The morning sun cast a golden hue over the academy grounds as Samantha led Ronan and Kairos toward the examination site. The air buzzed with anticipation, students murmuring among themselves as they gathered for the ranking competition.
Before stepping onto the exam grounds, Samantha turned to her brothers with a firm but gentle expression. "Don't push yourselves too hard. This is just a competition. Especially you, Ronan, don't do anything reckless."
Kairos offered a reassuring nod. "I won't do anything reckless."
Ronan smirked, mischief dancing in his eyes. "Heh, when do I ever do reckless things?" Without waiting for a response, he darted off toward the testing area.
Samantha sighed, shaking her head as she made her way to the audience stands. Moments later, her teammates, Roderick, Lyra, and Dorian, arrived to watch the event as well.
"Good morning," Samantha greeted them.
"Morning," they responded in unison, taking their seats beside her.
The head instructor stepped onto the stage, his voice amplified by magic as he addressed the gathered students and spectators. "Welcome, everyone, to the Adept Three to Adept Six ranking competition.
This competition consists of three stages. The first will assess each student's true Tier. Any attempts to artificially enhance your strength through potions, skills, or external items will result in immediate expulsion from the academy, regardless of your background.
You still have time to withdraw now, but if we discover any dishonesty later, there will be no mercy. The second test will determine your endurance. Finally, the last stage will be a one-on-one duel. Let the competition begin!"
The first test was overseen by the academy staff, who stood beside a towering, seven-foot-tall crystal. One staff member held a record book and pen, calling out names as students stepped forward to channel their mana into the crystal.
Elias: Adept Tier Four
Tavin: Adept Tier Three
Andera: Adept Tier Four
Kairos: Adept Tier Three
Kellan: Adept Tier Three
Elenor: Adept Tier Three
Eldrin: Adept Tier Three
Orin: Adept Tier Three
Egan: Adept Tier Four
Ronan: Adept three
At the end of the first test, approximately 100 students had passed.
For the second stage, the students were led to an enormous floating staircase that extended high into the sky. The academy staff explained the challenge. "This is the Gravity Stair Challenge.
With each step you take, the gravitational force will increase. Every ten steps, the force will double. The time limit is thirty minutes. Only the top forty students who reach the highest steps will advance to the next round."
From the audience stands, Samantha kept a close watch on Ronan and Kairos. Beside her, Lyra suddenly frowned, her gaze fixed on Ronan.
"That's odd. Shouldn't Ronan be at a higher Tier?" Lyra mused aloud.
Samantha turned to her with curiosity. "Do you know him?"
"No, no," Lyra said quickly, then hesitated before adding, "but I want to meet him."
Samantha raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
Lyra clenched her fist, her tone sharpening. "That brat is up to no good."
Samantha blinked in surprise. "What did Ronan do to you?" she wondered internally, noticing the genuine irritation on Lyra's face.
With a deep breath, Lyra continued, "He gave Elenor a rank-three Tailed-Fox flame without asking for anything in return. There must be some ulterior motive behind it. And now, I'm sure of it."
Roderick, who had been silent until now, failed to contain his amusement and let out a small chuckle. Lyra snapped her head toward him, her eyes narrowing. "What's so funny?"
Waving his hands in a gesture of innocence, Roderick forced an awkward smile. "Nothing, nothing!" But his expression betrayed his amusement.
Dorian, sensing the tension, decided to shift the conversation. "Wait, what's your connection to Elenor?"
Lyra's expression softened slightly. "She's my cousin, my uncle's daughter. We've been busy with continuous missions, so I haven't had a chance to introduce her to you all yet."
Dorian nodded thoughtfully. "How about we all meet for dinner after the competition?"
Roderick grinned, giving a thumbs-up. "Now that's a great idea!"
Meanwhile, the competition continued. The time limit expired, and the top forty students were announced. The top three spots went to Andera, Serena, and Elias. Ronan ranked thirty-fifth, just barely making it to the next round.
Lyra folded her arms, watching the results with a suspicious glare. "Tch. I still don't trust him."
Roderick and Dorian exchanged amused glances, silently acknowledging that dinner would certainly be interesting later that evening.
Academy Arena – Top 10 Selection Matches
The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the academy staff announced, "Now, let the individual duels begin!"
The first round was a display of dominance from the strongest students. Tavin, Andera, Eldrin, Orin, Elias, Serena, Kellan, Selyra, Elenor, Egan, Kairos, and Ronan all emerged victorious with ease, proving their skills and solidifying their places in the top 20. But the real battle was about to begin.
The academy staff prepared for the next round, where only ten would advance. A lottery determined the matchups, and as the names appeared on the large magic screen, murmurs spread through the audience.
Ronan Greystone vs. Elias Viridion.
Orin Viridion vs. Egan Flamecrest.
Ronan and Orin stood frozen for a moment before exchanging glances. We are doomed, they both thought, exchanging a grim look.
Neither of them had a good matchup. Elias Viridion, a noble with the rare Ice element, was infamous for his arrogance. He had always looked down on others, considering himself superior in both status and power. Meanwhile, Egan Flamecrest, though equally privileged, had a different personality. He boasted about his wealth and lineage but never underestimated his opponents.
As the academy staff called out, "Ronan and Elias, step onto the stage!", a hushed excitement filled the air.
Ronan walked forward, his expression calm, but his heart beating faster than usual. Across from him, Elias smirked, his icy blue eyes filled with disdain. His noble attire was immaculate, a sign of his high status, and the frost-like aura around him made it clear. He had full confidence in his victory.
From the stands, whispers spread like wildfire.
"This is a dead end for Ronan."
"He's only Adept Three, while Elias is already Adept Four. The gap is too wide."
"There's no way he can win."