Into the Moon Forest
1115 Words
The first rays of dawn spread across the Royal Alpha University, but unlike every other morning, no academy bells rang.
Instead...
A deep horn echoed across the campus.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Its ancient sound rolled through every corridor, every dormitory, every training ground.
Today...
The Moon Forest Token Trial would begin.
Students poured out of their dormitories wearing travel gear, armor, and academy uniforms specially enchanted for survival. Excitement mixed with nervousness filled the air.
Some laughed confidently.
Some silently prayed.
Others checked their weapons for the tenth time.
Astera quietly adjusted the straps of her backpack before looking toward the tiny dragon sitting on her bed.
"You stay hidden today."
The fluffy creature blinked.
"No stealing."
It tilted its head.
"No wandering."
Another blink.
"And absolutely no attracting attention."
The dragon gave a tiny nod.
Astera smiled slightly.
"I'll pretend you understood that."
The little creature climbed into her backpack, leaving only the tip of its fluffy tail visible.
---
The academy courtyard was already crowded when Astera arrived.
Nearly five hundred students stood assembled according to their academic years.
First-years.
Second-years.
Third-years.
Fourth-years.
Even elite graduating students had gathered.
Everyone would participate together.
The atmosphere was completely different from ordinary academy events.
No one chatted loudly anymore.
Everyone understood this was more than an examination.
It was a battlefield.
Professor Orion stepped onto the central platform.
"Welcome."
His calm voice echoed across the silent courtyard.
"Today begins the Moon Forest Token Trial."
Behind him, Dean Aurelius raised his staff.
Immediately...
A gigantic magical gate rose from the ground.
Silver light swirled inside the circular portal.
Beyond it...
An endless forest could be seen.
Ancient trees stretched toward the heavens.
Mist floated between them.
Waterfalls shimmered in the distance.
Towering cliffs disappeared into the clouds.
The forest seemed alive.
Watching.
Waiting.
Several first-years instinctively stepped backward.
---
Professor Selene spoke next.
"Before entering..."
"You will each receive one Moon Token."
Academy assistants walked through the rows carrying crystal boxes.
Each student received a palm-sized crystal engraved with the academy crest.
The moment Astera accepted hers...
The token glowed softly.
A silver symbol appeared across its surface.
Professor Orion explained,
"Each token has bonded with its owner."
"It cannot be duplicated."
"It cannot be destroyed."
"But..."
"It can be taken."
Students exchanged uneasy glances.
---
Master Kael stepped forward.
"If someone defeats you..."
"They may claim your token."
"If you lose your last token..."
"You are eliminated immediately."
A magical bracelet around each student's wrist lit up.
"The academy barrier will teleport eliminated participants outside the forest."
"No deaths."
"No permanent injuries."
"But do not mistake safety..."
"...for mercy."
---
Dean Aurelius raised one finger.
"There is one final surprise."
The magical map floating above the platform changed.
Instead of showing one entrance...
Hundreds of glowing circles appeared throughout the forest.
"You will not enter together."
Murmurs spread.
Professor Selene smiled.
"Each participant will be transported to a random location."
"You may begin beside a river..."
"A mountain..."
"A ruin..."
"Or directly beside another student."
Excited whispers spread through the crowd.
No one could predict what awaited them.
---
Astera quietly studied the magical map.
Five mountain ranges.
Three rivers.
A central lake.
Ancient ruins.
Dense forests.
Open grasslands.
She memorized every landmark.
The tiny dragon peeked out from inside her backpack.
She gently pushed it back down.
"Stay hidden."
---
Nearby...
Nerina confidently adjusted her sword.
"It doesn't matter where they place me."
"I'll take everyone's tokens."
Her companions laughed.
"As expected of the future Ocean Alpha."
---
Flint calmly tightened the straps on his gloves.
He wasn't smiling.
He wasn't nervous.
He simply observed.
Every possible situation.
Every possible strategy.
---
Zephyr stretched lazily.
"I hope I don't start beside a bear."
He paused.
"Actually..."
"That sounds fun."
Flint sighed.
"You worry me."
---
Standing apart from everyone...
Draven remained as composed as ever.
One Fire Pack student asked,
"My Prince..."
"Do you already have a strategy?"
Draven answered calmly.
"Adapt."
"The forest decides the rest."
His golden eyes briefly searched the crowd.
They found Astera.
She wasn't looking at other students.
She wasn't intimidated.
She was studying the terrain.
Calculating.
Planning.
Again.
---
Professor Orion raised his hand.
"The Moon Forest itself is your greatest opponent."
"The terrain changes."
"The weather changes."
"The creatures change."
"Trust nothing."
"Not even the paths beneath your feet."
Several students swallowed nervously.
---
Dean Aurelius stepped toward the portal.
"The trial officially begins..."
"...in five minutes."
The magical gate expanded until it towered nearly thirty meters high.
Silver wind rushed outward.
Students lined up.
One by one.
The professors began activating teleportation circles beneath their feet.
Every participant stood inside an individual glowing formation.
Astera looked around one final time.
Hundreds of students.
Four heirs.
Professors watching silently.
The academy she had only recently begun calling home.
Then...
The teleportation circle beneath her feet illuminated.
---
The world disappeared.
For one brief moment...
There was only light.
Then...
Silence.
Astera opened her eyes.
She stood alone.
Massive ancient trees surrounded her from every direction.
Sunlight barely reached the forest floor.
Birds sang somewhere high above.
A narrow river flowed nearby.
The air smelled of moss and rain.
She immediately crouched.
Old survival instincts returned.
First...
Observe.
Second...
Listen.
Third...
Move.
The tiny dragon quietly climbed from her backpack.
It sniffed the air before climbing onto her shoulder.
"So far..."
"We're alone."
At least...
That's what it seemed.
---
Across the Moon Forest...
Hundreds of students appeared in different locations.
Some found themselves beside waterfalls.
Others inside abandoned ruins.
Several landed near magical beasts and immediately fled.
A few unfortunate students materialized only a few meters away from powerful seniors.
Their trial began with battle.
---
Far above the forest...
Professor Orion observed everything through floating crystal screens.
Every student's movements appeared before the professors.
Dean Aurelius folded his hands behind his back.
"The game has begun."
Master Kael smiled.
"How long before the first elimination?"
Professor Selene looked toward one particular crystal screen.
The one showing Astera.
"I think..."
"...we should watch her closely."
---
A deep bell echoed across the entire Moon Forest.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
A magical voice spread through the trees.
"The Moon Forest Token Trial... has officially begun."
At that exact moment...
Towering barriers of silver light erupted around the entire forest.
They stretched high into the sky before joining together, sealing every entrance and exit.
No one could leave.
No one could enter.
For the next two days...
The Moon Forest would become a world of its own.
And hidden somewhere among its ancient shadows...
A pair of crimson eyes slowly opened.
Watching.
Waiting.
Smiling.
The hunt had begun.
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