I'm led into an armory before the test begins. There's a wide selection of weapons to choose from, but it pales in comparison to what the arena had.
I'm surprised to learn that I can use whatever I want and I'm not limited to just a sword or a shield. I've never been able to be equipped with both.
I forgo a shield however in favor of a double handed broad sword. A couple long daggers outfit my waist before I stand ready.
The Subjugation test has a high failure rate not just because one has to face an evolved beast, but because the beast is not revealed to the examinee prior to starting the test.
I check my weapons one more time and turn to nod at instructor Zyre.
We pass through the armory's doors and head to the test site. This test takes place in the academy's dueling ground where students can challenge others and win glory in front of their compatriots.
It reminds me of the arena in a way, just less grand.
Zyre looks at me one last time before pushing open the door that leads to where my fight will take place.
As I enter, I feel myself transported back to the arena for a second as I see a few spectators in the stands. Students and staff alike are here to see me take on the Subjugation Test.
It feels like a small scale replica of the arena where I made my name known in Kalabar.
A sudden anger rises at this thought and I renew my vow.
'I'm going to kill those bastards.'
My thoughts turn violent as I keep fanning the flame of hate within me. I can feel the process being expedited by the familiar scenery around me.
There is no one counting down, no one to announce the fight, there is nothing until a heavy stone door creaks loudly. It's hoisted up by thick chains on the wall opposite of me.
The room it reveals is dark and I can't make out what's inside until a massive, furry brown head appears into the light.
It's tusks are cruelly shaped in a twisting pattern that promises pain and it's body's weight impacts the ground with vibrations as it moves.
The tempo of my battle energy pulses a frenzied beat.
I see a puff of smoke from the mouth of the Hell Boar as it notices me.
A scream tears from not just my mouth, it's guttural as I feed into the rage and let it strengthen me.
My muscles are compacted tight with raw power as I leap forward. It takes only seven massive steps till I'm on it.
Directing a hard swing horizontally at the beasts chest, a painful thud reverberates through my palms.
The boar met my strike with its tusks and its powerful neck keeps the beast from even flinching at the impact. I'm shocked by this fact, even in my have lucid state.
Heat rises in the air in front of me and I have to duck as a manifestation of fire flings toward me from the Hell Boar's mouth.
Springing to my feet, I glance down and notice my shoulder is singed and the skin has already blistered up with white oozing pustules.
I can't be bothered with it for long when the boar does a charge of its own.
My sword braces against my side as I plan to take it head on.
Theres a shocked cry from the people in the stands when they see what I intend.
I should dive, but my body is rising in it's strength and I feel the peak of madness close, taking control of me completely.
BOOOMM
The impact sends me skidding back as my feet sink into the dirt. It's tusks caught my sword and I can't move it as the charge continues.
Suddenly I'm in the air as I jump, leaving my sword behind. Hands find the daggers at my waist and I'm plunging them downward, aimed at the beasts back.
I score two long gashes, which erupt with blood, as I roll overtop of the beast.
The roll doesn't stop when I hit the ground and instead continues. Barely on my feet again, I have to dive to the side as another blast of concentrated heat heads towards me.
Again and again I have to leap out of the way until the Hell Boar takes up another charge.
In my peripheral, I see my sword to the left and rush for it.
I hook the toe of my boot under one side and place my heel on the other. The spectators shout in alarm now when they see me flip the huge blade into the air.
The Hell Boar is close now and can't dodge as I snap my leg out and kick the hovering sword.
My aim is true and it sinks deep in it's chest, but the beast does not stop.
I meet it's charge now, dropping my daggers to reach out with bare hands to grab tusks. My rage has reached its crescendo and I'm not pushed back by the boar any longer.
Instead, veins bulge beneath my skin as I lean backwards and lift.
CRACK
The Hell Boar's dying and confused grunts cease when I slam it on it's back from over my head. There's a small crater from the impact.
I'm still yelling in madness and rip my sword out it's chest to lop off it's head.
My rage stops blinding me when I notice that there aren't any of the usual cheers as I raise the head in victory.
My mind is slow, but soon recognizes horror masking the faces of the spectators.
I dumbly lower the head, my anger forgotten and replaced by the shame of letting these people see the wild animal inside me.
It's the second time in as many days and I hate myself for it.
My steps are slow leaving the arena, the side effect of letting my rage control me completely. My muscles throb in intense pain, I overexerted my body when I lifted the Hell Boar in the air.
I see instructor Zyre as I leave the dueling ground, he only has a single word for me as I walk past him.
"Pass."