The next morning, all the groups departed from the town in order to head to the dungeon. The instructors and trainees would work in the same group, so those guys were with Raiden again.

Over the weeks, Raiden learned that they were between twelve and thirteen years old, so they would be taking a test that they would usually take only a few years ahead. As one would expect, they weren’t that confident about it.

"It will take a while before we reach the dungeon and nothing says that we will be one of the firsts to enter, so getting tense now will only make you guys do a poor job when the time comes," Raiden said.

The trainees knew Raiden was right; they understood the importance of staying calm and trusting in their skills. But even with that knowledge, they couldn’t help but worry. The uncertainty of what lay ahead, combined with the pressure of taking the test years earlier than expected, weighed heavily on them. Their anxiety was palpable, and despite Raiden’s attempt to ease their minds, the fear of failure lingered.

Raiden could sense their unease, and while he felt he should offer more reassuring words, the thought of doing so was both annoying and difficult for him. He wasn’t the type to sugarcoat things or offer false comfort, and finding the right words in situations like this always felt like a chore. It wasn’t in his nature to play the role of a comforting guide, but he couldn’t just leave them to stew in their anxiety either.

"Relax, instead of a test for you guys, this is more of a test for us," Raiden said. "If you guys failed, you guys can always use the age excuse."

Raiden wanted to add that it would reflect poorly on the instructors, but they didn’t need that more pressure. They wouldn’t fail, Raiden wouldn’t allow that. First of all, he wouldn’t get a bad reputation because some morons changed the plans in the training schedule.

Second of all, he was going there as well with the goal of doing research, so he would need to study as many trolls as possible, and it didn’t matter how much time that took.

In the end, the group reached the dungeon just before sunset. The entrance was ahead, a dark, ominous gap in the rocky hillside. As they approached, Raiden noticed that the area was guarded by a small contingent of elves and dwarves. These seasoned warriors were stationed there to ensure that no monsters escaped the dungeon, maintaining the delicate balance between safety and the challenges that adventurers wanted.

Raiden knew that monsters escaping the dungeon was a rare occurrence, typically happening only when the population of trolls inside grew too large to be contained. However, this dungeon was also a popular training ground for those looking to hone their skills. Regular expeditions were organized not just to train the fighters, but also to keep the troll population in check, preventing any potential outbreaks.

The guards watched the arriving groups with practiced vigilance, their presence a reassuring sign that the dungeon was being carefully monitored. The trainees, despite their lingering nerves, couldn’t help but feel a mix of awe and apprehension as they passed by the stern-faced sentinels. This was the real deal, a place where their training would be put to the test, and the dangers they faced would be very real.

Raiden observed the trainees as they took in the sight, their earlier worries resurfacing as they contemplated what was inside. He knew this was an important moment for them, where they would have to overcome their fears and prove themselves. The dungeon awaited, dark and foreboding, but also full of opportunities for growth and learning. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"We will rest for the day and then we will decide by lottery the groups that will go first," Iri declared. "We have one month to do this, so there is no need to worry, some groups might even have the chance to attempt a few times, so don’t worry and just plan things together."

We are back to unpack our things... I was traveling light, so there wasn’t much to unpack for me. Since Iri would be with her group and she was at the center of the camp, I was a bit worried about not being able to watch for her, but she wouldn’t do anything foolish now and she wouldn’t drop her guard either.

As soon as I was done, I began to meditate and did some basic training. When I was done with that as well, I saw the others around biting her nails and fidgeting... at that point in time, I truly wanted to slap them.

In the end, I decided to keep ignoring them and resume my training after dinner. There were a lot of people around who looked nervous too, but soon they began to train instead of doing nothing and let their anxiety bother them.

It was for the best that the others chose to train rather than dwell in their anxiety. Physical activity would help them ease their tension and, in turn, sleep better. A good night’s rest would leave them more relaxed and prepared to perform better when their turn came. By focusing on training, they were channeling their nervous energy into something productive, which was a far healthier approach than letting their stress overwhelm them.

However, not everyone saw it that way. Later, when Iri found out that so many people had started training despite her instructions to rest, she was not pleased. She approached me with a stern look, clearly frustrated. They needed to relax and prepare mentally for tomorrow, not tire themselves out. I was scolded by my lax older sister for the first time.

Iri’s concern was valid; maintaining the balance between rest and activity was crucial. I understood her frustration but felt that the trainees needed to channel their anxiety in some way. Despite her scolding, I hoped that their increased activity would ultimately serve them well, even if it meant adjusting her initial plan.