Book 3: Chapter 8 — Training Hall
After spending a relatively restless night in his new bed, Noah arrived at the training hall as the light from the first dawn began to pierce through the skies earlier than he had anticipated. It really was strange to be living on something that was flying through the clouds for such extended periods of time. As Noah entered the chamber, he noticed Kaelan already present within the chamber. Erwest was there as well.
Noah stepped inside, finding the chamber to be nothing like he had anticipated. He had been expecting a sparring room like he had seen in the Windrests Guild, with a giant open area marked with lines and protected by wards. Yet instead, the chamber was small, with seats present inside as if to watch something, with a glass wall directly opposite the seats, separating a different area which contained multiple magic circles and runes covering it from top to bottom.
Is this the right place? Noah asked as he stepped inside. His eyes went to the glass wall, and he noticed different screens displaying the visage of a forest.
It is. I assume you have never seen a projected battleground before, Kaelan asked.
Nope. I have not, Noah replied.
Its basically what it sounds like; this thing can make projections of you and re-create all kinds of environments and training grounds that look and feel no different from reality when youre inside. It allows people to train as if they were doing the real thing, which can create a substantial difference in the nature of the training and the result it bears. And as a bonus, you dont have to worry about killing the other person and can go all out, Kaelan said, before the draconian glanced sideways with his reptilian eyes and gave Noah a toothy grin. Neat, right?
Yeah. Quite a bit. I'm not sure I understand how it works, to be honest, Noah said, looking at the screens.
Just watch, Kaelan said.
Noah looked at the glass wall. The images moved around before jumping to Seraphina. Noah saw the woman walking around as different runes filled the air around her, forming all kinds of patterns faster than he could read them.
A creature sat on her shoulders, some kind of mix between a cat and a fox with long ears that stood up and scanned her environment. On a nearby screen, Noah saw Valeria moving through the forest stealthily, circling around Seraphinas location. The womans hand was tight around her war axe, her eyes set on her target as she moved with nearly no sound.
He could almost hear their breaths, along with the sound of the insects crawling throughout the forest. As Valeria closed in, the creature on Seraphinas shoulder turned, letting out a warning screech. The Valkyrie jumped, quickly intercepted by a razor-sharp pressurized blade of water. Twisting mid-air, Valeria dodged the attack that nearly cut her in half as her war axe slammed into the ground, tearing up the earth and shaking it.
Seraphina jumped off, wind runes appearing around her feet as she took to the skies, combining her wind runes with fire runes as lightning struck from her fingers. Valeria blocked the bolt with her axe, a red and golden aura swirling around her as the woman roared, her presence intensifying. Leaping up into the air, she threw her axe at Seraphina, who created a barrier blocking the attack, but the weapon shattered it and went past it, cutting through her shoulder and drawing blood. Seraphina did not stop, and neither did she pay attention to the wound, her fingers already casting another spell. Flames burst from her fingers towards Valeria, who charged through the attack, flying at the airborne woman. Seraphina pushed herself backward, further into the skies, as Valeria fell back to the ground, her war axe flying back into her hand.
Slamming her axe into a nearby tree, she used the leverage to kick off back into the skies for another attack. She swung her weapon, a beam projecting from it as it struck Seraphinas barrier, shattering it and breaking her spellcasting as she fell to the ground. Valeria leapt, her fist striking the womans gut where it was blocked by a boulder rising from the ground as Seraphina grimaced, blood flowing from her mouth.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com
The earth beneath Valerias feet exploded, the ground caving in beneath her. The Valkyrie roared, rushing out as Seraphina continued to cast rapidly, water runes mixed with earth as the pitfall trap quickly turned into quicksand, dragging the Valkyrie in.
Golden wings erupted from the womans back, as she jumped out shaking off the mud, but Seraphina continued. Vines rose from the ground, grabbing at her feet and arms, trying to drag her back into the muddy trap.
Fire spilled from Valerias arms, burning the vines as she rushed closer. Her fist, charged with golden red energy, struck at Seraphina, who shrieked, raising her hands in the air. Noah did not hear any sound but read the womans lips as the words translated themselves automatically.
I surrender!
Both figures vanished in a flash of blue light, reappearing in the chamber where Noah stood. Neither had any injuries present on them, nor did they bear any kind of armor that he had seen them wearing during the battle.
All of them shook their heads.
Alright. The battlefield is different every time, so is the exact challenge. But there are three: the Dragons Breath, the Dragons Will, and the Dragons Might. The first one, you have to go through a chamber with dragon flames, rushing across before the chambers close while fighting anything that attacks. After that, there's a path to traverse where you will have to face the aura of a Dragon bearing down upon you. Each step you take, the intensity of it will grow stronger and stronger, and the path you must walk more treacherous. Youll have to maintain your calm and traverse through the arena to successfully pass the trial. And then finally, those who remain will battle until the top five are chosen, and are awarded the title of Dragon Warrior. But the winner is the only one who gets to go further into the last chamber, and try the trial of the Dragons Heart.
Did you take it? The Dragons Heart trial? Noah asked.
I did, Kaelan said. I failed. Its been decades since anyone successfully traversed the path.
Noah stood silently for a few seconds, his mind going through the possibilities. He had already seen Kaelan, and how strong the man was. But he had also failed.
He clenched his fists. I need to get stronger.
All right. Since we already have pairs that were going with for today, I got us some sticks with numbers on them to decide who will go first, Kaelan said, extending three sticks that he grabbed in his hand. Each one of you picks one.
Noah tried to use his abyssal awareness to peek through Kaelan's closed fist but found his ability obstructed by the mans aura.
Finding his attempts obstructed, Noah gave up and just grabbed a stick, before looking at the number.
Three, Noah said, before shrugging to himself.
Two, Erwest said a second later.
Noah turned to look at Aurelia.
Guess Im first, she said, her gaze moving towards Seraphina.
Aww, I was hoping my turn would be last. I swear I have the worst luck, Seraphina said, getting up from her chair.
Looks like its Aurelia and Seraphina first. Both of you, put your hand on the magic circles on the glass, please, Kaelan said.
Seraphina walked up, placing her hand on the circle as she stood, tapping her foot impatiently. Aurelia walked up a bit later, slightly more hesitant, before placing her hand on it as well.
Great. Now send a pulse of mana into the spell, and it will send you a message to activate it. Just select that and
With a pulse of blue light, the two girls vanished, and a moment later, they appeared on the glass screen in front of the rest of them.
Kaelan shook his head before focusing his gaze on the glass. Well, lets enjoy the show then.
