Auren's eyes flickered open. The haze of sleep barely fading, his gaze landed on Virion, his master, who stood sentinel by his bedside. Virion's features were a mask—a rare blend of satisfaction and grief playing across his face.Auren forced a greeting, his voice raw. Virion nodded silently, shadows tracing the lines of worry etched deep in his brow. He sighed heavily and broke the silence.
"Disciple, congratulations—you've passed my test. You are now eligible to learn the Mark of Flame and Bloodburning Technique. But truthfully, I hoped you wouldn't succeed."Auren froze, confusion twisting his features. Before he could speak, Virion turned to face the rain-speckled window, the world outside fogged and gray.
"In the coming days, every cadet from the Ion Sector—every city across the continent—will compete in the 'Mist Forest' trials. It's not a simple exam; it's a crucible designed for the most ruthless, and the most ambitious."Auren listened, the enormity of the challenge dawning on him."And politics here," Virion continued, voice thick, "run far deeper than the roots of these trees. Your city, Skyliner, is low-tier. The warriors of higher cities cannot tolerate a genius rising from below. Once… Once I had a disciple more talented than you—he was swept away, destroyed by schemes woven by those above. No one saved him. Only ashes remain."As the old master's grief surfaced, the room itself seemed to flicker—embers dancing in the air, as though his sorrow was setting the world aflame.Auren sat straighter, determination blazing in his eyes.
"Master, whatever the odds, I'll show them true power. I will avenge your lost disciple, and I'll prove that talent can rise from anywhere."Virion looked at him, searching for something in Auren's face.
"How will you do it?"Auren's lips curled into a quiet smile. He kept his secret—during the last duel, he hadn't even revealed his second ability: Spirit Reading. Dual attributes—flame and spirit—and at such a young age, he had already formed his core.After a long pause, Virion sighed again, gentle warmth returning to his tone.
"Rest now. You'll need your strength for the Flame Mark and Bloodburning Technique."Mist Forest BeckonsFifteen days passed in grueling training. At dawn, Auren and his fellow cadets prepared to depart for the Mist Forest competition. Their transport, a sleek, black metallic VX-7 Skyhauler, glided above the city, taking them toward their fate.Within the main chamber, tension simmered. Lura, usually bubbly and quick-witted, sat hunched and silent, her short hair framing a pale face. Mark, cool and composed as ever, kept his distance. Both were disciples of renowned figures—Lura, of the Thunder Emperor; Mark, of the Snow Empress.Auren approached, noticing Lura's trembling hands, her nails bitten almost to the quick. She muttered nervously, "I-I'm done for…"Without warning, she lunged, grabbing Auren by the arm, desperation etched into her eyes.
"Promise me, during Mist Forest—stay by my side. Mark, you too! You both are exceptional; if you're with me, I'll have a real chance."Auren and Mark exchanged glances, bemused but understanding. From the shadows, Alys watched, smirk curling her lips, voice laced with sarcasm.
"Enjoy your last moments while you still can."Suddenly, a sharp beep echoed. On the screen, a map displayed a vast area—twenty-five miles blanketed in unnatural mist. At its center, a gaping pit, three miles wide, pulsed with malice, black energy radiating like physical force.The Skyhauler's doors opened. Steeling themselves, Auren and his batch stepped onto the ground below. Lightning split the heavens, thunder shaking the earth as a bolt crashed toward Lura. Without thinking, Auren dove for her, arms outstretched, when—a spear, gleaming and swift, tore through the storm, shattering the thunderous sky with a single, thunderous impact.All eyes turned as a voice rang out, clear and arrogant.
"Are you here for a picnic? This is one of humanity's ten greatest forbidden zones!"From the mist emerged a figure clad in silver armor, blond hair bright against the gloom. Beside him, Grey smirked, contempt obvious."That's why they're from lower-tier cities," Grey sneered.Lura snapped back, indignant. "Hey! I appreciate being saved, but you have no right to insult us!"Another joined, a girl with a wand, her armor gleaming. "Grey, never get involved with low-life scum. They don't know gratitude—just how to talk back. Watch, I'll show you how to handle them."She summoned a tornado, the wind roaring, ground splitting beneath its fury. Everyone braced—but Alys merely raised an eyebrow, sword humming with lethal intent. With a swing, sword aura clashed with the maelstrom, shattering the raging winds in a storm of brilliant fragments.A tense silence reigned. Alys and Clera faced off, neither willing to yield. Yet Alys's attention was elsewhere—her demonstration was for Auren, a glimpse of her true strength. Auren recognized the message in her eyes.Clera, ignored, seethed with envy, but a powerful voice cut through her rage."Enough. Stop acting like children."Alys sheathed her sword. Clera's face darkened, but she turned away.Above, a figure descended in green armor. Mark's eyes widened.
"Owen… The youngest war god, a master of the spear…"Owen's aura dominated the field as eight ships landed, teams assembling in the mist. Each was a force—five members in the highest tiers, fewer in the lower. Auren's group—Team 10—boasted seven, including Lura, Mark, Alys, and three more.Owen's voice rang out.
"Your task is simple: venture into the forest and recover the Silver Nectar Flower. With the antidote, its essence will boost your physical and mental abilities, and enhance your spirit core. Now—move!"With a signal, all teams plunged into the mists.
As the teams ventured deeper into the heart of the Mist Forest, a menacing presence pressed upon them, the air itself growing heavy and suffocating. Auren's senses sharpened, instincts honed by countless hours of training. He barked a warning, "Lura, Mark—stay close!"The atmosphere shifted abruptly. The milky mist thickened, curling around them in chilling tendrils. Out of nowhere, a thunderstorm erupted—bolts of lightning slashed through the sky, illuminating twisted shapes hidden amongst the trees. Deafening thunder rattled through the ground, the force so powerful it uprooted ancient trees, reshaping the very landscape in violent bursts.Auren watched the chaos unfold, a smirk tugging at his lips even as cold beads of sweat broke out on his forehead. The forest was brutal, unpredictable; it was a true test of strength and wit.
"Mist Forest really lives up to its reputation…" he whispered, determination flaring in his eyes.