Chapter Two - The Exam Begins

  The courtyard of Veloria Academy hummed with tension as the gathered students stood in tight groups, each trio eyeing the others warily. The morning sun cast long shadows across the cobblestones, but no amount of warmth could soften the weight of what lay ahead. Vecht stood with Lucan and Alura, watching as Tomas Alden addressed them from the front. Beside him, a table of glowing relics pulsed faintly, their resonance energy thrumming like a living heartbeat.

  “This exam,” Tomas began, his sharp voice cutting through the murmurs, “is not about brute strength. It is about teamwork, strategy, and adaptability. If you think you can brute force your way through this, you’re already at a disadvantage.”

  Tomas lifted one of the relics—a smooth, fist-sized crystal that pulsed with a soft blue glow, refracting the sunlight as he held it up for all to see. His sharp gaze swept over the gathered students before he spoke.

  “Each group will begin with one of these. If you still have it by the end of the exam, it will be worth five points. Any relics you capture from other teams will be worth fifteen points each. However, the most valuable asset in this exam is your team itself. Each active member of your group at the end is worth fifty points, emphasizing the importance of survival and teamwork.

  “If all three members of your team are immobilized, you will be immediately disqualified, and an instructor will intervene. The exam will last three days, and your final grade will be determined by the total points your group accumulates.”

  Murmurs rippled through the crowd, a mix of excitement and tension thick in the air. Tomas let the weight of his words settle before continuing.

  “This is an academy-wide challenge, and there are over four hundred students currently attending,” Tomas continued. “The boundaries encompass the entire outskirts, and you may encounter any number of groups at any time. Your strategies must account for this. If you are too cautious, you will fall behind. If you are reckless, you will be overrun.”

  He set the relic down and gestured to the racks of weapons nearby. “Your tools have been imbued with resonance energy. A strike will not kill, but it will incapacitate. A hit to the arm may render it useless for several minutes. A strike to the legs could immobilize you. Too many hits, and you’ll be removed from combat entirely. These tools are designed to simulate real battle conditions, and they will punish carelessness.”

  Lucan shifted beside Vecht, an excited look on his face as he spun one of his practice daggers. “I like the sound of this already.”

  Alura, standing on Vecht’s other side, rolled her eyes. “It’s not a game, Lucan. You get sloppy, and we all suffer for it.”

  “Enough,” Vecht said quietly, cutting off the brewing argument. Tomas was still speaking.

  “You’ll be graded based on the points your group accumulates, and how your group fares under pressure,” Tomas said. “Defend your relic. Steal from others. And remember, you will be observed at all times. Lethal force will result in immediate disqualification. Crossing the boundary will result in your immediate removal from the exam.”

  He surveyed the crowd, his piercing gaze silencing even the most confident whispers. “Use your tools. Trust your team. And remember—strategy is your greatest weapon. The exam ends when the alarm sounds from the watchtower. Good luck.”

  The outskirts stretched before them as far as the eye could see—a vast, untamed expanse of dense forest, rocky hills, and scattered clearings. The air was cool and damp, carrying the faint scent of moss and earth. Vecht led the way, his sword strapped to his side and the team’s relic wrapped tightly in cloth inside his satchel. The faint hum of its resonance energy thrummed through the fabric, a constant reminder of their mission.

  “If we stay still, someone will find us,” Vecht said, glancing at the map they’d been given. “We need to move aggressively. Hit first, hit fast.”

  “Now you’re speaking my language,” Lucan said, flipping one of his daggers in the air. The resonance crystal embedded in its hilt glimmered faintly. “Let’s hunt.”

  Alura adjusted the bow slung across her shoulder, “Who’s out here with us? Anyone we need to worry about?”

  “I saw Garron, Ellya, and Mavrin near the weapon racks,” Vecht replied. “They won’t be far from us. Garron’s the powerhouse, but he’s slow. Ellya’s fast with her twin blades. Mavrin’s the real problem—he’ll hang back with his crossbow and pick us off if we’re not careful.”

  The corners of Lucan's mouth curled to a grin. “Sounds like fun. I’ll handle it before they even know what hit them.”

  “You’ll handle nothing if you rush in without thinking,” Alura said sharply. “Mavrin’s their back line. If we take him out, the others will crumble.”

  Vecht nodded. “Agreed. If they’re smart, they’ll have set up camp in that clearing by the stream.” He pointed to a spot on the map. “Let’s move.”

  The clearing came into view as predicted—a flat, open space bordered by a slow-moving stream. Garron’s group had made camp here, just as Vecht suspected. Garron stood near their relic, his massive hammer resting on the ground beside him. Ellya paced near the barricade they’d built from rocks and branches, her twin swords flashing as she practiced quick spins. Mavrin perched on a fallen log, his crossbow balanced across his lap, surveying the treeline.

  “They’re dug in,” Vecht murmured, crouching low behind a fallen tree. “Mavrin’s covering their camp. He has to go first.”

  Alura nocked an arrow, the faint hum of its resonance crystal vibrating in the air. “One shot. That’s all I need.”

  Lucan crouched beside her, his daggers glinting faintly. “I’ll take Ellya.”

  “I’ll keep Garron busy,” Vecht said, his grip tightening on his sword. “On my signal.”

  Alura released the arrow with a soft twang. It streaked across the clearing, striking Mavrin square in the shoulder. The resonance crystal flared, sending a visible shockwave through his arm. He yelped, dropping the crossbow as his muscles locked up.

  “Now!” Vecht shouted.

  Lucan sprinted into the clearing, darting between the barricades with fluid precision. Ellya turned to face him, her swords slicing through the air. She was quick—faster than most—but Lucan was faster. He ducked under her first strike, landing a quick blow to her ribs. The resonance energy discharged, and she stumbled, gasping for air.

  Garron roared, hefting his hammer as Vecht charged him. Their weapons clashed with a thunderous crack, resonance sparks flaring with each impact. Garron swung wide, his massive strength evident in every strike, but Vecht stayed light on his feet, dodging and countering with calculated precision. A strike to Garron’s side forced him back, the energy momentarily numbing his arm.

  Behind him, Alura loosed another arrow, this one striking Ellya’s leg. The speedster collapsed, her muscles locking as the resonance energy spread through her body. Lucan grinned, finishing her with a quick jab to the shoulder.

  “Take it!” Vecht shouted, deflecting another swing from Garron. Lucan grabbed the relic from their barricade and sprinted back toward the treeline.

  Vecht followed, narrowly avoiding a final hammer swing from Garron. The group regrouped in the forest, their newly claimed relic glowing brightly.

  “One down,” Lucan said enthusiastically. “Who’s next?”

  By midday, Vecht’s group approached a narrow ravine that cut through the forest. The air was cooler here, the shadows deeper as the rocky walls towered above them. Vecht held up a hand to stop the group as the faint sound of voices carried through the trees.

  “Two groups,” he whispered, crouching low. Peering over the edge of the ravine, he spotted six students below. Each group had their relics displayed prominently behind their makeshift defenses—a signal of confidence, or arrogance. Vecht recognized a few of the students: Brynna, a capable swordswoman with a tendency to take charge, stood at the head of one group. Opposing her was Kael, a scrappy fighter with a penchant for dirty tricks.

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  “They’ve run into each other,” Vecht murmured, watching the tense standoff unfold. “It’s only a matter of time before they go for each other.”

  “We let them fight,” Alura said, already drawing an arrow and pulling it taut. “When they’re weak, we clean up.”

  Lucan glanced over. “And here I thought you’d scold me for being too ruthless.”

  “Don’t confuse efficiency with recklessness,” she shot back, her eyes never leaving the scene below.

  As predicted, the tension broke. Brynna’s sword flashed in the sunlight as she charged forward, clashing with Kael’s axe. Her group followed behind, while Kael’s team moved to intercept. The ravine echoed with the sounds of combat: the heavy clash of blunted weapons, the crackle of resonance energy as strikes connected, and the occasional grunt of pain as fighters fell.

  “Now,” Vecht said.

  Alura’s first arrow streaked downward, hitting one of Kael’s fighters in the leg. The resonance crystal flared, locking his muscles and sending him crumpling to the ground. Lucan darted into the chaos next, moving between fighters with speed and precision. His daggers struck with surgical accuracy—one to the ribs, another to the arm—dropping two combatants in quick succession.

  Vecht descended the rocky slope with deliberate purpose, his sword raised. Brynna, still locked in combat with Kael, turned just in time to see him coming. She swung wide, but Vecht sidestepped, delivering a clean strike to her shoulder. The resonance crystal discharged, and her sword clattered to the ground as her arm went limp.

  Kael, sensing the tide turning, tried to retreat, but Alura’s arrow caught him in the back. He stumbled, and Vecht finished him with a strike to his chest.

  The fight was over in moments. Vecht’s group stood among the fallen, the two relics now in their possession.

  “Three relics,” Lucan said, tossing one to Vecht. “Not bad for half a day’s work.”

  “Let’s not get overconfident,” Vecht warned, glancing around. “Someone could’ve heard that.”

  As night fell, the forest became a patchwork of shadows and faint glows, the quiet hum of resonance relics blending with the rustling of nocturnal creatures. Vecht’s group moved cautiously, their steps muffled by the soft earth. They had been tracking a trail of trampled grass and broken branches for over an hour, the signs growing fresher with each step.

  “They’re close,” Vecht murmured, crouching low. He gestured for Lucan and Alura to halt as he scanned the darkened landscape ahead.

  A faint glow peeked through the trees. A fortified camp came into view, nestled within the protective embrace of a rocky outcrop. Six students moved within its perimeter, their weapons glinting faintly in the dim light. Two relics sat in the center of the camp, their combined glow illuminating the surrounding area.

  “They’ve teamed up,” Alura whispered, her tone tinged with unease. “Two groups working together.”

  Vecht nodded. “Six defenders. That’s going to be a problem.”

  Lucan’s daggers were twirling idly in his hands. “Double the relics, though.”

  “And double the risk,” Vecht replied, his eyes narrowing as he studied their movements. Kara, a spear-wielder with a reputation for being nearly unshakable in defense, stood near the barricade. Beside her was Harlan, a brawler who relied on brute force with his heavy practice mace. The other group included Lira, an archer perched on a ledge above the camp, and a tall fighter named Senrik who carried a shield and sword with confident ease. Two more students—siblings Erin and Cale—patrolled the edges of the camp, their stances cautious but alert.

  “They’ve covered their weaknesses,” Alura observed. “Lira will keep us pinned while Kara and Senrik block the front. Harlan’s the brute, and Erin and Cale will flank us if we get too close.”

  “Sounds like fun,” Lucan said with a grin. “What’s the plan?”

  “We need to divide them,” Vecht said. “Alura, you take out Lira first. She’s their eyes and their range. Lucan, flank the left and go after Erin and Cale—keep them busy. I’ll draw the attention of Kara and Harlan. Once the group splits, we’ll pick them off one by one.”

  “Got it,” Alura said, drawing an arrow. The resonance crystal embedded in its tip glowed faintly as she pulled the bowstring taut.

  Lucan rolled his shoulders. “Time to make some noise.”

  Alura’s arrow streaked across the camp, the faint hum of its resonance crystal breaking the stillness. It struck Lira in the shoulder, the energy discharging in a visible wave that forced her to cry out and drop her bow. The defenders reacted immediately, scrambling to locate the source of the attack.

  Lucan darted left, slipping through the underbrush like a shadow. Erin and Cale spotted him, their weapons raised as they moved to intercept. Erin lunged with her spear, but Lucan ducked beneath the strike, delivering a quick jab to her ribs with one of his daggers. The resonance crystal flared, forcing her back as she gasped for air.

  Cale swung his sword in a wide arc, but Lucan sidestepped with ease, countering with a strike to Cale’s thigh. The energy locked his leg, sending him stumbling to the ground. Lucan remained focused, landing a second blow to Cale’s arm to finish him off.

  Meanwhile, Vecht charged the center of the camp, drawing the attention of Kara and Harlan. Kara’s spear came at him in a lightning-quick thrust, but he deflected it with his sword, stepping inside her guard to land a strike on her shoulder. The resonance energy discharged, forcing her to drop the spear as her arm went limp.

  Harlan swung his heavy mace with a roar, the weapon carving a brutal arc through the air. Vecht dodged, the impact of the swing sending a spray of dirt and leaves into the air. He countered with a slash to Harlan’s side, the energy rippling through the big man’s torso and forcing him to stagger.

  Above the chaos, Lira struggled to regain her footing, but Alura was faster. A second arrow struck the archer’s leg, locking her muscles and leaving her slumped against the rocky ledge.

  Senrik, seeing his allies falter, charged toward Vecht with his shield raised. Vecht braced himself as their weapons collided, the resonance crystals sparking with each clash. Senrik was strong and methodical, his strikes heavy but precise. Vecht bided his time, waiting for an opening. When Senrik overextended on a wide swing, Vecht struck fast, landing a blow to his shield arm. The energy discharged, forcing Senrik to drop the shield as he staggered back.

  With their formation broken and their fighters disabled, the camp fell into disarray. Vecht grabbed the relics from the center of the camp while Lucan and Alura regrouped.

  “Let’s move,” Vecht said, the relics glowing brightly in his hands.

  The group disappeared into the trees, leaving the defeated defenders behind.

  The forest grew darker as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving only the faint glow of their relics to light the way. Vecht led the group cautiously through the underbrush, his sword drawn and his eyes scanning the surrounding trees. The soft hum of resonance energy seemed louder in the quiet night, a reminder of the five relics they carried—and the attention they were likely to draw because of them.

  “We can’t camp out in the open,” Vecht said, breaking the silence. “We’re carrying too much now. We need somewhere defensible.”

  “Like what?” Lucan asked, though his tone was less skeptical than usual. “A hidden spot in the woods? A treehouse, maybe?”

  “A cave,” Alura said firmly, cutting off Lucan’s rambling. “High ground would be ideal, but if we can’t find that, a cave is our best option.”

  Lucan chuckled softly. “What, so we can hide like rats?”

  “More like so we don’t get stabbed in our sleep,” Vecht replied curtly. “Start looking.”

  The group moved carefully, scanning for any sign of rocky formations or natural cover. After nearly an hour of quiet searching, Alura raised a hand, motioning for them to stop.

  “There,” she said, pointing ahead. In the faint moonlight, a small cave entrance was visible near the base of a rocky incline. The opening was narrow, just wide enough for one person to enter at a time, but Vecht could see that the interior widened further in.

  “Perfect,” Vecht said, approaching cautiously. He gestured for Lucan to stay behind with Alura while he crept forward, his sword at the ready. He stepped inside, the sound of his boots echoing faintly off the stone walls. The space was shallow but roomy enough for the three of them to rest comfortably, and the rocky walls would provide excellent protection from any potential attackers.

  “No signs of animals,” Vecht called back after a thorough inspection. “This will work.”

  The group quickly set to work fortifying their temporary shelter. Alura positioned herself near the entrance, her bow ready in case of any unwelcome visitors. Lucan gathered rocks and fallen branches from the forest floor, using them to partially block the entrance without making it obvious that the cave was occupied.

  “We can use these to bottleneck anyone who tries to get in,” Lucan said, arranging the barricade with surprising care. “They’ll have to come at us one at a time.”

  Vecht nodded in approval, setting the satchel of relics down in the farthest corner of the cave. “It’s defensible, but we can’t stay here too long. The longer we’re in one place, the easier it’ll be for someone to track us.”

  Alura adjusted the barricade slightly, testing its stability. “We’ll take turns keeping watch. Two awake, one resting. No one gets the chance to sneak up on us.”

  Lucan groaned. “You’re really no fun, you know that?”

  “Surviving isn’t about fun,” Alura shot back. “But I’d be happy to remind you of that if you fall asleep on watch.”

  Vecht smirked faintly but didn’t comment. He leaned his sword against the cave wall and sat down beside the relics, the glow casting faint shadows on the rocky surface. The firelight from the small makeshift flame they had built flickered, illuminating their tired faces.

  “Five relics in one day,” Lucan said, breaking the silence as he stretched out on the ground. “That’s gotta be some kind of record.”

  “Maybe,” Vecht said, his tone neutral. “But it’s also a giant target on our backs. The more relics we have, the harder it’ll be to keep them.”

  “They’ll be coming for us tomorrow,” Alura agreed, her gaze fixed on the narrow entrance. “Every group that’s left will know we’re the ones to beat.”

  “Let them,” Lucan replied, while placing his hands behind his head. “We’ll take them down, same as we did today.”

  Vecht shook his head, though he didn’t entirely disagree. “We can’t afford to get complacent. Tomorrow’s going to be harder. The survivors will be more cautious, more desperate—and they’ll know what they’re up against.”

  Alura nodded, her voice low but firm. “We need to be smarter. Keep moving, stay unpredictable, and only fight when we’re sure we’ll win.”

  Vecht leaned back against the cool stone wall, his fingers brushing the hilt of his sword. “We’ve done well so far,” he said quietly, his gaze drifting to the glowing relics. “But we’re not finished yet.”

  Lucan yawned, sitting back up and settling against the wall with his arms crossed. “Wake me when it’s my turn to keep watch. And if you two are planning a strategy, try not to bore me to death.”

  Alura rolled her eyes but didn’t respond. She remained by the entrance, her bow resting across her knees as she listened for any sign of movement outside.

  The cave fell into silence as the fire crackled softly. Vecht closed his eyes, letting his body relax for the first time that day. Despite the victories they had achieved, he knew that the hardest part of the exam still lay ahead. But for now, in the safety of the cave, he allowed himself a brief moment of peace.