The trio made their way back to Raven House, each step heavy with the weight of their recent trials. The harrowing labyrinth, the twisted faces on the trees, and the sheer agony of confronting their deepest fears had left Jorel, Jain, and Ryen drained both physically and mentally. As they entered the familiar common room, the warmth of the flickering fire did little to ease the chill that clung to their bones.
Jorel collapsed into one of the worn leather chairs, staring blankly at the fire. "We need to be better prepared," he finally muttered, breaking the heavy silence. "That last trial… it was beyond anything we've faced before."
Jain, sitting across from him, nodded slowly, her expression tight. "I thought I was ready. But it was like the magic itself was peeling away my defenses, exposing everything I try to keep buried." Her voice was low, the vulnerability in it uncharacteristic.
Ryen, who had been standing by the window, turned to face them. His eyes were dark with lingering fear. "We're not strong enough yet," he said quietly. "That trial showed us just how far we have to go. If we don't push ourselves, we won't survive the next one."
Jorel looked at his friends, seeing the same determination in their eyes that burned within him. The last trial had shaken them to their cores, but it had also strengthened their resolve. They couldn't afford to be caught off guard again.
"We'll get stronger," Jorel said firmly. "We have to."
The next morning, the atmosphere in Raven House was tense as the students filed into the large dining hall. The usual buzz of conversation was subdued, replaced by hushed whispers and anxious glances. The weight of the trials hung over them all, a reminder of the brutal reality of life at Edgar and Rodger School.
Jorel, Jain, and Ryen found their usual seats at the long, dark wooden table reserved for first-year students. They had barely touched their food, each lost in their thoughts about what was to come.
The room fell silent as Serina, the leader of Raven House, entered the hall. She moved with a graceful authority, her sharp eyes scanning the room. Even among the seasoned veterans, there was a palpable respect—and fear—whenever Serina spoke.
"Listen closely," she began, her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "What you've faced so far has been nothing more than a prelude. The real test begins now."
The students exchanged uneasy glances, tension thick in the air. Jorel felt his heart rate quicken as he tried to imagine what could be worse than the last trial.
Serina continued, her tone sharp and unyielding. "The final trial for this year's entry-level students will be a tournament—one structured exactly like 'The Descent.'"
A murmur of shock ran through the room. The upper level students, and some noble entry level students, had heard of 'The Descent,' a legendary event held for high-level students, where participants fought not only for the honor of graduation- but for survival. It was known for its brutality and high mortality rate.
Serina's gaze hardened as she allowed the gravity of her words to sink in. "For those of you unfamiliar, 'The Descent' is not just a test of strength or skill—it is how you gain honor, respect. This will be the first time you are ranked, and these rankings will determine your place in the school, and perhaps more importantly, your place in Raven House."
She paused, her eyes sweeping over the room, locking onto each student with an intensity that made Jorel's skin prickle. "There are 120 of you now," Serina continued, her voice cold. "By the end of the tournament, only 100 will remain. The rest will be discarded as failures."
The weight of her words settled over the hall like a suffocating blanket. The stakes were higher than any of them had anticipated. This wasn't just about surviving—it was about placement. This would determine their futures for the next few years.
"The tournament will begin in one week," Serina announced. "Until then, you are to rest, recover, and train. Use this time wisely. Your performance will not only determine your rank but will also contribute directly to Raven House's standing in the school. We cannot afford to fall behind."
Jorel felt the knot of anxiety tighten in his stomach. The pressure was immense, and the weight of responsibility for their house added another layer of stress. He glanced at Jain and Ryen, seeing his own apprehension reflected in their eyes.
Serina's gaze remained fixed on the students, her voice taking on a tone of finality. "This is your chance to prove yourselves, to show that you belong here. Do not disappoint."
With that, she turned and left the hall, leaving the students to grapple with the reality of what they were about to face. The silence that followed her departure was heavy with fear and anticipation.
Jain was the first to break the silence, her voice filled with determination. "We're really going to be ranked. This is our chance to show what we're capable of."
"And to show that we deserve to be here," Ryen added, though his voice was tinged with doubt.
Jorel took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "We have a week to prepare. We need to train, focus on our strengths, and push ourselves harder than we ever have before."
Jain nodded, her resolve hardening. "We'll need to be smart about it. We've all got different strengths—different weaknesses. Let's make the most of this time."
Ryen clenched his fists, his expression fierce. "We can't let this tournament break us. We've made it this far. We're not going to fail now."
Jorel felt a surge of determination as he looked at his friends. They had faced impossible odds before, and they had come out stronger. This tournament was another obstacle, another challenge they would overcome—together.
"We'll train," Jorel said, his voice firm. "We'll fight. And we'll prove our selves."
The trio exchanged determined looks, each of them steeling themselves for the grueling week ahead. They would push their limits, refine their skills, and prepare for the tournament that would determine their future. Failure was not an option.
As they parted ways, heading off to begin their training, Jorel couldn't shake the feeling that this tournament would change everything. The stakes were higher than ever, but so was his resolve. They had one week to prepare—and he intended to make every second count.