Soft giggles and hushed whispers filled the dining hall as the group absorbed their Heart Cores.

  Some struggled more than others, their brows furrowed in concentration, but eventually, each person completed the task without major difficulty.

  "Good." Oliver said, his voice calm but commanding. "It seems you've all successfully absorbed the Heart Cores. Now, I want each of you to dive into your own Heart Core and observe the difference. Take note." Though phrased as an instruction, his tone left little room for defiance.

  With a sigh, Akira focused on the thought of his own Core before delving back into the void, but this time there was a change. The boy’s gaze shifted upward toward where the gray pebble had been, only now to his surprise, it had a glow.

  Though it was so weak you wouldn’t even notice it if you didn’t pay attention, it was definitely different, his Core had also gotten… bigger? The changes were barely even noticeable,, you would only see them had you seen the Core before them.

  He then pulled himself out of the void, back to the dining hall.

  Akira glanced at Leo’s chest, where his Heart Core was, or at least where Akira assumed the Cores were. I wonder… He shook his head, the dark thoughts dissipating in the air, for now.

  Oliver’s voice broke through the lingering silence. “It’s crucial, as you become familiar with Heart Cores, that you also understand the creatures you’ll face if you choose to advance further into the Trials.”

  At his cue, Nala stepped forward, dragging a large wooden display at the end of the room. The massive board was draped with the cured white hide of what must have once been a fearsome predator. Now lifeless, it hung nailed to the wood, its presence ominous even in death.

  Nala secured the wall in place and gestured toward it. Across the hide, bold, deliberate markings had been etched.

  -Pawn class monsters are usually mindless beasts driven purely by instinct, akin to animals. They act on primal urges and have minimal cognitive abilities, power is usually equal or superior to a Hatchling.

  -Rook class are creatures with a trace of intelligence, though they still largely operate on basic instincts. They exhibit rudimentary problem solving skills but remain primarily driven by needs and survival, do not approach alone unless you are at least three or more Fledgelings.

  -Knight class monsters possess a twisted form of intelligence. They also possess cunning and strategic thinking but often use these abilities in malevolent or self serving ways. Try to fight only if you are in a group of ten or more Fledgelings or three or more Full Fledged, never approach alone even if you think you have the upper hand.

  -Bishop class are highly intelligent beings with minds that can rival human intellect. They are capable of utilizing supernatural abilities and exhibit advanced strategic and tactical skills. Even if you are a Full Fledged, even if you are a group of ten Full Fledged, run away.

  -Queen class are ferocious entities with immense power and versatility. They command fear, wielding a wide range of formidable abilities that make them exceptionally dangerous. —

  -King class monsters are extraordinarily powerful entities, often serving as rulers or central figures within their domain. They possess unparalleled abilities that shape their environment and influence others. —

  -Monarch class is the pinnacle of the monster hierarchy, these entities are supreme beings with god-like powers. —

  “This is a list of what type of monsters you may encounter and what to expect from them. Now, don’t let this fool you, just because a monster is a lower rank doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous.” Nala continued, her voice firm. “Underestimating even a Pawn class monster will get you killed if you let your guard down, no matter how strong you may think you are, that is not a threat but a guarantee. Now, there are rare exceptions. Some lower ranked monsters may possess surprising intelligence or advanced cognitive abilities, while certain higher ranked ones might lack the intellect you’d expect but make up for it in physical prowess. These cases are rare, but they do exist. Personally, I’ve never advanced beyond the Second Trial. The highest rank I’ve faced is a Bishop class monster. Everything I know about the ranks beyond that comes from the accounts of those who survived and pressed onward. Even so, I trust this knowledge with my life and you should, too.”

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  I see, so monsters have rankings. The giant snake, with its sheer size and power, must surely rank at least as a Bishop class that lacks intellect, while the water monster seemed more like a high intellect Pawn class.

  Akira's eyes narrowed as he examined the final three entries. Unlike the others, these lacked any recommendations or guidelines regarding the level of strength required to face, or at least survive against them, a troubling and ominous omission, yet there was nothing he could do about it.

  Cutting off Nala, Oliver’s voice took over. “Hunters also have a ranking, it is a way for us to know where we stand on the food pyramid. A Dormant is what everyone is during their Selection Trial, someone with no Heart Core or powers. Hatchlings are what you guys are now, you have only awakened your powers and awakened your Heart Core, in this phase, experimenting is most recommended, you don't get many chances like this. Fledglings are still newbies, after you have finished your week here, a select few of you may even be strong enough to call yourself that, if you’re strong enough and pass the First Trial you can consider yourself one. The Full Fledged are warriors like me and Nala who have survived through the Second Trial, this title is only for the strong, most of you won’t make it to this level, it takes many years of experience and the luck of having a combat Trait or Epithet and good Keepsakes.”

  Akira’s mind paused. There’s a ranking for hunters too? Wait, did he say Keepsakes? Damn it, another thing I don’t understand about this place.

  Meanwhile Oliver continued speaking. “The Matured are masters at what they do, they are hunters that are not only strong, but also blessed with powers that most would kill for. Reverend and Venerable are people who have surpassed most of our understanding, so I won’t get into that since I doubt anybody here will get to these levels of power.”

  Leo nudged Akira. “So, what do you think? Still want to move on to the First Trial after hearing all of that. My weak and harmless friend?” The young man’s tone was teasing, but there was genuine curiosity behind his question.

  Akira gave Leo a sidelong glance, catching the teasing glint in his ‘friend's’ eyes. A stale stare that offered no response.

  Leo chuckled. "Alright, alright, I get it." It was clear to him that the boy had no intention of backing out, the First Trial was the only way forward, not to mention they had a whole week to prepare, but would that really be enough time?

  “There’s only so much we can tell you about the Trial.” Oliver said, his voice steady but solemn. “Each person’s experience is unique. The monsters migrate, the landscapes shift. The only certainty is that you’ll begin in a snow covered tundra. Some of you might find yourselves in a dense, snow covered forest, others near towering peaks that pierce the clouds, or for worse, in the middle of an endless expanse of ice and snow. Either way, where you appear in the First Trial is totally random and up to chance. However, there is a way to increase the possibility of appearing closer to one another. That is to be as close as possible while passing through the Gate, some walk in at the same time, some hold hands, it’s up to you.”

  Nala stepped forward, her sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled groups. “We’ll provide you with the basics, combat training, survival skills, and the knowledge you’ll need to stand a chance. After that, the choice is yours. You can become a citizen of Verdant Haven, or you can proceed to the First Trial. Alternatively, you can stay here, find work, and save up to afford more training sessions to improve your skills or buy some Keepsakes. It’s the smartest approach if survival is your goal.”

  She paused, letting her words sink in before stepping back. Oliver nodded in agreement, taking the floor once again. “That’s all for today. Use the rest of your time wisely. Return to the barracks and take this day to rest, train, build friendships, or prepare in whatever way you see fit. The choice is yours, we will call you when it’s dinner time.”

  As the groups dispersed, murmurs rippled through the air, carrying a mix of excited young men and women yearning for adventure, fear of those who have seen what true horror looked like, and determination of the brave who seeked to strengthen themselves.

  A few stayed behind to examine the board of rankings, their eyes fixed on the lifeless hide as if trying to extract every ounce of wisdom from its ominous presence. The others left quietly, their faces set in grim focus.

  Akira stood up, not caring if Leo followed or not, as he started making his way back to the barracks.

  Trudging toward the barracks, the weight of the information hung heavily in Akira’s mind. His footsteps echoed softly against the stone pathways, the rays of sun an annoyance against his pallid skin. The thought of the rankings, both for the monsters and the hunters, lingered like a nagging itch at the back of his mind.