The day had dawned bright over the glowing skyline of Crimora, the heart of the Third Continent of Pyro, and with it came an electricity that crackled through the very essence in the air.
Today marked the Second Semester Evaluation for the first-years of Crimson Academy—an event that stood second only to the Awakening Ceremony in both scale and importance.
In a world where magic and technology had long fused into a seamless reality, the streets around the academy buzzed not with carriages or hovercars, but with smooth-bodied essence cruisers, blink-runners, and arc-light bridges that folded open to guide pedestrians directly into the academy's towering domain. The skies shimmered faintly as essence-powered drones hovered above, recording and broadcasting the event to families watching from distant regions.
The Crimson Coliseum—a grand architectural marvel built deep into the mountain's side—pulsed with activity. Spanning several kilometers in width and over a hundred meters high, the coliseum was layered in floating tiers, each lined with translucent viewing panels and reinforced runes for safety. Rows of kinetic seats adjusted themselves for maximum comfort and viewing clarity, shifting at the wave of a coordinator's hand.
Upper-year students, specifically the second-years, were stationed in official silver-trimmed uniforms at every entrance and gate, assisting with security, managing energy flows, and guiding the rare few invited spectators—prominent clan representatives, esteemed guests, and select parents of exceptional students.
At the heart of the coliseum was the staging area, sectioned into three distinct viewing blocks for the participating classes.
Racheal pointed toward the Room A section as students began to file out in orderly lines. ''Vahn, I can see your daughter over there,'' she said with a smile.
"And that's your boy over there, with Nicole as well" Vahn pointed as they watched Denwen step out from the tunnel, Nicole by his side as both of them discussed whilst they settled into their corner.
"I am still so proud our little girl was picked, now is time to show the world the pure talent of by bloodline" Varek said nodding his head rapidly in approval.
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Over at the front-left quadrant of the main stage, Room A had been given the Prime Arena Section,—a position of pride, status, and scrutiny. Their platform was elevated slightly, marked by elegant crimson banners laced with black filigree, and lit with underfloor glyphs that shimmered like liquid obsidian.
The students of Room A stood with imposing composure, clad in custom-fitted uniforms with crimson threads that almost pulsed with life. Every one of them was mid Rank 1 or higher, and their combined aura made the air around them dense—like stepping into a forge just before the hammer falls.
To onlookers, they were the golden standard. Chosen. Trained. Dangerous.
"So, this is how it feels" Nicole said with a broad smile taking in all the glory of being watched by hundreds of people.
"Don't get too used to it" Denwen said causing her to pout as she folded her hands.
The 10 Unawakened that had been chosen for this evaluation were given special seats in front as Nicole had to split off and take her seat.
Denwen and Roy had already sat down with two seats left close to them. Kara paused at the entrance as she looked at Denwen:
"Hey I'm sorry about the other day…" he broke the silence as he began apologizing when Jay and Logan walked up to them, scanning the empty seats he asked:
"Hey anyone here" Jay asked and before Denwen could reply Kara had already pulled away:
"No Jay, you and Logan can have a seat" she said moving away two rolls to the front just beside Mellissa.
"Dude, don't tell me she still hasn't spoken to you since that day" Roy asked his voice with a bit of disbelief and Denwen shook his head.
"This is why I avoid romantic drama. It's worse than a short-circuited essence stabilizer" he said running his hand through his hair.
Mellissa picked this up as she turned back slightly before readjusting her focus to Kara who sat beside her.
"Hey, June is coming through now" Kara said waving wildly towards the entrance as Room B dressed in bronze red and clay orange.
They marched towards the set of seats on the mid-right side of the coliseum, Room B's seating radiated ambition. Their section was lined with bronze-cast support rails, and hex-panels beneath their feet projected faint glows resembling smoldering embers. Orange-glass screens floated above, displaying each student's name, talent rank, and current cultivation stage.
The students here were early Rank 1s but had average talents of C and D, yet they stood with straight backs and fiery resolve. Their section pulsed with the silent hunger of those who had not yet achieved glory—but intended to earn it. Their uniforms bore faint copper trims, representing their transitional nature—caught between potential and realization.
Their auras were not as strong as their peers in Room A but one could sense that a few of them were close to a breakthrough to mid rank 1.
To the crowd, they were the battlers, the grinders, the ones to watch for unexpected brilliance.
June waved back at Kara and returned the lazy wave of Mellissa back to her sarcastically, she blew a kiss towards Denwen, Roy and Logan who rolled his eyes but she did a dodge motion avoiding the return kiss of jay who sat back depressingly as Logan consoled him by rubbing his back.
"You sure do know a lot of the heavy hitters of Room A" a boy named Fred said nudging her across the shoulder.
"Well just say I got a very large and accommodating heart" she replied shrugging.
Not too long after Room C began to emerge from the tunnel in their Cherry red and faded gold tracksuits heading towards the rear-left quadrant, Room C's area bore a more humble but poetic aura. The seating was rounded rather than angular, symbolizing unpredictability and divergence. Subtle cherry red drapes waved in the gentle updraft of aura winds, while faded gold sigils occasionally flickered across the backs of the student chairs—unpolished, but ancient in design.
These students had little to flaunt—they were early Rank 1s with the poorest of talents ranging from D to E Their aura was lighter, more erratic. But their eyes—some bored, some burning, some blank—told countless stories. Their uniforms lacked any extravagant tailoring, but their badges shimmered faintly in muted gold.
To most in this class, their first year would be the most they would go through in the academy as they leave to join up in the society, taking up other job roles that wouldn't require a lot of physical strength, or where their ranks and talent wouldn't matter.
The events had begun as all the players had gathered in their various seats, the audience still talking about the beautiful tracksuits of the students, some about the potential of the students and what to expect.
Everyone was excited for the first two events that would take place were Room B and C would have their evaluation first before the main event of the day.
The drums began to roll as the atmosphere of the coliseum began to change attracting the attention of the audience as the center began to open, two young people rising from the center of the stage.
They were popular third year students who were meant to be the host and hostess of the event.
Unknown to all this was going to be a very eventful event, one that would be etched into the memories of all present.