The roar of the crowd was echoing throughout the whole arena the entrance exam for the academy have come to an end, and a splendid duel was performed for the finale.
The people all leaned over the rails, their faces paled or flushed, eyes wide as they tried to put words to the duel they have seen.
Clusters of spectators began arguing, some hailing Amy for her relentless will and others in awe of Adam's impossible endurance. But all agreed on one thing: nothing in the academy's history had ever come close.
On the floor, Amy layed unconscious, her fiery aura was now completely gone, her chest rising and falling in shallow breaths.
He had nor harmed her beyond exhaustion; she was alive, but her flames had burned out.
Attendants rushed forward carefully, weaving healing spells and placing her on a stretcher of reinforced crystal. Even while unconscious, her presence radiated defiance, as if her spirit refused to admit defeat.
Adam stood quietly, silver hair drifting in the faint hum of his remaining aura. His violet strands glowed softly, no longer blinding, but steady like distant stars in the night sky.
He didn't raise his hands in victory and he didn't even look at the crowd. His gaze lingered on Amy as she was carried away, and his expression was unreadable.
The headmaster descended from the box, his long robes trailing sparks of golden energy. The whole crowd parted instinctively as he stepped into the broken floor.
His gaze swept over the ruined arena the shattered tiles, the scorched craters, the fractured wards that still flickered weakly in the dome. Then his eyes fell on Adam.
For a long moment, silence returned.
Then he spoke, his voice amplified by magic so that every soul heard: "Today we shall bring a close to the entrance exam and the duel we've just witnessed has ended with only one victor the one who will be the Apex of the first years!"
His voice lingered for a moment as he gazed over the arena again.
"The academy doors shall open a week from now, use that period to get some rest, get stronger because once you step foot into the academy... Only your own strength will be your ally... "
He said so as he ascended away from the arena floor and towards the booth "Silver hair, violet strands..." The headmaster muttered to himself voice low and steady "very similar to that woman, and if my assumption is true," he said while gazing at the sky "Then you shall reshape the heavens just like she did, because starting today... Everyone knows your name."
Adam still on the broken arena said nothing, but the faintest flicker crossed his expression, something between surprise and quiet resolve.
The headmaster then turned, sweeping his gaze across the arena. "And she," he gestured towards Amy as she was being carried out. "Proved that she can rival your power and strength, that shall serve as a motivator for others to rise as well and also make sure you don't get too comfortable"
The crowd erupted again, as half cheered for Adam and the other half roaring in Amy's name. Rivalries and factions have already started to form, and new stories are already being born.
From the shadows of the stands, the older students watched with narrowed eyes— some envious, some inspired and some calculating. The teachers whispered urgently among themselves, debating what such prodigies would mean for the academy... And for the world beyond it's walls.
High above, in the sealed balcony reserved for outside dignitaries, figured cloaked in silver and gold exchanged knowing glances "He's finally awakened," one murmured. "Perhaps too late..." Another shook their head. "Or perhaps... Just in time, the tides are turning and the outer god's influence grows stronger, I just hope he's ready for what's to come."
Down in the broken arena, Adam finally turned, his calm eyes sweeping over the sea of faces staring back at him. For the first time, he raised his head fully, meeting the roar of the crowd not with arrogance, but with silent acknowledgement.
And though he said nothing, everyone felt it:
This was not the end of his story. It was the beginning.
(Deep within the demon continent)
Countless figured stood in a hall watching the holographic display of the match that just occured with keen interest.
There were around 10 people present, all radiating auras for S+ ranks, and early SS ranks and one figure's aura was the strongest from the whole group which was peak SS rank.
As the whole broadcast was cut as Adam went out of the arena and out of the area as two blonde twins followed him as they walked side by side.
"The entrance exam for the academy has ended in the human continent, and it seems these are the new prodigies... How exciting." He gave a small smirk as a he tapped on a black and blood red orb sending out his mana through it "It seems like it's time to strike, the outer god's grow impatient, and the Demon Gods revival is eminent." He gaze then flickered to Adam once more as he made a devilish grin "and a proper vessel is needed, the current demon king has grown weak due to the truce between the other races it's time for the world to know who stands at the top once more."
(Back to the human continent)
Adam parted ways with Duke and Selena as he told them he needed to rest, they both nodded in understanding as they knew that duel has taken a lot out of him.
Adam went back to his hotel room and took a quick shower, after he slammed himself on top of his bed as he gazed at the ceiling
"It's been a while since I last checked my status, buy first I should see the rewards I received"
And just on cue his system responded:
[ Ding ! ]
[Hidden Mission Completed: Pass The Entrance Exam]
[Rewards: +30 Stat points, S rank passive skill (Status Immunity)]
[Mission Completed: Win All Your Duels]
[Rewards: +30 Stat points, Dragon Sovereign Armor (Grow Type)]
[Mission Completed: Get Attendence To Silford Academy]
[Rewards: +30 Stat points, New affinity Ice]
[Hidden Mission Completed: Become The Apex Of The First Years]
[Rewards: +50 Stat points, Dragon God Physique]
Adam saw the rewards the system has given him and he couldn't help but just whistle, with this his strength will reach to new heights and will make him dominate the entire academy.
"Nice with this, I'm ready to for the academy and if anyone stands in my way"
As he said so his mana ripped as his yellow golden eyes glowed and his clenched his fist.
"I'll crush them!"