Desby Forest, the border between the great nations of Lebrad and Theales.
One grueling month has officially passed since the commencement of the Protector's examination.
The sky, blemished with dark mist, loomed overhead as critters scurried along the long shadows stripped from light.
Adjacent to a colossal tree, a sizable cavity lay concealed beneath a pile of leaves. The wind howled as the sound of slaughter penetrated the night.
The reverberation of leaves crunching echoed under Samuel's worn-out shoe. Dirt and scrapes surrounded the footwear he was given a month back.
"Blepharo." In a silent whisper, he called out to Blepharo Clemens, hiding in the hole beside the tree.
"One moment," A ruffled mumble escaped the hole. The leaves shifted before ascending a couple of meters.
Blepharo emerged, his eyes sunken with anguish and fatigue. He looked like someone who hadn't slept in months
His brown hair clumped together, greasy and unwashed for weeks
Samuel grimaced slightly at the sight of his partner. We still have two months, he thought.
During the past month, the pair had encountered eight groups, which they slaughtered relentlessly. Despite Blepharo's warning at the beginning of the exam, they had yet to come across one of the 12 instructors.
Samuel clutched a pile of sticks to his thin, weakening arms. However, no matter how pitifully weak Samuel's body looked, it was nothing compared to Blepharo's.
Over the course of their survival, the once-stoic Blepharo had withered.. Ghastly eye bags and a gloomy expression had taken over the handsome hero.
Samuel's throat clogged as he choked for air, "Ahem... I have the sticks."
Without speaking, Blepharo acknowledged his partner via a solemn nod.
Gradually approaching the crater in the ground, Samuel placed the sticks behind the tree and knelt against the bark.
Even at night, the two couldn't sleep at the same time.
On their 21st night, they had an unfortunate encounter with not a human, but a monster.
Blepharo did mention to his partner that monsters were likely to appear, but they never expected them to be as powerful as they were.
It took nearly four hours to kill, draining the pair of nearly all their strength.
"I didn't expect this exam to be this hard." Heaving an exhale, Samuel clutched his stick that he whittled into a thin sword.
"Yes." Blepharo's replies had grown shorter over time, his words fewer with each passing day.
The two stayed in silence for a couple of minutes.
Samuel's ears pricked up. He had picked up a sound that was close by.
It was a crunch on the ground, like footsteps. They were calm, orderly, and patient.
Someone was coming.
The grip on his weapon did not falter, he had been through countless battles to continue wary of fighting anymore. Instead, with a vigilant motion, he stood up and began approaching the sound.
Fleeing or waiting for it to pass were no longer options in this exam. If you do not hunt it, it will hunt you.
The noise grew louder and clearer, it would not be long before its arrival.
A trickle of sweat slid down Samuel's temple, Where is this noise coming from?
Not bothering to call the exhausted Blepharo, Samuel continued tracing the origin of the footsteps.
"It's here!" Exclaiming, Samuel thrust his sword towards the emerging sound.
The impact on the ground reverberated the sword back, causing Samuel's wrist to wobble.
His dark black eyebrows began to crinkle, "There was... nothing?"
Then, out of the corner of his ear, he heard a muffled groan come out of the cave-like hole.
Without a second to spare, the brutal clashing of two swords pierced the area.
Samuel didn't have time to process what had happened. He stood there frozen for a couple of seconds before finally jerking his head to where the powerful bind came from.
Looking to his right, he saw Blepharo and what looked to be an adult male in a blade lock.
Little sparks were ignited by the two pieces of metal grinding against each other.
"B-Blepharo?" Just a second ago, Blepharo stepped out of the cavern, heavily fatigued.
Blepharo's expression returned to its usual deadpan calm. The male instructor, who had no hair and a thin and jagged face, hauled his silver sword back.
The second he did, Blepharo ducked instantaneously. What followed was a discharge of ice which almost hit the stoic participant.
Instead, it thrashed against the colossal tree, covering it in light blue frost. With a chilling crack, the tree crumbled in half and collapsed on the floor.
The shockwave following its descent left the surrounding area petrified. Well, all except Blepharo and the instructor.
Ice? The addition of extra supernatural abilities came with precaution that Samuel had to follow.
He immediately ran parallel to the fallen tree. Then, while buckling his knees, he backflipped to the other side of the trunk.
As he ran, he could hear the metal colliding, the fight between Blepharo and the instructor had just gotten serious.
I've never seen him that focused, not even against the other participants or the monsters...
Samuel knew his role when they faced a strong enemy. Run.
He knew he wasn't running out of fear or because he was too weak, he ran because Blepharo told him to.
Not questioning why he was ordered to run, Samuel nodded his head and listened.
I want to fight, but I know they're too powerful for me.
Seeing the immense capacity Blepharo held, it was best for him to not participate. I just need to pass this exam.
After running for five minutes, he stopped and began waiting. Showing no signs of fatigue from his run, Samuel continued to hold his sword fervently.
While he waited during battles, a reminiscence about his family would often take place to pass the time. Today was no different.
It's been so long since I've seen Heart, Amariel, and Mom and Dad!
A childish smile spread throughout his face. He knew he could never give up. Heart was waiting for him, he would be the one to find her cure.
I hope Emperor Sorin has a remedy... or something. His optimistic nature was beginning to unravel itself.
"Samuel." A calm voice called out to him from behind.
Rotating his head to the voice, Samuel was met with the sonic aftermath of an aura clash.
His whole being shook significantly. If it was anyone else, they would have fainted instantly.
Launched backward and into the middle of a tree, he coughed out crimson liquid and fell to the ground, slowly.
Ahead of him were Blepharo and the instructor, who carried on with the battle.
The instructor was wearing a light grey shirt with black pants, his arms exposed and his jagged face snickering.
Once I kill this dimwit, you better pay me my money, Nadia. The bald instructor couldn't help but laugh.
He pounced at Blepharo, who intercepted his attack by blocking it with the flat side of the dark-colored claymore.
Looking at the smirking man in front of him, Blepharo exhaled softly, "It will not work. You are simply too weak to kill me."
The cold and brutal statement echoed in the shadowy damp forest. They were fighting in a dirty, slightly open area, surrounded by enormous trees.
"Shut the hell up. I killed 15 kids so far on, first try. I'm not losing to you." He spat before swinging his sword at Blepharo's neck.
It was true, the instructor, Gabriel, had killed 15 participants. He was sent out into the forest 10 days after of the commencement.
Blepharo swiftly used his sword to guide the other sword away, causing Gabriel's body to shift forward and stumble.
With a quick position, Blepharo set his sword directly on Gabriel's neck. There were no moves available left for Gabriel, who quivered in terror.
"A measly ant acting like an emperor. Disgusting." Looking down at the instructor with apathetic brown eyes, Blepharo spoke in a cold tone.
With a jarring motion, the claymore set on Gabriel's neck severed his terrified expression.
His head fell to the ground, tumbling and collecting mud.
As Blepharo's sword dissipated, he spoke in a condemned tone as he eyed the decapitated head, whose eyes were turning a faint shade of white.
"No one in this forest can kill me. I am the strongest."