Dangerous Ambition

Chapter - 26

By the time we reached the beam of light, we had slain a few more creatures, each kill adding to the tally of tags tucked in our bags. As we neared the clearing, we noticed a few other teams approaching the beam from different directions, some bloody and bruised but determined, their eyes fixed on the shimmering exit. I doubted, though, that any of them had claimed as many tags as we had.

Up close, the beam of light wasn't just a column of energy. It was a door—a tall, arched frame hovering in the middle of the clearing, translucent and pulsing with the same ethereal blue glow as the entry gate we had passed through when we had entered the trial area.

Jennifer and Cassia exchanged a glance, both visibly eager to leave this place behind. They picked up their pace, striding forward, ready to be done with this place. But as they quickened their steps, a sound pierced the clearing—a deep, guttural roar that vibrated through the ground. The earth trembled underfoot, the trees shivering with it. Instinctively, I slowed my pace. Jennifer and Cassia stopped as well, their expressions tightening as the surrounding seemed to hold its breath.

Three figures burst into view, sprinting towards the exit door. The lead figure, a tall young man, carried another on his shoulder, blood trailing down his back and staining his clothes. Following close behind was a young woman with a look of barely concealed panic. It was Tiberius and Marcia. Tiberius had Livius on his shoulder, whose pale, bloodied face hinted at the severity of his injuries.

Jennifer immediately went to them, her concern overriding her usual aloofness. "Tiberius, what happened? Are you two alright?" She looked him over, eyes darting to Marcia and then to the blood seeping down Livius's back.

Jennifer, Marcia, and Tiberius shared a history that went beyond these trials or the academy itself. They had grown up together, more or less—Tiberius's parents were adventurers who had worked for both Marcia's and Jennifer's families, two powerful noble houses within the Olympian Kingdom.

From what I had read in the novel, there was a unique dynamic between them. Marcia was in awe of Tiberius's skill and strength, looking up to him. Jennifer saw him differently though. To her, Tiberius was the benchmark, the one she was constantly measuring herself against. Rivals since childhood, she was always searching for ways to surpass him, especially now that they were both at the academy.

Tiberius slowed, catching his breath as he looked at Jennifer and Cassia. His expression was grim. "There's a monster near the mountain path," he said, voice rough from exertion. "We saw it as we were coming down, decided we'd try to kill it before leaving. Thought it'd be a good way to stack up points." He shook his head, as if regretting that decision now. "It's different from the other monsters here. Bigger, stronger… and far deadlier than anything I've faced. Took out one of our teammates before we even knew what hit us."

He looked back at the shadows, and the glint of fear in his eyes was unmistakable. "We barely escaped. I injured it, but not enough to slow it down. Whatever you do, don't make the same mistake. Just go through the door and leave this place. Nothing in this trial is worth that risk."

With that, he turned and, without another word, strode toward the shimmering door. Marcia threw one last, concerned look at Jennifer before following him. Together, they stepped into the light, vanishing from sight.

Watching them disappear, Cassia exhaled, tension slipping from her shoulders. She took a step toward the exit, clearly eager to be done with this. But Jennifer caught her arm, stopping her. I watched them, recognizing the fierce glint in Jennifer's eyes—an ambitious gleam.

"This is our chance, Cassia," Jennifer said, her voice low but charged with excitement. "If we kill the monster that even Tiberius couldn't defeat, we'll guarantee first place in the assessment. Think about it—the top ranking."

Cassia's face tightened with uncertainty. "Jennifer, you heard him. That thing's dangerous. We'd be risking our lives for a few extra points."

Jennifer's expression was unrelenting, her voice cutting. "You've come this far, Cassia. You're better than most of the people here. Are you really going to back down now? We've already done well, but this will make us stand out. We'll be at the top."

Cassia hesitated, but finally, her determination seemed to win over her fear. She gave a small nod, albeit reluctantly.

Jennifer turned to me next, her expression sharpening. "We're going after it, but we won't force you to join us. If you're too afraid, you can leave. No one will hold it against you."

I couldn't help but let out a small laugh. This was exactly what I'd been hoping for. As reckless as it was, it was also the only way to truly test myself—and to complete my quest. I needed this. If I couldn't face a challenge like this, I'd never be able to keep up in a world as merciless as this one.

I met Jennifer's gaze. "I'm in. Let's take down this beast."

Without a word, Jennifer turned and began walking toward the mountain path. Cassia followed, glancing back at the exit door once, a shadow of doubt still lingering in her eyes. But she didn't turn back.

I took a deep breath, gripping my axe tightly, and fell in behind them. I already knew what awaited us there. I braced myself to face the 'Quorvath,' the only Level 2 monster in this trial area.