The day had finally arrived.
A low hum of excitent filled the air as the first-year students gathered in the training hall. The massive space, usually reserved for military personnel, was lined with towering tal beams and reinforced walls, a constant reminder of the academy's strict discipline. The scent of polished steel and old sweat clung to the air, mixing with the faint energy radiating from the portals that had been pushed to the sides of the hall.
In the center of the hall stood a single green portal, swirling with an eerie glow. Its surface shimred like liquid glass, distorting the space around it, pulling at the senses of those who dared to look too long.
William swallowed, his fingers twitching slightly. This was the first ti he had ever seen a portal up close. He had heard stories, seen images, but nothing compared to standing before it in reality. It was like staring into the unknown, a doorway into another world. The sheer unnaturalness of it made his skin prickle. He glanced to his side, where Liam stood with his arms crossed, his face set in an unreadable expression. But the way his foot tapped against the floor betrayed his nerves.
Gavin, on the other hand, didn't even bother hiding his reaction. His eyes were wide, his lips slightly parted as he exhaled sharply. "Damn… It looks… weird. Like, really weird."
Sofia smirked. "Scared?"
Gavin scoffed, quickly straightening. "? Scared? No way. Just… didn't expect it to look so unstable. Feels like it's gonna suck us in any second."
Eleanor chuckled lightly, adjusting the strap on her shoulder. "That's exactly what it's supposed to do."
The students were arranged into teams of fifty, each team consisting of smaller groups of five. At the center of each team were large rucksacks filled with essential supplies—food pills that could sustain them for a month, water purification tablets, and first aid kits. These were to ensure their survival in the beast-infested environnt they were about to enter.
Their teacher, John, stepped forward, standing just in front of the portal. His dull eyes swept across the gathered students. "Alright, boys and girls. Listen up." His voice cut through the murmurs, instantly drawing attention. "Once you step through this portal, your communication devices will no longer work. The only way to stay together is by maintaining physical contact with the person next to you. If you don't… you'll be scattered across the planet."
A few students exchanged uneasy glances.
John continued, "Upon arrival, you will find yourselves within the Shelter, a secured military outpost stationed on the beast planet. The area is safe, guarded by the military and factions, so there is no imdiate danger." He paused, letting his words sink in. "Your objective is simple—hunt and retrieve as many beast crystals as possible. The team with the most at the end of the week will receive the highest score. The strongest beasts you will encounter in this region are Tier Two, but they are rare. If you do run into one, avoid unnecessary confrontation."
William glanced at Liam. There was no need to exchange words; they both understood that avoiding confrontation wasn't always possible.
John went on, "There is a storage unit in the military base where you can deposit your crystals. I suggest doing so regularly. Losing your haul because of carelessness will cost you more than you think."
He took a deep breath before finishing, "This expedition is ant to test your ability to survive, strategize, and adapt. You will need to rely on each other. Now, our class is the first to enter. Every hour, another class will follow. I expect good results."
One by one, groups were called up. The air was thick with tension as students stepped forward, gripping onto each other as they vanished into the swirling green light.
Then, their number was called.
William, Liam, Gavin, Sofia, and Eleanor stepped forward. Gavin bent down, picking up the rucksack. "Heavy as hell," he muttered, adjusting it on his shoulders.
They stood in a line, gripping each other's shoulders. Eleanor led the group, while William was at the back.
John gave them a weak nod. "Rember—seven days. Return to the military base when it's over."
With that final instruction, they stepped forward.
The mont William's foot crossed the threshold, a strange sensation enveloped his body. It was like being subrged in ice-cold water, yet he wasn't wet. A low, warbling hum filled his ears, vibrating deep within his chest. His vision blurred, colors stretching and twisting in ways that made his stomach lurch.
His heartbeat pounded against his ribs. For a mont, it felt like he was floating, weightless, as if gravity had lost its grasp on him.
Then—
It was over.
The pressure lifted, and the world solidified around them.
The first thing that hit him was the scent—spiced ats, charred wood, and the unmistakable tang of iron. The noise followed soon after, a cacophony of voices, footsteps, and the distant clang of tal against tal.
They were in a bustling marketplace.
Rows of buildings stretched around them, constructed from sturdy materials ant to withstand the harsh environnt. Market stalls lined the streets, vendors shouting out their wares—dried ats, sharpened weapons, beast-hide armor. Soldiers in heavy gear patrolled the area, their expressions stoic and watchful.
William exhaled slowly. They had made it.
Gavin let out a low whistle. "Well, this is… lively."
Sofia stretched, rolling her shoulders. "No ti to gawk. We need to get our bearings."
Eleanor nodded. "First stop—the military base. Let's register our team and drop off the extra weight."
Liam adjusted his wrist guards, his gaze scanning their surroundings. "And then?"
A small smirk played on William's lips as he finally spoke. "Then, we hunt."
The others exchanged looks before nodding in agreent. The real test had begun.
They moved through the crowd with purpose, dodging carts and stepping past armored guards. The weight of their supplies dug into their shoulders, but none of them complained. Excitent and apprehension mingled in the air as they approached the towering gates of the military shelter.
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