The following morning, the summoned gathered again to be divided into two groups. Luther and Borik embraced each other tightly before parting ways. Borik, still somewhat annoyed about the separation, smiled as he gave Luther a hearty pat on the back.
"We'll see each other again, kid. Make sure to treat the princess well, yeah?" he said, laughing boisterously.
Holding back a grin, Luther replied, "I will, haha. Take care, Borik… See you soon."
And so, with the groups separated, Luther departed alongside Princess Selene to begin his training, while Borik joined the knights under Sir Aldric's command.
The sound of carriage wheels echoed as they rumbled along the dusty path leading to the training grounds. Luther sat by the window, silently watching the landscape roll by. The distant mountains were dark shadows against the horizon, and the clear blue sky contrasted with the earthy tones of the ground. Around him, the other young summoned exchanged nervous glances and whispered anxiously among themselves. No one truly knew what awaited them in the coming days, and the tension in the air reflected their collective unease.
Over the next seven days, they would be isolated at the training grounds. The objective was clear: learn the basics of mana manipulation. At the end of the week, they would face a decisive test. Those who passed would earn a place in the Kingdom's Academy and ten gold coins. Those who failed would receive a single coin and no further support, left to survive on their own in a world still alien to them.
The carriage finally came to a halt with a creak, and the young summoned began disembarking one by one. Luther stepped out slowly, taking in the sight of the grounds before him. The training camp was composed of several sturdy wooden buildings, built to withstand the test of time. At its center stood a large inn-like structure, casting a commanding shadow over the grounds. Surrounding it were smaller buildings serving as a dining hall, storage spaces, and communal areas. The wind blew briskly, carrying with it the scent of damp earth and the nearby trees.
The summoned were directed to an open field, where a young knight in gleaming armor and a red cape stood waiting in front of the group. His posture was upright and confident, and a cheerful smile graced his face as he raised a hand to draw their attention.
"Welcome!" he exclaimed energetically, waving his arms with exaggerated gestures. "I'm Alaric, and I'll be in charge of your safety and training this week. Nothing to worry about—you're in good hands!"
The crowd of young summoned eyed him curiously, but it wasn't long before Alaric tripped over a small rock on the ground, stumbling awkwardly. Quiet murmurs and restrained giggles rippled through the group as he tried to recover quickly, pretending it hadn't happened.
"That was intentional!" he added nervously, laughing as he rubbed the back of his neck while trying to regain his composure.
Luther watched the scene in silence. Though the laughter lightened the mood briefly, he couldn't shake the unease he felt. Not far from where he stood, an elderly man in a gray robe was slowly approaching the group. His presence was commanding despite his age, reflected in his slightly hunched posture and the deep wrinkles lining his face. His eyes, however, were sharp and authoritative, as if they could pierce through anyone who dared hold his gaze for too long.
"I am Professor Wolfram," the man announced in a deep voice that echoed across the field and immediately silenced any remaining murmurs. "For the next seven days, I will be your instructor. Do not expect mercy, nor should you expect assistance if you fail to meet the standards. If you falter, it will be your own fault. I am not here to carry incompetents."
The silence that followed his words was almost tangible. The young summoned exchanged uneasy glances, some lowering their heads, clearly intimidated by the professor's demeanor.
"Now," Alaric interjected, attempting to ease the tension once again, "we'll organize you into groups. I'll select four leaders to form the groups. They'll give the orders, and you'll follow them. Let's go, people—we don't have all day!"
Alaric crossed his arms and scanned the group, carefully evaluating each of the summoned. His eyes landed first on Elise, who stood with a firm and confident posture.
"You'll be one of the leaders," Alaric announced with an approving smile, pointing at her.
Elise nodded calmly, showing little emotion, though her eyes sparkled with determination.
Alaric continued assessing the group until his gaze settled on Kay. His expression shifted slightly as he observed the quiet young man, whose presence seemed to exude a calm yet unsettling aura. Kay rarely spoke, but his undeniable talent with mana had already drawn attention.
"You'll also be a leader," Alaric said, watching him curiously.
Kay inclined his head in silent acknowledgment, saying nothing.
The third leader was an obvious choice. Among the group was a tall, broad-shouldered boy who stood out for his intimidating stature and booming voice. His name was Marcus, and Luther immediately recognized him. Marcus had stuck close to Ithan during the physical trials, acting like his shadow and offering constant support. His demeanor was self-assured, bordering on arrogant, and he wore a grin that hinted at hidden motives.
"You, over there," Alaric said, gesturing toward him. "You'll be another leader."
Marcus grinned broadly, stepping forward with enthusiasm. "An honor, boss," he said in a tone that sounded more mocking than respectful.
Finally, Alaric pointed to a seemingly random boy in the group. His appearance was unremarkable, and he didn't stand out in any particular way. "And you'll be the fourth leader," Alaric concluded, giving him no further attention.
With the leaders chosen, Alaric pulled a coin from his pocket and held it up for everyone to see. "We'll flip this coin to decide the selection order," he explained, spinning the coin between his fingers. "The winner will choose their team of twenty first."
The coin flipped through the air and landed in Alaric's hand. "Heads," he announced, showing the result. Marcus stepped forward with a triumphant grin.
"That means I pick first," he said, scanning the group with a sly expression.
One by one, Marcus began selecting his teammates. He chose the strongest and most competitive individuals, clearly aiming to create a dominant group. His tone was casual, but his arrogance was evident with each choice. When he reached the final pick, his gaze landed directly on Luther. A mocking smirk spread across his face as he pointed at the young man.
"I'll take him," Marcus declared, letting out a laugh that echoed across the field.
Murmurs quickly spread among the other members of Marcus's group, and soon, laughter broke out. Luther didn't need long to understand why—among the chosen were the same boys who had mocked him the night before. The atmosphere felt heavy, filled with malice thinly veiled behind their laughter.
Luther sighed, resigned, as he walked toward Marcus's group. "Damn it…" he muttered under his breath, adjusting his cloak as he joined them.