Eila walked toward the open arena, her heart pounding in anticipation. The next examination would test both her physical and magical abilities. She couldn't help but wonder—would they be evaluated together, or would each skill be judged separately?
Zois hadn't accompanied her this time. Only candidates were allowed beyond the arena gates. Earlier, he'd been permitted to visit briefly under the pretense of pack-related business with the examiners. Before parting, he had kissed her lightly on the cheek, calling it her "good luck charm." The warmth of that kiss still lingered on her skin, making her cheeks flush at the memory.
As she approached the arena's entrance, she saw two lines forming—one for attendance and the other for collecting an admission code. Eila joined the second line, which was shorter. Soon, it was her turn. A stern-looking man stamped a slip of parchment bearing her name, age, address, and her exam number: thirty-six.
With the paper in hand, she stepped inside the massive arena. Two vast open grounds—each large enough to hold a hundred people—were reserved for the trials, while the rest of the space was filled with rows of chairs. The examiners' panel was stationed at the front, prepared to grade every move.
Eila scanned the arena until she spotted the chair labeled with her code. Navigating through the crowded seating area took some effort, but she finally reached it and sat down. Silently, she began to observe her surroundings, noting every detail and taking in the tension crackling in the air.
Moments later, a girl with soft brown eyes and matching brown hair leaned over and offered her hand. "Hey, I'm Tina. What's your name?"
Eila smiled and shook her hand. "I'm Eila."
Tina introduced her friend, Mark, seated on Eila's other side. He gave her a polite nod and a small smile. They were both from the southern side of the pack and seemed friendly, their easy chatter easing Eila's nerves. For a while, the weight of pressure lifted from her shoulders.
Then the test began.
Each candidate was faced with two obstacles. The first was a life-sized golem wielding a wooden sword. It attacked every contestant, and they were expected to land at least one blow. The more hits they made without being struck in return, the higher their score. The second was a magical target—a large circular mark, similar to an archery board. Candidates were asked to strike it with their magic. Accuracy and power were both taken into account.
One by one, students stepped forward. Some performed well, but many left the arena with minor injuries. Healers stood by with potions and bandages, but the number of patients only increased. Eila, watching it all unfold, felt her confidence begin to waver.
They all look so skilled, she thought. And yet most of them couldn't make it through unscathed. How am I supposed to succeed?
Then, just as doubt began to creep in, a familiar voice echoed through her mind-link.
"You can do it, Eila. We believe in you."
Leonard.
Her eyes darted around the arena, searching for him—and then she saw them.
In a far corner, just outside the examination boundary, stood Leonard, Lukas, and Zois. They looked powerful, proud, and utterly unmissable. The three of them smiled at her, radiating unwavering support. A few nearby girls giggled and whispered at the sight of the infamous trio, but Eila barely noticed them.
Leonard's voice reached her again.
"Yes, my love. We're here to cheer you on. Now go—show them what you're made of."
Strength surged through her. Whatever fear she had vanished, replaced by resolve.
Soon, Tina was called. To Eila's surprise, the girl performed exceptionally well—skillful, steady, and composed. Eila smiled. She's definitely getting selected, she thought.
Then it was her turn.
"Candidate number thirty-six," an examiner called.
Eila rose and walked confidently to the center of the arena. All eyes turned to her. She took her position before the golem and drew her training sword, her breath slow and focused.
The golem sprang to life.
Without hesitation, Eila dodged its first swing, spinning to the side and slashing the golem's back. The strike landed with a solid thud, causing the creature to stagger. Before it could recover, she launched a second attack, this time at its neck. With precise force and calculated speed, she swung with all her strength.
The golem's head hit the ground with a dull clunk, and its massive body followed seconds later.
The arena erupted in cheers.
Few had expected such agility and precision from a she-wolf. But Eila wasn't done yet.
She stepped toward the second challenge.
Drawing in a deep breath, she focused her energy into her palm. A flicker of heat sparked between her fingers—and then, a small orb of fire began to form. Blue flames danced in her hand, growing stronger. She narrowed her eyes at the target across the arena, set at a considerable distance.
With a surge of will, she hurled the fireball forward.
Mid-flight, it expanded—tripling in size. Before anyone could fully process what happened, it collided with the target in a flash of blue and gold. The wooden frame exploded into ash, leaving only a smoldering black mark scorched into the ground.
Gasps echoed throughout the arena.
Eila stood there, breathless but victorious.
The judges whispered among themselves, and the crowd broke into applause once more.
She had done it.
She hadn't just passed the test—she had owned it.
And with her mates watching proudly, Eila felt unstoppable