บท 6: Chapter 5 : The Trial
One evening, as Kaizen sat in his dorm, he found himself captivated by the presence of the magic dagger he had secretly crafted. Its allure was irresistible, and the purple hue surrounding it seemed to dance in the dim light. The dagger held a mysterious power that beckoned to him like a seductive enchantress beneath the silver moonlight. Lost in contemplation, Kaizen was abruptly pulled back to reality by the sound of Kavin entering the room.
Kavin informed Kaizen that the instructors had issued a warning, urging him to attend classes regularly or face expulsion from the academy. This ultimatum put Kaizen at a crossroads, torn between the path of becoming a master blacksmith like his father or persevering on his knightly journey despite the challenges of his attribution-less Aura. Ultimately, he chose to remain at the academy and continue exploring his unique abilities.
For the next 15 days, Kaizen tried to blend in with his fellow trainees, attending lectures while enduring the gossip and taunts that followed him everywhere. He refused to be deterred by their skepticism, mastering the art of ignoring their provocations.
One fateful evening, as he returned to the dorm, Kaizen found his path blocked by three knight trainees, including the one he had defeated in front of the Count. Sensing the danger, he asked them to step aside, but they closed in with hostility. Memories of the alley incident flashed in his mind, but this time, he knew he had no one to rely on for help.
Without uttering a word, the three knights attacked Kaizen mercilessly, landing powerful blows that knocked him to the ground. They continued to kick him while taunting him for daring to act noble despite his humble origins as a blacksmith's son. Kaizen endured the assault in silence, refusing to give them the satisfaction of a response.
Meanwhile, Kavin sensed that something was wrong and went outside the dorms to search for Kaizen. His heart sank when he discovered his friend lying battered and bloodied on the side path. Horrified, Kavin wanted to call for help, but Kaizen stopped him, asking for support to get back to his bed instead.
Despite the pain and humiliation, Kaizen's indomitable spirit burned brighter than ever. He refused to be defeated by the cruelty of others or the limitations of his Aura. With Kavin by his side, he knew he had a true friend who believed in him and saw beyond the prejudices of others.
As the night wore on, Kaizen vowed to rise above the challenges and emerge stronger than ever before. He knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with hardships, but he was determined to carve his own path and prove that his colorless Aura was not a weakness but an untapped well of potential.
As the days passed, Kaizen's bruises and wounds from the attack gradually healed, but the emotional scars remained. He continued to attend classes, concealing the truth about his encounter with the three knights. The glares and whispers of his peers were a constant reminder of the hostility he faced, but he remained resolute, determined not to let it deter him from his path.
One morning, the instructors announced an upcoming joint session between the 4th year and 3rd year knights trainees. The activity involved venturing to the outskirts of the forest to hunt monsters under the watchful eye of the instructors and senior knights. The thought of facing dangerous creatures stirred both fear and excitement among the trainees.
The activity would last for three days, and each team would consist of eight members, with four trainees from each year. To decide the teams, names were drawn, and fate had it that Kaizen and Kavin would end up in the same team.
The news of the joint session filled the academy with an air of anticipation and tension. Trainees mentally prepared themselves for the challenges that lay ahead. Though the instructors would supervise the expedition, everyone was aware that the forest was a treacherous place where accidents could happen.
Finally, the day of the joint activity arrived, and Kaizen and Kavin made their way to the gathering point of their team. Among the other 3rd-year trainees, Kaizen didn't have a strong impression of anyone, while the 4th-years seemed aloof and distant, especially the female knight with red hair, Vina Blood-Mare, who appeared to be the team leader.
Once the instructors arrived, they led the students outside the city and into the forest. A stern warning was issued to stay away from the inner circle, where stronger monsters resided. Rumors spoke of a dragon's nest at the core of the forest, a place of great danger and the stuff of nightmares. Everyone knew that only a few humans could survive a dragon's attack, and even the Count himself would struggle to face a dragon alone, requiring full support from the knights Order and still suffering heavy casualties.
As the teams ventured deeper into the forest, the atmosphere became more oppressive, and the air felt heavy with an ominous aura. Kaizen found himself struggling to breathe, feeling the weight of the unknown that lay ahead. The 4th-year knights seemed accustomed to this feeling, their demeanor unwavering as they pressed forward.
Once inside the forest, each team separated and ventured on their own path. The mission was to hunt down low-rank monsters and collect their magic stones as proof of their success. The 4th-year trainees took the lead, displaying their experience and skill, while one of them remained at the rear, serving as a guard to watch their back.
The forest was a realm of both beauty and peril. Sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. Birds chirped and creatures scurried about, creating a symphony of sounds. Yet, amidst this natural serenity, the presence of lurking monsters kept them on edge.
As the team moved forward, their senses heightened, attuned to the slightest rustle in the undergrowth. Kaizen gripped the hilt of his sword, ready for any sudden encounter. The 4th-year trainees moved with a silent grace, demonstrating their prowess in the art of monster hunting.
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