Under the pitch-black sky, a deadly chase was happening in the forest.
"Ha... hua..."
Heavy breathing echoed through the trees, mixed with the sharp crack of breaking branches. A young man ran through the dark woods with smooth, powerful movements. Even in the darkness, he moved like a wild cat, jumping over fallen logs and weaving between thick tree trunks.
"Why are you chasing me?!" he shouted over his shoulder, his voice cracking with fear and anger. "I never did anything to hurt you!"
His lungs burned as he pushed himself harder. Sweat poured down his face despite the cool night air.
"Do you know who I am? I'm a student at Rock Hall Academy!" he called out, hoping the name would make his hunter think twice.
But the footsteps behind him never slowed down.
Earlier that day, his family had run into serious trouble. A powerful local lord wanted to force his daughter to marry the man's son tomorrow. But tomorrow was the most important day of the young man's life - the day of the academy trials. How could he let some arranged marriage ruin his future? He had refused right away and packed his things to leave for the city that very night.
He never expected an ambush on the forest road.
"You shouldn't have said no!" a cold voice shouted from behind him. More branches snapped as his pursuer crashed through the undergrowth.
The forest felt endless and terrifying in the darkness. Tall trees stretched up into the black sky like giant hands reaching for the stars. Every shadow could hide danger. Every sound made his heart race faster.
"I have to admit, you're more skilled than I expected," the voice called out, closer now. "Too bad you're just a common-born nobody..."
A sad sigh drifted through the night air.
Then came a sharp whistle cutting through the darkness.
Something fast was flying toward him.
Every muscle in his body screamed danger. Ice-cold fear ran down his spine. His eyes blazed with the wild look of a trapped animal fighting for its life.
"No!" he screamed.
In that instant, his right hand burst into bright orange flames. He spun around and pointed at his attacker, sending a ball of fire streaking through the air.
The fireball lit up the forest for just a moment, casting dancing shadows on the trees. Then it fizzled out, leaving them in darkness again.
Sharp pain exploded through his chest. His vision went blurry. His whole body felt like it was on fire, but not the good kind of fire he could control.
"Why...?" he whispered, falling to his knees. The word came out weak and broken.
"Rest in peace, young genius," his killer said, walking closer. "It's nothing personal, but you were becoming a threat to my master's son."
The last thing he heard was boots crunching on dead leaves as his life slipped away.
His body hit the ground with a soft thud. His eyes stayed wide open, staring up at the stars he would never reach.
He was supposed to shine bright like those stars...
That night, many other young people with talent found themselves facing similar troubles. Most were smart enough to back out of the trials when threatened. Death was rare, but not unheard of.
Is it wrong to want to better yourself? Maybe yes, maybe no. But one thing was certain - it was definitely wrong to become a threat to the nobles.
---
Of course, this kind of trouble never reached someone like Zhang Wei.
I wiped my mouth with a clean white cloth napkin - the proper way a nobleman should act. I sipped my wine and listened carefully to the conversations around our dinner table. I didn't really want to hear all this gossip, but I needed information about tomorrow's test so I could prepare properly.
After a while, Viscount Vale shared what he had learned about the trials from his important guest.
"As you should know by now, I spoke with our distinguished visitor from Crimson Academy this morning," the Viscount announced to the table. "His name is Bai Chen, and you will address him as Lord Bai Chen when you meet him. Is that clear?"
He paused and looked around the table. His wife nodded, and he seemed satisfied with our response.
"Tomorrow's test will have two parts," he continued. "First will be a... The second part will be a combat trial to see your actual fighting skills."
The Viscount kept talking, but my mind had already started planning. I had captured the key details I needed to know.
When dinner ended, everyone stood up from the table.
"My son," my mother Mira said softly, placing her gentle hand on my head. "I put what you asked for in your bedroom. I hope it helps you."
Earlier, I had asked her to get me some low and medium-grade magic crystals. I told her they would help me improve a little before tomorrow's trials. She seemed confused about what one day of training could accomplish - after all, magic crystals aren't like potions you just drink. You have to carefully absorb their energy into your body and learn to control the magic power inside them. But she got them for me anyway.
"Thanks, mother," I said with a real smile that reached my eyes.
"Now go get some rest," she said, lowering her hand. "Tomorrow will be a long day."
She moved with graceful, quiet steps toward the right hallway, where family paintings hung on both walls.
I finished the last sip of my drink and headed to my room, my mind already focused on the challenges waiting for me tomorrow.