The monster roared as it rushed across the ritual circle.
Its claws scraped against the stone floor while dark energy pulsed around its body. The creature was larger than the guardian Lucas had fought beneath the History Building before, and its movements were faster.
But Lucas didn't panic.
Instead, he calmly stepped sideways, letting the creature's claws miss him by a narrow margin.
Behind him, several members of the Hermetic Order watched silently. At the front stood Edward Coventry, observing the battle with a calm but curious expression.
To his side stood Alyssa Drake, her eyes focused entirely on Lucas.
The creature turned and lunged again.
Lucas raised his hand.
Mana gathered instantly.
But this time he didn't fire immediately.
Instead, he activated Mana Compression.
The glowing sphere in his palm shrank rapidly, becoming smaller and denser than before.
Lucas released it.
The compressed Mana Bolt shot forward like a bullet and struck the creature directly in the shoulder.
The impact forced the monster back several steps.
A few members of the Order exchanged surprised glances.
"That control…" one of them murmured.
Lucas didn't give the creature time to recover.
He stepped forward and fired another Mana Bolt.
This one struck the monster in the chest.
The creature roared in anger and charged again.
Lucas dodged once more, sliding across the ritual circle while gathering mana for another attack.
But something was different this time.
The creature suddenly moved faster.
Its claw swiped toward Lucas's side.
Lucas barely managed to jump back before the attack struck the stone floor, leaving deep marks in the ritual circle.
"Stronger than the last one," Lucas thought.
Behind him, Coventry spoke calmly.
"Adapt."
Lucas smirked slightly.
"That's the plan."
The monster lunged again.
Lucas focused his mind.
Mana Flow Control activated.
The magical energy inside his body moved smoothly, allowing him to gather power faster than before.
Lucas compressed another Mana Bolt.
But instead of firing immediately, he waited.
The monster rushed closer.
Five meters.
Four.
Three.
At the last moment, Lucas stepped aside and fired the compressed bolt directly into the creature's head.
The explosion of mana forced the monster backward.
The creature collapsed onto the ritual circle.
For a moment it struggled to stand again.
But then its body began dissolving into dark smoke.
The chamber fell silent.
A moment later, the familiar voice of the system echoed in Lucas's mind.
Ding! Trial Completed.
Ding! Level Up — Lucas Hale reached Level 4.
Lucas exhaled slowly.
He could feel the increase in strength immediately. The mana inside his body felt slightly larger and easier to control.
Across the chamber, several members of the Order whispered quietly among themselves.
Coventry stepped forward again.
"Well done," he said.
Lucas shrugged lightly.
"It was a decent warm-up."
Coventry chuckled softly.
"Confidence is good."
He stopped a few steps away from Lucas.
"But the trial wasn't just about defeating the creature."
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
Coventry gestured toward the ritual circle.
"That creature reacts to magical potential."
Lucas remained silent.
Coventry continued.
"The stronger your potential, the more aggressively it attacks."
Lucas glanced briefly at the spot where the monster had disappeared.
"So you were measuring me."
"Exactly."
Coventry folded his hands behind his back.
"And the results are… interesting."
For a moment, the chamber was completely quiet.
Then the system spoke again.
Ding! Hidden Achievement Unlocked — Trial Victor.
Ding! Title Acquired: Rising Initiate.
Lucas blinked slightly.
A title?
He could already tell that titles would probably give special bonuses.
Coventry looked toward the other members of the Order.
"It seems we've found an unusual candidate."
One of the mages nodded slowly.
"I agree."
Coventry turned back to Lucas.
"You've passed the first step."
Lucas crossed his arms.
"And the next step?"
Coventry smiled faintly.
"You will begin learning magic properly."
Lucas almost laughed.
"About time."
Coventry's expression became more serious.
"But understand this, Lucas Hale."
The magical energy in the chamber felt heavier.
"The world you're stepping into is dangerous."
Lucas didn't look intimidated.
"I figured."
Coventry studied him for a moment longer.
Then he said something unexpected.
"There is another reason we test new students."
Lucas tilted his head slightly.
"What reason?"
Coventry's voice lowered.
"To see whether they can survive what's coming."
Lucas frowned slightly.
"What do you mean?"
Coventry glanced toward Alyssa.
Then he spoke quietly.
"There are enemies of the Order."
Lucas already knew where this was going.
Enemies like the Knights of Saint Christopher — the secret werewolf society that opposed the Order in The Order.
Coventry looked directly at Lucas.
"And recently… they've become active again."
Lucas felt the faintest hint of excitement.
His system was clearly leading him deeper into the supernatural conflict of Belgrave.
And that meant more quests.
More battles.
More power.
Lucas smiled slightly.
"Sounds interesting."
Behind him, the system responded immediately.
Ding! Major Quest Unlocked — Enter the Hidden War.
Lucas's eyes gleamed faintly.
Things at Belgrave University were about to become much more dangerous.
And Lucas couldn't wait.