Chapter 28
One after another, they stepped into the black portal.
The instant their bodies crossed the threshold, an invisible force yanked them forward. Heat surged over their skin like molten waves, searing their nerves. Their stomachs twisted violently, their balance wavered, and their vision blurred into a vortex of shadow and fire.
Then—
Everything turned white.
A heartbeat later, their feet slammed against solid ground.
Disoriented, they blinked rapidly, their senses scrambling to make sense of their surroundings.
They were back.
Right in the courtyard.
Standing in front of the green portal.
And then—
Laughter. Loud, hysterical, gut-wrenching laughter.
Kami was doubled over, clutching his stomach, his entire body shaking with amusement. "HAHAHAHA! You crazy kids actually went in! You should've seen your faces!"
Kaito's eye twitched. His breathing, already unsteady from the rush of adrenaline, hitched even further. The others exchanged looks, realization dawning upon them like a cruel sunrise.
There was no trial.
It had all been a trick.
A test of courage.
Kami wiped a tear from his eye and smirked. "Congratulations. You've passed the fourth trial."
Silence. A heavy, dangerous silence.
Then—
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"
Kaito exploded, pointing a trembling, accusatory finger at Kami. "You made us think we were about to DIE, and you're just standing there LAUGHING?!"
The other students were not far behind in their reactions. Some were still frozen in shock, unable to process what had just happened, while others looked like they were on the verge of physically attacking their instructor.
Kami, utterly unfazed, merely shrugged. "This is the Wizard Knights Academy," he said smoothly. "Only the brave can stay."
With that, he turned on his heel and sauntered away, his laughter still echoing behind him.
Kaito groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "I swear, one day, I'm getting back at him."
Lucas chuckled, shaking his head. "Good luck with that. He's a Head Wizard."
A collective sigh rippled through the group—half relieved, half furious.
They had survived the black portal trial.
Even if it was nothing but an elaborate joke.
Yet, not everyone was disappointed.
Lucas, the battle maniac, stood among them with a gleeful smile stretched across his face. Not just any smile—a crazed, borderline feral grin that sent shivers down the spines of his friends.
Unlike the others, who were relieved that they hadn't faced some terrifying beast, Lucas was frustrated.
He had wanted to fight something.
Something monstrous.
Something worthy of his fists.
Instead, he had been robbed.
"You're crazy," Kaito muttered, eyeing him warily. "I can't believe someone like you is still alive."
Lucas' smile twitched.
His red eyes flashed dangerously.
CRACK!
He cracked his knuckles.
Kaito's soul nearly left his body. "W-Wait, hold on, I was joking—"
Ten minutes later…
A loud BANG! echoed through the courtyard.
Kaito lay face down on the ground, his body twitching slightly. Lucas stood over him, looking immensely satisfied.
The students merely shook their heads.
"How did these two idiots even make it this far?" someone muttered.
Nephis and the rest of their group burst into laughter at Kaito's misfortune.
But before Kaito could rise from the dirt and throw hands again, a powerful, fiery voice thundered through the courtyard.
"EVERYONE, GATHER!"
The air grew hot.
The students looked up and saw a commanding figure standing at the front.
Enax.
The Leader of the Red Department.
Also known as the Leader of the Red Inferno Squad.
He stood tall, clad in crisp white trousers and a deep red top adorned with a golden, necklace-like chain. His partial robe bore the golden insignia of his heart's flame, making him look both regal and terrifying.
But the most striking feature was the massive, curved crimson blade strapped to his waist. Its mere presence sent an unspoken message—this was a man who wielded power beyond comprehension.
"It's time for your next trial," Enax announced, his deep voice carrying across the courtyard. "The Fifth Trial is about two things: Attack Power and Defense."
The students listened intently, sweat forming on their brows.
"For the first part, you will attack me," Enax explained. "If you manage to break my defense, you will earn 10 points."
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
"And for the second part, I will attack you." A smirk tugged at Enax's lips. "If you can withstand my attack, you will earn another 10 points."
A collective shudder ran through the students.
"Anyone who scores at least 12 points will pass. If you fail to reach 12 points…" Enax shrugged. "You fail."
Kaito, finally recovered from Lucas' beatdown, groaned. "Wait, wait, how is this fair? You're a Formation Phase wizard, and we're just Foundation Phase newbies! This is like putting a rabbit in a cage with a lion!"
Enax raised an eyebrow. "Would you like to be the first to attack?"
Kaito immediately stepped back. "Nope. I'm good."
Enax chuckled. "Relax. I won't be using my full power, or else you'd all be nothing but ash. I will lower my attack and defense to match Foundation Phase levels."
A wave of relief washed over the group.
Then, the first contestant stepped forward.
Liam, a smooth-skinned warrior, approached with a calm but determined expression. He cracked his fingers and nodded at Enax. "I'm ready."
Enax extended his hand, and a massive Earth Shield materialized before him, its surface gleaming with a fierce red aura.
"The first test begins," he declared.
Liam took a deep breath. Lightning crackled around his palm, forming an electrified glow. With a loud shout, he lunged forward, slamming his Lightning Palm Strike into the shield.
CRACK!
Sparks exploded on impact.
Silence.
The shield remained untouched.
Not even a scratch.
The crowd gasped.
Even Liam's eyes widened in disbelief. That was his strongest attack—and it had done nothing.
Enax simply nodded. "Decent. One point for attack power."
Liam's soul left his body. "O-ONE POINT?! THAT WAS MY STRONGEST ATTACK!"
"Then you need a stronger attack," Enax said bluntly. "Now, prepare for your defense test."
Liam clenched his fists, forming a protective lightning barrier around his body. Sparks crackled across his skin, brimming with power.
Enax smirked.
Without warning—
BOOM!
His flaming fist crashed into Liam's barrier.
For a moment, the lightning fought back.
Then it vanished.
Every spark disintegrated.
Liam collapsed.
Face-first.
The crowd erupted in shock.
Kaito, Blaze, and the others gulped.
How were they supposed to break that shield?
How were they supposed to withstand that fire punch?
As those terrifying questions swirled in their minds, Enax smirked and looked at the next student in line.
"Alright," he said.
"Who's next?"
To be continued.