"Eighty percent… Good enough?" Costa thought, shaking his head as he steeled himself for the challenges ahead.
With renewed determination, he grasped his halberd tightly and made his way toward the cave's entrance.
Outside, the forest was eerily quiet, punctuated only by the distant calls of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves.
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a breathtaking tapestry of orange and purple across the sky.
Taking a deep breath, Costa filled his lungs with crisp, invigorating air. "I survived," he reminded himself.
"But this trial isn't over yet." His grip on his weapon tightened as resolve surged within him.
"I won't just pass; I'll excel!" he declared boldly, stepping back into the wilds with unwavering confidence.
---------
The sun hung low in the sky, its golden rays stretching across the clearing where the carriages had first arrived seven days ago.
