The soft rays of dawn filtered through the cracks in the curtains, casting a golden glow over the room. Yohan stirred awake, his senses alert despite the stillness of the early hour. He glanced at the figure sprawled beside him—Selene, curled up under his blanket with a contented smile on her face. He sighed inwardly but didn't bother to move her. This had become a near-nightly occurrence, and he had long stopped questioning it.
The door suddenly burst open, slamming against the wall with a resounding thud. Elara stood in the doorway, her eyes blazing with indignation.
"Again, Selene?!" she shouted, pointing an accusatory finger at the still-groggy girl.
Selene yawned dramatically and stretched, completely unfazed by Elara's fiery entrance. "Good morning, Elara. Did you sleep well?" she asked with a mischievous grin, knowing exactly how to rile her up.
"You're unbelievable!" Elara snapped, storming into the room. "How many times do I have to tell you to stay in your own bed? You're supposed to share a room with me, not—" she gestured furiously at Yohan— "him!"
Selene sat up, lazily combing her fingers through her hair. "Oh, come on, Elara. It's not a big deal. Yohan doesn't mind, do you, Yohan?"
Yohan, already out of bed and tying the belt of his robes, spared them a glance. "It's too early for this," he said flatly, brushing past the two girls as if the argument didn't concern him in the slightest.
"See?" Selene said smugly, leaning back against the headboard. "He doesn't care."
"That's not the point!" Elara shot back; her voice tinged with frustration. She turned to follow Yohan but stopped short, glaring daggers at Selene before stomping out of the room.
Later, after the morning chaos had subsided, Yohan found Elara alone near the training grounds, gazing out at the rising sun. He approached her silently, his presence drawing her attention.
"Yohan?" she asked, her tone softer now.
"I need to talk to you," he said, his voice calm but serious. Elara straightened, sensing the weight behind his words.
"What is it?" she asked.
Yohan crossed his arms, his crimson eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "I've been noticing something about Selene," he began. "She knows a lot about the sect—too much for someone who's supposed to be a new disciple like us. And her overly cheerful attitude…it feels forced, like she's trying too hard to fit in."
Elara blinked in surprise. "You think she's hiding something?"
"It's just a suspicion," Yohan admitted. "But I want you to keep an eye on her. If you notice anything unusual, let me know immediately."
A small smile tugged at Elara's lips. The fact that Yohan was sharing his concerns with her made her feel valued, trusted. "Of course," she said, her voice steady. "I'll keep watch."
"Good," Yohan said simply, already turning to leave. "Let's focus on getting ready for the day."
As he walked away, Elara's heart felt a little lighter. Despite his usual aloofness, Yohan had chosen to confide in her, and that trust meant more to her than she cared to admit.
Behind her, the early morning sun climbed higher into the sky, signaling the start of another day filled with challenges and intrigue.
The morning sun was now high in the sky, casting its warm glow over the sect's training grounds. The tension from earlier had subsided, replaced by a palpable sense of purpose as Yohan called his team together. Standing beneath the shade of a towering tree, Yohan waited as Elara, Selene, Kai, and Darius gathered around.
"We don't have much time before the Inner Sect Trials," Yohan began, his voice calm but commanding. His crimson eyes scanned each of them in turn. "If we want to secure a spot in the top ten, we'll need to refine our strategy and ensure we're ready for anything."
Kai, the burly warrior who wielded a massive war hammer with ease, grinned and cracked his knuckles. "Just point me in the right direction, boss. Anything that needs smashing, I'm your guy."
"Let's make sure you're not smashing the wrong things," Darius quipped, a playful smirk on his face as he adjusted the quiver slung over his shoulder. The archer's sharp eyes sparkled with amusement, but his relaxed demeanor couldn't mask the focus behind them.
Selene leaned casually against a nearby rock, twirling her sword with practiced ease. "And I'll handle anything too fast for the rest of you. Swift and precise, that's my style." Her confidence was palpable, though she threw a quick glance at Yohan, clearly hoping for his approval.
Elara stood a little apart from the group, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. "I'll focus on keeping us protected," she said softly, her tone steady despite her nerves. "I'll reinforce our defenses and make sure no one gets hurt."
Yohan nodded; his expression thoughtful. "Good. Let's break it down further. Kai, you'll take point in direct combat. Your strength and endurance make you the best choice for the frontline. Darius, you'll cover our flanks and pick off enemies from a distance. Your accuracy is critical for keeping us from getting overwhelmed."
The two men exchanged a nod of understanding, their competitive smirks suggesting they'd enjoy proving their worth in the trials.
"Selene," Yohan continued, turning to her, "you'll handle agile or high-speed threats. Use your mobility to flank and disorient opponents. We'll rely on you to keep the pressure off the rest of us."
Selene gave a small bow, her lips curling into a playful grin. "Leave it to me. I'll make it look easy."
Finally, Yohan looked to Elara. "You'll be our defensive anchor. Your ice magic and defensive spells will protect us from surprise attacks and help control the battlefield. You're our safety net, Elara. Everyone will depend on you when things get chaotic."
Elara's cheeks flushed slightly at the weight of his words, but she nodded resolutely. "I won't let you down," she promised.
"What about you?" Darius asked, leaning against his bow. "What's your role in all this, fearless leader?"
Yohan's lips curled into a faint smile. "I'll handle strategy and adaptability. I'll stay mobile, assess the battlefield, and step in where I'm needed most. Whether it's coordinating our movements or taking down a key target, I'll make sure we stay ahead of the competition."
The team fell silent for a moment, each member processing their role and responsibilities. Despite their differences in personality and style, there was a shared sense of determination.
"Remember," Yohan said, breaking the silence, "the trials are designed to test every aspect of a disciple—strength, skill, teamwork, and resolve. If we want to succeed, we'll need to act as one. No lone heroes. No distractions. We fight and win together." The group nodded in unison, the weight of his words sinking in.
The session transitioned into a hands-on strategy discussion, with Yohan leading them through hypothetical scenarios they might face during the trials. He drilled them on how to adapt to ambushes, defend against overwhelming numbers, and counter strong individual opponents.
As the team worked through their plans, Selene occasionally glanced at Yohan, her usual playful demeanor giving way to something more serious. Elara, meanwhile, felt a sense of pride in how seamlessly their team was coming together under Yohan's guidance.
By the time they finished, the sun had begun its descent, painting the training grounds in hues of orange and gold. The team dispersed to their individual training, but a newfound sense of unity lingered in the air.
For Yohan, this was just the beginning. The trials would be their proving ground, and he intended to ensure they were ready for whatever awaited them.
The next day, Yohan's team made their way toward the trial arena, their footsteps crunching on the gravel path as they joined a throng of disciples heading in the same direction. The air buzzed with a mixture of excitement and unease. This was the moment they had all been preparing for, the culmination of countless hours of training and planning.
As they crested a hill, the trial grounds came into view, and the sight stole their breath. The arena was a colossal, ancient structure carved into the mountainside, its design a blend of imposing beauty and raw power. Towering spires reached toward the sky, adorned with intricate inscriptions that glowed faintly in the daylight, hinting at their arcane origins. The outer walls were lined with carvings of mythical beasts locked in eternal battle, a reminder of the dangers that awaited inside.
Kai let out a low whistle, resting his war hammer on his shoulder. "Now that's a sight. Makes you feel small, doesn't it?"
Darius nodded, his keen eyes scanning the inscriptions. "Those runes… they're not just decorative. They're layered with defensive formations and suppression arrays. Whoever built this wanted to make sure only the strongest came out alive."
Elara shivered slightly, her fingers brushing the edge of her cloak. "It feels... alive. Like it's watching us."
Selene tilted her head, a faint smirk playing on her lips. "Good. That means it'll be fun." She cast a sideways glance at Yohan, who stood silently, his crimson eyes fixed on the arena with a calm intensity.
As they approached the gates, a group of elders stood waiting, their robes flowing like liquid shadows in the breeze. One elder, a stern-looking man with a silver beard and piercing eyes, stepped forward to address the gathered disciples. His voice carried effortlessly over the murmurs of the crowd.
"Welcome to the trial grounds," he began, his tone commanding instant silence. "This arena has stood for centuries, designed to separate the exceptional from the ordinary. Within its walls, you will face challenges that test not only your strength but also your wits, resilience, and teamwork."
The elder gestured toward the glowing inscriptions on the walls. "These runes maintain the arena's balance. They suppress cultivation levels above the Spirit Core Realm, ensuring fairness. However, they will not save you from carelessness. Traps and beasts roam the arena, each capable of ending your trial—and your life."
A ripple of unease passed through the crowd.
"The trials are divided into three stages," the elder continued. "The first stage is the Maze of Resilience, a labyrinth filled with traps and puzzles meant to test your endurance and critical thinking. The second stage, the Arena of Beasts, pits you against spirit beasts of varying strengths. The third and final stage is the Duel of Ascension, where only the top-ranked disciples will face one another."
Selene leaned closer to Yohan, whispering, "Sounds like your kind of challenge." Yohan didn't respond, his focus remaining on the elder.
"Rewards," the elder said, his voice growing sharper, "are plentiful for those who excel. Sect points, rare techniques, and treasures await the victors. However, failure comes with its own price. Many have entered this arena, but not all have left. If you lack the resolve to risk your life, turn back now."
A heavy silence fell over the disciples as the elder's words sunk in.
Kai gripped his war hammer tighter, his earlier bravado tempered by the elder's warning. "This is serious," he muttered.
Darius nodded grimly. "It always was."
The elder's gaze swept over the crowd, landing briefly on Yohan, his expression unreadable. "You have two days to prepare. Use that time wisely. The trials wait for no one."
As the elders stepped aside, the massive gates of the arena rumbled open, revealing a glimpse of the dark, twisting corridors within. The disciples stood rooted to the spot, each contemplating the path ahead.
Yohan turned to his team; his expression calm but resolute. "We know what we're up against now. Let's make these two days count."
The team nodded, a shared determination in their eyes as they made their way back down the path.
The trial grounds loomed behind them, a silent promise of the challenges to come.