The candidates stood nervously, their anticipation heavy in the air as the portals activated, and they were transported into the dungeons. Each of them materialized in a stark white room filled with rows of weapons. The room exuded a sterile glow, and the candidates looked around in awe. On the far wall, a digital timer began counting down from 60 seconds, flashing an ominous red.
Above them, a speaker crackled to life, breaking the tense silence.
"Welcome, candidates. You have one minute to choose your weapon. After this time, the test will commence."
Dante stood still, his crimson eyes scanning the array of weapons before him. Swords, spears, axes, bows, daggers—all neatly arranged and gleaming under the artificial light. Each weapon seemed to call to him, whispering promises of power and destruction. Yet, Dante hesitated, unsure of what to pick.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly. Memories of his rigorous training at the family estate flashed through his mind. He had been trained to wield many weapons, but his affinity for daggers had always been evident. Quick, precise, and lethal—they were the tools of an assassin.
When Dante opened his eyes again, his hand moved almost instinctively. He picked up a sleek dagger with a black blade that seemed to absorb the light around it. It felt perfect in his grip—balanced, deadly, and sharp enough to cut through steel.
The timer hit zero, and the candidates vanished from the weapon room, their surroundings dissolving into blinding light.
---
Dante blinked as he found himself in a new environment. This was the dungeon, an artificial creation of the academy, designed to test their capabilities while maintaining strict control. Around him was a barren, rocky terrain under a dark sky.
A guttural growl snapped him out of his thoughts. In the distance, a horde of goblins approached—small, grotesque creatures armed with crude weapons. Their yellow eyes gleamed with malice, and they howled as they charged.
Dante's heartbeat quickened, but he forced himself to stay calm. His grip tightened on the dagger as he recalled the techniques he had honed for years.
"Focus," he whispered to himself.
As the first goblin lunged at him, Dante sidestepped smoothly and delivered a swift slash to its neck. The creature gurgled and collapsed, its life extinguished in an instant.
Ding!
His watch vibrated and displayed a notification:
[Kill: 1 Goblin. Points Earned: 100.]
Dante barely glanced at the watch before pivoting to face the next attacker. The goblins were relentless, but so was he. Each strike was precise, each movement efficient. His body moved on instinct, his dagger slicing through the air and flesh with ease.
---
The battlefield became a blur of chaos and carnage. Dante's breathing was steady despite the intensity of the fight, and his stamina seemed endless. Every goblin he killed added to his growing confidence, and his watch continued to glow with updates.
[Kills: 50 Goblins. Points: 5,000.]
[Kills: 100 Goblins. Points: 10,000.]
As the numbers climbed, Dante's mind sharpened. His movements grew faster and more precise, his strikes more devastating. The goblins began hesitating, their ferocity waning in the face of his overwhelming strength.
Then it happened.
A sudden surge of power coursed through Dante's body. He paused for a brief moment, feeling the change as his watch displayed a new message:
[New Skill Acquired: Dragon Aura. When activated, this aura induces fear in opponents, lowering their combat effectiveness.]
Dante grinned, his crimson eyes glowing ominously. The goblins faltered as if sensing the shift in his demeanor. With a low, almost primal chuckle, Dante activated his newfound ability.
The effect was immediate.
The goblins recoiled, their confidence shattered. They whimpered and scrambled back, their movements erratic and panicked. Taking advantage of their disarray, Dante launched himself forward, cutting through their ranks with lethal efficiency.
---
By the time the last goblin fell, Dante's watch displayed an impressive total:
[Kills: 158 Goblins. Points: 15,800.]
He exhaled deeply, surveying the battlefield littered with goblin corpses. His clothes were stained with their blood, but he felt invigorated.
"Not bad," he muttered, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips.
Unbeknownst to him, the instructors were watching his performance through a large crystal screen. Five figures stood in a dimly lit observation room, their eyes glued to the display.
"Remarkable," one of them murmured—a tall man with a sharp jawline and silver hair.
"He's already surpassed the previous record, and the test isn't even over," added a woman with striking emerald eyes.
The other instructors exchanged knowing looks. Each of them was silently contemplating the same thing: I must make him my disciple.
---
Back in the dungeon, Dante continued to fight, pushing himself further.
[Kills: 200 Goblins. Points: 20,000.]
[Kills: 256 Goblins. Points: 25,600.]
Finally, a portal appeared before him, signaling the end of the test. A disembodied voice announced:
"First candidate to clear the exam: Dante. Congratulations."
Dante stepped through the portal, returning to the hall where the test had begun. He was alone, the other candidates still struggling within their respective dungeons.
Leaning casually against a wall, Dante waited, his thoughts calm and composed.
---
An hour later, the second portal opened. A young man with an air of arrogance stepped out, his expression smug. His eyes scanned the room until they landed on Dante, and his smirk faltered.
This was Alan Veckron, a prodigy from one of the world's most influential families.
The speaker's voice rang out again:
"Second candidate to clear the exam: Alan Veckron."
Alan's face twitched in annoyance as he realized Dante had beaten him to the top spot. Without a word, he moved to a corner, his irritation evident.
The third portal opened, revealing a stunning young woman with vibrant green hair and an alluring figure. She carried herself with grace, her piercing gaze sweeping across the room.
One by one, the other candidates emerged, each showing varying levels of exhaustion.
Finally, Emily stepped through a portal, her face pale and her shoulders slumped. Dante noticed her immediately.
"Emily," he called, walking over to her.
She glanced at him, forcing a weak smile. "I didn't do as well as I hoped," she admitted, her voice tinged with disappointment.
Dante offered her a reassuring look. "You did your best. That's what matters."
Her smile softened, though her eyes betrayed her nervousness.
---
Once all the candidates had returned, Noir stepped forward, flanked by two men and two women. The instructors exuded authority, their presence commanding respect.
Noir's voice boomed across the hall:
"And now, we will announce the results."
[END OF CHAPTER.]