Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey

"As you can see there is forest before you. You have to pass through this forest. After passing the forest you will see a ridge and you will have to climb up the ridge followed by a slope where boulders are placed at the foot of the slope. You will then need to carry those boulders up to the top of the slope."

The students exchanged worried glances, realizing the workout was going to be more grueling than they had anticipated.

"But that's not all," the instructor continued, a hint of a smirk on his face. "Once you've carried the boulders up, you'll then proceed to the next challenge: a series of obstacle courses designed to test your agility, strength, and endurance."

Lucas sighed inwardly, bracing himself for the tough workout ahead. He knew complaining wouldn't help; the only way through this was to push himself and persevere.

"Let's move out!" Ray commanded, leading the way into the forest.

The cadets followed, their determination evident despite the daunting task. As they ventured deeper into the forest, the path became more rugged and uneven, forcing them to navigate carefully.

Adrian wasted no time and took the lead. Although our mana is sealed we still have our physical strength. Those who reached [E-] rank have a slight advantage over the others.

On the other hand, Adrian who was at [D] rank and Aric who has at [D-] rank are in class of their own.

As for Lucas who was at the same as rank as Aric didcide to take easy at the start.

Those who were lost in thoughts figured out that their pleading will not reverse the situation and they are just wasting time.

In just a matter of seconds, the entire place has been cleared up and all the students started running towards the forest ahead of them.

As the students moved they left behind a trail of dust and sand which spread across the area as marched forward.

Ray stood at the side and taped on the tablets which activated the drones and cameras in the area and a projection appeared which displayed the footage of the students in the forest.

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"Sir, I wonder how many of them gonna survive this hellish training. How many of them can endure this and reach here on the first day." One of the Ray assistants spoke.

" It's not only training of their body but also of their mindset. Those who have given up even before they have started will never be able to clear it. Even if you are under great pain and burden if you have the will to overcome your suffering, only then you can rise to great heights."Ray spoke.

" Anyway let's see what these minions are capable of when their powers are sealed. I like seeing these struggling kids each year."Ray smiled as he stared

at the footage.

All the assistants frowned on listening to him thinking of him as a person who enjoyed seeing other sufferings.

As the cadets ventured deeper into the forest, the terrain became increasingly challenging. Lucas kept a steady pace, conserving his energy for the obstacles ahead. He noticed that while some of his classmates struggled, others, like Adrian and Aric, seemed to navigate the rough path with relative ease, their higher ranks giving them a clear advantage.

The forest was dense, with thick underbrush and towering trees that made visibility difficult. The air was filled with the sounds of rustling leaves and the occasional cry of a distant animal. Lucas focused on maintaining his rhythm, stepping carefully over roots and fallen branches.

Despite the grueling pace, Lucas couldn't help but appreciate the beauty of the forest. The sunlight filtered through the canopy, creating dappled patterns on the ground. Birds flitted through the trees, adding a touch of life to the otherwise arduous journey.

***

When instructors asked us to pass through the forest, most students might have thought that they have to get to the mountain cliff, on the other side of the forest but what they had never imagined in their wildest dream was that there are countless traps lay hidden in the forest.

One has to go through the forest overcoming the traps that are laid here and there in the forest.

Though Lucas was having a problem getting used to his loss of strength, still he kept on running on his track.

Making use of the physical strength of his body, he jumped over a fallen tree log and just as he was about to land, he sensed a log aiming at him coming from the side.

Bending his head in the mid-air, he avoided it and rolled on the ground as he landed. He wouldn't have been seriously injured even if he was hit by the log, as it was set in that way.

Due to knowing about the forest Lucas kept his alertness all-time high which helped him to avoid the danger.

'Instead of rushing ahead, it's better to take your time to navigate through these traps carefully,' Lucas thought, continuing at a measured pace. The key was not just speed but also awareness and agility.

As he moved forward, he saw a few students caught off guard by hidden pitfalls and swinging logs. Some struggled to free themselves from nets or disentangle from vines, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination. Lucas paused to help a fellow cadet out of a trap, offering a hand before continuing on his way.

"Thanks, Lucas," the cadet gasped, dusting off dirt and leaves. "I owe you one."

"No problem," Lucas replied. "Just stay alert and keep moving."

Navigating through the forest was mentally taxing as well as physically demanding. Every step could trigger a hidden trap, making it essential to stay vigilant. Lucas found himself relying on his keen senses and quick reflexes to avoid the hazards that lay in wait.

As Lucas moved ahead, he noticed Sunny was in front of him and he tackled the obstacles beautifully as if the forest was his home turf and he already knew where the traps were laid.

Lucas dodged the traps laid in his way. Every day's physical training and lifting weights had enhanced Lucas's strength, so even if he lost his mana he is not as weak as others.

The one who will suffer the most is undoubtedly the mage or the magicians.

Lucas's chest was hoisting up and down as he ran across the forest. Taking deep breaths, he tried to steady his breathing and maintain his pace. He couldn't afford to get too tired too quickly. The forest was just the beginning, and he needed to conserve his energy for the more challenging tasks ahead.

As he navigated through the dense underbrush, Lucas caught sight of Sunny once again, moving with remarkable agility. It was clear that Sunny had a natural affinity for the forest, deftly avoiding traps and obstacles with ease. Lucas couldn't help but feel a bit envious of his classmate's skill, but he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on his own path.

Ahead of him, a fallen tree trunk blocked the way, with thick vines hanging down, almost like a natural barricade.

Lucas slowed his pace, carefully examining the surroundings for any hidden traps.

Satisfied that it was safe, he climbed over the trunk, using the vines for support.

As he descended on the other side, he heard a rustling sound and instinctively ducked, narrowly avoiding a swinging log.

"Close call," he muttered to himself, continuing forward.