I woke before dawn, as had become my habit.
The temporary housing room was dark except for the faint glow of pre-dawn light filtering through the window. Outside, Astral Island was quiet—that peculiar stillness that came in the hours before a major event, when even the air seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
Today, Stage Two would begin.
I sat up, ran through my mental checklist. Body felt good—no lingering fatigue, no injuries. Master-tier Circulation had worked through the night, keeping my mana reserves full and my physical condition optimal.
Status check.
[STATUS DISPLAY]
NAME: Leon De Stellis
AGE: 17
RANK: Mortal (Mid, 60.0%)
CORRUPTION LEVEL: 16.4%
The corruption had increased slightly from yesterday's demonstration, but it remained well below the danger threshold. Manageable. Controlled.
I dressed in practical clothing—dark colors that wouldn't stand out in wilderness terrain, reinforced fabric that could take abuse. Strapped Blackheart to my hip where it pulsed with familiar wrongness.
The common area was already busy when I arrived. Candidates who'd passed Stage One were gathering for breakfast, their conversations a mixture of excitement and nervous energy.
Two hundred and forty of us had made it through. Today we'd be divided into teams of three—eighty teams total—and sent into designated wilderness zones for twelve hours of survival exercise.
I ate mechanically while observing the crowd. Most candidates looked confident, some were clearly nervous, and a few radiated the kind of aggressive competitiveness that suggested they'd be problems for their teammates.
Arielle De Luna sat near the center of the room, surrounded by a small group who'd naturally gravitated toward her. She was smiling, saying something that made the others laugh. Natural charisma, effortless leadership.
The protagonist in her element.
Our eyes met briefly across the crowded space. Just a moment of recognition—she'd seen me yesterday in the results area, probably remembered the way people had instinctively avoided me.
Then she looked away, returning to her conversation.
No concern. No wariness. Just casual acknowledgment of another candidate.
She had no idea who I really was. What I represented.
Good. Let her underestimate me. Let everyone underestimate me.
Stark appeared, dropping into the seat beside me with a plate loaded with food. "Big day."
"Very."
"Nervous?"
I considered the question. Was I nervous? Not really. Apprehensive about the unknown variables, certainly. But nervous implied fear of failure, and I'd pushed too hard, sacrificed too much, to fail now.
"Prepared," I said instead.
Stark grinned. "That's the Leon I know. Always prepared, never worried."
If only he knew how much mental effort went into maintaining that appearance.
A bell chimed throughout the building—the signal to gather in the courtyard for team assignments.
The mass exodus was controlled chaos. Two hundred and forty candidates filing out through multiple exits, following glowing path markers toward the central courtyard where Stage One orientation had been held.
The courtyard looked different in dawn light. Less imposing, more functional. Four large boards had been erected at strategic positions, each one displaying team assignments for their respective testing centers.
Academy staff directed traffic, ensuring candidates found their assigned boards without too much confusion. I followed the white markers toward the Delta Center board, Stark beside me.
The crowd around the Delta board was thick—about sixty candidates all trying to see their assignments simultaneously. I waited for the initial rush to thin before approaching.
When I finally reached the board, I scanned the listings quickly:
DELTA CENTER - TEAM ASSIGNMENTS
Team D-01:
- Candidate 217: Leon De Stellis
- Candidate 089: Mira Vex
- Candidate 156: Thomas Crane
I stared at the names. Mira—the red-haired Fire affinity user from the carriage ride. Thomas—the scholarly boy who'd looked nervous during the journey.
Not Stark, which wasn't surprising given true random assignment. But at least I knew these two, even if only superficially.
"Found yours?" Stark appeared beside me, having navigated through the crowd.
"Team D-01. Mira Vex and Thomas Crane."
"The Fire girl and the book boy?" Stark's expression suggested he wasn't sure if that was good or bad. "Could be worse. At least you've met them."
"What about you?"
He grimaced. "Team D-07. Don't know either of my teammates. One's listed as having Earth affinity, the other has some kind of Weapon specialization."
"You'll adapt," I said. "Four days of training with me means you can handle most situations."
"Let's hope." He offered his hand. "Good luck, Leon. Try not to intimidate your teammates too badly with that scary sword."
I clasped his forearm in the warrior's grip. "Try not to get anyone killed with overconfidence."
He laughed. "Fair point. See you on the other side."
Stark moved off to find his team, and I turned my attention back to the board, memorizing the staging area location for Team D-01: Zone Delta-3, Southeast Quadrant.
---
The staging area was a large open field near the island's southern edge, divided into clearly marked zones. Each zone contained three candidates waiting for their team briefing.
I found Zone Delta-3 easily—Mira was already there, her red hair catching the morning light. Thomas arrived moments after me, clutching a small pack and looking distinctly uncomfortable.
"Leon," Mira acknowledged, her tone carefully neutral. She'd felt the Malevolent Aura during the carriage ride, and it clearly still made her uneasy. "Looks like we're teammates."
"Looks like," I agreed.
Thomas nodded nervously but didn't speak. His eyes kept darting to Blackheart at my hip, then away quickly, like looking at it too long might be dangerous.
Smart instincts.
An instructor appeared—one of the senior staff who'd been managing logistics throughout the process. She carried a sealed packet and a map.
"Team D-01," she announced. "Leon De Stellis, Mira Vex, Thomas Crane. Confirm your presence."
"Here," we said in unison.
She handed me the packet and map. "You're assigned to Wilderness Zone Seven. The zone is fifty square miles of varied terrain—forests, hills, small streams, some cave systems. You will be deposited at your starting location via teleportation platform. From that point, you have twelve hours to survive and complete your objectives."
She tapped the sealed packet. "Inside are three objective cards. You must complete at least two of the three to pass Stage Two. The third is optional but provides bonus scoring that may affect your Stage Three ranking."
"What kind of objectives?" Mira asked.
"Each team's objectives are unique and tailored to test different capabilities. You'll discover yours when you open the packet at your starting location." The instructor's expression became serious. "Be aware that multiple teams will be deployed in each wilderness zone. Encounters with other teams are possible and expected. Direct combat between teams is discouraged but not prohibited. Theft of another team's objectives or supplies is considered fair play."
Thomas's eyes widened. "So we might have to fight other candidates?"
"Possibly. The zones are large enough that avoidance is possible if you're careful. But competition for resources and objectives may create conflict." She paused. "Medical staff are stationed throughout the zones with emergency teleportation capability. If you're seriously injured, activate your identification badge by breaking the seal on its back. You'll be immediately extracted, but your team will be penalized and you personally will fail Stage Two."
"Understood," I said.
"Equipment restrictions: You may carry one primary weapon, one backup weapon, basic survival supplies not exceeding fifteen pounds total weight, and three healing potions per person maximum. No outside communication devices. No teleportation items beyond the emergency badge function. No restricted magical artifacts."
She looked at me specifically when saying the last part, her eyes dropping to Blackheart.
"Your weapon is technically a restricted artifact," she said carefully. "However, Director Silveresta has granted special permission for you to carry it given that you passed Stage One assessment while bonded to it. Be aware that using it will draw significant attention, both from other teams and from monitoring staff."
"Acknowledged," I said.
She handed map copies to Mira and Thomas. "Your starting location is marked. Study the map during the teleportation preparation. You'll have five minutes after arrival before the timer officially begins. Use that time to orient yourselves and plan your approach."
The instructor stepped back. "Report to Teleportation Platform Seven in ten minutes. Good luck."
She moved on to brief the next team, leaving the three of us alone.
An awkward silence settled.
Mira broke it first. "So. We should probably figure out how this is going to work."
"Agreed," I said. "Let's establish basic parameters before we're thrown into the wilderness."
We moved to a quieter section of the staging area. I opened the map fully, spreading it out on the ground so we could all see.
Wilderness Zone Seven was indeed varied terrain. Heavy forest in the northern section, rolling hills in the center, what looked like a small canyon system in the south. Water sources were marked—two streams and a small pond. The map also showed hazard warnings: "Mana Beast Activity," "Unstable Terrain," "Dense Vegetation."
"What are your capabilities?" I asked directly, looking at Mira first.
She seemed slightly taken aback by the blunt question but recovered quickly. "Fire affinity. Mid-level Mortal rank. I can create and manipulate flames, throw firebolts with reasonable accuracy, sustain fire-based enhancement for about ten minutes continuously. I've trained in basic combat but I'm not a specialist—I'm better at range than close quarters."
"Useful," I said. "Thomas?"
The scholarly boy swallowed hard before speaking. "I have Minor Wind affinity. I'm... not a fighter. My assessment passed because of my theoretical knowledge and mana control, not combat capability. I can create small air currents, enhance my movement speed slightly, and I'm good at reading maps and terrain."
"So you're support," Mira said, not unkindly. "Navigation and strategic thinking."
Thomas nodded, looking relieved that she understood. "Exactly. I won't be much help in direct combat, but I can plan routes, identify resources, and provide tactical analysis."
Both of them looked at me expectantly.
"Sword affinity primary, Dark affinity secondary," I said. "High Mortal rank. Combat specialist with multiple advanced techniques. I can engage most threats directly, but I work best when I'm not trying to protect vulnerable teammates simultaneously."
I didn't mention Blackheart specifically beyond what they could already see. No point revealing its full capabilities unless necessary.
"So our team composition is: one front-line combatant, one mid-range damage dealer, and one support specialist," Mira summarized. "That's actually a decent balance if we use it properly."
"Agreed," I said. "Which means our strategy should be: Thomas navigates and plans, I handle close threats, Mira provides covering fire and deals with anything that gets past me. We stay mobile, avoid unnecessary conflicts with other teams unless they interfere with our objectives."
"What about the objectives themselves?" Thomas asked. "We don't know what they are yet."
"We'll adapt once we see them," I said. "But two of three need to be completed. That gives us flexibility—if one objective is too dangerous or time-consuming, we can focus on the other two."
"Makes sense," Mira agreed. She hesitated, then added: "Leon, I have to ask. That sword you're carrying. The one that makes everyone nervous. How dangerous is it really?"
Direct question. I appreciated that more than dancing around the topic.
"Very dangerous," I said honestly. "But I control it, not the reverse. If I draw it, stay clear of my strike zone. The corruption it leaves can spread to bystanders if you're too close."
Thomas went pale. "Corruption?"
"The blade is cursed. Wounds it inflicts don't heal normally and continue to decay." I met their eyes. "But it's also what makes me effective in combat. With it, I can handle threats significantly above my rank. Without it, I'm still competent but not exceptional."
"So we want you to use it against serious threats, but we need to give you space when you do," Mira said, processing the information. "Got it."
"Exactly."
A bell chimed across the staging area—five minutes until teleportation.
We gathered our supplies quickly. I had my military-grade sword as backup, Blackheart as primary. Three healing potions in a belt pouch. Basic survival gear: rope, fire-starting kit, water purification tablets, preserved rations.
Mira carried a short sword for emergencies but clearly preferred to fight at range. Her supply pack was similar to mine.
Thomas had a dagger he clearly didn't know how to use, but his pack contained additional maps, a compass, and what looked like reference materials for identifying edible plants and safe water sources.
Support specialist indeed.
We made our way to Teleportation Platform Seven—a raised circle of stone carved with intricate runes that glowed with ambient mana. Four other teams were already queued, each one maintaining their own space while eyeing the competition warily.
I spotted Stark's team in the adjacent platform—he caught my eye and nodded once. Confident but focused.
Arielle De Luna's team was at a platform further down. She stood with two other candidates, and even from a distance I could see her natural leadership in action. She was gesturing at a map, explaining something, and her teammates were listening attentively.
The protagonist already proving her worth.
Our turn came. We stepped onto Platform Seven, and immediately I felt the teleportation magic activating—a sensation like reality becoming fluid, space folding in on itself.
A staff member approached with the sealed objective packet. "Once you arrive, open this immediately. Five-minute grace period begins upon arrival. The timer will announce itself at the five-minute mark. Good luck."
He handed me the packet and stepped back.
The teleportation platform's runes brightened, going from dim glow to brilliant radiance. The sensation intensified—not painful, but deeply disorienting as the magic took hold.
Reality twisted.
The platform, the staging area, Astral Island itself—all of it blurred and dissolved into streams of light and color.
Then—
We were somewhere else.
---
The transition from teleportation platform to wilderness was jarring.
One moment: brilliant light and the sensation of space folding.
Next moment: solid ground, green canopy overhead, the sounds of nature replacing the organized chaos of the Academy.
Wilderness Zone Seven, Wilderness Zone designation Seven—our starting location.
The forest around us was dense but not impenetrable. Old-growth trees with thick trunks and spreading canopies. Undergrowth that was present but manageable. Filtered sunlight creating dappled patterns on the forest floor.
I immediately activated Combat Instinct, scanning for threats. Nothing immediate—just the ambient presence of mana beasts somewhere in the deeper forest, far enough away to not be concerning yet.
"Everyone okay?" Mira asked, having recovered from the teleportation faster than Thomas, who looked slightly green.
"I'm fine," I said. "Thomas?"
"Give me... a moment," he managed, taking deep breaths.
While he recovered, I broke the seal on the objective packet and pulled out three cards, each one made of treated parchment with clear writing:
TEAM D-01 OBJECTIVES
Objective One: Resource Gathering
Collect three specific items found within the zone:
- Silver Moss (grows on northern-facing tree bark)
- Clearwater Stone (found in streams, identifies by blue shimmer)
- Ironwood Branch (from rare Ironwood trees, identifiable by dark bark and unusual weight)
Deliver all three items to designated extraction point at end of exercise.
Objective Two: Threat Elimination
Hunt and eliminate three Mana Beasts of Mid-Mortal rank or higher within the zone. Collect proof of elimination (beast cores). Deliver cores to designated extraction point.
Objective Three (BONUS): Team Encounter
Engage with at least one other team in non-lethal combat. Victory or strategic withdrawal both acceptable—scoring based on tactical execution and teamwork display. Academy monitoring will verify encounter.
I read through all three cards, then passed them to Mira and Thomas so they could review.
"Two of three required," Mira said, studying the cards. "Objective One looks straightforward but time-consuming. We'll need to search systematically for each item."
"Objective Two is dangerous," Thomas added nervously. "Mid-Mortal rank Mana Beasts are serious threats. Even one would be challenging."
"But efficient," I noted. "If I can handle the beasts quickly, we collect the cores and complete the objective with less time investment than searching for scattered resources."
"What about Objective Three?" Mira looked at me. "The bonus one. Team combat."
I considered it. Engaging another team was risky—we didn't know what capabilities other teams had, and a bad matchup could result in injuries or worse.
But the bonus scoring might affect Stage Three rankings. If we both advanced to the tournament, better rankings might mean more favorable matchups.
"We don't actively seek it," I decided. "But if we encounter another team and the situation favors us, we engage. Otherwise, we focus on One and Two."
"So our plan is: hunt Mana Beasts for Objective Two while opportunistically gathering any resources for Objective One that we encounter along the way," Mira summarized. "If we complete Two and partially complete One, we're in good shape. If we finish both, we're guaranteed to pass."
"Exactly," I agreed.
Thomas had been studying the map during our discussion. "The deepest forest is north of our position. That's likely where higher-ranked Mana Beasts will be concentrated. Silver Moss also grows on northern-facing bark, so we might find it in that direction too."
"Good analysis," I said. "We move north, hunt beasts, gather resources opportunistically, avoid unnecessary conflicts with other teams unless the situation strongly favors us."
A magical voice suddenly rang through the forest—amplified by enchantment, carrying clearly despite the dense vegetation:
"FIVE MINUTE GRACE PERIOD EXPIRED. STAGE TWO SURVIVAL EXERCISE NOW ACTIVE. TIME REMAINING: TWELVE HOURS. GOOD LUCK, CANDIDATES."
The official start.
I drew my military-grade sword—saving Blackheart unless truly necessary. Mira's hands ignited with small flames—ready but controlled. Thomas clutched his map and compass.
"Stay close," I said quietly. "Thomas in the middle, Mira two meters behind me, I take point. We move carefully but efficiently. Combat Instinct will warn us about threats before we see them."
They nodded, falling into formation.
I took a breath, centered myself, and led us into the forest.
Stage Two had begun.
Twelve hours to survive, complete objectives, and prove we deserved to advance.
Somewhere in this fifty-square-mile zone, other teams were beginning their own objectives. Arielle De Luna and her team were out there, probably already moving with efficient confidence.
Stark and his team were navigating their own challenges.
And dozens of other teams were competing for the same goals, the same resources, the same success.
The wilderness was beautiful in the morning light—sunbeams piercing through the canopy, birdsong echoing through the trees, the fresh scent of forest growth.
But it was also a testing ground. A place where two hundred and forty candidates would be reduced to however many truly deserved to advance.
I activated Silent Steps, moving through the forest without making a sound. My teammates followed as quietly as they could manage.
Combat Instinct pinged—something ahead. Not immediate danger, but presence. Movement in the undergrowth about sixty meters north.
I raised a hand, signaling halt. Mira and Thomas froze immediately.
Gestured toward the movement. Mira created a small flame in her palm—ready to attack if needed. Thomas pulled out a small knife, though he held it awkwardly.
The undergrowth rustled.
A creature emerged—four-legged, about the size of a large dog, covered in scales that shimmered with mana.
A Forest Drake. Mortal Mid-rank, based on the mana density I could feel radiating from it.
Perfect first target for Objective Two.
The Drake spotted us, its eyes glowing with predatory intelligence. It opened its mouth, and I saw flames building in its throat.
Fire-element Mana Beast. This was going to be interesting.
I looked back at my team. Mira's eyes were wide but focused. Thomas looked terrified but held his ground.
"First objective target," I said quietly. "Mira, covering fire on my signal. Thomas, stay back and observe. Ready?"
They nodded.
The Forest Drake charged.
I met it head-on, blade raised, and Stage Two's first real challenge began.
---
The hunt was on.