"Magic is at the heart of our world."

  Eryndra’s voice rang out, firm and confident, immediately grabbing the recruits’ attention.

  "No matter what kind of adventurer you become — warrior, mage, healer, archer, tank... understanding the basics of magic is absolutely necessary."

  Murmurs spread among the group. Some recruits nodded with conviction. Others frowned, uncertain.

  A stocky young man, clearly nervous, suddenly raised his hand.

  "But… what if we don’t have enough mana?" he asked quickly. "What if... we were born without any magic at all?"

  The question hit like a stone in a pond.

  An awkward silence followed. Some candidates looked down. Others glanced at him with disdain. In this world, having no mana was often seen as a curse. A weakness to hide.

  Eryndra slightly furrowed her brow. But instead of snapping back, she raised her hand, commanding silence.

  "Good question. And I’m glad you asked it."

  She stepped down from the platform, took a few steps forward, and crossed her arms.

  "Yes, the Guild sees magic as essential. But that doesn’t mean it excludes those who don’t have access to it."

  She held out her hand.

  With a flash of light, a scroll appeared between her fingers, softly glowing.

  "This is a magic scroll. It contains a pre-enchanted spell. No need to cast anything. No long incantations. You just need a bit of mana to activate it... and some can work even without any mana at all."

  She lifted the scroll for everyone to see.

  "It’s the result of the work done by the MDER — the Magic Development and Research Department. A branch created by the Guild itself, to make magic accessible to everyone — even those with no magical training."

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  The young man looked relieved. So did a few others.

  The mood in the room softened… but Eryndra wasn’t finished.

  "That being said…" Her gaze hardened.

  "Never forget that a scroll is single-use. Once it’s activated, it’s gone. If you rely only on these, you’ll be dead before your first real mission is over."

  She slipped the scroll back into a dimensional pouch.

  "As adventurers, you must learn to adapt. Use your surroundings. Build up your physical strength. Work as a team. Watch, think, improvise. Magic is powerful. But it’s not your only weapon."

  A respectful silence filled the room.

  Then she added, more calmly:

  "Being an adventurer isn’t just about casting spells or swinging a sword. It’s about pushing past your limits. Making the most of what you’ve got. Talent might open doors… but only your will can take you through them."

  "Enough talk."

  Eryndra’s voice cracked through the air like a whip, cutting through the silence left by her long explanations. She crossed her arms, a spark of challenge in her eyes.

  "It’s time to see what you’re really made of. Combat simulation."

  Confused murmurs rose instantly among the recruits.

  But no one had time to ask anything.

  Suddenly, a glowing magic circle appeared beneath their feet. A golden light burst from the ground, wrapping around each candidate. The arena began to vibrate — softly at first... then more intensely.

  "What the...?" Ale stepped back, eyes alert.

  The ground pulsed beneath him, like it was alive.

  Around him, the circles expanded, gently pushing each participant into their own space. Within seconds, everyone stood alone inside a ten-meter-wide circle.

  Then, the arena itself changed.

  What had been a simple training hall now looked like a massive battlefield. The walls had vanished.

  Above them, an artificial sky glowed with a supernatural light. The magical illusion was so real, it felt like they were outdoors.

  Eryndra’s voice echoed across the space, loud and clear despite the distance:

  "You’ll face three waves of golem invaders. Their strength matches Class 10- level — basic opponents, but don’t underestimate them. If you fail, you won’t receive your adventurer badge."

  A tense silence followed.

  Even from a distance, glances were exchanged.

  Some showed cold confidence.

  Others swallowed nervously.

  Ale calmly looked around his circle. He took a deep breath.

  It’s a test. Control your magic. Watch. React fast.

  Eryndra raised one hand, and at the edge of each circle, several large tables appeared with a flash.

  They were filled with gear: swords, bows, daggers, staffs, scrolls, potions, shields...

  "You may choose anything you want from these tools. Use them however you see fit."

  A wave of relief spread through some circles.

  But Eryndra wasn’t done.

  She pointed at the group of recruits.

  "One last thing. If you ever feel you can’t go on, say ‘Grollestop’. The fight will end instantly. You’ll be out… and disqualified from the training."

  Her tone left no room for doubt.

  "Your turn. Good luck."