Capítulo 23: The Trial Begins
Chapter - 23
For the first few days after I'd started training, I thought the sword would be my weapon of choice. It was the classic pick, elegant and versatile, and I'd seen enough heroes wield one to know it was a popular choice for a reason. But despite hours of practice, I never felt entirely comfortable. The sword felt off in my hands somehow—balanced but unfamiliar, as though I were trying to write with the wrong hand.
So, I went through the entire training armory. I picked up the spear, the hammer, even tried archery, but none of them quite clicked. It was only when I lifted the axe that something clicked into place. The moment I gripped the handle and felt its weight, it felt as though the weapon had been made for me. I couldn't explain it. The axe, with its blunt, decisive heft, fit naturally in my hands. It wasn't the graceful cut of a sword, nor the precision of a spear, but it had a raw power that resonated with me. I felt a connection that was impossible to ignore.
Ares was more than a little self-absorbed, usually too focused on the "top-tier" students to spend much time with the rest of us. Still, he occasionally tossed a pointer our way if he could spare the attention. I soaked up every bit of advice he gave, learning everything I could about wielding an axe from those brief moments of instruction. But beyond those basics, my training had mostly been my own. Whenever I gripped the axe and swung it, I felt a kind of instinct taking over—a rhythm that felt natural, even though I couldn't quite explain it.
So now, waiting with Jennifer and Cassia outside the trial area, the axe strapped to my back felt like an anchor, a reminder of the progress I'd made. I also knew it was a reliable choice since I couldn't depend too much on my Frozen Spear skill. As powerful as it was, my Iridium was still limited, and even with the recovery rate I'd calculated, I couldn't afford to burn through it recklessly.
From weeks of training, I'd estimated that my Iridium refilled at about 20 percent per minute, meaning it took a full five minutes to recover completely. Sure, five minutes didn't sound like much, but in a fight, it was an eternity. A monster wouldn't be polite enough to let me catch my breath and refill my reserves.
Just then, Ares called out, "Team 53, enter the trial area."
Jennifer, Cassia, and I exchanged quick nods. We turned toward the shimmering force field, its surface crackling with blue light that obscured whatever was on the other side. As we stepped through, the air shifted, and the world transformed around us.
The lush, bright training grounds were replaced by dense, darkened woods. Tall, twisted trees stretched up into an overcast sky, their branches casting eerie shadows across the forest floor. The scent of damp earth filled the air, mingling with a faint, metallic tang that hinted at something dangerous lurking nearby. I glanced around, trying to orient myself in this new setting, my senses prickling as the reality of our trial began to sink in.
Jennifer and Cassia pulled out a map that had been provided, unfolding it to study the layout of the area. Jennifer's eyes scanned the details with a practiced ease, and her brow furrowed as she traced a path with her finger. She clearly knew her way around navigation; after a minute, she nodded to herself, rolled up the map, and slid it back into her belt.
"Alright," she said, her voice low and commanding, "we're headed west. There's a path here that should take us through the densest part of the forest. If we stick to the edges of the clearings, we might avoid attracting any unnecessary attention."
Cassia nodded, her eyes flicking to me with a quick, assessing glance. "Stay behind us," she instructed, her tone cool. "We'll handle any monsters that come our way. Just keep up and don't be the reason we get slowed down."
Jennifer added, her tone no warmer than Cassia's, "We don't have time to worry about you, so do us a favor and don't lag. If you can't handle something, stay back."
I nodded, keeping any trace of my annoyance hidden. This was hardly the time to argue. I took a deep breath, centering myself and reminding myself of how far I'd come. My stats might still be behind theirs, but I was no slouch. I could handle my own. And, if I was being honest, I wasn't about to let them see me as a liability.
With a final look at me, they turned and began making their way through the dense underbrush. I settled into position behind them, gripping the axe's handle as we moved. The air was thick, filled with the quiet rustling of unseen creatures, and my senses were on high alert.
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