The world around Leon was dark.
A strange sensation filled his body, as if he were floating in an endless void. His limbs felt weightless, his mind hazy.
Then—
A pull.
Suddenly, his body was yanked forward, and his senses came rushing back all at once. His feet landed on solid ground, and a rush of cool air hit his face.
Leon staggered, blinking rapidly. His vision cleared, and he found himself standing in front of a massive, towering gate made of dark steel and engraved with golden symbols that pulsed faintly with energy. The gate stretched so high that it disappeared into the clouds, radiating an overwhelming presence.
Beyond it, Leon could barely make out a massive city—a fortress, perhaps—filled with grand buildings and training grounds.
His breath caught in his throat.
"Is this... the Martial Haven Academy?"
"Overwhelming, isn't it?"
Leon turned sharply at the familiar voice.
The old man who had given him the golden scroll stood beside him, his long black robe billowing slightly in the wind. His silver hair gleamed under the sunlight, and his sharp eyes studied Leon with amusement.
Leon took a deep breath, trying to suppress the whirlwind of emotions inside him.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"The entrance to Martial Haven," the old man said simply. "This is where all chosen fighters must come before they step into the academy."
Leon frowned. "But… how did I get here? I remember touching the scroll, and then—"
"A teleportation spell," the old man interrupted. "You were transported here the moment you accepted the scroll."
Leon's head was still spinning. Teleportation? He had heard of magic before, but it had always seemed like something only the elite warriors or nobles had access to.
His gaze drifted back to the enormous gate.
"So… this is really happening," he murmured.
The old man chuckled. "Indeed. But before you take another step forward, I should introduce myself properly."
He placed a hand on his chest.
"I am Master Alden, one of the senior instructors at Martial Haven." His eyes twinkled with curiosity. "And you, Leon Ashford, are quite the interesting case."
Leon stiffened at the way Alden said his name.
"You know who I am?"
Alden nodded. "Of course. We do not randomly choose just anyone. Every student admitted into the academy is selected based on their potential."
Leon frowned. "But I've never trained a day in my life. I'm not a warrior. I'm just some kid from the slums."
Alden smirked. "And yet, you managed to defeat three trained bounty hunters without any prior combat experience. Doesn't that make you wonder?"
Leon swallowed. The warmth in his chest, that strange power that had awakened during the fight, still lingered faintly.
He couldn't deny it.
Something inside him had changed.
Before he could respond, a loud BOOM echoed through the air.
Leon snapped his head toward the massive gate, his heart pounding.
The golden symbols on the steel surface began to glow brighter, and a deep rumbling sound vibrated through the ground. The towering gate slowly began to open, revealing a breathtaking sight beyond.
A vast courtyard stretched out before them, leading into a city-like campus filled with towering statues, ancient-looking temples, and training fields where warriors sparred against each other. The entire academy seemed alive with energy, a place where power and battle intertwined.
Leon felt a shiver run down his spine.
This was nothing like the world he had known.
Alden stepped forward. "Shall we?"
Leon hesitated for only a moment before taking his first step through the gates of Martial Haven.
His journey had truly begun.
Leon stepped past the colossal gates of Martial Haven, his heart pounding in his chest. Every fiber of his being told him that he had entered a world far beyond anything he had ever known.
The vast courtyard before him stretched endlessly, paved with smooth black stone that reflected the golden light from the floating lanterns hovering in the air. The entire place pulsed with an almost magical energy, as if the very ground itself was alive.
His eyes darted across the area, taking in the towering statues of legendary warriors positioned around the courtyard. Each statue stood at least twenty feet tall, carved with intricate details that made them look almost lifelike. Some held massive swords, others wielded spears, while a few had their hands raised as if channeling some unseen power.
"Welcome to Martial Haven, Leon," Master Alden said, stepping beside him. His gaze swept across the courtyard as if he, too, was appreciating the sight despite having been here countless times before.
Leon swallowed hard. "This place… it feels different. Powerful."
Alden chuckled. "That's because it is."
Before Leon could ask what he meant, a sudden gust of wind swept through the courtyard.
A group of figures appeared from the far end of the courtyard, moving with perfect synchronization. Each one wore a deep blue robe embroidered with silver patterns. Their movements were sharp, disciplined—like trained warriors.
At the front of the group was a man who looked to be in his late twenties, with short silver hair and piercing blue eyes. His expression was unreadable, but his presence alone was intimidating. He walked with an air of authority, and even without speaking, he radiated a sense of dominance over the area.
As they approached, Alden turned toward Leon and whispered, "That's Instructor Kael, one of the academy's top combat trainers. He doesn't tolerate weakness."
Leon felt a lump form in his throat.
Kael's sharp eyes scanned him from head to toe, as if measuring his worth in mere seconds.
"You're the new recruit?" Kael's voice was smooth but carried an unmistakable edge.
Leon forced himself to nod. "Yes, sir."
Kael studied him for another moment before exhaling sharply. "You look unimpressive."
Leon stiffened at the insult but bit his tongue. He had no idea how strong this man was, but something told him that provoking him would be a mistake.
Alden, however, merely smiled. "Appearances can be deceiving, Kael. This one has potential."
Kael let out a dry laugh. "We'll see."
Then, without warning—
Kael moved.
One second he was standing still. The next, he was right in front of Leon, his fist cutting through the air at blinding speed.
Leon's instincts screamed at him to move.
He barely had time to react before something inside him clicked—
His body dodged on its own.
Kael's fist missed him by mere inches, but the sheer force behind the strike sent a shockwave through the air, kicking up dust and making Leon's hair whip around his face.
Leon stumbled back, his breathing heavy. What just happened?!
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Hmph. Reflexes aren't bad."
Alden grinned. "I told you. He's interesting."
Kael studied Leon again, this time with a hint of curiosity. "Fine. Let's see if you can survive the entrance trials."
Leon's stomach twisted at the mention of trials.
Before he could ask what that meant, Kael turned on his heel and walked toward the far end of the courtyard. "Follow me."
Leon cast a questioning look at Alden, who simply nodded.
"Go on," Alden said. "This is your first step to proving yourself."
Leon took a deep breath, steeling himself. Then, with determination burning in his chest, he followed Kael deeper into the heart of Martial Haven.
Leon followed Instructor Kael through the massive courtyard, his steps uncertain but determined. The deeper they went, the more he realized the sheer scale of Martial Haven.
The courtyard was just the beginning. Beyond it, towers of stone and metal stretched toward the sky, their surfaces inscribed with glowing runes. In the distance, Leon could see what looked like training grounds, where warriors sparred using weapons and hand-to-hand combat.
But what truly caught his attention was a colossal stone structure at the center of the academy. It was unlike anything he had ever seen—an enormous circular coliseum, its walls adorned with statues of legendary fighters. From inside, he could hear the faint echoes of battle cries and the clash of steel against steel.
Kael glanced over his shoulder. "That's the Trial Arena. Every new recruit must pass the entrance trials there."
Leon's throat went dry. "What kind of trials?"
Kael smirked. "You'll find out soon enough."
Alden, who had been walking beside Leon, chuckled. "Don't scare the boy too much, Kael. He'll have his chance to prove himself."
Kael ignored him and led them toward a large gathering of recruits near the entrance of the arena.
Leon scanned the crowd, there were at least fifty other young fighters, each one radiating confidence and strength. Some had weapons strapped to their backs, while others carried themselves with the aura of experienced warriors.
A wave of doubt crept over Leon. What am I doing here?
He clenched his fists, forcing himself to breathe. No. I made it this far. I won't back down.
Kael stepped forward, addressing the recruits. "Listen up! You all stand here today because you've been chosen to join Martial Haven. But let me make one thing clear—"
His piercing gaze swept over the group.
"Not all of you will make it."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Kael continued, his voice sharp as steel. "This academy does not accept the weak. To earn your place here, you must prove that you have the strength, skill, and willpower to survive. That is why we have the Entrance Trials."
Leon's heartbeat quickened.
Kael gestured toward the massive doors of the arena. "Inside, you will face three challenges. Each one is designed to test a different aspect of your potential."
"First, the Test of Endurance."
"You will be thrown into a survival match where you must hold your ground against relentless opponents. This will separate those who have stamina from those who will collapse under pressure."
Some recruits exchanged uneasy glances.
"Second, the Test of Skill."
Kael's smirk grew slightly. "You will face an opponent chosen based on your level. This will determine whether you have actual combat ability or if you're just another fool with a sword."
Leon's hands instinctively curled into fists.
"And finally—" Kael's gaze darkened, "the Test of Will."
Silence fell over the group.
Kael's voice dropped to a near whisper, yet it carried more weight than anything else he had said.
"This is where you will either rise… or be broken."
Leon swallowed hard.
Alden clapped a hand on Leon's shoulder. "Well then, looks like it's time for you to see what you're really made of."
The massive doors of the Trial Arena slowly began to open.
Leon took a deep breath, then stepped forward.
His true test was about to begin.