The afternoon sun hung low, bleeding orange light across the Guild Hall plaza. The survivors from the first two trials stood in a loose semi-circle, their faces drawn from exhaustion.
Levi's muscles ached from the Shadow Maze, but the steady thrum of the purple-black power under his skin kept him upright.
The Head Examiner stepped forward again, flanked by two armored guards. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tired murmurs.
"You've proven you can survive alone, and you've proven you can work with one partner," he said. "Now… you will prove you can fight as a team."
Levi's eyes narrowed. This was coming.
The examiner raised a hand toward the hall. "Your teams will be chosen for you."
A clerk unrolled a parchment and began reading names.
"Team Three: Kaela, Gami, Levi."
The plaza went uncomfortably quiet for a moment.
Kaela's head turned sharply toward Levi, her expression flickering between irritation and surprise.
Gami, on the other hand, smiled like he'd just been handed a gift.
"This should be fun," he murmured as he walked over, eyes locking on Levi.
Kaela crossed her arms. "If either of you slow me down, I'll leave you behind."
Levi glanced at her. "You'll have to catch up first."
The examiner continued. "The third trial will take place in the Arena. You will face… a Blood Oath Beast."
Whispers broke out instantly.
Levi didn't know the name, but from the tension on the other recruits' faces, he didn't need a description.
The examiner raised his voice. "The beast is bound to fight until either it dies… or all of you do. Each team's beast is linked to a single Blood Oath Seal. That seal will be placed on one of you at random. If that person dies, the beast is freed, and the rest of your team will join them."
The plaza fell silent again.
Gami grinned. "Hope you're feeling lucky, Levi."
The Arena was carved from black stone, its walls high enough to keep whatever lived inside from escaping. Torches lined the perimeter, their flames flickering against the growing dusk.
The sand under Levi's boots was stained dark in places—he didn't need to guess what from.
A mage in crimson robes approached their team, holding a small silver medallion. "One of you will bear the seal."
He flipped it into the air. Kaela caught it without hesitation.
"Guess it's me," she said, fastening it to the chain around her neck. "Try not to let me die."
The mage nodded once and stepped away. The heavy gate at the far end of the arena began to rise.
At first, Levi heard it before he saw it—the slow, deliberate scrape of claws on stone.
Then it stepped into the torchlight.
It was massive, easily twice Levi's height, its body a twisted mix of muscle and bone. Its head was wolf-like, but its jaw unhinged wider than any natural creature. Black ichor dripped from its teeth, sizzling when it hit the sand.
The beast's eyes glowed with a crimson light, fixed on the medallion at Kaela's throat.
Gami twirled his sword in one hand. "Big puppy. Let's put it down."
The beast roared, and the sound rattled Levi's ribs.
Kaela moved first, flames bursting from her hands and lancing toward the creature's chest. The beast leapt sideways with shocking speed, dodging the blast.
Gami charged, sword flashing. He ducked under a swipe of its claws and slashed at its leg. The blade cut deep, but instead of blood, black mist poured from the wound.
Levi swung his staff low, striking the beast's other leg, trying to knock it off balance. It barely budged.
The beast's tail whipped around, catching Levi in the ribs and sending him sprawling. Pain flared white-hot in his side.
You can end this faster, the voice whispered. Stop holding back.
Levi pushed himself up, gritting his teeth.
The beast lunged for Kaela, jaws wide. She dove aside, the medallion flashing in the torchlight.
"Levi, move!" Gami shouted.
Levi darted forward, staff slamming into the beast's jaw just as Kaela's fire caught it in the side. It staggered, howling, but its eyes burned hotter.
It spun, catching Gami with a backhanded swipe. The rival crashed into the arena wall, blood streaking his forehead.
Levi's chest tightened. They couldn't keep trading blows like this.
The voice pressed harder.
One word, and I'll make it bleed.
He ignored it, forcing himself to think.
The medallion. The seal. If the beast was bound to it… maybe they could use it.
"Kaela!" he shouted. "Throw it to me!"
She hesitated. "What—?"
"Do it!"
She ripped the chain from her neck and hurled it. Levi caught it in one hand, turning toward the beast.
It froze for a split second, gaze locked on him now.
Levi ran.
The beast charged after him, ignoring the others entirely. He led it toward the far wall, then veered sharply aside at the last moment.
"Now!"
Kaela's flames and Gami's blade struck at once—fire searing its back, steel biting deep into its spine. The beast roared, stumbling.
Levi swung his staff down with all his strength, cracking it across the side of its head.
The beast collapsed, the crimson light in its eyes flickering… then fading.
The Arena fell silent.
The examiner's voice rang out. "Team Three… passes."
Levi's grip on the medallion tightened.
Kaela walked over, taking it back without a word.
Gami wiped blood from his temple, smirking faintly. "Not bad, Levi. Almost like you're worth keeping alive."
Levi didn't reply. The voice in his mind was quiet now, but he knew it was waiting.
As they left the Arena, the examiner's final words of the day followed them.
"Rest well. Tomorrow… the true Guild Exam begins."