For the next few days, the students diligently trained under Ms. Rose's watchful eye, practising mana circulation on the enchanted training dolls. Each day brought steady progress. Though some struggled in the beginning, by the end of a few days, all of them could circulate mana efficiently through their bodies. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and excitement.
One evening, as the group sat around the fading campfire, Ms. Rose made an announcement with a faint but proud smile.
"Tomorrow," she said, her voice calm but commanding, "you'll all face a test. It will determine how far you've come. After that, we'll proceed to the final phase of your training."
The students exchanged nervous glances, their gazes flickering between hope and doubt. For some, it was just another hurdle; for others, it meant everything.
The Next Day
The results were posted by mid-afternoon.
First: Elenor.
Second: Tavin.
Third: Serena.
A hush fell across the camp as students read the rankings.
Elias scoffed loudly, crossing his arms and stepping closer to Elenor and Tavin. His eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Hmph. I knew those two would be at the bottom," he said, gesturing toward Ronan and Orin without even looking at them. "Elenor, Tavin, you two should really reconsider the company you keep. Associating with the weak will only drag you down."
Tavin's eyes sharpened, but he said nothing. Elenor, however, stepped forward, her gaze firm.
"Strength isn't just measured in rank," she said coldly. "And unlike you, I value loyalty over arrogance."
Elias snorted but didn't argue. Deep down, he was frustrated. Why was Ronan, someone with only a single element—Fire—and low mana, treated the same as nobles like him? Even worse, Orin—his own relative—stood beside Ronan as if they were equals. Family disputes made things personal, and Elias never missed a chance to push Orin down.
Ms. Rose broke the tension with her steady voice. "Enough. Rest now. Tomorrow morning, Mr. Alaric will take you to the final stage of training. And in the evening, Sir Arnold will arrive to give out rewards. I'll visit your camp later tonight."
That Evening
Under the starry sky, the group gathered around the campfire for a well-earned celebration. Elenor, Selyra, Kellan, Tavin, Andera, and the others chatted and laughed as they cooked a hotpot and roasted meat. The rich aroma of spices and grilled food filled the air.
Ronan and Orin sat side by side, playfully arguing over who got the bigger piece of meat. Even Elias, though distant, sat with his usual smug look, chewing in silence.
Ms. Rose and Mr. Alaric arrived with baskets of fresh vegetables and marinated meat. As the others began walking, Ronan lingered behind, eyes drawn upward. The group ended the night enjoying the food and camaraderie.
The next morning arrived, shrouded in mist and silence.
Mr. Alaric stood at the front of the group, his arms crossed, his expression unreadable as usual. The students—Ronan, Orin, Elenor, Tavin, Elias, Oliver, Andera, Amelia, Eldrin, Kellan, and Selyra—waited in anticipation. A subtle tension hung in the air, heavier than the fog surrounding them. The Corrupted Mana zone loomed ahead, its oppressive presence quietly humming in the distance.
"Today," Alaric began, his voice steady and calm, "you will learn a crucial skill—purifying corrupted mana."
He led them deeper into the terrain. The corrupted mana zone wasn't overwhelmingly dangerous, but even its diluted presence made the air feel thick and unsettling. The mist had a faint grey tinge.
They arrived at a large circular training area enclosed by stone pillars, each etched with ancient runes glowing faintly with protective energy. Alaric turned to face them.
"This zone contains low levels of corrupted mana," he explained. "It won't harm you immediately, but over time, it'll gnaw at your body and mind. Your task is simple in principle—but far from easy in practice." He raised a hand and pointed at his chest.
"Step one: Calm your mana core. Breathe slowly. You must maintain a steady, balanced mana flow through your channels." The group nodded.
"Step two: Recognise the Corrupted Mana. It'll feel heavier, jagged—out of place." He took a step forward, walking slowly among the students.
"Step three: Wrap your own mana around the corrupted mana. Visualise it. Don't reject it—embrace it. Like a tide pulling in a drifting leaf. Surround it fully."
Alaric stopped and looked directly at Ronan.
"Step four: Infuse your intention. Your will to cleanse. Your mana must overpower the corrupted energy, replacing its signature with your own. This is purification. The stronger your will, the smoother the process."
Orin folded his arms. "So this is the low Corrupted Mana zone? Doesn't feel that bad." Ronan, eyes narrowed, scanned the mist. "Still… those gray smokes… I can barely see anything."
Each student chose a spot and sat cross-legged, trying to centre themselves. The oppressive air made it difficult to concentrate. Still, they closed their eyes and began.
Ronan thinks, "Okay, this is something new. It feels like my emotions are enhanced by the corruption mana, especially negative emotions." In Ronan's mind, the world melted away. He entered his inner world.
Time mirrored reality here. The skies above him matched the cloudy grey above his physical form. The air here felt cool but soothing. In the distance, a massive tree with flowing branches stood atop a cliff. Beneath it, three clones of Ronan sat in meditation, reflections of his thoughts, emotions, and instincts. Back in reality, the training continued.
Days passed, each one filled with incremental progress. They were only allowed to stay in the Corrupted Mana zone for a few hours daily. Everyone struggled except Tavin.
Tavin, having completed the Water God's Trial, had received the Water God's Blessing. His mana naturally rejected corruption, and he could remain in the mist without harm. The others admired him—but it was a quiet, unspoken admiration laced with determination. They wanted to reach that level.
Orin cracked jokes to lighten the mood, while Amelia guided Elenor and Andera in finding the Corrupted Mana's presence. Elias and Oliver often sparred afterwards to shake off the mental fog. Selyra and Kellan would meditate in silence, focused and determined. Each of them grew bit by bit.
After nearly thirty days, all of them could stay inside the corrupted zone for up to seven hours without sustaining injuries. One quiet afternoon, just as the mist began to part slightly under the amber sky, Mr. Arnold arrived. His face was stern, yet his eyes held a flicker of pride.
"You've all come far," he said, his voice carrying a weight that silenced even Orin. "You are now ready for the final test. If you pass, you'll be ready to venture deeper into the Corrupted Mana zones." A hush fell over the group.
"But be warned," Mr. Arnold continued. "The deeper zones are far more dangerous than they appear. Corrupted Mana twists not just your body but your mind. Even now, you've only tasted the edge of its influence. You must always be prepared. Never let your guard down." His tone shifted from caution to command.
"From tomorrow, the final test will begin. As you know, Corrupted Mana affects the mind most of all. This test will challenge that."
Ronan groaned, rubbing his forehead. "Yet another illusion? Seriously? I hate those tests." Mr. Arnold raised a brow, a small smirk forming. "I'd be surprised if anyone liked them. But they reveal more about you than any duel."
His face hardened again. "In the final trial, each of you will face either your deepest desire, your greatest fear, or your most powerful emotion. It might break you… Or it might awaken something within. But to pass, you must overcome it. No one can do it for you."
The group absorbed his words in silence. Fear. Hope. Determination. It all mixed in their expressions. Mr. Alaric finally stepped forward again. "Take the rest of the day to rest. Eat. Meditate. Prepare. I will take you to the test ground tomorrow."
The students dispersed slowly, most lost in thought. Ronan stayed behind for a moment, staring into the mist, then whispered, "One more illusion… one more challenge. No matter what I see, I'll get through it. With my Flame. With myself."