Time was slipping away. The final minutes of the test were drawing close. Rael and Izen emerged from the forest, their bodies still shaken by effort, every muscle aching, every breath ragged. Sunlight filtered through the trees, illuminating trembling leaves and dust still hanging in the air.
In a clearing near the validation zone, Lyo spotted them from afar. His face, exhausted yet radiant, lit up instantly. He recognized Rael at once, by his slightly unsteady but determined gait, and by the small cloud of dust following him—Izen. A wide smile spread across his face.
"They did it…" he murmured to himself.
Rael and Izen crossed the final edge of the forest. The ground beneath their feet was dry and firm, a simple yet comforting sensation after the constant tension of the test zone. They saw Lyo already walking toward them.
Their gazes met, and without thinking, the three teenagers greeted each other in pure joy, fists colliding in a gesture both formal and spontaneous. Short of breath, hearts still pounding, they laughed together, their smiles reflecting a simple yet intense satisfaction: they had survived, and they had succeeded.
"We did it!" Lyo exclaimed, nearly out of breath.
"Yeah… we did," Rael replied, still trembling.
"Thanks for your help," Rael added, turning to Izen, who smiled shyly, proud of his part.
Behind them, the forest seemed calm now, almost silent. The defeated monsters no longer disturbed the ground, leaving only the scent of overturned earth and scorched wood born from battle.
A few minutes later, the two instructors took their place before the candidates who had passed the test. Their imposing figures contrasted sharply with the visible exhaustion of the group, a reminder that even in victory, the life of an adventurer was never easy.
Bargan and Eldren exchanged a brief glance before speaking.
"Congratulations to all of you," Bargan began. "You've passed a test that would have broken many novices. Yet you're still standing. You showed courage… tenacity… and for some of you, a bit of luck."
"The monsters you faced weren't there simply to kill you," Eldren continued, his golden eyes scanning each face. "They were meant to test your limits, measure your instincts, and see whether you could think under pressure and act when everything seems lost."
The candidates listened intently, breaths still uneven, some sitting down instinctively to steady their shaking legs. The instructors' words echoed through the clearing, heavy with meaning yet filled with motivating warmth.
"What you experienced today was only the beginning," Bargan went on. "The life of an adventurer is full of battles, dangers… and opportunities. You will learn, grow, and become stronger with each passing day. Never underestimate your enemies… nor yourselves."
Eldren fell silent for a moment, then looked directly at Rael and Lyo, a faint smile on his lips.
"For now, rest. Reflect on what you've experienced. And remember… every monster you defeat is a lesson, not just an obstacle."
Bargan concluded, his voice deep and resonant:
"Meet us tomorrow for your rank results and to receive your guild membership cards. Prepare yourselves to discover what you've earned… and to officially step into the world of adventurers."
A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Some exchanged looks filled with pride or rivalry. Smiles were hesitant, arms still trembling. But everyone knew this day marked a new beginning, and that their lives would never be the same.
Rael, Lyo, and Izen shared a silent glance. The victory was sweet, but the road ahead had only just begun.
After leaving the forest, Rael said his goodbyes to Izen.
"Thanks again for your help."
"No problem. See you tomorrow for the results," Izen replied with a modest smile.
Rael nodded and followed Lyo toward the inn. After the intensity of the test, the capital felt enormous. The sounds of carts, merchants, and distant conversations blended into a steady, reassuring murmur.
They arrived at the run-down inn they had noticed upon their arrival. Outside, the wooden structure was cracked in places, but warm light spilled from the windows. The scent of fresh bread and herbs lingered around the open door.
Inside, the inn was surprisingly cozy. Light wooden walls, worn by time, simple patterned rugs, and oil lamps casting a soft, flickering glow created a welcoming atmosphere. Behind the counter stood a woman in her thirties with a gentle, welcoming face, her hair tied in a messy bun. Beside her, a small boy of about ten or eleven watched them eagerly, eyes shining with curiosity.
"Welcome, gentlemen," the receptionist said warmly. "Did you have a good journey?"
"Yes, thank you," Rael replied, tired but polite.
The boy couldn't hold back.
"You're adventurers? What monsters did you fight? How many did you defeat?"
The woman placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Easy there. Let them catch their breath. You'll have time to ask tomorrow."
She handed the room keys to Rael and Lyo.
"Here are your rooms. Have a good rest."
In their room, simple yet comfortable, Rael and Lyo settled in. A sturdy wooden bed, a small table, a storage chest, and a window overlooking a quieter alley of the capital awaited them. The air smelled of wood and wax, a pleasant change after the forest and sweat.
Sitting on their beds, they began talking about the test, words flowing quickly between laughter, comments on the monsters' difficulty, and praise for each other's performance.
But exhaustion soon caught up with Rael. While Lyo was still talking, Rael's head tilted forward, his eyelids grew heavy, and he fell asleep almost instantly.
Lyo smiled softly and instinctively took a blanket to cover his friend. His gaze lingered, and a memory surfaced.
Eight years ago…
Lyo, then ten years old, had been wandering through bushes near his village when he froze at the sight before him.
A seven-year-old boy—Rael—was surrounded by five other children. His clothes were dirty, his face streaked with dust, and he struggled desperately to defend himself as the others laughed cruelly, pushing and grabbing him.
Lyo had wanted to intervene, but hesitated. Just as he was about to act, Rael suddenly grabbed one of the boys by the hair and slammed him to the ground with surprising strength. The others stepped back, stunned.
Then Rael shouted, his voice trembling yet firm:
"You can be a thousand—I'm not afraid of you! I'll take you all on!"
The others recoiled, shaken by the boy's audacity. One of them tried to attack again.
That was when Lyo called for his mother, who rushed over from a nearby path. He stepped in front of Rael, placing himself between him and the others, a reassuring smile on his face.
"Are you okay?" Lyo asked, smiling at Rael, who was still on the ground, dusty and scraped.
Rael looked up and nodded weakly, out of breath but proud. That day, a silent and unbreakable bond was born between them, built on mutual respect and understanding.
Lyo looked at Rael, asleep now, and a gentle smile crossed his face. The path they had walked since that day felt immense… and yet, they were still here, side by side, ready to face the future.