Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

The future first-year students stood in a wide, open arena, their gazes fixed on seven identical portals that hovered in the air before them. Each portal was the same size and color—a glowing, pulsating orb of deep, vibrant hues that seemed to shimmer with a life of their own.

These swirling gates flickered as though they were windows into other worlds, crackling with energy and promise. The students exchanged nervous glances, some with excitement, others with apprehension. Only the anticipation in the air marked the beginning of the trial.

The examinees were all lined up in neat rows, facing the portals, their eyes tracing every inch of the unknown challenges ahead. Some clutched their weapons tightly, others adjusted their gear, but all stood still, waiting for the special exam to begin.

Above them, a massive holographic screen materialized, glowing faintly in the atmosphere. The words appeared in bold, flickering letters, as though being carved by an invisible hand. As the crowd grew quiet, the unmistakable voice of the exam instructor resonated throughout the arena.

"Attention, examinees," the instructor's voice echoed, both firm and reassuring. The words on the screen followed in sync with the voice.

"Welcome to the Special Entrance Exam of Celestial Arcane Academy. This trial will test your ability to adapt, survive, and work with your peers. You will be presented with seven elemental portals, each corresponding to a different challenge. The rules are simple."
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The screen flashed briefly, emphasizing the next line, and the voice continued.

"Objective: You must enter at least four of these elemental territories and collect a minimum number of special tokens from the illusions that reside within. These illusions are not merely physical—they will challenge your strategic thinking, your combat skills, and your ability to withstand psychological pressure. They range in power from Nebula Initiate, ranked at 3 stars, to Lunar Apprentice, ranked at 5 stars - the strongest of them being the Guardians of Each Territory."

A soft humming filled the air as sleek metal bracelets materialized around each examinee's wrist, their surfaces gleaming with intricate magical circuits.

"These devices will track your location, tokens, and overall progress throughout the trial. Each token you collect will be registered to your unique identifier. Be warned—tokens cannot be traded or forcibly taken from other examinees until you reach the central non-elemental zone. Additional rules will be explained once you arrive there."

The examinees exchanged murmurs, some apprehensive, others focused. These illusions weren't just creatures—they were tests, crafted by the magic of the grounds.

"The trial will last for six hours. You are free to enter and exit the elemental territories as many times as you need, but remember that your collected tokens must be delivered to the central area. Failure to deliver the required number of tokens or failure to complete the trial within the time limit will result in disqualification."

The screen flickered for a moment, then showed one last line of instruction. The instructor's voice took on a more ominous tone.

"One final warning: Watch out for the Predators. They lurk within these territories, and they are not bound by the same rules as you. Begin now. The portals will activate in ten seconds. Good luck and remember: The Trial Grounds will test you in ways you cannot anticipate."

With those final words, the voice fell silent.

The examinees stood in complete stillness for a moment, processing the rules and the cryptic warning. The air hummed with energy as the portals shimmered brightly, signaling the beginning of the special exam.

Examinees surged forward in waves, their footsteps thundering across the arena floor as they rushed toward their chosen portals. Some ran with desperate urgency, as if afraid the portals might vanish. Others moved with calculated purpose, their paths already decided.

Amidst the rush, three figures stood apart from the crowd. Isabella stood flanked by the twin princesses, Luna and Stella. While others scrambled in panic or charged ahead blindly, they observed the flow of examinees with careful consideration.

"The middle portal seems popular," Alina noted, her eyes tracking the largest group of students.

Cassandra nodded, adjusting the bow strapped to her back. "They probably think it'll be the most straightforward challenge. But that many people..."

"Means more competition for tokens," Isabella finished, a slight smile playing on her lips. "We should wait. Let them thin out first."

Their strategy wasn't without risk – they knew they'd be teleported to random locations within whichever territory they chose. But they had agreed beforehand: no matter where they appeared, they would find each other first. Better to lose a few minutes regrouping than to face the danger alone.

As the initial surge began to ebb, the three exchanged knowing looks. The lines had thinned considerably, making their approach easier. They moved as one toward their chosen portal - the one with the least people entered, their steps synchronized with practiced ease.

Just as they were about to step through, a peculiar stillness fell over the arena. The remaining examinees who had been waiting their turn paused, their attention drawn to a solitary figure who had yet to move from his position.

He stood alone now, a boy with hair as black as midnight, a wicked-looking scythe resting casually across his shoulders. His lips were curved in a savage grin as he surveyed the portals, as if they were prey and he the hunter. His presence seemed to distort the very air around him, creating an unsettling atmosphere that made even the bravest examinees quicken their steps through the portals.

With deliberate slowness, he began to stride toward the middle portal. Each step was measured, predatory. But just as he reached the threshold, something strange occurred – his grin faded, and with it, his human shadow seemed to shift and change. For a brief moment, it took on an oddly monstrous form, a transformation so subtle that most would have missed it.

Then he was gone, swallowed by the swirling energies of the portal, leaving behind an empty arena and the lingering sensation that something significant had just transpired.

Inside their chosen portal, Isabella and the twins felt the familiar pull of teleportation magic, knowing they would soon be separated. But they shared one last determined look before the magic took hold.

With their vision going white, they let the portals do their work.