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The gates to the wilderness groaned open, revealing the vast, uncharted landscape that sprawled beyond the safety of the academy grounds. Each department, element by element, streamed out into this untamed territory, their groups diverging from each other, each set of mages determined to make their mark. Lightning, fire, wind, shadow, earth, plant, and other elementals split off, some heading toward dense forests, others toward rocky terrain or mist-laden valleys.
The air crackled with anticipation, the students' excitement and tension blending with the lingering scents of nature—damp leaves, earthy soil, and the faint whiff of ancient magic that hung in the air like a whisper from another time.
On the lightning side, the students quickly divided into smaller groups, each group consisting of five mages for balanced strength and support. Caelum, keenly aware of the strategic advantage in a small, tightly-knit group, soon found himself assigned alongside one other boy and three girls. He took in their expressions, each mage's face set with a determined resolve that mirrored his own. They didn't waste time with unnecessary introductions; instead, a silent understanding passed among them. Here, actions would speak louder than words.
As Caelum and his group ventured out into the wilderness, their surroundings shifted from manicured academy grounds to the rugged, unpredictable landscape that lay beyond. Ancient trees towered above them, their twisted branches forming eerie shapes against the darkening sky, and dense underbrush made every step deliberate, cautious. The silence between them was heavy with unspoken agreements and subtle glances. They each had their own motives and goals, but in this trial, teamwork was crucial.
Across the wilderness, on the water mages side, Liana gathered with her assigned group. The water mages, who were known for their unity and synergy in battle, had also been organized into groups of five. However, her group's composition took an unexpected turn.
Initially, Liana had been paired with three other boys and one girl, a balance that suited her just fine. But as the groups formed, Jax was in a nearby group. He'd been watching her since they assembled, his gaze calculating. When he noticed her group already had three boys, his lips quirked into a sly smile. Without a second thought, he swapped places with the only other girl in Liana's group, a move that made her heart sink with a flash of irritation.
Now, it was Liana and four boys—Jax included. She felt a knot of discomfort twist in her stomach as the four of them gathered around her, their glances lingering a bit too long, their eagerness almost palpable. Most of the water department was female, so this assembly felt deliberate, as though each one of them wanted to claim proximity to her as some kind of unspoken victory. Liana took a deep breath, suppressing the wave of disgust that swept over her. She was here to hunt beasts, to win for her department—not to entertain their petty attempts at attention.
"Alright, let's do this," one of the boys grinned, casting a sidelong glance at her. She forced a polite smile, masking her true feelings, and nodded, letting them assume she was just as thrilled as they were.
But inside, Liana was already planning her escape.
In this wilderness trial, survival wasn't guaranteed. They were expected to fend for themselves, to find their own food, water, and shelter. The academy had provided them with only the bare essentials—no extra supplies, no hints about the best hunting grounds or water sources. Every resource they needed was out here, hidden amidst the trees, rocks, and rivers of the wilderness, waiting to be discovered by those with the skill and patience to find it.
Liana glanced at the four boys, weighing her options. She knew they'd cling to her as long as they could, each of them probably hoping to impress her, to show her that they were strong or worthy. But her goals were different. She didn't have the patience for their posturing, nor did she intend to let their ambitions hold her back.
As the water mages' elder had explained before they left, the creatures of the wilderness were graded by points, each beast contributing to the department's total score as well as to each student's personal tally. The highest scorers, both individual and departmental, would be awarded, their ranks bolstered by these victories.
Liana wanted those points. But she intended to earn them on her own terms.
A glimmer of determination flashed in her eyes as she calculated her strategy. She'd stay with the group initially, keeping up appearances and allowing them to think she was simply following along. But once they ventured deep enough into the wilderness, she'd find an opportunity to slip away, leaving them to their own devices. If they chose to waste time bickering or trying to impress her, that was their problem. She didn't need a crowd.
On the lightning side, Caelum's group moved with disciplined caution, their eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. The creatures in this area were known to be unpredictable, some of them harmless enough to pass by, while others could be deadly with just a single strike. Caelum held his senses on high alert, his lightning affinity tingling within him, poised to release a bolt of energy at the first sign of danger. The wilderness was quiet, but he knew that in this silence, danger lurked, waiting to strike when least expected.
Back with the water mages, Jax walked just a step too close to Liana, his amber eyes glinting as he cast her a sideways glance. "You ready for this, Liana?" he asked, his tone filled with playful challenge.
Liana gave him a curt nod, her gaze focused on the path ahead. "Of course," she replied, her voice cool and controlled. She didn't have the patience for his games, nor did she care for the way he seemed to assess her with every glance.
One of the other boys chimed in, "Stick close to us, alright? We wouldn't want anything to happen to you." He shot her a smile that was supposed to be charming but only succeeded in making her want to roll her eyes.
"Thanks," she said politely, masking her irritation. "I'll keep that in mind."
As they moved further into the wilderness, Liana kept a keen eye on her surroundings, noting landmarks and potential escape routes. The trees grew denser, the canopy thickening until only slivers of sunlight broke through, casting eerie shadows that flickered with every step. The air grew heavier, laced with the scent of moss and earth, and a faint, distant rustling hinted at the presence of wildlife nearby.
Jax's gaze lingered on her once more, and Liana could sense the subtle tension in the group. They might pretend to be a team, but each of them was here for their own reasons. The academy's trials weren't about camaraderie; they were about proving one's strength, showing that you had the power and intelligence to survive in the harshest conditions.
As they moved, her thoughts drifted to Caelum. She wondered if he was faring any better with his own group, if he was burdened by similar challenges or if he, like her, was eager to break away and take on the trial alone. But she pushed the thought aside. Right now, she couldn't afford to be distracted.
As they continued their journey deeper into the wilderness, Liana's plan solidified in her mind. She would wait for the perfect moment, for an opening that would allow her to slip away unnoticed. The academy had given them a week in this wild, unforgiving land, and she intended to make every day count.
Ahead, the trees thinned, revealing a small clearing with a stream that wound its way through the underbrush. The boys stopped, discussing their next move as they bent over the stream to refill their water flasks. Liana stood apart, scanning the shadows, her senses on edge. This was her chance. She'd wait until they were fully distracted, and then she'd vanish into the wilderness, free to hunt on her own terms.
With everything set, she took a silent, steadying breath, ready to step into the unknown—alone, unburdened, and determined to prove her worth in this trial.