Rachel stood frozen in the training yard, gripping her staff tightly.
Before her was a massive man in full armor, his muscles bulging beneath the metal plates. He held a wooden training sword, but it looked more like a club in his massive hands.
"This is my opponent?" Rachel whispered.
The guild instructor, a tall man with a scar across his face, nodded. "Yep. Your test is simple—land a clean hit on him. You've got five minutes."
Rachel gulped. "And if I can't?"
The instructor smirked. "Then you fail."
Yami, Rei, and Lina stood at the sidelines, watching.
"She's in trouble," Lina muttered.
Rei crossed her arms. "We don't know that yet."
Yami remained silent, watching Rachel carefully.
The armored man grinned down at Rachel. "Don't hold back, little mage. I won't."
Rachel tightened her grip on her staff.
This was it.
The instructor raised his hand. "Begin!"
Rachel moved first.
She slammed her staff into the ground, her magic surging outward.
"Vine Snare!"
Green vines shot up from the ground, lunging at the armored man's legs.
But—
CRACK!
The man stomped down, shattering the vines instantly.
Rachel's eyes widened. "W-What—"
WHOOSH!
The wooden sword swung toward her at terrifying speed.
Rachel barely had time to jump back, the force of the swing kicking up dust where she stood.
"She's too slow," Lina muttered.
Rei frowned. "No, she's testing him."
Yami's eyes narrowed.
Rachel took a deep breath.
"Blooming Barrier!"
A wall of thick flowers and vines sprouted in front of her, shielding her from the next swing.
CRASH!
The wooden sword smashed against the barrier, but didn't break through.
Rachel's eyes glowed green.
"Good. Now…"
She raised her staff, focusing her magic.
"Tangled Thorns!"
Suddenly, the broken vines on the ground sprang to life, wrapping around the armored man's arms and legs.
"W-What?!" He struggled, but the thorns dug into his armor, restraining him.
Rachel dashed forward.
She pressed her staff against his chest plate and whispered,
"Nature's Pulse."
A green light exploded from the staff, sending the armored man crashing onto his back.
THUD!
Silence.
The instructor stared.
The armored man groaned, still trapped by the vines. "Damn… Not bad, kid."
Rachel panted, sweat dripping from her forehead.
She… won.
The instructor smirked. "Well, well. Didn't expect that."
He turned to Rachel.
"Congratulations. You're officially an adventurer."
Rachel's heart raced.
She did it.
From the sidelines, Lina grinned. "She pulled it off!"
Rei nodded. "Told you."
Yami just watched Rachel as she smiled in relief.
For the first time, she had taken a step forward.