The sun began to rise, bringing with it the promise of first light. In the thick canopy of forest trees, birds woke from their slumber and began to perform their morning calls. Grouped around several fires were the trainees, resting with their packs as pillows on the hard forest floor. It had been a long night, and after a grueling hike, they had managed to reach the clearing in the valley at midnight. Most were still sleeping, unused to the early hours. But Dean was not most.

  He sat on a nearby fallen log, his back to a stump as he ran the whetstone over his blade with practiced precision. It was a habit he’d acquired during the war. A soldier could never be too ready, and preparation was critical to mission success. Maintenance of weapons, gear, and one's own body was a responsibility of every member of the Numerian Army. And though he was no longer a soldier, he considered it his own responsibility as well.

  So he drew the stone over the metal once more, enjoying the rasping sound it made. Across the clearing, Ryu had returned from his morning jog. He was the only other trainee Dean had seen awake, slipping off onto a trail before the proctors had woken.

  “Did I not make myself clear, trainee?” asked the female proctor, cocking a head at Ryu. “No candidates are to leave the clearing. We are in the wilds, after all. And despite the perimeter our men maintain, this zone is dangerous to those of you who have not yet ascended.”

  Ryu surprised Dean by turning to face her and bowing low, tilting his head even with the ground. It was a display of deep respect, and not one someone of his station would make lightly.

  “I beg your pardon, proctor,” said Ryu, his deep baritone carrying over the clearing. “It was not my intention to disobey your orders. Running is part of my readiness routine, and I made sure to stay within the boundaries of the perimeter your men set.”

  The proctor narrowed her eyes for a moment before shrugging and moving off in the direction of the administration tent.

  “I’ll let it slide this time. But you’d do well to learn to heed orders, especially if you hope to ascend ranks within a Guild. Incompetence is rarely rewarded among the strong.”

  Ryu only bowed his head, his eyes glittering with amusement.

  “Yes, ma’am, understood.”

  “Weird.” Finn had appeared at Dean’s side out of seemingly nowhere, pulling on a soft leather boot as he watched the giant trainee make his way back towards his party. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him show respect to anyone.”

  Dean shrugged.

  “I get the impression Ryu is much more than he seems.”

  Finn snorted.

  “I highly doubt that.”

  Shae and Ten picked their way across the clearing as the smell of frying eggs and bacon from the cookfire began to waft.

  “Oh, thank the gods,” said Shae. “Food. I’m starving. The last meal I ate was lunch yesterday.”

  “I’m afraid the food isn’t for you,” said an Administrator as he grabbed a plate from a nearby camp table.

  “Trainees aren’t permitted to consume anything before the exam, and all packs must be checked and double-checked before each individual is allowed to proceed into the dungeon. It’s simply protocol.”

  Shae glared at him as the man shoveled eggs into his mouth, chewing with an irritating relish as he smoothed his robes.

  “I’m really starting to hate Guild administration,” muttered Finn, turning away with a sigh. “We aren’t even allowed to eat the rations we brought? What kind of rule is that?”

  “That rule, Mr. Finnegan, exists in order to prevent trainees from exploiting the examination system.”

  Baron Forsa was striding towards them, his hands thrust in the pockets of his uniform.

  “See, the rules specifically state that cheating is illegal, and any breach of exam rules will result in immediate test termination and a permanent ban from those stupid enough to try to pull one over on their proctors. Nonetheless, attempts to cheat are not unheard of. It is the will of the board that we maintain the same standards across every examination, to prevent any problem children from slipping through the cracks.”

  Finn’s cheeks went pink.

  “Yes sir, I understand.”

  “Do you?” Baron arched an eyebrow, but beneath his outwardly stern appearance, Dean could see the amusement dancing in the man’s eyes. “Very good. Now, are there any more brilliant questions?”

  Nobody dared speak, and Baron Forsa smiled.

  “Very well. Now, gather round and listen up.”

  He stalked to the middle of the camp, followed closely by the female proctor and several administrators. Dean stood, sheathing his sword and patting Finn on the shoulder as they moved towards the center of the clearing. Other Trainees scrambled to do the same, those that weren’t ready panicking as they attempted to throw on their gear and weapon belts.

  “Now,” said Baron, his voice somehow cutting through the sudden clamor. “Since out here in the valley, we are beyond the prying eyes and ears of others, I can explain the rules of the examination to you in full. Before I do, know that each and every one of you is bound to secrecy by the oath of our order. Whether you pass or fail this exam, repeating the details of this test is strictly prohibited. Share this information at your own peril, but if you do know that we have ways of knowing, and Guilds do not look kindly on breaches of exam confidentiality.”

  “Ways of knowing?” Shae whispered, her eyes wide. “How?”

  “He’s bluffing,” muttered Dean out of the side of his mouth. It was true as far as he knew. There wasn’t a way to track spoken word, at least none that he was aware of. Baron’s eyes flicked to him, and the man’s mouth quirked ever so slightly upwards.

  Can he hear me? Even from here?

  The ranker's senses must have been keen indeed.

  “Well stated, Proctor Forsa,” said the female proctor, stepping forward to take the spotlight. She had foregone her magic spear, instead pacing before them in silver armor that seemed to pulse with power. It was an impressive display both of power and of wealth. One that Dean was sure wasn’t lost on the trainees.

  “Over the past few months, you have formed parties and trained to hone the skills of yourselves and your counterparts. You have learned to train together, fight together, and even to understand and account for each other's strengths and weaknesses. This is commendable, and in your time in the Guilds, you will find that many contracts, quests, and assignments require well-rounded parties. However,”

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  She paused in her pacing, turning to face them head-on.

  “This exam doesn’t just measure the strength of your party, but the merit of each individual. Therefore, in order for us to gauge your abilities, your party will be entering the dungeon separately. Due to the nature of dungeons, each one of you will arrive at a different location, and the task of finding one another and regrouping to attack the dungeon boss falls entirely on you.”

  Muttering erupted along the crowd as the proctor's words sank in. Several of the trainees looked outright rattled, and Dean could understand why. Though Adventurers often fought greater threats in parties, each ranker could also handle their own contracts and quests independently. Parties were a convenience that circumstances didn’t always allow, and that was a reality the trainees would have to face.

  “But that’s hardly fair!” quipped an Archer, brushing her hair back from her eyes. “Some of us are adept at ranged and support roles. It’s what we’ve trained for all of our lives, and yet we’d be at a severe disadvantage over warriors or fighters. How exactly is this exam balanced?”

  “Balanced?” the female proctor laughed. “Just where do you think you are, girl? I understand many of you are used to the rules and comfort of your homes and status, but by now, you should have learned a single universal truth. The world is neither fair nor safe. In your time as an Adventurer, you will face countless situations and threats of a wide variety. In this profession, others will rely upon you, and an essence wielder, to defend this land and neutralize them. Do you think a monster will care if you come unprepared? Do you think a beast will cease its charge because you're at a disadvantage? No, here as in life, only one thing matters. And that is your ability to survive, adapt, and overcome any situation presented to you.”

  “And if we can’t? What if it’s not that simple?” The Archer’s lips were trembling, but the Proctor didn’t soften her gaze.

  “Then you die,” she said calmly. “It may seem harsh, but that is the reality every ranker must face.”

  The archer clenched his fists at her side, glancing away.

  Several trainees had gasped at this pronouncement, but Dean noticed that many among the gathered didn’t react at all. Ryu seemed to least affected of them all. He swung his axe experimentally through the air, seeming almost bored with the proceedings.

  Then again, it’s like he knew in advance. He turned back to the proctor, his brows furrowing. Still, this doesn’t explain one thing..

  “Proctor, if our parties are separated during the initial part of the exam, then how is individual performance measured?”

  The proctors' painted lips quirked upwards.

  “Finally, a question worth answering. While it’s true that each one of you will land in a separate area within the dungeon itself, you won’t be without assistance. Several of our staff will be monitoring you, though it’s unlikely you’ll be aware of our presence. As for what you’ll be graded on? How quickly and effectively you can clear your areas and reunite with your teams. Don’t be fooled into believing this will be an easy task. While the true nature of dungeons is not entirely known, we are aware that some of them are sentient. Mobs, traps, and monsters are all hurdles you’ll be expected to overcome, so remember this. Keep your guard up, and when within a dungeon, don’t trust everything your senses tell you.”

  Dean nodded and adjusted his sword on his belt.

  “Finally, the last hurdle you’ll have to overcome is that of other teams present in your dungeon. There will be two teams assigned to each dungeon, and yet there will only be one boss. Kill the boss and clear the dungeon, and your team passes. Fail to do so…”

  She let her words trail off, but the meaning was clear. This wasn’t just an exam; it was a competition.

  The proctor ordered them all to prepare themselves before walking off in the direction of the administrative tent. Finn watched her go, his already fair skin even paler than usual.

  “Well, that was interesting. I heard the physical exam was no walk in the park, but I didn’t expect this.”

  “Are you worried?”

  Finnegan shook his head.

  “I’m nervous, but I can handle myself, and so can the others.”

  “Damn right,” said Shae, testing the edge on her battleaxe. “I’m not dying to some random dungeon mob after everything I’ve been through. It’s do or die, Thompson. You know that.”

  Dean smiled. For the first time, he felt the tension in his core ease. Shae was right, his party members were capable of taking care of themselves. Right now, he needed to focus on his own tasks and responsibilities.

  “Right,” he said, straightening as they heard the call for muster. “We’re ready for this.”

  The others nodded; even Ten had a spark or intent in his eye that hadn’t been there before.

  “Ready,” he said, repeated, flexing his hands. “Let us do this.”

  ***

  Dean felt the gate's presence before he saw it. His mana sense tingled as a slow thrumming power washed over him. It was accompanied by a sound – a hum… like a million buzzing hornets. Dean’s skin prickled at the unnatural feeling.

  “It’s not far now,” said one of the Guild officials assigned to him. “You can feel it, can’t you? The presence of the dungeon.”

  Reluctantly, Dean nodded.

  “Feels unnatural.”

  “That’s because it is. Dungeons are not of this world. To this day, we still have little idea how or why they appear. Only that they do, and if they aren’t cleared within a certain amount of time, the problem multiplies.”

  “Dungeon overflow,” said Dean grimly.

  He remembered that problem all too well. When the empire had been drawn into conflict, the large Guilds had begun pulling resources from the field and diverting them towards the military. The shift had been gradual, but even so, the effect had caused a crisis the likes of which humanity had never seen.

  “Among other things.”

  They rounded a bend in the trees, and Dean saw the telltale bluish glow of the gate up ahead. The light was vibrant even in the middle of the day. The gate itself was a stone archway carved with runes. Blue power swirled from within, ebbing and flowing like a mini tide.

  Dean had never seen a standard dungeon. But he’d seen a gate before… a gate that led straight into the heart of hell.

  “Don’t stand too close,” warned the official, waving a hand at him as Dean made to step forward. “Not unless you want to get sucked in prematurely. Magic in dungeon gates isn’t always stable.”

  Dean reluctantly pulled his eyes from the swirl of magic as the man stepped forward, a clipboard in his hand.

  “Now then, Mr. Thompson. I’m required to check your stats and perform a routine check of your pack items and inventory. You were told you would need to empty your inventory before attending the exam. Is that correct?”

  “Uh, yes.”

  Dean’s throat bobbed as his nerves began to rise. Standing this close to the gate, he could feel the buzz of power so acutely that it set his teeth on edge.

  “And you understand the associated risks of stepping through that gate? Once you do, there is no turning back until you either defeat the boss or the exam ends.”

  “So there’s a time limit?”

  The Guild official smiled over the cloth mask on his face.

  “Of course. You will have approximately two hours to clear the entirety of the dungeon. We will be watching what takes place, but there is a limit to our capabilities. Generally speaking, neither the Guilds or the board is permitted to interfere in the outcome of the exam.”

  In other words, if something happens, I’m on my own.

  “I understand,” said Dean. He tightened the leather strap of his pack across his body, shifting his weight to test its security.

  He finished scribbling something with a charcoal pencil and surveyed Dean with narrowed eyes. Dean saw the reflection of stat boxes in those eyes and recognized administrative magic at work.

  “Armor seems good… no hidden buffs or enchantments that I can see. But I’m afraid your base stats are…” the main trailed off a moment, blinking in surprise. Dean suppressed a smile.

  “Is there something wrong, administrator?”

  The Guild official was quick to recover, the lines of disbelief on his face disappearing as soon as they’d arrived.

  “No, he said, rubbing a hand over his face. “No, I was just surprised to see that most of your stats are maxed. You have, after all, only been training for about a month.” His pen paused, hovering over the clipboard. Then reluctantly, he lowered it.

  “I can’t see any reason to delay you from taking the exam. For all intents and purposes, you are combat-ready.”

  Dean rolled his neck and shoulders, readying himself for the task ahead.

  “Then am I safe to proceed?”

  The administrator hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly he nodded.

  “Candidate Dean Thompson, you may enter the dungeon. Keep in mind that gate travel can be disorienting. On behalf of the Guilds, we wish you luck.”

  Dean nodded and cast a glance around the forest one last time. Here, standing before the gate into the dungeon that would determine his future, he felt a tight ball of nerves in the pit of his stomach. Everything was riding on this. Everything was riding on him. The old him might have cracked under the weight of that pressure. Back then, he’d been little more than a coward and a layabout. But Dean wasn’t that kid anymore.

  So he straightened his shoulders and walked forward towards the deep blue glow. He was nervous, alright, so nervous that he felt like he might puke. But beneath that coiled feeling of anxiety was something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Something was budding within him that hadn’t been allowed to exist before.

  Dean stepped into the gate. The buzz filled his ears, the power of the magic playing across his skin like static. All the while, that feeling in his chest grew.

  Excitement he realized as the blue hue around him intensified. That’s what this is.

  A smile tugged at his lips.

  “Well,” he said to himself. “This is new.”