It did not take long for the mages to make an appearance again, tasked with transporting the cages through the air using magic, in preparation for the second test.
As the cages floated to the ground through the control of the mages, the light in Areis eyes flickered.
His lightened mood was suppressed.
His eyes hawking at the contained creatures.
Wild, savage and bloodthirsty goblins no more than two feet tall, with rough green skin with tattered rags for clothes were locked within them.
A dreadful stench spreading through the air.
A shudder ran through Adam as he examined them for the first time. It was not a sight he had expected. They neither looked weak nor foolish.
As they clung to the bars of the cage, their sharp and needle-like faces ran through the bars like a pianist would the full sequence of piano keys. Their nails dark, that scratched the metal of the cage, a sharp piercing sound ringing.
The goblins, their eyes beady with sclera matching their irises, leaving their eyes fully coal-black. The goblins bared their sharp, yellowed teeth as they held the bars of the cage. Their tongue was long, and the saliva ran thick and viscously down their tongue.
They were likely held in the castle's dungeon, or prison. Alternatively, they were just captured.
Where they were held did not make Adam immune to the fear that came from sentient life that looked like they wanted nothing more to break free and tear him limb from limb.
If they somehow got out... he could die...
Adam felt keenly foolish, he had believed it would be a fairly easy test if they were behind bars.
Rather than easy, if one person didn't run away being face to face with them, that would be an exceptional result.
'No,' Adam paused, not averting his eyes from the goblins before inhaling the fresh outside air, then a deep exhale.
He wouldn't be dying. Areis strange as he was seemed to be was keeping alert.
There were other knights around, and for the time being so were the mages.
He would be fine.
The thought that if he didnt go first would be preferred, remained.
Elaina who had done well the last test had a lost look on her face.
The light in her eye shrank as she backed up a few steps.
Her legs quivered.
Adam resisted the urge to fallback himself.
Unlike the other heroes, he didn't have an offensive skill, meaning it would be a hand or hand battle if things got ugly, or his death. With the goblins feral nature, and their long nails, he would be a definite goner.
The desire to level up flooded his thoughts for a degree of protection.
However, just barely, comforted by the distance between the goblins and himself, he resisted.
Marcaine was alert similar to Aries. But, the new sight did chip at his spirit, leaving one of his feet to be planted towards the goblins, and one the other way, his hand reaching for a gun, which he did not have on him.
Absurd as it sounded, Adam's will to avoid moving, not that he wasn't scared, put him in the best position to start this test of bravery.
The other heroes had already fallen on their back.
They were not ready.
As if to say otherwise, Areis started speaking: "Your feelings now, this anxiety that is oppressing you, is what the peasants feel everyday that live on the frontier near the battlefield. Only, the monsters aren't contained, they are free. They hunt and devour without abandon."
For the first time since being summoned, Adam understood the importance of heroes, and why they were so valued.
His heart felt a odd sense of weight, taking in Areis's words.
Areis continued: "To remember this feeling, you must come near breathing distance of the goblins."
Pointing to a hero sprawled on the ground, he declared, as if condemning them: "You are first."
The hero's face flushed, becoming extremely pale at Areis judgement.
Areis voice taciturn, stated: "Go over to a cage, or fail."
The hero overwhelmed, pulled on their hair, crying out: "N-no, I refuse."
Rubbing his nose bridge, Areis asserted: "Then you have failed the test of bravery. We do not need heroes that are cowards. Although you may stay in the castle, you are not welcome. Know that."
Despite the harsh judgement, learning of goblins and being able to imagine just how terrible demons are, he could not hold it against him.
A hero who can't face a goblin, won't be any use to the Kingdom in fighting the demons, the sole reason they were summoned.
In a weird way inspired him, lessening the anxiety seeing the goblins gave him.
The hero that rejected to take the test, who remained on the ground was carried away.
Waving his finger around, Areis pointed to another person.
Learning rather than defy Areis, the next hero that was pointed to made their way towards one of the cages, taking half-steps to delay going nearer, even a second sooner.
The goblins jovial at the heroes expression jumped around their cage, laughing maniacally. Their laughter resembling the sound of phlegm leaving one's throat: "Kekeke~."
The goblins screeched: "Human scared of us. Human pitiful." Hearing those words, the hero backed up before turning around at breakneck speed, scrambling to flee.
Another hero's cowardice was revealed, getting hauled away swiftly.
Clicking his tongue, Areis resumed his selection.
A few more heroes went up.
A few more heroes ran, the only one who was able to remain still before the goblins was the teenager, who lasted for a few seconds before the goblins tried to reach through the bars, towards his throat having him run for the hills.
Areis was neither pleased or displeased by their result.
The female teenager who got spat at, also ended up sprinting away, tears crashing down her face in a bid for the castle.
Next was Elaina.
When she was told to stand at a cage, fear quickly grasped her heart, for the goblins gazes were wicked. The goblins did attempt to grab her, Elaina who was a step too far however, was safe.
She ended up doing slightly better, admittedly her spaced gaze and light, rushed breaths showed Areis what he needed to see to know it was the best showing yet as she did not move. But, was lacking, for it was not bravery but fear that trapped her in place.
Marcaine got picked next.
Unlike how he expected Marcaine to take the top spot in the test, when he assumed a defensive pose standing before one of the cages, a goblin was able to reach an arm through. Scratching their arm causing Marcaine to scream, shattering their false bravado.
Having been wounded, he only managed to stand still for just under 20 seconds before collapsing on the ground, hugging their wounded arm.
Areis was not content with Marcaine's performance, for it was Adam whose Areis's hopeful and expectant gaze was shone at. The dreaded pointer finger directed at him.
Adam assembling a trace visage of calm took a breath, and walked forward one of the cages.
His gaze locked on a goblin, it's eyes ebony shards, on its face sat distinct dimples, greeting him with an excessively wide smile.
A bonus chapter to celebrate the first review.
Areis whose expression was dismayed at the poor showing of the heroes, watched Adam that won the endurance test, his expression curious.
He considered how well Adam would do this time around.
His gaze sharp, as his thoughts mused: 'Would he be brave? Or would, despite his grit, when faced with a monster run away like a coward?'
Scratching his chin, he spectated.
...
Adam gazed at the cage.
It was his turn to be tested.
Adam knowing that the fear contained in his heart would only be bolstered by dragging his feet. He approached, neither slowly, nor swiftly, towards the cage.
In moments, he was face to face with the goblin. It looked at him, as one would look at a freshly caught fish, which was unable to escape being hooked.
The corners of its mouth expressing its utmost joy, the corners of its mouth resembling bent paper.
Sweat raced down the back of his neck. Although Adam did the best to slow his breathing, he could not retain a calm expression.
The source of his fear was in front of him.
His goal was not to antagonize the goblin, or allow it the pleasure of amusement. He did not look away, he would be fighting monsters in the future, including goblins such as the one in front of him.
A human who didn't get angry, who didn't cry, who didn't express fear, Adam felt would not hold the interest of the goblins.
Adam noticed, that the goblin not getting an immediate response from him, causing any notable reaction, sunk the goblins lips into a frown.
He knew, as the goblins had done so before, likely would try to attack him. A ploy to cause his emotions to unravel. Adam tried to return calmness to his state of mind.
The goblin watched Adam, a contemplative expression on its face left its brow sunken.
Adam was not able to still his racing heart completely, repulsed by the goblin's stench, his gaze anxious and repelled by its mania.
His back, he could feel was rippled with sweat.
If he didn't want to be treated like the other heroes, he had to keep in control of his emotions.
A lack of control, the glowing eyes of the goblin warning him, had not gone unnoticed.
The reverberations of his heart picking up having observed the goblin's mood pick back up.
Adam's fear was seen.
Seeking to rein in his fight or flight instinct, as he was viewed as prey, he curled his hands into fists.
It allowed him to channel his frustration, and his fear, that could be mistaken for anger, were his legs not tremoring.
Suddenly, one of the goblin's arms shot forward, having passed through an opening between the cages' bars.
Adam gulped, narrowly fighting back the urge to get out of the way when the claws appeared near his throat. The claws grouped together like a bouquet of flowers.
The infinitesimally small distance from the goblins claws to his throat, caused his heart to beat madly, taking from him the minute amount of calm he kept.
His heartbeat puttered incessantly.
Having willed his body to not move, rejecting his baser instincts, the overwhelming threat to his life from his stillness intensified his fear. His lips now quivering.
The goblin had a toy to control and play with. He could feel his eyes dampen. The idea that he could not defy his feelings he wanted to deny made him feel helpless.
Fear being mental was not something he could reject as one wished.
In his thoughts, where terror was rampant, his resistance was being plucked.
The overbearing fear rushing through him like a stream.
Whether he liked it or not, Adam was here. He could be scared, however would greater fear lead him astray from his desire?
Thinking of it, the test being about bravery meant that fear was to be acknowledged, but not wallowed in.
Fear that was to be overcome. If one is not scared at all, that is rashness. If one has anxieties, that is an opportunity to be brave.
His thoughts wandered, thinking about the need for bravery. His position now wasn't unique, his danger was a component of a test.
Actual lives were at stake that did not have a chance to even flee. Monsters were an obstacle, but caged goblins were not a real threat.
A flash of realization in his eyes, the terror in his heart dying down.
That's right. He would not be a prisoner of his emotions, nor this goblin.
The goblin, having gone for the throat, and having him still standing there, roused uncertainty, voicing: "Human not running. That disappointing."
Adam squeezed his fists tighter, his fear no longer chaining him.
Pushing through doubt, Adam firmly gazing at the goblin, he started speaking: "Everyone has fear, either it can be fought through, or used an excuse to not change."
Adam looked down, muttering: "I am too used to the latter,"
Tasting the words he wanted to say, he continued, his voice picking up in volume, his gaze returned to the goblin: "So im trying the former."
A crisp alert entered his ears, his mental state felt like it shifted, but his focus remained.
The goblin's expression was confused, but gradually changed to understanding, stating their realization: "You usually scaredy cat so you try be statue now. Me understand."
As Adam shook his head, he heard laughter behind him. Turning around, Adam saw
Areis whose cheeks were red, his hands on his mouth trying to suppress a cackle.
A long while later, Areis wiped tears from his eyes, his laughing fit over.
A smirk on his face now, Areis spoke: "Yes. A statue. No, I jest, Adam, you are hero material."
Peering over the far smaller group of dispirited heroes, Areis turned back to look at Adam, addressing him: "Well done, you have finished the 2nd test, the test of bravery in first place too. In the process, we removed unsuitable heroes."
His focus now fully on Adam, Areis went on: "Like the first test, the 2nd test comes with a prize, this time it's a set of armor, similar to the weapon, that will be forged based on your request."
Adam replied: "As with the weapon, I will think about what I want. Thank you."
Speaking to everyone again, Areis affirmed: "Heroes, there is one more test ahead."
Silence lasted for a few seconds, before further stating: "The final test is to survive in the woods for a week."
Adam was relieved, it actually sounded better than the last two tests.
It seemed like it would test people's resourcefulness.
Areis concluded: "Starting tomorrow, You will have a day of rest, to recover mentally. Then, you will be dispatched to the woods."
After gathering their energy, everyone returned to the castle, darkened by the lowering sun.
The remaining heroes didn't eat much, still out of it because of the 2nd test, leaving the mood somber.
Adam didn't feel like talking, and went directly back to his room after to lay down and think.
Although not dispirited, he did learn a lot about himself, and how he had the strength to change.
The notification that he ignored in the test before, now having his full attention.
[Ding! For overcoming your fear, you have been rewarded with the [Dauntless Courage] skill! ]
Adam eyed the blue notification hovering in his vision.
He observed that since his return, his doubts that supplanted fear within him, making him want to run, were crushed. A bright-gold dense barricade relaying domineering optimism was constructed in his mind, sweeping away negativity and subduing his concerns.
With this, he could change bring even greater changes to his life.
bình luận đoạn văn
Tính năng bình luận đoạn văn hiện đã có trên Web! Di chuyển chuột qua bất kỳ đoạn nào và nhấp vào biểu tượng để thêm nhận xét của bạn.
Ngoài ra, bạn luôn có thể tắt / bật nó trong Cài đặt.
ĐÃ NHẬN ĐƯỢC