Chapter 30: Trials of Strength and Will
The training hall was a vast, open arena, its high ceilings echoing with the sounds of heavy breathing and the clatter of weapons. Raven stood among the crowd, his white hair slightly damp with sweat, his black eyes sharp and focused.
The Shadow Clan's training was brutal, designed to push recruits to their limits. Around him, people from various worlds panted and struggled, their faces etched with exhaustion. But Raven? He felt alive.
The training began with a grueling run, a test of endurance and stamina. Raven's healing ability kicked in almost immediately, repairing his lungs and muscles as he pushed himself harder than anyone else. His pale skin glistened under the harsh light, his black eyes scanning the surroundings as he ran. He didn't stop, didn't falter. With every step, he felt himself growing stronger, faster. His body was a machine, and his ability was the fuel that kept it running.
As the hours passed, the other recruits began to drop, their bodies giving out under the strain. But Raven? He barely broke a sweat. His white hair clung to his forehead, his black eyes gleaming with determination. He wasn't just training—he was evolving.
When the run finally ended, Raven stood tall, his chest rising and falling steadily. Around him, the other recruits gasped for air, their faces pale and drawn.
Raven, however, felt invigorated. His healing ability had not only kept him going but had also made him stronger. His muscles felt tighter, his reflexes sharper. He was a predator among prey, and he knew it.
The next phase of training focused on stealth and assassination techniques. The recruits were taught how to move silently, how to blend into the shadows, and how to strike with precision.
Raven excelled at this, his natural agility and quick thinking making him a standout. His black eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail, every weakness. He wasn't just learning—he was strategizing.
As the training progressed, Raven noticed a boy nearby who seemed to be keeping up better than most. He was around Raven's age, with short, sandy-brown hair and piercing green eyes. His athletic build and confident demeanor made him stand out. Raven approached him, his white hair catching the light as he extended a hand.
"Name's Raven," he said, his voice calm but firm.
The boy looked up, his green eyes narrowing slightly before he shook Raven's hand. "Ethan," he replied, his voice steady. "You're holding up well."
Raven smirked, his black eyes glinting with amusement. "So are you. You from an athletic background?"
Ethan nodded. "Yeah, used to run track back home. This is… different, though."
Raven's smirk widened. "Different, but not impossible. Stick with me, and we'll get through this."
Ethan raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Confident, aren't you?"
"Confidence gets you far in a place like this," Raven replied, his tone casual but laced with determination. "If you need anything, let me know. We're in this together."
Ethan nodded, his green eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and respect. "I'll keep that in mind."
---
Aurelia's Training: The Frostguard
Meanwhile, in another part of the training grounds, Aurelia stood among a group of mages, her crimson hair catching the light like a flame. Her golden eyes scanned the room, calculating and observant.
The Frostguard's training was rigorous, focusing on stamina and endurance—essential for mages who needed to channel mana for extended periods.
Aurelia's pale skin glowed under the soft light, her delicate features set in a mask of concentration. She ran alongside the others, her slender frame moving with grace and precision. Unlike the others, who struggled to keep up, Aurelia's mind was already racing ahead. She wasn't just running—she was planning.
When the physical training ended, the recruits gathered for a lecture on magic. The instructor, a tall woman with silver hair and icy blue eyes, explained the basics of mana manipulation.
Aurelia listened intently, her golden eyes absorbing every word. She learned how to collect mana in her abdomen, heart, and brain—a difficult task that required immense focus.
As the lecture progressed, Aurelia's sharp mind pieced together the intricacies of spellcasting. She understood how freezing spells worked, how mana could lower the temperature of an area and turn it into ice. While others struggled to grasp the concepts, Aurelia stored every detail in her mind, her golden eyes gleaming with quiet confidence.
When the training ended, Aurelia didn't linger. She made her way to the library, her crimson hair flowing behind her like a trail of fire. She borrowed books on ice magic, her golden eyes scanning the titles with a hunger for knowledge. She wasn't just learning—she was preparing.
---
Lyra and Seraphine's Ordeal: The Blood Blades
In the Blood Blades' training arena, Lyra and Seraphine stood side by side, their white and crimson hair contrasting sharply against the harsh backdrop. The training was brutal, designed to weed out the weak. Lyra's black eyes were wide with determination, while Seraphine's golden eyes reflected a quiet resolve.
The recruits were pushed to their limits, their bodies aching from the relentless drills. Lyra and Seraphine struggled but kept up, their bond giving them strength. However, their spirits were tested when a girl nearby collapsed, unable to continue.
The guild leader, Nyra, a brown-skinned woman with fierce amber eyes, approached the fallen recruit. Her voice was cold, her posture commanding. "This is no place for weaklings," she said, her tone cutting through the air like a blade. "Get up, or get out."
Lyra's black eyes flashed with anger. She stepped forward, her white hair swaying as she confronted Nyra. "We're new here. Give us a chance to learn."
Nyra's amber eyes narrowed, and without warning, she punched Lyra in the stomach. The impact sent Lyra sprawling, blood trickling from her mouth.
Seraphine rushed to her side, but Nyra's kick landed on her shoulder, sending her crashing to the ground.
The pain was excruciating, but Lyra and Seraphine refused to give up. They struggled to their feet, their bodies trembling with effort.
Nyra's voice was cold and unyielding. "If you can't keep up, this is what you'll face every day."
The rest of the training was a blur of pain and determination. Lyra and Seraphine pushed through, their bond giving them the strength to endure. When it finally ended, they collapsed in their room, their bodies bruised and battered.
---
Aurelia returned to the room with a stack of books in her arms, her crimson hair slightly disheveled from the day's training. As soon as she saw Lyra and Seraphine lying on the bed, their bodies covered in bruises, her golden eyes widened in horror. Her heart shattered at the sight of their pale skin marred by dark patches of pain.
"Who did this to you?" Aurelia demanded, her voice trembling with rage. She rushed to their side, her slender fingers gently brushing Lyra's white hair away from her face.
Lyra and Seraphine broke down, their sobs filling the room. Between tears, they explained what had happened with Nyra. Aurelia's golden eyes burned with fury, but she forced herself to stay calm. She tended to their wounds, her hands shaking as she applied the healing cream Grim had brought.
When Raven entered the room, his black eyes immediately darkened with murderous intent. "Who did this?" he growled, his voice low and dangerous.
Aurelia explained, her voice steady but laced with anger. Raven's fists clenched, his white hair falling into his eyes as he turned to leave. "I'm going to kill her."
Aurelia grabbed his arm, her golden eyes pleading. "Not now, Raven. We're not strong enough yet. Remember this pain. Use it to grow stronger."
Raven hesitated, his black eyes flickering with conflict. Finally, he nodded, his jaw tight. "Fine. But she'll pay. I'll make sure of it."
He stormed out of the room, his white hair catching the moonlight as he disappeared into the forest. His rage fueled his training, his healing ability pushing him beyond his limits.
He vowed to grow stronger, to challenge the tutorial room, and to make Nyra pay.
---
In the dimly lit room, Aurelia knelt beside the bed, her crimson hair falling over her shoulders as she tended to Lyra and Seraphine. Her golden eyes, usually sharp and calculating, were now clouded with worry and rage. She gently dabbed a damp cloth on Lyra's pale skin, her slender fingers trembling as she wiped away the blood and dirt.
Lyra's white hair clung to her forehead, damp with sweat, her black eyes half-closed and glazed with pain.
Seraphine lay beside her, her crimson hair tangled and her golden eyes dull with exhaustion.
Their pale skin was marred with bruises, dark patches spreading across their bodies like shadows.
The door creaked open, and Grim stepped inside. His towering frame filled the doorway, his white hair falling over his cold, black eyes. His presence was suffocating, his aura heavy with restrained fury. He had already heard what happened from his subordinates, but seeing Lyra and Seraphine in such a state made his blood boil. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, the room seemed to grow colder.
Aurelia looked up at him, her golden eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Grim…" she whispered, her voice breaking.
Grim's black eyes softened slightly as he approached the bed. He knelt beside Aurelia, his large hands gently brushing Lyra's white hair away from her face. "Why are you crying?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "This is not the place for tears."
Lyra and Seraphine stirred, their eyes fluttering open. When they saw Grim, their tears began to fall again, their sobs filling the room. Grim's expression remained stoic, but his hands were gentle as he lifted them into his lap. Lyra rested against his chest, her white hair spilling over his broad shoulders, while Seraphine leaned into his other arm, her crimson hair contrasting sharply with his dark attire.
"Stop crying," Grim said, his voice cold but not unkind. "You're not dead. You're alive, and that means you have a chance to grow stronger. This is not the world we came from. Here, you'll face pain every day. But you'll survive. You'll get stronger. And you'll have your revenge."
His words were harsh, but they carried a quiet reassurance. Lyra and Seraphine's sobs began to subside, though their tears still fell silently. Grim's black eyes bore into theirs, his gaze unwavering. "Do you think I became strong without suffering?" he asked, his voice like steel. "I've been injured thousands of times. I've bled, I've fought, and I've survived. And so will you."
"This is the price of strength," Grim said, his voice deadly calm. "If you want to survive here, you'll have to pay it too. So stop crying and start planning. Think about how you'll get stronger. Think about how you'll make them pay."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small jar of healing cream. "Aurelia," he said, his tone softer now, "apply this to their wounds."
Aurelia nodded, her golden eyes still glistening with tears. She took Lyra from Grim's lap and gently removed her shirt, revealing the dark bruises that covered her stomach and sides.
Aurelia's hands trembled as she applied the cream, her heart aching with every whimper from Lyra. Once she finished, Grim lifted Lyra back into his arms, her white hair spilling over his chest as she drifted into an uneasy sleep.
Next, Grim handed Seraphine to Aurelia. Her crimson hair clung to her pale skin as Aurelia carefully removed her shirt, revealing the bruises that marred her slender frame.
Aurelia's tears fell silently as she applied the cream, her golden eyes filled with a mix of sorrow and determination. When she was done, Grim took both girls into his arms and placed them gently on the bed.
"Rest," he said, his voice firm but not unkind. He pulled a blanket over them and pressed a kiss to each of their foreheads. "You'll need your strength for tomorrow."
As Grim stood to leave, his black eyes met Aurelia's. "Take care of them," he said, his voice low. "And remember, we'll make them pay."
Aurelia nodded, her golden eyes hardening with resolve. She sat on the edge of the bed, her crimson hair falling over her shoulders as she watched over Lyra and Seraphine.
Grim turned and walked out of the room, his white hair catching the dim light as he disappeared into the shadows.