The Hidden Monster of House Vale

A massive gate materialized at the far end of the courtyard, shimmering with ancient power. Runes spiraled across its surface, pulsing with an energy that made the air itself tremble.

"The Trial of Ancient Guardian begins now!"

As soon as they crossed the threshold, each disciple was transported to different locations. Everyone had been assigned to groups randomly—a group of four for each of the one hundred disciples, forming twenty-five teams in total.

Evelyn opened her eyes and found herself in an utterly unfamiliar place. Before her stretched a primordial forest of impossible scale, ancient trees reaching toward a sky she didn't recognize. In the center stood the entrance to their trial—a colossal, hollowed-out tree that seemed to pulse with latent energy.

Every group faces different trials. Twenty-five groups, twenty-five unique challenges. We'll all be evaluated individually based on our performance within our assigned trials.

She took a moment to inspect her surroundings, noting every detail—the strange flora, the subtle hum of astral energy in the air, the way the shadows seemed to move with purpose. Satisfied with her reconnaissance, Evelyn stepped forward.

As she entered the hollow tree, she discovered another entrance: a giant door surrounded by white trees that covered the entire wall. Dozens of coffins lay scattered outside, their presence both eerie and majestic. The sight was undeniably striking.

This must be the main entrance to the trial.

As she approached, Evelyn noticed three other disciples already gathered near the entrance. Strangers, all of them. She recognized none of their faces. It was hardly surprising—the chances of being grouped with people you knew were astronomically low.

"It seems like you finally woke up," said one disciple, a girl wearing glasses with sharp, analytical eyes. Her name was Oria.

"Took you long enough," added Merrick, a lanky young man who carried himself with an arrogance that didn't match his frame. He looked like someone who could never rely on himself but loved to talk big.

"I'm glad you woke up. We were waiting for you," said Jorven with a warm smile. He stood tall with an air of quiet confidence—the kind of person who often ended up leading teams without asking for the position.

"So, Jorven, what should we do next?" Merrick asked impatiently. "Our group is complete."

"We should move forward," Jorven replied, his tone measured and calm. "But before that, we should know each other's abilities. Let's introduce ourselves—full names and capabilities."

"I'm Oria Dusk," the glasses-wearing girl said, adjusting her spectacles. "I specialize in healing magic. I can mend wounds and restore stamina, though the severity of injuries determines the time and energy required."

"I'm Merrick Fall," the arrogant young man declared, puffing out his chest. "I'm a ranged specialist. I can hit targets from incredible distances. I use a bow—enchanted, of course. My accuracy is unmatched."

Jorven nodded and turned toward Evelyn. "Now it's your turn."

"I'm Evelyn," she said simply. "I'm skilled with a sword."

"No house name?" Jorven asked, raising an eyebrow.

Merrick let out a derisive snort. "Oh, I see. She's a mortal. Not a noble." He looked her up and down with undisguised contempt. "Just don't try to get in our way, then."

Evelyn's expression remained neutral, but her eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Don't fight among yourselves, everyone," Jorven interjected smoothly, his tone carrying the weight of natural authority. "Now, it's my turn. I'm Jorven Moss. I specialize in magic and pure astral energy manipulation. I can bind enemies, create barriers, and project offensive spells."

"Seems like we've all introduced ourselves," Oria said. "So what's the plan?"

Jorven considered for a moment. "Well, since we're in a group, the trial is likely to be challenging. But this is an Astral Academy trial—I don't believe it will be life-threatening. They wouldn't risk losing promising disciples before we've even begun our training. I think we're ready to go in."

The team of four approached the massive door and stepped through together.

They emerged into a chamber so vast it seemed built for beings far larger than humans—giants, perhaps, or something even more ancient. The ceiling stretched impossibly high, lost in shadow. When they turned around, the door had already vanished, replaced by seamless stone.

"Don't worry," Jorven said, his voice steady despite the oppressive atmosphere. "We just need to win."

"Yeah, let's go," Merrick agreed, though his bravado sounded slightly forced.

Before anyone could take another step, a monstrous figure crashed down from above—a beast standing nearly five meters tall, with the body of a hulking humanoid and the head of a wolf. Its eyes glowed crimson, and it carried a sword that looked like it could cleave through stone. Without warning, it lunged toward them.

Jorven reacted instantly. "Merrick, keep your distance and aim for its head! Oria, stay back and be ready to heal anyone who gets hurt! Evelyn, you're with me—let's attack it head-on!"

Evelyn drew her sword in a single fluid motion, the blade catching the chamber's dim light. She moved before Jorven finished speaking, closing the distance to the monster in the blink of an eye. She appeared on its flank and struck with surgical precision, her blade carving a deep gash along its side. Black blood sprayed from the wound.

Merrick loosed arrows from his position, but each shot went wide, clattering harmlessly against the chamber walls. His aim was disastrously off.

Jorven channeled astral energy, golden chains erupting from his palms to wrap around the beast's limbs. But the creature flexed its enormous muscles and shattered the binds like they were made of glass.

The wolf-headed monster snarled and swung its massive sword in a devastating arc. Evelyn was caught in the periphery of the blow—she was sent flying into the chamber wall with a sickening crunch. Her expression remained unchanged as she impacted the stone, a cold, analytical glint in her eyes.

Jorven continued his assault, dodging and weaving while hurling bolts of astral energy at the beast. It was relentless, but he was holding his own.

Evelyn used the wall as a springboard, launching herself into the air with explosive force. She twisted her body in a perfect arc, her sword trailing behind her like a comet's tail. As she descended, she channeled every ounce of her strength into a single, devastating strike.

The monster froze mid-swing.

From Jorven's perspective, the beast simply split in two—vertically, perfectly down the center. One moment it was whole, the next its two halves collapsed outward, drenching the ground in black blood. Evelyn landed behind it, her sword dripping with blood. She flicked her wrist, and the blood splattered across the stone floor in a crimson arc.

Silence hung in the air.

"That was... impressive," Jorven said, his voice tinged with genuine admiration. "You're a mortal, and yet you fight so well."

"Hmph. Whatever," Merrick muttered, recovering from his embarrassment. "She can't even use astral energy. Her growth is limited."

Evelyn heard him but said nothing, her expression unreadable.

"So tell me, Evelyn," Jorven said, stepping closer. "Would you like to work as a retainer for the Moss Family? I could offer you a position—good pay, excellent benefits, and access to resources most disciples could only dream of."

"Say yes, Evelyn!" Oria urged, her eyes bright with excitement. "It's a wonderful opportunity to rise in society. The Moss Family is a very famous viscount family—you'd be set for life."

"No thanks," Evelyn replied flatly, her tone colder than the chamber's ancient stone. "I'll pass."

"Are you crazy, bitch?" Merrick exploded, his face reddening. "Passing up opportunities like that? Do you even know how powerful the Moss Family is? Do you have any idea—"

Evelyn sighed, a sound heavy with weary patience.

"Stop it, Merrick," Jorven said, though his own expression betrayed mild surprise at Evelyn's refusal. "Perhaps she's already working for another family."

"Hmph. Maybe working for some retarded family," Merrick sneered, venom dripping from his words.

The moment the words left his mouth, Evelyn moved.

Her fist connected with his face with a sound like stone cracking stone. Merrick flew backward, crashing to the ground in a heap. Evelyn's blue hair streamed behind her as she walked toward his prone body, her footsteps echoing ominously.

"Agghhhhhh!" Merrick screamed, clutching his shattered nose.

"Evelyn, what are you doing?" Jorven shouted, stepping forward.

"Evelyn, please stop!" Oria pleaded, her hands raised in a placating gesture.

Evelyn ignored them both. She straddled Merrick's chest and began punching—each blow landing with brutal precision. His screams filled the chamber. Blood sprayed across his face, and his eyes filled with genuine terror.

"Someone who failed to hit a single arrow," Evelyn said, her voice calm and measured despite her actions. "A big mouth for someone incompetent enough to badmouth my family." She struck him again. "Do not worry." Another punch. "From here on, I'll make your life a living hell."

She paused, grabbing his chin and forcing him to meet her gaze.

"I was silent when you insulted me. I don't care what anyone says about me. But I will never hear a single word against my family. Against my master."

"Evelyn, please just forgive him!" Jorven pleaded, his composure cracking.

"I never forgive," Evelyn said, rising smoothly to her feet. "And I never forget."

Oria rushed forward, her hands glowing with healing energy as she tended to Merrick's broken face. The wounds began to knit, though the fear in his eyes remained.

With the monster's death, four doors materialized in the chamber walls, each identical to the last. Evelyn strode toward the nearest one without a second glance.

"Wait!" Jorven called out, but she was already gone, the door sealing behind her.

"Bitch," Merrick spat through his healing wounds, his voice trembling with rage. "Who does she think she is? A stupid mortal. I'll take my revenge—"

"Enough," Jorven cut him off, though his expression was troubled. "We need to move forward. Choose a door."

They each selected one of the remaining three and entered.

The door Evelyn had chosen wasn't an ordinary passage—it was the Door of a Thousand Voices. Those who entered found their minds put to the ultimate test. Every fear, every painful memory became real in this place. There was nothing to fight, no monster to slay, no puzzle to solve. Only darkness and the echoes of the past.

The door would open on its own, when it was ready. It could not be forced.

Evelyn stepped into the void, and instantly, the memories came flooding back.

She saw her father's murder—how the Stern family's assassins had cut him down in their own home. She watched her mother being violated in front of her, in front of her father's cooling body. She saw the neighbors, the allies, the people her father had helped over the years—how not a single one stepped forward to help her family in their darkest hour.

She saw her mother, broken and bleeding, left to die.

The images replayed in vivid detail, each moment more painful than the last.

But Evelyn didn't scream. She didn't cry. Her expression remained impassive, her jaw set with quiet determination. Because she knew—with absolute certainty—that she would take her revenge. It could be today. It could be tomorrow. It could be in this life or the next.

But she would have her vengeance.

When the door opened again, she emerged not broken, not weeping, not traumatized. Her resolve had only grown stronger. She knew her mother is alive—Living happily in the Vale family's estate. She is waiting for Evelyn.

That alone was enough to heal her heart.

Jorven's door opened, and he collapsed to his knees, his face pale and trembling. He looked at Evelyn with something approaching betrayal—because that's what he had seen in the door. Everyone he loved, everyone he trusted, turning against him. His family. His friends. His fiancée. His childhood companion.

The mere thought had nearly broken him.

Oria's door opened, and she emerged sobbing, her face streaked with tears. She had relived her mother's death—the one person she couldn't save no matter how hard she tried. The vision had shown her, over and over, her own incompetence, her own failure.

Merrick's door opened, and he collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from his mouth. His eyes were wild, darting around the chamber as if expecting an attack from any direction.

Suddenly, a terrible roar split the air.

A new monster emerged from the shadows—this one with the head of a goat and a whip crackling with raw astral energy. It was five meters tall and moved with terrifying speed, lashing out at the terrified disciples.

Jorven scrambled to his feet, trying to summon his magic, but his concentration was shattered.

Oria screamed, unable to summon her healing energies through her fear.

Merrick tried to raise his bow, his hands shaking so badly he could barely hold it.

Evelyn didn't even look at the monster.

She moved with impossible speed, appearing before the beast in the space between heartbeats. Her astral energy flared—not a mortal's faint spark, but a brilliant, blinding inferno.

Her sword materialized in her hand, and she whispered a single word: "Meteor Tyrant Sword."

The blade descended like divine judgment.

The goat-headed monster didn't even have time to scream. The sword cleaved through it from chest to groin, splitting it in two. The halves collapsed with a thunderous crash, and the whip disintegrated into motes of fading light.

Evelyn's sword vanished, and she stood amidst the carnage, untouched and unimpressed.

"What...?" Jorven stared at her, his face a mask of shock. "Realm Master?"

"I thought you were mortal! Why did you lied to us?" Oria gasped, her tears forgotten.

Evelyn turned toward them, her expression cool. "Lied?" She raised an eyebrow. "I don't remember telling you I was a mortal. I said my name is Evelyn. You assumed the rest on your own."

She walked toward Merrick, who was still crumpled on the ground. He flinched as she approached, his eyes wide with terror.

"Let me guess," Evelyn said, crouching down and grabbing his head, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You saw me in that door, didn't you?"

Her grip tightened.

"And I forgot to mention," she continued, her voice dropping to a whisper that somehow filled the chamber, "that I'm a retainer of the Vale Family."

Author Note:

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