Caelus now stood amidst a dense, shadowed forest. Towering trees loomed in every direction, their thick canopies blotting out the sunlight. The air was heavy. The silence was unnerving, save for the faint rustle of leaves overhead.
All around him, the students were recovering from their daze. They stood up and looked around, only to be greeted with the same setting as him.
"T-the hell was that?! And where are we?!" shouted one to another.
"How should I know? Wait, where's Brett? You seen him?"
"No... and I don't see Althea either."
"W-were we split up?"
"Looks like it. Because I can say for sure that of the thousand that once stood in the Orientation Hall just then, there are only about fifty of us here."
"Dammit... What the hell is this?"
A familiar groan came from behind Caelus.
"Ugh... ow, ow, ow..."
Sitting awkwardly on the ground was the same guy from before. Kain Diadalin. He scrambled to his feet, brushing dirt from his uniform as he spun in place to take in the unfamiliar scenery.
"What the...? Where are we?" Kain asked, bewildered. "Weren't we just in the Orientation Hall? How the hell did we end up in a—"
A deep, feral roar rolled through the woods like distant thunder. Kain flinched, his eyes darting toward the undergrowth where small critters darted through the bushes.
"O-okay... scratch everything else. What the hell was that?"
Suddenly, an ethereal ring echoed through the sky as a ball of light shot upward in the distance. Then came Seren's voice, light and lilting, as if she were announcing a garden party rather than a survival trial.
"Ah, I forgot to mention one more thing, my dear students. If you find yourself pressed for more points, you need only turn against your fellow students. Through combat, deceit, manipulation — whatever suits your fancy. Just be sure not to kill those you'll soon be calling 'classmates,' hmm?"
As the light orb faded, so too did the sounds of the forest. No wind, no rustling leaves, no birdsong. A suffocating stillness settled over them, and without a word spoken, every student understood.
Eyes shifted. Hands tensed. And just like that, Headmistress Seren's words rang clear in every student's mind: Trust is a rare and valuable commodity in this world.
Caelus let out a quiet breath. For the headmistress to come out and make such a provocative statement, her intentions were crystal clear. This wasn't a test or some survival assignment.
This is a game of ambition. A ruthless free-for-all meant to weed out the deadweights.
The uneasy quiet dragged on until someone finally broke it.
"Now, now, everyone. Let's not lose our heads."
All eyes turned toward the voice. Standing at the center of the clearing was none other than the crown prince of Vectis, Asta D'Angelica.
His golden hair shimmered under the scattered light, and his striking emerald eyes were a dead giveaway of his imperial blood, as was the fine silk tunic peeking from beneath his standard-issue robe. Nothing but the best for a man like him.
"Your Highness!" one student called out. "Do you know what this is all about?"
Asta lifted a hand to his chin in thought.
"Hmm... given what we've seen, this must be the infamous first-year trial I've heard whispers of. It's said to change every year, designed to test the merit and resolve of Rhodeia's newest prospects. Though I admit, I never expected a nameless forest."
Another student stepped forward.
"Headmistress Seren mentioned survival, but... survive what exactly?"
"There's no need to panic. At least, not yet. We don't know what lurks in this forest, but we shouldn't assume it is harmless. Proceed cautiously. It's far better to stay vigilant than to grow complacent and pay the price for it."
One by one, students began drifting toward him. To most, he seemed a natural-born leader. Sharp, composed, and charismatic. But to a select few... it was little more than a performance.
"Look at him," Kain muttered beside Caelus. "Saying all the right things, wearing that saintly smile, while hiding the snake underneath. Be careful, Luvelaine. That guy doesn't waste a single breath unless it benefits him."
Caelus didn't answer. His narrowed gaze shifted to the trees.
This place...
"You good, man?" Kain asked. "Looks like you're thinking pretty hard there. You wouldn't happen to know where we've landed, would you?"
He didn't reply.
The air, the atmosphere, and the electric tingle against his skin — it wasn't entirely unfamiliar. He couldn't name it, or how or when, but somewhere buried in the depths of his memory, something stirred.
He'd been here before. Of that much, he was certain.
"Ah, Kain Diadalin!"
Striding toward them with that ever-friendly smile was none other than the crown prince himself. Trailing behind were the students he'd so effortlessly charmed. Or something close to it.
Kain straightened up, offering a respectful yet unmistakably mocking bow.
"Your Imperial Highness."
"No need for formalities here, my friend. I trust you caught most of what I said?"
"As much as I could without keeling over."
Even at the jab, Asta's smile didn't falter.
"As treacherous as ever, just like your father. Tell me, Kain. Are you still so adamant about standing against me and my faction?"
"I'm neither with you nor against you," Kain replied coolly. "House Diadalin remains neutral in the battle for succession between you and your sister. So don't expect to turn this college into your political playground."
"Haha, I wouldn't dream of it. Not while under the watchful eye of Rhodeia's proctors. Rest assured, you needn't worry about me... for now."
Kain scoffed.
"Not even gonna pretend otherwise, huh?"
"There's no need for pretense. But let's set this little spat aside. More pressing matters await us. If you won't take my side in the court, may I at least have your sword in this forest? It would be... reassuring to have a man of your talent watching our backs."
He extended a hand.
Kain stared at it coldly before finally smirking.
"Tempting, Your Highness. But, see... I've already found someone else I'd rather follow."
"Oh?" Asta arched a brow. "And who might that be?"
"I don't believe you've been formally introduced."
Kain threw an arm around Caelus's shoulders, pulling him in. Instantly, a ripple of murmurs spread through the gathered students like wildfire.
Caelus remained composed, though his thoughts churned behind the gleam of his glasses.
"Ah... so it's you," Asta murmured, his expression unreadable for a fleeting moment. "Caelus de Luvelaine, the infamous fallen noble. It seems you've caught the attention of Taylor Reinhall, Rosalina Sigurdia... and now Kain Diadalin. That stings, you know. When's it going to be my turn?"
It was a jest, though not entirely.
Caelus met his gaze but said nothing.
"Not much of a talker, huh?" Asta's smile lingered. "You were the same way to those high-standing nobles only a couple of minutes ago. I suppose I'm no different?"
Again, Caelus remained silent.
"Hah... No matter. What you choose to do is completely yours to decide. However, it's different when Kain is involved. Since he's resolved to stay with you, that means his sword will too. So... what do you say? I'll see to it that you are properly compensated."
Realistically, it wasn't a bad offer. Safety in numbers, especially with someone as powerful as Asta, was the surest path to surviving this trial. But Caelus had spent years surviving with no one at his back, and he saw no reason to start now.
Without a word, he turned and walked toward the dense veil of trees.
"Sorry," he called over his shoulder, voice steady. "I don't work well in crowds."
As he disappeared into the shadows, Kain shrugged at the crown prince.
"Well, that's that," he smirked. "Good luck to you, Your Imperial Highness."
Asta narrowed his eyes as he crossed his arms. This turn of events has proven to be rather interesting. He had hoped to gain an ally out of Kain, but he's gone and aligned himself with that fallen noble.
"Caelus de Luvelaine..." he chuckled under his breath. "Looks like it wasn't a mistake to bring you here."