The announcement was met with a mixture of surprise and apprehension. The students, already drained from the previous round, faced the daunting prospect of taking on GAs who had proven their dominance. Just moments before, they had been congratulating themselves on surviving; now, a new trial loomed over them, demanding even greater strength.

“You will have the chance to challenge those who stand above you,” the Vice President said, his voice dripping with a mocking superiority that only heightened the students’ anxiety. His gaze was sharp, scrutinizing each exhausted face with an almost cruel enjoyment. “But remember, this is not a mere formality. The stakes are high, and only those with true skill and resolve will succeed. Prepare yourselves, because failure is not an option.”

With a final, sweeping glance over the room of tense, battered students, the Vice President turned and left the stage. His departure left an air of palpable tension, like a storm ready to break, hanging in the hall. For a moment, silence settled over the crowd as they stared at the now-empty stage, each of them processing the weight of the challenge ahead.

As the screen displaying the previous statistics faded, the students began to disperse, their minds racing with the implications of the announcement. Some murmured to each other in anxious tones, while others stared into the distance, mentally bracing themselves. Here they were, barely out of one trial, and already expected to summon the strength to face the academy’s elites.

"Attention, students! The mechanics for the GA challenges are as follows.” The Vice President’s voice echoed through the hall once more, commanding their attention. “Each of you will have the opportunity to challenge a GA. We will call out each GA one by one. If you wish to challenge a particular GA, raise your hand. If you are chosen, the challenge will proceed immediately. Succeed, and you will take their spot."

The Vice President’s gaze swept over the students again, his smirk widening as he watched their nervous expressions. “Prepare yourselves, as the first GA challenge will begin shortly. Remember, this is your opportunity to prove yourselves and secure a place among the academy’s elite.”

With those words, he gestured toward the event hall’s main floor. The space was now transformed, lined with sparring arenas and set for combat. The atmosphere thickened with anticipation, as the students murmured among themselves, some clenching their fists, others shifting uneasily on their feet.

The first GA, Rayn Princessmon, stepped forward into the spotlight. Even though she was still recovering from the previous round, her composed and confident presence sent a ripple through the crowd. Rayn was striking—her silver armor, gleaming under the lights, gave her an almost ethereal appearance, and her eyes were sharp, unyielding, as they scanned the crowd with a mixture of aloofness and readiness. This was someone clearly used to being the center of attention, and her calm demeanor hinted at the unshakable confidence of someone who had faced countless challenges before.

The Vice President addressed the crowd. “The first GA is ready. If anyone wishes to challenge her, now is the time to step forward.”

A tense silence fell over the arena. The students exchanged hesitant glances, each of them recalling the display of strength Rayn had demonstrated just hours before. They had witnessed her agility, her precise control over every movement, and the sheer power that seemed to flow effortlessly through her strikes. To challenge her now felt almost foolish.

The Vice President’s gaze swept over the hesitant students, his tone turning slightly disappointed. “No one?” he asked, a hint of disdain in his voice. “Very well. Let’s move on.”

The second GA, Ruzz, stepped into the spotlight. In stark contrast to Rayn’s cool detachment, Ruzz exuded an intimidating, almost feral energy. His tall, muscular frame and the sheer force in his gaze made it clear he was not to be underestimated, even with his injured hand wrapped in a makeshift bandage. Despite the injury, he stood tall, his expression unyielding, scanning the crowd with an authoritative glare that dared anyone to step forward. His piercing eyes moved over each student, as if sizing up their potential threat—or lack thereof.

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“The second GA is now ready,” the Vice President announced. “If anyone wishes to challenge Ruzz, now is your chance.”

The atmosphere in the hall grew thicker with anticipation. Many students shifted uncomfortably, feeling the weight of Ruzz’s gaze and recalling the recent fierce battle they had witnessed. Rayn Princessmon, Ruzz, and Aolomon had all proven their exceptional abilities, leaving the students to wonder if any of them could truly stand a chance. There was a hesitancy among them, an unspoken acknowledgment that stepping into the ring with Ruzz might mean certain defeat.

The Vice President noted their reluctance, his smirk barely concealing his amusement. “It seems no one is ready to challenge Ruzz at this moment. Very well, we will proceed.”

The tension lingered as the Vice President’s voice echoed through the space, maintaining a sense of impending conflict. Each challenge left the crowd more on edge, the students’ doubts gnawing at them as the stakes of each round became clearer.

“Now, let’s welcome our third GA, Roger Blake.”

The large doors at the far end of the event hall swung open, and the room fell into a hush as Roger Blake stepped forward. Towering over the other GAs, he wore heavy armor that clinked with every step, and his massive shield and sword glinted ominously in the dim light. His presence was imposing, a wall of raw power and discipline that demanded respect. His gaze was unflinching, cold, as he scanned the crowd with eyes that had seen countless battles.

In the back of the room, Hiro’s eyes widened as he recognized the figure, a flicker of memory washing over him. He was suddenly transported back to the stormy day of the entrance exam, where the tense atmosphere had seemed just as thick and unbreakable. He could still see it—the menacing demon’s enraged face as he had stormed into the hall, roaring with fury over the humans’ inclusion in Sky Academy. The demon’s wrath had been palpable, his voice echoing with disdain as he challenged the academy’s very foundations, condemning the humans who dared to stand in the same space as him.

Roger Blake had stood resolute that day, his calm, unyielding presence a stark contrast to the demon’s fury. Shield raised and sword at the ready, he had exuded an aura of unbreakable determination. The battle that followed was etched into Hiro’s memory: Roger, moving with astonishing agility despite his size, had met the demon blow for blow. The demon’s strength was immense, but Roger’s calculated defense and relentless offense had proven superior, ultimately overpowering his supernatural opponent.

As the flashback faded, Hiro glanced over at Kyren, who was watching Roger with a similar look of recognition. Kyren’s gaze was steady, his expression unreadable, though Hiro could sense the tension coiled within his friend.

The Vice President’s voice sliced through Hiro’s thoughts, bringing him back to the present. “Roger Blake is ready. If anyone wishes to challenge him, now is the time.”

A hush fell over the crowd as the students exchanged curious glances. Roger Blake’s towering form and formidable reputation left most of them reluctant even to consider the possibility of facing him. The silence stretched on, the air thick with unspoken fear and anticipation.

But just as the Vice President’s gaze began to turn dismissive, a single hand rose from the crowd, drawing every eye in the hall. “Finally, we have a challenger,” the Vice President remarked, a note of surprise in his voice. He turned, and so did the crowd, their attention now riveted on the lone student who had dared to step forward.

Kyren’s eyes narrowed as he recognized the challenger. “It’s him again,” he muttered, his tone laced with apprehension. Standing at the front of the crowd was the very demon who had once battled Roger Blake, the one who had condemned humanity during the entrance exam.

Hiro, standing beside Kyren, also recognized the figure. "The angry one who was ranting about the human race," he whispered, his voice a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

“Yeah,” Kyren replied, watching the demon closely. The demon’s expression was calm, almost eerily so, a stark contrast to the rage he had displayed during their last encounter.

The demon stepped forward, his eyes locked onto Roger Blake with a burning intensity that spoke of an old grudge. His voice was steady, carrying a chilling resolve as he declared, “I’ll take revenge for what you did to me before.” This time, his demeanor was focused, his anger simmered down to a deadly calm, and a sense of eerie confidence radiated from him.

Roger Blake stood firm, his expression unreadable. He adjusted his stance, his shield raised as he regarded the demon with a calm authority. His words were simple, but they carried the weight of a challenge. “Okay, show me what you have learned here.”

The words echoed through the hall, and for a moment, everything was silent. The crowd watched, holding their breath, as Roger and the demon faced each other, both unmoving. The tension in the air was almost unbearable, as every student in the room understood that this was not just a challenge; it was the rematch of a clash that had defined their entrance into Sky Academy.

The demon’s eyes narrowed, his muscles tensing as he prepared to strike. And Roger, his shield and sword poised, stood ready to meet him, just as he had before, a fortress of unwavering resolve.