The classrooms of Reijō Academy were vast spaces, carefully designed to reflect the importance of the future warriors training within their walls. The Rank Test was a milestone for all first-year students, and the silent competition was undeniable.

Ren, or rather, Yuki Amagiri, sat at the back of the room, head lowered, carefully adjusting the folds of the skirt he was using. Despite all his training in acting like a proper student, well… he wasn’t the best actor.

Beside him, Saki radiated confidence. She leaned back in her chair with an easygoing smile, as if she were watching a performance rather than participating in one of the most important tests of the year.

"Hey, relax, Yuki," she said, leaning toward Ren. "This test isn’t a big deal. At most, they’ll just make us sweat a little."

Ren responded with a weak smile, staying silent. He couldn't afford to stand out too much, nor seem too insignificant. Drawing attention would be a double-edged sword…

Further ahead, Yurei sat casually, swinging her legs back and forth as she observed the room with curiosity. Her glossy black hair and violet eyes shimmered with intrigue, as if she were more interested in the people around her than the test itself.

Suddenly, she turned to Ren, catching him red-handed as he glanced at her. A bright smile lit up her face.

"You’re so serious!" she exclaimed in a sweet but loud tone, drawing the attention of nearby students. "You look just like an angel about to descend from the heavens~."

Ren froze for a second, feeling heat rush to his cheeks. Before he could respond, Yurei had already moved on, giggling to herself as if she had just told the best joke of the day.

At that moment, the classroom door swung open. One of the test instructors entered, carrying a tablet and radiating authority with every step.

"Good afternoon, students," she began, her firm voice cutting through the murmurs.

"Today is the Rank Test. This is not just an assessment of your skills, but an introduction to the level of discipline expected at this academy."

She paused, scanning the room as if analyzing each student individually.

"The test will be conducted individually, but all results will be observed. You will face mechanical artificial opponents, selected to evaluate not only your combat proficiency but also your strategy and composure under pressure."

The first-year students exchanged glances. Some looked excited, while others struggled to hide their nerves. Ren did his best to mimic their expressions, keeping his face neutral, though his heart pounded.

"Your names will be called soon, and each of you will be escorted to the training arena. Until then, I suggest you use this time to prepare yourselves mentally."

The instructor gestured to her tablet, and a tense silence settled over the room.

"You’ll do great!" Saki teased, leaning toward Ren with a playful grin. "Or are you going to explode from nerves before you even get there?"

Ren let out a nervous chuckle but didn’t reply.

One by one, the students were called. The first, Number 1, walked out visibly anxious, but she was followed by others who exuded confidence. Each return to the classroom carried murmurs and evaluating glances, increasing the tension.

"Number 7: Yuki Amagiri!"

Ren’s heart pounded. He adjusted his skirt one last time before carefully standing up. Saki gave him an encouraging wave.

Yurei, who had been chatting with a random student, smiled and waved at him.

"Bye-bye, angel~."

Upon reaching the arena, Ren felt the full weight of the pressure. The training field was vast, bathed in sunlight reflecting off the Nexis crystals scattered across the ground. Older students and instructors watched from the stands, while small floating drones with cameras transmitted every detail.

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He changed into the academy’s standard physical training uniform: a white T-shirt with red stripes on the sleeves and short athletic shorts. The cold breeze sweeping through the arena made Ren feel even more exposed, a constant reminder of just how bare his thighs were at that moment.

The instructor stood at the center of the field and gestured firmly toward him.

"Amagiri Yuki. Your class is [Swordsman], correct?"

Ren nodded.

"Then prepare yourself. Your opponent will be a Heavy Armored Guardian. We will assess your adaptability, precision, and control over Nexis."

Ren gripped the simple sword handed to him, the familiar weight settling into his palm. He took a deep breath, feeling the [Nexis] energy begin to flow through his body.

"Focus, speed, and precision. Don’t do anything unnecessary."

The arena fell into silence for a moment before the instructor’s voice echoed:

"Begin!"

The [Guardian] charged forward, its heavy armor shaking with each step. Ren tightened his grip on the sword, bracing himself. He knew he couldn’t afford to lose.

The ground trembled beneath Ren’s feet as he faced the armored giant. The metallic clanking of the creature’s movements reverberated through the field, mixing with the hushed whispers of the watching students.

He steadied his stance, holding the sword firmly with both hands. Sweat had already begun to cling to his white training shirt, and the chilly air against his exposed legs sent an odd contrast of sensations through him. Still, the heat of tension…

— !

The Guardian lunged, its massive war hammer raised like an impending catastrophe. Ren’s heart pounded. As the strike came down, he leaped to the side, the rush of displaced air grazing his face, the sheer force of the impact nearly throwing him off balance.

With quick steps, Ren repositioned himself, searching for an opening. He knew attacking head-on was useless. The Guardian’s armor was too thick, protecting all vital points.

The creature lifted its hammer slightly before spinning, revealing a brief moment of vulnerability at its back.

— An opening!

Anticipating the next attack, Yuki dashed in an arc to the side, barely dodging a sweeping blow that kicked up dust and debris. The sand clung to his legs, staining his red shorts.

He twirled his sword in a swift motion and aimed for the joint between the Guardian’s shoulder and neck, but the blade barely scraped the surface.

Before he could retreat, the Guardian swung its hammer in a wide arc. Ren tried to leap backward, but he wasn’t fast enough. The impact clipped his shoulder, sending him crashing to the ground. He slid several meters, feeling the rough arena floor scrape against the exposed skin of his thighs and arms.

His white T-shirt was torn at the shoulder, revealing a shallow cut. The fabric, already damp with sweat, now absorbed dust and blood as well. Ren pushed himself up onto one knee, eyes locked onto the Guardian as it repositioned itself.

"If I don’t think of something now, I’m going to get crushed."

The creature lunged again, its hammer raised for a vertical strike. Ren's heartbeat surged as he leaped aside at the last second. The hammer crashed into the ground with such force that it left a small crater, sending shards of stone and dust flying. The debris clung to Ren’s bare legs, a gritty reminder of how exposed his legs were, why did the academy choose that design!?

He took advantage of the opening, dashing behind the Guardian, his sword glowing with [Nexis] energy. With a muffled cry, he swung at the joint in the creature’s neck. The blade finally found a weak point, slicing through a thin layer of metal and exposing the Nexis core beneath.

The Guardian let out a mechanical roar, spinning violently. The sudden motion sent a gust of wind that tousled Ren’s hair and made the hem of his bloomers flutter. He stepped back, panting, wiping sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

Now furious, the creature’s movements became faster, more aggressive. Barely dodged its attacks, heat rising in his body as his breathing grew uneven. The weight of the sword in his hands felt heavier by the second.

"I need to end this before I get flattened!"

The Guardian thrust its hammer forward, and Ren braced himself, using all his strength to block. The impact rattled through his arms, nearly knocking him off his feet. His feet skidded across the arena’s sandy floor, his red bloomers already coated in dust.

"Think, think!"

Then he noticed it... the creature guarded its right side more than its left. An opening.

Adjusting his stance, Ren feigned a frontal attack, forcing the Guardian to pull back its hammer in defense. Then, in a burst of speed, he dashed in an arc to the left, closing in on the weak spot once more.

With a short leap, he struck directly at the exposed Nexis core. The energy surged in a blinding explosion, momentarily dazzling the audience and knocking Yuki backward. He landed flat on his back, his dirt-streaked white shirt rising and falling with his labored breaths.

As the light faded, the Guardian stood motionless—its core destroyed!

For a few seconds, silence hung over the training field. Then, a wave of murmurs and applause spread through the crowd.

Ren struggled to his feet, his arms trembling as he used his sword for support. His entire body screamed in exhaustion, but he knew he had to leave the arena. Every step felt heavier than the last, the ground still warm beneath his feet as he slowly made his way toward the exit.

As soon as he crossed the gate, he spotted Saki waiting calmly for her turn. She was leaning against the wall, arms crossed, a relaxed smile on her lips. As she noticed him, she pushed off and strolled toward the arena.

"Not bad, Yuki," she said, without a hint of sarcasm. "But I would’ve finished it faster."

Ren barely had the energy to react, stopping only to stare as she passed by. Her confident stride made it seem like she was completely unaffected by the pressure he had just endured.

"How…?" He started, his voice weak.

"How are you so confident…?"

Saki paused for a moment, glancing over her shoulder.

"Maybe you’ll figure it out if you keep watching, little angel."

She winked before disappearing through the entrance to the arena.

Ren could only sigh and continue his slow walk back to the classroom, every ache in his body reminding him of the effort he had just put in. Deep down, a part of him couldn’t help but admire the confidence Saki carried so effortlessly.