanguard Group will include three individuals specializing in close- to mid-range magic. Those selected are Elara, Tobias, and Arthur."
"The Long-Range Artillery and Sniper Group will focus on devastating attacks from afar. This group includes Sofia, Dorian, Scarlett, Luke, Serena, and Carter."
"The Support Group will consist of five healers and buffers tasked with sustaining and enhancing their allies. The members are Lily, Ryan, Anna, Claire, and Daniel."
"The Scout Group will focus on reconnaissance and precision targeting. This group will include Drey, Mia, and Logan."
"Finally, the Tactical Support Group will be responsible for crafting, resource management, and strategic oversight. The two members are Nathan and Emma."
"Well, now that that is out of the way, we can get going with the physical tests," Sir Brook said, his tone brisk as he gestured toward the track circling the training grounds.
Then, without any further warning, he barked, "GET RUNNING! AND NO SKILL USE!"
For a moment, there was silence. Everyone stood frozen, unsure if he was serious. Then Alex took the lead, sprinting off without hesitation, his movements confident and deliberate.
Seeing him move broke the spell. I didn't waste a second, falling into a steady pace that came naturally. The rhythm of my strides felt smoother, more controlled than I remembered, and I could tell last night's training was paying off.
My muscles responded with a readiness that hadn't been there before, and as I glanced around, it was clear the difference between myself and the others was starting to show as they looked quite slow.
In contrast, I felt light on my feet, like I could go faster if I wanted to—but I held back. No need to show off, I reminded myself. This is just the start.
Behind me, I could hear the chaotic rhythm of footsteps as the others tried to catch up. Reyna was pushing herself hard, her fierce determination driving her forward, while Garrett and Markus, both part of the Vanguard, kept up a solid pace, though their bulkier builds seemed to make it more effortful.
I glanced back and caught sight of Lily, already falling behind. Her face was red, and she was struggling to keep a consistent rhythm, her breathing coming in uneven gasps. I slowed slightly, letting myself drift toward her as the group spread out across the track.
"You okay?" I asked, keeping my tone light so it didn't sound like pity.
She glanced at me, her frustration evident. "I'm fine," she huffed, though her face betrayed her discomfort. "Not everyone's built for this, Drey."
"Fair enough," I said, matching her pace. "But, y'know, maybe don't push yourself too hard. Even if it is a Test"
"I'll... manage," she said, though her steps faltered slightly.
I decided to hang back a bit, running just ahead of her so I could keep an eye on her without making it obvious.
Ahead, Alex and Elara were setting the pace, their movements efficient and measured. Logan, one of the scouts, seemed comfortable too, his stride relaxed and unhurried, like he was simply out for a jog.
I noticed Mia weaving through the group, her focus sharp as she seemed to assess how everyone was faring.
Behind me, I heard Lily mutter something under her breath, likely cursing the run. I couldn't help but grin a little. 'She's got a lot of fight in her, even if her endurance isn't great,' I thought.
The difference between myself and others became more apparent with every step, but instead of feeling superior, I felt a quiet resolve settle in.
'If I can improve this much in one night, what's stopping me from going even further?'
Running lap after lap, I began to notice just how much I was holding back. The others were starting to slow, even Alex, whose steady pace had been unwavering at first. Meanwhile, my breathing remained controlled, each inhale and exhale bringing fresh energy to my legs faster than I could burn it.
The difference was undeniable. Where fatigue was starting to show on their faces, my body felt like it could keep going for hours.
My legs moved fluidly, and the strain that should've been setting in simply wasn't there.
'Still,' I thought, glancing around, 'it wouldn't do to stand out too much.'
Slowing my pace ever so slightly, I made an effort to appear more winded. I let my shoulders sag just a bit, forcing a slight hitch into my breaths.
I ruffled my hair as if to wipe away nonexistent sweat. If anyone glanced my way, I'd just look like another tired runner pushing through.
'Can't let them think I'm some overachiever,' I told myself. 'Best to keep things normal for now.'
Even as I tried to feign fatigue, I couldn't ignore the feeling of power surging through me, the untapped reserves waiting to be tested.
For now, though, I kept it under wraps. There'd be time to prove myself later. Right now, it was about blending in—and not drawing Sir Brook's sharp eye in the process.
---------------
Shifting my glasses as I slowly fanned myself, I observed the group running with mild interest. "Hmm, that's interesting," I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.
Sir Brook's sharp ears caught my words, and he turned his attention away from the kids to face me. "What is it, Mage?" he asked gruffly.
I tilted my head slightly, my gaze fixing on one figure in the group. "That kid—the one who was up all night," I said, nodding toward the boy running with a deceptively relaxed pace.
"What about him? I don't notice anything special. He just looks a bit less tired than the others," Sir Brook said, his tone skeptical as he glanced in the direction I indicated.
"As he runs," I said, my voice calm but laced with intrigue, "he's somehow breathing in the ambient mana around him. Subtle, but it's there."
Sir Brook's brow furrowed as he focused on the boy in question. "That is interesting," he admitted after a moment, though his tone carried more curiosity than excitement.
He turned his attention back to the running group, his expression thoughtful. "I'll keep an eye on him. Let's see if it's just luck—or something more."
I smiled faintly, hiding my amusement behind the flick of my fan. 'Something more, indeed.'