When morning came, Iri and her group began to work on a box for the lottery and she told all the instructors to put their names on a piece of paper and put it on the box.

The tension around the camp was sky-high thanks to it, eventually, the first team was selected and everyone else sighed in relief since it wasn’t their turn yet. Raiden shrugged since they didn’t realize that it would only make them have more time to feel the anxiety.

Raiden found a quiet spot in the camp and sat down to meditate, his mind storming with thoughts about the challenges. He focused on the trolls, the creatures they would soon face, recalling everything he knew about them. Trolls were notorious for their incredible strength, capable of tearing through armor with ease. Their regenerative abilities allowed them to heal from even the most grievous wounds, making them nearly unstoppable in battle. Their thick, resilient skin acted like natural armor, deflecting blows that would cripple most other creatures.

As Raiden considered these traits, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of worry. While his own abilities had grown considerably, he knew that replicating the traits of a troll through Aura Aura Force alone would be an enormous challenge. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Since the healing path also requires some knowledge to use can I assume that the trolls have them or is it just a natural trait that they developed over the years?" Raiden wondered.

When Raiden turned his attention to the dungeon, he focused his senses, reaching out to check the subtle energies within. As he concentrated, he began to feel a distinct, powerful energy permeating the dungeon, it was Aura Force . The more he focused, the more certain he became that this was the same kind of energy powering the trolls.

This realization sparked a new line of thought in Raiden’s mind. If Aura Force was indeed fueling the trolls, it might not be creating their abilities from scratch but rather amplifying what was already there. The trolls’ natural regenerative abilities, impressive on their own, were likely being enhanced by this energy, making them seem almost invincible. Their strength, resilience, and rapid healing could all be tied to how Force interacted with their inherent traits, pushing them beyond their normal limits.

With this in mind, Raiden began to consider the implications. If Aura Force was simply improving the trolls’ natural abilities, then understanding how it worked would help him as well. Maybe he could learn to harness Force in a similar way, not to mimic the trolls exactly, but to enhance his own skills in a more controlled and deliberate manner.

With this knowledge, Raiden felt more confident in his ability to face the trolls and whatever other challenges the dungeon might hold.

As Raiden delved deeper into his thoughts about the Aura Force and its role in empowering the trolls, he remained unaware that his trainees had followed him, curious about what their instructor was up to. They watched him from a distance, clearly unable to relax despite his earlier instructions to take it easy. Their restlessness was evident; they were too anxious to sit idly by, especially with the uncertainty of the dungeon and its dangers.

When Raiden finally noticed them, he simply shrugged and chose to ignore their presence. He had already told them to relax, understanding the importance of conserving their energy and calming their nerves before facing the challenges ahead. Yet, seeing that they couldn’t follow this simple advice, he decided that trying to persuade them further would be a waste of time. He knew that sometimes people needed to cope with stress in their own way, even if it meant staying close to their instructor for a sense of security.

With that in mind, Raiden returned to his meditation, focusing on his own preparations. He understood that they were looking to him for guidance and reassurance, but he also knew that he couldn’t do much more for them until they learned to manage their own anxieties. For now, he allowed them to linger in the background, trusting that they would eventually find their own way to calm down and prepare for what was to come.

After an hour had passed, the first group emerged from the dungeon, looking weary but triumphant. Iri promptly went to check on them, accompanied by the guards stationed in the area. Their presence was a routine part of the process, ensuring that everything was in order and that the challenge had been completed as expected.

Upon receiving confirmation from the guards and the group itself, it was clear that the challenge had been a success. The group had managed to face ten trolls within the hour, an achievement that was notable, though not necessarily awe-inspiring. The task had been challenging, but it wasn’t unheard of for seasoned warriors or adventurers to tackle such a number. The real significance lay in the fact that the group had demonstrated their strength and capability, especially considering their relative youth.

While facing ten trolls in an hour might not have seemed extraordinary to those accustomed to battling such creatures, it was a testament to the group’s skills and resilience. It showcased their prowess despite their age, hinting at their potential and readiness for even more demanding challenges. The success was an encouraging sign of their growth and ability to handle formidable opponents, setting a solid precedent for the rest of the trials to come. Their Aura Force training had been a success.

With the first group’s successful completion of their dungeon challenge, the atmosphere around the camp began to shift. The tension among the other groups eased slightly, and there was a palpable sense of relief and camaraderie as they congratulated the successful team. The shared sense of accomplishment helped to lighten the mood and foster a more positive mood. The achievement provided a glimmer of hope and reassurance that the trials were manageable, boosting morale among those who would face similar challenges soon.

However, Raiden’s trainees did not share in this newfound sense of relief. Despite the success of their peers, they remained visibly nervous and anxious. The tension among them was still high, as they grappled with their own apprehensions about the upcoming challenge. The idea of facing the trolls, regardless of the success of the first group, continued to weigh heavily on their minds. They couldn’t shake off their unease, and the congratulatory atmosphere did little to alleviate their fear.