"I would like to move on to the next phase." Zhenyel says as she took the initiative and stepped forward. Her friends looked at each other, some were reluctant to move forward but they didn't want to leave Zhenyel alone so they all proceeded.
"Alright. Right this way." The assistant says as she smiles at them, leading them to a building nearby hidden within the thick trees of the forest, walking down a direction with no path. The assistant effortlessly navigates them to the next site without using any map.
"The next phase of your test would be a combination of a group evaluation of your coordination with other candidates. You will be paired up with other people, no friends allowed in the same group to ensure that you will be evaluated more accurately." They were told as the building came into view, Zhenyel felt something was amiss but shrugged it off as she focused on the tests in front of her.
"Now. Please take some rest while waiting to be called and paired up. Do your best and may the goddess's blessing be with you." The assistant says before walking away, disappearing into the shadows.
Zhenyel roamed her eyes around the area: the place was a lot like an arena with spaces surrounding the central, having benches that surrounded half left side of the arena's perimeter for observers, instructors, or trainees to rest on and etc. On the other right half of the arena, was a line of racks and stands along the wall, displaying a variety of wooden weapons for the occupants to use, sturdy and crafted to mimic a real weapon for training. At the meeting between the benches and the array of weapons, was a big display screen, probably set up for information sharing and other purposes. Then at the middle, the flooring was a packed earth to absorb impact with a high ceiling, fixtures of lighting that is arranged nearly to allow clear visibility without glare. The ambience is functional and practical, much to Zhenyel's delight.
After a few minutes of looking around, she took a seat on one of the benches, there weren't many applicants that passed the first phase yet so the seats weren't occupied. Zhenyel and the other applicants waited for a bit more before a different instructor walked in with others trailing behind him, they were all garbed in the same uniform with distinct differences in their badges and such.
"It seems that there aren't many of you here… The second phase will be a [ Combat Test Grounds ], it is a part of adventurers qualification to be able to take up defense and offense, you will naturally face monsters and foes in your journey and missions so the second phase would be a test if you have the minimum required athletic capabilities." The instructor in the middle spoke as his voice was amplified by an item made specifically similar to microphones and speakers.
"I take it that the assistant who led you all here has already explained one of the mechanics, step forward if your number was called, we'll be grouping you evenly." One of the instructors says as she holds out a tablet, calling out the numbers of present applicants and grouping them.
Zhenyel was the last one called, she was grouped with the acting leader of the previous group she worked with in the first phase, Winford Lachlan Veric, their group was to be assessed last. One of the instructors ushered the groups into the bench, calling the very first group to be assessed as they settled in the center of the arena, the applicants being assessed grabbed their chosen weapon by the right side where the racks and stands were lined up.
When it was time for Zhenyel's group to be tested, she went over to the side where the array of wooden weapons was displayed, then she picked up a sword staff.
"Lachlan, I'll leave the strategies and commands to you." Zhenyel said as she went to Winford's side within the group. She rolled her wrist and pointed the wooden sword staff on the ground, with the signal from the assigned instructor, Zhenyel rushed forward with a clean strike.
Winford's eyes analyzed the instructor's possible weaknesses based on Zhenyel's attacks, barking orders to the others to surround the instructor and attack simultaneously, not to let the instructor take even just a moment of respite from their attacks, he watched as Zhenyel seamlessly attacked the instructor with a barrage of swipes and jabs.
At first the instructor was merely defending against Zhenyel and the group, kicking them off and grabbing them effortlessly to throw into the distance. But thanks to their coordination, accompanied by Zhenyel's surprise attacks, amazed by her light footwork and body control.
Winford used the opportunities given by Zhenyel in adding another attack after her stealth swipes, using every ounce of his strength in each attack as he dealt with the initiation and breaking the instructor's footing with his heavy strikes.
Zhenyel noticed that the instructor was trying to switch to offense, using their greatsword to effortlessly partying their attacks, even Winford's and hers. She stumbled backward when the instructor focused on her after they immobilized almost half of the group, the only one remaining was her, Winford, and Jannah.
With collective unsaid decisions Zhenyel faced the instructor while the two assisted her, Winford blocking and defending attacks using his wooden greatsword, Jannah utilizing Winford's defense by attacking from behind using her wooden stick.
Zhenyel was already tired from all the running and evading to which Winford and Jannah noticed, so they took it to themselves to attack while Zhenyel rested at the back and occasionally provided assistance by attacking in the back or on the sides whenever the instructor was distracted.
"Let's pour everything into this last attack!" Winford says as he roughly slid on the floor, using his greatsword to reduce the speed of his movement when he got thrown back by the instructor's heavy swing, grunting in annoyance and disbelief.