[As promised! Enjoy!]
The next morning, all first-year students were summoned to the Grand Assembly Hall. Lukas arrived to find the massive room already filled with nervous chatter. Students clustered in groups, speculating about what the announcement would be.
Marcus found him near the middle section. "I heard we're getting divided into classes today."
"Probably," Lukas said, taking a seat.
The headmaster appeared on stage, his presence immediately silencing the hall. "Congratulations on completing your first week at the Royal Academy. You have all demonstrated the minimum qualifications to study here. Now, we will divide you into your respective classes based on your entrance exam performance and evaluations."
A magical projection appeared behind him, showing three distinct groupings.
"First-year students will be divided into three classes: Alpha Class, Beta Class, and Gamma Class. These divisions are based purely on merit and potential."
The headmaster waved his hand, and names began appearing under each class heading.
"Alpha Class consists of the top thirty students, those who showed exceptional ability in the entrance exam. Beta Class contains the next seventy students with solid performance. Gamma Class includes all remaining students who met the passing requirements."
ALPHA CLASS (30 Students)
1. Cassius Drakos
2. Elara Ven
3. Ace Reinhardt
4. Seraphina Von Astoria
5. Lyra Ashford
...
15. Marcus Fellor
16. Lukas Grant
...
23. Kieran Voss
...
30. Elena Cross
Lukas scanned the list. He recognized most of the top names from the entrance exam rankings. Cassius Drakos and Elara Ven, the two who had dominated the exam with over fifty points each. Both were from prestigious families and had been training since childhood.
Cassius was the eldest son of Duke Drakos, known for his mastery of fire magic and swordsmanship. Elara was the genius daughter of the Ven family, famous for her wind magic and strategic mind.
"Each class will function as a unit during joint exercises, competitions, and practical evaluations," the headmaster continued. "Additionally, each class will elect a Class Captain through combat trials. The Captain represents their class in academy matters and leads during group activities."
Murmurs rippled through the hall.
"Tomorrow afternoon, Alpha Class will hold their Captain selection trials. Any student may challenge for the position. The format will be a tournament bracket, single elimination, standard sparring rules. The winner becomes Captain."
More whispers spread across the room. A tournament meant everyone would be watching.
"Beta and Gamma Classes will hold their trials in the following days. Class assignments and trial schedules will be posted in your dormitories. Dismissed."
Students began filing out, already forming groups and discussing strategies. Lukas overheard several conversations as he walked.
"Cassius and Elara are obvious favorites for Alpha Captain."
"What about Ace Reinhardt? He placed third."
"The Princess is in Alpha too. Will she even participate?"
Marcus walked beside Lukas, looking excited. "We're both in Alpha Class. That's the best possible placement."
"It also means more attention," Lukas said.
"Come on, don't be negative. We'll get the best instructors, better resources, and priority for advanced training." Marcus paused. "Are you going to enter the Captain trials?"
"No," Lukas said immediately.
"Really? You beat Damien yesterday. You'd have a decent shot."
"I have no interest in being Class Captain. Too much responsibility and too much spotlight."
Marcus shrugged. "Fair enough. I'm not entering either. Let the prodigies fight over it."
They returned to their dorms to find new schedules waiting. Alpha Class would have separate advanced courses, smaller class sizes, and access to restricted training facilities.
Lukas spent the rest of the day doing nothing in particular, letting his system work passively.
[You have been idle for 4 hours]
[+4 to all stats]
[Current Stats: Strength 49, Agility 49, Mana 49, Endurance 49]
He was approaching fifty in all stats. At this rate, he'd rival experienced combat instructors within another week.
---
The next afternoon, the entire first-year student body gathered at the main arena for Alpha Class's Captain selection trials. The stands were packed, and even some upperclassmen had come to watch.
Lukas found a seat in the middle section with Marcus. Down in the arena, a tournament bracket was being displayed on a magical board.
Sixteen students had entered the trials.
ALPHA CLASS CAPTAIN TOURNAMENT BRACKET
Round 1:
- Cassius Drakos vs. Roland Vex
- Elara Ven vs. Mira Solace
- Ace Reinhardt vs. Derek Stone
- Seraphina Von Astoria vs. Withdrawn
- Lyra Ashford vs. Theo Marks
- Damien Kelso vs. Kira Frost
- Adrian Cross vs. Lena Voss
- Marcus Fellor vs. Withdrawn
"Wait, you entered?" Lukas looked at Marcus in surprise.
Marcus scratched his head sheepishly. "I changed my mind last minute. Figured I'd at least try. I'll probably lose in the first round, but it's good experience."
"Who withdrew?" someone nearby asked.
"Looks like two people backed out. Princess Seraphina and Marcus get byes to the second round."
The arena fell silent as Instructor Gareth stepped onto the platform. "Welcome to Alpha Class Captain trials. Rules are simple, standard sparring, first to three clean hits or surrender. No lethal techniques. Winners advance, losers are eliminated. First match: Cassius Drakos versus Roland Vex."
Cassius stepped onto the platform, his presence commanding immediate attention. He was tall with sharp features, dark hair, and eyes that seemed to analyze everything. His practice sword hung casually in his hand, but there was nothing casual about his stance.
Roland Vex was a decent fighter who'd placed somewhere in the twenties during the entrance exam. He looked nervous facing the top-ranked student.
"Begin!"
The match was over in thirty seconds.
Cassius moved with precision and overwhelming power. His sword became a blur as he struck Roland three times before the other student could even mount a proper defense. It wasn't even close.
The crowd erupted in impressed murmurs.
"That's the difference between first place and everyone else," Marcus muttered.
The matches continued. Elara Ven defeated her opponent with elegant wind-enhanced strikes that left no openings. Ace Reinhardt won his match with solid technique and determination, though it took him longer than Cassius or Elara.
Lyra Ashford dominated her match using quick movements and precise strikes. Damien Kelso won his bout, though he looked frustrated that he wasn't as impressive as the top seeds.
When all first-round matches concluded, the bracket updated.
Round 2:
- Cassius Drakos vs. Elara Ven
- Ace Reinhardt vs. Seraphina Von Astoria
- Lyra Ashford vs. Damien Kelso
- Marcus Fellor vs. Adrian Cross
Marcus groaned. "I have to fight Adrian. He's ranked ninth. I'm going to get destroyed."
"Just do your best," Lukas said.
The second round began. Cassius versus Elara was the most anticipated match, first place versus second place.
The two prodigies stepped onto the platform, and the entire arena held its breath.
"Begin!"
The fight was spectacular. Cassius wielded his sword with brutal efficiency while channeling fire magic through his strikes. Elara countered with wind magic that enhanced her speed and deflected his attacks. Their exchange was faster and more technical than anything the first-years had seen.
After two minutes of intense combat, Cassius landed his third hit with a perfectly timed feint that broke through Elara's guard.
The crowd roared with approval. Cassius had won, but Elara had pushed him harder than anyone else.
Next was Ace versus Princess Seraphina. The protagonist looked determined as he faced the princess, who wielded her sword with practiced grace. The match was close, but Ace's raw determination and his system-enhanced growth gave him the edge. He won three to one.
Lyra defeated Damien with quick, precise strikes that exploited every opening. And Marcus, as predicted, lost to Adrian in the first minute.
"At least I tried," Marcus said, rejoining Lukas in the stands.
Semifinals:
- Cassius Drakos vs. Ace Reinhardt
- Lyra Ashford vs. Adrian Cross
The semifinals were where things got interesting. Cassius versus Ace drew the most attention, first place versus third place, the prodigy versus the determined underdog.
Ace fought hard, using everything he'd learned. But Cassius was simply on another level. His technique was flawless, his power overwhelming. Ace managed to land one hit, but Cassius secured three with methodical precision.
Lyra defeated Adrian with calculated efficiency, earning her spot in the finals.
Finals: Cassius Drakos vs. Lyra Ashford
The arena buzzed with excitement. The two finalists stepped onto the platform, and the energy in the air was electric.
"Begin!"
The final match was intense. Lyra's speed and precision clashed against Cassius's power and technique. She managed to land the first hit with a lightning-quick strike. Cassius responded by increasing his pressure, his fire-enhanced attacks forcing her on the defensive.
The match went back and forth, both fighters landing hits. At two hits each, the tension was unbearable.
Then Cassius feinted left, drew Lyra's guard, and struck from an unexpected angle. His blade tapped her shoulder.
Three to two.
The crowd exploded into cheers.
"Winner: Cassius Drakos!" Instructor Gareth announced. "He will serve as Alpha Class Captain."
Cassius stood in the center of the arena, barely winded, and raised his sword in acknowledgment. The crowd's cheers grew louder.
Lukas watched from the stands, analyzing what he'd seen. Cassius was strong, stronger than anyone else in their year by a significant margin. His stats were probably in the sixties or seventies, far beyond what normal first-years should have.
But Lukas's stats were already at forty-nine. Give him another week, and he'd surpass Cassius.
The thought was both encouraging and worrying.
"That was incredible," Marcus said. "Cassius is on a completely different level."
"He's strong," Lukas agreed.
As the crowd began dispersing, Lukas caught sight of several people watching him. Ace was staring with that unreadable expression again. Princess Seraphina's golden eyes tracked him as he stood. And in the shadows near the exit, Vera Noctis observed with calculating intensity.
He'd stayed out of the tournament, kept his head down, and avoided drawing attention.
But somehow, people were still watching.
[SYSTEM NOTICE]
[Timeline Divergence: 25%]
[Alpha Class structure established]
[New social dynamics forming]
Lukas sighed internally.
This was going to be a long year.