“Talk about an entrance,” Marcus sidled up to Kor. His voice, usually light, sliced through the awed silence that blanketed the field.

  Kor nodded, his gaze unwavering, fixed on the First Magus. The man stood amidst a knot of professors, their heads inclined in a display of deference as they engaged in fervent debate. Only a few, like Master Terrak, held back, his grin growing wider, a predatory gleam in his eyes,

  Kor extended his mana sense towards the First Magus, a subtle probe, attempting to gauge the depths of his power. Each attempt was met with an impenetrable wall, like trying to grasp smoke. It was as if the First Magus’s very presence held the flows of mana in abeyance, a still point in a swirling storm, an unreadable enigma.

  “What planet is he from?” Kor asked, his voice tinged with awe.

  “Nethara.” Kelleth stepped closer, his usual disdain momentarily replaced by a flicker of something akin to respect.

  Nethara. The name resonated with Kor, confirming his suspicions. So similar to Lena’s, but filled with barely contained energy. The buzz of conversation, which had died down during the First Magus’s dramatic entrance, slowly picked back up. Students whispered to each other, their voices a mix of excitement and apprehension. The initial shock was fading, replaced by a nervous energy that crackled in the air.

  “So they’re the most powerful of the seven?”

  Kelleth snorted. “Don’t be stupid. Nethara ranks as one of the weaker planets in terms of magical talent. Ahead of Lexica for sure, but the potency of their magical legacy leaves much to be desired.”

  “How do you even get to become First Magus, anyway?” Kor asked.

  Marcus leaned back, his easy smile never faltering, but his eyes hardened. “Power. You don’t get to the top by playing nice.”

  Willem and the missing members of their group gathered close. They watched as the professors’ voices rose in a crescendo of protest and disbelief, a chorus of dissent that echoed across the field. The First Magus, seemingly unfazed, gestured over his shoulder towards the gathered students, his hand cutting through the air with an almost dismissive finality, silencing the cacophony with the ease of a conductor quieting an orchestra.

  “What do you think is going on?” Beth’s voice was a little higher than usual. At her feet, her pet fox shifted restlessly.

  None of them responded as the First Magus turned back to them all. The air tightened slightly, as if the very atmosphere held its breath. His voice, transmitted across the entire field, was clear and resonant, each syllable imbued with an undercurrent of power.

  “Students!” The very utterance stilled even the professors as stillness stole across the field.

  “This year, more talented individuals have attended the academy than at any time in living memory.” His voice was a smooth, practised instrument.

  “In celebration of this, today I am making some changes to the usual expedition. The first is that this will be a single-elimination, free-for-all.”

  Clamour broke out among them. A cacophony of gasps, shouts, and nervous laughter erupted, a wave of sound that washed over the field. Kor shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. It seemed as if Talen had been right again.

  “What does that even mean?” Beth asked, her eyes wide. “Single elimination? Free-for-all?”

  The First Magus’s voice, like a peal of thunder, cut through the din, silencing the crowd once more. “A few miles west of Conflux City lies Therastin Forest. Home to the eponymous creatures, who even now guard their latest clutch of eggs.” He paused, letting the image sink in – the name ‘Therastin’ conjuring images of scorpion like creatures, bristling with chitinous limbs and razor-sharp claws.

  “Your mission is simple: find and retrieve the object with the highest mana density.”

  The field buzzed with low murmurs as Kor glanced at his group. The air seemed to shift, a faint tension settling over the students. Marcus’s gaze was sharp, distant, as if already piecing together strategies no one else could see. Kor’s fingers twitched at his sides, his breath quickening just enough to notice. Around him, the others exchanged quick, sidelong glances, their movements stiff, their voices dropping to whispers.

  The First Magus’s voice picked up again. “However, that alone would be too simple a test for such gifted youngsters. Not only will you have to contend with the Therastins and your fellow students. But also the Karex.”

  He’d come prepared for any number of creatures that surrounded the city. Most well documented, their abilities and appearances plastered throughout the textbooks, but he’d never heard of a Karex.

  The Therastins were among the most dangerous monsters he’d been expecting. Strange, scorpion-like beasts that varied massively in size, starting as large as hunting dogs and growing with each feast of mana until the patriarchs swelled to the size of merchant wagons. Supposedly, they never stopped growing, sustained by the rich supply of energy deep in the forest. While he’d handled lesser threats like pellet owls and even defeated a Borix with Talen, the mere utterance of this creature’s name had sent a shockwave through the gathered crowd.

  He glanced over at his companions, their faces pale and drawn. Even Kelleth and his brother were at a loss for words, their mouths hanging slightly agape, their eyes wide.

  “The Karex are the real challenge this year. Defeat one and you’ll be awarded 100 credits. There are three in total, but don’t take them lightly. Even if you are eliminated after defeating it, your credits will stand.” The First Magus’s voice took on a slightly harder edge, a hint of challenge in his tone.

  “There are no rules for this contest, only that you avoid killing each other. Activation of your student barrier will signify your disqualification, so think carefully before taking on challenges beyond your ability.”

  “I’ll leave the rest of the explanations to Professor Oak,” he gestured towards Oak with a flourish, a faint smile playing on his lips. Without another word, he rose into the air, black robes billowing around him like a shroud.

  “See you all at Therastin Forest!” His voice echoed across the field one last time, a mixture of challenge and promise, before he shot off back towards the Nexus, a black streak against the vibrant sky.

  The moment the First Magus departed, chaos erupted. Professors and students alike broke out into a cacophony of arguments, their voices a tangled mess of protests and disagreements, the word ‘Karex’ repeated countless times.

  “What’s so special about a Karex?” Kor asked, his voice tight.

  It was Willem who spoke up, his voice measured and patient, a stark contrast to the surrounding pandemonium.

  “They are apex predators, Kor. On my homeworld, we have long experimented with breeding various types of creatures, selecting for desirable traits, even weaving enchantments into the very fabric of our creations.”

  He drew a long breath, his usual precise movements halting. His deep-set eyes fixed on a point far beyond the confines of the barrier. “The Karex are… special. Each one is different to the last, chimeral and unique among creatures. No two share much in common, save for their prodigious magical strength.”

  “Just how strong are we talking?” Kor’s own voice felt thin and reedy. The hairs on his arms stood on end, a chill settling deep in his chest.

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  “The strongest would likely defeat our professors, but even the weakest... they are not foes for first years.”

  Kelleth said, “If the rest of you find one, just run. They’re simply too strong.” His voice was surprisingly earnest, devoid of his usual sarcasm, a note of genuine concern ringing through.

  But, 100 points! Kor thought, his mind racing. Even if I gathered no eggs, that alone would be halfway out of the bind Velleth has put me in...

  “We should follow Kelleth’s advice,” Marcus said, his voice cutting through the murmurs. Around them, heads bobbed in agreement, tension easing from tight shoulders as their group found common ground.

  Marcus’s gaze slid to Kor, and his eyebrows lifted. The surprise in his expression melted into a genuine smile as he stepped closer. Kor had to tilt his head back slightly—even after all these months, he wasn’t used to how Marcus towered over most of them. His friend’s arm draped across his shoulders, and Marcus leaned down, voice dropping conspiratorially.

  “Are you sure about this, Kor? With your current credit situation, can you afford to take such a chance?”

  Kor matched Marcus’s grin with one of his own. “I won’t be doing anything stupid Marcus, but if the opportunity presents itself...” The payoff was simply too tempting to ignore. Perhaps if I can watch it fight another student first, I’ll have a better idea of its capabilities.

  “Hah!” Marcus’s face lit up, his smile stretching wider. “I was right to have faith in you, Kor. You’ve come a long way since we first arrived. No spellcasting knowledge to your name, and now look at you.”

  Marcus shook his head in disbelief. “We’ll have to see which one of us can manage it then, won’t we?”

  Stepping back, he released his grip on Kor’s shoulders and raised his voice to address the group. “Even if we’re divided, there’s nothing to stop us working together if we find each other.”

  A chorus of agreement met that proclamation. He turned his head as Teneth approached, his usual sneer replaced by an uncharacteristic seriousness.

  “We haven’t always got along, Kor.” Teneth’s jaw flexed as he spoke, a muscle twitching near his temple. He extended his arm, his storm-grey eyes fixed on Kor with an unsettlingly blank expression. “But let’s put our differences behind us. What do you say?”

  Stunned, Kor grasped Teneth’s forearm. The contact was jarring. A sudden chill, like touching polished steel, shot through Kor’s hand. A faint tingle, almost too subtle to notice, followed a fleeting impression of something sharp and metallic. It vanished as quickly as it came.

  Teneth’s grin widened as he released Kor’s arm. What was that? Kor flexed his fingers, shooting Teneth a glare.

  Professor Oak’s voice rang out next, sharp and commanding, quieting the field, his stern gaze sweeping over the students like a searchlight.

  “The First Magus omitted a few details, so before any of you start to get ideas, let me lay it out.” His voice was hard, brooking no argument.

  “We will be monitoring the entire event. Professors will track the Karex carefully to ensure that if they break through your barriers, we can extricate you safely.” He paused, letting his words sink in.

  “This isn’t a complete guarantee. They are dangerous creatures. If you want to avoid risk, I suggest you forfeit now or stick to the edges of the forest.” A collective shiver seemed to run through the crowd.

  “Your badges are going to be monitored by the field array we’re taking with us,” he gestured over a metal contraption the size of a table behind him, its surface covered in a dizzying array of dials, wires, and glowing crystals.

  “Any badge activations will be registered, and a professor will head to your position to remove you. Once eliminated, you are to cease fighting. Contravening the rules will result in a penalty...”

  The rules continued on for a while, each one adding to the growing sense of apprehension. Each student would receive a tuning fork to help them locate targets. Supposedly, the magical devices resonated with high concentrations of mana, but released a distinct wave of energy upon use. The contest would last eight hours, no personal items allowed. Each of them was assigned to a different professor who would guide them to the edge of the forest where they were to wait for the start signal.

  The ban on personal items meant his artificing project was a non-starter. Maybe that was for the best. He couldn’t shake the image of the wealthier students, their families’ influence buying them an unfair advantage. He pictured a princess, showered with gifts, wielding artifacts of incredible power. The thought sent a shiver down his spine. It wouldn’t be a fair competition.

  Kor and several students he’d never met before followed behind a stern-faced woman, her greying hair pulled back in a tight bun. They headed west out of campus, passing through the golden barrier that protected Conflux City, the swell of students chattering nervously as they followed behind.

  His mind raced, a whirlwind of strategies. That tuning fork is key. The forest was large, about ten square miles. Big enough to get lost in, even with a hundred other students out there. He frowned, his teeth worrying his lower lip. Other students could probably sense the fork’s activation. Even the creatures might be drawn to it. This is more than just grabbing the biggest egg. I need a plan. Every move has to count.

  Most would likely head for the centre of the forest. The toughest Therastins would be there, drawn by the higher mana concentration. But the Karex... where would they be? What were their hunting patterns? Could he even sense them?

  Okay, gotta play this smart. He glanced around, quickly estimating distances. Roughly a hundred students spread out around the edge of a large forest... they’d each have a decent amount of space. Approximately a couple hundred yards, if his quick maths checked out. It seemed unlikely that fights would break out initially—unless they were Solarian and Mystrian. There’d be no point without something to gain.

  With the trees reducing visibility, using his mana sense to detect threats would be vital. Terra’s tutelage had really paid off in that category; few other students would be able to match him for detection range.

  The most important thing to start with is learning how the tuning fork works. After that, I can adapt. Not everyone here is going to be ambitious, and there’s no point fighting over lesser prizes. Heading deep into the forest is necessary, but I’ll need to be patient. If other people take the lead, they can be the first to discover any other surprises the First Magus might have cooked up.

  He continued to march along behind the other students, his thoughts drifting back to his encounter with Teneth. Just what had the boy done to him? He frowned, turning his hand over, palm up, then palm down. He couldn’t feel any lingering effects from the contact. No sense of foreign mana inside his body. Was Teneth just messing with him?

  The three-hour trek to the forest’s edge had stretched his nerves taut. He’d glimpsed a few professors ferrying students through the air—a sensible move considering the vastness of the testing grounds. Now, as he stood waiting for the contest to begin, a knot of anticipation tightening in his stomach, his gaze snagged on the dark line of trees.

  It was a tapestry of towering pines, their needles a mosaic of deep greens and browns. Sunlight dappled through the canopy, casting shifting patterns on the forest floor that beckoned him forward. Though fairly sparse at the edges, the trees grew denser further in, their branches intertwining to form a shadowy labyrinth. Even from this distance, he could feel it—the forest pulsed with a unique, almost primal energy, a stark contrast to the manicured grounds of the Academy.

  Something pulsed in the distance. Kor’s breath hitched. A thrill, sharp and electric, ran through him, intensifying as a low hum resonated through the air. Out of the corner of his eye, he registered the distant shapes of his closest competitors, but the growing vibration stole his attention. Then, the world exploded in green. A wave of light washed over him, momentarily blinding him. The test had begun.

  His heart pounded in his chest, a drumbeat of excitement and apprehension. He took a deep breath, leaning into the adrenaline pumping through his body. With one last glance up at a distant professor watching from high above the woods, Kor jogged into the sparse treeline. The soft earth yielded beneath his feet, the scent of pine needles growing stronger, welcoming him into the embrace of the ancient woods.

  He pulled the tuning fork from his pocket, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his hand. With a gentle tap of his mana, the device rang out, a wave of mana pulsing outward. The fork twinged for a moment, but failed to locate anything.

  Trying one more time with a much larger surge of mana, the tuning fork vibrated with a profound deepness that shook his body to the core. His vision blurred, a wave of energy passing through every object with the speed of sound. Countless tiny vibrations played out across the fork, pulling it this way and that. The clear resonance produced moments later snapped his hand off at a diagonal.

  His body practically echoed with the distant source of power that rang through his body. How far? Perhaps a few hundred yards.

  His teeth still rattled, the mana inside his body still resounding painfully. He wasn’t about to repeat that with so much strength. Shaking off the sensation, he pressed onward, grateful for every lap he’d endured with Talen. He would not be setting any speed records, but he could at least move quickly when the moment called for it.

  The fork’s resonance had already fallen away. Pocketing the small metal device, he conjured his fractal barrier as he rushed through the woods. With all his practice over the past month, his developing control enabled a more efficient usage. Instead of being fully powered at all times, he could maintain a light shielding for indefinite periods of time. The downside, that it was much weaker, but with a moment’s thought he could reinforce it.

  To power my barrier quickly is expensive, but that should only be in emergencies. The true efficiency and power of my technique comes with time to build up the recursion. With time to prepare, I’d wager my defences against any student’s offence.

  Another pulse of mana washed over him, originating from his right. Right, so these tuning forks give our position away easily. I’ll have to hold off using it until necessary.