The field was still, save for the distant rustling of leaves from a breeze that seemed to only stir when it needed to. The students selected for the expedition—39 in total—slowly filed in, forming rows across the open field. The row closest to the leaders' stage was made up of the first ten, neatly aligned, their academy uniforms crisp and well-fitted. Each successive row followed suit, looking almost identical, composed and prepared for what was to come.
Professor Harlen stepped forward, standing tall at the front of the group of leaders. His booming voice carried across the field, amplified by some magic Reed couldn't quite place. The older professor had a way of commanding attention, and it was no surprise that even the rowdy students became still at his presence.
"Students of Asteria, you are gathered here today to be assigned your squad leaders and begin working as a team to prepare yourselves for the trials within the gateway," Harlen said, his tone firm and no-nonsense. He paused for a beat, letting the weight of his words settle in. "I understand that many of you have doubts about your leaders, as I very rudely overheard some of you whispering on your way to your spots."
A few students visibly cringed, shifting uneasily where they stood, suddenly aware of Harlen's sharp ears and even sharper gaze. They exchanged nervous glances, realizing they had been caught.
"However," Harlen continued, raising a hand, "if you want proof, we will give it to you. Each leader will demonstrate their power in their own special way, so you can understand their worth."
The first to demonstrate was a boy named Ren, his internal mana core something of a legend around the academy. The students had whispered about him for weeks, wondering what it was like to wield mana without limits, even if it flowed slowly.
Ren stepped forward, clearly a bit nervous but determined. His hands moved cautiously, then he held them out in front of him, palms up. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a rush of energy, a great red flame erupted from his hands, rising high into the air, filling the field with an intense warmth. The flame swelled until it reached the size of a small building, towering over them in brilliant crimson.
The crowd gasped, and Reed couldn't help but feel awe at the sight. He'd never seen such a massive fire conjured so effortlessly.
'Amazing,' Reed thought. The fire wasn't just powerful—it was beautiful, a sheer display of mana in its rawest form. 'I suppose the internal mana core gives him not just unlimited supply but also stability. That's impressive.'
Ren took a step back, allowing the fire to flicker and fade before returning to his professor's side. His face was flushed with pride, and Reed saw a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes, as though he were unsure if that was enough.
Next came the towering figure of Yanis. The muscular senior didn't need to speak to command attention. Without a word, he walked to the center of the field, his massive hands cracking his knuckles as if preparing for a fight. He grabbed a long, thick steel beam that had been placed on the ground and lifted it with ease. In a single motion, he twisted the beam in half, breaking it like it was a twig.
The students watched in stunned silence. Yanis didn't seem to care for their awe; his focus was unwavering, like he was simply proving a point: strength was his domain. He dropped the broken steel to the ground with a casual clank before returning to his place in the line.
Then it was Cath's turn. Reed's eyes were drawn to her immediately. Her golden aura from the Blessing Ceremony seemed to shine even brighter now, like it had been sharpened and honed over the past month. With a calm, confident air, she lifted her arms, and an iridescent golden shield sprang to life in front of her. The professors—Harlen included—raised their hands, and two blasts of energy shot toward Cath simultaneously.
With perfect control, she raised the shield in front of her, the golden surface glowing brilliantly. The blasts collided against it with explosive force, but the shield held firm. Not a crack appeared on its surface.
Cath lowered the shield, casting a casual glance around the students, her expression unreadable. The silence that followed was profound, and the students—some of whom had been skeptical of her power—now had no doubt that she was a force to be reckoned with.
Finally, it was Reed's turn.
The air around him felt thick. His heart pounded louder than it ever had in training. He knew what was coming—he had practiced it time and time again in the solitude of his room, perfecting every motion. This was his chance to show everyone what he could do.
He took a deep breath, feeling the weight of all the eyes on him. The students who had been watching with a mix of curiosity and doubt were now silent, waiting. Harlen stood off to the side, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Reed raised his hands, focusing inward, calling upon the strange power that had been growing stronger within him. He felt it stir, like a deep-seated hunger in the pit of his stomach. He called upon his shadows.
Mist swirled from the skull-shaped mark on his back, coiling around him like tendrils of smoke. Slowly, like armor being forged in darkness, it began to take shape. Reed's shadow armament spread across his chest, covering his body in smooth onyx plating. First his chestplate, then his greaves, leggings, and finally, his helmet, crowned with a single black feather—a touch he had added simply for aesthetic purposes, but one that felt right.
The transformation was striking. To the other students, Reed appeared like something from a nightmare, a figure of darkness and power. The shadows, while ethereal, gave off a palpable aura of dread. The students, some of whom had previously whispered about him with scorn, now stared in stunned awe. His black armor shimmered in the light, every inch of it emanating an air of danger.
But Reed wasn't finished yet.
With a sharp motion, he slammed his palms down, facing the ground. The air around him seemed to tremble as two massive figures materialized from the shadows at his feet. Tusk, a hulking, onyx-plated beast with tusks that could pierce steel, and the Salamander, a fiery creature whose body radiated intense heat, solidified before him. They were both larger than any of the summoned creatures Reed had seen, towering over the other students like ancient monsters.
The professors, too, watched in amazement, their faces a mixture of surprise and concern. Harlen's eyebrows furrowed, but his expression remained stoic. What was this power? A student who had, a month ago, been barely able to perform simple magic was now summoning creatures of immense strength, clad in shadow armor no less.
As Reed dismissed the summons and returned to his normal academy uniform, the silence that followed was deafening. No one spoke for what felt like an eternity, as the students processed what they had just witnessed.
Finally, Harlen broke the silence.
"Now that you have seen the power of your leaders," he said, his voice steady, "it is time for you to decide who will be your squad leader—the one you will trust with your life in the gate."
The students, their expressions a mixture of awe, doubt, and hesitation, began to move. They shuffled, exchanged whispers, and one by one, they approached the leaders. But as the students gathered around, Reed noticed something—no one was standing in front of him.
His stomach twisted as he watched the other leaders get selected, each student walking toward them with increasing confidence. But Reed's spot remained empty. Only two figures remained in
front of him—Marek and Lannis, his closest friends, who, surprisingly, had placed top of their classes.
They smiled at him, their support unwavering. Despite the hesitation of the others, they had stood by him from the start. For a brief moment, Reed felt his resolve strengthen. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, after all.
But as the selection process continued, Reed's heart sank. Sometimes, close relationships weren't enough to overcome fear. And Reed would soon discover that the trials ahead—trials where true trust would be tested—would be more than anyone had bargained for.