Celia couldn’t afford to think about any of that right now. Lying weakly on the ground, she gasped for air, her back soaked with sweat. Fear and lingering dread churned violently within her.
She didn’t know why she’d dared to grab the wyvern under its dragon breath. For one terrifying moment, when the scorching breath was about to erupt, she truly believed she would die.
But luckily, she’d won the gamble.
A strange ringing filled her ears. The adrenaline rush made her dizzy, blurring her vision of the sky.
Someone seemed to approach. Warm water roughly washed over her body, the fading stench of blood bringing relief.
“Did… did I pass the trial?” she asked weakly.
“You passed…”
The voice replying was gentle, laced with deep concern.
“Good…”
Hearing the answer she needed, Celia exhaled sharply. Then, pain crashed over her like a tide, as if her body had shattered.
An itch crawled across her thigh. Instinctively, she reached to scratch it—only to have her wrist caught halfway.
“Hold still.”
That familiar voice cut through the ringing in her ears. As her vision cleared, she saw the face before her.
Elder Silverflower.
Kneeling beside her, the elder focused intently on healing the wound on Celia’s thigh. Strands of silver hair fell loosely over her shoulder, her breathtaking profile glowing in the sunlight.
Her eyes, usually calm as a clear lake, now rippled with worry like stones disturbing the water.
Warmth flooded Celia’s chest. A sweet, involuntary smile spread across her face.
It vanished instantly when Dorothy shot her a glare. Celia switched to an innocent blink.
She knew Elder Silverflower was scolding her reckless act. It had been far too dangerous—no one could’ve been sure Isa’s Ring Blade would pierce the wyvern’s hide.
But… even then, Elder Silverflower would’ve saved her. Right?
A secret thrill flickered in Celia’s heart. She scanned the training ground, spotting Aurora and Isa.
Aurora was mostly unharmed, though a strand of her pale blue hair had been singed by the wyvern’s breath. She winced, clearly pained by the loss.
Isa stood silently, cradling her dimmed Ring Blade. Her expression hovered between wanting to cry and laugh.
She must have paid a heavy price to sever the wyvern’s neck.
Celia resolved to repay her properly later.
The surrounding Heroes fell silent for a long moment after witnessing the mad wyvern’s defeat. Then, thunderous cheers erupted.
This team had completely won them over. Any doubts about their growth being reliant on external aids before the trial had vanished.
They’d defeated a fourth-tier demon beast through their own strength.
Even with a mysterious instructor’s guidance, these Heroes knew they’d have fallen to the wyvern long ago.
“Mr. Aul,” Sharin stood, adjusting her gold-rimmed glasses. Her voice stayed calm, but excitement thrummed beneath it. Her heart had nearly leapt out of her throat when Celia faced the dragon breath. Only Elder Silverflower’s poised presence had stopped her from halting the trial.
Thankfully, Celia’s team had delivered an incredible surprise.
Beside her, Aul rose to his feet. His face was thunderous. Sharin nearly smirked.
“I’ll honor our agreement,” Aul said coldly, his words holding no hint of reneging. His servant beside him gaped, stunned.
*Lord Aul… actually lost?*
Sharin gave a light, elegant sniff. She moved to Celia’s side, ready to announce their victory—when her communicator beeped urgently.
Before she could answer, the training ground doors burst open. A Hero assigned to monitor the Silent Forest rushed in, breathless.
“Beast Tide! The Beast Tide has broken out!”
…
Vedona, frequently battered by Beast Tides, had built a city wall for defense. Knights stood guard atop it.
But most yawned behind their armor, posture slack. They clearly didn’t take the Silent Forest watch seriously.
Roland’s team passed them en route to rendezvous with other Heroes. Roland’s brow furrowed slightly at their laxness, but she said nothing.
Heroes and knights held no authority over each other.
Still, her teammate leaned close, whispering in disgust: “With attitudes like that, how can they possibly guard against a Beast Tide?”
Speaking of Beast Tides, a brown-haired girl nearby grumbled:
“A massive Beast Tide? Impossible. What’s President Sharin even thinking? We missed Celia’s team trial because of this!”
“I’ve been waiting months for it!”
Celia’s team had become legendary in the Heroes Guild over the past half-year—rising from nothing to slaying fourth-tier beasts. She’d seen them six months ago, still so green.
But Sharin’s sudden order to monitor the forest had made her miss the trial date entirely.
“Our captain’s just as upset. Look at her face.”
Roland had also eagerly anticipated the trial—it was no secret in their team. Yet she seemed more intrigued by the mysterious instructor.
Hearing the chatter about the trial, Roland’s frown deepened. Arms crossed, she said firmly:
“Stay focused. Sharin may be unreliable, but she doesn’t falter on critical matters. Sending every fourth-tier Hero to watch the forest? This Beast Tide must be serious.”
“Right.”
Her teammates fell silent, following her toward the gathering Heroes.
Soon, Roland halted abruptly. A wave of unease washed over her.
In the distance, flocks of crows erupted from the forest, their harsh cries tearing through the sky like an omen.
Her communicator lit up. She pulled it out—just as the ground trembled violently beneath her feet. Instinctively, she looked toward the Silent Forest.
At the horizon, trees had vanished. Only a churning sea of demon beasts surged toward Vedona, kicking up a monstrous cloud of dust.
