“Please take your seats,” said a voice from the speakers.
The walkway leading to the arena was lined with huge stone statues, carved to honor the great Protectors of the past. Their silhouettes seemed to silently observe the new participants.
At the end of the path, in front of the main entrance, stood a majestic statue of Kael, the legendary hero, with his sword raised to the sky.
The arena, imposing and white as a white marble Coliseum, opened up in all its grandeur.
In the center stretched the battlefield, surrounded by huge braziers that spewed a blue, crackling, living fire, illuminating the structure even in the darkest hours.
In front of the main entrance were the seats of honor for the jury, composed of the five professors and the academy's rector, elevated above the fighting ground.
All around stretched the stalls, where participants waited their turn.
Once everyone had taken their seats, one of the professors stood up.
Through the use of the Scheme, he was able to vibrate his words to every corner of the arena, as if every spectator had him inches away.
The audience was stunned by that display of power.
Mark, like few others, knew better than to expect anything less from the man: Professor Draker Thoron, an expert in the use of the Scheme, only 100 levels from the Ethereal Grade, second among the academy's strongest professors.
His nickname on the battlefield was “Red Terror”: able to give off a crimson aura and kill Champion Grade creatures with his bare hands.
“Participants, welcome to the second test!” he announced in a firm voice.
In addition to being extraordinarily powerful, Draker was also extremely attractive:
hair the color of morning gold pulled back, blue eyes as deep as abysses, and a body sculpted down to the smallest detail.
He wore the official academy uniform, but left his chest exposed, revealing a huge scar running diagonally across his torso.
“The rules are simple!
You will have to survive for five minutes or defeat the Rock Golem to pass the test.
If you are knocked out or hit more than twenty times, you will fail, getting a score of zero!”
Mark felt his heart quicken.
Golems, related to the elements, were creatures known for their extraordinary resilience.
Those based on the four primary elements were theoretically the “weakest,” as each element also brought with it vulnerabilities.
However, the Rock Golem was a tough opponent: slow, but almost impossible to scratch.
'I'm only level 1, so still an Apprentice... however, I have a skill that could save me,' thought Mark, muttering to himself.
“This Golem is special!” continued Draker. “It is a 'summoning controlled by Professor Belinda Veyra. If a participant is in grave danger, the professor will intervene immediately.”
Belinda Veyra, the top one among professors, known as the “Exterminator.”
During a mission to liberate a planet overrun by the Darkness, she lost her team and fought alone for twenty-five days, never stopping. It was she who sent the rescue signal after liberating the planet.
“I almost forgot!” added Draker with a cruel smile. “You can either use one skill or your Oneness!”
[System Warning: Mission Detected.
Choose a skill:
- Sword Technique Base Lv 8
- Conscience Base Lv 2
- Thick Skin Base Lv 5
- Perfect Balance Base Lv 3
- Ultra focus Base Lv 4]
'Among these, Sword Technique is my only hope to last five minutes,' thought Mark, muttering in a low voice before selecting it.
With a single, dry clap, Draker sanctioned the start of the test.
“Let the second test begin!”
-Break-
The first participants were called one after another.
With hesitant steps they approached the center of the battlefield, where the Rock Golem awaited them motionless.
The first combatant, a boy with disheveled green hair, immediately launched himself into the attack, trying to outflank the creature. He resisted just over a minute before being overwhelmed by a series of brutal blows.
“Exam failed.” announced the voice over the speakers, cold and impartial.
The second participant, a petite girl armed with a spear, managed to keep her distance for the required five minutes.
“Exam passed.”
As the fighting went on, Mark locked himself more and more into his own world.
His concentration reached extreme levels, his thoughts became quiet, his heartbeat slowed.
[Warning: the Ultra Focus skill was activated.]
Without realizing it, he had activated a skill, and a heavy aura began to pour out of him, like an invisible wave crushing the air around him.
Some nearby participants instinctively flinched, disturbed by that sudden presence.
Only one remained where he was.
“Hey ... what pressure you're giving off, man,” said an amused voice beside him.
Mark slowly opened his eyes and saw a boy with light brown hair, naturally disheveled, with a mocking smile on his face.
He looked completely at ease, despite the heavy air that filled the space.
“I'm Aaron. And you?” he asked, holding out his hand.
Mark watched him for a moment, then returned the shake.
“Mark.”
Aaron laughed softly. “You don't seem like one for many words. I like you. Let's hope you survive long enough for us to chat again!”
Mark hinted a half smile, returning his focus.
Meanwhile, from the field, announcements continued to resound:
“Exam failed.”
“Exam passed.”
After a few more fights, number 20 was called.
Aaron turned to Mark with a cheeky smile.
“Wish me luck, Mark!”
Mark, with a calm but determined look, returned the smile.
Aaron took the field with a relaxed gait, as if that ground was his home.
In his hand he held a simple sword, without armor or protection.
He positioned himself in front of the Golem, ready.
Professor Draker stood up and then gave the go-ahead.
A sudden glow blinded the arena.
When the light faded, Aaron was already behind the Golem, sword raised in midair.
With a single blow, sharp and silent, the Golem was split in half.
The sword, soon after, pulverized in his hand.
The audience erupted in a roar of amazement.
No one, until that moment, had been able to even scratch the Golem.
Aaron looked at the dust of his weapon, and whispered gratefully:
“Thank you for your help, my friend.”
“Exam passed.” announced the voice, almost in disbelief.
A rare smile of satisfaction appeared on Professor Draker's stern face.
Aaron bowed slightly, gave thanks, and walked calmly back next to Mark.
Mark stared at him like a bee attracted to a flower, eager to understand what had happened.
But Aaron, without giving him time to ask, began to speak:
“How did I do that? Everyone asks me that.”
Then, lowering his voice in a complicit tone:
“It is my Oneness. I can wield the soul of weapons, however, after a few uses the weapons are destroyed because of the force they release.”
“So... when you thanked the remains of your sword... were you talking to her?” asked Mark, intrigued.
Aaron laughed softly, a little embarrassed.
“That's right. You heard me.”
The two continued chatting, unexpectedly finding a connection, until the voice called out number 27.
“My turn.” said Mark with his heart pounding.
“I wish you all the luck in the world, Mark!” shouted Aaron as Mark walked away toward the center of the field.
Mark advanced briskly, the sound of his footsteps echoing in the tense silence of the arena.
Under the blue light of the braziers, his figure was fully revealed:
Long golden hair swayed like precious threads;
the eyes, of sharp ice, seemed to pierce the void;
the body, wrapped in the training uniform, revealed a slender physique, but underneath was incredibly muscular
the face, gentle and serene, contrasted with the aura the golem exuded.
A murmur ran through the audience, struck by that presence: a rare balance of beauty, coolness and inner strength.
In front of him, the Golem reawakened, emitting a dull roar like an awakening mountain.
Professor Draker stood up and declared the beginning of the test.
[System:
Name Mark lv 1 Apprentice
life: 100 hp
mana: none
Fatigue: none
Uniqueness: none
Skill
- Basic Sword Technique lv 8 (His sword skill)
- Consciousness Base lv 2 (Thinks logically, ignores emotions, passive)
- Thick skin base lv 5 (Reduces damage and pain received)
- Perfect balance base lv 3 (Increases the subject's balance)
- Ultra focus base lv 4 (Increases concentration, speed and thinking and accuracy)
Character points: 0
- Strength: 10
- Dexterity: 12
- Senses: 8
- Stamina: 15
- Intelligence: 5
Missions
Pass second test = not completed]
