The next morning in Redvine began with chaos.
"WHO ATE MY RICE BALL?!" Rick's voice echoed through the dorm room.
Everyone groaned.
"I didn't even get out of bed," Iuro said, still hugging his pillow.
"I saw Yuuv chewing something in his sleep," Izumi muttered, rubbing his eyes.
Yuuv blinked awake. "Mmm… guilty dreams."
Lui rolled out of bed and yawned. "Get ready. It's the day of the trials."
Rick stood dramatically on his bunk. "Today, we rise! Today, we—"
"Brush your teeth," Ishi said, already dressed.
After a quick breakfast in the dorm's tiny dining hall (no rice balls this time), the Celestars walked toward the arena grounds. Redvine was even busier than yesterday. Flags flew everywhere. Bells chimed. Even pigeons looked excited.
Large banners hung from the training hall: "D-Novice Rank Event - Day 1"
"Check this out," Iuro said, pointing to a board listing today's events.
Round One: Magic & Skill AssessmentRound Two: Survival SimulationRound Three: One-on-One Duels (Selected Participants)
Yuuv blinked slowly. "That last one looks... pain-ish."
"Pain-ish isn't a word," Izumi said.
"It is when I say it."
They entered the arena, which had been transformed into a huge testing ground. Different sections buzzed with examiners, clipboards, magical barriers, and sparkling enchantments floating above stone pillars.
A loud voice echoed from a crystal speaker: "All registered participants, please proceed to your assigned zones. Your identification cards will glow with your station number."
Everyone looked down at the small card they received during registration. One by one, the boys' cards lit up with numbers.
"Split up time," Lui said. "We'll meet back here after round one."
"Try not to explode," Rick added cheerfully.
Yuuv's section looked simple—three magic targets in a row and a dummy with a padded helmet.
An examiner pointed. "Demonstrate your primary magic type, then your control over a non-attack skill."
Yuuv stared at the targets. Master told him not to use magic. Not unless he had to.
His eyes gave a faint blue glow.
Psych Magic... Float.
The first target lifted off the ground.
Spin.
It twirled midair.
Drop.
It slammed softly onto the floor.
The examiner blinked. "...That was interesting. Do you have control over objects alone, or also your body?"
Yuuv lifted two inches off the ground, then dropped with a thud. "Half-control."
"Noted."
Meanwhile, Izumi was in the agility section. He dashed through moving dummies, ducking and flipping.
"His movement reads the course like a map," one judge noted.
Rick, on the other hand, flooded half his obstacle lane.
"I got too excited!" he called out, dripping wet.
Iuro ended up talking to the magical vines meant to attack him.
"They're kinda nice if you're polite," he explained.
Ishi calmly blocked attacks with perfect timing. His shadows moved like dancers.
And Lui? He cleaved through three padded dummies with pure sword skill—no fire magic used.
"Your control is impressive," one judge said.
Lui only nodded, focused.
By midday, all participants returned to the waiting area. Some were shaking. Some were bragging. Some were eating sandwiches.
"Round Two begins in an hour," an announcement said. "Please rest and prepare."
Rick collapsed onto the grass. "My feet are steamed dumplings."
"Ishiiii~ save me…" Iuro groaned.
Yuuv handed him a leaf. "Use this. It's a leaf."
"...Thanks."
Suddenly, a loud laugh came from nearby.
"Hey! It's the famous pudding boy!"
The Celestars turned to see the silver-haired boy from Emberwall Guild, the one they saw dueling yesterday.
He smirked. "Did your pudding spells work today?"
Yuuv blinked. "No pudding today. Just floated a thing."
The older boy scoffed. "Figures. This event's for real contenders. Not kids playing adventurer."
Lui stepped forward calmly. "We'll see who's playing."
The boy laughed again and walked away.
"Don't mind him," Izumi said. "Let's rest. We're not done yet."
As the second round approached, the examiners summoned the participants again.
"Survival Simulation is about teamwork, reflex, and endurance," said a woman with golden glasses. "This will not be a real forest, but it will feel like one. You'll be placed in magical zones with shifting terrain, creatures, traps, and hidden items. Use what you've learned."
Yuuv leaned to Iuro. "What if I find pudding?"
"Eat it with caution."
"Agreed."
And with a flash of magic, the simulation began.