The next day, we met the teacher in the middle of the academy's courtyard, carrying on our backs the supplies we would need inside the cave—water, food, and provisions.
With a faint smile, he said:
"Are you ready, Klo Yuthnir and Luna?"
We both nodded silently, waiting for the next step.
He extended his hand and offered us two small stones:
"Take these stones."
They looked like ordinary stones, nothing remarkable except for the hidden energy within them. I stared for a moment, seeing nothing suspicious except the smile that never left his face.
Each of us grabbed our stone, crushed it in our hands, and in an instant we were transported into the cave where the trial would take place.
The first thing we faced was a massive stone door, cracked slightly open just enough for us to pass. I glanced at Luna, her face brimming with excitement, like a child seeing the sea for the first time.
With a faint smile, I asked:
"Are you happy?"
She burst out with joy:
"I'm going to explode from happiness!"
"...Wonderful."
Despite her smile, my chest grew heavier. Something gave me no rest. My mind kept replaying death scenarios over and over.
Luna placed her hand on my shoulder, looking into my eyes to reassure me:
"Don't be afraid."
I nodded slowly. "Yeah."
We stepped inside. Flames of our torches lit the way as we delved deeper into the cold tunnels of the cave. From the ceiling hung sharp icy fangs, large enough that if they fell, they would crush us instantly.
We walked further until we stumbled upon a group of ghouls. Luna glanced at me and signaled with her eyes:
"Ready?"
"Yes."
"One… two… three! Go, Klo!"
We split in two directions. I unsheathed my sword, while Luna lifted her scythe. We charged into the monsters, our blades clashing with their stone weapons, blood spraying with every strike. After a brief but fierce battle, the last corpse hit the ground. We sat, catching our breaths, sweat pouring down and our lungs heavy with exhaustion. We quickly ate a small meal, then continued deeper inside.
There, we encountered evolved ghouls clad in armor. I lunged at one and struck with my sword, but another leapt to stab me from behind. Luckily, I unleashed ice magic, freezing it on the spot before driving my blade into its back and returning to face the others.
We fought relentlessly until the path opened before us, leading to the deepest chamber of the cave. And there… we found him.
He sat upon a throne of stone. He looked nothing like the ghouls. We froze in place, staring, until he rose and murmured my name in a deep voice:
"Hmmm… Klo Yuthnir? You've finally come."
He advanced with slow steps, extending his hand as though to greet me. My eyes widened. A monster reaching out for a handshake? Impossible. I tightened my grip on my sword, but his hand struck me with tremendous force, slamming me into the wall.
Luna charged with her scythe, but he blocked its edge with nothing but a finger. I rushed at him, casting ice magic and summoning sharp blades hurled forward with gravity, yet he raised a stone wall to block them with ease.
He retaliated with stone spikes aimed at Luna. She couldn't react quickly enough, so I stepped in.
That was when my form changed. A cold, burning aura erupted from me, forcing Luna to retreat in fear, mistaking me for a monster. But when her eyes settled on my face, she realized it was me… Klo.
She stared at me from afar, no longer amused. It was as if she were a spectator who had grown tired of the same show.
I blocked the monster's spikes with my bare hands. He grinned wickedly and said:
"This is impressive, Klo Yuthnir… I knew your true strength was greater."
Suddenly, his features shifted… and the face before me was that of the academy's director.
Luna recoiled in shock. I pushed her behind me, standing guard.
Lumi approached me, whispering in my ear:
"Didn't I tell you… you can't leave them?"
I clenched my teeth. "Shut up."
She returned to her place while I panted heavily with unease. Luna tugged on my clothes, asking:
"What is this form, Klo?"
"Did you feel cold? Sorry about that."
"No… that's not what I meant…"
"Then yes… it's cold."
I fixed my gaze on the director as his true intent was revealed.
"Sorry, Klo… but the kingdom ordered me to kill you in exchange for a reward. Money… and fame."
A low chuckle slipped out, my voice rising gradually:
"Hahaha… I always knew you were scum, Director. But thank you… someone like me has never received a gift in his life."
Behind me, Luna trembled on her knees, whispering an apology:
"I'm sorry…"
I paid no mind. My eyes stayed locked on him as I advanced.
"How about this, Director? Be the first fallen hero on my path."
He smirked. "It would be an honor."
His steps were heavy as he approached, then suddenly—he vanished. Before I could react, Luna's scream pierced the air behind me.
I turned sharply to find him clutching her neck, ready to sever it.
I gripped my sword, fury exploding within me.
"Damn you…"