Jana led Adrian down a flight of stone stairs, the clamor of the main hall fading as they descended. The air grew cooler, carrying the faint scent of damp earth and magic. The passage opened into a vast, cavernous space, dimly lit by glowing runic crystals embedded in the walls. This was the Adventurers' Guild's Combat Arena.
It was truly magnificent. The arena floor was a wide circular expanse of packed earth, scarred with countless magical blasts and sword slashes. Intricate, glowing runes shimmered along its perimeter, clearly magical wards. A raised viewing platform overlooked the central space, and along one wall, a series of smaller alcoves housed various magical devices.
"This is it, Nyxal!" Jana announced, her voice echoing slightly in the vast space, tinged with obvious pride. "Our pride and joy! This arena is magically enchanted to create realistic training simulations. It's safe, within limits, but it feels incredibly real. The wards prevent any serious collateral damage, and the simulacrums, though powerful, are designed to dissipate once defeated."
Adrian surveyed the arena, a flicker of awe in his amber eyes. Even in his game, the arenas hadn't felt this alive, this imposing. "Impressive. What's its full purpose?"
"Beyond the trials, adventurers use it to hone their skills, test new equipment, or even practice party coordination against specific threats," Jana explained. "It's indispensable. As for your trial, it's straightforward: defeat every simulated threat the Guild Master throws at you. The difficulty will escalate, and you must demonstrate tactical prowess, not just brute force. No retreating, no surrendering."
Adrian nodded, his mind already analyzing the layout, the potential for using the environment. "Understood. Is there a minimum number of creatures, or a specific type I should be prepared for?"
Jana shook her head. "It varies. Guild Master Borin tailors each trial based on his assessment. But expect a progression from basic threats to more formidable ones. He's looking for adaptability."
Moments later, Guild Master Borin entered the arena, his imposing figure dwarfing Jana. He gave Adrian a curt nod. "Ready, Nyxal?"
"Ready, Master Borin," Adrian replied, stepping onto the packed earth of the arena floor.
"Good. First, a simple warm-up." Borin raised a hand, and the runes around the arena glowed brighter. With a shimmering distortion of the air, two Giant Forest Spiders materialized. Their chitinous legs twitched, and venom dripped from their fangs.
"Two Giant Forest Spiders!" Jana's voice echoed from the viewing platform, taking on a commentator's tone. "Common threats, but their venom can be nasty!"
Adrian moved with practiced ease. He dodged a lunging attack from one spider, his human speed enhanced by Nyxal's latent power, and delivered a precise, powerful kick to its underside, sending it skittering back. He then sidestepped the other's web attack and, with a swift movement, drew a simple training sword provided by the Guild. He aimed for their weak points, dispatching both with a few clean, efficient strikes. He didn't want to overdo it; just enough to show competence.
"Quick and efficient," Borin noted, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze. "Next. Three Dire Wolves."
The spiders dissipated, replaced by three snarling, muscular wolves, their eyes glowing red. They circled him, their growls low and menacing.
"Dire Wolves! Faster, more aggressive! Watch for their pack tactics!" Jana called out.
Adrian maintained a defensive stance, observing their movements. When one lunged, he met its attack with a parry, deflecting it, and then delivered a precise thrust that dissolved the beast. He spun to face the other two, using his superior footwork to avoid being surrounded. He feigned a retreat, drawing one wolf in, then pivoted swiftly, disabling it with a powerful, well-aimed blow. The last wolf, momentarily disoriented, fell swiftly after.
"Decent situational awareness," Borin grunted. "Now, a more challenging opponent. A Stone Golem."
The ground rumbled, and a hulking, moss-covered humanoid figure of solid rock coalesced in the center of the arena, its slow, heavy movements belying its immense power.
"A Stone Golem! Pure physical might! Its attacks are slow but devastating! Look for the weak points in its joints!" Jana's voice was now filled with a hint of genuine excitement.
Adrian knew Stone Golems from the game. They were vulnerable to sustained, rapid attacks on their weak points or, if one had it, elemental magic, particularly frost or earth-shattering spells. He didn't want to reveal any magical abilities prematurely, so he opted for physical prowess. He moved with surprising agility for a human his size, dodging its lumbering swings, focusing his attacks on the joints – the knees, elbows, and neck. He used the sword like a precision tool, chipping away at its stony form. He timed his dodges perfectly, letting the Golem's own momentum work against it. It was a prolonged battle, demanding endurance and precision, but eventually, with a final, forceful strike to its head, the Golem crumbled into a pile of rocks.
"Excellent control!" Jana exclaimed, her voice filled with admiration. "Most recruits struggle mightily with the Golem!"
Borin merely nodded, a flicker of something resembling approval in his eyes. "Very well, Nyxal. One more. A Shadow Wraith."
The temperature in the arena plummeted. The air grew heavy, and a swirling vortex of shadowy mist formed, coalescing into a spectral, wailing figure. Its chilling moan seemed to drain the very light from the room.
"A Shadow Wraith!" Jana's voice held a note of warning. "Ethereal, resistant to physical attacks! Their touch drains vitality!"
This was the tricky one. In the game, Shadow Wraiths were often immune or highly resistant to physical damage and required magical attacks, particularly light or holy magic. Adrian didn't want to use Nyxal's own primordial spells. He needed to find a human-level solution. He recalled a minor exploit from the game: their vulnerability to sustained elemental force that disrupted their ethereal form. He would have to channel just enough of Nyxal's power to create that effect physically.
He didn't draw his sword. Instead, he channeled a minuscule fraction of Nyxal's inherent force manipulation – a subtle, undetectable burst of kinetic energy, disguised as a series of incredibly powerful, precisely aimed punches and kicks. He wasn't hitting the Wraith; he was disrupting its spectral form with raw concussive force. He moved like a whirlwind, each strike blurring the Wraith's outline, its wails growing more frantic. It tried to touch him, but he was always a step ahead, the faintest flicker of Nyxal's preternatural reflexes guiding him. Finally, with a concentrated, explosive strike to its core, the Shadow Wraith shrieked, then dissipated entirely.
A pregnant silence hung in the arena. Even Jana seemed breathless. Borin stared at Adrian, his expression unreadable.
"Remarkable," Borin finally said, his voice softer than Adrian had expected. "Your physical aptitude is clear. Your tactical understanding is sound. And your ability to adapt to an opponent, even one seemingly immune to your methods... is truly something else. You show a unique kind of strength, Nyxal." He walked towards him, extending a hand. "Congratulations, Nyxal. You've passed all three Guild trials with distinction."
Adrian gripped Borin's hand firmly. "Thank you, Guild Master. I'm ready to contribute."
"That you are," Borin said, a genuine smile now gracing his face. "Jana will finalize your registration. You are now officially an E-Rank Adventurer of the Oakhaven Guild. Don't let the rank fool you; it's just where everyone starts. With your performance today, I expect you'll advance swiftly."
Jana clapped her hands, hurrying over, her face alight with excitement. "That was incredible, Nyxal! I knew you had it in you!" She turned to Borin.
"Should I prepare his Guild tabard and emblem?"
"Yes, and get him acquainted with the mission board," Borin instructed. "Nyxal, as an E-Rank, you'll start with simpler tasks: clearing out nuisance beasts from farms, escorting merchants on safe roads, recovering lost items. But with your skills, I foresee you quickly moving into C-rank or even B-rank missions, dealing with more dangerous monsters and more complex assignments."
Adrian nodded. "What about the current state of Aethelgard? Elara and Jana mentioned whispers of war, reawakening gods, and the fragmented demonic factions. Is there anything an E-rank can do about that?"
Borin's expression grew grim again. "Not directly, no. Those are matters for veteran A and S-rank adventurers, or the ruling powers themselves. But every small quest, every cleared road, every safe village, contributes. It strengthens the realm, frees up resources, and prepares us for the larger conflicts to come. Besides," he added, a glint in his eye, "even a new adventurer can stumble upon a clue. Keep your eyes and ears open. Information is as valuable as steel in these times."
Jana handed him a small, polished wooden emblem carved with the Guild's griffin sigil. "Wear this proudly, Nyxal. It signifies your membership. You'll also receive a Guild tabard and a basic adventurer's kit." She then led him to a large board covered in parchment scrolls. "These are the available missions. Take your pick, and good luck out there!"
Adrian looked at the board, the endless possibilities of this terrifying, yet exhilarating, new reality stretching before him. He was a registered adventurer in a world on the brink. The dream of the dominating devil still lingered, a dark promise, but for now, his focus was on survival and understanding. His real game had truly begun.