Return to the Academy

I could hear a sigh in the distance.

Why was I hearing a sigh? Had I died? Was that the Guide sighing?

My mind was jumbled. Why was everything dark still?

Slowly, I opened my eyes. Still dark.

Blinking, the world gradually came into focus. Looking around, I quickly realized I was lying on a makeshift cot within a dimly lit tent.

I guess I hadn't died.

My body ached with soreness, every movement a reminder of the grueling trials we had endured. Shaking away the remnants of exhaustion, I tried to sit up.

Ugh, it hurt.

My muscles screamed in resistance; I wasn't going to be going anywhere.

Around me, I could hear the soft rustling of fabric and the rhythmic sounds of deep breaths. I turned my head, causing a twinge of pain to shoot up my neck.

Lying in similar cots, I could see my companions, equally battered and bruised, stirring from their slumber.

And then, my eyes landed on Thorne, who sat nearby. His weathered face was etched with a mix of sternness and relief. His gaze was fixed on us, unwavering and watchful.

"Caspian, Eliza, Jonas, Alex," he grumbled in his gruff manner, as if scolding us for something, "you've finally woken up."

I attempted to speak, but my parched throat could only produce a hoarse croak. Thorne, shockingly prepared, handed me a canteen, and I greedily took a few sips before spitting it out.

Damn it. He had handed me alcohol, not water. And no. It was not whiskey, not wine, not anything normal. No. It tasted like pure alcohol.

Ugh. I shouldn't have trusted the brute.

"Easy now," he cautioned. "You've all been through a lot. We've got a lot to discuss."

Wow, that was kind of him, given he had just tried to poison me. I gave Thorne a short glare.

Ignoring it, he reached out and with his assistance, we slowly managed to sit up, the stiffness in our bodies reminding us of our recent ordeal. Thorne settled onto a nearby rock, his gaze still unwavering.

"First," he began, his voice gruffer than usual, "let me say that I'm glad to see you all alive and in one piece. The wolves that attacked targeted several cadets. They're a rare species that reside in these mountains and are much stronger than your regular wolf. We managed to rescue the other cadets, but the four of you were the only ones who couldn't be accounted for."

Eliza frowned, her brow furrowing in concern. "The wolves... were they part of the competition?"

Thorne nodded. "No, but unexpected surprises are part of being an adventurer. It's a harsh world out there, and you need to be ready for anything."

Before we could respond, another figure stepped into the tent. It was Orion. His expression was grave but not without a hint of pride.

"You all are a rare breed. Congratulations on surviving without help" he stated, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "

He paused and looked at us. "Despite the wolf attack, the competition still stands. We've already released the results to all of the groups - however, clearly, you were not there to hear them."

I felt my heart sink. Would we be disqualified? If so, would that mean that we were going to be expelled from the Academy?

Orion continued, ignoring our grim expressions, "We originally intended to only promote four groups. However, given your four managed to survive the wolf pack on your own - without rescuing, we will make an exception. Indeed, you've excelled. You gathered the most Frostfern of any group."

I exchanged stunned glances with my friends. We had ranked first? It was a surreal revelation, given the harrowing circumstances we'd faced.

"Because of your performance," Orion continued, "you will be promoted from Class C to Class B. Consider it a reward for your resourcefulness and determination."

As the news sank in, I sank back into my bed, a mixture of pride, gratitude, and exhaustion taking hold of me.

We had survived. We had faced wolves, bears, and come face-to-face with the remains of a dragon. The unimaginable had faced us and we had overcome it.

Orion's gaze turned somber as he looked beyond us, towards the entrance of the tent. "Not everyone was as fortunate as you. Many groups couldn't find Frostfern, and the wolves proved to be too much for them. Approximately twenty cadets will be leaving the academy, unable to continue."

The weight of that statement hung heavy in the air, a stark reminder of the unforgiving nature of their chosen path.

Orion's expression softened slightly as he addressed us once more. "This was your first challenge, but it won't be your last. Prepare yourselves, for the road ahead will be even more treacherous."

With that, he turned and left the tent, leaving us to contemplate the journey that lay before us.

Thorne rose from his seat, his gruff exterior showing a hint of pride as he regarded us. "You did well, recruits. But don't let your guard down. Wardenas is a dangerous place, and the academy expects nothing but the best from you."

We nodded in acknowledgment, a newfound determination burning within us.

It was time to leave and head back to the Academy. To return to our old lives and continue to prepare for the future; for our future.

We had tasted the life adventurers lived for the first time - and I'll be honest, we liked it. Yes, we had barely survived. Yes, it had been hard and painful.

However, it had been freeing; seeing the dragon bones, exploring the cave, finding Frostfern, discovering the enchanting valley, and surviving the impossible had made something shift within us. We needed to live a life colored by these experiences.

I needed to make the most of this life.

And so, together, we stepped from our beds, gingerly touching the ground with our feet pushing into it.

Together, we gathered our belongings as we followed Thorne into the wilderness extending beyond.

Together, we faced the towering mountains surrounding us, their majesty a reminder of the world we had barely begun to explore.

Unimaginable adventures awaited us.

It was time to go home.