We walked to the cafeteria and found an empty table after collecting our lunch.
"Since introductions are out of the way, why don't we get familiar with each other's abilities? I'll go first," Mia said once we were comfortably seated. "Being blessed by Poseidon, I can create and control water, and I can talk to aquatic creatures—though it's limited."
"I was chosen by Prometheus, so I can manipulate flames however I want," Blaze added, creating various shapes with a small flame hovering above his palm.
"Umm, I can shape destruction into any form and use it to attack or defend," Amara said softly. "I can create arrows or shields that destroy anything they touch."
'Is that how she usually speaks, or is she just shy?' I wondered.
"I, the great Huo Jun, can create clones of myself," Jun announced, his voice booming. "And I can also summon Jingu Bang." He materialized Ruyi Jingu Bang—the staff of the Monkey King, or at least a replica.
Finally, it was my turn.
"I'm blessed by Thanatos. I can create constructs from shadows and hide myself—and others—within them, making us impossible to detect."
With the introductions done, Jun suggested we move to the combat room to spar and get a better sense of each other's abilities.
"While that's a good idea, the test is tomorrow, and we don't want to wear ourselves out before facing monsters," Blaze said, turning down Jun's idea.
"B-but we should know what the other can do so we can make efficient plans," Amara suggested quietly.
"How about quick demonstrations of our abilities?" I offered. To my surprise, they agreed.
We moved to the combat room, and everyone demonstrated what they could do.
Just as Amara said, she could shape destruction into various constructs, similar to my shadow constructs, but hers erased anything they touched. However, she could only create a limited number before exhausting her mana.
Jun, on the other hand, could create clones identical to himself by ripping out strands of his hair. Each clone had its own version of Jingu Bang, and Jun could change the staff's size, weight, or density at will.
I thought I knew Blaze's abilities, but he could also coat parts of his body in flames, create exploding flame clones, and form flame constructs.
Finally, Mia could create water constructs and a nearly impenetrable water bubble.
After the demonstrations, we chose Blaze as the leader, as he was the most experienced. Then, we called it a day and decided to rest up for the exam.
---
The next morning, we were gathered in a massive room filled with blue-glowing portals—the controlled portal room.
'How did they even move all these portals here?' I wondered. There were at least ten of them in this room.
(You've gone quiet again, author. I hope you're not planning anything against me.)
{I always am.}
(Screw you, then.)
{Sorry, I'm not into men.}
"Alright, are you all ready to jump in?" Michael asked, smiling brightly. Before anyone could answer, another group led by a woman I assumed was their teacher entered the room.
Some students from our class looked annoyed, even a bit aggressive. I glanced at Michael, whose expression remained calm, though his lips twitched slightly.
I looked at the woman and her students again. She seemed young, maybe in her mid-twenties, with raven-black hair and striking eyes. Her features were as sharp as her attitude.
"Michael," she said with a smirk, "I didn't expect to see you here. I thought your class might back out since things could get too dangerous for them."
"My class will do just fine, Luna. Yours, on the other hand, seems... underprepared," Michael shot back, refusing to back down. Sparks seemed to fly between them.
Before their banter could continue, a voice interrupted, drawing our attention to the entrance.
"Good, you're all here," Kyra announced, walking toward us. The memory of her pressure as Nyx resurfaced, giving me goosebumps.
"Since you all look prepared to enter, I'll give you a quick rundown of what you need to know," she continued, glancing at each of us. Her gaze lingered on me a moment longer than the others.
"As you know, you'll enter the portals in teams of five. Each portal will host a single team, chosen at random." She paused. "Inside, you'll face monsters. They're not especially dangerous, but they can kill you if you're not careful."
I shivered slightly. We'd be up against real monsters, and after experiencing death once, I wasn't eager to risk it again.
"Each team leader has been given a 'give up' button. Pressing it will alert your teachers that you're in danger and need rescue, but doing so forfeits the test. Only the points gained before that will count." Kyra nodded at her assistant, Abel, who passed a button to each team leader.
"Good luck to you Remember to work as a team and don't be too proud to ask for help if you need it," she finished with a smile before turning to leave.
"Alright," Michael said. "You've heard everything you need to know. Work together and pass this test with flying colors. Good luck!"
Nervously, I joined my team as we walked toward our assigned portal. I'd only ever seen portals on TV or from a distance, but today, I'd be stepping into one and facing monsters within.
(Wish me luck, author.)
{…}
(That's… not reassuring.)