The Game's Extra: Azhriel Odyssey

The test went on as more students took their turns. Some lost badly, falling to the monsters and giving up as they couldn't handle the pressure.

Others fought with all they had—even getting hurt—but still won in the end.

Then Illiana called out the next name.

"Next up, Caelyn."

Caelyn, who had been dozing off near the edge, slowly blinked her eyes open. She stood up, rubbing her eyes like she had just woken from a deep nap.

"Waiting is so boring," she mumbled as she lazily walked to the center of the field.

Ring.

A clear sound rang through the air, confirming her position. A large magic circle lit up beneath her feet. Bright runes swirled, and then with a final flash, a monster appeared before her.

It was a Black Feline.

A sleek, dark beast with sharp claws and jagged teeth. Its eyes glowed red, filled with hunger and wild fury.

Its body looked built for speed and killing, moving with a hunter's grace.

It was an Adept-rank beast—the same level as Caelyn.

For a moment, Caelyn looked at it, then let out a small yawn like it wasn't worth her time.

"Start."

The command was given, and the fight began.

The feline didn't wait. With a sharp growl, it pounced at Caelyn, claws ready to tear into her flesh.

But just as it reached her—

Shiiing

A golden barrier appeared in front of Caelyn, stopping the claws right in their path.

The beast dropped back, hissing in frustration. Its instincts told it something was wrong—this prey wasn't weak.

Then, without warning, Caelyn raised her hand. A beam of golden light shot out.

Boom!

The blast was powerful enough to blow up the trees behind the beast. It jumped away just in time, but the power behind the attack was clear.

The monster snarled, and now its claws began to glow with black flames. The shadow element spread across its body, making its already fast movements even quicker.

In a blur, the beast dashed forward again.

Swish!

It swung its claw right at Caelyn's head—but she simply leaned to the side, and it missed by a hair.

She snapped her fingers.

A glowing spear appeared midair and shot at the monster—but just before it hit, the feline melted into its shadow, vanishing.

Caelyn's eyes followed the movement calmly.

"Annoying kitty," she said with a sigh.

Then the shadows around her shifted.

From behind trees and bushes, copies of the beast stepped out—six of them, all looking just as angry and ready to fight.

The real one was hiding among them.

Caelyn looked around at the group of monsters surrounding her. Then, with a flick of her hand, a golden wave of light burst out from her body.

Boom!

Two of the shadow clones vanished on the spot.

The rest growled and charged in.

One came from behind, claws raised.

Caelyn ducked low and backed a bit. Her hand glowed again, as she slammed her palm into the ground.

"Light Surge."

A ring of golden energy blasted out around her, knocking back the remaining clones.

The real feline beast darted forward again, faster than before. This time, it broke through her weakened shield and slashed across her arm.

A small cut appeared, and a bit of blood dripped down.

Caelyn looked at the wound.

Then… she sighed.

"Now, you have done it. Kitty."

She stepped back and raised both hands.

Glowing golden runes circled around her arms as light gathered into a single, powerful spell.

"Luminus Cage."

Pillars of light rose from the ground, forming a prison around the monster.

The beast slammed against the glowing bars, but they didn't break. It tried to vanish into shadows again—but the cage blocked the ability.

Caelyn pointed her finger.

"Light Javelin."

A long, glowing spear formed and hovered beside her.

With a small flick, she sent it flying.

Boom!

It hit the beast straight in the chest, piercing it. The feline howled once before collapsing. The shadow element faded from its body as it lay still inside the cage.

Silence.

The crowd watching was stunned.

Caelyn brushed her hair back as the light faded. She turned and walked back to the side, yawning again.

She didn't even glance at the people staring at her with shock and awe.

To her, it was just another boring task—something to get through before the next nap.

As she lay under the shade of the tree, her gaze lazily drifted to a small scratch on her forearm. A faint cut, left from when the beast had first lunged at her.

'Heal,' she thought.

The pinkish light pulsed faintly beneath her skin. In an instant, the wound closed, leaving not even a scar behind—like it had never existed.

In the crowd, murmurs had already started.

"Wow, man. She didn't even break a sweat to kill it," Kevin said, shaking his head.

"Of course," Chloe replied, arms crossed. "We wouldn't be called prodigies if we can't handle this much."

Raymond, who was watching Caelyn closely, nodded. "I guess you're right... But still, she is good with light."

"But not better than you huh." Alicia said.

Raymond smirked.

"Kevin" Kevin's name was called.

"Finally."

Kevin rolled his shoulders as he stepped into the open field.

The cool wind brushed against his cheeks, but his blood was already warming up with excitement.

A magic circle flared beneath his feet.

From within it, a loud growl echoed—and a large beast emerged.

It was a Bronze-Tusked Boar, standing nearly twice Kevin's size.

Its bronze-colored tusks gleamed under the sunlight, sharp and deadly. Its thick hide looked like it could shrug off a dozen strikes.

Kevin grinned, cracking his knuckles.

"Let's go, piggy."

"Start," Illiana's voice rang from the side.

The boar didn't hesitate. It charged like a boulder, the ground trembling under its heavy steps.

Kevin dashed forward too—no hesitation in his steps. His elemental aura flared, and shards of stone flew around his feet.

Earth element.

With a quick stomp, a stone spike rose from the ground in front of the charging beast. But the boar shattered it with its tusks and kept running.

"Oh, sturdy, huh?" Kevin muttered, jumping aside just before the beast rammed through him.

He twisted mid-air, landing on a stone platform that rose beneath him. Using it as a springboard, he launched himself toward the beast's back.

The boar roared, swinging its massive head in an arc, nearly catching Kevin.

But Kevin rolled mid-air and slammed his palm to the ground, activating his spell—Stone Shackles.

Chains of rock burst up, wrapping around the beast's legs, holding it in place.

"Got you!" Kevin yelled.

The boar struggled, roaring furiously, trying to break free.

Kevin didn't waste the moment. He gathered mana in his fists—his knuckles glowing faintly.

He leapt and brought down his fist, smashing it into the boar's skull with all his force.

Boom!

Dust flew everywhere.

But when it cleared, the boar was still standing—shackles cracked, blood dripping, but very much alive.

It let out a shrill screech and finally broke free, slamming its tusks toward Kevin.

"Whoa!" Kevin barely ducked in time, sliding across the field.

"Okay... maybe I underestimated you a bit," he muttered, a mocking glint in his eyes.

The beast came again.

But this time, Kevin was ready.

He braced himself, letting his mana flow down both arms. Two slabs of stone formed like gauntlets over his fists. Then he charged.

He didn't dodge this time.

He met the beast head-on.

The moment the tusks came for him, Kevin slipped to the side, grabbed the beast's head, and twisted with all his strength—channeling mana through his arms.

With a roar, he slammed its skull into the stone wall he summoned behind it.

Crack!

The beast twitched… then dropped.

Silent.

The crowd clapped. A few students even whistled.

Kevin stood, panting slightly, a huge grin on his face. As he bask, in the aftermath glory of his victory.

Alicia chuckled. "Typical."

Chloe smirked. "Good."

Raymond nodded, somewhat impressed. "Not bad."

And Azhriel, arms crossed, gave a light nod. "Good work."

Chloe's name was called not long after Kevin's fight. She stood up, brushed her hair back, and walked toward the field with calm steps.

A moment later, a Fanged Wolf appeared from the summoning circle. It growled, baring its long, sharp teeth.

But Chloe didn't even flinched.

The battle didn't last long.

With graceful movements and well-timed attacks, she overwhelmed the beast.

A few slashes from her dual daggers, a quick twist, and the wolf collapsed. Clean and efficient—just like Chloe herself.

The crowd clapped again, but Chloe didn't react much. She simply walked back to her seat, brushing some non existent dirt from her hands.

Then came the next name.

"Alicia."

Alicia stood up, her saber resting on her shoulder glinting under the morning light. She walked toward the field with firm steps, her face calm and focused.

The magic circle lit up brightly.

And from it stepped out a Frost Monkey—a white-furred beast with long limbs, glowing blue eyes, and frost constantly swirling around its body.

It hissed as it landed on all fours, ice creeping out beneath its hands.

Alicia narrowed her eyes slightly.

It wasn't the worst opponent—but also not the easiest. The Frost Monkey was quick, clever, and used the ice around it to slow enemies down.