The noise of students chatting and laughing grows louder, filling the air with an electric buzz of anticipation. The once-empty training grounds have transformed overnight, now resembling a full-fledged arena. Massive stone walls enclose the field, tall enough to block the view beyond. Rows of seats have been set up along the perimeter, with students and instructors gathering to watch.

  The atmosphere is alive with excitement. Even those who had been anxious yesterday seem invigorated by the grand setting.

  Suddenly, a powerful voice booms across the arena, cutting through the noise.

  “GOOOOD MORNING, EVERYONE!!”

  Professor Raynor’s voice carries effortlessly, brimming with energy.

  The crowd erupts, cheers flying left and right as students raise their hands and shout in excitement. The air is filled with a mix of anticipation and competitive spirit. Whatever today’s test will be, one thing is clear—this isn’t just any ordinary assessment.

  This is something bigger.

  “WELCOME TO DAY TWO OF OUR PRACTICAL EXAM!”

  Professor Raynor’s voice booms across the arena. He coughs into his fist before continuing.

  “Now, I’m sure some of you are wondering about the change of scenery.” He waves a hand around. “Well, it’s pretty simple—today is the test of Foresight and…” He pauses, then smirks. “DUELS!”

  The arena erupts. Excited murmurs, sharp intakes of breath. Some students clench their fists, while others glance around nervously.

  My heartbeat picks up.

  Professor Raynor's voice booms again.

  "Now, please step forward! Zar, Kyu, Rook, and Mat!"

  The crowd stirs as the four of us make our way to the stage. My pulse quickens. This is it. The real test begins now.

  Professor Raynor claps his hands together, his voice sharp and commanding.

  “The first test! We’re going to assess your Foresight.” Professor Raynor’s voice rings out clearly, drawing the attention of everyone in the arena. He gestures to the surroundings. “Four different dummies have been placed in separate locations. Your task? Pinpoint the exact position of your assigned dummy using only your Foresight. Each of you has a different placement, so don’t expect to copy anyone else.”

  A wave of anticipation ripples through the crowd. My hands instinctively clench into fists. This is it. The moment to prove everything I’ve worked for.

  Professor Raynor looks over the group, his gaze sweeping over each of us before locking onto me.

  “Mat, step up. You’re up first.”

  My heart skips a beat. The pressure intensifies as all eyes fall on me. I force my legs to move, stepping forward into the center of the arena. The murmurs fade, the silence swallowing everything around me.

  I stand there for a moment, trying to steady my breathing, to calm my racing thoughts. The crowd feels distant now.

  Alright, focus.

  I close my eyes briefly, centering myself. The Foresight I’ve been practicing, pushing my limits with—this is the real test. I need to find that dummy, pinpoint its exact location, and trust in everything I’ve learned. Fast or not, I can’t rush this.

  Professor Raynor's voice cuts through the silence.

  "Start whenever you're ready."

  I take another deep breath, my focus narrowing. The world around me fades as I activate my Foresight, searching for any trace of the dummy's presence.

  I scan the arena, the mix of auras swirling around me—some weak, others strong. It’s disorienting. I need to shut that out and focus. I push aside the human auras, letting them fade into the background, and concentrate on the task at hand.

  The dummy’s aura should be weak. It’s just a material, after all. I zero in, tuning out everything else, searching for the faint pulse of energy that could only belong to the dummy. It’s there—subtle, but distinct.

  I trace its presence, feeling my focus sharpen. I can almost visualize where it is now.

  I concentrate harder, following the weak aura trail. "One... behind Professor Raynor," I mutter under my breath, my finger pointing toward the area. "One next to a student eating ice cream." The last one... I pause, turning around, narrowing my gaze. "And the last one... here." My finger extends, pointing to thin air where the last dummy is positioned.

  The crowd remains silent, waiting for Professor Raynor's response.

  Professor Raynor claps, and the crowd erupts in applause. “Well done, Mat!” His voice rings out, clear and proud.

  I feel a surge of pride, but I don’t let it distract me. There’s still more to prove, but for now, I let the cheers wash over me. It’s a small victory, but it’s a step forward.

  The rest of the test for Foresight didn’t go as smoothly as I hoped. Most of the students struggled, fumbling with their concentration as they tried to pinpoint the locations of their dummies. Some couldn’t even find a single one, their faces contorted in frustration as they called out wrong guesses.

  Kyu was one of the few who made it look easy, his sharp focus and quick responses drawing a few impressed murmurs from the crowd. But the others? They struggled, just like I did.

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  It made me realize that maybe this skill wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Even with the improvement I felt, it wasn’t going to be enough to just get by.

  "The Foresight test is now over," Professor Raynor announces, his voice steady. "Now, what everyone has been waiting for... the duels!"

  The tension in the air shifts as excitement spreads through the crowd. This wasn’t just another test; this was the real deal. 1v1 duels in the arena—where we would truly get to show our skills, both physical and mental.

  "Step forward and prepare yourselves. Each of you will face off one-on-one. These duels are not just about strength but strategy and quick thinking. Foresight will be your edge, but it won't win the match alone," Professor Raynor continues, his eyes scanning the group.

  I take a deep breath and glance around. The arena is now more than just an open field. It’s a battleground. The crowd goes quiet, and I can feel the weight of the moment on my shoulders. It’s my turn to prove what I’m capable of.

  "Kyu and Zar, please step on the stage," Professor Raynor calls, his voice commanding yet calm.

  The crowd murmurs in anticipation as Kyu steps forward, his expression focused. Zar follows, his stance confident, already cracking his knuckles as he prepares for the match. The two of them take their positions in the center of the arena, each waiting for the signal.

  The air is thick with tension as the crowd falls silent, eyes trained on the combatants. I watch closely, curious to see how the fight will unfold, especially between two of the stronger students.

  "Now, before we begin, take a wooden sword," Professor Raynor says, his tone firm. "As I don’t want to fill out any extra paperwork if someone gets hurt, that’s the only weapon I’ll allow."

  The students exchange glances, some nodding in agreement as they take the wooden swords that are handed to them. The dull thud of the wood against the ground echoes slightly as the weapons are hefted, each of us now holding the same simple, non-lethal tool.

  Kyu steps forward, grabbing the wooden sword and testing its weight. Zar does the same, twirling his weapon expertly before getting into his fighting stance.

  "Are you both ready?" Professor Raynor asks, his eyes scanning them both. They nod in confirmation.

  "Begin!"

  The moment Professor Raynor gives the signal, the crowd falls silent, anticipation hanging in the air.

  Kyu and Zar face off, each holding their wooden sword, eyes locked.

  Without a word, Zar charges first, swinging his sword in a wide arc aimed at Kyu’s midsection. Kyu steps back, narrowly dodging the strike, his body fluid and agile. He doesn’t waste any time—he counters with a quick thrust aimed at Zar’s chest. Zar blocks it with a grunt, but the impact sends a shock through his arms.

  Zar pivots, bringing his sword down with a heavy overhead strike. Kyu ducks low, dodging the blow by inches, and in one smooth motion, slashes at Zar’s side. The edge of Kyu’s sword makes contact with Zar’s ribs, but he’s quick to recover, spinning around to face Kyu.

  The crowd watches closely as Kyu moves with practiced precision, his movements deliberate, always staying just out of Zar’s reach. Zar, on the other hand, grows more aggressive with every swing, his attacks heavy but predictable.

  Kyu takes advantage of Zar’s overcommitment. When Zar swings wide, Kyu sidesteps and counters with a quick strike to Zar’s exposed arm. Zar flinches but doesn’t back down. He charges again, this time using his momentum to swing his sword in a continuous, relentless series of strikes.

  Kyu remains calm, his eyes scanning Zar’s movements. As Zar swings, Kyu waits for the right moment. When Zar swings from the left, Kyu steps to the right, slamming his sword into Zar’s exposed side, knocking the wind out of him.

  Zar stumbles, and in that instant, Kyu steps forward, disarming him with a swift flick of his wrist. Zar’s wooden sword flies from his hand, landing several feet away. Kyu holds his sword at the ready, his stance firm.

  Professor Raynor claps his hands. “And that’s the match. Kyu wins!”

  The crowd erupts in applause as Zar, slightly winded but respectful, nods in acknowledgment. Kyu simply gives a small nod, staying focused.

  “Good job,” Raynor says, stepping forward to address the group. “Now, Mat and Rook, It's your turn.”

  The crowd falls silent as I step into the arena, my heart pounding in my chest. Rook stands across from me, his grip on the wooden sword firm, eyes narrowed in focus.

  “Ready?” Professor Raynor asks.

  I nod, swallowing the nerves in my throat. This isn’t just about strength. I need strategy.

  “Begin!”

  Rook charges immediately, swinging his sword down with power. I sidestep, just barely avoiding the strike, and take the chance to jab at his side. He blocks it quickly, but I notice his balance is off. His feet are too close together.

  I feign a quick strike to his ribs, but when he shifts to block, I change direction and strike at his unguarded side. The blow lands, but he recovers fast.

  “Not bad,” he growls, shifting his stance.

  He swings again, faster this time, a series of rapid strikes. I watch his movements carefully, reading his rhythm. He telegraphs every blow, just a slight shift of his shoulder or feet before he strikes.

  I wait for the right moment. When his sword comes down in a wide arc, I duck under it and step to his side, landing a quick blow to his exposed flank. It’s a sharp strike, not powerful but enough to push him back.

  Rook is frustrated now, charging again with a flurry of overhead slashes. I take a step back, letting him come to me. As his sword swings down again, I sidestep, close the gap, and strike at his wrist, knocking his sword away.

  He stumbles, trying to recover, but I’m already there. I knock him to the ground and point my sword at his throat.

  “Yield,” I say, my voice steady.

  Rook nods, his pride hurt but respect in his eyes. “I yield.”

  The crowd cheers, and I lower my sword, breathing heavily. My arms ache, but I know it wasn’t just strength that won this fight—it was the strategy. I read his moves, used his power against him.

  Professor Raynor steps forward. “Mat wins. Well done, both of you.”

  Rook stands up, offering a hand to help me. “You’re fast,” he says with a smirk.

  “Thanks,” I reply, a grin forming. My hands are shaking, but I feel a rush of pride. This was a victory.

  As I make my way back to my seat, I glance down at my hands. The calluses are more pronounced now, a testament to the countless hours of practice, the constant training. They weren’t smooth anymore—they were rough, hardened by the repeated grip of weapons, by the strain of each swing, each block.

  I flex my fingers, feeling the burn in my muscles, but there's a sense of satisfaction that comes with it. My training was finally paying off.

  I can’t help but smile a little.

  The second day of the exam flew by in a blur. I kept replaying my fight with Rook in my head, unable to shake the satisfaction of winning. The rest of the matches faded into the background as I soaked in the feeling of accomplishment.

  By the time the exam ended, the sun was dipping below the horizon. I grabbed my things and headed out, Kyu walking beside me. The evening air was cool against my skin, and I could tell Kyu was in a good mood too, his usual playful grin never quite leaving his face.

  “You did pretty well today,” Kyu said, nudging me with his elbow. “I didn’t expect you to hold your ground like that with Rook. You’ve definitely come a long way.”

  I smiled back, feeling the rush of pride once again. “Yeah, I’m not where I want to be yet, but it’s progress.”

  We walked in comfortable silence for a bit, the sounds of the city settling down around us. The light breeze tousled Kyu’s hair as he let out a deep breath.

  “You’ve been training harder than usual lately. Getting ready for something?” he asked, his tone playful but curious.

  I shrugged, glancing over at him. “I don’t know… I just want to be stronger. I can’t stop now, especially after today. It feels like I’m just getting started.”

  Kyu grinned, shaking his head. “You’re definitely not the same guy who was all over the place before. It’s good to see you getting serious, though. You’re gonna make it far.”

  We kept walking, the familiar path home giving me time to reflect on everything that had happened. The weight of the day’s successes settled on me, but I knew this was just the beginning. Tomorrow would bring new challenges, and I had to be ready for whatever came next.