The Game's Extra: Azhriel Odyssey

What was the real purpose of this exam?

It wasn't just about teamwork, survival, or scoring points.

It was about killing.

In this world, no matter how talented, skilled, or kind you are—there comes a time when you must take a life.

Be it a monster or a man, battle never shows mercy. Excessive mercy will only gets you killed. And this exam… was the first step in preparing them for that truth.

The nobles knew it well.

They had trained their children from a young age—blade training, blood trials, simulations where hesitation meant failure.

Most of them had already taken a life before stepping into the Academy.

But for the commoners—for many of them—this was a first.

And firsts… always leave a mark.

That's why the test was made. Not to see who was the strongest, but to make them all used to it.

To killing.

To surviving.

To the world as it really was.

The area buzzed with voices, students talking excitedly or nervously as they waited. Some laughed, some paced, while others stood still, deep in thought.

Azhriel saw Kevin moving towards him.

"Yo, dude! Where were you the whole weekend?" Kevin asked, slinging an arm around Azhriel's shoulders. "We didn't even see a glimpse of you."

"Just had some things to do," Azhriel replied calmly.

Kevin raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Uh-uh, I see. So, you ready for the fight?"

"I am."

"You sound confident."

Raymond's voice came from the side as he walked over, Chloe and Alicia right behind him.

He gave Azhriel a curious look. "Tell me something—have you ever actually killed a monster?"

Azhriel looked at him for a second, then answered simply, "I have."

Raymond raised an eyebrow at that. "Really? What kind?"

Chloe tilted her head curiously, while Alicia simply crossed her arms, her gaze sharp as she waited for his answer.

Azhriel didn't elaborate. He simply shrugged and said, "Does it matter what kind? A monster's a monster."

Kevin laughed, nudging him. "Damn, you're cold, bro. But alright, it's fair enough. A monster is a monster."

Raymond clicked his tongue, clearly not satisfied with the vague answer. "Tch. Whatever. You better not freeze up in the field. This isn't a sparring ring, and no teacher's going to step in to save you."

Azhriel just gave a small smile. "Oh? You're worried about me? That's sweet."

"Well, you are one of my friends. So yeah, I will be," Raymond muttered, his hand rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Why does it sound, so cringe to me?" Kevin said.

"You-"

Before more teasing could follow, a loud horn suddenly blared from the academy's loudspeakers, sharp and commanding.

The casual noise and chatter around the training ground died down almost immediately.

The strict voice of professor echoed over the grounds.

"All first-year cadets, report to the main field gate. Your assignments will be given shortly. Do not be late."

Kevin groaned. "Ugh, already? I thought we'd at least get time to breathe first."

"You'll breathe plenty when you're dead," Alicia replied dryly, already turning on her heel and walking toward the field gate with purpose.

"Great pep talk," Kevin muttered, sighing as he followed behind her.

The group of students, including Azhriel, Raymond, Kevin, Chloe, and Alicia, moved with the rest of the first-years toward the large field gate.

There, in the middle of the field, a massive portal swirled with bright, pulsing magic.

Runes hovered around its edge, glowing faintly, as the energy within the circle shimmered like liquid light.

It stood tall and imposing—clearly the teleportation circle meant to take the students to the testing island.

Standing just in front of the portal was Illiana.

Clad in her usual white coat and black combat uniform beneath, she held her clipboard calmly, her sharp eyes scanning the gathered crowd of cadets.

Her presence alone was enough to silence any leftover whispers or side conversations.

Once she was sure all eyes were on her, she raised her voice—firm, clear, and commanding.

"Before you all go in, I will explain the rules," Illiana said, not wasting a second.

A ripple of attention spread through the crowd.

"You will be divided into random groups of five. This is to test not only your combat ability but also your coordination and adaptability under pressure." Her voice echoed across the open field.

Murmurs of surprise and a few sighs followed.

Random grouping meant no picking friends and no comfort zones, you have to be alert.

"Except," she continued, "for the top ten ranked cadets."

At that, a wave of glances turned toward Azhriel and others among the top students.

"They will fight alone. One-on-one against monsters specifically chosen and adjusted to match their level. You will be called individually when it is your turn. Until then, you will observe from the edge of the field."

The top ten stood still, their expressions unreadable. It wasn't a punishment. It was a spotlight. A test of real strength.

"As for the rest," Illiana said, her tone unchanging, "once your group is teleported to the island, your objective is simple—survive and defeat the monsters that appear before you. They will not hold back, and neither should you."

The cadets straightened, some nervously adjusting their gear.

"The monsters are controlled to avoid killing blows, but they can and will injure you. That pain will be real. Remember this—just because you won't die doesn't mean it won't hurt."

Her cold, sharp eyes swept across them all.

"Good luck."

And with that, she stepped aside, and the first group was called.

The test had officially begun.

******

The sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of the island's forest, casting dappled shadows across the forest floor.

Five students stood in a small clearing, weapons drawn, expressions tense. They had only been here for a few minutes before the forest had grown eerily quiet.

Then they heard it.

A deep, echoing growl.

"Everyone ready?" said the tallest of the group, a boy named Dax.

His hands gripped a large broadsword, his brawny arms tense with anticipation.

A girl with braided silver hair, Mira, nodded beside him. "Let's keep formation. Don't charge in blindly."

Before they could ready fully, the trees parted with a crack and snap. From the shadows emerged a beast.

It looked like a giant boar—but covered in black armor-like hide, with glowing red eyes and tusks that looked like they could cleave through rock.

"What the hell is that?" gasped Ken, the smallest boy in the group, as he instinctively raised his wind-coated daggers.

"A Black Iron Boar," Mira said, voice steady. "It's tough, fast, and can break bones with a charge. Stay sharp!"

The monster snorted, then charged with frightening speed. The ground trembled as it rushed at them.

"Scatter!" Dax shouted.

They dove to the sides as the boar barreled through the center. Its tusks clipped a tree, splintering it into pieces.

Mira reacted first. She raised her staff and shouted, "Bind!"

Green vines shot from the ground and wrapped around one of the beast's legs, but with a grunt and flex of muscle, it shattered the vines like thread.

"It's too strong for basic binding!" she shouted, retreating.

"I'll distract it!" Ken yelled, flipping forward and slashing at the creature's legs. His blades barely cut the tough hide, but it roared in annoyance, turning toward him.

That was all Dax needed. With a roar of his own, he swung his sword down in a powerful arc. The blade slammed into the boar's back. Sparks flew, but the beast only staggered.

"Dammit, its hide is like steel!" Dax cursed, stumbling back.

Their fourth member, Lira, raised her palm. "Then we burn it!"

A small flame burst from her hand. She launched it at the beast—but the boar saw it coming.

It twisted with surprising speed and slammed its tusk into the ground, kicking up a spray of dirt that doused the flames.

"I-It's smart?" Lira's voice trembled.

"We don't have time to hesitate!" shouted the last member of the group, Roy. He stepped forward, and suddenly a shield of water circled around them all.

"Let's hit it together! Mira, try binding again. Ken, aim for its eyes. Dax, hit the back legs. Lira, burn the wounds!"

They all nodded, falling into sync.

Mira summoned stronger vines, this time coated in mana. They gripped both hind legs.

Ken dashed around the front, slashing at its face, distracting the creature. The beast shook violently, but couldn't break free fast enough.

Dax charged with all his strength and brought his sword down on one of the back legs. This time, it cracked the joint slightly, causing the beast to fall to one knee.

"Now!" shouted Roy.

Lira sent a focused stream of fire at the cracked leg. The beast howled in pain. Smoke and blood filled the air.

Seeing the moment, Dax jumped and plunged his sword deep into the creature's neck. It jerked wildly, then collapsed, crashing to the ground with a final, shuddering breath.

Silence returned to the forest.

Everyone stood frozen for a second, breathing hard.

"…We did it," Mira whispered.

"Yeah…" Ken dropped to the ground, exhausted.

"Barely."