"Finally... I thought this would never end..." Beth collapsed against the rocky wall, exhausted.
They had eradicated all the skeletons. Only a dark cave at the end of the area remained, waiting for them like a hungry mouth.
"The rift boss's lair should be on the other side," Edward mentioned calmly. "You're very close to finishing the final exam."
'Finish? That can't be possible... I haven't killed a single monster.'
Talon looked at the watch on his wrist.
Total: 0 points.
"What's wrong, black sheep?" Leander approached with a mocking smile. "You look worried. Could it be because your count is at zero? Don't be surprised! That's what happens when instead of killing the monsters you tremble to the point of almost pissing yourself."
He walked away laughing.
"What are you going to do? Will you keep protecting Talon in that state?"
In the distance, Ludwig asked Shin that question, who was still weak from his wounds.
"Obviously, he's my friend, and I know he would do the same for me if the situation were reversed."
"Don't say stupid things," Aurora joined the conversation. "You know how much it cost you to get here, you worked too hard, don't forget that you're doing all this to become a sentinel and pay for your grandfather's treatment. Are you going to set all that aside just to keep protecting that fool? Don't forget that he wasn't even capable of using a potion to heal you."
"I know, but..."
"But nothing, don't try to justify him, if he's your friend like you say then he would have done it, so if I were in your situation I would rest and stay out of the battle with the rift boss, after all you already have enough points to pass the exam and if he wants to get involved in the battle, let it be at his own risk."
"Aurora... but I can't do that... Look, Talon is going through a difficult situation, he needs to pass this exam and he has 0 points, I have to help him."
"What are you talking about?! The rich kid has problems? Don't be ridiculous, he pulled some dirty trick to be here, he'll surely pull another one to become a sentinel if he doesn't pass, don't waste your time, you have your own problems to focus on."
"I appreciate your concern Aurora... But I've already made my decision."
Shin said that and separated from them to head toward Talon.
Behind him, Aurora angrily tried to stop him, but Ludwig prevented her.
"Enough... There's no point, he made his decision, you have to respect it."
"It's the worst possible decision, he really is an idiot," Aurora said, holding back her rage.
"Hello, friend, I'm back..." Shin said, approaching Talon, who was still looking at the 0 points on his watch, depressed.
"Shin... How are you? Are you feeling better from your wounds? I... I'm really sorry about everything that happened before, I just froze from fear and couldn't do anything."
Talon, as soon as he noticed Shin, expressed concern for his condition.
"Don't worry about that... I'm fine, those skeletons weren't going to get me," Shin tried to make Talon feel calmer. "More importantly, what about you? You still have 0 points, right?"
"I'm such a fool... So many opportunities you gave me to kill skeletons, I just had to move my dagger and pierce the core, but panic completely dominated me... And now because of that I won't be able to pass and my father..."
"Hey... Don't think about that," Shin interrupted him before he could finish. "There's still the rift boss, you can still get points."
Talon's face began to fill with horror at the thought that he wouldn't pass and because of that his father would mercilessly kill him, but Shin stopped him.
"And how am I supposed to kill the rift boss? I couldn't even eliminate a simple skeleton... I'm finished," Talon said, while showing signs that he was about to cry.
"You have me... Don't forget, I'm going to help you however I can."
"But Shin... The rift boss is the strongest monster, much stronger than a simple skeleton and you must already be close to your limit."
"I still have my sacred mantle... And I can still use my arcane pulse spell a few more times... We'll be fine, besides maybe the rift boss has minions that you can eliminate and get points that way."
"But... Shin, your sacred mantle didn't cover you efficiently from the attacks when we fought against the skeletons. This time will be even more dangerous, that boss isn't like them..."
"I know my magic isn't strong; in fact it's quite mediocre, but I was able to keep us both safe. And besides, if it hadn't been for my sacred mantle, those skeletons would have killed me instantly."
"Even so... I don't want to keep being a burden to you, you've already done too much for me."
"Don't say that," Shin responded firmly. "Just this once, try to trust me, okay? You have to face that fear of monsters and getting hurt... that's the only way you'll be able to get points. And if I get hurt, make sure to heal me, alright? This time we'll get through this together."
"I don't deserve a friend like you..."
"Don't mention it."
"Alright, enough rest!" Leander stood up from the rock he was sitting on. "It's time to finish off the boss!"
"The time has come, we have to give it our best."
"Yes, let's do it."
The cave swallowed them in absolute darkness.
"It's very dark in here..."
"Look, there's something over there."
A faint light shone in the distance. The space expanded into a wide chamber, illuminated by flickering torches and a floor covered in broken bones.
And in the center, suspended in the air...
A brilliant core. Completely exposed.
"Is that... the rift boss?" Beth frowned. "Its core is exposed?"
Edward remained silent, observing.
Leander, without fear, advanced toward the rift boss's chamber while keeping his hand on his spear to draw it when the moment came.
"Wait..." Ludwig stopped him. "I don't like this. Why would the core be so exposed?"
"So what?" Eryndor also stepped forward while unsheathing his sword. "If it's a trap that just makes it more fun."
"Think a little, idiot," Aurora stopped him with her arm. "Is the risk worth it? You don't know what might happen."
"She's right," Beth intervened, carefully observing the chamber. "It's too convenient. We need to stay alert and think very carefully before making any move."
"I have an idea," Sarah stepped forward, analyzing the situation. "Ludwig, Aurora... you two are archers. Why don't you shoot some arrows from here to test how it reacts? If it's a trap, it'll activate without anyone having to get close."
"That makes sense," Beth nodded. "It's the safest way to proceed. We can see what happens without risking ourselves unnecessarily."
"Are you kidding?" Leander stepped between the archers, striking his spear on the ground. "Where's the fun in that? This is a combat exam, not a cowardice contest!"
"Exactly," Eryndor positioned himself next to Leander with an arrogant smile. "The best thing is a real challenge. Facing directly whatever the rift boss is. That's how true sentinels prove their worth."
"Move aside," Aurora ordered, preparing her bow. "Don't be idiots, this is common sense."
"If anyone dares to shoot an arrow or cast a spell from afar..." Leander turned his spear, pointing directly at Ludwig and Aurora. "I'll take care of stopping them myself. And it won't be pleasant."
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Aurora became furious. "We're supposed to be a team! The key to passing the exam is working together. Or did you forget the instructions we received?"
"Correction," Leander looked at her with contempt, his mocking smile widening. "We're in the same group, but that doesn't make us a team. I would never team up with simple arcane magic bearers."
Upon hearing that, Sarah, Beth, Ludwig and Aurora felt helpless.
"Leander is right," Eryndor crossed his arms with superiority. "Divine and elemental magic bearers cannot mix with arcane magic ones. You will never understand what it means to possess truly superior power. It's natural that you want to hide and use cowardly tactics."
While the tension in the atmosphere increased, Talon felt his heart racing. The core shone hypnotically, calling to him.
'If I run fast enough... I could pierce it in the blink of an eye. I'd get all the points and pass the exam.'
His fingers closed around the grip of his dagger.
'I wouldn't have to depend on Shin anymore. I wouldn't be a burden and that way he could rest properly.'
'Nobody expects me to move. That's my advantage. Everyone thinks I'm a useless coward. I can use that.'
Then he drew his dagger and before he realized it, his legs were already running.
"Talon, wait!" Shin shouted, worried.
"What the hell do you think you're doing, idiot?!" Aurora reacted alarmed.
"That damn cheater is trying to take the points!"
"We can't allow it!"
Leander and Eryndor launched themselves after him.
While running, Talon felt the weight of the backpack. Without thinking, he tore it off his shoulders and let it fall. He gained speed instantly.
'Just a little more...'
He extended his dagger toward the brilliant core.
"RAWWWWWW!"
Just as he launched his attack, a roar shook the entire cave.
The core moved. The bones on the floor began to rise, joining together in a whirlwind of white fragments.
"Talon! You have to get out of there right now!"
Shin ran toward him, getting ahead of Eryndor and Leander, while the bones assembled themselves forming a colossal golem in front of Talon, who had been completely paralyzed.
Then, the incomplete arm of the monster descended like a guillotine.
"No!"
Shin arrived just in time, interposing himself. His dagger was surrounded by the aura of his arcane pulse spell to block the blow, but the impact threw them backward, rolling on the ground amid an explosion of sparks and dust.