The day after the announcement unfolded like any other on the surface, with students attending training and class sessions as usual. But beneath that routine, nearly every student—both first and second years—was focused on one thing: preparation. It was their final day to get ready before the assessment.

The first years, in particular, spent most of their time getting to know one another. Since their test would rely heavily on group dynamics, they worked to understand each other's strengths, habits, and tendencies, trying to build some level of coordination before being thrown into the unknown.

The second years, on the other hand, took a very different approach.

With their assessment being individual-based, their focus turned inward. Each of them used the limited time they had to carefully consider what they would need—what to carry, what to leave behind, and how best to prepare for a situation where no one else could be relied on.

Once classes ended, the academy market quickly became the center of activity.

Most second years made their way there, intent on securing whatever supplies they deemed necessary for the test ahead.

The usually lively space carried a noticeably different atmosphere that day.

It wasn't loud in the usual carefree sense. Instead, there was a quiet intensity to it—a steady hum of lowered voices, purposeful movement, and deliberate choices. Students moved from stall to stall with clear intent, their eyes scanning items not out of curiosity, but calculation.

Every decision mattered.

Groups gathered around vendors selling preserved rations and compact water containers, carefully weighing how much they could afford to carry against how long it would last. Too much would slow them down. Too little could prove fatal.

Others lingered at stalls displaying utility tools—coils of rope, compact blades, ignition kits—testing their quality and durability before making a choice. Each item was handled with care, as if already imagining the moment it would be needed.

In another section of the market, items infused with Myst drew a steady crowd.

Low-grade recovery potions, stabilizers, and focus charms were among the most sought-after. They weren't powerful enough to guarantee survival, but they could make the difference in a critical moment. Students didn't rush these purchases. They asked questions, compared options, and thought carefully about how each item would fit into their overall plan.

Nearby, a few examined lightweight protective gear—arm guards, reinforced boots, and minimal chest pieces. Most didn't linger long. In a test like this, agility and mobility often outweighed heavy defense.

There were also those who kept their preparations minimal.

Some students moved through the market with little hesitation, picking up only the essentials before leaving. Their confidence—or perhaps their reliance on their own abilities—was clear in how little they carried.

Others approached things differently.

They moved slower, more deliberate in their choices, selecting items that weren't immediately obvious in purpose. Tools that could be repurposed. Equipment that offered versatility rather than direct strength. Their focus wasn't just survival—it was adaptability.

The contrast between students was evident.

Some prepared cautiously, trying to account for every possible situation. Others trusted their instincts, choosing to travel light and rely on their skills. And then there were those who stood somewhere in between, balancing practicality with calculated risk.

Even without speaking to one another, a shared understanding lingered in the air.

Seven days.

Alone.

Whatever they chose to carry now would be all they had when it began.

And once they stepped into that realm… there would be no turning back.

***

Just like that, the preparation day came to an end, and the day of the assessment arrived in full.

By the time the sun had risen over the horizon, both first and second years had gathered within their designated locations—the Southern and Eastern grand training halls, respectively.

Inside the Eastern hall, all one hundred second-year students had assembled. Nearly every single one of them carried some form of bag or sack, each clearly filled with the supplies they had carefully chosen the day before.

They were dressed in their standard training attire—the academy's grey and black uniform—but many had added extra layers of protection. Bracers lined their forearms, joint guards covered elbows and knees, and some had gone further, equipping light armor such as chest plates or reinforced shoulder pieces.

Weapons were just as varied.

Some had swords strapped across their backs alongside shields, others carried single blades, spears, or daggers. A few had more specialized weapons suited to their own fighting styles. No two setups were exactly the same—each student had chosen what they believed would serve them best.

With everything at their side, the students filled the hall with low conversation as they waited for the academy authorities to arrive.

Some engaged in serious discussions, going over strategies and possibilities. Others joked around, trying to ease the tension that hung in the air. A few remained off to themselves, quiet and focused, preparing mentally for what was to come.

Among them stood Liam and his group.

"That's a pretty solid-looking bracer you've got there, Max," Sheila said, her eyes catching on the piece strapped to Maxwell's arm.

At a glance, it looked like steel, but a closer look revealed otherwise. The surface held a more refined sheen, with intricate patterns etched across it. At its center sat a green gem, and surrounding it were four small metal shards embedded carefully into the design.

"Is it enchanted?" she asked.

"Thanks, Sheila," Maxwell replied with a small smile. "But I wouldn't exactly call it enchanted. It's more like… something I've been working on for a while now."

At that, Dylan's attention snapped immediately to the bracer.

"Wait—hold on, is that the… uh… the thing you told me about?" he asked, leaning in with clear curiosity.

"Yeah," Max said. "I managed to get it working about a month ago."

"You got it working?" Dylan's eyes lit up. "No way. You've gotta show me, man. Come on—show me. Please."

Max hesitated for a moment, clearly unsure.

"Go on, Maxie," Charlotte added from the side, her tone playful but interested. "We're all curious, you know."

Max glanced around at the others, studying their expressions before letting out a quiet sigh.

"Alright, fine," he said. "But don't expect anything impressive. It's still not complete."

"Ugh," Dylan groaned dramatically, waving a hand. "Who cares? Just show it already, dude."

Max exhaled once more before nodding slightly.

"Don't say I didn't warn you."

The next moment, Max lifted his forearm slightly and began channeling Myst into the bracer. The gem at its center responded immediately, glowing with a steady green light. Within seconds, that glow expanded outward in a smooth circular motion, forming a translucent green shield in front of him. Four small steel shards hovered at its cardinal points, stabilizing the structure and giving it a defined shape.

The reaction was instant.

The others' eyes widened in clear awe. Even Asher and Liam, who hadn't been paying much attention before, turned their heads to take a proper look.

Ariana, Sheila, and Charlotte stared at the construct with visible fascination, while Dylan seemed completely absorbed by the sight.

Nearby students who caught a glimpse of the shield paused as well, their attention drawn to the display. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Wow, Maxie," Charlotte said in her usual tone, though there was genuine surprise behind it. "And here you were downplaying it just a second ago."

"I know, right?" Dylan added, clearly impressed. "This guy's really trying to act like it's nothing, but look at that—"

He gestured toward the shield.

"You can't seriously tell me that isn't cool."

"That's amazing, Max," Ariana said as she stepped closer, her eyes carefully studying the structure of the shield. "How did you make something like this?"

Max, now suddenly the center of attention, scratched the back of his neck in slight embarrassment.

"Thanks, guys, but it's not really that special," he said. "I was just trying to replicate something I read in one of the tomes from my forgemastery class."

"Even so, this is impressive," Sheila said immediately, brushing off his modesty. "I've seen shields formed through magic before, but creating one from a bracer like this… it's actually fascinating."

Max gave a small, shy smile.

"Thanks."

As he stood there, he noticed Ariana still focused on the bracer, her attention lingering on the gem.

"Um, Max," Ariana said softly, "is that gem imbued with nature magic, by any chance?"

"Yeah," Max replied. "I had Dylan help me with it since he handles Alchemy."

At that, Dylan frowned slightly.

"Well, I had to get help from Ariana for that part," he admitted. "I don't have the brainpower to pull off something like that on my own."

Max blinked, slightly surprised.

"Oh," he muttered, then shifted his attention back to Ariana. "Then I guess I owe you a thank you for helping me with it."

"Oh—no, you don't need to thank me," Ariana said quickly, waving her hands lightly to dismiss it. "I'm just glad you're putting it to use. I was more curious about how your bracer functions overall. Especially since you use Enhancement Magic… I wanted to understand how everything connects."

Max's expression shifted as he processed that.

It wasn't just admiration—Ariana was genuinely interested in the mechanics behind what he had built. For some reason, that realization brought a quiet sense of satisfaction.

As he prepared to explain in more detail, the large doors near the stage opened.

The sound immediately drew everyone's attention.

From within, the Headmaster and his assistant entered, accompanied by several professors, instructors, and other authoritative figures.

As they made their way toward the stage and took their positions, the atmosphere in the hall shifted once again.

The casual chatter faded and the weight of the moment settled in.

The assessment… was about to begin.