The air inside the rift was thick — not just with transcendent energy, but with the weight of something untamed. A faint mist curled between the ancient trees, each trunk covered in moss and runic lichen that glowed faintly in shades of emerald and blue. It wasn't the kind of forest Stephen had ever seen near Ironveil; this place pulsed as if alive, each breath of wind carrying a whisper of power.
Stephen crouched low, brushing his fingertips against the damp soil. The ground was warm — faintly vibrating with the rhythm of energy veins that ran deep beneath the forest floor. His bracelet blinked quietly on his wrist.
[Points: 0][Elapsed Time: 00:03:27]
It had only been a few minutes since the exam started, but already, faint echoes of combat came from somewhere to his left — the metallic clash of weapons, a beast's snarl, and the shouts of someone calling for backup.
He didn't move toward the sound. Instead, he steadied his breath and whispered to himself, "The first ones to draw attention usually fall first."
His father's lessons rang clear in his mind — Steel doesn't survive by force. It survives by knowing when to bend.
Stephen began to move through the underbrush, light on his feet, every motion deliberate. His sword was unsheathed, its edge catching faint glints of light through the canopy. The runes carved along the blade flickered gently — a work of his father's craft.
Here, in the rift, everything tested your instincts. A single misstep could bring predators running.
As he moved deeper, he caught sight of a group to his right — three examinees, all around his age, but wearing matching insignias on their light armor. They were clearly from one clan, their movements sharp and coordinated. Together, they brought down a wolf-like creature the size of a horse, its body wreathed in faint silver light.
The lead boy struck the killing blow, and a white ring flew off the beast's ear, landing in the grass. He snatched it up and laughed.
"Pathetic. One point."
The other two joined in. Then their gazes drifted around, scanning the trees. For a moment, Stephen thought one of them had spotted him — but then they turned away, dragging the beast's carcass to harvest its crystal.
Stephen exhaled quietly and slipped back into the shadows.
"So that's how it's going to be," he muttered. "Groups taking down small prey first, saving their strength for later."
But he wasn't like them. He had no allies, no backup — only his blade and the whisper of power that pulsed deep within his soul sea.
The blue sprout shimmered faintly, drawing in traces of ambient transcendent energy. Deeper still, unseen by anyone, the Azure Sparrow stirred — a faint trill echoing through his mind. Its presence felt sharper now, more awake, as if the wilderness itself was feeding it.
Stephen paused beneath an enormous tree whose roots twisted like coiled serpents. He closed his eyes, extending his senses outward. Every sound mattered — the hum of energy in the air, the distant rustle of leaves, the faint thrum of his heart syncing with the rhythm of the rift.
Then, a flicker of movement — something swift darting through the shadows ahead.
He opened his eyes. The bracelet blinked again, this time showing faintly pulsing red dots in his vicinity — the other examinees' signals, their auras faint but traceable. One of the dots winked out.
"So someone's already out," Stephen whispered, frowning. "That was fast."
He scanned the forest once more, adjusting the strap of his sword. The air had grown heavier. Even the birds — if they could be called that — had gone silent.
Then, faintly, a guttural snarl rolled through the mist.
Stephen turned his head toward the sound, muscles tensing. The mist parted slightly, revealing glowing amber eyes watching him from between the trees.
He tightened his grip on the sword.
"Looks like it's my turn."
He took one cautious step forward — the earth beneath him cracked softly — and the beast lunged.
The creature that emerged from the mist was unlike anything Stephen had seen before.Its body was low and sleek, covered in scales that shimmered faintly like tempered steel. Two sharp horns jutted from its head, glowing faintly red with residual energy. Every step it took left faint scorch marks on the ground, and its breath came out as wisps of smoke.
"A Flamehorn Jackal…" Stephen muttered, steadying his breath. "Level Eight… maybe Nine."
The beast's low growl deepened, rumbling through the ground. Its amber eyes fixed on him with pure predatory focus.
He swallowed, flexing his fingers around the hilt of his sword.This wasn't a spar in the training yard. There was no instructor to stop the fight if things went wrong. One mistake — one slip — and he'd never walk out again.
The jackal circled him, its tail flicking. The faint runes along its legs pulsed with ember-like light before it dashed forward, impossibly fast.
Stephen moved on instinct. He dropped low, the creature's claws raking just above his head, the wind of the strike grazing his cheek. He rolled sideways, slashing upward in one smooth motion. Sparks flew as his blade struck against scales — but didn't pierce.
Too tough…
The jackal landed, twisted, and lunged again. Its movements were erratic, brutal — pure aggression embodied. Stephen barely had time to raise his sword as the beast slammed into him. The impact sent him sprawling backward, crashing into a tree. His ribs screamed in pain.
He coughed, blood staining his lips. The creature stalked forward, low to the ground, its jaws parting as flame gathered between its teeth.
His breathing steadied. He forced himself to his feet, ignoring the pain. The blue sprout in his soul sea flickered faintly — sending ripples of soothing energy through his limbs. His sword hand steadied.
When the jackal fired the blast, he moved — not away, but through the attack. The edge of the flame grazed his arm, burning his sleeve, but his strike landed true. The sword cut across the jackal's neck, sparks bursting as metal met hardened scales.
Still not deep enough!
The beast howled, spinning violently, its tail slamming into him. He stumbled back again, feeling his vision blur. His heart pounded.
If I keep trading hits, I'll lose.
And then — a sharp, clear cry echoed faintly inside him.
The Azure Sparrow stirred. It wasn't a full awakening — not yet — but its presence flared like a heartbeat in his soul sea. The sensation was electric, spreading warmth through his chest. A thin thread of azure energy flickered along his sword's edge, faint and nearly invisible.
Stephen felt his exhaustion lift just a fraction. His mind sharpened.
When the jackal lunged again, he sidestepped — not reacting, but anticipating. His sword moved in a clean, precise arc.
This time, the blade slid between the scales, striking deep into the beast's throat. A guttural roar tore through the forest before it collapsed, twitching once, then falling still.
For a moment, the world went silent again — only Stephen's ragged breathing filled the air.
He stood there, staring at the creature's body. Then he exhaled slowly and let his sword fall to his side.
"Hah… Guess I'm still alive."
A faint chime came from his bracelet.
[You have slain: Flamehorn Jackal (Level 9)][+10 Points Earned]
The jackal's body began to fade, dissolving into mist — leaving behind a single translucent crystal and a faint red ring that glimmered beside it.
Stephen bent down, picking them up. The crystal pulsed gently in his hand, warm to the touch — and then, that same yearning echoed from deep within his soul.
The Azure Sparrow was awake again, faintly trembling, its wings flickering with light.
Not now, he thought, clutching the crystal. Not here.
He tucked both the ring and crystal safely into his satchel, scanning the trees once more. The faint hum of distant combat still lingered in the air.
"That's one down," he murmured, glancing at the leaderboard display on his bracelet.[Stephen Stormcloud — 10 Points | Rank: 382]
He sheathed his blade and started deeper into the forest, his eyes steady now, his movements sure. Each breath he took drew in more of the ambient transcendent energy, feeding both souls within him.
The real trial had only just begun.