Chapter 8: The trial

The massive iron gates slowly rumbled shut behind Team Thirty Seven. A low metallic boom echoed throughout the artificial wilderness. For the next three hours, they were on their own.

The training ground stretched across several square kilometers. Artificial rivers wound through dense forests. Rolling hills concealed ruined towers and abandoned watchtowers. Magic formations projected realistic monsters throughout the area, each capable of inflicting genuine pain despite being unable to deal fatal injuries.

The academy called it a simulation, but veterans called it a reality check. Many first year students entered with confidence but most left humbled.

Kael slowly surveyed his surroundings. Everything looked exactly as it had in the game. The leaning oak tree to the west. The dried creek several hundred meters ahead and the ruined stone watchtower barely visible above the forest canopy.

His memory of the game wasn’t wrong. Actually, this part of the story happened before the game was officially released, but I happened to be one of the early testers of the game so I have some knowledge that most players don’t.

"Alright."

Darius rested his greatsword across one shoulder.

"Let’s introduce ourselves properly." He looked around the group. "If we’re going to survive together, we should know what everyone can do."

Elias immediately raised his hand.

"I’m an archer. I specialize in long range attacks. My accuracy is pretty good as long as nobody distracts me."

He laughed awkwardly.

Mira smiled softly.

"I can use healing magic. Mostly minor wounds. My offensive spells aren’t very strong."

Darius nodded.

"I’m our front line. I’ll deal with anything that gets close."

Finally, everyone looked toward Kael.

Kael thought for a moment.

"I’m a swordsman."

There was an awkward silence.

Elias scratched his cheek.

"...Anything else?"

Kael smiled.

"I can also think."

Darius blinked.

"...Think? Even my dog knows how to think. He even goes outside the house whenever he wanted to pee and poop."

Kael chuckled.

"What I mean is, I’ve spent a lot of time studying maps and monster behavior. If nobody objects, I’d like to handle navigation."

Darius exchanged glances with the others.

Normally, no one would willingly let the academy’s weakest student take charge of strategy. Yet after seeing Kael’s calm confidence, no one immediately rejected the suggestion.

"...Fine."

Darius finally nodded.

"You lead us. But if it doesn’t work, I’ll complain later."

Elias laughed.

"I like simple plans."

Mira quietly nodded in agreement.

Kael smiled.

"Then let’s move."

...

They entered the forest.

Leaves rustled gently overhead and birdsong echoed from distant trees.

At first glance, everything appeared peaceful.

But Kael knew better.

"Stop."

He suddenly raised one hand and the group immediately halted.

Elias looked around nervously.

"What is it?"

Kael pointed toward a patch of bushes.

"Watch carefully."

Everyone stared.

Several seconds passed, nothing happened.

Darius frowned.

"I don’t see any—"

Rustle.

Before he could finish his words, a gray wolf suddenly burst from the bushes. It was followed by another and another. Five wolves surrounded them almost instantly.

"Forest Wolves!"

Elias quickly drew his bow.

The magical beasts growled as they slowly circled the group.

Unlike ordinary animals, these illusionary creatures possessed enough intelligence to coordinate attacks.

Darius stepped forward.

"I’ll hold them."

Kael shook his head.

"No, wait."

"What?"

"They’re testing us." Kael then told them, "The wolves always attack from two directions. Three in front and two behind."

"Now. Turn around."

Almost instinctively, everyone obeyed. Sure enough, two wolves had quietly crept behind Mira.

Elias’ eyes widened.

"How did you know?"

"No time."

"They’re moving."

The wolves attacked simultaneously. Darius quickly intercepted the front three. His heavy sword swept sideways.

Bang!

One wolf dissolved into blue particles.

Meanwhile...

Kael rushed toward the rear. His breathing automatically synchronized as he activated his Breathing Technique. Familiar warmth immediately ran throughout his body.

Seeing one wolf leap, instead of blocking, Kael sidestepped. The beast sailed past him. Seizing the opportunity, he swung his wooden sword. The sword struck the monster’s ribs.

Pop.

The illusion shattered.

But there wasn’t time to test as the second wolf immediately lunged.

Kael ducked right on time beneath its claws. His sword swung in the opposite direction.

Thwak.

Another clean strike.

The final wolf vanished. Everything happened within seconds.

Silence followed.

Elias slowly lowered his bow.

"...That was smooth."

Mira stared at Kael.

"It looks like you have predicted everything."

Kael smiled faintly.

"I guessed my study wasn’t wasted."

Of course, the real reason was... Forest Wolves always behaved exactly this way.

Players who remembered their attack patterns could defeat them effortlessly.

...

The team continued deeper into the woods. As they walked, Elias couldn’t contain his curiosity.

"So, you really studied monster behavior?"

Kael nodded.

"I read a lot because I hate surprises."

Darius chuckled.

"That’s good. I really hate getting bitten."

"So am I."

"Me too."

Elias and Mira agreed with Darius.

The atmosphere gradually relaxed and conversation became easier. Even Mira occasionally contributed.

Kael quietly listened. In the game, these people never had the opportunity to become friends. Most players rushed through the training sequence. Hardly anyone paid attention to the dialogue.

Now, he appreciated every word. These weren’t background NPCs anymore. They were ordinary young people chasing ordinary dreams. That realization strengthened his determination.

"I won’t let any of you die."

He silently promised.

...

About an hour later, the group reached a fork in the forest trail. One path climbed toward rocky cliffs. The other descended into a narrow valley.

Darius looked around.

"Which way?"

Kael answered immediately.

"The Valley."

Elias frowned.

"Wouldn’t the high ground be safer?"

"Normally, yes." Kael crouched beside the trail. "But look." He pointed toward the dirt.

Fresh footprints, small and round, were visible beneath fallen leaves.

"Goblins."

Kael said calmly.

On the contrary, Mira and Elias frowned. They knew how vicious goblins were.

Darius narrowed his eyes.

"So?"

"Goblins avoid cliffs. They prefer caves. If they’re moving away from the valley..."

"It means something stronger lives there."

The trio looked puzzled and worried. Mira then asked.

"Shouldn’t we avoid it too?"

Kael smiled.

"No."

"Why?"

"Our flag is probably there."

Everyone stared at him.

"...Probably?"

Kael nodded.

"The academy likes forcing students to confront stronger opponents. It’s good for training."

It also meant... they have no choice.

Darius suddenly laughed loudly.

"Hahaha! You know... You’re weird."

"But strangely convincing."

They all laugh before heading into the valley.

...

Hidden high above the forest, Professor Magnus observed through a floating crystal. Several instructors stood beside him. One younger professor frowned.

"They’re walking directly toward the Ogre’s Cave. They’ll fail."

Magnus remained silent. His gaze never left Kael.

"I think he knows."

Another instructor blinked.

"Know what?"

"He knows exactly where he’s going."

The younger professor laughed.

"Impossible."

"No first year has ever predicted the flag locations."

Magnus didn’t argue.

He simply continued watching.

...

Meanwhile, deep inside the valley, a pair of crimson eyes quietly watched Team Thirty Seven from the shadows.

Their owner smiled.

"Oh, Kael. You’re truly an interesting one."

She leaned casually against a tree branch.

It was Lilith Thorne.

She wasn’t supposed to be here. Students were forbidden from interfering with another team’s exercise. Yet somehow, she had slipped past the instructors unnoticed.

"I wonder what you’ll do next, Kael."

She whispered to herself before his figure disappeared into the shadow.

...

Far deeper within the artificial forest, hidden beneath ancient roots, a tiny black spider silently crawled across the ground.

Its eight crimson eyes reflected the figure of Kael and the others. Moments later, the spider dissolved into dark mist.

Completely unaware of the spectators, Kael led his teammates toward the valley.

Toward the Ogre’s Cave.