Chapter 359: The Weight Beyond the Kill

"There’s also the fact that these beasts are clever," Joren added. "I know for a fact that Tidebreakers set traps for their prey. They also hunt in packs, like Sophia said, so if we were to go after one, we’d be walking straight into danger."

Uther nodded. "Tidebreakers are generally referred to as low-level Skylurs. I’ve also heard people say that twenty of them could take down a Skylur."

Sophia nodded, taking it all in. She had a feeling this test wouldn’t be easy—she’d known that from the beginning, especially with the way Orion and Brynhild had trained her. She crossed Virelops and Graveharts off the list of beasts she would hunt.

She was almost certain those low-tier beasts were traps set by the instructors—and the highest-ranked one was bait as well. That settled it. She would aim for the middle range.

Before anything else could be said, a long, resonant sound tore through the clearing.

Sophia recognized it instantly.

The horn.

It echoed against the trees, sending birds scattering into the air.

Time was up.

Trainees straightened immediately, conversations cutting off mid-sentence. One by one, they turned back toward their assigned groups and examiners, tension tightening their movements.

Sophia fell into step with Team Six as they regrouped. Their examiner waited a short distance away, posture relaxed but eyes alert, already assessing them.

Together, they moved.

They passed the shrine, and Sophia did everything in her power not to stare at it. Then the forest swallowed them whole. They passed Orion’s favorite tree too, and that—more than the shrine—made her chest tighten.

Snow clung to the branches overhead, shedding in soft drifts as they passed beneath. The path narrowed, winding between ancient trunks etched with claw marks and age-old runes. The air smelled of pine, damp earth, and something older—something that made Sophia’s instincts prickle.

As they moved, the forest thickened. The last time Sophia had been this deep in this part of the woods was in a carriage, when Orion had decided she did not belong to the pack and had ordered Tobias to take her away.

She took in her surroundings carefully. There was very little conversation; everyone moved quietly. At some point, she noticed the subtle divergence.

Other teams veered off in different directions—some angling east, others west—paths splitting like veins through the forest. Their team continued southward, deeper, where the trees grew denser and the ground more uneven beneath the snow.

It struck her then how deliberate it all was.

Different locations.

Different challenges.

Different chances to fail.

They walked for several minutes before their examiner lifted a hand. They stopped immediately.

The young hunter turned to face them fully.

Up close, Sophia could see him clearly. He looked around her age—perhaps a year or two older. Pale skin contrasted sharply with the dark brown of his cloak. His hair was pulled back neatly, and his earrings—white with a faint pink tinge at the bottom—caught the muted forest light.

She’d seen him before, in passing. Quiet, always wearing a faint smirk. He’d never been unkind to her.

He studied them for a moment longer than was comfortable, gaze flicking from face to face, taking in all seven members of the group.

Then he spoke.

"You already know who I am," he said evenly. "But I’ll introduce myself anyway."

His voice was calm, unhurried, carrying easily without being loud.

"My name is Ethan, vice-captain of the hunters. I’ll be the examiner for this team—Team Six."

A hush settled over the group.

Sophia hadn’t known he was the vice-captain. And if he was, then he was formidable. One thing she’d learned about this pack was that no one held a position they didn’t deserve—young or old.

Ethan clasped his hands behind his back, his posture straightening slightly. "Garron has already explained the general task to you. Points. Beasts. Time limits."

He paused, letting the words sink in.

"I’m here to explain my part of the test—and a few things he may have left out."

Sophia felt her shoulders tense despite herself.

"One thing you should understand from the start," Ethan continued, his tone sharpening just enough to cut, "is that I will not be partial."

His gaze was steady as it swept across them.

"There will be no preferential treatment. I have a reputation for impartiality, so don’t expect exceptions."

"If anyone here fails to complete my task," Ethan went on, "or fails my assessment, then you fail the test entirely."

A sharp inhale rippled through the group.

Joren swallowed visibly.

One of the quieter trainees lifted a tentative hand. "Sir," he asked carefully, "just to be clear... if we manage to get the hundred points required to pass, but fail your task—does that mean it doesn’t count?"

Ethan’s lips curved into a small, almost pleasant smile.

"That is exactly what it means."

The words landed heavily.

Sophia felt their weight settle in her chest. Points alone wouldn’t save them. Skill alone wouldn’t save them. This test had teeth far beyond numbers.

"You should also understand this," Ethan added. "This is not only about killing beasts."

He stepped aside, gesturing to the forest around them. "It’s about how you do it. Your judgment. Your restraint. Your awareness. Your teamwork."

"Garron said you needed a hundred points to pass," Ethan continued, "but that’s only from beasts. In total, you need three hundred points."

Everyone stared at him in shock.

Ethan laughed softly. "Easy. I’ll explain."

He took his time, drinking from his flask before continuing. "You are being judged out of four hundred points. You need at least three hundred to pass."

"One hundred points from beasts—which is actually the final hurdle." 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

"One hundred and fifty points from me, based on what I observe: how you work with your teammates, how you make decisions. And make no mistake—the test began the moment you started reading the postings. I’ve already started my assessment."

His eyes sharpened.

"The final one hundred and fifty points come from passing my task."

The realization hit them all at once.

This test was far harder than they had anticipated.

"The expanse you’ll be working in has been searched and vetted," Ethan said. "You’re free to move. To plan. To adapt—together."

Snow drifted lazily from a branch overhead, landing soundlessly at his feet.

"And that," Ethan said, his voice steady as his gaze hardened, "brings me to my task."