Bo Zhai School – Training Grounds
Morning sunlight spilled through the arched windows of the grand training hall. Students buzzed with restless energy, their voices tumbling over one another like a flood. Rumors of a "new trial" had been circling for weeks, and today the truth would be revealed.
"The simulation array," Zhao Ling whispered, eyes wide with excitement. "They say it can recreate entire battlefields."
"Perfect for me to show what real precision looks like," Wei Bou smirked, arms folded.
Jing Feng adjusted his robes, calm as ever. "We'll see whose control holds when the test begins."
Huo stood at the edge of the crowd, silent. His crimson bracelet pulsed faintly against his wrist, as though it sensed what lay ahead. The dual fire and lightning stirring inside him felt heavier than usual, waiting, watching.
The chatter died when Teacher Wang Chi entered, his presence commanding immediate silence.
"Today," his sharp voice cut through the air, "you will face what lies beyond books and lectures. You will fight."
A murmur rippled through the class. Some leaned forward eagerly, others swallowed nervously.
Beside Wang Chi walked a man none of them had seen before. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and wore robes stitched with intricate patterns of beasts and runes. His eyes glowed faintly amber, the kind of gaze that seemed to measure everyone without a word. A faint smile played on his lips.
"This," Wang Chi announced, "is Luo Peng. A summoner specialist. He will be overseeing today's trial."
"Summoner?" Zhao Ling whispered. "Like… beast conjuring?"
Luo Peng chuckled, his voice rich but easygoing. "Conjuring, taming, commanding… call it what you like. But today, I'm not here to fight for you. I'm here to see who among you can survive."
The students exchanged uneasy looks.
---
Simulation Begins
The floor beneath them glowed. A massive array came alive, lines of light spreading outward like rivers of molten gold. The air grew heavy, humming with arcane power.
"Step in," Luo Peng instructed, his tone casual, almost playful. "And remember—fear is just another teacher."
The students obeyed. A flash blinded their vision—and suddenly, the hall was gone. They stood in the middle of a vast wilderness. Dark skies loomed above, and a forest spread endlessly at their backs.
"Simulation," Jing Feng muttered, testing the ground with his foot. "It feels real."
"It is real," Luo Peng's voice echoed faintly, though his figure was nowhere in sight. "Only the consequences are different… for now."
A howl split the air. From the treeline, a pack of twisted, snarling wolves emerged—eyes glowing, teeth dripping with venom.
"Feral-class," Wang Chi's voice boomed. "A test of coordination. Show me your control!"
The battle began instantly.
Zhao Ling dashed forward, lightning cracking at his fingertips. "Thunder Streak!" Arcs of electricity danced between wolves, frying two before they hit the ground.
Wei Bou raised both hands, his voice steady. "Precision Freeze!" Dozens of icy shards spiraled through the air, pinning another wolf against a tree.
Jing Feng's wind cut sharp and clean, slicing through the pack with surgical precision.
Huo clenched his fists. Fire surged into one hand, lightning into the other. He launched himself forward, flames igniting around his body. "Crimson Flash!" His strike tore a wolf apart mid-leap, sparks scattering into the sky.
The students cheered, confidence swelling.
"Not bad," Luo Peng's voice murmured approvingly. "But the test has only begun."
---
The Glitch
The sky above flickered unnaturally. For a moment, the simulation trembled, the landscape distorting like ripples across water.
"Teacher…" Jing Feng frowned. "Something's wrong."
Before Wang Chi could reply, the ground split. A beast emerged—not a wolf, not anything the simulation should have conjured. It was massive, its body armored with jagged scales, its eyes glowing a deep crimson. The pressure it exuded made every student stumble backward.
"That's… that's not part of the program," Luo Peng's voice sharpened, his casual tone gone.
"Dread-class aura…" Wang Chi's eyes narrowed. His stance shifted subtly, ready to intervene.
The monster roared. The sound wasn't simulated—it was real, carrying weight, bloodlust, and a stench of decay.
"Hold the line!" Wang Chi commanded.
But the students faltered. Lightning bolts scattered wildly, ice shards shattered midair, and wind slashes barely dented the beast's armored hide.
"Why isn't it working!?" Wei Bou cried, panic in his voice.
"It's too strong!" another shouted.
Huo gritted his teeth, lightning surging painfully through his veins. He forced his body forward, fire igniting across his arm. "We can't back down!"
He leapt, striking with both elements at once—flames exploding, lightning cracking like thunder. For a heartbeat, the beast reeled, but then it swatted him aside like an insect. Huo crashed hard, breath torn from his lungs.
"HUO!" Zhao Ling shouted, rushing forward.
The beast turned, eyes locking onto the scattered students. It charged.
---
Cliffhanger
Everything blurred. Screams, shouts, spells firing desperately into the nightmarish haze.
And then—
A piercing cry ripped through the chaos. Not just pain. Not just fear.
It was Huo's scream, raw and unrestrained, echoing across the battlefield.
The world seemed to freeze. Every student turned toward the sound. Dust and blood filled the air, and through it all, Huo's figure was barely visible—collapsed, surrounded by shadow.
Somewhere beyond the simulation, a cruel laugh whispered through the chamber.
"The sparks have begun."
The battlefield shuddered, and darkness closed in.
---
Chapter 9 – End
What do you think happened to Huo ?