Rodensky's heart pounded in his chest as the system panel flickered once again, the light intensifying around him. His eyes were glued to the screen, his mind racing as the countdown began.
"Class selection complete. The training will begin now. Countdown to teleportation: 10... 9... 8..."
Rodensky's breath quickened. He felt a rush of excitement and fear mix together. This wasn't just a simple training exercise—this was the real test. He could feel the weight of his decision to become a Beast Tamer, to awaken the elf bloodline, pressing down on him. Every choice, every action now carried more significance than ever before.
As the countdown continued, he glanced at his phone once again, wondering if Emmanuel was experiencing the same thing.
"Emmanuel, are you ready for this?" Rodensky's voice crackled with nervous anticipation as he spoke into the phone.
There was a brief pause before Emmanuel's voice came through. "You kidding me? I've been ready for this moment since we first got into the game. Let's go." His voice was filled with determination, making Rodensky feel a little more confident.
The countdown hit zero.
"Teleportation complete. You are now entering the Training Hall. Prepare for combat."
A sudden, overwhelming sensation of motion swept over Rodensky as the world around him distorted. His body felt like it was being pulled in every direction, but before he could fully grasp what was happening, everything stopped.
Rodensky blinked rapidly, and when his vision cleared, he found himself standing in a massive, open arena. The ground beneath him was a soft, golden sand, and towering stone walls encircled the entire area. The air was thick with the scent of magic, a tangible energy that pulsed from every corner of the hall.
"Welcome to the Training Hall. You will undergo a series of trials to hone your skills and prove your worth. Choose your weapon wisely, for it will be your companion in battle."
A series of weapon racks appeared in front of him, each holding a different type of weapon. Rodensky's gaze swept across them, assessing each one carefully.
"You will have one minute to choose your weapon. The trials will begin shortly after your selection."
Rodensky's heart raced as he walked closer to the racks. He could feel the weight of the decision. The weapon he chose would become an extension of him, a key to his survival in the trials ahead. His hands hovered over several options: a bow, a spear, a large two-handed sword, and a set of sleek, curved daggers.
His thoughts flashed back to his time in the game, his love for beasts and nature. His bloodline awakened to connect with the spirits of the wild, so his weapon should reflect that. He turned his attention to the two-handed sword, but then a thought crossed his mind. A Beast Tamer needed to be agile, flexible, and connected to the beasts they commanded. A heavy weapon might slow him down.
Instead, his eyes landed on a lightweight, elegant short sword with a hilt shaped like a twisting vine, the blade gleaming with a faint green glow. The blade seemed to call to him, as though it was meant to be wielded by someone with an affinity for the wild, someone who was in tune with nature.
Rodensky reached out and grabbed the short sword. The moment his hand touched the hilt, the system buzzed with approval.
"Weapon selection: Nature's Edge. This weapon enhances your connection to the natural world, increasing your speed and precision when battling alongside beasts. The blade will grow stronger as your bond with your beasts deepens."
Rodensky smiled, feeling a surge of energy. It was the perfect weapon for him.
He quickly glanced over at Emmanuel, who was already standing beside a weapon rack. Emmanuel was eyeing the large, imposing greatsword with a look of determination. But just as Rodensky was about to speak, Emmanuel turned, locking eyes with him.
"You picked that?" Emmanuel asked, his voice tinged with amusement. "You're going for speed and finesse. I like it."
Rodensky nodded. "Yeah, it feels right. What about you?"
Emmanuel's grin widened. "I'm going with the Dragon Slayer Sword. It's big, it's powerful, and it's got the strength to match my new powers. After all, I'm a Dragon Tamer now. I need a weapon that can stand up to the monsters we're about to face."
Rodensky chuckled. "Guess you're going all in, huh? I like it."
The system panel flashed again, signaling that the time was up.
"Weapon selection complete. The trials will now begin. You will enter the first floor of the Training Hall. Defeat the monsters on each floor to gain experience, rewards, and access to higher levels of the hall. The higher you go, the stronger the monsters will become. The benefits will increase as well."
Rodensky's pulse quickened as the ground beneath them rumbled, and a large stone door opened in front of them.
"The first trial begins now."
Without another word, they both stepped forward into the arena.
---
The First Trial: The Monsters of the training ground
The air grew thick with the scent of magic, and a low growl echoed through the halls. Rodensky's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword as he took a defensive stance. Across the arena, several shadows moved, their figures taking shape in the dim light.
Out of the darkness, three creatures emerged, each one larger than a man, with menacing red eyes glowing in the shadows. Their bodies were covered in thick, spiked armor, and they looked like mutated versions of wild beasts—ferocious and unrelenting.
Rodensky's heart skipped a beat as he surveyed the monsters. The system had warned them about the monsters' strength, but he wasn't prepared for this. He glanced at Emmanuel, who was already preparing to fight with his Dragon Slayer Sword in hand.
"Ready?" Emmanuel asked, his voice steady, filled with confidence.
Rodensky nodded, his body tense. "Let's do this."
The monsters charged toward them, and Rodensky moved instantly, his feet barely touching the ground as he darted forward, his sword flashing through the air. He could feel the energy coursing through him, his elf bloodline making him faster and more agile than he had ever been. Each movement was fluid, natural, as though the sword was an extension of his own body.
He struck the first monster, his sword slicing through its thick armor with ease, but the creature didn't go down without a fight. It roared in pain, turning to face him with red eyes full of fury.
Emmanuel leapt into the fray, his massive greatsword cutting through the air with immense power. The monster he faced staggered back, but Emmanuel was relentless, his movements precise, each strike landing with devastating force.
Rodensky fought alongside him, his speed and agility complementing Emmanuel's raw power. Together, they cut down the monsters, each strike bringing them closer to victory.
---
As the final monster fell, the system announced:
"The first floor has been cleared. Proceed to the second floor. The monsters will grow stronger, and the rewards will become more valuable. You will have 10 minutes to rest and prepare."
Rodensky wiped the sweat from his brow, his heart racing with adrenaline. He glanced at Emmanuel, who was already grinning with excitement.
"We've got this," Emmanuel said, his eyes sparkling. "We're just getting started."
Rodensky nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. "Let's keep moving. We're not stopping until we reach the top."