V2 C3 The hardest test.

''Let's go,'' Jean said.

Entering the door, the group was surprised by their surroundings. They no longer seemed to be in the labyrinthine or the ancient zone, but in a natural landscape that could very well have existed on earth. The sky was open and visible to all, while forests, plains, and mountains covered the area.

''Where are we?''

''Most certainly still in the ancient zone. Don't let yourself be fooled and focus at all times, we never know what could happen.''

[The trial will start in a minute, at which time the barriers will disappear.]

''Barriers?''

''Yes, look around us. They may be invisible, but you can see traces of their presence.''

Indeed, there was a slight difference in the grass on which the barrier stood. That and the energy that the barrier was emitting.

Looking further, they saw different groups like theirs, a dozen, maybe more, who seemed to be in the same situation as them - in a small cage ready to be released at any moment.

''Enough of this blather.'' François began. ''We must choose a plan. I suppose the test will be one of combat, which is why we need to ensure a good position. That's why we should rush towards the peak of the mountain just as the barriers fade. We'll cover ourselves by using the demons as shields.''

''That sounds like a good idea but... the enemies are demons, and I don't think they'll kill each other that easily, and even if they were to, I guess they'd get rid of us first.'' Eloise analyzed.

''That's why we must hurry to a good position. We'll at least have the advantage of surprise to allow us to reach it. Honestly, the situation is catastrophic and the battle seemed already lost. Even if they only have a quarter of our strength, we would still be losing it as nothing but absolute strength can beat them.''

As strong as Jean seemed, he wouldn't have been able to beat all of the non-Knights demons of the last battle, even at his peak stage. Even the demoness who'd be slightly better with her battle-made pre-awakening, couldn't do this feat.

''But what are our chances to withstand a siege? Not only are supplies lacking but we are both wounded and outnumbered.'' François knew this fact well. He was still heavily wounded from the last battle and chances were that he would die here. ''If we're going to die... we might as well choose a path that at least gives us a chance to survive, and at worst we'll have killed some demons.''

''A chance of survival? The only way would be to increase our numbers through slavery, but... will there be enough time? The risks are too great...''

[The trial will start in 10 seconds. When less than 250 people remain alive, the salvation door will appear. It will close itself 30 seconds after the first person passes through it. If there are less than 30 people left, it will reopen.]

''Jean, make a choice!'' With the group split in two, François knew they wouldn't survive.

''...'' taking a short hesitation, he said ''Let's do it as Eloise proposed, François will command.''

With everyone respecting the final decision, they went straight to the group closest to them. There were about a hundred of them, the same amount as them, but they weren't for sure at the same level as Jean or the demoness.

If Jean had chosen this tactic it was surely because he knew that giving no hope to the enslaved demons would only be negative for them. Not only would they not fight, but they might also even attack them, indoctrinated as they were.

Fortunately, their innate love for life prevented 'heroic' acts.

''Be grouped around the demons! They will help hide our energy as much as possible!''

They needed to enslave their enemies before the demons regroup.

''Use your energy without saving! The only advantage we have is our strength, not our endurance. Don't risk it and be sure to kill if you can!''

The best-case scenario would be panic from the demons witnessing such a quick attack, but they knew that relying on a utopian scenario would be a major mistake.

Making contact with the demons, the shock began.

They had already decided on several formations the day before, and all the groups had been made according to proximity. For example, all the villagers of Nirl would be in the same group. Thus, one would be less likely to give up and would fight till the end. The only exception was Emilie who was protected by the rest of the squadron with her boosts.

'I have to protect them' Eloise thought. For this, she couldn't hesitate.

In an instant and with an emotionless face, Eloise dispersed her pure energy into her body and sword before attacking her opponent surprised by her attack. Not only did her strength, speed, and resistance increase, but the blow she inflicted emanated an enormous amount of impure energy that terrified her opponent.

One attack was enough to kill her unprepared foe.

This single attack had made her use her maximum reserve of pure energy. But this wasn't a problem. If one normally ran out of pure energy, she could use that of the system to maintain herself in a constant state of strength. Only her body would suffer, but pure energy would defend it against her continuous absorption of impure energy and the fatigue of her body.

This test, this war... they will come out alive no matter what!