"Aiden!" Adrian shouted, his heart racing as he rushed to his side. But as soon as he moved to help, the Troll turned, its beady eyes locking onto him.
The creature lunged forward, swinging its club with terrifying force. Adrian ducked into the shadows, vanishing just in time as the club cleaved through the air where he had been. But the Troll wasn't done. It swung the club again, this time with such power that it created a shockwave, knocking Adrian to the ground.
"Aiden, get up!" Adrian shouted, scrambling to his feet, his dagger drawn. But Aiden was struggling to rise, the blow to his side leaving him winded and weakened. He coughed as he tried to regain his breathing, and out of his mouth came blood.
The troll growled low, its eyes flashing with fury. It raised its club once more, ready to strike again. Adrian's heart pounded as he watched the enormous weapon coming down toward him and Aiden.
With only seconds to spare, Adrian pushed himself to his feet, his shadows swirling around him like a protective cloak.
He darted forward, moving as quickly as he could, using every bit of his training to stay out of the troll's line of sight. He appeared behind it, plunging his dagger into the beast's back.
The troll let out an enraged roar, swatting at Adrian with its massive hands. Adrian barely dodged again, the creature's claws scraping against his leather jacket, leaving deep grooves. The pain in his side was sharp, but he couldn't afford to feel it.
Not now.
He needed to protect Aiden.
Aiden, still shaken but now fully awake, staggered to his feet, his hands shaking as he summoned fire again. His flames, though weaker than before, were still deadly. With a shout, he hurled a massive fireball straight at the troll's face, catching it off guard.
The fire exploded on impact, lighting up the troll's entire head. It howled in pain, flailing wildly as it staggered backward, thrashing its club in a desperate attempt to fight back.
Adrian continued to dart in and out of the shadows, striking with his daggers, while Aiden used his fire to keep the beast distracted.
The fight was exhausting, the Troll's sheer strength and durability making every strike feel like a battle against a mountain. It seemed like no matter how many times they hit it, it kept coming, relentless.
But just as Adrian was about to lose hope, he saw an opening. The Troll, distracted by Aiden's fire, had left its back exposed for just a moment. Adrian seized the opportunity, his shadow powers flowing through him as he closed the distance in a heartbeat.
With a sharp twist, he drove his dagger deep into the Troll's spine.
The Troll let out a final, deafening roar, but it was too late. Its massive body collapsed to the ground with a thunderous crash, shaking the earth beneath them. Adrian and Aiden fell back, both of them breathing heavily, drenched in sweat, their bodies bruised and battered.
It had been the hardest fight of their lives.
Adrian wiped his forehead, still breathing heavily. "That was... too close," he muttered, his eyes lingering on the fallen creature. His usually confident demeanor had faded slightly, a rare look of vulnerability crossing his face.
Aiden, equally exhausted, stood up slowly, his fire powers still flickering weakly around his hands. He had learned something about himself in that fight- about how far he was willing to go, how much he could endure.
"We made it," he said quietly, his voice hoarse. "But we can't keep going like this."
"We don't have a choice," Adrian replied, glancing toward the distant edge of the forest. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the trees. "We're almost there. Just a little further."
The two of them pressed forward, the weight of the battle still heavy in their bodies, but determination fueling their every step. Just then, a voice boomed in the forest.
5 Minutes Left.
"I can't run," Aiden said, clutching his abdomen. His collared shirt is now drenched in sweat and blood, and Aiden was afraid to see what his skin looked like underneath his shirt. "You can go on, Adrian."
"Are you fucking crazy? Why would I leave first?"
"We might not make it if you keep on with my pace." Aiden coughed.
"Did that troll hit you in the head or something? You sound crazy, you know? Mum and Dad would kill me if I leave without you."
"I've never felt this much... pain, before."
Adrian looked at Aiden and pursed his lips. "We're almost there, wait- use me as a support."
Aiden shook his head, but all of it was in vain as Adrian slumped Aiden's arm on his shoulders, quickening his pace slighty.
And when the trees finally began to thin, and the oppressive weight of the forest lifted, the two boys emerged from the final line of trees, and saw the towering gates of Genvah Academy in the distance.
Adrian and Aiden stood quietly on the outskirts of the crowd, observing the other students. Though most were battered and scraped from their trials, there were a few who stood out, exuding an air of calm or confidence.
The same voice that had guided them through the trials spoke.
"Congratulations, students, on completing the first trial. You have proven yourselves capable of enduring the challenges of the forest and reaching the gates of Genvah Academy."
The words on the screen shifted, replaced by a bold new title: The Top Ten.
"Before the gates open, we will reveal the current Top Ten."
The clearing erupted into confusion.
"What? Already?" a student near the front gasped.
"But we just got here!" another cried.
Adrian tilted his head, his smirk faltering into something closer to confusion. "They're picking the Top Ten now? Based on what? The forest?"
Aiden frowned, his posture stiff. "This doesn't seem fair. Some people might not have even encountered the tougher beasts."
The air was tense. A few students whispered nervously among themselves, while others appeared more confident.
One boy, wearing a striking red robe, stood out from the crowd. His long black hair fell neatly over his shoulders, and unlike the others, he seemed utterly unfazed by the news. His eyes scanned the crowd like he was evaluating every single person.
Aiden nudged Adrian. "That kid in red doesn't seem worried at all."
Adrian followed his gaze. "Him? Probably one of those types who think they're already Top Ten material. Watch out for guys like that. They're either really good or really insufferable."
Just as Adrian finished speaking, the boy in red strode toward them, his movements precise and deliberate. He stopped a few steps away, tilting his head slightly.
"You must be Adrian," the boy said, his voice smooth and composed. "Adrian Caleena, right? Your parents work for the SSS. Mine too. I've heard all about them- and you."
Adrian raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Well, aren't you well-informed. And you are?"
"Shiloh," the boy replied, his tone sharp. "Remember that name. And you…" His gaze shifted to Aiden. "You must be the new one. Aiden, was it? You're not from Soleil, are you?"
Aiden stiffened but nodded. "I'm not."
Shiloh's lips curved into a faint smile, though it didn't feel friendly. "Then I suggest you watch your back. This place doesn't go easy on outsiders."
Before Aiden could reply, another voice cut in.
"Don't mind him. Shiloh likes to make himself sound scary."
Aiden and Adrian turned to see a blond-haired boy with bright blue eyes approaching. He had a friendly grin and an easygoing posture.
"I'm Sevan," he said. "Water element. Nice to meet you both. You guys handled the forest pretty well, huh?"
Adrian nodded. "Nice to meet you, Sevan. And yeah, the forest was... fun. Let's call it that."
Sevan chuckled. "Fun? That's one word for it."
As the boys spoke, Aiden glanced toward a nearby tree where a girl in a dark cloak leaned silently. Her black hair framed her face, and her dark brown eyes seemed to scan the group with disinterest. She kept her distance, not engaging with anyone, but her presence was impossible to ignore.
The voice interrupted their exchange, silencing the scattered protests and whispered speculations.
"The Top Ten students are chosen based on their performance in the forest trial. Those who demonstrated strength, intelligence, adaptability, and leadership have been observed. These individuals are to be recognised as the current elite of Genvah Academy. The first Top Ten students will be determined solely by the time it took to traverse the forest. Those who demonstrated speed, efficiency, and a clear path to success have earned recognition in this initial ranking. The Top Ten by time are as follows."
The golden letters rearranged themselves, forming a new list of names accompanied by their completion times and corresponding points.
1. Emmeranne – 58 minutes, 62 points
2. Shiloh Spadille – 1 hour, 60 points
3. Sevan Wasterfall – 1 hour, 3 minutes, 57 points
4. Amihan – 1 hour, 3 minutes, 57 points
5. Ammonn Lot – 1 hour, 12 minutes, 48 points
6. Jana Hanako – 1 hour, 12 minutes, 48 points
7. Ivara – 1 hour, 23 minutes, 37 points
8. Peter Eben – 1 hour, 23 minutes, 37 points
9. Jarec Guerra – 1 hour, 24 minutes, 36 points
10. Morrigan Wilder – 1 hour, 24 minutes, 36 points
A ripple of surprise spread through the students. Some cheered, others groaned, and a few exchanged wary glances, realising how close their times had been to the cut-off.
Aiden's heart sank. Both of them weren't there.
Adrian let out a low whistle as he scanned the list. "Guess speed really does kill, huh?"
"Now, we will calculate the second Top Ten by factoring in the points earned through combat. The creatures you faced in the forest, their difficulties, and the teamwork displayed have all been taken into account. This second ranking reflects both speed and skill. The updated Top Ten are as follows."
The golden letters shimmered, rearranging once more.
1. Emmeranne – 347 points
2. Shiloh Spadille – 165 points
3. Ammonn Lot – 142 points
4. Jana Hanako – 142 points
5. Sevan Wasterfall – 137 points
6. Amihan – 137 points
7. Jarec Guerra – 131 points
8. Morrigan Wilder- 131 points
9. Adrian Caleena – 122 points
10. Aiden – 122points