Chapter 46 – The Second Test

  The academy courtyard was quieter than usual, the glow of the setting sun casting long shadows over the worn stone benches. The excitement from the ruins trial had mostly faded, replaced with a growing tension as students turned their focus toward the next challenge – the wilderness survival test.

  Kaelin leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees, eyes narrowed at the rough sketch she had drawn on the paper. The wilderness trial would be held deep in Erundal’s forest reserves, far beyond the academy’s training grounds. They’d be left there for three days, forced to survive with no supplies and no outside assistance.

  She exhaled sharply.

  “Alright. Food, water, shelter, navigation, avoiding threats. Those should be the priorities.”

  She tapped her fingers against the ground, her mind already sorting through possible solutions.

  “We need to figure out a proper plan before we go in.”

  Across from her, Kana sat perched on the edge of the table, one leg propped up as she idly twirled a strand of her dark hair.

  “How exciting,” she deadpanned, voice laced with sarcasm. “Three whole days of sleeping in the dirt and eating leaves.”

  Kaelin shot her a flat look. “That attitude is going to get us killed.”

  Kana smirked. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic. It’s just a glorified camping trip.”

  Kaelin resisted the urge to roll her eyes. “We’ll see how you feel when we’re hungry, freezing, and being hunted by beasts.”

  Kana waved a hand dismissively. “Please, there’s no way the instructors will let us starve. They’ll probably leave food sources somewhere, this is still a test, not an actual exile.”

  Kaelin frowned but didn’t argue. Kana had a point. The academy wouldn’t just dump them into the wilderness without some way to survive. Or would they? Either way, it won’t be easy.

  She glanced at the dirt map again.

  “Even if there are resources, we’ll need to find them first. We don’t know what kind of terrain we’ll be in, but water should be our first priority. We need a flowing source, preferably a river or a spring, but no lakes or ponds!”

  Kana stretched, arms above her head. “Then we just follow the sound of running water. Done. Why can’t we use lakes?”

  “Still water. It makes you sick.”

  “Why?” Kana replied, clearly trying to be annoying.

  “Oh just shut it. If I knew why we got sick, I wouldn’t still be in school.”

  Kaelin clenched her jaw. She hated how Kana acted like this was all some casual game.

  “And if there’s no running water nearby? If we’re in dense forest, we might not hear it.”

  Kana groaned. “Then we’ll walk until we find some. Problem solved.”

  Kaelin exhaled sharply. “Not if we waste all our energy wandering in circles. We need a strategy.”

  She grabbed a stick and sketched a rough path through the dirt. “Best approach is to find high ground first. A hill, a ridge, something we can climb. That’ll give us a view of the area so we can look for water sources. Also, there’s a chance the water might flow from the top.”

  Kana hummed in mild approval. “Fine. That makes sense.”

  Kaelin ignored her smug tone. “Once we have water, we need shelter. Nights in the wilderness can get dangerously cold, and we don’t know if it’ll rain.”

  Kana tilted her head. “Wouldn’t a cave be best?”

  Kaelin shook her head. “Too risky. There could be animals inside, and if we get caught in a storm, we might end up trapped by flooding. A lean-to or a dug-out shelter would be safer.”

  Kana groaned. “Ahhhhh, so much effort.”

  Kaelin tightened her grip on the stick. “If you have a better idea, feel free to contribute.”

  Kana frowned but didn’t answer.

  Kaelin rubbed her temple. “Alright, next is food. Hunting is our best option, but we can’t rely on it entirely. We don’t know what kind of wildlife is in the test area, and we might not have the right tools.”

  Kana’s expression shifted slightly. “I can handle hunting.”

  Kaelin raised an eyebrow. “You? What, are you planning to strangle animals with your bare hands?”

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  Kana grinned. “No, I’ll just make them hesitate for a second, then I’ll stab them in the gullet. Easy peasy.”

  Kaelin frowned. “Are you sure? You’re way too confident in your magic. Be careful. That might not always be enough.”

  Kana threw her head back and laid down on the table she had been sitting on. “Ughhh, I got it don’t worry. You’re acting like an old lady.”

  Kaelin sighed. “Fine. You handle hunting. I’ll focus on finding edible plants and trapping smaller game. That way, we won’t be dependent on just one food source.”

  Kana shrugged. “As long as I don’t have to eat bugs, I don’t care.”

  Kaelin smirked. “No promises.”

  Kana groaned dramatically. “Ugh, I hate this already.”

  Kaelin ignored her. “Fire is another issue. We’ll need to start one fast at night for warmth and cooking. Do you have any experience with fire-starting?”

  Kana gave her an incredulous look. “Do I look like someone who’s ever started a fire?”

  Kaelin huffed. “Figured as much. I can try using flint if we find some, but worst case, we’ll have to use friction methods.”

  Kana’s nose wrinkled. “Sounds tedious.”

  Kaelin didn’t bother responding.

  A silence stretched between them, the reality of the test settling in. This wasn’t like the ruins challenge. This would be longer, harsher.

  Then Kana spoke, her voice quieter but laced with something sharp. “You know, it’s funny.”

  Kaelin glanced up. “What is?”

  Kana tilted her head, dark eyes glinting. “That you’re stuck with me.”

  Kaelin’s brow furrowed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Kana grinned. “I think it’s ironic that the only person stuck with you now is someone who doesn’t even like you.”

  Kaelin inhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay calm. “Then why are you still here?”

  Kana leaned back, folding her arms behind her head. “Because, like it or not, we’re in this together. And I always play to win.”

  Kaelin forced herself to exhale. “Then start acting like it.”

  Kana laughed. “Maybe I will, maybe I won’t… We’ll see.”

  The conversation died, tension lingering between them. Kaelin turned back to her dirt map, refocusing on their survival plan. They had a long test ahead, and whether she liked it or not, Kana was her only ally.

  For now.

  The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth, pine needles, and the faint tang of wet stone as Kaelin stood on the academy’s northern plateau, waiting for the trial to begin. The sky above was clear, but there was a lingering chill, the remnants of a long night, making the morning feel heavier, as though the world itself was holding its breath.

  Students gathered around in clusters, some pacing, some silently checking their gear, while others exchanged hushed words, the air thick with anticipation. The low murmur of voices buzzed in the background, a mixture of nerves and adrenaline. Each person adjusted their packs, weapons, and the supplies they'd been given, ensuring everything was secure. For most, the weight of the challenge ahead was settling in.

  This trial was different from the ruins challenge they’d faced before. No ancient traps to avoid, no creatures to battle in a collapsing underground labyrinth. This time, the enemy wasn’t something that could be fought or defeated. The wilderness itself was the trial, an untamed force that required cunning, patience, and endurance.

  The goal was simple: survive for three days, gather the necessary resources, and make it to the extraction point. But it wasn’t going to be easy. Not with the academy’s standards. They wouldn’t just make it a matter of walking from one point to another. The wilderness would test their every decision, their every step. Even the best-prepared would have their limits stretched. And if they failed… they could say goodbye to their Academy Life.

  Kaelin exhaled slowly, feeling the cool air fill her lungs as she flexed her fingers. She could already feel the weight of her pack, the equipment inside digging into her shoulders, but the discomfort was the least of her worries. She had to be sharp. They had to be strategic. This wasn’t just about enduring the elements; this was about outsmarting them. They needed food, water, shelter, things they would have to find, craft, or barter for in the wilderness.

  But there were dangers beyond just the lack of supplies. Wild animals, environmental hazards, and the unknown were waiting. The academy wouldn’t let them get comfortable. The goal wasn’t just survival. They had to be ready for the unexpected.

  A voice broke through her thoughts, smooth and mocking, as always. “Try not to get yourself killed out there.”

  Kaelin turned at the sound of Zephyr’s voice, her gaze locking with his. His usual confident smirk was in place, a crooked expression that said he was entirely too comfortable with the situation.

  But there was something else in his eyes, something deeper, harder to read. For a moment, his gaze flickered, a glimmer of uncertainty or maybe something like concern, before it was gone, replaced by that familiar cocky arrogance.

  She crossed her arms, her stance unbothered but her eyes narrowing slightly. “I should be saying that to you,” she shot back, her tone sharp, but she couldn’t help the flicker of a smile that tugged at the corner of her mouth.

  Zephyr’s smirk widened, though there was an edge to it. “Please, I’ll be fine. I don’t have a deadweight partner holding me back.”

  Kaelin’s eyes narrowed even further, her jaw tightening. “And I don’t have someone slowing me down.” She knew exactly what he was trying to do, poke at her, challenge her. And maybe he was right. Maybe she was slower than him. But that didn’t mean she was weak.

  Zephyr only chuckled in response, his laughter light but filled with an edge of something unreadable. Without another word, he turned away to join Lena, giving her a peck on the cheek as he said hello. The faint sound of his footsteps fading as he moved off toward the rest of the group. It was nice to know he hadn’t completely forgotten about her.

  Kaelin clicked her tongue in irritation and turned her attention back toward Kana, who had been lounging against a nearby tree. Kana’s hands were stuffed casually in her pockets, her expression relaxed, though the glint of amusement in her eyes told a different story. She had seen the exchange between Kaelin and Zephyr.

  “You two should just kiss already,” Kana muttered, loud enough for only Kaelin to hear.

  Kaelin’s face burned with a sudden rush of heat, her thoughts scrambling. “Shut up,” she muttered, her voice lower than she intended, but the colour in her cheeks betrayed her. “You and I both know he’s with Lena.”

  Kana grinned wider, clearly enjoying the reaction she had provoked, “Oh I know all too well.” She simply tilted her head back against the bark of the tree and closed her eyes, seemingly uninterested in the moment now. But Kaelin couldn’t shake the teasing words from her mind.

  A moment later, the instructor’s voice rang out, clear and commanding, cutting through the ambient noise. “All groups, prepare for deployment.”

  Kaelin’s pulse quickened as she snapped to attention. The trial was beginning.

  ***

  Trees loomed above her, their trunks wide and gnarled with age. A light mist hung low to the ground, winding through the underbrush like a living thing. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and moss, the faint smell of water, and the promise of a long, difficult journey ahead.

  Kaelin’s heart raced. This was it. The survival test had officially begun.