The first rays of sunlight bathed Dorothrel Academy in golden hues, the marble towers glowing like beacons against the vast, enchanted sky. Students shuffled into their assigned training grounds, excitement and dread palpable in the air. Today marked the beginning of their physical training assessments—a test that would separate the dreamers from the true warriors.
Jin Ho walked silently among the crowd, his posture relaxed, his aura contained. Though his suppressed level showed a modest Level 2, his presence carried a subtle weight—one only the most sensitive could detect. He had spent years mastering the art of suppression, shaping his outer shell into that of an average student while hiding the storm within.
Their instructor for physical training stood in the center of the arena, a massive field infused with elemental stones to simulate different terrains—lava pits, icy plains, rocky hills. He was a broad-shouldered man named Instructor Gravis, a known earth-user with a military background.
"Listen well, brats," Gravis barked. "I'm not here to be your friend. Your survival in the outside world depends on how you perform here. Physical strength isn't just muscle—it's how you move, how you react, how you adapt."
He clapped his hands once, and the ground trembled. "Form teams of four. You'll be dropped into the simulation zone. Survive and retrieve the flame core from the Obsidian Wolf at the center. Do not die."
Chaos erupted as students scrambled to form teams. Jin Ho observed in silence.
"Hey, Jin! Over here!" Rurik waved at him from a distance, already standing beside two others—a girl with vine tattoos glowing faintly on her arms and a tall boy with thick glasses and a nervous look.
Jin considered. This team might be underestimated… which is exactly what I need.
He nodded and joined them.
The arena shifted. Illusion magic flared, transforming the open field into a dark forest. The air grew colder, the light dimmer. From the distant center, a low growl echoed—the Obsidian Wolf was awake.
"Stay low," Jin Ho whispered. "We'll use a decoy and flank it. Rurik, bait. Glasses, support. Vines, entangle."
The team looked at him, surprised by the sudden command.
"You sound like you've done this before," the girl muttered.
Jin didn't respond. They moved.
Rurik dashed into the clearing, drawing the wolf's attention. It charged with terrifying speed, fangs glowing with heat. But before it could strike, thorny vines shot from the shadows, tangling its limbs. Jin was already in motion. He appeared behind the beast in a blur, his suppressed strength barely leaking as he struck with a flaming palm to its spine.
The wolf howled in pain, twisting unnaturally, and burst free of the vines. It lunged.
"Now!" Jin shouted.
The boy with glasses activated a frost rune. Ice surged under the wolf's feet, halting its motion for half a second. That was enough.
Jin struck again—this time, his palm cloaked in a spiral of water and flame. A contradiction. An anomaly. The moment it connected, steam exploded outward, and the Obsidian Wolf collapsed, twitching.
The flame core rolled out from its chest.
Silence followed.
"You're… Level 2?" the girl asked, incredulous.
"I'm efficient," Jin said, pocketing the core and tossing it to Rurik. "Teamwork gets us all a pass. Let's go."
High above, Lord Jehnic watched the battle through a floating orb.
"That boy… those movements. Interesting," he murmured, stroking his chin. "Let's see how long he stays hidden."