The Director and the Deans watched the progress of the second trial with close attention.
Most of the results merely confirmed their initial assessments. Some stufons displayed exactly the abilities expected of them, drawing little interest.
But there were exceptions.
Princess Heya once again managed to attract attention, demonstrating a rare dual aptitude—high talent in both magic and weapon mastery.
Her brother, Nreu, also confirmed considerable magical potential, though his result was noticeably inferior to his sister's, while his talent with the sword was entirely absent.
Next came Trey.
To most, he was nothing more than another stufon, no different from the rest.
But not to those standing near the sphere.
The gazes of the Director and both Deans immediately focused on him.
Approaching the artifact, Trey gave a brief bow and placed his palms against the surface of the sphere.
For several seconds, nothing happened.
Absolutely nothing.
A murmur rippled across the arena.
Some stufons exchanged glances, while faint confusion flashed across the faces of the Deans.
Had they been mistaken?
But in the next moment, everything changed.
One half of the sphere burst into brilliant blue light.
The other ignited in blinding white.
Both colors intensified rapidly, growing brighter and brighter until the radiance reached such intensity that the nearest stufons instinctively shielded their eyes with their hands.
The artifact was literally blinding.
It became impossible to determine the boundaries of the glow or understand the true limit of the talent being measured.
It seemed as though the sphere itself could no longer properly display the result.
And just as abruptly as it had begun, the light vanished.
A deathly silence descended over the arena.
Many had to blink several times before their vision fully recovered.
By the time the flash disappeared, Trey was already calmly stepping away from the sphere and taking his place among those who had passed the second trial.
— What was that?.. — Shego`Lo asked in disbelief, unable to tear her eyes away from the artifact.
The Director slowly shifted his gaze from the sphere to Trey.
— Incomparable talent, — he said quietly, though in the silence his words were heard by everyone nearby. — In both magic and the sword. I never thought I would live to see something like this within the Academy's walls.
Shego`Lo frowned.
— But isn't that only a legend? I always believed such things were nothing more than myth.
She knew exactly what the Director meant.
In ancient times, long before the Exodus of the Five Races, there existed rare individuals known as the Incomparables.
Those who possessed the potential to achieve absolute mastery in multiple disciplines at once.
Such people could become either the greatest shield or the gravest threat to entire nations.
And that was precisely why they were feared.
— And what do you propose we do? — Ama`Lein asked cautiously.
Despite his outward composure, even he was shaken by what he had witnessed.
The Director fell silent for a moment in thought.
— If he passes the final trial, we will place him under observation, — he answered coldly. — For now, he is merely a child who does not yet understand the power he possesses. Which means the situation can still be controlled.
There was an icy chill in his words.
For a brief moment, an overwhelming aura flared around the Director, making the air itself feel heavier.
But a second later, he regained control and suppressed it.
His interest in Trey had now fully transformed into calculation.
If earlier the Director had assumed he was dealing with nothing more than a gifted pupil, now he understood something far more dangerous: information about a talent like this would inevitably leak beyond the Academy sooner or later.
And then the struggle would begin.
Empires.
Kingdoms.
Guilds.
Everyone would want such a stufon under their control.
And the Director clearly had no intention of allowing anyone to take him so easily.
The Deans silently nodded and resumed observing the trial.
Yet after Trey's performance, no one else could truly capture their attention anymore.
As I stepped away from the sphere, I could feel more and more eyes fixed on me. After what had just happened, that was to be expected. The fact that no one stopped me immediately did not mean a lack of interest—quite the opposite. From now on, they would watch me far more closely, trying to understand exactly what they had witnessed moments ago.
I let out a quiet sigh.
There was no point regretting what had happened now. Displaying strength always carried consequences, and what had occurred came with both disadvantages and benefits. Yes, I had drawn unwanted attention, but at the same time, I had gained a certain degree of protection. After a performance like that, few would dare seek conflict with me without reason.
To everyone around me, I was still merely Trey—an unknown stufon from Jorial, a name backed by nothing except a carefully crafted lie.
Once all participants completed the test, the Director approached the sphere again and returned it to his ring.
After that, he turned toward the gathered crowd.
His gaze first swept over those who had passed the trial, then over those who had failed.
Among the latter were also those who had attempted to deceive the system.
If the sphere determined that a stufon was older than eighteen, its glow would turn yellow.
Professors would immediately approach such individuals and silently escort them aside, waiting until the trial concluded.
— The second trial is complete, — the Director announced loudly once silence had fully settled over the arena. — For those who have passed, only one final trial remains. And perhaps the most dangerous one.
His gaze slowly swept across the gathered stufons.
— Tomorrow, you will face a monster hunt involving N-Class and D-Class monsters. As you already know, monster classifications begin from the lowest ranks and end with S-Class creatures. Considering your current level of preparation, your task will be to eliminate as many low-rank specimens as possible.
Several stufons visibly tensed.
The Director paused briefly, allowing his words to sink into the minds of those present.
— If you are not confident in your abilities, I recommend withdrawing now rather than when you find yourselves standing on the brink of death. The Academy has no need for meaningless sacrifices or foolish heroics.
His voice grew colder.
— Senior stufon will be observing you, but do not overestimate their capabilities. They are not gods and will not be able to save you from every mistake.
After those words, many exchanged uneasy glances.
Some even turned pale.
— You have until tomorrow morning to make your decision. All those intending to undergo the final trial must arrive here by seven in the morning. Those who choose to withdraw may speak with the professors or Deans. They will explain the procedure for returning home.
The Director fell silent for a moment before finishing:
— You are dismissed. Make a sensible decision—not only for your own sake, but for everyone else as well.
Casting one final glance over the gathered crowd, he turned and headed for the exit.
Both Deans left after him.
So the final trial would already take place tomorrow.
There was little time left to prepare.
A monster hunt sounded far more dangerous than the previous trials, which meant that any mistake could cost me more than just my place in the Academy.
Possibly even my life.
That outcome was entirely unacceptable.
After a brief moment of thought, I decided to head into the city first and purchase everything necessary: a tent, a sleeping bag, provisions, and other supplies that might prove useful in the hunting grounds.
Unlike the Academy, transactions in the city were conducted in gold, and fortunately, that was not a problem.
The real issue was something else.
I knew absolutely nothing about the city.
Wandering unfamiliar streets without any idea where the necessary shops were located did not seem particularly wise.
Glancing around, I noticed a bored-looking professor standing not far from the arena exit.
It seemed fate had once again decided to make my life a little easier.
As I headed toward him, I noticed his bored expression vanish almost instantly the moment I approached.