The third trial had turned the island into an unforgiving hunting ground. The students, driven by the urgency to gather points, displayed their ingenuity and ferocity, while others fell into despair as their efforts proved insufficient.
Kael moved through the trees, avoiding the more crowded spots. He had hunted a couple of lesser beasts, enough to keep him in the competition, but he knew he would eventually have to face other students if he wanted to reach the top spots.
As he walked, he heard a familiar voice.
—Kael! Stop!
Turning around, he saw Darius Valen, his former training partner. Darius was a skilled swordsman with an explosive temper, but his intentions didn't seem hostile at that moment.
—What do you want, Darius? —Kael asked, keeping his guard up.
—I propose a temporary alliance. There's a group of students cornering the most valuable beasts at the northern end of the island. If we join forces, we could divide the points.
Kael scrutinized him carefully, weighing his words. An alliance could be useful, but he also knew Darius wasn't someone to trust easily.
—What do I get out of this? —Kael finally asked.
—Survival. Those guys are strong, Kael. You won't be able to take them on alone.
Kael thought about his response as the tension grew between them.
Point of View: Maya Larksworth
Maya was in a swampy area, surrounded by Rank E and F beasts. While they didn't pose much danger individually, the sheer number of creatures was beginning to drain her magical energy.
—Damn it! How many more are there? —she growled, launching a torrent of fire at a group of poisonous snakes.
Suddenly, she felt a chill run down her spine. Turning around, she saw two students emerging from the trees, their weapons ready for combat.
—Hello, Maya. Looks like you're tired. How about sharing some of your points? —one of them said with a mocking grin.
Maya took a deep breath, controlling her frustration.
—Do you really think you can take me on?
Without waiting for an answer, she unleashed an explosion of fire that forced them to retreat. However, the students counterattacked, using magical barriers and ranged attacks to keep her occupied.
The battle dragged on, but Maya managed to maintain her advantage, using her control over fire to divide them and defeat them one by one.
+60 points obtained
Panting, Maya leaned against a tree.
—This is getting worse.
Point of View: Lucas Emberlain
Lucas had reached a rocky area where a group of students seemed to be setting up an ambush. He watched them from a safe distance, analyzing their strategy.
"They're blocking access to the higher-ranked beasts in this area," he thought, noticing that they had set up magical traps around the perimeter.
However, his concentration was interrupted by a presence behind him. Turning around, he saw Alina Venross, an archer known for her lethal aim.
—Lucas, are you planning to face them? —she asked calmly, though she kept her bow ready.
—None of your business, Alina.
—We could work together. You create a distraction, and I'll attack them from a distance.
Lucas considered her proposal. Though he preferred working alone, he knew facing an organized group would require more than brute strength.
—Fine, but the points are split evenly.
Alina nodded, and together they executed the plan. Lucas unleashed a gust of wind that deactivated several traps and drew the group's attention, while Alina took down the students one by one with precise arrows.
In the end, the beasts they were protecting were exposed, and they both managed to eliminate them with little difficulty.
+80 points obtained
—You're more useful than I thought —Lucas commented as Alina shot him a cold look.
—Just make sure not to get in my way after this.
Point of View: Kael
Kael finally accepted Darius's proposal, but kept his guard high. Together, they headed north, where they found the group Darius had mentioned.
The students had set up an improvised camp, surrounded by caged Rank D beasts. They were accumulating points by systematically killing them, taking advantage of their superior numbers.
—There are too many to take them on directly —Kael whispered.
—Then we need to create chaos. I'll attack from the right, you take the left.
Kael nodded, and they moved in silence.
The battle began with a burst of energy. Darius charged at the group with his sword, while Kael used his shadows to deactivate the cages and release the beasts. The chaos that followed was devastating, with students and beasts fighting in all directions.
Kael took advantage of the disorder to target the group's leaders, eliminating them with surgical precision.
+100 points obtained
When it was all over, Kael turned to Darius, who had also gathered a good amount of points.
—Well done, Kael. But now... we're rivals again.
Darius raised his sword, and Kael prepared for the inevitable confrontation.