Morning sunlight broke through the thick forest canopy, painting golden patches across the clearing.
A loud yawn shattered the silence.
"Ahhh… nothing like the smell of slightly-burnt rabbit meat in the morning," Ezren said, stretching so hard he almost kicked over the dead fire pit. He took a huge bite of last night's leftovers like it was gourmet.
Kagetsu stared at his portion. "Are we sure this is food and not a health hazard?"
Enjin didn't even glance up from tightening his wrist wraps. His voice, calm and deadpan, cut in.
"If it wasn't edible, we'd already be dead."
Kaguro chewed casually. "Tastes like victory… and fur."
After a quick breakfast, they moved out. Day two of the exam had begun—and the goal hadn't changed: collect points by taking down magical beasts… or other students.
Kagetsu scanned the area ahead. His voice snapped into leader-mode.
"Kaguro, scout ahead. Look for high Essentia signatures. Don't engage, just mark them."
Kaguro grinned as he bolted forward. "No promises."
His body shimmered like heatwaves as he disappeared into the woods.
The others pressed on, pushing through thick underbrush and up steep slopes. Roots snagged at their boots, and yesterday's battles still ached in their bones.
Ezren groaned. "This forest needs an elevator."
Then, Enjin stopped.
He tilted his head slightly, hair stirring with the wind like he could smell magic in the air.
"…Essentia," he said. "Big one. North ridge."
They moved instantly.
But before they could get far,
BAM!
A huge, wolf-like humanoid exploded from a tree and clotheslined Ezren straight into the bushes.
"NOT AGAAAAIN—!" Ezren's scream vanished with him.
Kagetsu lunged. "Why do all these beasts look like they've been on steroids and rage?!"
He launched off a tree and pounced onto the wolf's back, fists flying. But the beast roared, flexed like a pro wrestler, and flung Kagetsu across the air.
He didn't land.
Enjin caught him like it was nothing, barely blinking. His grip was firm. His presence? Immovable.
"Good hustle," he said. "My turn."
Enjin stepped forward, No, he took command of the field.
"Fire Creation Magic: Flamebrand."
Flames danced around his fists, coiling like vipers. In a blur, he vanished—then reappeared with a flaming punch to the beast's ribs. The hits came fast, powerful, searing, the beast howled, parts of its fur catching fire.
Ezren stumbled out of a bush, hair full of twigs. "Guys! Minor thing. Possibly important. We're being tracked."
Kagetsu raised an eyebrow. "You think?"
THUNK.
A dagger embedded itself in a tree an inch from Kagetsu's head.
"…Okay, yeah," he muttered. "Tracked."
They ran, weaving through the forest until they burst into a clearing.
Waiting for them were two figures.
One, a wiry teen with wild curls and a grin that screamed chaos.
The other, a quiet boy holding nothing but a hilt, eyes calm like a storm before it breaks.
The curly-haired one stepped forward proudly.
"I am Ptolemy the Great! And you shall go no further!"
Ezren squinted. "Did he just… monologue at us?"
Ptolemy scoffed. "Bold words from a guy who got tackled by a furry."
Enjin cut in, unimpressed. "If you're the loud one, who threw the dagger?"
With dramatic flair, Ptolemy turned. "Aether. Now."
The silent boy lifted his hilt. Lightning surged from the handle, forming a crackling blade of pure energy.
He spoke softly. "Let's get to the massacre"
Ezren cracked his knuckles. "Finally. Someone who speaks fluent violence."
Ptolemy's arms shimmered into solid gray metal as his muscles doubled in size.
"earth Magic: Iron Clad."
Kagetsu leaned toward Ezren. "They look like a discount boss fight."
Ezren grinned. "Yeah, and we're the secret characters with broken stats."
BOOM. Aether launched like a bolt of lightning, straight at Enjin.
But Enjin didn't flinch. He just raised a hand, and caught the lightning blade mid-swing.
Sparks exploded. Aether's eyes widened.
Enjin didn't even blink.
Then, CRACK. Enjin shoved forward, flames exploding from his fists. Lightning and fire collided, lighting up the whole clearing.
Meanwhile, Kagetsu ducked under Ptolemy's steel fists, dodging attacks that cratered the ground.
"Are you sure you're not aluminum?" Kagetsu called.
Ptolemy roared. "You'll regret that!"
Ezren clapped his hands. "Spatial Magic: Gleam Trap!"
A glowing sigil formed beneath Aether. Lightning coiled around his legs—just long enough for Enjin to land two solid punches.
Aether snarled and slashed the trap away with a surge of power.
Kaguro returned just in time, slashing through vines and shadows to leap beside Kagetsu.
"Tag me in."
Kagetsu grinned. "Let's wreck 'em."
"Void Flow: Dragon Fang Strike!"
They attacked together, Kagetsu from below, Kaguro from above, crushing Ptolemy between their blows.
CLANG.
The metal fighter hit a tree hard, and didn't get up.
Only Aether remained.
Enjin's flame aura blazed higher, wind swirling around him.
"Let's end this."
He stepped forward. Aether braced.
"Flamebrand Final: Crimson Meteor."
A pillar of fire exploded beneath Enjin as he launched forward like a comet.
BOOOOM.
When the smoke cleared, Aether dropped to one knee. His blade flickered, sparked once, then went dark.
Silence.
Ezren finally exhaled. "We won! I mean… of course we did."
Kagetsu crossed his arms. "Don't act like you carried."
Ezren raised a finger. "I assisted. It's called synergy."
Enjin said nothing. He just stood there, eyes locked on the horizon. Flames still danced around his shoulders like royalty.
"That's two more off the board," he said quietly.