The sun brushed the air. The morning air was shattered by the march of the guards, operatives running to reach their posts. Candidates and guides were making their way to their meeting points.
Seran had just collected his equipment from the quartermaster. His eyes caught that morning frenzy as he walked quickly toward the checkpoint.
"There you are. Give me your swords."
Surprised by Lud's request, his hands hesitantly handed over the two weapons.
With a small movement of his fingers, two new swords emerged from the MANA Ring.
Their design was more intricate, their craftsmanship superior to the previous ones. The grip of both blades was wrapped in dark leather, smooth yet with a faint grain, designed to ensure a firm hold even with sweaty hands or hands stained with blood.
At the base, the pommels were made of matte metal, compact, with a carefully balanced weight that perfectly countered the blade. It was not decorative: it was functional.
"These should give you a bit more help," said the guide in a firm tone.
Seran gave a faint smile, realizing that deep down even the rigid Lud had a beating heart.
"Thank you," the boy simply replied with all the sincerity he had, sheathing the blades, already understanding that too much sentiment did not suit the veteran's character.
"Let's go," and with solemnity the two left the walls behind.
An hour passed and everything seemed calm. The vegetation stood still and motionless, a few hares running freely through the bushes. Shadows shifted as sunlight filtered through the trees.
"300–350 meters east. That's where your Tier-1 is" Lud said suddenly.
Seran's eyes narrowed, understanding that the moment of truth was near.
Moving silently, they ventured deeper into the forest. At a safe distance, they stopped.
"Soon we'll begin phase two; on my signal you'll move," Lud said, pulling a wooden staff from his ring, engraved with golden patterns at both ends.
Then he burst forward.
He covered 100 meters in under 5 seconds.
He approached what looked like a wolf—massive, the size of a small car. Its fangs protruded from its mouth, saliva dripping. Its fur was brown with patches of white on its head, its eyes a deep yellow.
A red energy began to manifest along Lud's staff.
Flames appeared at its tips.
And then he dove.
"Fwooom."
The first strike burned fur and flesh.
But the Evox reacted immediately.
With force, its limbs lashed out toward Lud, who dodged with precise agility.
A series of exchanges began—slashes, claws, and staff strikes.
Lud read the battle in advance, gradually weakening the creature.
He spun and retracted his weapon at the perfect moment, striking its joints and reducing its mobility.
Then Lud stepped back slightly, channeling his MANA into the tip of his staff.
The flames, once like a torch in the dark, became a roaring blaze.
"Burning Edge" he said, and he descended precisely onto the creature's chest, sending it flying back several meters.
Seran, receiving the signal, sprinted toward the beast while the voice in his earpiece shouted:
"Now it's your turn—go!!!"
Lud withdrew his mana and watched his candidate.
Seran approached the still-stunned creature.
Its fur was burned in large patches, blood soaking the ground around it.
He finally drew his longsword.
The distance remaining was ten meters.
"Strike where it's weakest," Seran planned.
But before he could land the blow, the air shifted—the Evox was no longer there.
Instinctively, he rolled to the ground, feeling the wind rush over his head.
The creature instantly counterattacked with another claw.
Seran stepped back; the metal of his blade acted as a shield.
The force behind the strike was inhuman.
"It feels like being hit by a f***ing truck," he thought while evading the attacks.
"Focus, idiot…" he muttered through heavy breaths.
Nearby, Lud frowned, ready to intervene if things went wrong.
"Focus, kid. One strike at a time, one step at a time, and you've got this."
Time passed as Seran adjusted his rhythm.
With a sharp lateral step and a descending blade—
New blood spilled.
"Like that!!!"
He shifted again and drove the tip of his sword into the creature's right shoulder.
"URRGRGRGR," the wolf-like beast howled.
Slowing down further, exhaustion and pain made the uneven fight possible.
Seran's confidence grew, but danger remained constant.
His last attack had a wider opening than intended—
"shhk"
A claw found its mark. Blood began pouring from his right shoulder.
"AAARRRRGGGG!!!" Seran screamed.
His face twisted in pain, sweat running down his forehead, but his legs kept moving.
Both had tasted each other's blood.
The beast's yellow eyes met the candidate's amber ones for a moment, as if saying:
"We are equal."
The boy's stance weakened; his grip trembled, the ground bearing the weight of the fight.
Both were becoming more and more exhausted.
After another exchange—
Five meters now separated them, feeling endless.
Gathering their remaining strength, both roared—
The wolf leapt.
The boy charged.
But at the last second—
Seran slid beneath the creature's body.
"DIEEEE!!!"
His blade cut through the entire brown abdomen.
The beast's yellow eyes dimmed as its body collapsed, spilling its entrails onto the ground.
Holding his bleeding shoulder, Seran watched the life leave the creature and let out a victorious, exhilarated roar toward the sky.