Flames of Ambition

48: The First test

Chapter 48: The First Test

The gates of Scarlet Academy were now open, and the excited youths eager to take the entrance exam began to pour inside. However, Zexel couldn’t shake the strange feeling that crawled up her spine. The gates were wide open, and yet… there was something off.

There were no instructors or staff welcoming them, no guides or signs—only the wide, open gates and an ominous silence.

"Can you feel it?" Fan Yaoli asked, her expression unusually grim. Feng Zhengying nodded in agreement, but Feng Ming Li looked confused.

"What do you mean?" Feng Ming Li asked, scanning the area.

"Something’s off with the gates of Scarlet Academy. I don’t know what it is, but it's making me uncomfortable," Zexel said truthfully.

The crowd continued to stream inside, but they weren’t the only ones present. A large number of students stood hesitantly in front of the gates, not moving forward—merely watching.

"There’s no one inside," Feng Zhengying said coldly, narrowing his eyes at the eerie stillness beyond the threshold.

The four of them turned their attention back to the gates. After ten seconds of silence, Zexel's lips curved into a smirk.

"Illusion. The gates are an illusion," she said quietly.

Both Zexel and Fan Yaoli summoned their pagodas to scan the area, locating the real gate hidden behind a powerful illusion near the farthest wall of the academy. It was subtle, cloaked with expert-level magic—easy to miss without a sharp sense of spiritual energy.

Among the crowd that had not yet entered were Fan Qingyou, Feng Guan Xi, and Leng Fu Ting. The latter had overheard Zexel due to the breeze carrying her voice. A smile tugged at his lips as he turned and followed the four.

Feng Guan Xi and Fan Qingyou, curious to see what Leng Fu Ting was up to, followed as well. So did many other bystanders, their curiosity piqued. However, upon noticing that the group was heading toward the wall, some became skeptical and instead rushed toward the seemingly open gates. The gate began to close, sparking panic among those trying to enter.

Meanwhile, Feng Zhengying skillfully dispelled the illusion using the array techniques he had perfected over the years alongside Zexel.

Their appearances remained hidden under their transformed identities, carefully crafted to avoid recognition.

As the illusion fell and the hidden gate was revealed, the bystanders who had followed them sighed in relief, grateful that there was still a way into the academy.

Out of the thousands who came to enroll, only 147 had managed to uncover the hidden path and, unknowingly, pass the first test through the "easier" route.

"Welcome to Scarlet Academy," a man with a wide grin greeted them. He gestured for the group to take a seat inside a pristine white room. As they entered, their clothes transformed into white versions of what they had been wearing before—still the same style, but now uniform in color.

"I didn’t expect such a large group to pass the first test using the easier route," the man continued. "In the past two enrollment cycles, most students went straight through the illusory gates and ended up with the harder path."

He smiled mischievously before continuing. "The first test for those who entered the other gates will last three days in the field. You, however, may wait here. There are plenty of rooms and food provided. We’ll summon you after the three days are over. Understood?"

Everyone nodded.

"Oh, and by the way," he added, pointing to a white door adorned with the Scarlet Academy symbol, "in that room, you can watch the others go through the difficult test."

He paused, giving a formal bow. "Before I leave, allow me to introduce myself: I am Gu Shaoting, a Fifth-Tier Array Master."

With that, he exited the room, leaving the group buzzing with excitement and relief.

Many of the bystanders who had followed Zexel’s group thanked them sincerely for leading them to safety, which the four accepted with grace.

A number of students immediately made their way to the viewing room Gu Shaoting had mentioned. Inside, plush couches were arranged before a wall that projected a live image—what appeared to be a forest scene. It was the difficult test in progress.

--*--

Inside the illusion forest, dozens of confused students were waking up one by one. They looked around, puzzled to find themselves in the middle of dense woods, having no memory of how they got there.

Suddenly, a deep, cold voice echoed through the trees:

"Alright, youngsters. You are here to take the first test. Since all of you chose the difficult path, we are more than happy to oblige."

A collective gasp swept through the forest. Shocked faces turned toward the invisible source of the voice.

"What do you mean we chose the difficult test? We just entered the gate—we didn’t choose anything!" Feng Guan Xi shouted, barely holding in his frustration.

Many other examinees echoed his sentiments, demanding clarification.

The voice responded with an ominous chuckle.

"By choosing to walk through the illusionary gates, you chose the difficult test. The gate was a trap. And this illusion... is real enough. If you die here, you die in reality."

A cold shiver swept through everyone present. There was something sinister in the voice—dark, almost malicious.

"The first test was to assess your ability to sense danger. We deliberately left the gates unguarded and cloaked them in dangerous aura patterns. You were supposed to sense that something was wrong and act accordingly. But you walked right in. That’s not our fault."

It was easy to imagine the speaker smirking somewhere beyond their view. A few of the examinees gritted their teeth in silent anger.

"There are 147 youngsters who successfully passed the first test using the easier method. And right now, they are all watching you," the voice added with a sinister laugh.

Jealousy flared in the hearts of many. Why hadn’t they been more cautious? Why hadn’t they paused like the others? The regret weighed heavily on them, but it was too late.

And then it got worse.

Without warning, a surge of killing intent swept through the forest.

The illusion around them shifted, revealing monstrous beasts lurking in the shadows—eyes glowing, claws bared, fangs gleaming.

A wave of dread hit the examinees like a hammer. Their eyes widened as they realized—

This wasn’t just a test.

This was survival.

--*--

Next update: April 19, 2020

Ybrehl