Chapter 16: It’s You
The faint scent of damp moss filled Noah’s nose as he adjusted his grip on Kagetsume. Around him, thick trees stretched toward a gray, cloud-covered sky. The forest floor was uneven, littered with twisted roots and scattered fragments of ancient stone—half-buried remains of magical ruins long abandoned. A soft breeze stirred the canopy, making the light shift in dappled patterns.
He let out a quiet breath, eyes scanning the terrain.
"Same place as last time..." he muttered under his breath.
Only this time, everything felt heavier.
’I landed in the same spot as last time. The only difference... the competitors.’
The first test had pitted him against students from Classes 4, 5, and 6—ambitious but mostly inexperienced. This time, it was Classes 1, 2, and 3. The elite.
His gaze sharpened.
’There are some strong ones here. Especially Cordelia. She’s the one I can’t figure out. No records, no backstory, nothing I remember.’
That alone made her dangerous.
’Either something changed in the story... or she’s a player like me.’
He took a step forward, quiet and smooth, the sounds of distant shouts barely audible through the trees.