A/N: I have made some edits to enhance the fight scene in Chapter 5, adding more depth and intensity to the action. Additionally, I have updated the masteries in Chapter 6. If you've already read those chapters, feel free to check them out again to see the changes!
***
With that, the principal stepped back, and the instructors began to move into position.
One of them stepped forward to explain the points system in detail.
"Listen carefully," the instructor said, his voice firm.
"The points system is as follows:
- Defeating an Iron-rank creature:
- Grade 3: 2 points
- Grade 2: 4 points
- Grade 1: 6 points
- Defeating a Bronze-rank creature:
- Grade 3: 10 points
- Grade 2: 15 points
- Grade 1: 20 points
- Defeating a Silver-rank creature:
- Grade 3: 100 points
- Grade 2: 200 points
- Defeating students: 10 points
"Keep in mind," the instructor added, "if you decide to work in teams, your earned points will be divided equally among the team members. Also, you will be teleported randomly across the Rift, so be prepared for anything."
The students exchanged nervous glances.
The mention of Silver-rank monsters sent a ripple of fear through the crowd.
Even Kyle felt a chill run down his spine. He had barely survived a fight with a Silver-rank monster in the ruins, and the thought of facing one again was daunting.
The instructor seemed to sense their unease.
"Don't worry," he said, his tone reassuring.
"There are only two Grade 3 Silver-rank monsters and one Grade 2 Silver-rank monster in the Rift. Just pray you don't run into them."
Hearing this, Kyle let out a sigh of relief.
"I just hope I don't run into them," he muttered under his breath.
He knew how dangerous Silver-rank monsters could be, and he wasn't eager to repeat that experience.
Kyle took a deep breath and tried to calm his nerves.
After the teleportation array was prepared, the air in the Grand Hall of Trials crackled with energy.
The intricate runes etched into the floor began to glow, their light growing brighter and brighter until it filled the entire room.
The students exchanged nervous glances, muttering last-minute prayers.
Kyle stood among them, his heart pounding in his chest.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "This is it," he thought.
"No turning back now."
The instructors stepped back, and the principal raised his hand. "Good luck, candidates," he said, his voice echoing through the hall.
"May your skills and determination guide you."
With a final flash of light, the teleportation array activated. In an instant, all the students vanished from their respective positions, their figures dissolving into streams of light that shot upward and disappeared.
Kyle felt a strange sensation, as if he were being pulled in every direction at once. The world around him blurred, colors and shapes swirling together in a chaotic dance. Then, just as suddenly as it began, the sensation stopped.
****
Kyle opened his eyes and found himself mid-air, the ground far below him.
His eyes widened.
He didn't even have time to register what was happening before he plummeted into a river below.
The cold water swallowed him whole, and for a moment, everything was a blur.
Kyle struggled to orient himself, kicking and flailing as he tried to swim to the surface.
But just as he was about to break through, something grabbed his ankle and yanked him back down.
Panic surged through him as he looked around, trying to see what had caught him. A thick, slimy blue tentacle was wrapped around his leg, dragging him deeper into the water.
Kyle's mind raced. He couldn't see the monster's body, but he knew he had to act fast.
Before he knew it. He was pulled deeper, the water grew darker and colder.
Finally, he saw it—a massive blue squid, almost perfectly camouflaged with the water. Its glowing eyes locked onto him, and Kyle's heart sank.
'A Grade 3 Silver-rank monster,' he thought, his stomach churning.
'What kind of terrible luck is this?'
Kyle didn't have time to dwell on it. He released a burst of electricity, hoping to stun the squid.
The water around him crackled with energy, but the monster barely flinched. However, the shock was enough to make it release his leg.
Kyle kicked away, putting some distance between himself and the creature.
He quickly pulled out his Jian from his storage ring, gripping it tightly. Running wasn't an option—the squid would just chase him. He had to fight.
He decided to go all out as people outside won't be able to see him right now.
He activated his water and wind affinities, using them to increase his speed underwater.
The tentacles shot toward Kyle like whips, their movements fast and unpredictable.
He twisted and turned, using every ounce of his agility to dodge them.
The water resistance made it harder, but he pushed through, weaving through the attacks with as much speed as he could muster.
His lightning affinity crackled around him, giving him brief bursts of energy to stay ahead of the monster's strikes.
But no matter how hard he tried, the tentacles kept blocking his path. Every time he thought he had an opening, another slimy limb would shoot out, forcing him to retreat.
The squid was relentless, its glowing eyes locked onto him as if it knew exactly what he was trying to do.
Kyle's lungs burned, the lack of air making it harder to focus.
His movements grew slower, his reflexes dulled by the strain. He knew he was running out of time.
'This isn't good,' he thought, panic creeping into his mind.
'I can't keep this up much longer.'
He tried to push forward again, but another tentacle slammed into his side, sending him spinning through the water.
The impact knocked the breath out of him, and he barely managed to dodge the next attack. His vision blurred, the edges darkening as his body screamed for oxygen.
Desperation set in. Kyle knew he had to act fast. He couldn't afford to waste any more time.
Summoning the last of his strength, he focused on his lightning mana, letting it surge through his body. The water around him crackled with energy as he prepared for one final, desperate move.
But even as he gathered his power, the tentacles kept coming, each one faster and more aggressive than the last. Kyle gritted his teeth, his mind racing. 'I can't lose here. Not like this.'
He dodged another tentacle, his movements sluggish but determined.
The squid seemed to sense his weakness, its attacks growing more frenzied.
Kyle's body ached, his muscles screaming in protest, but he refused to give up. He had come too far to fail now.
With a final burst of energy, Kyle pushed forward, his Jian glowing with lightning and wind mana as he aimed for the monster's head. But the tentacles were already closing in, blocking his path once again.
Kyle's heart sank. 'I'm out of time.'
He was just a few meters away from the squid's head when another tentacle shot out, wrapping around his waist and squeezing tightly.
Kyle gritted his teeth, refusing to give up.
With all his strength, he hurled his Jian toward the squid's head.
The blade, infused with water, ice, wind, and lightning mana, pierced the monster's head.
But it wasn't enough to kill it. The squid thrashed wildly, its grip on Kyle tightening.
Kyle smirked, despite the dire situation.
He raised his hand, and a thin thread of raw mana extended from his palm, connecting to the hilt of his Jian.
He focused all his remaining mana into the thread and unleashed a massive surge of lightning magic.
The water around him lit up with a blinding blue flash.
The lightning traveled through the thread and into the squid's head, causing it to explode in a burst of light and bubbles.
The tentacle around Kyle's waist went limp, and the monster's body began to sink into the depths.
Kyle didn't waste a second. He grabbed his Jian and swam toward the surface as fast as he could.
His lungs were on fire, and his vision was starting to blur. Just as he thought he couldn't hold his breath any longer, he broke through the surface, gasping for air.
He floated there for a moment, catching his breath and staring up at the sky.
"That… was too close," he muttered, his voice shaky.
But despite the near-death experience, he couldn't help but feel a sense of triumph.
He had taken down a Grade 3 Silver-rank monster—something most candidates wouldn't dare to face.
As he swam to the riverbank, Kyle couldn't help but laugh.
"What kind of crazy exam is this?" he said to himself, dragging his soaked body onto the shore.
"But hey, at least I've got some points now."
With that, he stood up, shaking the water from his hair, and prepared to move on.