The battlefield was quiet.
The last sparks of magic and steel faded into the breeze, leaving only wind and the smell of burnt grass.
Kagetsu stood in the center of the clearing, looking around at the defeated monsters.
He blinked. Once. Then again.
"…That wasn't even hard," he said, glancing over his shoulder.
Kaguro yawned, stretching like he'd just woken up from a nap. His white cloak fluttered behind him in the wind.
"They were just weak," he said calmly, like it was no big deal.
The sun was setting, casting orange light through the trees. Everything felt still now—quiet and heavy after the fight.
Kagetsu wiped sweat from his face and looked at the others.
"We should make camp before something worse shows up."
A bit later…
The group found a good spot to set up. It was at the base of a hill, surrounded by trees that felt almost protective. They built a fire, set up tents, and took turns hunting nearby monsters for food and points.
Ezren screamed once during his turn, which everyone agreed was pretty good for him.
By the time the stars came out, they had enough to eat and rest.
That night
The fire crackled in the middle of camp, casting warm light on their tired faces. Shadows danced across the trees around them.
Ezren sat cross-legged, wrapped in his cloak, sipping from a beat-up canteen like it was the last drink on earth.
"So, uh… how many crystals did you find, Kaguro?"
Kaguro was lying across a fallen log like it was the comfiest thing in the world, lazily chewing on a roasted root.
"Just two," he said.
Ezren nearly choked. "Just two?!"
Kagetsu raised an eyebrow. "Wait, are you secretly royalty or something? Because this is getting weird."
Kaguro smiled smugly and leaned on one hand.
"But of course. Didn't my amazing fighting skills give it away? I'm from House Lioran, descended from Eralis the Sky-Singer."
The fire popped loudly.
Ezren stared. "W-Wait. The Eralis? The one who wrote the sky-song spell? That Eralis?!"
Kaguro tapped the side of his nose. "Yup. My great-great-something-grandmother. Very famous. Also, Enjin's my cousin."
Kagetsu groaned. "Seriously? I thought you were just a smug guy with fast reflexes. Now I have to deal with royal drama too?"
Enjin, leaning against a tree with his eyes closed, sighed.
"He's still smug. The noble blood just makes him worse."
Kaguro leaned back, hands behind his head.
"Don't be mad just because your family tree is a shrub. I can feel the peasant energy coming off you."
Ezren groaned. "I share a tent with this guy…"
They laughed, tired, sore, but alive. The kind of laughter that only comes after making it through something tough together. For a moment, it didn't feel like a dangerous competition. Just friends around a campfire.
The fire slowly burned lower.
Enjin took the first watch.
Ezren was already asleep under his blanket, mumbling something about portals and chickens.
Kagetsu sat quietly, looking up at the stars.
"Kaguro," he said softly.
"Yeah?"
"…Do you really think we can pass this?"
Kaguro was quiet for a second. Then, with a softer voice than usual:
"…Yeah. I think we've got a real chance."
The Final Morning
The sun slowly rose, painting the forest with soft gold and purple light. High up in the trees, birds chirped carefully, like they were asking if it was safe to sing again.
Kagetsu was the first to wake up. His breath showed in the cold morning air, like little puffs of smoke.
Soon, the others started to wake too, tired, sore, but ready.
Ezren sat up with messy hair sticking out everywhere.
"Ugh… why does my whole body hurt?" he groaned.
Kaguro did a cartwheel for no reason and smiled.
"Because you're fragile. Like a little butterfly."
Ezren flopped back down. "Rude."
Kagetsu stood and stretched.
"Let's finish this. It's the last day of the trial."
Enjin cracked his knuckles and looked ahead, focused.
"Stay alert. The final day won't be easy."