The trial field was filled with people today. Groups of young students gathered in excitement. They formed a huge crowd, their anticipating faces looking at the large plain filled with swirling vortexes.
There wasn't much decoration around the various portals. But today one of those looked different.
Two large trees had appeared overnight, bright pieces of fabric hanging in their dense, green canopies. They framed the mysterious portal, telling everyone which dungeon was the main character today.
Yerive and Tepo arrived somewhat late since Quordh took longer than usual in the bathroom but the dormmates insisted on going together.
A large crowd had already formed. Young men and women, humans and non-humans mingled, chattering in excitement.
Everyone looked forward to the famed clearing event. To the side a small ring had formed, a mock battle between two rivals taking place.
Other students saw the opportunity, running around and boasting in front of everyone about their own dungeon records.
The dormmates were infected by the mood as they joined the large crowd. Looking around, a few students suddenly waved at them.
Tepo watched the two groups but didn't really feel like joining any of them.
On one side were Inurol'ah, Droa'va and others belonging to the Church of Guiding Nature. On the other were Shorey's and Quodh's old friend circle, who were too immature for Tepo's taste.
"Come, Tepo! Let's join Inurol'ah!", exclaimed Yerive happily.
The young man was in a great mood, looking forward to the event.
"Hmm? You guys want to slight Firain and the others?"
Tepo felt some irritation. Normally he would even prefer hanging out with Inurol'ah but with an entire group of religious followers there he couldn't endure it.
Thus, Tepo finally decided to dodge the crowd. He went to the side, leaning his body against a tree and nodding at his dormmates.
"Aren't you coming, Tepo?"
"Sorry Yerive. You know I'm not someone who enjoys large crowds."
"Hey, you can't miss the fun during such a lively event, right?!", asked Shorey with an incredulous look.
"You guys go ahead. I will have my fun when I clear the dungeon."
"Cutey, you can't boast like that.", spoke Quordh with a giggle.
Seeing how Tepo only rolled his eyes, the dormmates felt somewhat disheartened. Especially Yerive watched his best friend with a conflicted gaze.
Tepo would've wished to tell his friend to go gather with their new friends. But his conscience didn't allow him to endorse those religious fanatics.
Thus, he stayed silent, his mind feeling guilty. After struggling for a moment Yerive slowly turned around and went towards Inurol'ah.
Wondering if he made a mistake at some point Tepo closed his eyes, ignoring the pain in his chest.
A short while later a voice reached his ears.
"Tepo!"
The young man opened his eyes, looking at Droa'va gritting her teeth.
"What are you doing here by yourself?! I don't understand your problem! Wouldn't both you and Yerive be happier if you joined us?!"
Furrowing his brows, Tepo stared at Droa'va. His eyes were calm, but they gave the young woman an incredibly intimidating feeling.
Maybe she was right. Maybe he was too biased. But…
"I'm sorry but I can't trust those following any gods. You are a nice person, and I might be terribly wrong. But it's better to be safe than sorry."
Droa'va mustered the young man before her. She simply couldn't understand it. Their worldviews differed too much.
Gods, believers, and churches were a staple in every world. What could make someone reject them this much? Maybe…
"Are you crazy?"
Tepo let out a chuckle. He really didn't expect it. In his old life it was those crazy fanatics who turned the world into hell. But in his new life such a question was asked to his face.
However, in Droa'va's eyes this reaction looked different. She actually started to suspect if something was wrong with Tepo.
If she didn't know how close Tepo and Yerive were, she almost wanted to warn the latter to keep his distance from Tepo.
Droa'va emotions were chaotic. She glanced one last time at Tepo before turning around and walking back to her friends.
Meanwhile Tepo glanced at the multiple religious groups in the forum. Most of them appeared to be friendly. But their tendency to include new people into their group had made him weary over the last few weeks.
"Churches are organizations like any other. Searching to increase their influence by finding new members. They only use methods like doctrines to appeal to people."
Tepo's head abruptly turned around. Someone had appeared next to him without him sensing it. It was a tall man in a white student uniform. His golden hair was short, orderly parted in the middle. Strangle red lines adorned both sides of his neck.
"Who are you?"
"My name is Konstan Gold. I'm an older student. I overheard your talk just now."
Konstan's eyes were incredibly clear as they stared at Tepo.
"And you came here to warn me?"
"No. I came here to ask you where you got your invitation from."
Frowning, Tepo took a step back. He wasn't sure what the purpose was for asking this question.
"I can tell you that this is one of the main concerns of all the higher-ups right now…"
"Does this count for the churches, too?", interrupted Tepo.
"Yes. But I don't think this involves your new friends. Wouldn't match their style."
"So, you are openly telling me that people are trying to figure this out, but you come directly to ask me?"
"Yes. I don't like these games."
"And why are you concerned about my invitation?"
"It depends. If your background is weak, you won't last long in the forum. But if it is strong, I can form new connections."
"Refreshingly direct. But I don't know the answer myself."
Suddenly Tepo shivered. He felt as if those clear eyes tried to look directly into his soul. Konstan let out a 'hmm' as he turned his head away.
"Look. More people playing games."
With Konstan's reminder Tepo subconsciously turned his head towards the crowd. He noticed how new students arrived. Each with raised heads, basking in the crowd's admiration.
Suddenly one of them seemed to notice something. With a haughty look on his face a man turned his head towards Tepo. Or rather Konstan.
Tepo could've sworn to notice a flash of weariness on the man's face before he hastily turned his head back.
"Who are those people?"
"Some of the senior students. They are among the strongest in the forum, some already holding positions as researchers or even teachers."
Nodding calmly, Tepo watched the admiring eyes of the younger students.
Suddenly a slight commotion ensued. Not far from Tepo a new group arrived. Their luxurious clothes sparkled under the sunlight. Their upright postures radiated confidence as they softly conversed with each other.
A group of completely black clothed warriors, their faces hidden, formed a circle around the aristocratic youths, pushing away the other students.
Tepo frowned as he observed this behavior.
A handful of youths formed the circle's center. Tepo had only seen one of those before, the cold woman Kalmin stuck close to most of the time.
"The most avid players have arrived. Today will be another performance. Unfortunately, even my brother has joined them."
Konstan spoke in an incredibly calm voice. It was as if he was just a bystander, with a clear view on everything that was happening on the stage.
Graudually the man gave Tepo and unfathomable feeling. He could already guess that Konstan Gold was definitely no unknown student.
But suddenly a commotion drew Tepo's attention. The group of aristocrats approached the designated portal. A few of the forum's guards stood in front of the portal with stern faces, making sure no one got in before the event officially begun.
Nevertheless, the earliest students had already camped before the portal hoping to be the first when the guards opened the way.
But now black clothed warriors arrived and pushed them to the side.
"Hey! Who are you?!"
"You can't do this!"
"I camped since yesterday and you just come and occupy the place?"
"How dare you touch me? Guards! Guards!"
Some of the students saw the aristocrats arriving. A brave woman stared at the luxuriously dressed youths.
"Hey! Aren't you going too far?! We still have rules here!"
Kalmin Redswan was eager to grab the limelight, speaking up with an amused voice:
"Rules? Do you think the rules are first come first serve?"
Pretentious chuckles left the aristocrats' mouths.
"Yes. That's how it always has been!"
"Oh. Then you should've read the notices put up today. The rules have just been changed. To make them fair for everyone of course. Not all students have so much free time to camp here for an entire day."
"Right! I had an important business meeting in a bathhouse yesterday! I'm glad we changed to fairer rules, or I would feel discriminated!"
A chubby aristocratic youth added his opinion, drawing laughter from his friends.
"No! You are going too far?! Do you think you can arbitrarily change the rules now?!"
"We can't, but…"
Kalmin wore a meaningful smile as he turned towards a small stage not far from the dungeon.