Dedem's Adventure : The Quest for the Mystic Eyes

Chapter 3 : The Trials of the New Adventurer

Previously, in Chapter 2 : The Escape and the Sacrifice

Dedem, attacked by a mysterious figure, is saved by Centurion, a masked warrior. Together, they fight the figure, but it proves too powerful. Centurion orders Dedem to flee to a nearby village for safety while he stays behind to face the enemy alone. After arriving at the village, Dedem meets the guild master, who offers to train him.

Dedem stood on the training ground, watching as the guild master prepared the trials. The guild master, an imposing man with a graying beard and piercing eyes, explained the program.

"We will assess your skills with several trials," the guild master said, pointing to different sections of the training ground. "There are three main trials: strength, agility, and intelligence."

Trial of Strength: Stone Lifting Challenge

The first trial required Dedem to lift and move rocks of various sizes over a certain distance. The rocks were lined up, from smallest to largest.

Dedem approached the first rock, a medium-sized boulder. He lifted it with some effort but managed to move it to the marked point. Next, he faced a larger rock. His muscles trembled under the strain, but he successfully lifted and carried it.

For the final rock, a massive stone, Dedem felt his limits. He gathered all his strength, took a deep breath, and managed to lift the rock, making a monumental effort to move it. Sweat beaded on his forehead, but he completed the trial, earning impressed looks from the gathered villagers.

Trial of Agility: Obstacle Course

The second trial was a complex obstacle course. Dedem had to climb walls, leap over pits, scale ropes, and avoid traps. He tackled the course with determination.

He climbed the first wall with agility, using his hands and feet to ascend quickly. Leaping over the pits, he showed remarkable coordination. When he reached the ropes, he climbed with surprising speed, his movements fluid and precise.

The traps were the most challenging part. Dedem had to dodge darts and avoid hidden pits. Using his reflexes and intuition, he navigated the obstacles, finishing the course in record time.

Trial of Intelligence: Magical Riddles

The third trial put Dedem before runic stones and enchanted scrolls. Each stone and scroll posed complex riddles requiring logic, knowledge, and problem-solving abilities.

The first riddle on a runic stone asked: "What number, when multiplied by itself, equals 64?" Dedem thought for a moment and answered, "8." The stone lit up, confirming his response.

However, the enchanted scrolls posed subtler challenges. The second riddle was more complex: "I am the beginning of everything and the end of life. I am in the earth but never in the sea. What am I?"

Dedem furrowed his brow, trying to decipher the meaning. "Fire?" he suggested hesitantly. The runes remained inert.

The guild master encouraged him to try again. Dedem thought hard, but the pressure overwhelmed him. After several failed attempts, the guild master ended the intelligence trial. "It's a difficult trial," he said with an understanding tone. "Don't worry, intelligence also comes with experience."

Training Combat

After failing the intelligence trial, Dedem felt somewhat discouraged. But the guild master gave him a reassuring smile and approached him with another sword and shield. "For the final trial, let's see how you fare in combat. Take this sword and shield. I think they'll suit you better."

Dedem took the sword, a well-balanced blade, and the shield. The shield was heavy, but surprisingly, Dedem lifted it and held it firmly, as if it were a natural extension of his arm.