The Academy Forest Trial
1429 Words
The cool night breeze brushed gently across Astera's face as she stepped out of the Grand Library. The heavy wooden doors closed behind her with a quiet thud, leaving the endless sea of books and forgotten secrets behind.
Her mind, however, remained trapped within the hidden archives.
The torn pages.
The forgotten prophecy.
The sealed wolves.
The mysterious bloodline.
Every discovery had only created more questions.
Someone had deliberately erased history.
Someone powerful enough to hide the truth from every Alpha, every scholar, and every generation that followed.
Astera tightened her grip on the ancient leather-bound book tucked safely inside her satchel.
"I'll find the missing pieces..."
"...even if I have to search the entire world."
The tiny dragon peeked out from inside the bag, rubbing its fluffy head against her shoulder.
Astera gently scratched beneath its chin.
"You're becoming spoiled."
The creature let out a tiny satisfied chirp before disappearing back inside.
For the first time in days...
Astera almost smiled.
Almost.
The academy grounds looked strangely alive despite the late hour.
Students weren't returning to their dormitories.
Instead...
They were running toward the Grand Plaza.
Groups of first-years, seniors, professors, and even instructors gathered around the enormous crystal announcement pillar standing at the center of the square.
Blue magical light shot into the sky.
The academy bell rang three times.
Dong...
Dong...
Dong...
Every conversation stopped instantly.
Astera frowned.
"An emergency announcement?"
She quietly joined the crowd near the back.
Being unnoticed suited her perfectly.
A brilliant beam of silver light descended from the top of the crystal pillar.
Moments later...
Dean Aurelius appeared upon the elevated platform.
Beside him stood the academy's most respected professors.
Professor Orion.
Professor Selene.
Master Kael.
Several captains of the Royal Guards.
Even the Head Healer had arrived.
Seeing so many important figures together immediately made every student realize...
Whatever was about to be announced was important.
Very important.
Dean Aurelius raised his hand.
Silence covered the plaza.
His deep voice echoed across the academy.
"Students of the Royal Alpha University..."
"Welcome to your first Academy Trial."
Excited whispers immediately spread through the crowd.
"So it's finally happening!"
"I've waited months for this!"
"My brother said this trial changes everything."
The Dean continued.
"Tomorrow morning..."
"Every first-year student..."
"Will participate in the Moon Forest Token Trial."
A giant magical map appeared in the sky.
It displayed an enormous ancient forest stretching across mountains, rivers, cliffs, waterfalls and hidden ruins.
Astera carefully studied every detail.
"This isn't ordinary..."
"It's enchanted."
Professor Orion stepped forward.
"The Moon Forest was created thousands of years ago by the Moon Priestesses."
"It serves as both a sanctuary and a testing ground."
"No ordinary map can reveal its true paths."
"The forest changes constantly."
Several students looked nervous.
---
Professor Selene smiled.
"The trial will last..."
"Two days."
"And two nights."
A collective gasp spread through the students.
Two entire days inside that forest.
---
Master Kael walked forward carrying a wooden chest.
Inside rested hundreds of glowing crystal tokens.
Each shimmered with different colors.
"Every participant will receive one enchanted Moon Token."
He lifted one into the air.
"This token represents your survival."
"If you lose it..."
"You are eliminated."
The token rotated slowly before everyone's eyes.
---
Professor Orion explained the rules.
"You may challenge anyone."
"You may duel."
"You may steal."
"You may create alliances."
"You may betray those alliances."
"You may use strategy."
"You may use intelligence."
"You may even trick your opponents."
The students exchanged surprised looks.
Then he added calmly,
"But killing..."
"...is strictly forbidden."
"The academy's protective barrier will intervene before any fatal injury occurs."
Relief spread through many first-years.
---
Dean Aurelius smiled faintly.
"The objective is simple."
"When the trial ends..."
"The student possessing the highest number of Moon Tokens..."
"...will be declared Champion."
The magical map changed.
Hundreds of glowing dots scattered throughout the forest.
"You are free to obtain tokens however you wish."
"You may defeat opponents."
"Negotiate."
"Trade."
"Or steal."
"The academy places no restrictions on intelligence."
Astera's eyes brightened slightly.
That...
She could work with.
---
Professor Orion continued.
"This is not merely a combat examination."
"We will evaluate..."
"Courage."
"Leadership."
"Adaptability."
"Decision making."
"Observation."
"Resourcefulness."
"Survival."
"And teamwork."
He looked across the gathered students.
"Power alone has never made a true Alpha."
---
Another projection appeared.
This time...
It displayed the rewards.
First Place
Exclusive mentorship under the Academy Council.
Access to the Forbidden Research Wing.
Permission to study advanced magical formations.
One rare Moon Crystal.
Priority selection for elite academy missions.
Top academic ranking.
The plaza erupted.
"Forbidden Research Wing?"
"That's impossible!"
"Only fourth-years are allowed there!"
---
Professor Selene raised another hand.
"There is one final rule."
Everyone immediately became quiet.
"This year..."
"The Moon Forest Trial will include..."
A dramatic pause followed.
"Students from every academic year."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Then...
Chaos.
"What?"
"That's unfair!"
"First-years against seniors?"
"We'll be crushed!"
One boy nearly fainted.
"My first day and I'm already dead."
Laughter spread among the older students standing nearby.
---
Master Kael smiled.
"Do not misunderstand."
"You are not divided by year."
"You will all begin at random locations."
"Whether you encounter a first-year..."
"A senior..."
"Or one of the academy's stars..."
"...depends entirely upon fate."
That announcement instantly changed everyone's expressions.
Nothing was guaranteed.
---
Near the front...
Nerina crossed her arms confidently.
"It doesn't matter."
"I'll finish near the top regardless."
Several Ocean Pack students nodded proudly.
"Our future Alpha never loses."
---
Nearby...
Zephyr Skye laughed loudly.
"This sounds fun!"
His cheerful grin never faded.
"I've always wanted to steal legal things."
Flint Earthclaw sighed.
"That's...one way to interpret the rules."
Zephyr shrugged innocently.
"They said stealing is allowed."
---
Flint remained calm.
Instead of excitement...
He quietly observed the magical map.
He memorized rivers.
Mountain ranges.
Possible hiding places.
Natural choke points.
His strategic mind had already begun planning.
---
Standing slightly apart from everyone...
Draven Ashfire remained completely expressionless.
One of the Fire Pack students approached respectfully.
"My Prince..."
"Everyone expects you to win."
Draven answered calmly.
"The trial hasn't begun."
"No victory belongs to anyone yet."
Still...
His golden eyes unconsciously searched the crowd.
They stopped...
On Astera.
She wasn't discussing rewards.
She wasn't boasting.
She wasn't nervous.
Instead...
She had already removed a notebook from her bag.
She was sketching the forest map.
Calculating routes.
Writing observations.
Analyzing.
Planning.
Draven watched silently.
Again.
---
Flint noticed.
"You've been observing Ariana quite often lately."
Draven didn't deny it.
"She prepares differently."
Zephyr leaned closer with a grin.
"I think someone's curious."
Draven ignored him.
---
Meanwhile...
Astera quietly closed her notebook.
The academy expected students to rely upon mana.
Combat.
Pack strength.
She couldn't.
Her wolf remained sealed.
She possessed powers she barely understood.
Using them openly would only create questions.
Questions she couldn't answer.
"No..."
"I'll rely on what I know best."
Her inventions.
---
Later that night...
She returned to her dormitory.
The tiny dragon immediately jumped onto the worktable.
Astera emptied her backpack.
Small gears.
Crystal batteries.
Metal wires.
Miniature smoke capsules.
Folding grappling hooks.
Magnetic anchors.
Signal beacons.
She looked at the collection.
"Looks like we're pulling another all-nighter."
The dragon tilted its head.
She smiled faintly.
"Don't worry."
"I'll do the work."
"You can supervise."
The tiny creature proudly climbed onto a toolbox like a commander inspecting an engineer.
Astera laughed quietly.
"Very helpful."
---
Hours passed.
Metal clicked.
Sparks flew.
Tiny mechanisms rotated.
She upgraded her bracelet.
Improved the range of her grappling wire.
Built several miniature alarm devices capable of detecting movement within a twenty-meter radius.
Created camouflage cloth using enchanted pigments.
Prepared compact survival kits.
Filled small capsules with sleeping powder and harmless smoke mixtures.
Every invention served one purpose.
Survival.
---
As dawn slowly approached...
Astera stood by the window overlooking the academy.
Students still talked excitedly about tomorrow's trial.
Some sharpened weapons.
Some practiced spells.
Others trained under the moonlight.
Astera simply looked at the forest in the distance.
The Moon Forest.
Two days.
One token.
Hundreds of competitors.
A trial designed to test not only strength...
But intelligence.
For the first time since arriving at the academy...
She felt strangely confident.
Because unlike many of the others...
She had never depended solely on power.
She had survived betrayal.
Escaped death.
Crossed forbidden lands.
Solved mysteries buried for centuries.
Compared to those challenges...
A forest full of ambitious students was simply another puzzle waiting to be solved.
And somewhere, hidden beyond the trees of the Moon Forest...
Destiny was already waiting for her.
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