The chamber was vast, its ceiling disappearing into darkness. At its center stood a pedestal bathed in ethereal light, holding the glowing crystal. The air was thick with tension as Alden's team spread out, their weapons gleaming under the pale light.
Eren, Celia, and Lucius stood their ground. Lucius's crimson eyes narrowed as he assessed the opposing team. Alden smirked, his confidence evident as he twirled his rapier with a flourish.
"You should know, I don't share," Alden said, his voice dripping with arrogance.
Lucius stepped forward, his dagger spinning in his hand. "Neither do I."
Celia's calm voice interrupted their standoff. "Eren, stay close. This isn't a fight you can take lightly."
Eren nodded, his grip tightening on his sword. He knew he was the weakest link, but something about the challenge stirred a fire within him.
The fight erupted with Alden's team charging forward.
Alden himself lunged at Lucius, their blades clashing in a dazzling display of speed and precision. Sparks flew as Lucius deflected a rapid series of strikes, his movements fluid and unrelenting.
Celia raised her staff, chanting a spell. A barrier of shimmering light appeared around their group, deflecting an incoming arrow from one of Alden's teammates.
Eren found himself face-to-face with a burly opponent wielding a massive axe. The man sneered. "You? This'll be over quick."
The axe came down with a thunderous swing, but Eren's system reacted instantly:
[Danger Detected! Dodge Left!]
He moved just in time, the blade missing him by inches. Eren counterattacked with a clumsy swing, only for his opponent to block it with ease.
"Pathetic," the man growled, raising his axe again.
But Eren's system glowed brightly:
[Skill Activation: Blade Strike]
His next swing was faster, sharper, catching his opponent off guard and grazing his side. The man staggered back, surprise flashing across his face.
Meanwhile, Lucius and Alden were locked in a fierce duel. Alden's rapier danced through the air like a serpent, aiming for Lucius's vital points. But Lucius was unyielding, his dagger moving with deadly precision.
"You've improved," Alden admitted, smirking. "But you're still beneath me."
Lucius didn't respond, his focus razor-sharp. He sidestepped a thrust and retaliated with a sweeping slash, forcing Alden to backpedal.
Celia's magic lit up the chamber as she unleashed a wave of ice spikes, forcing two of Alden's teammates to retreat. Her calm demeanor belied the power in her spells.
"Celia!" Eren called out as his opponent charged him again. She turned just in time to cast a spell, freezing the axe mid-swing.
"Finish him!" she ordered.
Eren didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, his sword glowing faintly as he struck. His blade pierced through the frozen axe and into the man's shoulder, forcing him to the ground.
[Combat Mastery Increased – Blade Strike Enhanced!]
Eren's breath hitched as he felt a surge of strength course through him.
The tide of the battle began to shift. Alden's teammates were overwhelmed by the combined efforts of Lucius and Celia, while Eren held his ground with growing confidence.
Alden, realizing his disadvantage, gritted his teeth. "This isn't over!" he snarled, retreating with his team.
Lucius lowered his dagger but didn't let his guard down. "Coward."
With the opposing team gone, the three approached the pedestal. The glowing crystal pulsed with energy, its light casting shadows across their faces.
Celia reached for it, her hand steady. The moment she touched it, the dungeon trembled, and a deep voice echoed through the chamber.
"Trial complete. Returning participants to the surface."
Before they could react, a blinding light enveloped them.
When the light faded, they found themselves back at the training grounds. A crowd of students had gathered, murmuring about the trial.
Instructor Varick approached them, his expression unreadable. "Congratulations. You've passed the first test."
He glanced at Eren, his stern gaze softening for a moment. "Impressive, considering your rank."
Eren felt a swell of pride but kept it hidden. He wasn't done proving himself—not yet.
To Be Continued...