Warrior Training System

People continued to leave over the course of a few hours, with the investigator giving them time to reflect, understanding that such decisions required careful consideration. Soon, Evans stepped onto the stage, noticing that no one had left the grounds for a few moments.

"Those of you remaining, pay attention to the boxes in front of you," Evans instructed, his voice firm yet composed. The students who hadn't left the training grounds turned their focus to the two boxes placed before them.

Seeing he had their attention, Evans continued, "If you wish to join the academy as a warrior, choose a number from the box on the left. For those aiming to become mages, select from the box on the right."

One by one, the students stepped forward to pick a small piece of paper from their chosen box. Some hesitated, glancing around nervously, while others strode up with confidence. Cassian made his way to the left box, his expression calm and unreadable. He reached in, feeling the folded slips of paper, and pulled one out before stepping back into line.

Rylan, meanwhile, moved toward the right box with an air of quiet determination. He selected his slip and returned to stand beside Cassian.

Cassian unfolded his paper and read the number written on it: Three. He glanced at Rylan, who was examining his own slip.

"Four," Rylan muttered, holding up his number for Cassian to see.

"Three," Cassian said, showing his own slip before glancing at it with a puzzled expression. "Any idea what these numbers mean?"

Rylan scanned the crowd, his sharp eyes darting from one person to the next as he observed the numbers on their slips. After a moment, he said, "Looks like most of them are between one and five. My guess? Either it's some kind of group test or something along those lines."

As the two boys were mulling over the possibilities, a girl with brown skin and striking blonde hair approached them, her confident demeanor catching their attention. "I think those numbers are for the training grounds where we'll be taking our test," she chimed in, her tone casual but assured. "My elder sister's in Valtross. She told me they had a similar test, and everyone was divided into different training grounds based on their numbers."

Both Cassian and Rylan turned to her, first with a hint of confusion, then slowly nodding as the logic of her explanation sank in.

"That makes sense," Rylan said thoughtfully, glancing again at the numbers around them.

Cassian smirked slightly, his curiosity piqued. "Guess we'll find out soon enough."

The girl extended her hand with a friendly smile. "I'm Sarah Loinsow. Nice to meet you."

Cassian shook her hand, his tone casual. "Cassian Alacio. And this is Rylan Dastor."

Rylan gave her a polite nod, adding, "Good to meet you, Sarah. So, any other insider tips from your sister?"

Sarah hesitated, her expression shifting as she debated whether to speak. Finally, she sighed, her resolve softening. "Alright, seeing as both of you have different number then mine, I guess I can share a bit," she said, her tone lower now as if she were revealing a secret.

Her gaze turned to Cassian. "Cassian, right?" she confirmed before continuing. "You'll be in the training ground called 'The Den of the Fairies."

Cassian blinked, clearly surprised. "That doesn't sound dangerous... at all."

Sarah smirked, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Oh, it is. But you'll be fine since you've opened your Domain."

Cassian raised an eyebrow at her, curiosity deepening. "Anything else I should know?"

"One more thing," she said, her tone dropping slightly as if she were sharing a secret. "Don't look down."

"What do you mean, don't look down?" Cassian asked, clearly puzzled.

But Sarah had already turned her attention to Rylan. "You'll understand once you're there," she said cryptically before adding, "And as for you, Rylan, you'll be in the swamp. Just make sure you don't get stung. That's all the advice I can give you two."

She straightened, her gaze shifting forward as Evans began to speak again, addressing the group now that everyone had taken their slips.

"I hope you both pass," Sarah said, her voice softer but still teasing. "And next time, don't forget to return the favor."

Evans stood tall, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd as he began to speak. "Now that everyone has their slips, let me explain what they mean. The numbers represent your assigned training grounds, each designed to test specific aspects of your abilities. There are five in total, each with unique challenges. I'll go through them briefly."

He gestured to a large map behind him that displayed the training grounds, each marked with a number.

"Ground One," Evans began, pointing to a section of the map, "is called The Abyssal Ruins. It's a place of utter darkness, testing your ability to navigate and fight without relying on your sight. Only the sharpest instincts and strongest willpower will see you through."

He moved his finger to the next area. "Ground Two is The Trial of Tempests. Here, you'll face violent winds and unpredictable storms. It's a test of endurance and adaptability. Your ability to keep calm under pressure will be crucial."

"Ground Three," he continued, "is The Swamp of Whispers. This area is filled with dangerous creatures and toxins. It tests your awareness, resilience, and ability to stay focused despite distractions. Be wary of the whispers—some say they aren't just in your head."

His gaze turned to Cassian as he pointed to Ground Four. "Ground Four is The Den of Fairies. Don't let the name fool you. It's a treacherous place filled with illusions and mental traps. Only those with strong minds and clear intentions can make it through unscathed. One piece of advice: trust nothing, not even the ground beneath your feet."

Finally, Evans pointed to the last area. "Ground Five is The Infernal Peaks. This is the harshest of all the training grounds, designed for those who think they're ready for the most grueling challenges. It's a test of sheer physical and mental strength, where only the most determined will survive."

Evans straightened, his tone commanding. "These training grounds will not only test your strength but also your character and resolve. Remember, survival is only the beginning. Prove yourselves worthy of Valtross Academy. Your journey begins now."

Evans paused, letting the weight of his words settle before continuing. "But before that, First, collect your gear. We've taken it from your homes and stored it for you. You have ten minutes to retrieve it. After that, if you're not in the training grounds you have failed the test."

Evans pointed toward the distance, where several masked figures were setting up large structures out of nowhere. "Those gates will teleport you directly to your assigned training ground," he explained.

He then gestured to the towering gates at the far end of the field. They were enormous—large enough to let six people pass through at once. Their archways glowed softly with an ethereal light, and the surface of the gates shimmered, almost like a blurry screen, showing glimpses of different landscapes. Each gate had a number—1 to 5—indicating which training ground it led to.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Cassian couldn't help but stare at them, the flickering images inside shifting from dark ruins to stormy skies, from thick swamps to misty, illusion-filled forests. The gates seemed to pulse with energy, and the number corresponding to each training ground hovered above them, glowing faintly.

"You'll walk through those gates," Evans continued, his voice steady. "Each gate leads to one of the five training grounds. Your assigned number will guide you to the correct one. Don't be late."

The three of them exchanged glances, silently acknowledging each other's presence before Sarah broke the quiet, "See you after..." Her words were brief but carried a sense of finality. With that, they each turned and began walking toward their respective gear.

Cassian jogged over to the area where his belongings were kept, spotting James standing by the pile of items. As Cassian approached, James gave him a nod and a small smile, offering a few words of encouragement. "I wish you luck," he said, his tone sincere.

Cassian gave James a quick, appreciative nod as he tightened his grip on his gear. "Thanks," he said, his voice low but filled with genuine gratitude. There was a spark of excitement in his eyes as he quickly donned his armor, the weight of it settling comfortably on his body. The familiar feeling of his sword at his side gave him a sense of focus and readiness, and he couldn't help but smile to himself.

The gate labeled "3" stood ahead, its blurry, shimmering surface flickering with an ever-changing landscape. He could feel the anticipation building inside him, a mix of excitement and adrenaline. He had no idea what awaited on the other side, but that only fueled his determination further.

With one final glance behind him, Cassian sprinted toward the gate. As soon as his foot hit the ground, he felt a sudden pull, the force of the teleportation surging through him. The air around him shimmered and warped, and in an instant, the world around him changed. His heart pounded as he was thrust into an entirely new environment.

He found himself standing in the middle of a dense forest, where the trees were massive—so tall and wide that he couldn't even see the canopy unless he craned his neck back all the way. The air was thick with the scent of earth and leaves, and the overwhelming silence of the forest surrounded him. The only sound was the rustling of the leaves in the breeze, and Cassian's breath, still quick from the sudden shift.