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As the trials were about to start the three of them decided it was best to stick together as they saw others also forming teams
The iron gates of the Gauntlet Hall shrieked open, revealing a sunken arena stained with old blood. The air reeked of musk and iron. Kael's boots sank into the sand as the Proctor's voice boomed:
**"First Trial: Survival. Face the Academy's caged beasts. Last initiate standing earns double marks."**
Darius cracked his neck, his earth-affinity bracers glowing faintly. **"Stay behind me. I'll take the hits."**
Lira flicked a dagger between her fingers, unimpressed. **"Or we don't fight like idiots. The boar's weak point is its underbelly."**
Kael kept his stance loose, eyes scanning. The System mapped the threats:
> **[ARENA LAYOUT]**
> **• WEST: NIGHTSCREECH BATS (x5) | BASIC-TIER | AGI-FOCUSED**
> **• EAST: STONEHIDE BOAR | INTERMEDIATE-TIER | END-FOCUSED**
> **• CENTER: PRESSURE PLATES (SPIKE TRAPS)**
**"We split the bats first,"** Kael said, voice low. **"Lira, flank left. Darius, draw the boar's charge."**
Darius blinked. **"Since when do you give orders?"**
Lira smirked. **"Since he's the only one thinking."** She vanished into the shadows.
---
### **The Fight Begins**
Kael lunged at the nearest bat, dagger flashing. He **pulled his strike** just enough to seem clumsy—blade nicking the beast's wing instead of killing it.
Darius bellowed, slamming his fists together. A shockwave of earth staggered the boar. **"C'mon, ugly!"**
Lira materialized behind the bats, daggers slicing tendons. One screeched, crashing into Kael. He **let it** knock him down, rolling with exaggerated panic.
**"Kael!"** Darius smashed the bat off him. **"Focus!"**
Kael scrambled up, breathing hard. **"Thanks."**
Lira landed beside him, voice a whisper. **"You dodged left before that bat moved. How?"**
**"Lucky guess."**
She snorted. **"Bullshit."**
---
### **The Boar's Rampage**
The Stonehide Boar charged, tusks gleaming. Darius braced, arms hardening to stone—but the beast **veered suddenly**, targeting Lira.
Kael reacted before he could think. **"Dead Calm."**
Time slowed. He tackled Lira aside, the boar's tusk grazing his ribs. Pain flared, but the System noted:
> **DAMAGE MITIGATED (END 16).**
> **LIRA AFFINITY +15%.**
She shoved him off, eyes blazing. **"I had that!"**
**"Sure looked like it,"** Darius wheezed, yanking the boar's tail. It whipped around, slamming him into the wall.
Kael feigned a limping charge. The boar turned—exposing its belly.
Lira struck like a viper. Her dagger **plunged deep**, twisting. The boar collapsed.
Silence.
Then the Proctor's voice: **"Trial cleared. Proceed."**
---
### **Aftermath**
In the dim-lit prep chamber, Darius groaned as a healer knit his cracked ribs. **"Worth it."**
Lira tossed Kael a bandage. **"You're a terrible liar."**
Kael winced as he pressed it to his side. **"Don't know what you mean."**
She leaned in. **"That 'stumble' when the bat hit you? Your weight was already shifting. You **knew**."**
Darius frowned. **"Wait, what?"**
Kael held her gaze. **"Maybe I've just fought a lot of bats."**
A long pause. Then Lira **laughed**, sharp and surprised. **"Fine. Keep your secrets."**
The System flickered:
> **ALLIANCE UPDATE:**
> **• DARIUS: TRUST 80%**
> **• LIRA: TRUST 65%**
The real trial was tomorrow.
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