Chương 4: BEING SEPARATED

"Kaelen"

"Yes Lila?"

"When I grow up, I want to be the greatest magician in the world"

"If you want to be the greatest magician. Then I will be the greatest swordsman who will protect you".

On a hill that is filled with lush and tall grasses with a thick and sturdy tree right at the middle of the hill, a boy and a girl could be seen seated right in front of that tree.

The girl who is named Lila was a little girl whose presence radiated warmth and joy. Her soft, chestnut brown hair fell in loose curls around her cherubic face, often adorned with a simple ribbon or a small flower she'd picked herself. Her large, hazel eyes sparkled with curiosity and kindness, reflecting a boundless enthusiasm for the world around her.

Her cheeks were perpetually rosy, and her smile—wide and genuine—seemed to light up any room she entered. Lila's voice was gentle, often humming a sweet tune or offering words of comfort to those in need. She wore a simple dress, usually in pastel colors, that swayed as she moved, adding to her gentle and carefree aura.

Her small hands were always busy, either holding a beloved stuffed animal or reaching out to help others. Despite her young age, there was a reassuring presence about her, making everyone around feel instantly at ease. Lila's warmth was palpable, a beacon of light and love in the hearts of all who knew her.

As for the boy, it was none other than Kaelen who right is as small as a 6 year old. He was a lively and inquisitive boy with an adventurous spirit. His ash-colored hair, often tousled from his constant explorations, framed a round, cherubic face that still held the softness of early childhood. His dark eyes, large and expressive, were always alight with curiosity and wonder, taking in every detail of the world around him.

Kaelen's cheeks were often flushed with the excitement of his latest discovery or game, and a smattering of freckles danced across his nose. He had a gap-toothed smile that he flashed frequently, especially when he was proud of a new accomplishment or telling a particularly animated story.

Dressed in simple, comfortable clothes that allowed for maximum freedom of movement, Kaelen was rarely seen without a small, wooden sword tucked into his belt or a collection of found treasures—interesting rocks, feathers, or leaves—stuffed into his pockets. His boundless energy and fearless nature often led him on daring adventures, climbing trees, and exploring the hidden corners of his world with unbridled enthusiasm.

"No I want to be the one who will protect you" Lila said with a pouted look on her face. But Kaelen didn't seem to be the considerate type as he quickly replied.

"I can't allow that. I am the appropriate person who should protect who, not the other way around"

"Ok fine how about this, whoever gets to be stronger in the future has to be the one to protect" Lila said with her eyes filled with fighting spirit.

"Sure!! I accept your challenge!" Kaelen replied with his eyes also filled with fighting spirit.

.....

"Now that you all have your suitable weapons, get in their and make a name for yourself!!"

Back in the hall of the entrance to the Rift Sanctuary pocket dimension, all the qualified students now have various kind of weapons in their possession.

"When did you get yourself a new sword?" Morris who was holding a scepter asked Kaelen in a hushed tone while his eyes landed on the sword in Kaelen's hand.

The sword of average quality was a utilitarian weapon, designed for function rather than show. Its blade, made of standard steel, was straight and double-edged, about three feet in length. Though it lacked the luster of high-grade steel, it was sturdy enough for most battles and training purposes.

The blade bore faint scratch marks and minor nicks, signs of regular use but no severe damage.The hilt was wrapped in plain, worn leather, providing a firm but unremarkable grip.

A simple crossguard, forged from iron, offered basic protection for the wielder's hand, its edges slightly rounded from wear. The pommel was a modest iron sphere, balanced to ensure the sword felt comfortable in the hand without any elaborate decoration.

"I got it a few days ago. The sword I had before have become defective" Kaelen said with a wry smile on his face.

"And how sure are you that this one isn't also defective?" Right when Morris was about to speak up, the gothic boy suddenly interjected with a mocking tone.

The weapon this boy is holding is a pitch black colored scythe that gives off an aura of dread.The scythe was an instrument of pure darkness, its entire form cloaked in a deep, pitch-black hue that seemed to absorb any light that dared approach it. The blade, forged from an unknown, ominous metal, curved menacingly with an edge that looked impossibly sharp. Its surface was smooth, yet somehow gave the impression of a void, an abyss that could swallow anything in its path.

An aura of dread emanated from the scythe, a palpable wave of fear that made the air around it feel colder, heavier. The long, sleek handle, wrapped in blackened leather, was adorned with subtle, sinister runes that pulsed faintly with a dark energy. These runes were barely visible, their glow a deep crimson that flickered like dying embers.

At the base of the handle, a sharp, spike extended, allowing the scythe to be used as a deadly spear if needed. When held, the scythe seemed to hum with a low, almost imperceptible vibration, resonating with a power that felt both ancient and malevolent. The entire weapon exuded an intimidating presence, its very existence a testament to the dark forces that created it.

'Who is this boy?' Kaelen thought with a darkened look on his face as he stared at the gothic boy. But it was only him that was looking at him, the surrounding people were giving him a secret glances. Even Nathan was observing him with a deep frown on his face.

As for Morris, he was surprisingly staying quiet as he stared at the gothic boy with a menacing look on his face while he thought.

'You will pay for that'

But this peculiar situation didn't stay for long as the students began to go through the portal. After a while, it was finally Kaelen and Morris turn to go into the portal.

'Here goes....' After taking in a deep breath, Kaelen thought with a serious look on his face as he stepped into the portal with Morris. But he failed to notice the mysterious girl who earlier humphed at him angrily was now looking at him with a hopeful eyes.

Apparently, Nathan took notice of this which prompted him to ask in a soft and gentle tone.

"Do you know anybody that is taking the test Lila?"

But unfortunately for him, the mysterious girl who apparently is Lila totally ignored him as she just stared at the portal while she thought.

'I am still waiting for you'

"Woah!!!" Kaelen exclaimed in shock right after he passed through the portal as he saw himself falling from a considerable distance from the ground.

'Sh*t! I gotta land safely' Kaelen thought urgently as he hurriedly stretched out his hands.

With a deep breath, Kaelen extended his hands and called upon the small, flickering reserves of mana within him. A faint, shimmering light surrounded his body, growing brighter as he concentrated harder. He could feel the magic responding, though weak and unrefined, it was his only hope.

"Come on... come on..." he muttered through gritted teeth, willing the magic to slow his descent.The shimmering light began to coalesce around his legs and torso, forming a cushion of energy. The air beneath him seemed to thicken, resisting his fall.

His speed decreased noticeably, but the ground was still approaching too fast.Desperation fueled his concentration, and he pushed harder, the light around him intensifying. Just before he hit the ground, Kaelen conjured a final burst of energy, expanding the magical cushion into a makeshift barrier.

He hit the ground with a jarring thud, the barrier absorbing most of the impact but not all.He lay there for a moment, gasping for breath, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins. Pain radiated through his body, but he was alive. Slowly, he pushed himself up onto his elbows, the magical light fading away into nothingness.

'What a way to start the examination' Kaelen thought weakly while he still lay on the floor to catch his breath.

Roar!!!!

But that relaxed state didn't stay for long as he suddenly heard a loud roar which prompted him to quickly jump to his two feets while he thought.

'Really!!? Right now!!?'

But he could now see his surrounding after being on his two feets. Where he is now is The forest within the Rift Sanctuary was a realm of otherworldly beauty and mystery, a thick and ancient woodland untouched by time. Towering trees with broad, twisted trunks reached towards a sky that shimmered with hues of deep purples and blues, their canopies forming a dense, interwoven tapestry of leaves. The foliage was lush and vibrant, with emerald green leaves that glowed faintly, casting an eerie yet enchanting light upon the forest floor.

Vines and creepers, thick and sinewy, draped from the branches, their tendrils winding around the trunks in intricate patterns. Strange, luminescent flowers bloomed sporadically among the undergrowth, their soft, ethereal light illuminating hidden pathways. The air was thick with the scent of moss and rich, damp earth, mingling with the subtle fragrance of the mystical flora.

The forest was alive with sound—a symphony of rustling leaves, the distant calls of unseen creatures, and the occasional whisper of a gentle breeze that seemed to carry ancient secrets. The ground was carpeted with a layer of thick moss, interspersed with patches of soft, vibrant grass and dotted with peculiar mushrooms that glowed with a faint, ghostly light.

Occasionally, streams of crystalline water wound their way through the forest, their surfaces reflecting the surreal colors of the sky above. The water was impossibly clear, revealing pebbles and aquatic plants that seemed to pulse with their own light. Enchanted by the unique magic of the pocket dimension, the forest felt like a place where reality and fantasy intertwined, a realm where every step uncovered a new wonder or mystery.

But all these things didn't enter Kaelen's attention as he was fixedly stares at the direction the roar came from while he thought with a pained look on his face.

'This is just great. I got separated from Morris and now am about to encounter a ferocious beast'