The bell of the Imperial Academy rang through the air — clear, resonant, and heavy with expectation.
Hundreds of students gathered on the grand marble platform outside the academy's training towers. Floating above them, dozens of crystal orbs projected the image of the vast Grand Combat Forest, shimmering with layers of enchantments.
"Today marks the start of your first large-scale evaluation," announced Instructor Kaien Drossel, his commanding voice cutting through the excited murmurs. "The Trial of the Forest is designed to measure not only your combat ability, but also your teamwork, strategy, and adaptability under pressure."
He raised a hand, and a golden projection appeared in the sky — the rules of the trial.
> There are 50 Golden Sticks hidden within the forest.
30 teams total, 2 students per team.
A team must collect 10 Golden Sticks to pass.
You may steal sticks from other teams through combat.
Lethal damage is nullified by safety barriers — but pain and fatigue are real.
Time limit: 3 hours.
Terrain will shift every 30 minutes.
"The teams with the top five performances," Kaien continued, "will receive special merits and audience with the royal family themselves. The rest…" His gaze sharpened. "Try not to embarrass your instructors."
A ripple of nervous laughter followed.
---
Sho Ardenthal stood silently among the crowd, his calm expression unchanging. The wind brushed through his silver-black hair as he adjusted his gloves. Beside him, Liyana Lufinze stretched her arms lazily, her long silver hair swaying like silk.
"You look too relaxed," Sho muttered.
She smirked. "That's because I am. You'll do the worrying for both of us."
Sho exhaled. "That's… not wrong."
Around them, whispers spread.
> "That's the Duke's son, Sho Ardenthal."
"And the girl beside him—wow, who is she?"
"They say she topped both sword and magic evaluations!"
Sho ignored them. He was already scanning the projection map above — noting landmarks, elevation points, and likely ambush zones. His mind sharpened, tactical thoughts forming effortlessly.
Then, the system window flickered before his eyes:
> Quest: Trial of the Forest
Objective: Collect 10 Golden Sticks and survive until the end.
Bonus Condition: Defeat the highest-ranked team.
Reward: Permanent Unlock of Hidden Skill — Domination Pulse
Status: Active
His eyes narrowed slightly. So that's the condition, huh?
---
The instructor raised his hand.
"Teams, prepare to enter the forest."
A bright blue portal shimmered at the center of the arena.
"Remember — the forest is alive. It changes, it watches, and it tests your will."
Sho turned to Liyana. "Stay close. The terrain's unstable, and I'd rather not test the academy's safety barriers firsthand."
Liyana smiled teasingly. "Protective already? How sweet."
"Strategic," he corrected, stepping into the glowing portal.
---
Inside the Grand Combat Forest
The moment they emerged, the sound of birds and rustling leaves surrounded them. The forest was enormous — ancient trees towering high, mist swirling between mossy roots.
Sho knelt, pressing a hand to the ground. "Mana traces… eight directions. Teams entered from different portals."
"Can you sense the golden sticks?" Liyana asked.
"Barely. They emit faint mana signatures — irregular, like they're moving."
Liyana tilted her head. "So the forest plays tricks, too."
Before Sho could answer, a sudden burst of wind shook the leaves — and a volley of mana arrows shot toward them.
Sho reacted instantly. "Down!"
A shimmering barrier of light erupted from his hand, deflecting three arrows midair. Liyana flicked her wrist, launching a small orb of blue fire — it detonated like thunder, scattering the ambushers' cover.
Three figures emerged from the smoke — students in black, grinning confidently.
> "Team Rione! Looks like we found our first targets!"
Sho's stance lowered, his hand brushing his sword hilt. "Ambushed before we even started properly, huh?"
"Better warm-up than nothing," Liyana replied, her crimson eyes glowing faintly.
The attackers charged. Mana flared.
Sho's blade met the first strike head-on — his form sharp, precise. He stepped sideways, disarming the attacker in two swift moves, and countered with a stunning pulse of mana that sent the opponent crashing into a tree.
Liyana, on the other hand, twirled her hand, fire weaving like ribbons around her. "You'll regret ruining my peaceful morning," she said, smiling dangerously.
A burst of flame erupted, forcing the two remaining opponents to retreat. Sho moved like a shadow through the firelight — a smooth, calculated strike — and their badges flickered red, signaling their defeat.
The system pinged.
> [Golden Stick Acquired ×2]
[Quest Progress: 2 / 10]
Sho exhaled slowly. "That's two. Twenty-eight teams left."
Liyana flicked her silver hair over her shoulder. "I told you — I'm not just a pretty face."
Sho smirked slightly. "Never said you were."
Her crimson eyes glimmered. "Careful, that almost sounded like a compliment."
---
High above, one of the surveillance orbs zoomed in on their battle.
Instructors murmured in surprise.
> "Sho Ardenthal… exceptional reaction time."
"And that girl — her mana flow is flawless."
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest, Princess Arisa and Saint Alisa stood near a waterfall.
"Looks like Sho is making an impression already," Arisa said softly, watching his image on a floating orb.
Alisa smiled faintly. "Then this test should be interesting."
As she said that, the forest shimmered — and the terrain began to change.
The first mana shift had begun.