Chapter 52 – The Hand of Realms (Part 3)
Chapter 52 – The Hand of Realms (Part 3)
Tray in hand, Zane returned to the table and sat across from Fiora. The contrast between the two was almost comical—her plate piled high with pastries and breakfast meats, while his looked almost bare.
"Hm? That’s all you got?" Fiora asked, eyeing his tray with a raised brow.
"I’m not feeling hungry..." Zane muttered, stabbing at his food with little enthusiasm.
He didn’t say more than that, but the sluggishness in his voice was telling. His body might have gotten some rest, but his mind was still exhausted—haunted by nightmares and weighed down by the pressure of what lay ahead.
"You know you’ll need every bit of energy you can get today, right?" Fiora’s tone shifted, more serious now. "This won’t be a stroll in the park, Zane. The real test begins the moment you step beyond this world. That’s when the true struggle starts."
Zane gave a small nod. He didn’t need to be reminded. He knew. His gut had been twisting since last night, and the tension only grew with every passing minute. Still, he kept his expression composed.
"Fiora..." he spoke again after a bite. "What do you know about the License Test? What should I expect?"
Fiora leaned back in her chair slightly, folding her arms with a thoughtful sigh. "Mm... I wish I had a solid answer. But the test changes every year, and not by a little—by a lot. Last year, for example, the test was a series of tournaments. Each one evaluated a different trait—combat, strategy, teamwork, academics. Candidates had to place within the top ranks in at least three categories to even be considered."
Zane winced. "That sounds brutal."
"It was," she confirmed. "And this year? Who knows what they’ll throw at you. But one thing is consistent—they love the element of surprise. They deliberately inject chaos into the trials to see how you react. You’re not just being tested on strength or skill—you’re being tested on how you adapt."