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Chapter 91 – New Mentor & The Academy Trials Begin
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The morning sky over Whitehorn Academy glowed a deep gold.
Lucius stood with his team — Kael, Mira, and Garen — in the Grand Plaza, surrounded by hundreds of students.
Today was important.
Today, everything would change.
Today... the Academy Trials would officially begin.
> Seventeen hummed in his mind:
"Little Master... something big is coming. Hehehe. I can smell it."
Lucius adjusted his academy uniform. His black coat with silver lining fluttered slightly in the warm wind.
He looked at his friends — Kael with his easy smile, Mira with her calm confidence, Garen with his silent, fierce loyalty.
Together, they had survived missions, explored the Academy's underground shops, and expanded Lucius's Domain with new trees — the Ironbone Tree, the Ghoulshade Tree, and even a rare Moonvine Plant.
But today was not about the past.
Today was about stepping forward.
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Arrival of the Mentors
A loud horn blared.
All students turned toward the main stage.
An elder stepped forward, clad in a deep blue robe embroidered with golden beasts — the Academy Headmaster.
> "Welcome, First Years," his voice boomed. "Today, you will meet the Mentors who will guide your journey into the real world."
Behind him, powerful figures stepped onto the stage — each one radiating a unique, terrifying pressure.
Some were Beastmasters.
Some, Arcanists.
Some, Sword Saints.
Lucius narrowed his eyes.
> "Each one... is easily stronger than those soldiers who defend the cities," he thought.
Then, a tall woman with short silver hair and cold green eyes stepped forward.
> "I am Veyla Ashthorn," she said crisply. "I will be mentoring the Battle and Domain-focused students."
Lucius's heart pounded.
Battle and Domain?
That was him!
Without hesitation, he walked forward when his name was called.
So did Kael, Mira, and Garen.
It felt... natural.
Right.
As if destiny itself was arranging their team.
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The First Academy Trial – World Gate Simulation
After the mentor selections ended, Mentor Veyla didn't waste time.
She turned to her new students and spoke sharply.
> "In three days, we will open a controlled World Gate." "Your mission: survive inside for 72 hours."
Gasps spread among the students.
World Gates were normally only opened for full Graduates or professional adventurers!
Veyla smiled thinly.
> "Do not worry. It is an artificially created sub-world. A fragment. But it will still be dangerous."
Lucius clenched his fists.
This was it.
Real combat.
Real death possibilities.
Real growth.
> Seventeen whispered:
"Little Master... this is where you start rising faster."
Lucius nodded once.
He welcomed the storm.
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Back to the Dorms: Strategy and Planning
That night, in their shared courtyard, the team sat under the Godtree.
Lucius unrolled a basic map Mentor Veyla had given them.
> "It's a small forest-world," he explained.
"Corrupted beasts. Natural hazards. No backup."
Kael grinned. "Perfect! Finally something exciting."
Mira leaned over the map, her golden hair catching the moonlight. "We need stealth and traps. Rushing will get us killed."
Garen simply sharpened his blade, nodding silently.
Lucius smiled slightly.
They were untested — but they were ready.
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Lucius's Secret Preparation
Late at night, when his team slept, Lucius entered his personal Domain.
The Ghoulshade Tree had sprouted tall, its black leaves trembling under the blood moon.
Several beasts — night-hunters — crouched under its shadow.
Lucius smiled.
> "Soon... you'll have your first battle," he whispered.
He planted a new seed, recently won at a secret auction:
The Emberclaw Vine — a fire-based beast plant that could trap enemies with burning tendrils.
Notifications rang out:
> [Emberclaw Vine Planted!] [Estimated Growth Time: 96 hours.]
Perfect timing.
It would be ready just before the Gate Trial.
Seventeen floated near him, laughing.
> "Little Master... the world isn't ready for you."
Lucius's eyes gleamed in the crimson mist.
> "They will learn."
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[End of Chapter 91] Word Count: 2325
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The great white sun of Solvia burned high over the Whitehorn Academy fields.
A giant shadow loomed ahead — the Trial Gate.
A towering marble archway pulsing with runes, it led to a pocket dimension: a battlefield where teams would clash, survive, and prove their worth.
Lucius adjusted the strap of his simple black armor.
Around him stood his team — those he had carefully chosen in the past weeks.
Kael: reckless but fierce, with twin daggers glinting at his sides.
Mira Sunfall: calm, focused, her bow slung across her back, golden eyes sharp.
Garen Holt: broad-shouldered, carrying a massive tower shield, silent but dependable.
Sylvie: the quiet, silver-haired healer, whose gentle hands could patch up even fatal wounds.
And Lucius himself: the commander behind them all — quiet, deadly, and growing stronger with each day.
At their feet, Lucius's beasts shifted restlessly:
Gravefang: the black-furred direwolf, larger than a horse.
Thornvine Serpent: a coiling green beast with razor-sharp leaves along its body.
Shadepaw Cubs: three night-born wolves from the Ghoulshade Tree.
Ironbone Crows: bone-winged scavengers patrolling the skies.
And far behind, inside Lucius's personal Domain, even deadlier things stirred.
Waiting.
Watching.
Hungering.
> "Trial One: Survival," the proctor called out.
"Objective: Survive twenty-four hours in the Gate dimension. Form alliances, crush rivals — or fall."
The marble arch shimmered open.
The moment had come.
Lucius gave a sharp nod.
His team plunged into the light.
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Phase One – The Wilds
They emerged into a dark, misty forest.
The air smelled of moss, wet bark, and blood.
Far away, the roar of beasts echoed.
Lucius immediately raised two fingers.
"Formation Delta," he said quietly.
Garen took the front, shield up.
Mira covered the rear with her bow.
Kael disappeared into the shadows.
Sylvie murmured protective spells.
And Lucius?
He summoned the crows to scout ahead.
Seventeen chirped inside his mind:
> "Seventeen: Careful, Little Master. Other teams are already hunting."
Lucius smiled grimly.
Good.
He preferred to hunt.
Not to hide.
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They moved swiftly, efficiently, avoiding conflict at first.
Other teams were scattered across the Wilds — over two hundred students in total.
But already, Lucius could see the difference between amateurs and survivors.
Many groups fought openly, wasting strength.
Lucius's team stalked silently, conserving energy, gathering supplies.
They found a ruined temple and claimed it as their temporary base.
Mira quickly set traps.
Gravefang patrolled.
Sylvie warded the entrances.
Night fell early in the Gate.
Ghostly lights flickered through the trees.
The real trial was about to begin.
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Phase Two – The First Clash
It happened just before midnight.
A rival team — the arrogant nobles from Class 1-A — attacked.
Five boys in bright silver armor.
Weapons drawn.
Magic already gathering at their fingertips.
Their leader, a boy named Dorian Velis, sneered.
> "Hand over your resources. Or bleed."
Lucius stepped forward.
No hesitation.
Only cold precision.
"Gravefang," he murmured.
The direwolf leapt.
The fight exploded.
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Dorian's knights tried to form a shield wall.
Kael struck from behind, daggers flashing.
Mira's arrows found gaps in their armor, pinning arms and legs.
Garen charged straight through the front, smashing shields aside with raw force.
Lucius stayed back, commanding.
His Shadepaw Cubs melted into shadows, flanking the enemy.
The Ironbone Crows rained bone-shards from above.
It was brutal.
Swift.
And decisive.
Within five minutes, the noble team was down — defeated but alive.
Lucius stood over Dorian.
His cold blue eyes met the noble's panicked ones.
> "Remember this," Lucius said softly.
"Out there, in the real world — no one saves the foolish."
He walked away.
Victory was survival.
Mercy was optional.
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Phase Three – The Night Hunt
Later that night, the true dangers came.
Beasts native to the Gate dimension.
Massive, mutated creatures.
Flesh Raptors with scythe-like claws.
Blood Gorillas pounding the trees.
Spider-Worms that lurked underground.
Lucius's team fought shoulder to shoulder.
Every swing, every spell mattered.
Sylvie healed Kael after a raptor tore through his side.
Garen blocked a spider-worm from dragging Mira underground.
Lucius unleashed the full wrath of his domain beasts.
Shadepaw Cubs coordinated attacks like silent assassins.
Gravefang tore apart enemies twice his size.
And when the worst came — a massive Ghoulspine Wyvern crashing through the trees — it was Lucius who stepped forward.
His hand glowed with forbidden magic.
> "Rise," he whispered.
A grave in the ruined temple cracked open.
A skeletal giant — one of the original Gate guardians — dragged itself from the earth.
Lucius's Domain trembled with approval.
The Ghoulspine Wyvern shrieked and charged.
The undead giant caught it midair — and slammed it down, snapping bones.
Lucius breathed heavily, sweat pouring down his face.
Necromancy wasn't free.
It demanded strength.
But he would pay any price.
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Phase Four – Dawn: The Bonds Forged
By dawn, half the students were eliminated.
But Lucius's team still stood.
Exhausted.
Bloody.
Victorious.
They sat around a small fire, sharing the last of their rations.
No words were needed.
They had been tempered in blood and trust.
Real bonds — not fake academy friendships.
Kael tossed a small stone into the flames and grinned.
> "Well, commander? What now?"
Lucius looked at them.
Tired.
Smiling.
Alive.
> "Now?"
He stood, stretching his sore limbs.
"Now we prepare for Phase Two."
The real battles were yet to come.
Academy Trials were only the beginning.
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Special Notification (Seventeen's Bonus)
As the sun rose fully, Lucius's system chimed:
> [Seventeen: Congratulations, Little Master!] [Hidden Achievement Unlocked: First Blood Commander!] [+5000 Spirit Points] [+1 Random Domain Enhancement]
Lucius blinked.
Domain enhancement?
Inside his personal world, changes stirred.
A new tree sprouted near the Ghoulshade and Ironbone trees.
Dark purple fruits grew on it.
Each fruit pulsed with energy.
Seventeen giggled mischievously:
> "Seventeen: Hehe... That's a Soulbind Tree! When beasts eat its fruit, they can bind closer to you — doubling their loyalty and strength!"
Lucius's heart pounded.
A real army.
A real kingdom.
Slowly growing.
Piece by piece.
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Final Moment: A New Dawn
As the trial gate shimmered open for the survivors to return...
Lucius stood tall.
Kael clapped him on the back.
Mira nodded solemnly.
Garen gave a rare smile.
Sylvie squeezed his hand briefly, shy but grateful.
And behind them, Gravefang howled at the rising sun.
Lucius walked forward, leading them all through the portal.
Toward Whitehorn Academy.
Toward destiny.
Toward the endless battles
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