CHAPTER 67: SECOND YEAR(2)

The ground shifted slightly beneath their feet.

A soft tremor barely enough to make someone stumble, but enough to remind them this was no normal ring ran through the ground.

Layers of mana pulsed from the glowing runes surrounding them, pulsing like it was alive.

A flat voice echoed overhead.

"Begin."

At first, nothing happened, but then the ring shimmered, and then the chaos began.

From the edges of the arena, tall stone pillars erupted upward, forming unpredictable patterns.

The terrain had changed, turning what was once a smooth field into a jagged, layered maze.

"Of course," Logan muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing.

"Dynamic terrain." He sharply deduced.

Orion grinned, drawing a thin metal rod from his belt. It glinted in the light.

"Good. I was getting bored."

Vera had already knelt at the back, carving a rune circle with precise finger motions into the ground.

The ink she used was a silvery liquid contained in a small vial that she had with her.

With wide eyes, Liam planted his feet firmly on the ground and focused.

A soft silver hue enveloped his palms as he started murmuring healing spells.

Darkness leaked out of his palm as he channeled his mana ready for the challenge.

It danced lazily at his fingertips, like smoke waiting to be given shape.

The first construct appeared with a shriek.

It was a beast made entirely of compressed energy and runes. Its body flickered as if struggling to stay whole, but its speed was undeniable.

It launched toward them.

"On it," Orion said, dashing forward. His metal rod extended mid-run, shifting into a gleaming spear.

With a sharp twist, he drove the weapon into the creature’s path. It connected with the construct and released sparks, causing it to pause, but it did not stop.

Logan raised a hand. "Dark Shot."

A sphere of condensed darkness surged forward and struck the creature on the side. It staggered, flickered, and then split in two.

"Oh," Logan said flatly. "That’s new."

Now there were two smaller structures and naturally, twice the challenge.

Before he could plan, one charged towards Vera.

She didn’t look up. Her fingers moved faster, the rune pulsing.

Logan dashed forward, sliding across the flat stone and letting his mana pool reduce.

"Dark Flash."

He disappeared into the shadows and darkness alike reappeared between Vera and the construct. With no time to speak, he fired another Dark Shot point-blank into its face.

It vanished into dust.

"I had it," Vera said coolly without missing a beat.

"You’re welcome," Logan muttered.

The other construct leapt at Orion but it didn’t get far.

Three jagged spikes of metal burst from the ground, skewering it mid-air.

"Don’t worry," Orion said, stretching, "I had that one."

Logan rolled his eyes.

More tremors ran through the ground and the terrain shifted again.

Pillars dropped and rose randomly.

A section of the ring lifted into a small plateau. More constructs formed only this time, they had legs. And arms. And glowing red eyes.

Vera’s rune pulsed.

The ground near the creatures fractured. One stumbled.

"I’m altering the structural composition of the constructs in that section," she called out.

"They’ll be sluggish for the next minute."

"Nice!" Liam piped up, sending a wave of healing mana toward Orion, who had a small cut on his cheek.

Logan tensed; this was too clean and easy to be remotely a challenge, and for some reason, he felt a shiver run down his spine.

A screech rang out from above and they all looked up.

A winged construct dove from the sky, its form made of jagged wind currents, slicing the air around it.

"Split!" Logan yelled and everyone scattered.

The construct landed hard and cracked the stone.

Logan didn’t hesitate for too long and charged in first.

He had spent a while learning something new with his Body Enchantment.

"Dark Bind."

Tendrils of shadows lashed out, grabbing the creature’s wings and it thrashed wildly in response.

"Orion!"

"Already on it!"

With a yell, Orion slammed a metal chain toward the construct’s throat, trying to hold it in place.

It screamed, wind slicing outward in a dangerous radius.

Vera’s rune flared. A sigil of protection surrounded Liam just in time as a blast flew his way.

"Thanks," Liam wheezed.

Logan’s feet slid against the stone as he skidded to a stop then he pressed his palms together.

"Dark Cannon."

A dense orb of darkness formed, radiating pure lethality.

The construct saw him. It shrieked, broke free from Orion’s chain, and surged forward but Logan didn’t move.

He waited and waited still and some more, until the opportunity presented itself.

And when it got close enough, unleashed the spell.

The orb of darkness ripped through the air and slammed into the creature’s chest. It exploded into fragments.

Silence.

Everyone was breathing hard.

"Test complete." A silver-robed instructor announced with an indifferent tone.

"Time: 9 minutes, 24 seconds. Minor injuries. Team score: 82%."

Logan’s chest rose and fell rapidly not because he was tired but because he had been holding back.

He could’ve done more but didn’t on purpose.

He didn’t know what would happen if he pushed further or if he let the Divine Magic spark again like it did during the blood witch battle or the noble.

But he was sure of one thing, that it wouldn’t end well for him.

No one spoke for a few seconds.

Then Liam gave a shaky laugh. "We... we passed?"

Orion cracked his knuckles. "Of course we did."

Vera wiped sweat off her brow and gave Logan a side glance. "You fight like someone who’s got more to lose than just a grade."

Logan said nothing.

Their team was ushered out as the next group prepared and was directed to a quiet spot to rest.

Orion leaned back against a nearby wall. "Not bad. Better than I expected, honestly."

Liam nodded. "You guys were amazing. That was terrifying, but also kind of awesome." His eyes avoided Logan.

Vera crossed her arms, leaning on her heel. "We have synergy, but that doesn’t mean we have trust. Next time, don’t leave me to make all the plans. Even the leader needs to rest."

"You? The leader?" Orion burst out laughing even holding his knees to stop himself from falling over.

Vera balanced properly and stood straight, "Oh really? Prove me wrong."