"…Carl Vane."
The name echoed, but unlike the others—
There was no anticipation.
No excitement.
Only whispers.
Carl stepped into the arena slowly.
His posture… off.
Not weak—
But lacking something.
His eyes were distant.
Unfocused.
Like he wasn't even fully there.
Nox observed him carefully.
…This is the son of that man?
A faint frown formed on his face.
"Begin."
For a second—
Nothing happened.
Then Carl moved.
He stepped forward and swung his sword—
But the moment it cut through the air—
Nox's expression changed.
Sloppy.
Too slow.
Too open.
He sidestepped effortlessly.
Carl swung again.
Wider this time.
Unbalanced.
Predictable.
Nox blocked it with minimal effort.
The sound of metal echoed—
But there was no weight behind it.
No intent.
No sharpness.
Just… movement.
The students began murmuring.
"…What is he doing?"
"That's it?"
"He's not even trying…"
Carl's grip tightened slightly.
But his eyes—
Still distant.
Still empty.
He attacked again.
And again.
Each strike worse than the last.
Like his body was moving—
But his mind was somewhere else entirely.
Nox didn't even raise his level.
Didn't need to.
He simply deflected everything.
Easily.
A faint disappointment settled in his eyes.
"…Carl."
No response.
Another sloppy swing.
Nox knocked the blade aside.
"Focus."
Still nothing.
Carl staggered slightly, barely regaining his footing.
His breathing uneven.
His stance broken.
This wasn't a fight.
It was a collapse.
Nox exhaled slowly.
"…I see."
The disappointment was no longer hidden.
Not anger.
Not frustration.
Just—
Disappointment.
"Enough."
The duel ended.
Just like that.
A few students looked confused.
Some scoffed.
Others looked away.
Because they understood.
This wasn't weakness.
This was something worse.
Carl stood there for a moment longer.
Silent.
Before slowly lowering his sword.
His eyes never once focused.
And without a word—
He turned…
And walked out of the arena.
Leon and the others looked at him with concern
"Carl-"
But he had already left the training grounds.
_____
More duels followed.
One after another—
Names were called.
Battles were fought.
Most of the top 400 managed to pass.
Barely.
Some lasted through sheer will.
Some through talent.
Some through luck.
But after that—
The difference became clear.
A wall.
An absolute wall.
"I-is this really F-rank…?"
One student collapsed to his knees, breathing heavily.
"My… my body feels broken…"
Another was dragged out of the arena, barely conscious.
The smiles from earlier were gone.
Replaced by reality.
Even suppressed—
Professor Nox Valen was still a monster.
More names were called.
More defeats followed.
Until finally—
Silence fell again.
A different kind this time.
"…Last."
A pause.
Just a slight one—
But enough to make every heartbeat louder.
"…Chrono."
No whispers.
No chatter.
Nothing.
Every single person—
Was looking at him.
Leon Ardent leaned slightly forward, golden eyes sharp.
Vayne Desmund's gaze narrowed, her eerie eyes fixed without blinking.
Liam Veridian crossed his arms, watching with quiet interest.
Even Nia—
Observed.
Carl, standing at the edge—
Lifted his head just slightly.
Chrono stepped forward.
Slow.
Calm.
Each step echoing faintly across the arena.
White hair swaying gently.
Those silver eyes—
With that faint… ticking motion within them.
Even the air felt… different.
Nox watched him closely.
This time—
No casual expression.
No relaxed stance.
"…So."
His voice was quieter than before.
"Let's see what you really are."
Chrono stopped at the center.
The moment Chrono's foot touched the center of the arena—
A sharp chime rang in his mind.
Clear.
Cold.
Unavoidable.
[QUEST ASSIGNED]
For a split second—
His vision flickered.
Then the words appeared.
Defeat Nox Valen.
A pause.
Even his breath hitched slightly.
Then—
Reward: Time Affinity
Punishment: Time Perception reset to Lv.1
Silence.
But not outside—
Inside.
His thoughts… froze.
Defeat… him?
Chrono's eyes slowly lifted toward Nox.
Even suppressed—
This would be impossible.
And yet—
This wasn't survive.
This wasn't impress.
This was—
Win.
A faint twitch ran through his fingers.
This is insane.
A whisper followed.
Low.
Amused.
Almost… thrilled.
"…Of course it is."
Chrono's jaw tightened slightly.
Paradox.
No response.
But the presence—
Was there.
Watching.
Waiting.
His silver eyes dimmed for a brief second.
If I lose…
Time Perception drops.
The one ability keeping him alive—
Gone.
A slow exhale left his lips.
"…Tch."
Across from him—
Nox's gaze sharpened.
"…Something changed."
He could feel it.
Not mana.
Not pressure.
But intent.
Chrono raised his head fully now.
Those clock-like eyes—
Ticking faintly.
Steady.
Focused.
Win.
The word echoed in his mind.
Not fear.
Not hesitation.
Just—
A clear condition.
Nox stepped forward slightly.
"…You ready?"
Chrono didn't respond immediately.
Then—
A quiet answer.
"…Yeah."
His stance lowered.