The morning sun cast long shadows across the massive arena. The ground was uneven, with jagged rocks, steaming veins, and miniature volcanoes scattered across the field. Smoke and heat filled the air, and a faint rumbling echoed from deep below.
An instructor's voice boomed.
"Today's trial will test survival, combat, and strategy. You must remain in the arena for one hour. Avoid environmental hazards, or face elimination. If you encounter another student, you must engage until one surrenders, dies, or is incapacitated. Rules are strict—no breaking them."
The students exchanged glances, nerves mixed with determination.
Koi Ren stepped cautiously onto the field, gripping Koru tightly. He scanned the arena. Lava streams bubbled, jagged rocks loomed, and veins of steam hissed dangerously.
Suddenly, he bumped into a familiar figure.
Daichi Iwamoto.
Daichi's eyes narrowed.
"Koi… this is your end."
Without warning, Daichi launched a powerful strike. Stones from the ground formed into fists and spears, launching at Koi with incredible force.
Koi dodged and countered, but each move left him battered. Scratches and bruises appeared across his body. Blood dripped from small cuts on his arms and face.
Daichi laughed cruelly.
"Still think you belong here? Aeris won't choose a weakling like you!"
Koi gritted his teeth, refusing to give up.
Step by step, strike by strike, he endured Daichi's relentless assault. Every move was calculated, every dodge precise. His training with Watashi flashed through his mind, guiding him.
From the sidelines, Aqua Mizuno wanted to help. Waves of water formed around her hands, ready to intervene.
But the rules were clear.
She couldn't step in.
Koi and Daichi clashed again and again. Rocks shattered. Dust and smoke swirled. Sweat and blood mixed on Koi's body.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, Koi saw an opening. Using a combination of speed and strategy, he disarmed Daichi briefly and landed a light strike on his shoulder.
Daichi stumbled, exhausted.
Koi stepped back, breathing heavily.
"You're done," Koi said, voice steady.
Daichi glared. "You… weakling…"
Koi shook his head.
"Why should I kill a brat like you?"
Daichi gritted his teeth but couldn't continue.
Koi found a safe spot in the arena, exhausted, battered, but victorious.
The horn sounded. The trial ended.
High above, Aeris Vallen raised his hand.
"Enough!" he called.
Students were called to line up. The results were announced in order of strength and performance:
9th – Koi Ren (Sword User, No Element)8th – Sseira Inode (Life Force/Healing)7th – Aqua Mizuno (Water User)6th – Raide Shinkai (Electricity/Nunchucks)5th – Rin Ketsuki (Blood User/Scythe)4th – Daichi Iwamoto (Earth User)3rd – Dotsu Kitso (Teleportation/Cards)2nd – Moricha Kodana (Wood/Vine Whip)1st – Hikari Amane (Light User/Light Sword)
Koi's chest swelled with pride. He had made it.
But seeing himself ranked last left him fuming.
When he finally returned home, the streets were silent. The house in front of him was in flames.
Smoke rose into the night sky.
And on the ground, a motionless figure lay.
Koi froze.
The fire crackled, the night air filled with smoke, and the weight of what he saw struck him.
This was only the beginning.