[TRIAL GROUNDS]

  Name: Liberia Forest

  Difficulty Rating: Easy

  Floors: 3

  Theme: Forest

  ~~~

  "What did you say?"

  I felt shocked by his words. I can feel something deep inside my heart. Something warm and fluttering. His words felt like a genuine expression of trust.

  Vin hesitantly met my eyes and spoke slowly.

  Vin: "I mean it. I trust you. Out of everyone I met, you're the only one who is brave enough to simply enter a dangerous place with such confident smile. I believe you have the means to conquer the trial grounds. That's why... I will follow you."

  Vin then suddenly shook his hands in panic.

  Vin: "O-of course! It's also because... yes, protection. You seem fragile and needs someone strong enough... Right! I am! I am strong! I can protect you and help you conquer it! N-not because I adore you or something like that!"

  ...

  Vin looks panicked and terrified, although I cannot understand why he panicked. Did he said something wrong? I don't think it's wrong to follow a confident leader such as me. Or perhaps what he said is significant? Considering he was the supposed 'ally', I decided to shrug it off and responded, "Sure. You could join my party. I trust you as well."

  Vin looks surprised and felt excited. He then turned around, hiding his expression from me. He then answered weakly with a doubtful tone, "You trust me? B-but I could betray you! I might have a real master somewhere else and betray you for him... Or that I might have belonged to a pack and I answer to the alpha!"

  I felt like he's in a cut scene. I would have shrugged it off earlier, but this time, he can feel a pang in his heart. Vin is still facing sideways, refusing to show his expression to him.

  ... It would be better if there are multiple choices.

  On the other hand, I can respond to any way possible.

  Let's think about this.

  Vin is worried that he might betray me, which is a weird thing to worry about for a supposed traitor. If he really wants to betray me, he would have said yes immediately.

  I decided to assure him.

  I performed a deep breath, and asked him. "Do you have someone you consider 'Alpha', or 'Master'?"

  Vin went silent. He stood there for a few minutes. Then I noticed it. His face may be sideways, but I can still see his sad face and his clenched fist. He still avoided my eyes and answered, "No. I don't serve anyone nor I belonged to any pack. I... I joined the town guard thinking I can meet new friends, but my superior don't even look at me and decided to give me the patrol duty..."

  I... don't know what to think. Is he lonely? Why is he a loner?... No, I'll think about his sad storyline later on and give him the best answer possible.

  I smiled, arms wide, and told him, "I can trust you then. From now on, follow me. As long as you're with me, you will never be alone anymore."

  Vin then finally stared at me, only for him to return back to looking down on the ground.

  Was it over the top? Maybe I failed another charisma check? I did make sure I said I can trust him and that I'll accompany him.

  Seconds passed. Just as I thought I failed, he stood up and wiped his tears. He smiled to me and nodded. He replied. "I shall follow you then."

  ~~~

  We entered the trial grounds.

  Vin is walking with his shield up, marching in front of me. His back is facing me.

  I was wondering why such a kind person would be lonely, but decided to focus on my first trial grounds.

  As we walk, we patiently discussed the trial grounds.

  Vin: "Trial grounds summon monsters from hell. They just appear one day, appearing as an opening to a supposedly empty place. Those trial grounds would release monsters if left unchecked so we have to patrol from time to time."

  Blaise: "That sounds very tragic. So, do you know anything else?"

  Vin: "No, nothing else. I was just told that if I find one, I shall make a report to my superiors."

  Blaise: "You... really don't know anything? Even how to conquer one?"

  Vin: "Yeah."

  We continued trekking onto the dirt path. We did enter the trial grounds, but there's almost no difference between the forest I woke up with and within the trial grounds.

  Something tells me they are correlated to each other.

  ... Or maybe I am over thinking this.

  I thought I would enter a literal dungeon. I mean, it felt like dungeons from fantasy RPGs are the same as the trial grounds that they both spawn monsters.

  I wish I can know a lot more, but Vin is equally ignorant.

  Vin: "So, you said killing monsters give experience?"

  Blaise: "Yeah."

  Vin nodded at what I said earlier, although I am afraid he took it in a different manner.

  We've been continuing walking onto the dirt path but there's no monsters on sight.

  Blaise: "I feel tired."

  I gave up walking. My knees went jelly from walking for 30 minutes.

  Vin turned around and approached me, patiently waiting for me.

  I had labored breathing and sweaty body.

  Vin: "I can carry you if you want."

  Blaise: "No thanks."

  I spent a minute relaxing my body. I then felt it. Hunger. I then stared at Vin. He had this neutral face, taking our walk very seriously.

  Blaise: "... Vin."

  Vin: "Yes?"

  Blaise: "I'm hungry."

  Vin: "... I can pick some berries if you want."

  Vin walked off, traversing the trees and leaving me alone to rest.

  I finally relaxed after 5 minutes but realized I lost him.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  I don't recall where he run off.

  ... This is bad.

  I sat down, waiting patiently for him. While waiting, I decided to review that one powerful spell.

  [WARM HEARTH]

  To cast the spell, I need to prepare first the fuel and then that spell will burn that fuel with the fire that radiate warmth to everyone nearby. That warmth then heals injuries, like how it slightly healed my burns and some cuts onto my skin.

  I can still feel the pain in my body but it is now within tolerable range.

  It did take minutes to perfectly write all symbols onto a blank page, and I did ripped out a lot of pages onto my book.

  I had my book with me, still embracing it. I opened it and found the ripped pages.

  I'll need blank scrolls next time.

  I then heard Vin yelling my name.

  I rushed towards him.

  I traversed the forest in his direction. It is a perfectly peaceful place with no monsters inside.

  I saw him. He's lying down, his left foot a distance away from him. He's bleeding madly. Next to him are freshly removed branches of a tree with berries on it.

  I panicked, rushing towards his left foot when I noticed the bear trap nearby.

  I decided to stop thinking and did what I should do.

  I took the stray left foot from the trap and held it closely, and rushed towards him.

  I tried to returned his foot but it was a clean cut... No, what was I thinking.

  "Vin, hold your left foot close to the cut."

  Vin is clearly struggling to breath but followed my words regardless. Too much blood has spilled on the ground. I know I only have minutes left.

  I can only pray that the spell I had can heal his injuries.

  I opened my spellbook and ripped a page of it. I tried to draw but realized I lost my pen.

  I calmed down, thinking what can I use in this situation.

  I need something fluid. Something I can use to draw.

  I then recalled everything near Vin and I that can be used to draw.

  ...

  I have decided to gamble on it.

  ...

  I took the red berries nearby and to my surprise, I can use it to rub onto the paper to draw. It took me three tries to perfect it. I then needed a fuel.

  However, I don't have time to collect firewood, and Vin is about to die.

  I collected the branches of the trees and threw the page with the drawn spell [WARM HEARTH].

  The flames magnificently burned brightly.

  I then saw Vin passed out, his hands no longer holding his foot.

  I held his left foot and connected it to his cut limb.

  Miraculously, it connected. I saw in my eyes how flesh connected to each other, his left foot now returned to him.

  "Amazing..."

  Isn't this overpowered? Is there rules pertaining to this?

  The healing flame also reached me, completely healing the burns in my chest.

  However, the miraculous flames are short-lived.

  It disappeared right after it voraciously consumed the branches and the leaves fed to it.

  Well, I guess it also has limits.

  Vin now breathes properly. His face are now an expression of a comfortably sleeping man in contrast of that of a pained and dying man.

  I accompanied his sleeping form, intending to apologize to him later.

  ~~~

  Vin: "Please stop kneeling. It was my fault earlier."

  He returned to his smiling face, pulling me up to stop kneeling.

  Vin: "I did trust you earlier, and you did more than what an average person could do."

  He held my shoulders, expressing his warm feelings.

  I also stood up properly and suggested we continue.

  Blaise: "What if you died?"

  Vin: "Then it's my fault for trusting the wrong person."

  He simply shrugged it off and continued walking.

  His back is facing me again. I can't tell what he really feels when he is not facing me. There's no way an average person could endure having his left foot cut away and bleed to almost death.

  I have decided. I'll make it up for him by being a better leader.

  Blaise: "Let's be careful next time."

  Vin: "... Yeah."

  We walked continuously until Vin suddenly stopped. He then took a paper from his pocket and gave it to me.

  [ Walk the distance as far as your eyes can see. Once you clear the distance and make it disappear in front of you will progress can be finally made.]

  Blaise: "A hint?"

  Vin: "I don't know. I found it on the bush right before I stepped onto the trap."

  I reread the hint and all I can understand is that we have to walk a lot more.

  I'm done.

  I wanted an adventure where I throw fireballs at the monsters, not walk and get trapped.

  Uh, why do I have to hate multiplayer games?

  I then saw Vin's face filled with worry. Just as I was about to deny it, he removed his helmet.

  His dog ears are now droopy.

  Blaise: "What are you doing?"

  Vin: "Pat me."

  Blaise: "What do you mean-"

  Vin: "You seemed stressed. I heard most humans liked petting dogs."

  Blaise: "... But you are not a dog. You're a half-dog."

  Vin: "Even still, I have dog ears and my hair is fluffy."

  He then took my hand and rubbed it onto his hair. It really is fluffy.

  I finally agreed to pat his fluffy long hairs. It felt relaxing and nice to touch. Vin started whimpering at my touch.

  It felt weird hearing a man utter intimate sounds, but I guess it relaxes him as well.

  Unfortunately, he is quite taller than me and I asked him if I can sit down.

  He nodded.

  I sat down on the grassy clear ground. He then lied down, his head on my lap. I continued patting his head in which the both of us felt great. Just as he closed his eyes, I also closed mine.

  Seconds pass by. It was a relaxing moment for the both of us.

  Before I knew it, I opened my eyes to find a door in front of me.

  Vin: "Mhmm, why did you stop?"

  Blaise: "Ah, there's a door."

  Vin: "A door?"

  We both stood up, cautious of the door. However, I knew what this door represent.

  Progress.

  I still haven't solved the hint, but I don't care anymore.

  We both rushed towards the mystical door.

  ~~~

  Blaise: "We must be in the second floor."

  Vin and I were surprised to find ourselves on the dirt path again in the middle of the forest.

  However, it is now dusk. For some reason, this trial grounds simulate the sun and it signified we only have a few minutes until darkness.

  Vin carries a torch but we don't have tinder and an item to light the tinder.

  I then recall the second spell I had.

  [SPARK]

  I held the spellbook closely and read it carefully. It is a utility spell for lighting torches, sparking it like a lit tinder on contact.

  It is also labeled , perhaps alluding to it being a beginner spell.

  To my surprise, it doesn't include drawing one onto a paper nor a vocal incantation.

  It only mentions to invoke it in my mind.

  I held the torch in his hand and lit it, surprising Vin.

  His dog ears are standing, and his face is filled with excitement.

  Vin: "Amazing!"

  I then gave him the torch and we continued walking along the dirt path.

  Just as we are about to feel comfortable, a wolf appeared in front of us.

  A very large and growling wolf.

  Vin stood in front of me, his shield up. He is clearly scared, his legs shaking, but his ears and eyes are alert for its next movement.

  However, I"m more excited. I prepared my offensive spell [FIREBOLT]. It is a , requiring a vocal incantation.

  Just as the wolf leaped onto Vin, I yelled the name of the spell.

  It was pure intuition.

  I always liked playing as a mage and subconsciously raised my palm facing the dreaded wolf.

  I can feel my energy flowing onto my right hand.

  Then a tiny ball of fire appeared, bolting onto the enemy.

  It burned the lone wolf and I made it run away deeper into the woods.

  It was my first win. From the time I arrived here in this new world, I finally had my first opponent. Too bad it only took one hit to win. However, my early celebration was interrupted by Vin.

  His eyes are wide open, sweating, and shook me as fast as he can. He is as alarmed as he can be.

  Vin: "Let's run!"

  Blaise: "What? I just won my first fight!"

  Vin: "That wolf is not alone! It will call its pack and target us! Quick, we can't fight them!"

  I finally understood what he meant.

  We rushed towards the direction opposite of the runaway wolf. Minutes passed and we hear multiple howl. Everywhere.

  The sun has long set, our torch our only guide towards darkness.

  I felt tired from running again, but the dread of an incoming pack of wolves felt terrifying to me.

  However, the howls we hear from all directions tell me we are going to die here.

  Blaise: "Where's the damn door! We've been crossing distances as far as our eyes can see!"

  Vin kept quiet, always moving forward.

  I'm starting to have second thoughts.

  Blaise: "Hey, Vin, what if we fight them?"

  Vin: "We can't do that! You only got lucky once because the wolf is too near! Can you shoot as many magic attacks as you can? Can you aim perfectly?"

  Blaise: "I-"

  Vin: "Please focus! We don't have to fight them! There's a door we only need to cross!"

  We kept running.

  Blaise: "Fine. If we're surrounded, we'll fight to death, okay?"

  Vin just nodded.

  Blaise: "... Have you fought wolves?"

  Vin also nodded. His back is facing me again, and his face cannot be seen by me. I have a hunch he does not want to show his real feelings to me, but now is not the time for exploring unnecessarily complex characters.

  He seemed panicking worse than before. Was he traumatized? Why is he so full of conviction over escaping from the wolves?

  Then we met one from a distance. Another wolf.

  Blaise: "It's a different one from before."

  Vin just nodded and stood closer to me, guarding me.

  I casted my [FIREBOLT] and the enemy wolf simply dodged before pouncing onto Vin, bashing its head onto his shield.

  While it's still dizzy, I casted another [FIREBOLT]. I spoke words for 15 seconds, hoping I won't make another mistake and finally hit the same wolf. However, it just ran away like the last wolf.

  Vin smiled to me, feeling relieved. He then had another labored breathing and held me closely.

  Vin: "That's... great... as expected... of... you..."

  I also felt tired. I nodded, accepting his compliment. It felt great that I defeated two wolves.

  With a silent confirmation, we both continued running away. Vin kept running in front of me for a few minutes. We then stopped.

  What greeted us is a flowing river. Vin kept running but I stopped him. I held his waist, bringing his speed to a halt.

  He then tripped onto the stones on the river, dropping the torch and from the light emitted by it, he finally saw it.

  A river filled with traps.

  The same bear traps from before, except the entire river is filled with traps.

  It doesn't make sense in a normal environment, but in a trial grounds, it makes sense.

  It terrified the both of us.

  It is an eerie sight. It's as if it mocks our efforts. All of our attempts to run away is met with a dead end.

  Then it's total darkness.

  ...

  We can hear the howls and our impending doom. I've lost count of them but I can hear at least 20 of them.

  Is this supposed to be solvable.

  Just as we are about to embrace our death, we saw it again.

  The damn door.

  Vin and I rushed into the only source of light, leaking from the door towards the next floor.