The sun was already sinking when the trainees were led out of the hall. The sky was streaked with orange and purple, the last light painting long shadows across Eldoria's training grounds. The air was cool, carrying with it the scent of burning firewood and the faint sound of rushing river water in the distance.
Kaen rubbed his tired eyes. The theory exam had drained more than just his body — his mind still replayed the endless rows of questions. Each word etched into the wooden log still echoed in him like weights pressing on his chest.
The trainees were dismissed toward the shelters — large, open barracks built from stone and reinforced wood. Inside, rows of mats lined the floor, with small oil lamps flickering against the walls.
As Kaen sat down with his group, a steaming pot of stew was passed around. The food was simple — boiled grains, vegetables, and thin slices of dried meat. Yet, after the strain of the day, it tasted like a feast.
The Campfire Talk
"Finally… it's over." Daren muttered, stretching his sore arms before digging into his bowl. His face was pale, lips dry. "I swear… some of those questions weren't even taught in the lectures."
Riku leaned back, exhaling. Unlike the others, her expression carried no doubt. Her eyes glimmered with a quiet fire.
"I think I did well. The part about the poisons… I remembered what Instructor Veyra mentioned in the first week. If you paid attention, the answers were there."
Lyra smirked at that, her usual calm, sharp demeanor showing. She swirled her spoon in the stew and said softly:
"Only those who observe survive. The weak are already falling behind."
Her words carried a sting. Daren grimaced, glaring down at his food, while Fin gave an uneasy chuckle.
"I… I just hope I passed," Fin whispered, his hands trembling slightly as he ate. "When I saw the last question — the one about the battlefield formations — I froze. My mind went blank."
Kaen glanced at him, feeling the weight of his friend's fear. He himself wasn't confident, but he couldn't show it. He clenched his fist beneath the table.
"You tried, Fin. That's all we could do. Tomorrow we'll know for sure."
The group fell silent for a moment, the crackle of the fire filling the gap. Outside, other trainees murmured in groups, some laughing in relief, others sitting in grim silence.
Daren suddenly broke the quiet.
"Do you think… tomorrow will be combat? Or survival?"
Riku shrugged. "Maybe both. But whatever it is… it won't be easy. They're not training us to be students. They're training us to be warriors."
The thought settled over them like a heavy cloak. One by one, they finished their food. The oil lamps dimmed. Some trainees whispered until sleep claimed them, but Kaen lay awake on his mat for a long time, staring at the ceiling beams. His mother's words came back to him — protect the lost.
Sleep finally dragged him under.
The Results Morning
The next morning, the sound of horns stirred the camp awake. The sun had barely risen, its pale light spilling over the stone walls of Eldoria. Trainees hurriedly dressed in their simple training uniforms and gathered at the main training ground, where a massive slab of gray stone stood near the hall.
Instructor Veyra was already there, standing tall with his hands clasped behind his back. His sharp eyes scanned the sea of young faces.
"Listen well," his voice boomed across the field, silencing the murmurs. "Yesterday, you were tested on your knowledge, your memory, and your discipline. Many of you faltered. Out of one hundred… only sixty remain."
A ripple of gasps and whispers spread through the crowd. Kaen felt his chest tighten. Forty had failed — almost half.
"The names of those who passed are inscribed here," Veyra continued, pointing to the great stone tablet beside him. The surface had been freshly carved with neat rows of names. "Step forward, and see your place."
The trainees surged forward, clustering around the stone.
Kaen's heart pounded as his eyes scanned the rows. His fingers traced over each etched name until—
"Riku…" she whispered behind him, already spotting her own name near the top. She stood tall, her lips curving into a confident smile.
"Lyra too," Fin said nervously, pointing higher. Lyra's name was carved in the top five, her sharp gaze scanning the crowd as if daring anyone to question her.
Daren stumbled forward, his eyes darting frantically. Relief washed over his face as he found his name toward the very bottom. "I—I passed… barely…" he muttered, almost collapsing with the release of tension.
Fin found his name close to Daren's and let out a shaky laugh, his shoulders slumping in relief. "I thought I was done for…"
Kaen finally spotted his own — ranked 28th. Middle of the pack. Not weak, but not remarkable either. His stomach churned.
Riku turned to him, her eyes shining. "You made it, Kaen. That's what matters."
But deep inside, Kaen's jaw tightened. 28th… Is that all I am?
The Next Trial
Once all the names had been read, Veyra stepped forward again. His presence silenced the yard instantly.
"The theory was but the first step," he said. His tone was sharp, almost cold. "Knowledge without strength is meaningless. Strength without unity is useless."
He raised his hand, and a squad of armored soldiers marched onto the field, each carrying heavy crates. With a dull thud, the crates were set down. Some creaked open, revealing wooden weapons, ropes, and strange contraptions.
"The next test will measure your ability to think, fight, and survive as a team. You will be placed into groups and thrust into situations that mirror the battlefield. The rules are simple: you succeed together… or you fail together."
Gasps broke out among the trainees. Some faces turned pale, others lit up with nervous excitement.
Veyra's sharp gaze scanned over them like a blade.
"Prepare yourselves. The Strategic and Teamwork Test begins at dawn tomorrow."
His words struck like thunder. The crowd buzzed with anxiety and anticipation. Kaen clenched his fists, feeling the weight of tomorrow settle onto his shoulders.
For the first time, he realized — this wasn't just about surviving exams. It was about proving he could stand tall when it mattered most.
The episode ended with Kaen looking at his teammates, determination burning in his eyes.