The hall was filled with noise. Students whispered, some laughed, some stood with crossed arms trying to look calm. The big screen above the stage glowed bright, showing the Academy crest.
Then everything went silent.
A figure walked to the center of the stage.
The sound of her heels clicked against the floor.
Every step was steady, sharp, filled with weight.
Jax's eyes widened. He knew her.
Morgana Vexley.
She was none other than the headmistress of the Academy.
People whispered she was the smartest person here. Her mind was sharp, her plans never failed.
In the game, she showed up a few times as a guide. But now seeing her in person made his chest heavy.
She was only twenty-eight and yet the aura around her was hard to ignore.
Her violet hair was straight and long, reaching her waist. The stage lights made it shine.
Her eyes were amber, sharp, like they could see through him. Her lips were red, her skin pale and smooth.
She wore a black coat with gold trim. The sleeves hugged her arms. Her shoulders were stiff.
A white shirt stretched across her chest, her curves easy to see.
Her skirt stopped at her thighs.
She had on thin stockings and heels that clicked as she walked.
She looked strict, almost dangerous. Beautiful enough to make anyone uneasy just by standing close.
She raised one hand. The crowd fell silent all at once.
"Greetings, students," she said, her voice was calm and it echoing across the hall.
Her eyes moved across the crowd, scanning all the students one by one. Some students straightened up nervously under her gaze.
"I welcome you to the first test. Many of you have dreamed of this day for years. Now it begins. The path ahead will be cruel, but it will shape you."
No one dared to make a sound.
"Let us get started without delay."
Her voice cut through the hall like a blade.
"The test for today, I believe you all already know. One week ago it was announced across the channels. But protocol demands I explain it again, and I will keep it short."
She folded her hands behind her back.
"The game is simple. Each of you will be sent to the VR arcade. You will be allotted one capsule. Inside, the test begins. A battleground match. Your goal is to survive. Only the top two hundred will remain. The rest will be eliminated. The game ends only when the last player is standing."
Murmurs spread in the crowd. Morgana's eyes narrowed, silencing them.
"Your ranking in the academy will depend on which number you are eliminated after two hundred remain. Remember this. In battle, anything goes. Team up if you want. Betray if you want. Trick, manipulate, surrender, fight. It does not matter. There are no rules once you are inside."
She paused, then raised her finger and pointed to her head.
"Cowardice will not be rewarded. Strength alone will not be rewarded. This," she tapped her temple, "will be rewarded."
Some students clenched fists. Some smirked. Jax's lips twitched.
"Now. Moving on to specifics."
She clapped her hands once. A loud sound echoed, and above the stage a huge projection lit up. Ten figures appeared, each one glowing with stats and details.
"You have ten characters to choose from. I assume most of you memorized them already. Some of you even picked before coming here. Still, I will allow you to look through them again. Read carefully. You have ten minutes before we move to the arcade."
The crowd focused on the glowing projection. The characters rotated one by one, stats displayed beside them.
Jax crossed his arms, smirking faintly. He knew them all. He had studied them deeply back in his old world.
The first projection spun into view.
[Name: Ignis, Flame Caster]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 500] [MP: 1000] [ATK: 800] [DEF: 200] [SPD: 400]
[Weapon: Fire Staff]
[Skills:]
✯ Fireball: Launches a flaming orb.
✯ Flame Wall: Creates burning walls as defense.
✯ Inferno: Calls down a rain of fire.
Jax thought, 'A strong attacker, perfect for burning down enemies at range. But once close, weak.'
Next came
[Name: Glacia, Frost Mage]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 500] [MP: 1000] [ATK: 600] [DEF: 400] [SPD: 300]
[Weapon: Ice Scepter]
[Skills:]
✯ Frost Bolt: Slows target with ice shard.
✯ Frozen Prison: Encases enemy in ice.
✯ Blizzard: Area snowstorm.
Jax's lips curved. 'Strong but same weakness, too fragile in melee.'
Then
[Name: Volt, Thunder Spear]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 300] [MP: 600] [ATK: 1000] [DEF: 800] [SPD: 600]
[Weapon: Lightning Spear]
[Skills:]
✯ Thunder Javelin: Throws electrified spear.
✯ Lightning Dash: Blink to location.
✯ Sky Wrath: Huge thunder strike.
"Cool," Jax muttered. Attack, defense, speed impressive. But HP too low. Mana burns fast too.
Next came
[Name: Sylph, Wind Ranger]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 400] [MP: 900] [ATK: 900] [DEF: 200] [SPD: 300]
[Weapon: Bow of Wind]
[Skills:]
✯ Wind Arrow: Piercing shot.
✯ Gale Step: Dodge with wind burst.
✯ Storm Volley: Rapid arrow flurry.
'Mid and long range god. But if anyone gets close, game over.'
Next projection spun.
[Name: Shade, Shadow Assassin]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 800] [MP: 0] [ATK: 1300] [DEF: 1000] [SPD: 800]
[Weapon: Twin Daggers]
[Skills:]
✯ Shadowmeld: Short invisibility.
✯ Backstab: Teleport behind for crit.
✯ Shadow Dance: AoE dagger slashes.
Jax smirked wider. 'Perfect. Who needs magic when you got these stats? If she gets close, it's over.'
Then
[Name: Titania, Mecha Gunner]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 400] [MP: 500] [ATK: 1500] [DEF: 100] [SPD: 500]
[Weapon: Heavy Rifle]
[Skills:]
✯ Rail Shot: Piercing beam.
✯ Grenade Burst: AoE explosion.
✯ Suppressive Fire: Bullet stream.
Fun character, crazy firepower. But defense paper thin.
Next was
[Name: Myra, Spirit Caller]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 100] [MP: 1300] [ATK: 100] [DEF: 100] [SPD: 600]
[Weapon: Summoning Grimoire]
[Skills:]
✯ Summon Wolf: Calls spirit beast.
✯ Spirit Bomb: Exploding summon.
✯ Spirit Overload: Fuse with summon for buffs.
Jax frowned. Low everything except mana. 'Let others fight. Sit back. Dangerous in smart hands.'
Next projection glowed red.
[Name: Ravenna, Blood Reaper]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 1200] [MP: 500] [ATK: 1100] [DEF: 900] [SPD: 700]
[Weapon: Crimson Scythe]
[Skills:]
✯ Crimson Slash: Deals and heals damage.
✯ Blood Wings: Short flight dash.
✯ Requiem: Sacrifice HP for massive wave.
A terrifying fighter. Fight, heal, repeat. Tank and damage in one.
Then
[Name: Veyra, Chain Whip Fighter]
[Gender: Female]
[HP: 900] [MP: 400] [ATK: 1200] [DEF: 1000] [SPD: 600]
[Weapon: Bladed Chain Whip]
[Skills:]
✯ Dire Lash: Curving whip strike.
✯ Piercing Thorns: Spiked whip, bleed damage.
✯ Rending Spiral: Full spin shredding attack.
Jax nodded. 'Mid, long, short range. This one has it all.'
Then the last.
[Name: Eryndor, Plain Blade]
[Gender: Male]
[HP: 400] [MP: 0] [ATK: 600] [DEF: 1500] [SPD: 1500]
[Weapon: Longsword]
[Skills:]
✯ Flowing Strike: Simple 3-hit combo.
✯ Steadfast Will (Passive): Regenerates 2% HP every 3 minutes.
✯ Resolve: Bonus ATK and SPD below 30% HP.
Jax chuckled. Everyone saw him as weak. No flashy skills, no magic, low health. But defense and speed were the best things a smart player could ask for.
'They don't know,' he thought. 'Defense is the best offense. Time to give them a lesson.'
He smiled to himself.
Then a hand touched his shoulder.
He turned quickly.
His body froze.
A familiar face stood behind him.
"Zinnia Reed," he murmured, his voice low.