Talentless Extra Of The Legendary Hero Academy-Chapter 101: The trial

Darius shrugged. "I don’t like the fact that he came out of nowhere, and he’s already gained this much power."

"He’s weak," Ardent said flatly.

Darius snorted. "And yet he’s strong enough to reach where he is in the shortest time possible. I want to know the limits of his strength and if he’s worthy of being in this Academy."

Ardent looked at him. "You’re not telling me the whole truth. There’s something going on that you want to use him for, and you’re trying to forge him."

Darius smiled. "We’ll see."

Then he turned and walked up to the center of the party.

His passage didn’t go unnoticed as the music died down, and everyone turned to face him, Head Instructor Darius Faulkner.

All the other Houses that sent their representatives over felt a twitch. Darius Faulkner was the face of the Academy, especially to the Houses. They didn’t expect him to be there, and if they knew, they wouldn’t have just sent their representatives.

Everyone stared at Darius with curiosity. Just what did the Head Instructor want?

"This isn’t good," Julius said beside Severin.

He was the only member that stuck close to him that night; others were busy enjoying themselves. Julius took his role as head, only, administration seriously, and he helped Severin to navigate the subtle politics that was going on around him.

Not that Severin needed that much help in that regard.

But as they watched the Head Instructor turn all attention toward himself without even speaking, they knew there was nothing they could do to navigate this.

This isn’t politics.

What Darius Faulkner was about to do was a show of power.

But strangely, Severin felt calm. He nodded mentally to himself. "So the unease I’ve been feeling is coming from him. Good. Tonight, everything will be known. Just what was he planning?"

The man smiled. "I congratulate you, Severin Reignhart. You have made Zenith Hero Academy proud. You joined the founders and put your name on the record as a House founder. Indeed, this is a record that’s not been broken before, and you did such in your first year.

"All the challenges that have been thrown your way were overcome!"

Severin felt the words were more of a warning than a praise, as if he was asking how he managed to overcome them. But still, he bowed graciously before the praise.

Darius continued. "This is the type of student this Academy was made for, those that are constantly up to challenge a wall that’s been set before them. They don’t want to climb it; that would take too much time. They break such walls!"

Only Darius’s voice was now echoing. Everyone’s attention was held, and most of them hardly breathed as they watched the man speak.

Severin watched him too.

"Just get to it," he thought.

And he did.

Darius smiled. "And as an instructor, the Head Instructor of the Zenith Hero Academy, it is my sworn duty to set more walls in front of you so you can break them and have the chance to grow.

"Congratulations, Severin. You have earned yourself the right to one of the treasures of the Academy! You will enter The Predator’s Trial!"

If everywhere was silent before, it was now like a graveyard deep in the night.

What in the fucking hell?

Eyes turned and swung to Severin as one, and immediately there was a space given to Severin and Julius with them in the middle. Horror and surprise mixed with a bit of pity and amusement filled their faces.

So, the Academy wanted to kill Severin Reignhart after all.

The Predator’s Trial is not an official examination or trial; it is a burial ground. Reserved only for those deemed "irregular risks," it is not meant to be survived by the weak.

The trial is simple in concept but lethal in execution.

Severin must navigate Sector Delta, a sealed ruin filled with ancient war constructs and failed genetic experiments, alone, without external aid, and must collect at least two Stigma from the apex predators that inhabit it.

Failure is not just expulsion. It is death.

Sector Delta was an ancient research facility that was built underground but was deemed too dangerous to use and had been locked hundreds of years ago.

Nobody knows the main reason why. Maybe the Academy did, but they’re not saying anything. The thing known is that it’s filled with treasures, and it’s so dangerous that those that survived it could be counted on fingers.

Severin raised his glasses in salutation. "Thank you for the opportunity, Head Instructor. But I would like to decline such a generous invitation. Maybe in coming years, but right now I’m held up with overseeing my House."

A mixture of jealousy and smugness rippled through the crowd.

They knew how dangerous Sector Delta was, but they also felt jealous because the offer was only given to those the Academy deemed worthy. And that means Severin shouldn’t get it. Isn’t he so weak and was getting carried by his team?

And why was he so shameless? He didn’t even think about it twice before he rejected! Even if it’s a death sentence, why did he reject it without giving it a second thought?

Murmuring like that spread among the crowd.

They all waited and turned to Darius, who shook his head firmly. "This decision was taken from the highest authority in the academy. It cannot be refused. You have two days to prepare, Severin Reignhart. See you after your trials!"

And just like that, the Head Instructor left. His figure blurred with a flicker of black lightning, and then he was gone.

The silence that followed was awkward as his guests turned to him.

Severin felt as if a volcano had exploded inside of him. He didn’t expect that! Darius had truly cornered him this time. He never thought that the man would go to such an extreme after the cursed land.

But outside, his face was calm. He bowed to the place where Darius was standing before and bowed. "Thank you for finding me worthy."

And with that, the party began again.

But now, Severin was under the gaze of all the guests.