The morning of the exam arrived, and tension buzzed in the air like an unseen force gripping every student in the academy. As I stood outside with the others, waiting for our instructors to divide us into teams, I couldn't help but glance around at the various cadets being grouped together. Some were talking, some were silent, but many seemed confident—too confident.
Finally, the call came. My name was announced, and I stepped forward. I was assigned to a group with three others. As I met my new teammates, I immediately felt a strange atmosphere. People around us whispered and stared, casting sidelong glances at one of our members—Eryndor Noxvale.
Eryndor, standing tall with his fiery red hair and crimson eyes, exuded a cold, unapproachable aura. The attention from others was unmistakably directed at him. I'd heard rumors before, but standing next to him, I could feel the weight of the stories that seemed to follow him wherever he went. His fall from grace as an imperial prince made people wary, if not outright hostile. It felt awkward.
The other two members of my team were Peter and Ren. Peter, like me, came from a humble background. He had brown hair, warm brown eyes, and a light yellow skin tone. Though he appeared calm, I could sense the nervous energy under the surface. He was eager to prove himself. Ren, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to everyone else. He had jet-black hair, equally dark eyes, and pure white skin. His carefree, extroverted personality made it seem like he wasn't taking the exam seriously at all. He was joking around, as usual, but I noticed something peculiar in the way he moved—there was an underlying sharpness, a hidden talent he didn't show outright.
After a brief round of awkward introductions, we were given 45 minutes to formulate our strategy for the test. As we sat down to discuss, Eryndor spoke first in a cold, calculating tone.
"So, what are your abilities?" he asked, his crimson eyes scanning each of us as if weighing our usefulness.
I explained my strengths and weaknesses. I had no real practice in cultivation, despite having reached Rank 9 in Ki due to the help of the Ashborne family. The rank I had was thanks to someone they had called in to aid me during my illness. I was gifted, yes, but only because of herbs and medicines—without experience, I was a novice. I could wield a spear, had decent agility, and had an affinity for Void, Lightning, and Darkness. But the truth was, I was still lacking compared to most cadets.
Peter spoke next, admitting that while he had potential, he was only a beginner at Rank 8. He was determined but didn't have much combat experience either.
Ren, lounging back with his hands behind his head, gave a nonchalant wave. "Don't worry too much about me. I'll just be...around," he said with a smirk. There was something odd about his attitude. Though ranked at the peak of Rank 7, he didn't seem to care about showing his full hand.
Eryndor, after listening in silence, sighed in frustration. "This team is weaker than I anticipated," he muttered, clearly annoyed. Despite this, he quickly shifted into planning mode, his mind evidently sharp for strategy.
"We'll use two possible strategies," he began, his voice now steady and authoritative. "First, I'll act as the vanguard. My job is to draw attention and deal with the enemies head-on. Diluc and Peter, you'll be the main damage dealers. Focus on attacking from behind or flanking the enemy when they're distracted."
Eryndor's eyes flicked to Ren. "You'll be backup and support, but more importantly, if we're ambushed or attacked by other teams, you're the ace. They'll think you're just a healer or support-type fighter, which will make them underestimate you. The second they send someone to eliminate you, take them out quickly. Surprise will be on your side."
Ren's usual lazy grin widened. "Got it. I'll make them regret underestimating me."
Eryndor continued, "Our second strategy, if things go south, is survival. We'll hide, take down weaker beasts for points, and if we come across injured teams, we'll rob them of their points. It's risky, but if we're outmatched, it's our best option."
The rest of us nodded. Eryndor's cold, calculating demeanor reassured me that he had a good handle on the situation. His strategies made sense, especially given the rules of the test. The instructors had outlined them clearly: Rank 9 beasts were worth 1 point, Rank 8 beasts gave 5 points, Rank 7 beasts yielded 10 points, Rank 6 beasts earned 20 points, and the rare Rank 5 beasts were worth 50 points. Eliminating a rival team awarded us 1/4 of their total points.
As the time for planning came to an end, the instructors directed us to the Virtual Reality (VR) chamber. The test was going to take place in a simulated environment where we would face off against various mana beasts. The thought of being thrust into that world, even with it not being real, made my heart race.
Before we entered, I exchanged a glance with my teammates. We were a mixed bag, no doubt about it, but with Eryndor's strategic mind and Ren's hidden talents, we had a chance—however slim it may be.
We stepped into the VR pods, and the world around me shifted. One moment I was in the academy, and the next, I found myself in a vast wilderness. The sky was clear, and a soft breeze carried the scent of earth and foliage. It was hard to believe this was a simulated world.
The first part of the exam had begun. Beasts roamed the landscape, and other teams were likely already making their move. I tightened my grip on my spear, ready for whatever lay ahead.
Eryndor turned to us. "Remember the plan. We'll start by targeting Rank 9 beasts. They're weaker, but they'll give us enough points to build a foundation. After that, we adapt. Stay close, stay quiet, and don't do anything stupid."
We nodded, and without another word, we set off into the unknown, each of us preparing for the trial that would test our limits. This was only the beginning.