The students had been standing in the Academy’s sprawling training grounds for 30 minutes, the sun beating down on them mercilessly. The air was thick with tension, so heavy it felt like it could cut like a blade. Nervous glances passed between some of the students, while others stood rigid, eyes forward, determined not to show any weakness.
The sound of clanking weapons and armor from nearby training sessions only heightened the uneasy silence. Each student knew that whatever was about to happen would test them in ways they hadn't imagined.
Valek stood in front of the students, his sharp gaze sweeping over them with a calculating look, like a seasoned general surveying his troops before a big battle. His posture was rigid, hands clasped behind his back, exuding an air of authority that made the students stand even straighter.
To them, this was no ordinary training— it was war. Every shift from his eyes felt like he was sizing them up, deciding who would survive or who would falter. The silence deepened as they waited, muscles tense, for whatever challenge Valek was about to throw their way.
Whispers buzzed in the air, tension thick as the students waited for Valek to address them. Leon and Vincent stood in front of the paladin, and the rest of the class stood in front of the women\mages of Valek's party.
Valek stood confidently in front of the students, his sharp gaze sweeping over the students. Each student there had something to prove, but the Adventurers made it even more difficult to prove themselves as students of the Military Academy.
'I have to prove myself to one day become the greatest magician in the Empire!' Samuel clenched his fists, his eyes burning with the flames of determination, excited to test the magician's power.
'I don't want to depend on my family's influence to move up the ranks and raise my Star Count. I'll have to prove myself as a reliable swordsman,' Leon's eyes fell upon the practice sword he held in his hand, his emotions, thoughts, and feelings, and his responsibilities weighing heavily on his shoulders.
"I can see that you're all finished," Valek said, his sharp gaze counting each student. "Well done! The true reason why I had you separated into two groups is because I want to observe your ability as a team." He continued, his voice cutting through the air, his gaze set on Leon and Vincent.
The students tensed up with every word Valek spoke, the heightened tension in the air was thick, and each student had a determined look on their faces. None were more excited than the students who faced the paladin.
'This is the time to prove myself against the paladin,' Vincent thought, his face beaming with an unfounded determination. 'This will be the toughest training I've done.'
Each student came to the academy with their dreams and ambitions, some seeking glory, others redemption, and a few simply hoping for a stable future. Letting a group of Adventurers scare or pressure them would only betray those goals. Some student clenched their fists, standing their ground, while others shifted uncomfortably, the weight of their reasons holding them steady but uneasy. But none of them had come this far just to give up now.
“Each of you will duel the one in front of you,” Valek’s voice was icy. “Go one-on-one, or, if you’re desperate, team up. I’d like to see you try,” he added, a smirk creeping onto his face.
Leon glanced over at Vincent, seeing the determined look on Vincent's face assured him. No matter the odds, Leon felt like he could overcome anything with his skills with the sword.
"Will anyone step forward?" Valek asked, his voice dripping with a hint of arrogance. "If you want to show your strength, now is the time," he continued, his eyes scanning the student's every move like a hawk, waiting for its prey.
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The tension ran high, the students and Adventurers standing in the scorching sun that felt like the summertime. Ava stood behind Valek, her expression unreadable, but the students could tell that she was having fun in their despair. But they know that they'll have to fight either way.
"All right, then." Alexis stepped forward, her back straight and chin slightly raised, exuding the confidence expected of her lineage. Yet, her hands betrayed a faint tremor, quickly clenched into fists as she steadied herself. Each step was deliberate, her polished boots striking the floor with a rhythmic cadence that echoed her determination. The weight of her family's legacy pressed down on her shoulders, but she squared them, refusing to let it show.
'Though my magic is meant for healing, I can still try something. I have to put up a fight!' (Alexis)
"Alexis Bloomberg, huh..." Valek pondered, his sharp gaze focused on Alexis.
'I've received a list from Ava, which contains the names of all of her students and their abilities. And this girl is a healer....why is she fighting?' (Valek)
"I'll challenge you to prove myself!" Alexis proclaimed, her eyes gleaming with determination, as she pointed her fingers toward the Adventurers, confidence exuding from her body. "Hmph, I'll defeat you, even without offensive magic!"
Silence filled the air after Alexis spoke, all eyes were set on her. Some of her classmates shifted uncomfortably, while others had determined looks on their faces, ready to prove themselves. The Adventurers were left speeches after Alexis spoke.
"All right, since Alexis is ready to fight," Scott, her classmate stepped up beside her, punching his fists together, a grin creeping onto his face. "Then I'll also fight to prove myself. It wouldn't be fair to leave all of the fun for one person, hehe!"
The rest of her classmates also stepped forward with a newfound confidence, to show support for their classmates, who gave them the motivation to stand up to the Adventurers. Leon and Vincent still remained in front of the paladin, who had a welcoming smile on his face.
"Don’t worry, young ones, our fight will be soon!" The paladin said to Leon and Vincent, his smile as an assurance.
Leon laughed nervously, his posture betrayed the confidence he once had. Vincent shrugged, his posture rigid, still filled with confidence.
The two mages who were still hooded stepped forward, facing off with the students. The heightened tension only grew thicker as they faced each other off.
"Before you begin, I would like to make some things clear, " Valek said, his voice making the students calm down. "Since there are eight of you to fight the mages, you'll split up, four each!" Valek's voice echoed throughout the training grounds.
"Since they are two mages, you can fight them four on two each," he continued. "They can handle whatever you throw their way!" Valek added.
The students started separating themselves, standing in front of the two cloaked individuals, the tension almost boiling over. Leon and Vincent remained standing in front of Kael, the paladin. With every shift and movement from the students only heightened the tension.
"Are you serious?" A student asked, breaking the silence. "That will be an easy task!" He continued, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Don’t you dare underestimate the strength of the students of Class 1-F!" Alexis proclaimed, her posture straight, carrying the authority of her lineage.
The Group Selection:
First Team: Emma, Alice, Scott, and Alexis.
Second Team: Samuel, Levi, Ken, and Claire.
The two teams were ready for the upcoming fight, facing the two cloaked individuals– some confident while others shifted nervously. The atmosphere was thick with tension and the training sessions and clanking weapons and armor from the other training grounds only heightened the tension.
"Now, since you all are fully prepared," Valek said, his voice a little softened. "You may begin."
One of the cloaked figures stepped forward, her movements deliberate and steady. Her face was shadowed beneath the hood, but her presence radiated an undeniable confidence. Slowly, she reached up, her fingers brushing the edge of the fabric, and pulled it back. The hood slipped away, revealing her face—a mask of calm determination that made it impossible to read her thoughts. Yet, there was no mistaking the quiet power she exuded. The hood slipped away, revealing her striking teal-colored hair, cascading like shimmering waves over her shoulders. Her eyes, sharp and observant, held an almost ethereal glow that hinted at her mastery of magic. Intricate markings trailed faintly along her temples, barely visible but brimming with arcane energy. Though her expression remained calm, there was no mistaking the quiet power she carried—it was the presence of a mage who had walked the fine line between wisdom and destruction.
"What the..."
"She did it," Valek murmured to himself.
"What's happening?"