Eren had barely found his assigned dorm room when a message from the academy appeared on the glowing system panel hovering before him.
[Notice: Entrance Trial Begins in 2 Hours!]
Objective: Prove your worth to remain enrolled in Aurelian Academy.
Location: Training Grounds, Sector C
He stared at the notification, his palms growing clammy. He had just arrived, and already the academy was testing him? His system was still in its infancy—he had yet to unlock any major skills.
A sudden knock on the door broke his thoughts. He opened it to find Celia Ardent standing there, her serene expression unreadable.
"You're in my group for the trial," she said, her voice soft but commanding. "Meet me at the training grounds. Don't be late."
Before he could respond, she turned and walked away, her silver hair swaying like liquid moonlight.
The training grounds were a sprawling arena, surrounded by towering stone walls etched with ancient runes. A mix of students had gathered there, their nervous whispers filling the air.
Eren scanned the crowd and spotted Celia standing next to a tall, imposing figure dressed in black. It was Lucius Drelthorne, his crimson eyes cold and calculating.
"So, you're the last member of our group," Lucius said, his gaze piercing. "Try not to slow us down."
Eren felt his pride bristle but nodded, choosing to focus on the task ahead.
Instructor Varick stepped onto a raised platform, silencing the murmurs.
"Welcome to your first trial," he announced. "You will enter the dungeon behind me and retrieve a glowing crystal hidden within. Teams that fail to return with a crystal will be disqualified. Those who lag behind will be left behind."
The massive gates of the dungeon creaked open, revealing a dark, ominous tunnel. A shiver ran down Eren's spine.
"This isn't just a test of strength," Varick continued. "It's a test of your ability to survive. Good luck—you'll need it."
As their group entered the dungeon, the air grew colder. Flickering torches lined the walls, casting eerie shadows. Celia took the lead, her composure unshaken, while Lucius kept his dagger drawn, his every step precise.
Eren trailed behind, feeling out of place.
Suddenly, the sound of growling echoed through the tunnel. From the shadows emerged a pack of goblin-like creatures with glowing red eyes.
"Ghouls," Lucius muttered. "Weak, but fast. Don't let them surround you."
Celia raised her staff, her voice calm. "I'll cover the rear. Lucius, take point."
"What about him?" Lucius asked, jerking his head toward Eren.
"I'll manage," Eren said, though his heart pounded.
The ghouls charged, their claws glinting in the dim light. Lucius moved like a shadow, his dagger slicing through the air with deadly precision. Celia chanted a spell, her staff glowing as icy shards rained down on the creatures.
Eren focused on dodging, his system flashing a warning:
[Danger Detected! Evade!]
He narrowly avoided a claw aimed at his head and retaliated with his worn-out sword. It wasn't pretty, but he managed to down one of the ghouls.
[System Notification: Minor Combat Skill Acquired – Blade Strike]
A surge of energy coursed through him as the skill activated. His next strike felt smoother, stronger, cutting through another ghoul with surprising ease.
"Not bad," Lucius said grudgingly, finishing off the last of the creatures.
As they ventured deeper into the dungeon, the challenges grew harder—traps that tested their reflexes, puzzles that required teamwork, and stronger monsters that pushed them to their limits.
Eren began to feel a shift within himself. Each encounter made him sharper, more confident. The system's guidance helped him anticipate danger, and his newly acquired skills grew stronger with use.
When they finally reached the chamber holding the crystal, they found another group already there—Alden Valtor and his team.
"Well, well," Alden sneered, his emerald eyes glinting with malice. "Look who finally caught up. Too bad there's only one crystal."
Lucius stepped forward, his voice icy. "Move aside, or we'll make you."
Alden laughed, drawing a gleaming rapier. "I was hoping you'd say that."
The tension in the air was palpable as the two groups squared off, the dungeon walls reverberating with the promise of battle.
To Be Continued...