Klera's Point of View
"Before proceeding," the Headmistress announced, her voice cutting through the excited murmur of the students, "The practice of Dark or Curse magic is strictly forbidden within this Academy. Any student found performing such magic, or found in possession of cursed or dark artifacts or items, will face immediate expulsion. No exceptions."
"This Trial will test your teamwork: 49 students, divided into 7 groups, each containing 7 members, facing the challenges of the Forbidden Woods."," she continued. "Form your groups quickly and choose a leader!"
The students scattered, a flurry of activity as they sought teammates. Hebrew and I exchanged a glance; he quickly added his two mage friends to our group. Scanning the crowd for potential teammates, we spotted the Headmistress's daughter approaching to us—a strategic addition to our team, accompanied by one swordsmen and one priestess. Our group was complete.
"Each group will receive these supply bags," the Headmistress announced, gesturing towards the table where tents, ample food, water and two healing potions were displayed. Assistant Brook, holding the bags, stood nearby. "Group leaders, please come forward to collect them."
Hebrew raised his hand, about to speak, but the Headmistress's daughter interrupted. "Can I be the team leader?" she insisted.
Hebrew pouted slightly, but we agreed in unison. She confidently walked to the stage and claimed our supplies. A small smirk played on her lips as she accepted them.
"Now that everyone has their supplies," the Headmistress explained, "you will be teleported to different locations within the Kingdom's Forbidden Woods. Master Felicia, will you perform the teleportations?" Master Felicia stepped forward. The Headmistress smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry; you will all be teleported back here precisely at 7:00 AM tomorrow morning. Good luck, and may you return safely."
"My Teleportation ability is limited and drains a lot of magic energy," Master Felicia instructed us. "Enter the spatial vortex immediately after I summon it!"
As she focused, 7 small sparks emerged, creating a swirling vortex in front of us.
"Space unbound, let the swirling vortex carry me to where I'm bound," she chanted.
"Spatial Leap!"
Ability explanation:
(Spatial Leap- is a Teleportation ability in which the caster generates a vortex or swirling portal serving as a gateway between two locations. The caster must clearly imagine the destination; this mental visualization is crucial, as the caster's mental image of the destination is key to controlling this teleportation ability.)
As the vortex appeared in front of us, each group entered without hesitation.
As we entered, a new location appeared before us: we were in the middle of a forest. I wondered what creatures or monsters we would face.
Our team consisted of one Marksman specializing in Archery, our leader Raven Chariot; an Earth mage, Hebrew; two others specializing in fire and wind magic; one Priestess; and one Swordsman with a Berserker specialty, wielding a scythe; and myself, a Psychic with Mental Enhancement abilities.
"Hey Earth boy, can you hold our supplies?" Our leader tossed the bag; Hebrew caught it with a teasing grin.
"We should find a resting spot," Raven said, "the sun's dipping below the horizon."
Later, walking together in the woods, I delved into my tome, its pages filled with descriptions and incantations of Mental enhancement abilities.
A rustle in the bushes. Our leader's hand, a sharp command, stilled our steps. "Shhh," she whispered.
Then, a shock. A small, young deer emerged.
"It's just a deer!" the Fire Mage exclaimed, relief washing over us. We'd imagined a monstrous predator. Relieved laughter filled the air.
Hebrew approached the deer, hand outstretched to pat it, when a massive wolf exploded from the undergrowth, seizing the deer in its jaws. It crunched down, swallowing the deer whole in a horrifying display. We recoiled, stepping backward.
Hebrew groaned, the impact throwing him to the ground. "Guys, don't leave me!"
"Shh, don't move," Raven hissed, already drawing an arrow. The wolf, fangs bared in a terrifying snarl, gazed at us. Its howl echoed through the trees before Raven loosed her arrow.
Raven's arrow struck the dire wolf, but the beast didn't even flinch, its monstrous form a testament to brutal, unwavering strength.
"Run!" Raven shouted, her voice sharp and urgent. Hebrew, scrambling to his feet, was already running, our lives a blur of panicked movement.
"It's a Dire Wolf!" the Swordsman exclaimed, his voice tight with fear.
"A Dire Wolf?" The Wind Mage's question hung in the air, disbelief mingling with dawning terror.
"It's a large wolf, and we're incredibly unlucky," the Swordsman explained, "We've encountered an Alpha Dire Wolf. That howl was a call to its pack."
Its furious eyes, sharp fangs, and claws followed our every move. Finally, we burst into an open space, the absence of trees only emphasizing our vulnerability. And there they were: the pack. Four Dire Wolves, their leader far larger than the rest, a monstrous Alpha, dwarfing even its own subordinates. Surrounded, we prepared our magic weapons and items.
Backs pressed together, we stood frozen, the silence heavy with the scent of impending battle. "Prepare yourselves," Raven breathed, her voice barely a whisper against the rising growl of the dire wolves.
"We don't know any spells," the Fire Mage responded, preparing his magic staff—a red orb and flame design blazing on its surface.
A dire wolf lunged at Hebrew, but Raven's arrow found its mark, piercing the creature's stomach with deadly accuracy. It groaned, collapsing, only to rise again, preparing for another attack. The remaining wolves attacked one by one, their ferocity diminished compared to their alpha. The alpha itself, however, was a relentless force. It charged Raven, who, despite landing many blows, failed to deter the beast. The Swordman swung his long black scythe wildly, but the wolf easily dodged.
"Earth boy, do something!" Raven shouted, dodging the alpha's snapping claws as she desperately tried to evade its relentless pursuit.
Meanwhile, the other two dire wolves faced Hebrew and the Fire Mage, who desperately swung their magic rod and magic staff to to keep from getting scratched.
"We have to help them!" The Priestess's cry rang out, a desperate plea against the chaotic battle; we were the only ones left in the center.
Raven was about to be bitten when the Priestess threw a stone, distracting the alpha. It turned toward the Priestess and ran at her. The alpha's jaws clamped down on the Priestess's arm; her scream was a sharp counterpoint to the beast's savage growl.
A scream, "Ahghh!" ripped through the air. The alpha's bite found its mark, tearing into the Priestess's arm; and blood staining the ground. However, Raven seized the opportunity her arrow found its mark, striking the Alpha's left eye. The beast recoiled in pain, releasing its grip on the Priestess.
Raven rushed to the Priestess's side, where the lady lay writhing in pain on the ground. The Alpha's groaning ceased, and it charged again, aiming for Raven. But before it could reach her, the wind mage and I prepared for its attack. We unleashed our magic in perfect synchronicity.
"Mind blast!"
Ability explanation:
(Mind blast is an ability that projects a concentrated burst of mental energy toward a target, impacting them with a forceful push that knocks the target backward or off balance. Ranging from a simple shove or disorientation to a debilitating blow that can incapacitate, it may also cause disorientation and mental confusion. It's often depicted as an invisible force, but may be visualized with effects such as a visible wave emanating from the user.)
"Wind Magic: Razor Winds!"
Spell explanation:
(Wind Magic: Razor Winds is a devastating Wind magic that unleashes a torrent of razor-sharp wind blades, slicing and propelling targets with powerful gusts. The force of the wind itself can also knock foes off balance, leaving them vulnerable to further attacks. A natural properties of wind to generate high-speed currents that take on a blade-like form and can be use these blades to attack enemies or defend against attacks.)