I formed a tight circle with my team, our small group an island of focused purpose in a sea of chaotic despair. The others in the hall were scattered, whispering, scheming, pretending they had control. But control didn't come from huddling together; it came from knowledge, and I was about to systematically plunder it from the only source available.
"Listen carefully," I said, my voice low and steady, my eyes scanning their faces one by one. "This phase is crucial and we will not waste it on foolish hopes or pointless questions. I have prepared a list. You will ask the Goddess exactly what I tell you. Focus, listen, and remember every single word of her answer."
I turned first to Erica, whose shy nervousness was a useful tool. She would not deviate from the script.
"You'll go first," I commanded. "Ask her about the forest—specifically, its zones. Where do the weak monsters appear, and where do the strong ones live?"
Erica nodded silently, her eyes wide.
Next, I looked at Masha. Her composure and intelligence were assets. "You will ask her about the best way to grow stronger. Not a vague concept like 'training,' but a practical, mechanical process."
Jin stood tall beside me, his posture radiating a quiet discipline. "You're next. Ask about hidden artifacts or powerful items located within this forest."
Finally, Edgar adjusted his glasses, his analytical mind perfect for the last, most critical question. "Your question is simple but important. Ask the Goddess what the final challenge is—the last obstacle we must face to escape this place."
I paused, letting the weight of their tasks settle upon them.
"That's all for now. The rest of you, wait. Once these four return with their answers, we will proceed. Now go."
They walked off toward the divine, glowing chamber. The rest of us waited, the tension in the air as thick as mud.
Erica returned first, her face pale but her eyes shining with a strange new light.
"I asked what you told me," she said, her voice soft but sure. "She explained the forest layout. The monsters are ranked, from E to S. As we travel deeper, we'll face stronger ranks—E first, then D, and so on. But," she took a deep breath, "some areas are abnormally dangerous. She said certain zones house monsters that surpass even ten S-rank threats combined. I memorized the coordinates so we can avoid them."
I nodded, impressed. "Excellent. We've just gained a map to our own survival. Now… what about your skill?"
She blinked, then a smile of nervous excitement touched her lips. "I got Pyrokinesis."
My eyes widened. "Give me the description."
"I can manipulate and conjure fire," she said, a small, controlled flame flickering to life in her palm, making her gasp. "For both offense and defense."
A genuine grin tugged at my lips. "That's monstrous. No, inhumane. You've just become the single most valuable offensive asset in this group. Don't hold back when the time comes, Erica. What awaits us… is beyond horrifying."
Before she could reply, Masha stepped into our circle, her expression grim.
"Your turn," I said.
She folded her arms. "To grow stronger, we must hunt. Kill monsters... or even humans. Their bodies release a cloud of mana upon death. If we focus, we can absorb that mana directly into our own cores. It makes us stronger." She repeated the words exactly as she had heard them, the dark implication hanging in the air between us.
I nodded slowly. The first rule of this new world: progress is paved with corpses. "That's enough. Now, your skill?"
"Cryomancy." A delicate, intricate frost pattern spread from her fingertips onto a nearby leaf. "I can harness the power of ice—to freeze enemies or shape the terrain."
'Fire and ice,' I thought. 'The two most fundamental and destructive elements. We're stacking our elemental supremacy already.'
"Incredible," I told her. "Just like Erica, you are a pillar of our survival."
Jin came in next, holding a newly acquired, unadorned but perfectly balanced longsword.
"I asked what you said," he began. "She gave me coordinates for hidden artifacts and items scattered across the forest. I couldn't memorize all of them, so I asked her to help make a map." He handed me a piece of cured leather, upon which glowing, ethereal lines were now etched, forming a detailed map of our immediate surroundings, complete with cryptic, shining runes.
"You did well," I said, my eyes skimming over the ancient symbols. "And that sword? I assume your skill is weapon-based?"
He nodded. "Swordsmanship. I've gained an innate mastery over blades, with enhanced combat techniques."
Finally, Edgar returned, his shoulders slumped, his expression one of profound disappointment.
"She said the final trial… is a Bone Dragon," he reported glumly. "A colossal monster. She said not even a large group can kill it easily. Not alone."
I inhaled sharply. "I had a feeling it would be something like that. Good work. Now, what about your skill?"
He shrugged, looking at the floor. "It's Appraisal. Pretty lame, I know. I'll train harder with a weapon to make up for it."
I stared at him. Then I laughed—not mockingly, but in genuine, delighted surprise.
"You think that's lame? Tell me the description. Word for word."
"It reveals detailed information about a target," he mumbled, confused by my reaction. "Health, stats, current condition, a full skill list. Just by focusing and saying 'Appraisal,' I can scan anyone or anything."
"And you called it useless?" I shook my head, my mind racing with the possibilities. "Edgar, you have just been given the single most powerful tool we could have possibly asked for."
His brows furrowed, still not understanding.
Only I understood what we had now: real-time, perfect intelligence. The ability to know our enemy's every strength and weakness before the first blow was even struck. It was a key that could unlock any battle. And I was about to put it to use.
"Scan the hall," I ordered, my voice a low, urgent whisper. "Check what powers the others got. Don't be obvious. Just feed me the keywords of the most dangerous-sounding ones."
He nodded, a dawning understanding in his eyes, and he melted back into the chaotic crowd. A few minutes later, he returned, his face pale.
"Got a bunch of them," he reported quietly. "Some highlights:"
"Electrokinesis – Wields electricity to shock, paralyze, or boost movement speed."
"Terrashaping – Shapes earth, stone, and metal for defense or attack."
"Umbrakinesis – Manipulates shadows to strike, hide, or bind."
"Sanctification – Channels divine light to heal, purify, or destroy evil."
"Maleficium – Forbidden magic: curses and destructive dark spells."
"Phantasms – Creates illusions to deceive or obscure."
"Toximancy – Uses poison and venom to weaken or kill."
"Graviton – Bends gravity to manipulate enemies or movement."
"Wardcraft – Casts protective barriers or sealing magic."
"Soulbind – Links souls to share fate, power, or pain."
"Warpstep – Instant short-range teleportation."
He paused, taking a shaky breath.
"There's one more you'll want to hear."
I tilted my head. "Go on."
"Mimicry – Copies and temporarily uses any skill seen or experienced."
A chill, as cold and sharp as Masha's ice, ran down my spine.
That was the wildcard. The game-breaker.
Someone in this group of ninety frightened, desperate students had the potential to copy Erica's inhuman firepower, Masha's battlefield control, my own dark gift... and use it against us.
My eyes scanned the crowd, no longer seeing them as a herd of panicked sheep, but as a forest of hidden threats. 'Whoever has that skill,' I thought, my hand unconsciously resting on the hilt of a knife I didn't yet possess, 'is either our greatest potential ally—or our deadliest possible threat.'