Extra's Ascent

Murmurs erupted across the shore.

The uneasy silence from earlier gave way to a cacophony of voices.

Questions flew through the air as students whispered and argued in confusion.

"Everyone, be quiet!" Dion's voice tried to rise above the crowd, but it was barely audible amidst the sea of chatter.

The sandy ground trembled violently, the vibrations travelling from their feet up to their chests.

The students stumbled and froze, startled.

"I said silence!" the female official, Stella bellowed, her voice sharp and commanding.

It wasn't just her tone that brought order—it was the fist she slammed into the sand, causing a short but intense quake.

That act alone was enough to convince the students to comply.

Nobody wanted to find out what would happen if her fists were directed at them instead of the ground.

"Yes, as I was saying," Dion resumed, adjusting his suit, "to officially gain admission into Eldora Institute, you must first locate the institute's building yourselves."

The students stared, disbelief etched across their faces.

Dion's calm expression and measured tone only deepened their unease.

"Our institute thrives on teaching responsibility and perseverance," he continued, unfazed by the sceptical looks. "And what better way to test those qualities than through this challenge?"

It was absurd.

At least, that's what many of the students thought.

Some muttered accusations of insanity, others shook their heads, and a few looked downright panicked.

"If you're confused about where to start," Dion said, gesturing behind him, "the answer lies there."

The students turned their gaze to the vast expanse of water stretching out to the horizon.

Waves lapped gently at the shore, seemingly endless and offering no clue as to where an island—or anything—might be.

"Yes," Dion confirmed, his tone unwavering. "The institute is located on an island somewhere in that body of water. Your task is to find it."

A hand shot up from the crowd—a young woman with a determined look on her face. Dion acknowledged her with a nod.

"Shouldn't we at least be given some direction?" she asked. "The waters are vast, and if we start searching without guidance, we might never find the institute."

"You make a fair point," Dion said, his expression unchanging. "But you are aspiring students of Eldora. Finding an island in the water should be well within your capabilities. If it isn't..." He let the sentence hang, the implication clear.

The tradition of finding the island has been a cornerstone of Eldora Institute since its inception.

It was designed not only to test students' resourcefulness but also to filter out those lacking courage, determination, or the necessary mana reserves to accomplish the task.

"Without further ado, you may begin your search," Dion announced, stepping aside to give them space. "You have two days to complete this task. Fail, and you will face immediate expulsion. You won't be allowed to take the institute's tests again—ever."

A ripple of unease swept through the crowd.

Two days wasn't much time, especially for such an ambiguous task.

Dion continued, his voice steady, "However, if you choose to forfeit now, you will lose your admission for this year but may attempt the entrance exam again next year."

His words offered an alternative, but it was clear it wasn't meant to be a comfort.

Choosing to walk away now would mark them as unworthy—cowards in the eyes of the institute.

"These rules have been in place since Eldora was founded," Dion explained. "They separate those with potential from those without. Remember, you are not just proving your worth to us—you are proving it to yourselves."

Aldrich observed the scene, suppressing a chuckle.

The absurdity of the situation was almost laughable, yet it was exactly what he had expected.

Eldora wasn't just any institute; it was a crucible, and this test was merely the beginning.

Dion's voice cut through Aldrich's thoughts.

"So, what will it be, students? Will you rise to the challenge or walk away? The choice is yours."

They are literally telling them to forfeit the efforts that got them here in return for a next trial.

Or to continue to believe in that effort and carry on with the last obstacle that stands in their path?!

This was not meant to be an easy choice to go with.

Heck, it was more torture than it was an option for them.

A challenge to see who believes their achievement came through on efforts alone or luck under the pretence of effort.

Whichever it was, the result is? It was entirely left up to them to decide what they do next.

Fall for the mocking trickery or be prepared to prove them wrong.

'They are practically messing with their mental state of mind'. Aldrich mused, wondering how they could be so diabolical enough to do this to the students.

As if to punctuate his words, Dion stepped forward and raised his hand.

The air around him shimmered, and in the blink of an eye, he and the female official disappeared, leaving the students alone on the shore.

For a moment, the crowd stood in stunned silence.

Then the murmurs returned, louder this time, as reality sank in.

The officials were gone, and they were on their own.

Aldrich glanced at the restless crowd.

Some looked ready to charge into the water without a second thought, while others hesitated, uncertainty written across their faces.

'This is it,' Aldrich thought, a thrill of anticipation coursing through him. 'The real test begins now.'

The tradition was brutal, no doubt about it.

Eldora's methods didn't just challenge the body—they challenged the spirit.

Only those with tenacity, wit, and the strength to face the unknown would succeed.

As the waves crashed against the shore, Aldrich tightened the strap of his quiver, his resolve hardening.

Fears were written off his face, replaced with a calm and rational countenance.

While he knew this was going to happen, he was not about to dive in first without a plan cooked up.

This is after all another of Eldora's tests.

There can never be such a thing as too much preparation.