The early morning chill seeped through the walls of Raven House as Jorel awoke, his muscles still aching from the previous day's trials. The faint light of dawn filtered through the narrow windows, casting long shadows across the dormitory. He stretched, wincing at the soreness that clung to his limbs like a second skin.
Ryen was already up, sitting on the edge of his bed and lacing up his boots. Despite the exhaustion that had weighed them down the night before, he seemed more energetic this morning, his usual grin creeping back onto his face.
"Ready for another day of fun?" Ryen asked, the sarcasm in his voice barely masking his genuine determination.
"Fun isn't exactly the word I'd use," Jorel replied, pulling on his uniform. The weight of it felt heavier today, as if the fabric itself was absorbing the tension of the trials ahead. "But I'm ready."
As they made their way to the dining hall, Jorel's thoughts kept drifting back to Jain. Their brief conversation the night before had only deepened his curiosity. She was guarded, clearly carrying a heavy burden, but there was something about her that made him want to know more. He had a feeling that their paths were meant to cross, and that whatever secrets she was hiding would be crucial in the days to come.
The dining hall buzzed with low murmurs as students from all three houses gathered for breakfast. The long wooden tables were lined with simple fare—bread, porridge, and dried fruit. As Jorel and Ryen sat down with the other Raven House recruits, Jorel noticed that the atmosphere was more tense than usual. The students around them were quieter, their conversations laced with apprehension.
Jorel leaned in closer to catch snippets of a nearby conversation.
"Did you hear? Another one went missing after yesterday's trial," one student whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Yeah, they say he was taken somewhere... maybe to the lower levels," another replied, his tone filled with fear.
Jorel's stomach tightened at the mention of a student going missing. The rumors of students disappearing after trials had always circulated, but hearing it firsthand sent a chill down his spine.
Before he could dwell on it further, the sound of footsteps approached their table. He looked up to see Jain standing there, her fiery red hair tied back, her eyes scanning the room with a mixture of caution and resolve.
"Mind if I join you?" she asked, her voice measured but lacking the previous day's guarded edge.
"Of course," Ryen said, quickly making space for her at the table. "We were just talking about how much fun today's going to be."
Jain's lips twitched in what might have been a smile, but she said nothing as she sat down. Jorel watched her closely, noticing the way she subtly glanced around the hall, as if expecting someone—or something—to happen.
"Do you know what the next trial is?" Jorel asked, keeping his tone casual.
Jain hesitated, then nodded. "Strategic Combat. It's one of the more dangerous trials. They'll be testing not just your ability to fight, but your ability to think under pressure… and to trust your teammates."
"Trust?" Ryen repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That doesn't seem to be a strong point around here."
"It's not," Jain agreed, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Which is why this trial is so dangerous. You can't afford to make any mistakes."
Jorel exchanged a glance with Ryen, both of them understanding the gravity of her words. If trust was required in this trial, it would mean relying on others—something that was difficult to do in a place like E&R University, where everyone was constantly trying to prove their worth.
The rest of breakfast passed in tense silence, with each of them lost in their own thoughts. When the meal was finished, Siera appeared at the end of the table, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"Follow me," she instructed, her voice carrying over the hushed conversations of the hall. "The next trial is about to begin."
Jorel, Ryen, and Jain stood, joining the line of Raven House students as they followed Siera through the stone corridors of the school. The path they took was unfamiliar, leading them to a different wing of the building. The air grew colder, and the walls seemed to close in around them, the oppressive atmosphere weighing heavily on Jorel's shoulders.
They finally arrived at a large set of iron doors, intricately carved with symbols that Jorel didn't recognize. Siera pushed the doors open, revealing a vast, maze-like arena on the other side. The room was enormous, with high walls that stretched up to a distant ceiling. The floor was marked with various combat rings, but the space between them was filled with twisting corridors and hidden passages.
"This is the Strategic Combat arena," Siera announced, her voice echoing off the stone walls. "Your objective is simple: navigate the maze, avoid traps, and defeat your opponents. Only those who reach the center will pass this trial."
She pointed to the far end of the arena, where a large, raised platform stood in the distance. "That is your destination. But be warned—this maze is designed to test not just your combat skills, but your ability to work as a team. If you fail to do so, you will not reach the center. And if you do not reach the center, you will not leave this arena."
Jorel's heart pounded in his chest as he took in the maze before them. The air was thick with tension, and he could feel the eyes of the instructors on them, watching for any sign of weakness.
The students were quickly divided into small teams, each one tasked with navigating the maze and reaching the center. To his surprise, Jorel found himself placed on the same team as Ryen and Jain. He caught her eye and gave a small nod, a silent acknowledgment of the trust they would need to place in each other.
As the teams were given their final instructions, Jorel felt a wave of determination wash over him. This trial was a test not just of strength, but of strategy, and he knew that they would need to rely on more than just brute force to succeed.
The iron doors creaked shut behind them, sealing them inside the maze. The only way out was forward.