Chapter 18 — The Ruin Test (Alive in the Fight)
The forest remained thick with mist, curling around the carriage and brushing against the horses' flanks. Every turn of the wheels seemed to echo too loudly in the stillness, and the dense fog made even familiar trees appear alien. Alex gripped the straps of his pack, every muscle taut, senses stretched thin. He did not speak of the system to Liora. She remained unaware, and he would not risk her discovering even the smallest clue of the quiet, passive force he was still barely beginning to understand.
Liora sat opposite him, quiet, hands resting lightly on her dagger. Her movements were calm, precise, controlled, but there was no mistaking the power in her posture. Every now and then, her gaze flicked toward Alex—not with doubt, but observation. Alex felt the weight of her hidden calculation, and it stirred something uneasy within him. She's grown. Faster, sharper, stronger… and I'm still stumbling, he thought, jaw tightening. But I can change that. Somehow… I must.
The escorts flanking the carriage remained tense but hesitant. Their eyes swept the surrounding shadows, weapons at the ready, but their movements were cautious, uncertain. They were trained soldiers, yes—but nothing in their service had prepared them for the predatory intelligence of a creature from the rift.
A sudden wet, rasping hiss sliced through the fog. The carriage jolted. From the mist emerged the predator: a humanoid rift-creature, towering, limbs twisted, claws elongated, skin mottled in shifting gray and black scales. Its eyes glowed faintly red, intelligent, analyzing.
Liora stiffened. "Alex… do you see that?"
"I do," he said, voice low, breath catching. Stay calm… move… think. He forced himself upright, heart hammering. I can't rely on anything but myself this time.
The creature circled the carriage, deliberate, deliberate steps crunching softly on the forest floor. It wasn't rushing—it was calculating, testing, measuring.
The first swipe came, aimed at the lead escort. Metal clanged against clawed strikes. Another blow sent the second stumbling. Alex's hands shook as he raised his knife. He lunged, misjudged the timing, and stumbled, his blade scraping only air. I'm useless… but I can't freeze. Not now.
Another attempt. He shifted weight awkwardly, swinging low, barely grazing the creature's forearm. Its hiss echoed through the mist. I did it… I hit it. Small, pathetic, but I hit it. A pulse of excitement ran through him, quickly drowned in adrenaline and fear. I'm changing… slowly, at least.
A claw slashed toward Liora. Alex lunged forward instinctively—too fast, too raw—tripping over a root. He barely caught himself, knife raised, but failed to block. Liora's dagger flared with light, a shield of pure energy forming around her arm. The strike glanced off harmlessly.
She's… stronger than I remembered. Far beyond what I can do now, Alex thought, heart pounding. And I'm… learning. Just learning.
The creature hissed, circling again, eyes locking on both of them. It leapt suddenly, claws snapping, trying to separate them. Liora didn't flinch. Her dagger streaked through the air, precise, guided by her blessing. Energy pulsed visibly around her, a shield shimmering across her torso. She struck again, forcing the predator back.
Alex moved, awkward, reactive, intercepting a strike aimed at her. He misstepped, nearly tripping again—but his knife grazed the creature's side. I did it… I actually moved ahead of it this time. Something… inside me… is changing.
The predator shrieked, red eyes narrowing, almost like it recognized Alex as different—less of a helpless human, more of a fledgling threat. He didn't understand it fully, didn't care. He was aware of his body responding faster, moving slightly ahead of thought, muscles remembering the rhythm of danger. I'm getting there. Weak… yes. But not helpless.
Liora jabbed her dagger, the blessing energy flaring brightly, piercing its arm. The creature hissed in pain and frustration. Alex leapt, sweeping its leg with all his strength, unsteady but effective. The predator staggered, claws flailing in rage.
The fight continued, relentless. Each strike Alex blocked or countered, each stumble he corrected mid-motion, was proof he was learning—not fast, not perfectly, but he could feel it. This is progress. Real, tangible progress.
Finally, the creature hissed again, calculating once more, then retreated, slipping silently into the mist. Silence fell, broken only by ragged breaths and the pounding of hearts.
Alex dropped to one knee, chest heaving. Pain flared through every joint, but a faint, stubborn spark of pride warmed his chest. I did it. Not because I'm strong… not yet… but I survived, and I learned. I can grow from this.
Liora stood beside him, dagger still glowing faintly, eyes wide. "I… I can feel it," she whispered. "My blessing… it's… stronger. I didn't know it could do that."
"You've always had it," Alex said quietly, voice low. "It's just… more now. Something changed… maybe during the rift."
She studied him, gaze sharp. Curiosity, calculation, respect. She didn't speak, only tightened her grip on her dagger.
The escorts shook off shock and murmured, still pale. They had survived because of Liora's strength—and Alex's small, faltering, but noticeable growth.
The carriage moved onward, tension thick in the air. Shadows seemed alive, rustling leaves whispered, and Alex felt the spark inside him, small but unmistakable. I have to get stronger. I will get stronger.
Hours later, the forest opened. The first sight of the academy rose ahead: spires gleaming, banners snapping sharply in the wind. Students moved with purpose, guards lined the walls with trained vigilance.
Alex did not relax. Deep breath in, muscles coiled. The real trials haven't even begun.
Liora leaned toward him, voice low. "Then this is it. The place we've been heading for…"
"Yes," he said quietly. "But we're not done yet. Not by far."
He did not speak of the system. It remained silent, passive, hidden. She remained unaware of the force that had let him scrape survival from chaos.
The carriage rolled through the gates, echoing ominously across the courtyard. The academy loomed, silent, a fortress of trials and unseen dangers. Shadows at the edges of vision hinted at challenges that would push them both beyond what they had endured.
Alex looked at Liora, hand brushing hers lightly. "Stay close. Whatever comes next… we face it together."
Her eyes met his, soft, unreadable. "Together," she whispered. The glimmer of calculation never left her gaze—a subtle reminder her motives remained her own.
The system pulsed faintly inside him, monotone, silent. Progress measured. Danger survived. Growth observed. [Quest: Survive and Grow | Progress: 15%]
Beyond the gates, the academy waited—trials, mysteries, dangers lurking in every corridor. The first step into the unknown had been taken, but neither Alex nor Liora had grasped the full weight of what awaited them.
The journey was far from over.
I know chapter 17-18 can be quite bland 😇, trust me am working on it , it just a little spice from the main dish , starting chapter 19 you gonna get hooked , thanks for the support (arigato)😇