Chapter 11 – The Third Trial

That morning, the academy hall was filled with first-year students. The atmosphere was tenser than usual. Master Ardian stood on the stage, scanning the crowd one by one.

“This third trial will test more than just strength,” he announced firmly. “You will work in small groups, enter the Forest of Illusions, and bring back a Light Crystal. This forest will challenge not only your magic but also your ability to cooperate.”

The hall immediately buzzed with murmurs. Some students looked excited, while others went pale.

Ardian continued, “This time, the groups will be assigned by the academy. No one is allowed to choose their own teammates.”

The room erupted into louder chatter.

Zareen glanced toward Gino, who stood on the other side of the hall. Their eyes met. Gino raised an eyebrow, a challenging grin spreading across his face.

So, we won’t be on the same team? Zareen thought.

When the group lists were read aloud, his suspicion was confirmed. Gino was placed in a team with three other ambitious students who didn’t seem particularly friendly. Zareen, meanwhile, was grouped with two muscular boys and a graceful girl with sharp eyes.

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Gino’s Team

“Don’t you dare cause trouble,” one of his teammates, a blue-haired boy named Karel, warned bluntly. “I know you’re good with fire magic, but don’t show off too much. We’re here to win, not put on a show.”

Gino chuckled, unfazed. “And if my ‘showing off’ makes us win, what’s the problem?”

The other two teammates, Rina and Darel, exchanged weary glances. They had heard of Gino’s reputation—confident, talkative, and hard to control.

“We need to cooperate, not compete for attention,” Rina said coldly.

Gino shrugged, though heat bubbled inside him. If that’s how it is, I’ll just prove who the real leader is.

---

Zareen’s Team

Meanwhile, Zareen cautiously approached his group. One of the boys, a large and broad-shouldered student named Brant, gave him a long look up and down.

“Seriously? We got this guy?” he muttered.

The other boy, Arven, smirked. “Isn’t he the one who could only make a night-light glow during the first trial?”

Zareen offered a stiff smile. “I can handle support spells…”

But the girl, Dyra, who clearly acted as the team’s natural leader, only sighed. “We’ll see. Just don’t drag us down. If you can’t keep up, stay in the back.”

Zareen lowered his head. The words stung, but he didn’t argue.

---

The Forest of Illusions

As soon as they stepped into the forest, tension settled over the group. Thick mist rolled between the trees, and strange noises echoed around them.

In Gino’s team, Karel tried to take command. “I’ll take point, Rina in the middle, Gino and Darel in the rear.”

Naturally, Gino objected. “I’m going up front. Fire is most effective when it hits first.”

Karel glared. “You think this is about looking cool? If you act recklessly, we all pay the price.”

In the end, Gino moved to the front anyway, and the friction between them only grew stronger.

Meanwhile, Zareen’s team moved carefully. Brant and Arven dominated the battlefront, casting aggressive spells at every shadow that moved. Dyra kept the team balanced, using wind magic to dispel illusions.

Zareen trailed behind, occasionally summoning small barriers. Each time he tried to offer help, Arven cut him off. “Don’t get in the way. Leave the fighting to us.”

Zareen grit his teeth. They don’t trust me. But I can’t just stay useless forever.

---

The First Battle

Suddenly, a massive illusory bear appeared in their path. Brant immediately unleashed lightning magic, and Arven followed with a shockwave of earth. The explosion scattered the mist, but the bear kept advancing, unfazed.

Dyra’s wind barrier shattered under the weight of its roar.

Acting on instinct, Zareen raised his staff. “Barrier!”

A violet light spread out, forming a wall that blocked the bear’s claws. The impact echoed like a drumbeat, pushing Zareen back several steps, but the shield held.

For a moment, the entire team stood frozen.

Dyra turned quickly. “That was… well-timed. Good work.”

Brant only snorted. “A lucky fluke. Don’t let it get to your head.”

Zareen exhaled slowly. Even if he wasn’t praised, at least they were all still alive.

---

Trouble in Gino’s Team

Elsewhere, Gino’s team faced trouble of their own. A massive illusory serpent slithered through the trees, spewing clouds of green poison.

“Together!” Karel shouted. “Attack at the same time!”

But Gino had already leapt forward, staff raised. A blazing inferno erupted, scorching half the clearing. The serpent recoiled, but its poisonous mist spread wider.

Rina started coughing violently. “Gino! You almost got us all poisoned!”

Karel’s fury boiled over. “Are you insane?! You could have killed us!”

Gino clenched his jaw, refusing to back down. I won’t follow their lead. I’ll show them my way is the right one.

---

The Turning Point

As both groups ventured deeper, the illusions grew more dangerous.

Zareen’s team began to fracture. Brant and Arven argued over strategy, Dyra struggled to keep them focused, and their pace slowed.

Then came the whispers. The forest’s magic seeped into their minds—Brant saw visions of himself failing, Arven heard voices of his family mocking him, and Dyra saw herself abandoned and alone.

The three of them panicked, nearly turning their spells on each other.

Zareen couldn’t stand by any longer. He closed his eyes, channeling every bit of energy into his staff. The Black Card in his pocket pulsed, resonating with a strange hum.

“Calmness… protect us.”

A dome of violet light expanded around them, sweeping away the illusions like smoke in the wind. Slowly, Brant, Arven, and Dyra regained their senses.

They were panting, shaken, but alive.

“If you hadn’t done that…” Dyra said softly, “…we might have killed each other.”

Brant looked away, unable to meet Zareen’s eyes. Arven gave him a brief nod.

For the first time, they saw Zareen not as a burden, but as the one holding their team together.

---

The End of the Trial

At the forest’s heart, both teams reached the Light Crystal almost simultaneously. Their eyes met across the clearing.

Gino grinned broadly. “So you survived. I thought your team would collapse without me.”

Zareen smiled back, calm and steady. “And yet, here we are—without burning down the whole forest.”

Their gazes locked, the rivalry between them sharper than ever.

Both teams returned with their crystals. Back at the academy hall, Master Ardian announced the results:

“Team Gino… passed, though your coordination was poor and must improve.”

“Team Zareen… passed, with teamwork that is slowly beginning to take shape.”

Cheers erupted across the hall.

Gino shot Zareen a look filled with fiery determination. You really are a worthy rival. From now on, I won’t let you get ahead of me.

Zareen lowered his gaze slightly, but in his chest, a matching resolve burned. If this is a rivalry, I’ll prove myself in my own way.