A large forest was situated at the back of the Ashline building. It stretched far beyond what Rook could see from the entrance, with enormous trees covering most of the area and their thick branches blocking much of the morning sunlight. Surrounding the entire forest was a massive wall of iron bars, each one several meters tall and thick enough to withstand powerful attacks.
Strange symbols had been engraved across the metal, most likely defensive inscriptions designed to prevent anything inside from escaping. Rook immediately understood why the place existed. It wasn’t simply a forest. It was one of Ashline’s largest training grounds, particularly for newly awakened who needed to learn how to survive outside the safety of the headquarters.
Rook was surprised to find several other newly awakened gathered in front of the entrance. There were nearly twenty of them, all dressed in Ashline’s training uniforms, and most carried either weapons or equipment suited to their Traits.
Some were speaking quietly among themselves while others stared into the forest with varying degrees of nervousness. Rook recognized a few faces from the training grounds, though he hadn’t spoken to any of them before. What caught his attention, however, was the fact that he was the only one standing beside Cain.
Cain stepped forward and waited until everyone had quieted down before speaking.
"You’ve all passed your first evaluation. That test was designed to determine whether you could remain composed when your life was genuinely threatened. Surviving an F-Rank Demon Beast proved that you could handle immediate danger, but becoming an Ashline operative requires more than simply being able to fight."
His gaze shifted toward the forest behind the iron bars.
"Your second evaluation will test your perception, stealth, observation, and unpredictability. You will enter the forest and search for golden stones hidden throughout the area. The more stones you find, the higher your chances of escaping the evaluation immediately. However, you need at least ten golden stones to pass."
One of the newly awakened raised his hand. "And how many stones are in the forest currently?"
Cain looked at him for several seconds before answering in the same calm tone. "That’s up to you to find out."
The young man lowered his hand, apparently realizing that he wasn’t going to receive a more helpful answer. Rook couldn’t blame him. If Cain had simply announced the number, half the purpose of the evaluation would disappear.
They weren’t only being tested on their ability to find the stones. They were being forced to make decisions without knowing how many opportunities were available or how many other people were searching for them.
Cain continued, "You’re all going to be neither enemies nor partners. The situation and circumstances will determine that. You may cooperate with one another if you believe it will benefit you, or you may compete for the stones. You can remain alone if you prefer. There are no restrictions regarding how you interact with the other participants, as long as you follow the rules of the evaluation."
Several of the awakened exchanged glances after hearing that. Rook noticed the change immediately. Before Cain had explained the rules, they had looked like a group preparing to complete the same task. Now they were looking at one another as potential allies, competitors, or threats.
Cain wasn’t finished.
"And yes, there are demons inside the forest. The demons you’ll encounter range from F-Rank to D-Rank, and all of them are Demon Beasts. You won’t know where they are until you encounter them, so don’t assume that the absence of danger means you’re safe."
A nervous murmur spread through the group at the mention of D-Rank Demon Beasts. Rook remained quiet, his eyes fixed on the forest.
Fang had already been enough of a problem yesterday, and that creature had been fighting in an open arena where he could see it coming. Inside this forest, a Demon Beast could be hiding anywhere, and the same applied to the other awakened participants.
Cain looked over the group one final time. "Your objective is to retrieve at least ten golden stones and leave the forest. It’s not a must to retrieve them as long as you survive for the next forty-eight hours."
Several people looked surprised at that addition.
"You will be evaluated on how you accomplish that objective, not simply whether you accomplish it. If you rely entirely on brute force, you will fail the purpose of the evaluation. If you allow another person to predict your movements, you will place yourself at a disadvantage. Observe your surroundings, control your presence, and think before you act."
The enormous iron gate began to open behind him, revealing a narrow path disappearing beneath the trees. A cold breeze drifted out of the forest, carrying the smell of damp soil and vegetation with it. Somewhere in the distance, a deep growl echoed between the trees before fading into silence.
Rook’s eyes narrowed slightly.
His Perception had reached twenty-three the previous night, and he had spent most of the morning wondering how much difference those additional points would actually make. Now he was finally going to find out.
Cain stepped aside and gestured toward the open gate.
"The evaluation begins the moment you enter."
Rook took a slow breath before stepping forward with the others. He wasn’t sure how many stones were hidden inside, how many Demon Beasts were waiting, or whether the other awakened would become allies or enemies.
For once, he didn’t think knowing the answers would necessarily make things easier.
If anything, finding them himself was probably the entire point.
Nobody immediately moved. They stood near the entrance, watching the forest while trying to figure out their first move. Going in alone would make it easier to search without worrying about another person giving away their position, but it also meant facing the Demon Beasts without anyone watching his back. On the other hand, staying together would provide safety in numbers, but it would make them much easier for both the demons and other participants to notice.
Rook looked around at the group before sighing quietly. He didn’t particularly want a partner. After yesterday’s battle, he had learned enough about his own weaknesses to know that having someone beside him could create more problems than it solved. Unfortunately, Cain had deliberately made the evaluation unpredictable, and Rook couldn’t ignore the possibility that working alone would eventually leave him surrounded by both Demon Beasts and competing awakened.
’I should at least have one person with me.’
Before he could approach anyone, one of the awakened finally stepped forward.
He was a young man with striking red hair and a sword hanging at his waist. Unlike the others, he didn’t hesitate or look around for someone to accompany him. His expression remained completely calm as he walked through the gate and entered the forest alone.
The moment he disappeared between the trees, the group became noticeably quieter.
"Isn’t that the son of the Third Box Vanguard, Kael Draven?"
"I think it is."
"I heard he awakened a sword-related Trait."
"He’s already that confident?"
Rook sighed and ignored the conversation. He had no idea who Kael Draven was, and frankly, he didn’t care. If being the son of some powerful Vanguard meant anything in the evaluation, then the guy had already earned himself enough attention without Rook adding to it.
He turned toward the remaining awakened and decided to start looking for a partner.
The first person he approached was a tall young man carrying a spear.
"Hey, do you want to search together?"
The man looked him over before shaking his head.
"No offense, but I’d rather work alone."
Rook nodded and moved on.
The next person wasn’t much more receptive.
"Do you know you’ll probably do well if you join me and look for the stones together?"
"And what makes you think so?" the young woman asked suspiciously.
Rook paused.
"I mean, you’re not exactly... fleshy. You won’t be much of a problem for me if we run into a Demon Beast. I doubt demons enjoy eating bony humans."
There was a long silence.
The girl’s expression slowly turned blank.
"What?"
Rook realized halfway through the sentence that perhaps his attempt at persuasion had not gone as well as expected.
"I was complimenting you."
"That was your compliment?"
"Yes."
"Then I’d rather be insulted."
She walked away.
Rook stared after her for a moment before sighing.
’Social skills aren’t exactly my strongest attribute.’
He tried several more times, though none of them went particularly well.
One person claimed they already had a partner. Another said they didn’t trust someone who had only awakened yesterday. Someone else laughed when Rook suggested they work together, while another simply walked away before he could finish explaining.
Eventually, Rook found himself standing among the remaining few who had yet to enter the forest.
He looked around.
Then he noticed a chubby boy standing several steps away, nervously adjusting the belt of his uniform. He didn’t seem to have anyone approaching him either.
Rook rolled his eyes.
’Of course.’
He walked over.
The boy immediately noticed him and looked slightly nervous.
"Are you looking for a partner?"
Rook nodded.
"Yes."
The boy hesitated before pointing at himself.
"Me?"
"Unless there’s another person standing behind you."
The boy glanced over his shoulder before realizing Rook was being serious.
"Right. Sorry."
Rook sighed internally.
’This is going to be painful.’
The boy extended his hand.
"I’m Milo."
Rook shook it.
"Rook."
"Mage?"
"Elementalist."
Milo’s eyes widened slightly.
"You’re the one who awakened yesterday?"
Rook nodded.
"I am."
"I heard you survived Fang."
"Apparently."
Milo looked toward the forest before lowering his voice.
"I don’t think I could’ve done that."
"That’s why we’re partners."
Milo looked relieved.
Rook wasn’t quite sure why.
He looked the boy over again. Milo was short, chubby, and carried what appeared to be a small dagger at his waist. There was nothing particularly intimidating about him, and judging from his nervous expression, he didn’t seem especially experienced either.
Rook slowly sighed.
’More like a liability.’
Still, one partner was better than nobody. At least Milo could serve as an extra pair of eyes, and if his Trait turned out to be useful, there was always a chance Rook had accidentally found someone worthwhile.
Rook turned toward the forest.
"Let’s go before everyone else takes the easy routes."
Milo nodded quickly.
"Right."
Together, they stepped through the iron gate and entered the forest. Behind them, the remaining awakened slowly began following, each choosing their own direction as they disappeared beneath the trees.
Rook glanced at Milo from the corner of his eye.
He had no idea whether this partnership would last ten minutes or the entire evaluation.
Hopefully, for both their sakes, Milo would prove to be more useful than he looked.