The assembly hall buzzed with nervous energy as the candidates gathered, their chatter echoing off the high ceilings.
The walls were adorned with the Hunter High Academy's emblem, a golden crest surrounded by symbols of strength and unity. At the front of the room stood Instructor Everhart, his imposing figure commanding attention.
"Silence." Everhart said, his voice sharp and authoritative. Instantly, the murmurs ceased.
He took a moment to survey the crowd, his piercing gaze landing on a few individuals before continuing. "The second trial is called the Conquering Trial. In this phase, you will enter a simulated dungeon in teams of three. Your objective is to defeat the dungeon boss and return to the portal."
"Along the way, you will encounter monsters, each worth points. However..." he paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "The required points to pass will not be revealed until the trial ends."
The room grew tense, candidates exchanging uneasy glances.
"You may choose your teammates." Everhart continued. "But remember this: teamwork and efficiency are paramount. Choose wisely."
The candidates erupted into movement, voices overlapping as groups began forming. Hugo stood still, processing the information, before glancing at Shine.
"Well, it looks like we're in this together." Hugo said, his tone calm but resolute.
Shine nodded eagerly, his silver hair catching the light. "Of course! You can count on me!"
Hugo smiled faintly before turning his attention to Rose, who stood a few feet away with her arms crossed. Her crimson hair framed her face, her expression indifferent as she watched the chaos unfold.
"Rose." Hugo called, approaching her. "Join us. With your strength, we'd make a solid team."
Rose raised an eyebrow, her amber eyes gleaming with amusement. "Hard pass."
Hugo frowned. "What? Why?"
She shrugged, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "I'm not in the mood to babysit. Besides, I don't want to be the one carrying the team."
Hugo's jaw tightened, frustration creeping into his voice. "We're not asking you to carry us. We just want to work together."
Rose chuckled, shaking her head. "Nice try, but I'm good on my own." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away, her confident strides making it clear the conversation was over.
Hugo sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Great. Now what?"
Shine, ever the optimist, grinned. "Maybe we can find someone else. How hard can it be?"
As if on cue, a voice called out from behind them. "You two look like you could use a hand."
They turned to see a blonde-haired boy standing there, his scrawny frame and slightly hunched posture giving him an unassuming air. He was shorter than Hugo but taller than Shine, and his bright orange eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Name's Yuno Tenebris." the boy said, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Need a third?"
Hugo studied him skeptically. "Why do you want to team up with us?"
Yuno shrugged, his lopsided grin never faltering. "Why not? You look like you've got potential, and I've got a knack for getting out of tight spots. Sounds like a good combo, don't you think?"
Shine tilted his head, his expression dubious. "You don't really look like a fighter. What can you do?"
Yuno's grin widened, and he flexed his arms dramatically. "Don't let the size fool you, little guy. I've got a hidden ace up my sleeve."
Hugo sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "We don't have time to be picky. Alright, Yuno, you're in. But this is serious we're here to pass, not mess around."
Yuno saluted with exaggerated flair. "You got it, boss!"
As the three of them stood together, Instructor Everhart's voice boomed once more. "Candidates, your trial begins now. Enter the portals assigned to your teams. Good luck, you'll need it."
Hugo clenched his fists, glancing at Shine and Yuno. "Let's get this done."
____________________
The candidates were divided into smaller groups, each assigned an instructor who led their respective teams to designated rooms.
Hugo, Shine, and Yuno followed their assigned instructor, a stern-faced man with silver hair and a commanding presence.
He brought them to a room where a glowing orb sat on a pedestal in the center. The walls shimmered faintly, hinting at the magic embedded within.
The instructor spoke in a monotone voice. "This is your trial. The orb creates a simulated dungeon, customized to test your limits. Once I infuse mana into it, the dungeon will form."
"You'll enter, defeat monsters, accumulate points, and face a boss. Only those with sufficient points will pass. I won't tell you the threshold, so do your best."
Without waiting for questions, the instructor placed his hand on the orb.
The glowing light intensified, and the room began to shift. Stone walls replaced the smooth surfaces, and the floor transformed into uneven terrain.
Within moments, a portal materialized in the center, its swirling energy humming with latent power.
"Enter when ready." the instructor commanded, stepping back.
Hugo adjusted his bracelet, his expression serious. "Let's go."
Yuno grinned, cracking his knuckles. "Time to show these monsters what we're made of."
Shine, now fully recovered and energized, nodded. "I'll keep an eye out. Let's get those points."
The trio stepped through the portal, entering the simulated dungeon.
The air felt thick as they stepped through the portal, their surroundings shifting rapidly. Hugo, Shine, and Yuno found themselves walking down a narrow stone corridor.
The walls, rough and uneven, were lit by flickering torches mounted at regular intervals.
The faint crackling of fire was the only sound that echoed in the otherwise silent dungeon, its warmth contrasting with the chill of the stone.
The atmosphere was heavy, the oppressive darkness beyond the reach of the flames making the narrow path feel even more foreboding.
Hugo's sharp eyes scanned their surroundings. "This dungeon isn't going to be easy. Stay close and be ready for anything."
Shine rolled his shoulders, his hawk-like eyes narrowing. "I'll keep watch for any movement. My vision should give us an edge."
"Good." Hugo said. "Let's move."
As they continued down the straight path, the walls seemed to close in slightly, making the space feel tighter with each step.
It was clear this place was designed to test not just their physical strength but their nerves as well.
Hugo's eyes scanned the environment, alert to any signs of danger, but it seemed quiet for now. As they moved deeper, his curiosity got the better of him, and he turned to Yuno.
As Hugo glanced at Yuno, a doubt crossed his mind.
The sight of Yuno's scrawny frame made Hugo wonder how he would fare in the dungeon. His lack of obvious muscle made him question his contribution to the group.
"So, Yuno." Hugo started, his voice casual but tinged with curiosity. "What's your ability?"
Shine, who had been eyeing Yuno with his usual sunny demeanor, nodded in agreement, though he was careful not to sound judgmental. "Yeah, I'd like to know too. You don't exactly look like someone who's ready for a fight."
Yuno flashed a grin, clearly unbothered by the question. "I'll show you." he replied confidently.
Before Hugo could ask further, the sounds of rustling and movement ahead broke the silence.
Shadows in the distance shifted unnaturally, and Hugo immediately tensed, recognizing the presence of something dangerous.
"Looks like our first challenge is here." Hugo muttered, his attention locked on the emerging figures.
From the darkness, small, humanoid plant creatures began to emerge. Their glowing eyes were barely visible in the shadows, and their movements were quick, precise.
They lunged at the trio, their clawed hands reaching for them.
Hugo immediately drew his focus to the creatures. "Shadow Sprouts, an E-rank monster.." he said, his voice firm. "We'll need to be ready." As if He was fully aware about this kind of monster.
Before the creatures could fully charge, Yuno stepped forward, his grin widening as he cracked his knuckles.
He took a deep breath and clenched his fists. In an instant, his body began to transform.
His limbs swelled with muscle, his once scrawny frame expanding into a much larger, stronger version of himself. Veins bulged, and his muscles rippled with newfound strength.
Yuno flexed his enlarged arms, showing off his transformation.
"Muscle Expansion." Yuno said, his voice booming with pride. "Time to show them what I can do!"
Shine, seeing the transformation, couldn't contain his excitement.
His eyes widened, and a loud laugh escaped him. "Whoa! This is awesome!" He raised his sniper rifle, his usual calm demeanor replaced with pure enthusiasm. "I can't wait to see you smash these guys!"
Hugo, though less excitable than Shine, couldn't hide his surprise either. His eyes widened slightly as Yuno charged forward, the immense force of his transformation propelling him toward the Shadow Sprouts.
Hugo's lips twitched into a small, approving smile. "Impressive." he murmured, feeling a little more confident in their team.
Yuno roared and slammed his fist into the first Shadow Sprout, sending it flying back into the darkness. His enhanced strength was undeniable, and the Sprouts hesitated, unsure how to deal with the sudden shift in power.
Shine, still grinning ear to ear, aimed his sniper rifle. "Looks like we've got some fun ahead of us!" he shouted, fully eager to join in the battle.
Continue...