Kael looked down at the talisman. It pulsed faintly in his palm—warm and soft, like a heartbeat trapped in paper.
Once everything was packed and ready, Professor Sylvia raised her arm and pointed toward the Terminal Gate.
"It's time," she announced firmly. "We're heading to Elaris City. Beneath that Elaris city lies the place where your midterm exam begins—The Forgotten Arena of Trial."
A wave of whispers and excitement spread through the gathered first-year students. Some looked surprised, others curious. The name alone stirred tension.
Sylvia continued, her voice echoing clearly, "This arena isn't just some test ground. It's the entrance to a much larger region—a wild, untamed forest beyond. Before you even step into that forest, you must survive the arena."
She paused and looked over the crowd before revealing an important detail.
