After some time sitting outside the hall, it was already almost time for the practical exam.
He saw many students arriving, so he entered the exam hall with them.
When he entered the exam hall with the others, he noticed that there was no one inside but himself. He guessed it was the work of the hall.
Then he noticed the hall had a strange dark vibe, and it looked like illusions had contaminated reality, blending together.
It looked ancient, but with modern modifications — like a series of changes layered upon each other.
Fog seemed to linger in the air, the visibility varied, and he leaned against the wall, proclaiming that it was ancient, though nothing could prove it.
After some time, suddenly, magic appeared beneath his feet. Having seen this kind of scene before, Aiden could tell directly that it was teleportation magic.
Aiden was instantly teleported and found himself in a grassy field. He could see the horizon but not the end of the field.
Suddenly, a voice echoed directly in his mind:
"The practical exam will begin in thirty seconds. Defeat the enemies that will appear."
Weapons appeared in front of Aiden — a sword, shield, spear, axe, etc. Aiden picked up the sword, and at the same time, the other weapons disappeared.
A few moments later, the voice appeared again in Aiden's mind:
"5... 4... 3... 2... 1..."
Aiden saw a creature appear in front of him. Its whole body was green in color with two horns, and its big teeth were dripping with saliva. Its thin, torn clothes barely covered its lower body.
Aiden instantly recognized this creature — and believed even a ten-year-old child would recognize it.
It was none other than a goblin. It didn't have any weapons on it.
In the goblin's eyes, Aiden could see madness. He could instantly tell that it was very hungry — like it had been imprisoned without food for quite a while.
Although Aiden saw that pitiful creature, he didn't feel even a slight amount of pity or sympathy. Aiden knew they were not innocent, but some of the vilest creatures out there.
Though they were not powerful compared to other monsters, they were known for crimes like murdering and kidnapping young girls from villages near forests.
Aiden raised his sword, but the goblin had already lunged forward.
Aiden blocked its claws with his sword, but the impact pushed him back almost three steps. Aiden thought, 'It's stronger than I thought.'
Then Aiden channeled his fire magic into the sword, and the blade began to radiate a red light. He dodged the goblin's attack and kicked it in the abdomen.
The goblin wavered but lunged forward again.
Aiden dodged again and kicked the goblin's leg, causing it to fall to the ground. With his sword glowing and fire igniting across the blade, Aiden pierced it into the goblin's eye, completely penetrating its head.
He saw the goblin's corpse vanish, and a magic stone appeared. Aiden picked up the magic stone.
He appeared calm, but he was actually very nervous and fearful. Still, he was extremely happy — this was the first monster he had ever slain.
Aiden stayed vigilant and remained on the lookout because he hadn't been teleported back — meaning the exam wasn't over.
Then Aiden saw space ripple in front of him. Two goblins appeared and lunged forward instantly.
Aiden dodged, and after summoning wind magic into his sword, he separated the two. Then he summoned fire magic into the sword and cleanly cut the head off one of the goblins.
The last goblin was staring at Aiden with fearful eyes, but still lunged forward. Aiden swiftly cut him down as well.
But after that, two more goblins appeared — this time with weapons. Both carried axes. With much difficulty, Aiden managed to finish them off, but he injured his right hand in the process. He could tell that he had broken it.
Then five more goblins appeared, all wielding swords.
Aiden dodged the first goblin and cut down one that attacked from behind.
But another goblin pierced Aiden's heart. Blood flowed from his mouth.