Princess of the North

Practice (Part 3)

Ayase's POV

It's now the last part of the practice course. I'm feeling tired and drained from yesterday. Sure, I might be stronger than other enchanters, but even I have my limits. I sigh, walking towards the area.

For the last part, we have four obstacles. The first is a group of bandits ready to attack. They have powers as well. After getting through that, you need to go through a fire filled with dangerous chemicals. The third obstacle is nature. Deadly plants that are alive. Insects than may kill you with a sting. The fourth obstacle is the hardest one. Illusion. Seeing things you don't want to see. Seeing your fears, your weaknesses in front of you. Only determined and focused echanters or sorcerers can get past that.

"Who wants to go first?" Natsuki asks.

Akane steps up with a confident glint in her eyes before diving into the obstacles. I stepped forward to observe her. Jun stares at me for a while and I tilted my head to the side in confusion.

"Why are you staring?" I questioned.

He frowns, saying, "You look tired. Are you sure you'll be able to train? It's alright to skip a day." I convinced him that I'm fine, it's not a lie. He lets the matter go and I feel grateful for that.

Everything went smoothly for Akane... until she arrived at the illusion stage. I saw her freeze up, looking around her in fear. There was an ominous aura surrounding her. What could it be that she fears so much?

She starts shrieking and panting, shutting her eyes close. She falls onto her knees, curling up into a ball. I took a step forward, wanting to help her. I stopped myself though, because this was her test. And not mine.

"No! Please! I'm begging you!" She starts yelling, tears falling from her eyes.

"Akane! It's an illusion! Fight it!" I screamed, my eyes focused on her. Natsuki was getting more and more worried by the second.

She breaks down even more before steadying her breathing. Okay. That's good. She slowly stands, her feet wobbling as she does. She lifts her head and her eyes held a determined glint. She used her nature powers, able distract herself from those illusions.

She runs out of the course and sighs in relief. Natsuki grins, yelling words of happiness for Akane. I stepped up next. "I'll go next. I'll try not to faint." I half-joked. There was a chance I'll faint because I feel my body trying to fight the fatigue I've been holding in ever since a week ago.

Jun looks at me worried, knowing that I never joke about those things. He catches my arm and pulls me back. "Don't train today. You really might faint," he sternly commands.

"I have to train, Jun. I have to protect the islanders." I shook my head, already running into the group of bandits. They started circling me, causing me to get dizzy.

One of them tried to strike from behind but I stopped him with an earth wall. "Hammer, activate!" I said loudly, causing hammers to appear. The same hammers that I used to hit Ryo, Shiori, and Shou.

The hammer falls onto the bandits, immediately ending them. I let out a sigh, moving onto the next. Fire. I made an air ball around myself, allowing me to get past through the wall of fire easily.

The nature part was harder. I felt bees and insects sting me. The plants tried to nip at me. "Fox flames, do as I command." I whisper, clasping my hands together. If an enchanter doesn't get along with animals, like the fox, they wouldn't be able to call them for help.

Small blue-orange flames appears, circling me. "Attack." I firmly state. The flames slowly grew bigger and bigger, making everything burn down to ashes. I faintly smiled before stepping into the illusion barrier.