The first rays of dawn stretched across the horizon as Aidan and Varn prepared for their journey. Aidan double-checked his belongings, ensuring Hope's needs were met and his sword was secured at his side. Hope, now fully rested, trotted beside him, his violet eyes gleaming with anticipation, for some reason this guy liked it more outside then inside the soul space.
"Ready, kid?" Varn asked, slinging a small pack over his shoulder.
Aidan nodded, his resolve firm. "Let's go."
Their destination was the capital city of Veridian, a bustling metropolis that served as the heart of commerce, taming, and governance on the planet. To get there quickly, they would use one of the advanced portal gateways a marvel of human ingenuity that allowed instantaneous travel over vast distances.
---
The portal station was a hive of activity, with travelers from all walks of life bustling about. Massive archways, etched with glowing runes, pulsed with energy as groups stepped through and vanished in flashes of light.
"This your first time using a portal right?" Varn asked, noticing Aidan's wide-eyed gaze.
"Yeah," Aidan admitted. "It's incredible."
"It's efficient, I'll give it that," Varn said with a shrug. "Just don't think too hard about the science behind it. Makes my head spin."
They stepped into their designated archway, and Aidan felt a strange pulling sensation, as though his body were being stretched and compressed simultaneously. Before he could fully process the feeling, they were standing in the heart of Veridian.
---
Veridian was a city unlike any Aidan had ever seen. Towering skyscrapers of gleaming metal and glass reached toward the sky, while streets teemed with life. Merchants hawked exotic goods, tamers paraded their beasts, and hovercrafts zipped overhead.
Hope sniffed the air curiously, his ears twitching at the cacophony of sounds.
"This is… incredible," Aidan said, his voice filled with awe.
"Focus, kid," Varn said, though even he couldn't hide a small smile. "We've got business to attend to."
As they made their way through the bustling streets, Aidan noticed groups of young people, most around his age, heading toward a massive structure in the distance.
"Where are they all going?" he asked.
"Most likely to the central square," Varn replied. "They might be here to take the entrance exams just like you."
---
The central square was a sprawling plaza dominated by a grand stage. On the stage stood a woman radiating authority and power. She was tall and elegant, with piercing blue eyes and silver-streaked black hair. Her presence commanded attention, and the crowd fell silent as she raised a hand.
"I am Lady Seraphine Velcro," she announced, her voice carrying effortlessly across the square. "Leader of the Velcro branch family and overseer of this planet. Welcome to Veridian."
Aidan's system activated, providing him with information about her:
[Name: Lady Seraphine Velcro
Rank: Peak Yellow
Role: Branch Family Leader who governs Planet Veridian]
'Peak Yellow,' Aidan thought, impressed. That was the same level as the grand elder Adam Aeloria.
Lady Seraphine continued, "The entrance to the academy is straightforward. To qualify, you must prove you have awakened and bonded with a beast. However, for those seeking to distinguish themselves, there is an additional challenge."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as she explained.
"You will face one of our Red Rank soldiers in a one-on-one combat trial. No beasts, no external assistance. This is not a requirement but an opportunity to demonstrate your talent. The longer you can hold your ground, the higher your standing."
---
The crowd buzzed with excitement as the first candidates stepped forward. Each young tamer displayed their beast bond, earning a nod of approval from the examiners before moving on to the combat trial.
Once they were confirmed of achieving a black rank their name was registered. After this some people wanted to go ahead and face the second round so as to earn more recognition.
The Red Rank soldier a towering man with a calm yet intimidating presence waited at the center of the arena. One by one, candidates faced him, their goal to last as long as possible.
Most were defeated within seconds, their lack of experience and training evident. However, a few stood out, managing to hold their ground for impressive durations.
"Fifty-five seconds!" the announcer called as a tall boy with a spear was finally disarmed. The crowd erupted into cheers.
"That's the best so far," Varn observed. "Not bad."
---
When Aidan's name was called, he stepped forward, his heart pounding. He felt the weight of the crowd's gaze, their curiosity and skepticism palpable.
"Do your best, kid," Varn said, clapping him on the shoulder.
Aidan approached the counter as his name was called, placing his hand on the orb resting atop the table. The orb glowed with a deep black hue, signifying his Black Stage rank. The attendant behind the counter recorded his name and handed him a sleek digital wristband displaying "Black," identical to those issued to others before him.
After this he went ahead and joined the queue of the people waiting to test for the second round. It's not that Aidan is over confident about himself. It's just that he wants to understand how his strength fairs against someone of the red rank purely in weapon skills and also to check where does he stand amongst his peers.
When his turn came, he went to the stage and drew his wooden sword and took a deep breath. The soldier eyed him impassively, raising his own practice blade.
"Begin!"
The soldier lunged, his movements swift and precise. Aidan barely managed to parry, the impact jarring his arms. He quickly adjusted his stance, recalling the lessons Varn had drilled into him over the past two days.
The clash of their blades echoed across the square as Aidan focused on defense, using his agility to evade the soldier's strikes. His movements, though unrefined, carried a fluidity that caught the soldier off guard.
The crowd murmured in surprise as Aidan held his ground, his strikes growing more confident with each passing second.
---
At the fifteenth-second mark, the soldier increased his aggression, forcing Aidan onto the defensive. Sweat dripped down Aidan's face as he struggled to keep up, his arms aching from the relentless assault.
'Come on,' he thought, gritting his teeth. 'Just a little longer.'
Suddenly he saw that the soldier's stance is overextended. Aidan seized the opportunity for a counter attack, delivering a swift strike that forced the soldier to step back. The crowd gasped, and even Lady Seraphine raised an eyebrow in interest.
By the thirty-second mark, Aidan's stamina was waning. The soldier, sensing his exhaustion, delivered a decisive blow that disarmed him and sent him sprawling to the ground.
"Time!" the announcer called. "thirty seconds!"
The crowd erupted into applause, and Aidan rose shakily to his feet. He glanced toward Lady Seraphine, who nodded approvingly.
"Well done," she said, her voice carrying a note of genuine praise.
It has to be noted that even though there were people who lasted longer than him he was the only person who was able to counter attack.
As Aidan rejoined Varn, he couldn't help but feel a mix of pride and frustration.
"You did great, kid," Varn said, clapping him on the back.
"I could've done better," Aidan muttered.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," Varn replied. "You've been training for three days. Most of these kids have been practicing for years. The fact that you held out as long as you did is impressive."
Aidan nodded, his resolve hardening. He knew he had a long way to go, but he was determined to keep pushing forward.