When the battle concluded, Laex immediately consumed Orange Source Leaves. This time, he did not bother making tea out of it, but ate them directly. This provides immediate Source, but it is only temporary relief. After hours, greater exhaustion will take place, which can only be healed by Source Tea and rest.
Thorn did the same before issuing another challenge; this time, to a random seat. Seeing Laex's power left a deep impression on him. He wondered how deep the arsenal of the heirs was. He could not risk the chance of entering the academia on some pride he must nourish.
Soon enough, the battles ended. Twenty seats were finally occupied. It was this time that Laex saw his father among the crowd with tears streaming down his face. He was looking at Laex with great pride and joy. He had never imagined that his son would be able to enter Hextia Codex Academia.
'It's not over yet,' Laex thought.
In a huff, the spectators were all told to leave. All those who failed were gone as well. Only the twenty and the professors of academia remained.
As they gathered in the arena, Leila and Keith could be seen among them. There was also a man with a muscular physique and a wound on his right cheek, the man who killed the trial taker earlier with the foot of a dinosaur.
"Congratulations! You are now official students of the Hextia Codex Academia. Very few people are afforded this chance. You may have found that the trial was brief, that it was too straightforward, but that is the foundation of this academia. Everyone has talent. All have potential; what's important is the grit and drive to unleash them. The real trial was the 20 years you spent honing your craft, building a connection with your Gates, and enhancing your Source. Now, you will reap the fruits of your labor," Keith announced.
"But before that, we will have a ranking battle!" Leila said with great gusto, making the heirs smile in excitement.
The rest who passed the exams, except for Laex, already knew that this was not for them. It was too far from their reach.
"There will only be three ranks: first, second, and third. The prize? Artifacts."
At the mention of Artifacts, the heirs' eyes turned bright. Even Laex could not help but reveal his excitement.
'This is the bread and butter of every Adventurer, something money cannot buy. It can only be gained through luck and, of course, through the Dynasties and this one academia,' he thought.
"As you know, Artifacts are weapons or tools that can carry Sources as well. Unlike a Key, they cannot call upon Characters or Incantations. However, they can channel the powers of whatever it is from the Other Side," Leila said before summoning a massive red blade from thin air.
Blue veins ran through the blade as it seemingly beat in life. It was as though the blade was alive and was in sync with the world itself.
"This is Bloodhound."
At her mention, she swung the blade away from them, creating a massive wave of blood that corroded the air it passed through. For a long while, its path became a bloody mist that lingered like poison.
A great sense of loss appeared in the eyes of the 9 students, especially Thorn. It was his great desire to acquire an Artifact. That is why he was so keen to challenge an heir - to test his strength.
However, after the fight with Laex, all his hope was lost. He knew that there was no possibility of his getting one.
"All who wish to compete, step forward."
Predictably, only 11 students did: the heirs and Laex.
"Good! It had been a long time since another daring soul tried to fight for an Artifact," the muscular man said with a wide smile.
Keith called them to a circle before asking them to pull a paper from their hand. Those who took the longest strips of paper became the first three ranks.
"This is the same as before. However, this time, if you issue a challenge and lose, you will be eliminated," he added.
"The rankings are: third, Luna de Selene, crowned princess of Selene Dynasty; second, Malik Fysi, crowned prince of the Fysi Dynasty; first, Laex Dives!" Just as Leila finished her announcement, a young man with long white hair and azure eyes immediately came forward to challenge Laex.
"I, Philip Winter, the crowned prince of the Winter Dynasty, issue a challenge to Laex Dives for the first rank!" he declared with great pride, looking at Laex with an unhidden disgust.
"Such pride," Laex said with a sneer, deliberately mocking him more.
"Of course. I cannot bear to see a peasant like you hold that spot for much longer. This battle is for the heirs!" Philip insisted as he called upon his Key.
'He is annoying an all, but he is powerful. A Green Source and the knowledge of an entire Dynasty behind his back. Troublesome,' Laex noted in his mind as he turned serious.
Simultaneously, everyone moved away to give them space.
"The Winter Dynasty provided no shortage of geniuses. They are one of the most powerful Dynasties in terms of raw strength. This will be fascinating to watch," Leila said.
"You seem awfully confident about that Laex, Leila," the muscular man said.
"I can feel it, Roger."
"Well, I can't blame you. I feel it too, that fear. It's like looking at an Abyss Dweller," Roger said as he widely smiled, enjoying the thrill.
"Look at our disparity! This is true power!" Philip exclaimed as he drained half of his Source.
/Oh great storm, come here in this Side. Chill the hearts of those that dare enter thy sight!/
{Gate of Winter: Blizzard}
With his Key pointed upward, a gigantic Gate appeared. It was cold like death and terrifyingly lonesome. From it came a huge blizzard that quickly overtook the entire arena.
"This will be your bane!"