As Adrien walked into the mess hall, the atmosphere was noticeably different from the last time he was here. The large room, bustling with activity during meal times, now seemed more focused and tense. Students were gathered at their tables, their conversations hushed as they prepared for the upcoming test. The air was filled with a mix of nervous energy and determination, creating a palpable buzz of anticipation.
Adrien made his way through the rows of tables, his steps measured and deliberate. He spotted Eliza sitting at a table with a few other students. Her demeanor was calm and collected, a stark contrast to the apprehension he felt. She was chatting with her friends, her posture relaxed and her expression confident.
He approached her, his heart racing as he tried to steady his nerves. Eliza looked up as he neared, her bright blue eyes meeting his with a reassuring smile.
"Hey, Eliza," Adrien said, trying to keep his voice steady. "How are you holding up?"
Eliza's smile widened as she looked at him. "Oh, hey Adrien. I'm doing just fine. I've been through these kinds of tests before. It's all about strategy and teamwork. We'll be okay."
Adrien nodded, feeling a bit of comfort from her confidence. "I'm just a bit anxious. I haven't had much time to prepare, and I'm not sure what to expect."
Eliza reached out and gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "You'll do great. Just stay focused and follow the instructions. We've got this."
As they talked, a bell rang, drawing everyone's attention to the stage at the front of the hall. The room fell into an expectant silence, and the students turned their heads to see the woman in white robes and several other faculty members take their places on the stage. The woman, whose presence Adrien recognized from his previous encounter, stood at the center, her posture commanding and authoritative.
The faculty members began speaking, their voices echoing through the hall as they outlined the details of the combat test. The woman's tone was clear and precise as she explained the rules and objectives. She spoke about the two teams that would be formed and the nature of the test—a combat exercise in the woods surrounding the facility. Her words were measured and calm, but there was an underlying intensity that heightened the sense of anticipation.
Adrien's attention was focused intently on the stage as the woman continued her speech. The details of the test were becoming clearer, and he tried to absorb every piece of information, hoping it would help him in the upcoming challenge. As the speech drew to a close, the woman's voice took on a more solemn tone.
"Now, I want to wish all of you the best of luck," she said, her gaze sweeping over the crowd. "Remember, this test is not just about your skills, but also about your ability to work as a team. Give it your all."
The woman then pulled down her mask, revealing a serious expression. As she did so, she leaned in slightly and whispered a few words, her lips barely moving. The whisper seemed almost imperceptible, but Adrien's keen eyes noticed a shift in the room.
In an instant, the atmosphere changed dramatically. The students, including Adrien, suddenly felt a wave of fatigue wash over them. Their bodies grew heavy, and one by one, they began collapsing to the floor in heaps. The once lively mess hall turned into a scene of confusion and chaos as the students were rendered unconscious.
Adrien's eyes widened in shock as he struggled to stay upright, but the weight of his own exhaustion soon overcame him. He tried to call out to Eliza, but his voice was weak and barely audible. The last thing he saw before everything went dark was the woman in white, her expression unreadable as she watched the scene unfold.
The combat test had begun, but not in the way anyone had anticipated. The sudden, unexpected turn of events left Adrien and his fellow students at the mercy of whatever plans had been set in motion by the faculty. The world around him faded to black as he succumbed to the darkness, unsure of what awaited him next.
Adrien's eyes fluttered open to the oppressive darkness of the unknown. His head throbbed slightly, and he felt disoriented as he tried to make sense of his surroundings. The last thing he remembered was the sudden wave of exhaustion that had swept over him, causing him to collapse on the mess hall floor. Now, he was in a completely different place, shrouded in thick, impenetrable darkness.
He scrambled to his feet, his breathing rapid as he struggled to adjust to the dark. He reached out, feeling nothing but the rough texture of soil and the occasional brush of plant leaves against his fingers. The air was damp and earthy, carrying a faint scent of pine and decay. Adrien's heart raced as he tried to orient himself. He had no idea where he was or what had happened after he lost consciousness.
Desperation drove him to find some sort of vantage point. Groping around in the dark, he felt the trunk of a tall tree nearby. With renewed determination, he decided to climb it, hoping that it would give him a better view of his surroundings. His hands and feet moved cautiously but quickly, finding footholds and handholds as he scaled the tree. The branches creaked under his weight, and he had to be careful not to make too much noise.
When he reached a high enough vantage point, Adrien peered into the darkness, straining his eyes for any sign of light or a structure. Unfortunately, his efforts proved fruitless. The surrounding forest was a vast expanse of blackness, with no discernible landmarks or signs of civilization. There was nothing but an endless sea of shadows and trees stretching out in every direction.
Disheartened, he climbed back down, the descent slower and more cautious. Once he reached the ground, he began to search the area more methodically. He moved with deliberate care, feeling his way through the underbrush and using his limited senses to gather whatever he could find.
In his exploration, Adrien stumbled upon a small, abandoned campsite. It was a modest setup: a few scattered logs that had been used for seating, and a faded, tattered blanket lying on the ground. There was also an old, rusty cooking pot and some discarded cans that looked like they hadn't been used in years. The sight of these items gave him a fleeting sense of hope, but there was nothing particularly useful for his immediate needs.
Next, he spotted a shallow stream trickling nearby. The water was clear and cold, and he filled his small canteen with some of it, hoping it would help him stay hydrated. He also collected some dry wood from the forest floor, gathering it into a small pile in case he needed to start a fire later.
Adrien was about to give up on his search when he remembered the items he had brought with him. He quickly retrieved his bag, which he had managed to keep with him during the unconsciousness. Inside, he found the book he had purchased, as well as some food he had snuck out of the mess hall: a couple of pieces of bread and a small chunk of cheese. It wasn't much, but it was enough to sustain him for a little while.
The forest was alive with the sounds of nature, but amidst the rustling leaves and distant animal calls, there was something else—an unsettling rustling coming from the bushes around him.
Adrien's senses were on high alert. He spun around, his breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. "Hello? Is someone there?" he called out, trying to keep his voice steady despite the fear creeping into his chest. He reached for his bag, his fingers trembling slightly as he prepared himself for whatever might be approaching.
Adrien's heart pounded in his chest, the echo of the rustling bushes amplifying the fear gnawing at him. He spun around, clutching the book tightly in his hands, scanning the darkness for any sign of movement. The silence that followed was suffocating, each second feeling like an eternity.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice trembling despite his efforts to sound brave. There was no answer, only the continued rustling of leaves, as if something—or someone—was circling him. His breath hitched, and he could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins, his senses heightened by the darkness that cloaked his vision.
Suddenly, the shadows shifted, and Adrien caught the briefest glimpse of a figure lunging toward him. Instinct took over, and he swung the book with all his might, the heavy tome connecting with a solid thud against the assailant. The impact sent the figure sprawling back, and Adrien staggered, barely keeping his footing.
His attacker grunted, quickly scrambling to their feet. Adrien could now see them more clearly—a boy, older than him by a few years, with a look of determination etched on his face. His clothes were dark, blending into the night, but Adrien could make out a faint insignia on his chest, marking him as a member of the opposing team.
The boy's eyes narrowed, and without a word, he charged at Adrien again, this time more aggressively. Adrien's heart raced as he barely dodged the oncoming attack, stumbling to the side as the boy's fist grazed his shoulder. The pain flared up where Oscar had struck him days before, but he didn't have time to dwell on it. His survival instinct kicked in, and he knew he had to act fast.
Adrien swung the book again, this time with more force, but his opponent was ready. The boy ducked under the swing, stepping in close to deliver a swift jab to Adrien's gut. The air rushed out of Adrien's lungs, and he doubled over in pain, gasping for breath.
"Give up," the boy hissed, his voice cold and unwavering. "You're outmatched."
Adrien gritted his teeth, refusing to let fear take over. His mind raced, searching for a way out of this situation. He couldn't overpower the boy—he knew that much—but he couldn't afford to lose, either. Not like this.
Gathering his resolve, Adrien straightened up, raising the book defensively. The boy smirked, clearly underestimating him, and that's when Adrien saw his opportunity. The boy was confident, too confident, and that made him reckless.
Adrien feigned a step back, drawing the boy in closer, and then suddenly, he launched the book at his opponent's face. The boy flinched, raising his arms to block the incoming projectile, and in that split second, Adrien darted forward, tackling him with all his might. The boy's balance wavered, and the two of them tumbled to the ground in a chaotic mess of limbs.
Adrien grappled with the boy, struggling to keep him pinned down. The boy thrashed beneath him, trying to shake him off, but Adrien held on, his fingers digging into the rough fabric of the boy's shirt. He could feel the boy's strength, the way his muscles tensed and strained against him, but Adrien didn't let go.
"You're not getting me that easily!" Adrien shouted, his voice raw with determination.
The boy snarled, managing to twist free just enough to land a punch to Adrien's side. Adrien yelped in pain, but he didn't relent. Instead, he used the momentum to roll to the side, pulling the boy with him, and they ended up grappling on the forest floor, each trying to gain the upper hand.
The fight was chaotic, neither of them with any formal training, just raw instinct driving them. Adrien's breath came in ragged gasps, his heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. He knew he couldn't keep this up for long; the boy was stronger, and eventually, he'd overpower him. But Adrien wasn't going down without a fight.
The boy managed to get on top, pinning Adrien's arms to the ground. "It's over," he spat, his breath hot against Adrien's face. "You're coming with me."
Panic surged through Adrien, and he struggled with all his might, but the boy's grip was like iron. He felt the weight of defeat pressing down on him, the fear that he was about to lose everything.
Adrien bucked his hips, twisting his body in a desperate attempt to throw the boy off. The boy was caught off guard, his grip loosening just enough for Adrien to wrench one arm free. Adrien didn't waste a second—he brought his fist up, connecting with the boy's jaw in a solid punch.
The boy grunted, his head snapping back, and Adrien took advantage of the momentary daze. He shoved the boy off of him, scrambling to his feet as the boy staggered backward. Adrien didn't stop there; he charged forward, tackling the boy once more, this time driving him into a nearby tree.
The impact knocked the wind out of the boy, and he slumped to the ground, dazed and disoriented. Adrien stood over him, breathing heavily, his body trembling from the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. He had done it—he had won.
But he didn't feel victorious. The reality of the situation hit him hard—the violence, the fear, the desperation. This wasn't a game; it was survival, and he had just barely made it through.
The boy groaned, trying to push himself up, but Adrien stepped back, keeping his distance. He didn't want to fight anymore; he just wanted to get out of this nightmare.
"Stay down," Adrien warned, his voice wavering. "I don't want to hurt you."
The boy glared up at him, his blue eyes filled with defiance, but he didn't move. Adrien took that as a sign to leave, and without another word, he turned and ran, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
As he ran, the adrenaline slowly began to fade, replaced by a crushing sense of dread. He was alone again, with no idea where to go or what to do next. The book had been no help, the supplies he had were limited, and now he had made an enemy.
****
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