[INT. ILLUSION WORLD – LIGHT SCHOOL CAMP]
The illusion sun rose again in a sky made of fractal light and distorted space. It was the second day of the competition. Dew shimmered unnaturally on leaves that faded in and out of physical form.
The Light School team awoke one by one, stretching and checking their surroundings. The air was thick with tension.
Rika blinked hard, her eyes sharper than usual.
> Rika (softly):
"Something's wrong…"
Before anyone could respond, the jungle around them shifted.
From the left and right flanks, shapes charged toward them — phantom silhouettes wearing different Divine School insignias.
> Syleria (alarmed):
"Two teams! They're coming from both sides!"
> Kairo (gritting his teeth):
"We're surrounded. Prepare for battle!"
Lyrion raised a hand, eyes narrowed. But just before they could attack—
> Rika (firmly):
"Stop! These aren't real!"
The others froze.
> Rika (quickly):
"This is an illusion. Either it's part of the realm's test… or someone set this up to trick us."
> "Look behind — the third side hasn't been touched. Why?"
They turned — and saw it.
From the unguarded third direction, beasts surged out of the forest.
Dozens of them. Not phantom illusions. Real.
> Ray (eyes widening):
"So this… was a trap?"
> Lyrion:
"Someone tried to herd us right into a monster ambush…"
The team tightened their formation instantly. Lyrion issued commands with military precision.
> Lyrion:
"Back-to-back formation! Focus on real threats! Ignore illusions!"
A battle ensued — chaotic and wild. But thanks to Rika's quick thinking, the Light School team avoided a devastating mistake.
---
[INT. ELEMENTAL TEAM B CAMP – NIGHTFALL]
Far across the illusion realm, Elemental Team B — now only eight members after yesterday's loss — huddled in silence. Paranoia crept through their camp.
> Student 1 (whispering):
"Two of us were taken out on day one. If this keeps up…"
> Student 2:
"Stay quiet. We move at first light."
None of them noticed the glimmering eyes watching them from above.
---
[INT. LIGHT SCHOOL CAMP – NIGHT 2]
After a long day of skirmishes, the Light School team settled into their second night.
> Veloria (calculating):
"There's no time limit for this round. The only goal is to reduce the number to sixty."
> Aria:
"So theoretically, this round could last… weeks?"
> Syleria (deadpan):
"Let's hope not. I already miss warm beds."
They assigned night watch in rotations.
First shift: Ray, Syleria, Rika.
---
[MIDNIGHT – ILLUSION WORLD FOREST]
The jungle was quiet.
Too quiet.
> Ray (sighing):
"Well, at least we're not being attacked again—"
From the trees, movement.
Two teams — the same illusion teams from earlier — appeared again.
> Syleria (rolling her eyes):
"Hah. More illusions."
> Ray (chuckling):
"They must really think we're dumb."
But Rika didn't smile.
> Rika (urgent):
"No. They're not illusions this time!"
Both Ray and Syleria snapped their heads toward her.
> Rika (tense):
"The mana density is different… they're real!"
Shadows moved with hostile precision. No flickers. No distortion.
Real teams. Real danger.
---
[FLASH TO: OTHER TEAMS UNDER ATTACK]
Other schools weren't faring much better.
School of Space Team A: forced to retreat after a devastating clash with monsters and illusion overlaps.
School of Living Creation Team B: narrowly escaped an ambush with three students injured.
School of Elements Team B: overwhelmed. All eight remaining members fell in a coordinated monster raid during the night.
Their symbols dimmed and shattered — signaling complete elimination.
---
[INT. ILLUSION WORLD – CONTROL OBSERVATION ROOM]
Zyren sat in the shadows alongside his generals, arms folded.
> Cinderbane (cold):
"Your illusion tactics worked. They've grown paranoid."
> Nyxara:
"And that paranoia will eat them faster than any beast."
> Zyren (quiet):
"Let them struggle. Let them taste fear. The real hunt comes later."
---
[INT. STADIUM – GODS' BALCONY]
All twelve deities watched in silence.
The tally now hovered above the stadium:
95 Participants Remaining
5 eliminated. 60 must survive.
The Light God Alarion spoke first.
> Alarion:
"The illusion is thinning. True instincts are emerging."
The Time Maiden Aestra nodded slightly.
> Aestra:
"It's almost time for the real threats to be revealed."
---
TO BE CONTINUED…