Chương 77: The Third Day of Tests – Part 1

The third and final day of tests began with a clear sky, but the air inside the academy felt heavier than ever. It was as if the institution itself knew that this was the decisive day. All the remaining candidates were gathered in the large central courtyard early in the morning. Aria stood at the center, accompanied by Master Harlan, Master Vorga, and Master Thalor.

This time, there was also a fifth person: a middle-aged human woman with upright posture and a penetrating gaze, whom Aria introduced as Master Valeria, the director of the Eternal Academy. Valeria stepped forward and spoke in a clear, firm voice: — Today there will be no more separate tests. Today you will be evaluated as a whole. What we did over the last two days was to measure power, teamwork, and emotional control. Today we will see if you can use all of that together, under real pressure.

She paused briefly, looking at everyone. — There will be three final tests. Each one will test something different. Those who manage to complete all three with satisfactory performance… will be accepted into the Eternal Academy. Those who fail… will go home. A murmur ran through the candidates. Some looked anxious. Others, determined. The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. Valeria continued: — The first test begins now. You will be divided into groups of eight people.

Each group will receive a simple mission: protect a magical artifact that will be placed in the center of an arena. However, the arena will be invaded by simulated creatures. The goal is not to defeat all the creatures. The goal is to protect the artifact for the determined time, without it being destroyed or stolen. Master Harlan added: — You may use any abilities you have. You can separate, you can work together, you can do whatever you want. You just cannot let the artifact be destroyed.

If the artifact falls, the entire group is failed. The candidates began to be divided. This time, the family was not separated. All eight of them (Joker, Harley, Astrid, Rina, Marina, Sylvara, Lirien, and Kuroe) were placed in the same group. When the name of the last member was announced and it became clear that they were all together, Harley gave a satisfied little smile. Joker simply raised an eyebrow, as if he had already expected it.

Master Vorga, who was nearby, commented quietly to Aria: — We put them all together on purpose. We want to see how this group functions when there's no one else to "balance" them. Aria nodded once, without taking her eyes off the family. The group was taken to one of the smaller arenas, where a small stone pedestal was already in the center. On top of it was a glowing blue crystal — the artifact they needed to protect. Master Harlan explained the final rules: — You have 15 minutes.

The creatures will start appearing soon. Good luck. As soon as he finished speaking, the ground of the arena began to tremble slightly. Joker looked at the others and spoke quietly, with a crooked smile: — Well… looks like the circus is going to have an audience today. Harley spun her pink hammer once and replied, her eyes shining: — Then let's put on a good show.

Astrid cracked her knuckles, Rina wagged her tails, Marina released a bit of vapor, Sylvara touched the ground with her hands, Lirien closed her eyes for a second, and Kuroe already had faint runes glowing on her back. The eight of them positioned themselves around the pedestal, forming a natural circle. Outside the arena, Lysithea, Elara, Mirella, and Graciela watched in silence. Lysithea had her hands pressed tightly against her chest. The ground trembled once more. And the first creatures began to emerge.

End of Part 1 (continues in Part 1/2)