At the first hour of the morning, even before the capital had fully stirred, Rael and Lyo were already on their way to the Adventurers' Guild. The morning cold bit at their skin, and their footsteps echoed faintly through the half-empty streets. This time, they were not kept waiting. Along with about fifty other candidates, they were led outside the city walls to a wild area owned by the guild. An old hunting ground, vast and surrounded by low hills, dominated by a dense forest with tall, dark trees. The air was heavier here, thick with humidity and a nearly palpable tension. The candidates naturally formed groups. Some were young, others adults; some confident, some nervous. Some already carried high-quality weapons, while others, like Rael and Lyo, had only modest gear. Two figures stood out from the group. The first was an elf, tall and slender, with pale skin tinged slightly green. His silver hair was long, tied back in a low ponytail, and his pointed ears stuck out proudly. He wore a lightweight dark leather outfit, reinforced subtly with small plates. His golden eyes swept the crowd with an unsettling precision. His name was Eldren Sylvaën, a rank A adventurer. Beside him stood a human, massive and almost intimidating. His tanned skin bore scars from past battles. He wore heavy steel armor, worn but meticulously maintained, and a great sword rested on his back. His square face radiated raw experience. His name was Bargan Holt, also a rank A adventurer. Bargan spoke in a deep, commanding voice. — The class trial is simple. You must defeat at least twenty monsters to pass. A murmur ran through the crowd. Eldren continued, calm and precise. — This area is infested with rank D to C monsters. There are also five rank B monsters present. You are not required to face them… but nothing stops you either. He paused. — The more monsters you defeat, and the higher their rank, the better the rank you will be assigned. From D to B. Rael felt his heart race. Lyo furrowed his brows slightly. — Important, added Bargan. This trial is solo. No cooperation. No help. The forest will judge your individual worth. Rael glanced at Lyo. They looked at each other for a long moment. — See you after, Lyo said with a serious smile. — Yeah, Rael replied. Don't die before me. Among the crowd, Eldren observed the candidates carefully. His gaze lingered on a few profiles. — Interesting..., he murmured. One girl caught his attention. She had fair skin with light freckles and bright red hair tied in a high ponytail. She wore a short, mobility-friendly outfit, and a slender blade hung at her waist. Around her, the air seemed slightly warmer. — Strong fire affinity, he thought. Very clear. Then he raised his hand. — Let the trial begin. At his words, all restraint shattered. The candidates rushed into the forest, some sprinting at full speed, others moving cautiously. Branches cracked, leaves rustled, and in seconds, the clearing emptied. Rael took a deep breath... and stepped into the trees.
Lyo was among the first to disappear between the trunks. He moved at high speed, his steps precise and light, avoiding roots and branches without breaking his rhythm. His figure darted through the dark trunks, jacket open, dagger already in hand. His eyes constantly scanned the surroundings. He was not here to hesitate. A shiver ran through the vegetation. Ahead, the ground rose slowly. A living trunk emerged, nearly three meters tall. Its bark was gnarled, veins pulsing green across its surface. Thick vines shot out from its body, twisting in the air like living tentacles. In its center, a dark slit opened, letting out a deep growl. This monster was known as a Sylvarche, a rank C plant predator. Without hesitation, Lyo charged. But the Sylvarche struck first. The vines whipped through the air violently. Lyo rolled aside, narrowly avoiding a strike that would have struck his head. He got up immediately, regained momentum, and circled the monster. A quick motion. Lyo's dagger traced a sharp arc. The steel split the bark. The Sylvarche froze… then its body cracked in two with a heavy snap. The vines fell limply to the ground. Lyo barely exhaled. But the ground trembled again. Five more Sylvarches approached, their forms cutting through the trees. Lyo smirked slightly, almost satisfied. — Perfect. He charged again, blade raised.
Further in the forest, Rael moved cautiously. Unlike Lyo, he didn't immediately find monsters. Instead, he crossed paths with other participants. Some were dispatching rank D and C creatures with startling ease. Spells flew, weapons struck, bodies fell. Rael slowed occasionally, observing. The gap in strength was evident. — They're strong..., he thought, clenching his teeth. But he kept moving forward, refusing to turn back. Then he heard a scream. A muffled, panicked scream. Rael rushed toward the sound. In a narrow clearing, he saw a young girl, smaller than him, perhaps thirteen or fourteen, with tousled brown hair and pale, frightened skin. He trembled, holding a lance far too large for him. Facing him was a terrifying monster. A massive wolf, nearly two meters tall, with pure white fur. Its pale blue eyes glowed with a cold intelligence, and its breath vibrated the air. Steam escaped its slightly open jaws, as if its body was unnaturally cold. This was a Lupus Albarys. A rank B monster. The wolf growled softly, muscles tense, ready to pounce. The boy took a step back. His legs wavered. Rael realized immediately. This fight… could not be won by this little girl