As the instructor spoke, all the teens started getting up on the tree stump.
It was so massive that almost a hundred people could lie inside it, forget about just standing there.
Soon, all the teens from the Zenaris family climbed up onto the tree stump.
At that, the academy instructor placed both his hands on the stump.
Xane saw both of the instructor's hands begin to shine with a green light, and in the next moment, a massive leaf grew out from the side of the tree.
Zayn mumbled to him, [Interesting. I never thought an elf would set this teleportation circle.]
Xane tilted his head in confusion and was about to ask when he saw massive leaves cover them like a dome.
Soon, a bright green light fell from the leaves onto them.
It got so bright that Xane lost his vision.
Just then, he lost his footing and felt like he was submerged in water.
He tried to open his eyes, but for some reason, they refused to budge.
All his senses began to numb as darkness engulfed him.
Not knowing how much time had passed, he opened his eyes.
He pushed himself up to sit and found himself in a massive hall full of white circles.
But he didn't get to look around for long, as he felt multiple eyes on him.
He turned and saw a group of ten teens standing nearby, staring at him.
It hit him that he was the last one to wake up.
Zayn said to him, [It must be because of our weak body.]
Xane nodded his head as he stood and joined the others.
At that, a different instructor standing before the group shouted loudly, "The last batch from Zenaris is ready!"
The moment the instructor said that, Xane saw a small door open before them.
The new instructor in a green robe turned to them and said, "All of you, follow me. It's already nighttime, so make sure you don't lose sight of me."
Everyone gasped at that.
Even Xane rubbed his eyes.
Not giving them much time, the instructor started moving, and one by one, everyone rushed to follow him.
As they exited the teleportation room, the door behind them closed and vanished.
They found themselves standing on a stone track surrounded by darkness.
Two mysterious candles glowed on both sides of the track. In this faint light, they saw massive grass growing beside the path.
The instructor pointed at the grass and said, "Make sure none of you touch this leeching grass or it'll suck all the blood from your body."
After the warning, the instructor began moving again.
Everyone gulped but dared not fall behind, as the candles were moving along with the instructor.
None of them wanted to be left in the darkness.
For tens of minutes, they kept moving, when suddenly a gust of wind hit them from ahead.
The instructor shouted once again, "Don't panic and stay within the light!"
The moment he said those words, the ground began to shake.
The teens didn't know what was coming, but out of fear, they moved a few inches closer to the instructor.
Soon, they saw a massive behemoth, almost five times the size of a human was walking toward them, holding a giant stick in its hand.
Its giant red eyes scanned them, and no one dared move an inch.
After staring at them for a while, the giant slammed the stick into the ground and screamed.
"Ahhhhhhhhh!"
A thick, rotten stench hit everyone.
Not caring about any of it, the instructor motioned for them to follow as he walked toward the giant.
It took a moment for the teens to gather the courage to follow the instructor.
As they moved closer, they saw the giant simply staring ahead, not even glancing at them.
The instructor passed under the giant hand that was holding the stick.
Then it happened. The moment the instructor passed, the light disappeared.
They heard the giant scream.
Xane heard a scream or two beside him.
Zayn said in his mind, [Don't speak a word, just rush ahead.]
Although confused, Xane trusted him.
He rushed forward, pushing the person in front of him.
In the darkness, he heard only the screams of the giant and the teens. But suddenly, everyone disappeared.
Xane looked around in confusion and saw the instructor standing ahead, surrounded by bright light.
He looked at the light source and saw a big pillar with a glowing gem embedded in it.
It reminded him of a streetlight, only the magic gem had replaced the bulb.
He also noticed about half a dozen kids beside him, all panting.
But two or three were still missing.
Looking back, all he saw was the calm scene of the massive track, now lit by glowing gems on both sides. It was like everything from before had been an illusion.
Just then, Xane saw another teen suddenly appear behind him. 'What the fck? Which one's the illusion?' He thought to himself.
He was confused as hell, unsure whether what he saw before was the illusion or this calm scene now was the illusion.
He tried to wave his hand back when Zayn said, [Dude, come on. Have you ever heard of the phrase 'curiosity killed the cat?']
Xane raised his eyebrow.
[Nope. But I don't want to find out.]
Xane glanced behind for a couple more seconds, then turned to the instructor.
He wasn't that curious in the first place.
The instructor waited for a couple of minutes, as two kids were still missing.
When he saw no sign of them, he snapped his fingers.
The next moment, two teens — a girl and a boy — appeared before everyone, their clothes tattered.
A strong, nauseating stench came from them.
It took a moment for them to come to their senses, and then both of them rushed to the side and started vomiting.
The instructor calmly announced, "Both of you failed to follow the instructions. For this reason, I am deducting your first week's payment."
Everyone looked at the instructor in confusion, but he turned around and pointed toward the distant buildings. "We are already inside the academy. Once again, welcome to the Tenebris Academy." With that, he disappeared before everyone's eyes, leaving them alone.