Chapter 5: Trial by Fire
The clang of weapons and the hum of Aethercraft filled the vast training arena of Klade Academy. The cadets stood in orderly rows, each wearing the academy's uniform, their crests shining faintly under the artificial lights. Tae-Hyun adjusted his stance, his nerves simmering beneath the surface. He could feel the weight of every eye on him, their whispers barely concealed.
"That's the XS-rank guy, right?"
"He doesn't look so special."
"Let's see if he can survive the Trials."
The Trials. Tae-Hyun had heard of them before he arrived, whispered about in hushed tones. A grueling series of physical, mental, and Aether-based challenges designed to separate the weak from the strong. Only those who succeeded could truly call themselves Klade cadets.
"Listen up!"
A booming voice silenced the crowd. Tae-Hyun turned to see a towering man step forward, his uniform adorned with golden trim. He carried a massive Aether-infused hammer slung across his back, its core glowing faintly. This was Instructor Kael, one of the academy's most feared trainers.
"Today, you face the Trials. They're designed to push you to your limits—and beyond. Fail, and you'll be dismissed from the academy. Succeed, and you'll prove you belong here. Understand?"
The cadets murmured their assent, though Tae-Hyun could sense the tension in the air.
Kael's sharp eyes scanned the group, landing on Tae-Hyun for a fraction of a second before moving on. "You'll be split into teams for the first phase. Teamwork is critical in the field, and we'll see how well you can work together—or if you'll fall apart under pressure."
---
Phase One: The Labyrinth
The cadets were divided into groups of five and escorted to a massive simulation chamber. The walls shimmered as the space transformed into a twisting labyrinth of stone and steel, filled with traps and roaming constructs powered by Shard Aether.
Tae-Hyun found himself teamed up with Mirae, who grinned at him as if this was all a game, and three other cadets:
Jin-Woo, a stoic swordsman who radiated confidence.
Seulgi, a Flux user who moved with an almost feline grace.
Hyun-Soo, a nervous-looking guy who kept fiddling with his Aether gauntlets.
Mirae clapped her hands together. "Alright, team, here's the plan: don't die. Got it?"
Jin-Woo rolled his eyes. "We need to move quickly. These labyrinths are timed, and the longer we take, the harder it gets."
Tae-Hyun nodded, though he wasn't entirely sure what his role was supposed to be. This was his first real test since awakening his powers, and the weight of his XS-rank loomed over him like a shadow.
The labyrinth doors opened with a groan, and the team stepped inside.
---
The first obstacle came quickly: a series of shifting platforms suspended over a pool of glowing, corrosive Aether. The platforms moved erratically, some disappearing entirely for a few seconds before reappearing.
Seulgi smirked. "This one's mine."
She activated her Flux ability, her body shimmering as she blinked from platform to platform with ease. Once across, she activated a mechanism that stabilized the platforms, allowing the rest of the team to cross.
Next came a wave of constructs—metallic, spider-like machines that scuttled out of the walls and attacked with sharp, Aether-charged limbs.
Jin-Woo drew his Aether sword, the blade glowing with a pale blue light. He moved like a whirlwind, cutting through the constructs with precision. Mirae backed him up, her Aether-infused fists smashing through the machines like they were made of paper.
Tae-Hyun hesitated, unsure if he should step in. But as more constructs poured in, he raised his hand, focusing on the chains that felt like a part of him now.
"Aether Bind!"
Golden chains erupted from his palm, wrapping around three constructs and slamming them into the ground. The others turned to stare at him, momentarily stunned by the sheer power of his ability.
Mirae whistled. "Not bad, newbie."
---
The team pressed on, overcoming more traps and puzzles with a mixture of skill and brute force. Tae-Hyun found himself falling into a rhythm with the others, his confidence growing with each success. But as they reached the final chamber, the air grew heavy with an oppressive energy.
A massive construct awaited them, its form humanoid but twisted, its core glowing with unstable Shard Aether. It roared, the sound reverberating through the labyrinth.
"Final boss," Mirae said, cracking her knuckles. "Let's do this."
The battle was chaotic. The construct's attacks were relentless, its Aether-infused fists smashing into the ground and sending shockwaves through the chamber. Jin-Woo and Mirae fought on the front lines, dodging and counterattacking with precision.
Tae-Hyun hung back, unsure of how to use his abilities effectively against such a massive foe. But as the battle dragged on, he realized they weren't making much progress.
"We need to hit its core!" Jin-Woo shouted. "That's the only way to take it down!"
Tae-Hyun's heart raced. The core was embedded in the construct's chest, protected by layers of armor. He could feel the Aether within him surging, begging to be unleashed.
"Cover me!" he shouted, surprising even himself.
Mirae and Jin-Woo nodded, distracting the construct while Tae-Hyun focused. He raised his hand, summoning the golden chains, but this time he pushed harder, willing them to do more. The chains shot forward, wrapping around the construct and pinning its arms to its sides.
"Now!" he shouted.
Jin-Woo leaped forward, his Aether blade glowing brighter than ever, and plunged it into the core. The construct let out a deafening roar before collapsing, its body disintegrating into shards of light.
---
As the dust settled, the team stood in silence, their breaths heavy. The labyrinth dissolved around them, the simulation ending.
Instructor Kael's voice echoed through the chamber. "Team 7: Passed."
The doors opened, and they stepped out into the main hall, greeted by the applause of the other cadets. Tae-Hyun couldn't help but smile, though he knew this was only the beginning.
Mirae clapped him on the back. "Not bad, newbie. Not bad at all."
For the first time since arriving at Klade Academy, Tae-Hyun felt like he belonged