Arlo clapped his hands, the echo bouncing across the vast hall. "Alright, team. First lesson: controlling your mana under pressure. You'll face a series of challenges to see how well you adapt."
Xavian's chest tightened. Everyone here already knew their powers—but he didn't. Okay… I'm good at hand-to-hand and problem-solving. My power must be… something like that, he thought, swallowing nervously.
Suddenly, a shimmering portal opened, and a hulking Mana Construct stepped through. Shadowy, veined with glowing energy, it let out a low, rumbling growl that made the floor tremble.
"These are harmless," Arlo's voice echoed. "They're designed to push you—dodge, defend, and counterattack. Show me control, instincts, and precision."
Dwane stepped forward, confidence radiating. "Piece of cake," he muttered, forming a sword of crackling mana. The weapon hummed, alive with energy.
The construct lunged, swinging a massive fist. Sparks erupted where it slammed the ground. Dwane rolled just in time, slashing his sword in graceful arcs. Mana trails lit the air behind every strike—it was a deadly, dazzling dance.
Next, Ryan stepped forward, calm and calculating. First, stun it with an eruption spell… then strike while it's disoriented, he planned.
He cast the spell—but the construct leapt, hurling jagged rocks at him. Ryan's shield flared into existence, shattering the projectiles. Realizing long-range attacks alone weren't enough, he summoned mana clones. Shadows of himself appeared, darting in all directions, confusing the construct. The real Ryan slipped behind it and unleashed his final spell. With a burst of light, the construct collapsed.
"Next, Lyra," Arlo called. "Short-range combat. Show me your style."
The construct reappeared, larger and more aggressive. Its limbs lashed outward with terrifying speed.
Lyra twirled her staff, eyes sharp. "Let's dance."
She darted forward, spinning and striking, sparks bursting with each connection. The construct countered, forcing her to flip back, then pivot again to strike exposed limbs. She moved with fluid precision, her staff an extension of her body.
With perfect timing, she slammed her staff into the core. A blinding explosion erupted, and the construct collapsed into a shower of sparks. Lyra landed lightly, breathing evenly.
Arlo nodded approvingly. "Precision, aggression, control. That's how a close-combat specialist dominates."
Selene didn't participate directly. Her role was support—healing and safeguarding teammates while they faced danger. Xavian could already see how vital she was; without her, even skilled fighters could falter.
Finally, Xavian stepped forward, heart hammering. The Mana Construct loomed before him. He clenched his fists and struck. The monster staggered, and Xavian felt a surge of mana flow into him.
Wait… if my punch lands fully, I absorb some of the opponent's mana?
The construct struck back. Xavian met it head-on, slamming his fists together with a massive shockwave. Sparks and energy rippled outward, shaking the hall. The construct collapsed, dissipating in a brilliant flash. Another surge of mana coursed through him, confirming his suspicion.
Arlo's smirk appeared faintly. "Not bad, Xavian. Not bad at all."
The trial ended. No explosions, no injuries—except bruised egos and racing hearts. The team exchanged glances, understanding something crucial: their strengths didn't just complement each other—they relied on one another.
Arlo stepped forward. "You've passed today's practical test. But remember—this is only the beginning. Real danger doesn't wait for practice. Control, teamwork, and strategy will decide who survives the Tenfold Order's challenges."
Xavian looked at his teammates—Dwane, Ryan, Lyra, and Selene. Together, they were a patchwork of skill, charm, and raw potential. Alone, they might fail. But together? Maybe… just maybe… they could become unstoppable.
And deep inside, a spark of something bigger stirred within Xavian—an unknown potential waiting to awaken.