The morning was quiet.
Birds sang outside the dorm window.
Eiden stood by his bed, holding a small wooden sword.
He closed his eyes.
Breathe in. Breathe out.
His mana flowed slowly.
Control. Focus. Calm.
He opened his eyes.
"I'm getting closer," he whispered.
---
At breakfast, students gathered in the hall.
Kai sat with his group, still angry.
"He thinks he's better than us," he muttered.
One boy whispered, "But… he beat Elara."
Kai's face turned red.
"He just got lucky."
---
Sera walked in with a bright smile.
She looked around, spotted Eiden sitting alone.
She waved.
Eiden didn't wave back.
He just nodded.
Sera giggled.
"He's shy… or maybe cool?"
She walked to him and sat down.
"Good morning!"
"…Morning," Eiden said quietly.
"Are you ready for the Shadow Trial next week?"
Eiden nodded.
Sera leaned closer.
"I'm a little nervous. I heard there are real monsters."
Eiden looked at her.
"You'll be fine."
She smiled.
"You really think so?"
Eiden nodded again.
He didn't say it, but he had already planned everything.
---
In another corner of the room, Elara sat alone.
She ate slowly, her eyes on Eiden.
She still remembered the fight.
No normal student could move like that.
Her heart beat faster.
She picked up her fork.
I will find out your secret.
---
Later that day, the class met at the training field.
The teacher, Mr. Corvin, stood in front.
"Everyone, listen up."
The students went quiet.
"The Shadow Trial begins in five days."
Gasps filled the field.
"That soon?!"
"You will go into Blackroot Forest," the teacher said.
"Your goal is simple. Work as a team. Survive. Bring back a monster core."
Kai raised his hand.
"Can we fight alone?"
The teacher shook his head.
"No. You will be placed in teams. This is a group test."
Groans echoed across the field.
Kai crossed his arms.
"Tch. I don't need help."
Sera smiled. "I hope I'm with Eiden!"
Eiden didn't react.
---
That evening, the school posted the team list.
Students rushed to look.
Eiden walked up slowly.
His eyes scanned the list.
Team 3: Eiden Valtz, Elara Nox, Sera Windel, Kai Tren
"…Huh," he muttered.
Sera squealed.
"We're on the same team!"
Elara stood behind her.
She looked at Eiden.
"…Don't slow me down."
Kai walked up last.
"What?! This has to be a mistake!"
Eiden looked at all three of them.
"Let's just focus on the trial."
Kai pointed at him.
"Don't tell me what to do, rookie!"
Sera stepped between them.
"Guys, please…"
Eiden turned away.
He didn't want to fight.
Not now.
---
At night, Eiden sat outside.
The moon was bright.
He looked at his hands.
"I chose the sword… to learn something new."
He closed his fist.
"But maybe… I can't hide forever."
A soft wind passed by.
He stood up.
One step forward.
The trial will test us all.
---
Far away, the man in black stood on a rooftop.
He watched the academy from the shadows.
"Team 3… interesting choice."
He smiled under his mask.
"Let's see what happens when the flame is pushed."