The Genius Mage Was Reincarnated Into A Swordsman Family-Chapter 139: The First Trial

The hour of preparation had come to an end. The coliseum buzzed with restrained anticipation as the trainees returned to the center of the arena, each carrying the weight of uncertainty on their shoulders. The spectators were no less eager, their murmurs and shifting movements reflecting their own excitement. Hundreds of armored warriors from various armed groups filled the seats, their gazes like hawks locked onto the fresh recruits below. Banners of the Rikxia Empire’s elite forces fluttered in the breeze, casting long shadows over the stone arena.

Klaus stood among the trainees, his silver hair catching the light as his sharp blue eyes scanned his surroundings. His calm demeanor belied the storm of thoughts raging within. This was not the simple trial they had been led to expect. Every detail—the sheer number of spectators, the ominous energy exuding from the captains, and Melo’s cryptic words—hinted at something far more perilous.

Melo stood atop the towering central pillar, his silver mask gleaming under the sun. With a single raised hand, silence fell over the coliseum. His voice echoed powerfully, his every word carrying weight. "Your hour is up. Now, the trial begins."

A team of aides entered the arena, each carrying small, intricately crafted bracelets. These bracelets, though modest in size, gleamed with a faint light, their surfaces etched with glowing runes. The trainees watched in silence as the aides approached them one by one, handing out two bracelets per person.

"These bracelets," Melo began, his voice cutting through the tense air, "are enchanted to ensure fairness and to measure your performance. Place them on both wrists. Do not remove them under any circumstances."

Klaus examined the bracelets handed to him. They were heavier than they looked, each weighing about 15 kilograms(33lbs). As he slipped them onto his wrists, he felt the cold metal settle against his skin. The runes on their surfaces pulsed faintly, like a heartbeat. Around him, the other trainees did the same, their expressions ranging from curiosity to unease.

Melo continued, "Your task is straightforward: follow the marked track leading up the mountain and return here as quickly as possible. Along the way, you must touch every checkpoint placed along the route. Missing even one will result in immediate disqualification. Those who fail to return within the allotted time will also be eliminated."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the trainees. The instructions seemed simple enough, and the weight of the bracelets, while inconvenient, was nothing they couldn’t handle. After all, their training had involved carrying far heavier burdens.

But Klaus remained wary. Something about this trial felt off. He studied the runes on his bracelets more closely, his instincts warning him that there was more to them than met the eye.

Melo’s voice rose again, silencing the murmurs. "Let me be clear: this trial is not just about speed. It is about endurance, strength, and above all, willpower. The path ahead will test you in ways you cannot imagine. Prepare yourselves."

With that, Melo raised his hand, and a loud horn blared through the coliseum. The trial had officially begun.

---

The trainees surged forward, their boots pounding against the dirt path that stretched out from the coliseum gates. The track wound its way through the dense forest, its direction marked by wooden signs and fluttering flags. The initial stretch was relatively easy, the ground even and the incline gentle.

Klaus kept a steady pace, his breathing calm and measured. Around him, the other trainees pushed themselves, their expressions determined. Alex ran just a few steps ahead, his movements fluid and confident. Nicholas was close behind, his powerful strides propelling him forward with ease.

As they approached the first checkpoint, a wooden post marked with a glowing rune, Klaus felt a flicker of unease. The runes on his bracelets seemed to react to the checkpoint, their glow intensifying as he reached out to touch the post.

The moment his hand made contact, a wave of energy pulsed through him. His body tensed as a strange sensation spread from his wrists to the rest of his body. His strength diminished, his muscles feeling noticeably weaker.

"What was that?" Klaus muttered under his breath, flexing his fingers. He glanced at Alex and Nicholas, who had just touched the checkpoint as well. Their faces showed no visible signs of distress, but their movements seemed slightly less fluid.

Further ahead, the other trainees touched the checkpoint, oblivious to the subtle change in their physical states. For them, the trial continued as expected.

Klaus pressed on, his mind racing. Whatever had just happened wasn’t natural. The bracelets were more than just weights—they were enchanted to sap their strength. And if his instincts were correct, this was only the beginning.

---

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

The path grew steeper as the trainees approached the second checkpoint, a stone pillar etched with glowing runes. The climb tested their endurance, beads of sweat forming on their brows as they pushed themselves harder.

When Klaus reached the second checkpoint, he hesitated for a brief moment before placing his hand on the rune. Once again, the bracelets reacted, their glow intensifying as another wave of energy pulsed through him. This time, the effect was far more pronounced. His strength, already halved, was reduced further, leaving him feeling unnaturally weak.

He glanced at Alex and Nicholas, who had also reached the checkpoint. Their expressions were tight, their movements slower. But it was clear that their strength had been diminished even more severely than the others.

Experience tales with novelbuddy

Klaus clenched his fists, his mind piecing together the puzzle. The runes on their bracelets were different. The mechanism affecting their strength was harsher, more punishing. This trial wasn’t just about physical endurance—it was a calculated attempt to test their limits.

By the time they reached the third checkpoint, the effects of the runes were undeniable. Klaus’s once effortless strides had turned into a laborious march. His muscles burned, and every step required immense effort. Yet he pressed on, his willpower driving him forward.

As he touched the third checkpoint, the sensation of weakness surged through him again, nearly bringing him to his knees. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay upright. Alex and Nicholas arrived moments later, their faces pale but resolute. Behind them, the other trainees struggled to keep up, their own strength waning with each checkpoint.

Klaus’s gaze shifted to Sarah Margot, who was not far behind. She touched the checkpoint with determination, her movements slower but steady. Yet something about her bracelets caught his attention. The runes on her bracelets glowed faintly, their patterns subtly different from those on his own.

"Do you see that?" Klaus murmured, his voice low. Alex and Nicholas followed his gaze, their eyes narrowing as they studied Sarah’s bracelets.

"They’re different," Alex said, his tone laced with suspicion. "The runes… they’re not the same as ours."

Nicholas nodded, his expression grim. "It’s not just her. Look at the others. Their bracelets don’t react the same way ours do."

Realization dawned on Klaus, his mind racing. The trial wasn’t equal for everyone. The top trainees—himself, Alex, and Nicholas—had been singled out, their bracelets designed to push them beyond their limits. The runes were a cruel mechanism, amplifying the difficulty of the trial for those deemed strongest.

As the truth settled over them, Klaus’s resolve hardened. This wasn’t just a test of strength or skill—it was a battle of will. And he would not falter.