The golden portal shimmered before them, signaling the end of the third and final trial. The battlefield was quiet now, littered with the remains of fallen monsters, cracked stone, and pools of energy residue left behind from the intense battles.
Bolt stood in the center, his chest rising and falling heavily. His fists were clenched, his body covered in bruises, sweat, and traces of blood. He had pushed himself to the limit—far beyond anything he thought possible.
But he did it.
He survived.
The rest of his team stood nearby, exhausted but victorious. Akane adjusted her gauntlets, breathing hard but steady. Darian was sitting on a broken pillar, wiping dust off his face. Ryzen looked frustrated, scowling at the battlefield like it had personally insulted him.
And then there was Felix.
Unscathed. Again.
Bolt felt a flicker of irritation. What is this guy's deal?
Felix's gaze flickered toward him, as if sensing Bolt's thoughts, but he said nothing. Just that same smug smirk.
The golden portal pulsed. A signal.
It was time to leave.
Akane stepped forward. "We're done here. Let's move."
One by one, they stepped through the portal, disappearing into the academy.
--
The moment Bolt and his team reappeared in the academy's main hall, the massive leaderboard flickered to life.
Hundreds of students gathered, murmuring anxiously as their names flashed on the screen. The ranking system compiled their scores from all three trials:
First Trial (Robot Combat Test)
Second Trial (Team Monster Battle)
Third Trial (Survival Endurance Test)
Bolt's stomach twisted as he saw the First Trial scores appear. He already knew what to expect, but seeing it on display for everyone still stung.
First Trial Results:
#1 – Felix Vance (150 points)
#2 – Ryzen Valefor (120 points)
#3 – Akane Tsubaki (110 points)
#4 – Darian Gage (105 points)
#5 – Bolt Ashford (10 points)
Whispers spread through the hall. "Wait, only 10 points?" "That's awful—he barely did anything!" "How is he still here?"
Bolt clenched his fists, refusing to react. That was the past. I already made up for it.
Then, the Second Trial Results flashed onto the board.
Second Trial Results:
#1 – Bolt Ashford (298 points)
#2 – Felix Vance (250 points)
#3 – Akane Tsubaki (215 points)
#4 – Darian Gage (190 points)
#5 – Ryzen Valefor (187 points)
The whispers shifted immediately.
"Wait—what?!" "How did he go from last place to first?" "300 points?! That's insane!"
Bolt smirked slightly. Much better.
Then, the Final Trial Results appeared.
Third Trial Results:
#1 – Felix Vance (350 points)
#2 – Bolt Ashford (340 points)
#3 – Akane Tsubaki (280 points)
#4 – Ryzen Valefor (260 points)
#5 – Darian Gage (230 points)
Bolt's heart pounded. He was second place.
Only 10 points behind Felix.
The realization sank in, and the murmurs in the hall turned into a roar of excitement.
"He actually almost beat Felix?!" "That guy who started with 10 points?!" "What the hell happened in the last trial?!"
Bolt exhaled slowly.
I came in last in the first trial. I dominated the second. And I almost took first in the third.
I've proven myself.
Felix turned to him, his golden eyes filled with amusement. "Not bad."
Bolt raised an eyebrow. "That sounded almost like a compliment."
Felix smirked. "Enjoy your moment. Because next time…"
His eyes flashed dangerously.
"…I won't let you get so close."
Bolt felt a shiver run down his spine.
But before he could respond, an instructor walked onto the stage.
The massive hall fell silent.
The instructor's gray eyes scanned the crowd, voice sharp and commanding.
"Congratulations. You are the final students accepted into the Academy."
A massive cheer erupted through the hall.
Bolt had done it.
He was in.
But as the celebration continued, Bolt couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
Because if Felix was this strong now…
Then how strong was he really?
And more importantly—
How strong would Bolt have to become to surpass him?