Flames erupted from Rin's hands, spreading fast. Tree after tree ignited, crackling and collapsing in bursts of embers. Smoke thickened the air as the forest burned around them.
"Well… I guess the forest was real after all," Rin muttered, watching the devastation.
Jin stood beside him, arms crossed. "Yeah. Looks like it. Now we wait—burning the place might finally draw the monsters out."
"They probably hate fire," Rin said, shrugging. "But whatever."
Then it happened.
They both blinked at the same time—and the world changed.
The forest reappeared instantly, untouched. Trees stood tall. Leaves swayed as if nothing had happened. The fire, the smoke… gone.
The air shifted—subtle at first. The scent of ash was replaced by something… metallic.
Rin staggered. "W-what the hell just happened?!"
"This isn't any ordinary illusion," Jin muttered, scanning the area with narrowed eyes.
In Rin's mind, Ella chimed in. "Hey, what if this was never an illusion? Maybe it's part of the exam itself."
That's not possible, Rin thought. I doubt the academy would go this far.
A faint hum buzzed in his ears. Not loud—but constant, like blood rushing beneath the skin.
"Rin," Jin called, pointing. "Look up."
Rin raised his head—and froze.
The sky had turned a deep, blood red. Clouds churned like thick fluid, sluggish and heavy.
"My head… it's pounding," Rin said, clutching his temples. "What is this?"
"I don't know," Jin said. "But I don't think this is the work of some monster… and I really don't think it's part of the exam."
"You think we got sent somewhere else?" Rin asked. "We were the last ones to enter the portal. Maybe the coordinates were off?"
"Maybe," Jin replied, "but an academy like this making a mistake? Doubtful."
Ella added in Rin's mind, "Even for me, this academy feels… different. I don't think they'd risk students' lives like this."
Yeah, Rin thought. That's true. But if this really is an illusion, then wha—
A memory flashed in his mind. A fight. A name.
"…Jin," Rin said suddenly. "I think this is Verclian's doing. The guy with blood control."
Jin's expression hardened. "You think he's here?"
Footsteps crunched behind them.
Two silhouettes emerged from the shadows. A familiar voice spoke.
"Well done, Rin. I knew I shouldn't have underestimated you during our last fight."
It was Verclian. Hana stood beside him.
"Hey, guys," Hana greeted casually.
Jin exhaled, disappointed. "Tch. So it was you two? I was hoping for someone stronger."
Rin glanced at him. The hell is wrong with this guy?
Ella spoke again. "That vampire—Verclian—he has three attributes: water, earth, and blood control."
I know, Rin thought. But what about Hana?
"Two," Ella replied. "Plant and dark."
Rin stepped forward. "Jin, you take the girl. I'll handle the vampire."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "Why would I listen to you?"
"Because she only has two attributes," Rin said. "Plant and dark. You know what that means."
Hana narrowed her eyes. "And what makes you so sure that's all I've got?"
Rin smirked. "Let's just say I have a reliable source."
Jin rolled his neck, grinning. "Fine. Let's get started."
---
Meanwhile – Taro and Kaela
"Alright," Taro called out. "Show yourselves."
Two figures emerged from opposite ends of the clearing.
Kaela narrowed her eyes. "New faces."
The one approaching her sneered. "Just as clueless as they said."
The other chuckled. "We're from a different branch of the advanced class."
Taro tilted his head. "Didn't think there were different branches."
"Are you from the class above advanced? Or a lower division?" he asked.
The first student laughed. "Same level as you. Just better."
Kaela rolled her eyes. "How lame. I was hoping for someone from the elite class."
"Too bad," the other said smugly. "You two will fail right here."
"In your dreams," Kaela said coldly. The air shimmered as water coiled in tight circles around her.
---
Back to Rin and Jin
Jin struck first—massive tree roots shot forward, morphing into sharp wooden spikes. But before they reached their target, they vanished.
Gone.
Jin blinked. "What?"
He tried again. More spikes—more roots—nothing. They faded like mist.
"Rin," Jin said, "something's wrong."
"I know," Rin replied, hands glowing with fire that fizzled the moment it left his skin. "I can't summon anything either. My fire just disappears."
A low laugh echoed through the forest.
Verclian stepped forward, a twisted grin on his face. The ground around him pulsed faintly, like veins under pale skin. The trees bled droplets of crimson sap. The air had weight now—thick and warm, laced with the scent of iron.
"Welcome," he said. "To my domain—my Blood Banquet."
To be continued...