Nathaniel's Point of View**
Minutes ticked by before the applicants were summoned back for the second trial. Pyun rose from her seat, stepping forward to address us, her doll clutched tightly.
"Soldiers often face danger, so I'll test your ability to defend yourselves against beasts," she declared.
She outlined the next challenge: a race to the opposite arena at the island's end within three hours. "Your only task is to reach it and earn your second point," she added.
Murmurs of surprise rippled through the crowd— the task seemed deceptively simple. "That's it?"
"No challenge at all," some whispered.
Pyun's lips curled into a sly grin, hinting at darker intent. "Oh, you want difficulty? I'll oblige," she said, raising her hands.
With her gesture, black magic circles erupted, unleashing over five hundred rabbits—some human-sized, wolf-like, and even building-sized giants. Gasps filled the air.
"What are those creatures?"
"Is this real? She summoned so many beasts in an instant!"
"I've never seen a summoner release more than three at once."
"She's showcasing the Black Rabbit of the Dark Continent's power."
The Dark Continent, birthplace of black magic, harbored beings wielding negative energy. Pyun explained these beasts would block our path, warning us to use protective energy for safety.
She granted ten minutes to flee the arena for the forest before releasing them. "Eskapa soldiers thrive on teamwork in danger, so choose companions to guard each other," she added.
Excitement buzzed as some paired up, especially those unskilled in combat seeking stronger allies. Time slipped away, yet no one approached me.
"I feel so let down—no one wants to team up. This reminds me of high school group projects," I muttered.
Melon replied, "It's natural. They sense your lack of protective energy, gauging a warrior's strength."
I had no clue about energy presence, incapable of detecting it. Still, as a non-warrior joining for Ataparag's team, I felt powerless. "Even knowing that, this discrimination stings," I sighed.
Whispers followed me—the lone applicant without a partner. "What else to expect? He's just a human, a liability," they sneered.
Above, officials noticed, pity in their tones. "Is it okay for that human to continue? This might be too brutal."
"I feel for him—those beast rabbits might devour him."
Concerned, the higher-ups debated letting a human face this peril. "We can't intervene—he chose this despite the risks," one said.
"It's Vice Commander Aoi's call to remove him, since he's from her ranks," another added.
Aoi smiled, insisting I knew the dangers before joining. "Her Majesty wishes to see his potential, so I can't stop him," she stated.
Yuki sighed, troubled. "This sets a poor example for us Weapons, letting a defenseless human become beast fodder."
She raised a hand, red smoke swirling beside her. Xxv emerged, bowing. "Do you have orders, Lady Yuki?"
"Watch that human. Don't interfere in the trial, but save him if he can't continue," she instructed.
"As you wish."
Xxv vanished in red smoke. Kyros chuckled, "So, you brought Lady Magdalena's prized Red Cloud, Xxv."
Ruri recalled training him in the Irish Queendom, where humans lived freely. "Why didn't he stay there?" she wondered.
Rei's expression darkened. "He refused to renounce his slave name and Soul Eater wife—a rare, tragic choice," she explained.
Kyros pitied him. "He believes such a union fits this world. I feel for him, but he's resolute."
"Ridiculous! All Soul Eaters should die for the peace we seek," Pyun snapped.
"Oh, isn't his wife the Soul Eater Queen Sei captured?" Kyros interjected.
Yuki paled. "Is that true?"
"Yes, I overheard a report during a meeting with Lady Magdalena," he confirmed.
Eyes turned to Aoi, awaiting her response. She remained silent, awaiting the Supreme Commander's verdict on Suwi. Pyun questioned why a Soul Eater's trial shifted, kept alive and imprisoned where danger loomed.
"Does Sei know what she's doing, locking a Soul Eater in her city?" Pyun demanded.
"I'm not positioned to explain Her Majesty's actions, but we control the situation," Aoi replied.
"Controlled? Eskapa's underestimated threats before. Mark my words, your city's at risk if she lives," Pyun retorted.
Aoi apologized, understanding Pyun's anger—her past with Soul Eater attacks fueled it. "We follow our laws under a just queen," she insisted.
As tensions rose, Yuki intervened, suggesting a meeting with the Supreme Commander. Pyun calmed, though irritation lingered. "For now, let's focus on the trial," Yuki urged.