After a few weeks, Dark and Lavin were training together. In yet another sparring match, Lavin managed to defeat Dark, knocking him to the ground and pointing his wooden dagger at him.

  Tired and drenched in sweat, Dark sighed and lay flat on the ground.

  – I’m dead... You really went all out on me today...

  Lavin sat beside him, showing no signs of exhaustion.

  – Of course I did. Tomorrow we’ll have our first test. If it’s a physical one...

  Dark sighed in exhaustion.

  – I’d do badly, right? I know I’m not that strong.

  Lavin looked at the orange sky, watching the sunset as the first stars began to appear. He seemed thoughtful and worried.

  – Maybe you shouldn’t take part in the tests... or rather, in the academy itself. Dark, it’s dangerous.

  – I know – Dark interrupted. – But I don’t care. Lavin, I’m here to get stronger. If I don’t become stronger, I’ll never fulfill my goal.

  Dark stood up and picked up the wooden daggers he had dropped. Lavin stood as well, getting back into battle stance.

  – Shall we fight once more then? – said Dark. – I need to train. I need at least some experience.

  – Just a little more, Dark. It’s getting late, and we need to rest for tomorrow.

  After hours of training, Dark arrived home completely drenched in sweat. He quickly got into the shower to relax and clean himself. When he finished, he lay down on his bed, exhausted.

  ---

  Dark heard a soft, feminine voice as his vision turned white.

  – I’ll return... and I promise I’ll come for you, my son...

  Right after that, a loud sound, like a gunshot, jolted him awake. He sat up in bed, startled, sweating, and panting, trying to understand what had happened.

  – It was... all a dream? – he muttered, with a tone of fear and confusion. – What was that...?

  He tried not to think too much about it, believing it was just another strange dream.

  ---

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  The next day, Dark found Lavin in the cafeteria and sat beside him.

  – Good morning, Lavin.

  – Good morning, Dark.

  As they ate, Lavin noticed that his friend was acting strange and distracted.

  – Finally, it’s the day of the test... I think— Dark, are you listening to me? What’s wrong?

  Dark thought about telling him what had happened but decided not to go into detail.

  – Nothing. I’m just thinking about the test. I hope it’s easy.

  – I haven’t been able to find out anything yet – Lavin replied. – Unfortunately, we’ll have to rely on luck.

  They finished eating and left the cafeteria. Dark remained silent, which was unusual for him since he usually liked to talk.

  – Now it’s test time – said Lavin, trying to break the silence. – Let’s head to the classroom then.

  – Right, we should go.

  ---

  When they arrived, they waited a few minutes until the instructor entered the room.

  – Nice to meet you, students. I’ll be your instructor, and I’ll explain the test. There are tests at the end of every month, and this will be the first one.

  He opened a magical map, suspended in the air with wind magic.

  – This test will be physical. The goal is to form teams for the next month. You’ll be sent to an island and must hunt to earn points.

  The instructor marked three areas on the map.

  – There are teleporters scattered around the island. They’re used if you wish to give up or return to the starting point. You must survive for three days, using only your weapons and the forest’s resources.

  Closing the map, he placed it on the table and adjusted his glasses.

  – You’ll receive mana armors. They absorb a small amount of your energy to monitor if you’re alive. They also include a basic mana shield.

  The instructor sighed, becoming more serious.

  – This test isn’t for fools. If you think you can’t handle it, quit now.

  He paused for a moment, then continued:

  – You must form a pair with the first person you encounter on the island. There’s no point in pretending you didn’t see each other—the armors will automatically synchronize.

  Several assistants entered and handed out the suits—tight, black clothing with a blue diamond-shaped crystal embedded in the chest.

  – After the test – the instructor explained – you may use the armor as a uniform if you want. They’re quite useful.

  ---

  After changing, Lavin approached Dark.

  – So, Dark, did it fit properly?

  He smiled proudly.

  – I found out a few things about the suit! That crystal on the chest is a modified mana crystal. It channels energy to the academy’s system, showing that we’re alive and well.

  Dark’s face went pale, clearly worried.

  – Wait a second... If it channels mana... Lavin... the suit won’t even know I’m alive!

  Lavin’s eyes widened.

  – That’s right! You don’t have mana! What now?!

  Dark sighed and looked up, resigned.

  – I’ll just have to accept it. Looks like I’ll be coming back... as a ghost this time.

  Lavin began thinking quickly, trying to find a solution.

  – What if you tell a teacher? Or even the principal?

  – That wouldn’t be good. I wouldn’t be allowed to take the test, and I might even get expelled. The other students would also start judging me.

  – Dark, this time there’s real danger! You have to give up!

  – I can’t, and I won’t, Lavin. I’m here to get stronger. Even if I’m not strong now, I want to keep fighting until the end. Just like my master did.

  Lavin clenched his fist, frustrated by Dark’s stubbornness, but then took a deep breath to calm himself.

  – Do whatever you want, then. But try to find me during the test. I’m your only way out.

  – I’ll find you, Lavin.

  ---

  They both headed to the Teleportation Hall, already full of first-year students from other classes. Minori appeared on the stage, holding some papers. Around her, several mages took their positions, and on the floor, a large magic circle was drawn.

  – Well – said Minori – I’m here on behalf of the headmaster of Verya Academy. The instructors have already explained the situation. From now on, until you form pairs, you’ll be on your own. Be careful. This place is dangerous.

  She and the mages began chanting an incantation. The circle glowed intensely in a blue hue, and all the students were teleported to the island.

  ---

  Dark woke up with his head pounding. As he opened his eyes, he realized he was in some kind of underground area, surrounded by rusted metal.

  – Is... anyone here? – he asked nervously, afraid of what might be lurking nearby.

  He walked slowly, trying to make as little noise as possible, until he noticed a shadow moving.

  A dark voice echoed through the silence:

  – We meet again... Dark.

  From the darkness emerged Tyson Zawa — the same opponent from the evaluation test. But now, he was different. His body seemed partially consumed by darkness.

  One of his hands was completely covered in black energy, with sharp claws. Half of his body — legs, waist, and part of his torso — was overtaken by the darkness. His blonde hair swayed with the cold wind blowing through the corridor.

  He no longer looked human. He looked... like a demon.