Chapter 2 – The Academy Trial
第二章:学院试炼
The sun rose higher, cutting through the morning haze over Linevar.
太阳逐渐升高,穿透了笼罩莱因瓦的清晨薄雾.
Inside a small apartment in the southern district, Ryze opened his eyes.
南区一间简陋公寓里,莱兹睁开了眼睛.
His breath was calm—his cultivation had ended.
他的呼吸平稳——修炼结束了.
He stood, stretched his limbs, and walked out to the kitchen.
他站起身,舒展身体,然后走向厨房.
Felyn was already there, pouring hot broth into two bowls.
菲琳已经在厨房,将热汤倒入两个碗中.
She glanced at him with tired eyes.
她用疲惫的眼神瞥了他一眼.
> "You didn't sleep again last night, right?"
"你昨晚又没睡,对吧?"
Ryze nodded faintly, pulling out a chair.
莱兹微微点头,拉开椅子坐下.
> "I was training."
"我在修炼."
> "You're obsessed."
"你太执着了."
> "Maybe."
"也许吧."
They ate in silence for a while. Then, Felyn asked—more cautious this time:
他们沉默地吃了一会儿.然后,菲琳小心翼翼地开口:
> "About yesterday... you got into a fight again?"
"关于昨天...你又打架了?"
Ryze paused. The spoon in his hand froze mid-air.
莱兹停住了,手中的勺子僵在半空.
> "I'm sorry."
"对不起."
> "Don't apologize. Just stop making me worry."
"别再道歉了.别再让我担心."
Ryze looked down.
莱兹低下头.
> "I'll try. I mean it."
"我会努力改的.真的."
After breakfast, he walked to his desk.
饭后,他走到自己的书桌前.
A metallic card lay there, cool and sleek—
桌上放着一张金属卡,冷冽而光滑——
with the logo of Fortress 17 Military Academy embossed in silver.
上面刻着银色的"第17号要塞军事学院"徽章.
> "Still haven't decided?" Felyn leaned on the doorframe.
"还没决定吗?"菲琳倚在门框上问.
> "No one in town ever passed their tests."
"这个镇上没人通过过他们的测试."
> "That's why I have to try."
"正因为这样,我才必须试."
> "You'll die."
"你会死的."
> "Then I'll die trying."
"那我就拼命试一试."
By the afternoon, he registered for the entrance trial.
下午,他正式报名了入学测试.
1000 students from all over Linevar gathered at the eastern military gate.
来自莱因瓦各地的一千名学生在东部军用大门集合.
They were divided into five units—each with 200 cadets.
他们被分成五组——每组200人.
Their first test: digital combat simulation.
第一项测试:数字战斗模拟.
In a vast, cold hall, they stood before a shimmering metal sphere.
在一座宽阔冰冷的大厅中,他们站在一个闪烁着光的金属球体前.
Master Qiandao observed from the upper deck.
千道大师在上方观察.
He was known for selecting only those with both strength and resilience.
他只选真正拥有实力和韧性的人.
> "Let the trial begin."
"试炼——开始."
The sphere pulsed.
金属球开始脉动.
One by one, students were pulled into the simulation.
学生们一个接一个被吸入模拟空间.
Ryze's turn came.
轮到莱兹了.
Darkness.
黑暗.
Then light.
然后是光.
A new battlefield formed beneath his feet.
一片虚拟战场在他脚下展开.
> [Choose your weapon.]
[请选择你的武器.]
Dozens of weapons floated in front of him—
数十种武器漂浮在他面前——
spears, plasma rifles, kinetic gloves, halberds.
长矛,等离子步枪,动能手套,战戟.
But Ryze reached for a strange dual-edged sword.
但莱兹伸手抓住了一把奇怪的双刃剑.
Each end was sharp.
两端都是锋利的刃口.
The others laughed.
其他人都笑了.
> "A dual-blade? That's insane."
"双刃剑?疯了吧."
> "He won't last a second."
"他连一秒都撑不住."
Ryze didn't answer.
莱兹没有回应.
He simply tightened his grip.
他只是握紧了剑柄.
The monsters came—dozens, then hundreds.
怪物开始涌来——几十只,然后上百只.
The students fought with everything they had.
学生们全力应战.
Some fell. Some ran.
有人倒下,有人逃跑.
But Ryze moved like a shadow.
而莱兹如影随形般移动.
Cutting. Dodging. Surviving.
斩杀,闪避,生存.
He pushed forward alone.
他独自冲锋在前.
Toward the boss.
直奔首领.
A massive beast of iron and flame.
一只由钢铁与火焰构成的巨兽.
In five minutes, 4/5 of his group had been eliminated.
五分钟内,他那组的五分之四已被淘汰.
Only Ryze remained.
只剩下莱兹.
> [Status: Combat Active]
[状态:战斗进行中]
> [Life Points: 12%]
[生命值:12%]
> [Objective: Defeat the boss]
[目标:击败首领]
He wiped the blood from his lip.
他擦去嘴角的血迹.
Tightened his grip again.
再次握紧双刃剑.
And charged.
然后冲了上去.