The sky above the training grounds churned with heavy clouds. Though it was midday, a strange gloom cloaked the land, casting long shadows across the colossal battlefield—the size of a small city district. First-year students stood in squads of three, nerves taut like drawn bows.
Each team had its roles: a frontliner, a support, and a coordinator.
Kael's team stood near the southern deployment ridge.
He was at the front, calm and still, eyes sharp beneath his wind-stirred hair. Every breath he took aligned with his mana core, the world narrowing to silence. Behind him, Reks cracked his knuckles, flames flickering with each motion. And above, Laziel hovered on a sleek board, holograms and mana-runes rotating around his bracers.
"All systems linked," Laziel said. "HUDs synced. Try not to burn each other."
Reks grinned, sparks dancing around his fists. "Only thing getting roasted is those freaks."
Kael didn't respond—just drew a slow breath.
Then came the signal flare.
A crimson streak shot into the sky—BOOM.
The battlefield detonated into chaos.
From cracks in the terrain and shadows in the rubble, the Veyriths surged. Low-tier mutants with jagged limbs and shrieking maws. Fangs. Crystals. Claws. The air thickened with the scent of blood and mana discharge.
Kael moved.
He vanished in a wind-sheathed blur, his sword igniting with a spiral of fire and wind. He cut through a low-tier creature in one clean strike—flesh and mana crystal bursting into red mist.
"Five points," Laziel called calmly.
Reks launched forward, lava igniting under his boots. He crashed into a Veyrith like a comet, hammering down blows that cracked its carapace.
Ding! Your level has increased by 1.
"Five points."
"I'm not letting you leave me behind, Kael!" Reks shouted, flames wild in his eyes.
Kael allowed himself a small grin. Another wave approached—larger. Faster.
No words.
Just motion.
He and Reks surged forward, their mana blending into a spiral of flame and wind. Clashes echoed through the field. Veyriths screeched. Limbs were severed. Ashes scattered.
Ding! Your level has increased by 1.
Ding! Your level has increased by 1.
"Three mid-tiers approaching," Laziel warned. "Fast."
Kael's gaze locked forward. "We'll need to split them."
"I'll draw two off you," Reks said confidently. "You and Laziel take the third."
"Make sure you don't get yourself skewered," Laziel muttered.
Reks smirked. "Won't die before I beat Kael."
He charged, shouting, "HEY, ugly! Over here!" But he overshot his baiting—all three Veyriths turned toward him.
Kael acted instantly. Earth mana surged beneath his feet—a jagged spike rose up and tripped one of the creatures.
"Now!" he called.
Laziel raised a hand—a streak of lightning arced out, electrifying the fallen beast.
Kael darted in, blade glowing with fire, wind, and shadow. He slashed—one arm gone.
Laziel followed with a razor wind arc—the other arm flew free.
Together, they struck the final blow.
Ding! Your level has increased by 2.
They breathed heavily, watching Reks sprint in the distance.
Kael glanced at Laziel. "Same tactic?"
Laziel smirked. "Yup."
Ding! Your level has increased by 2.
"Man, we're leveling fast," Reks said, finally rejoining, chest heaving with effort.
Around them, the battlefield was a storm of chaos. Screams filled the air—some from triumph, others from pain. A few students were already being carried out on stretchers. Noble-born elite units advanced in perfect formation, racking up points with cold efficiency.
Kael's team didn't care. They carved their own path—coordination, aggression, and pressure.
But the pace slowed. The leveling curve steepened.
"Ugh. It's getting harder," Laziel grumbled, glancing at his HUD.
Then—
The ground shook.
Kael skidded to a halt.
Laziel's lenses flared. "That mana spike—hold on. That's not on the briefing layout."
The central ridge of the battlefield cracked. The earth groaned, splitting like broken bone.
From the canyon below, something climbed out.
A Veyrith. Towering. Wrong.
Its crystalline armor shimmered with red and violet veins. Its form was still mutating—growing. Spikes burst from its limbs. Mana leaked in unstable pulses.
Kael's instincts screamed.
"It's evolving…" Laziel whispered.
"…Toward high-tier classification," Kael finished grimly.
The mutated Veyrith raised its head and roared, a thunderous shriek that cut across the battlefield. All movement paused. Every student turned toward it. The mutant's eyes locked—right on Kael, Laziel, and Reks.
"Uh…" Reks muttered, suddenly pale. "Guys… what's the plan?"
Kael's gaze didn't waver. His blood was singing.
"If we kill that thing," he said slowly, "how many levels do you think we'll get?"
Laziel's tone was low. "I'll draw its attention. The second it focuses on me, hit it with everything you've got."
Reks inhaled deeply, then nodded. "We won't let it live."
The Veyrith roared again—
And charged.