บท 31: Chapter 31: The Trials Await
The morning sun cast a golden glow over Aurora Academy, but Rian's mind was already racing ahead to the trials that loomed over them. Kael Stormrider's challenge had been hanging in the back of his mind ever since they'd left the club fair. The Vanguard Society was no ordinary club—just thinking about the prestige and competition made him anxious. Yet, it also excited him. This was a chance to prove himself, not just to the academy, but to himself as well.
"You're thinking about the trials, aren't you?" Dante's voice broke through Rian's thoughts. They were heading towards the dining hall for breakfast, and Dante looked far more relaxed than Rian felt.
Rian shrugged. "Aren't you? The Vanguard Society doesn't just let anyone in."
Dante laughed, giving him a playful punch on the shoulder. "You worry too much. We've fought dark spirits, disrupted rituals, and faced a hooded figure who was probably trying to kill us. How hard could a club trial be?"
Rian shot him a skeptical look. "I'm guessing it'll be pretty hard."
"Hard but not impossible," came Lyria's voice as she and Seraphina joined them. "Kael made it clear that they're looking for students who excel in more than just combat. Strategy, teamwork, resilience—it's about the whole package."
Seraphina nodded. "He didn't seem like the type to be impressed by brute force alone. We'll need to approach this carefully."
They all made their way into the dining hall, where students were buzzing about various events and gossip. The Vanguard Society trials had quickly become a hot topic, and it was clear that many students were planning to sign up, even though the acceptance rate was terrifyingly low.
As they sat down with trays of food, Rian couldn't shake the sense that this was only the beginning. He had no idea what the trials would entail, but he was determined to succeed.
"I've been doing some research," Lyria said between bites of her breakfast. "The Vanguard Society has been around for centuries. They've produced some of the academy's best warriors, but also top strategists, diplomats, and even historians. They're not just about combat, they're about understanding the bigger picture."
Seraphina leaned in, her voice low. "I overheard some older students talking. Apparently, the first trial is always the hardest. They use it to weed out those who aren't serious contenders."
"What do you think it'll be?" Dante asked, looking intrigued. "Some kind of combat test?"
"Possibly," Lyria replied. "But it won't be straightforward. It could involve a scenario where you need to think on your feet or work with others to overcome a challenge. Kael seems like the kind of person who values intelligence as much as skill."
Rian nodded. "We need to be ready for anything."
As they discussed strategies and possibilities for the trials, their conversation was interrupted by a loud cheer from a nearby table. A group of students from the Ignara House had gathered, clearly excited about something. One of them, a tall, broad-shouldered guy, stood up and announced, "The Vanguard trials are going to be a walk in the park! We've been training for this all year."
Dante smirked. "Confidence or arrogance?"
"Maybe both," Seraphina replied, rolling her eyes.
The Ignara students were known for their competitive spirit, especially when it came to anything involving physical prowess. But Rian knew that the trials would require more than just muscle. He hoped their group's diverse strengths would give them an edge.
Later that afternoon, after classes had ended, Rian, Dante, Lyria, and Seraphina found themselves back in their usual spot in the library. The sprawling rows of books and the quiet hum of magical energy in the air were comforting, but today, the atmosphere felt tense.
"We should prepare for the trials like we would for a mission," Lyria said, pulling out several tomes that looked old and weathered. "We need to sharpen every skill—combat, strategy, and problem-solving."
"Agreed," Seraphina said. "We've faced real danger before, and while this isn't life or death, it's still a huge opportunity."
Rian leafed through one of the books Lyria had brought. It was a historical account of past trials at the academy, describing the different challenges students had faced over the years. Each trial seemed more intense than the last, testing everything from endurance to emotional fortitude.
"Look at this," Rian said, pointing to a passage about one particular trial. "They had to solve a riddle to find the location of the challenge, but the answer wasn't what they expected. The whole trial was designed to confuse and mislead them."
"So, we need to stay sharp," Dante said. "Keep our wits about us and expect the unexpected."
Lyria nodded. "Exactly. They want to see how we handle pressure. If we let them throw us off, we'll fail."
For the rest of the evening, the group trained and studied together, preparing themselves for whatever might come their way. Rian practiced his speed and agility with his Flicker Essentia, while Dante worked on channeling his raw strength into more controlled attacks. Lyria and Seraphina focused on honing their elemental magic and strategic thinking, going over possible scenarios and how they could handle them.
By the time they finished, it was late, and the library had mostly emptied out.
"We'll meet at the training grounds tomorrow," Rian said as they packed up their things. "Let's keep this momentum going."
As they parted ways for the night, Rian couldn't help but feel the weight of what was ahead. The Vanguard Society trials would push them to their limits, and while he had confidence in his abilities and his friends, there was still that nagging uncertainty.
The trials weren't just about joining a prestigious club—they were about proving that he had what it took to stand among the academy's best. And after everything that had happened recently, from the dark spirits to the ritual, Rian knew he couldn't afford to fail.
The next chapter of their journey was about to begin, and they needed to be ready for anything.
สถานะพลังงานรายสัปดาห์
-- การจัดอันดับด้วยพลัง 
-- หินพลัง