The training arena of Dreadspire Academy did not feel like a place for learning that morning.
It felt like a proving ground.
Students filled the elevated stands in waves, voices low but restless, anticipation spreading like a quiet storm. Word had already traveled—today was not a normal lesson.
Today was a practical exam.
At the center of the arena stood Achilles, his spear planted beside him, posture relaxed but commanding. The noise slowly died under the weight of his presence alone.
When the last group settled, he spoke.
"Today, you will be evaluated through combat."
No buildup.
No hesitation.
A ripple moved through the crowd.
"Teams of three will face one another in controlled matches," he continued. "Victory is not simply defeating your opponent. I will be watching how you fight. How you think. How you adapt."
His eyes moved across the arena, sharp, deliberate.
"Some of you rely too much on power. Others hide behind strategy. Today, both will be tested."
A pause.
"You will earn your grades based on performance. Exceptional displays will be rewarded. Poor ones…" his voice lowered slightly, "…will not."
Silence followed.
Then the murmuring returned—quieter, more focused now.
Ares stood with Ignis and Aphrodite at the edge of the arena floor. Just behind them, Odyssey lingered, clearly out of place among those meant to fight, but unwilling to leave.
"A team battle…" Odyssey muttered, adjusting his glasses. "This is going to get out of hand."
Ignis didn't look at him. "Stay in the stands if you're worried."
"I am worried."
Aphrodite offered him a small smile. "We'll be careful."
Ares said nothing.
But his attention had already shifted.
Scanning.
Waiting.
Achilles raised his hand again.
"Your matchups have been decided."
Above the arena, names began to form—etched in light, hanging in the air for all to see.
Students leaned forward, searching.
Some relaxed.
Others tensed.
Then—
Ignis froze.
"…you've got to be kidding me."
Aphrodite's expression tightened.
Odyssey stepped closer, squinting up at the names.
"…no," he said under his breath.
Ares didn't need to look.
He could feel it.
Across the arena—
Hercules stepped forward, already rolling his shoulders like he had been waiting for this exact moment.
Behind him stood Athena, calm and calculating, her eyes already locked onto Ares' group. Beside her, Apollo rested his bow against his shoulder, expression relaxed—but his gaze sharp.
Their names hovered clearly above them.
Opposite—
Ares.
Ignis.
Aphrodite.
The arena erupted.
"They matched them already?!"
"That's insane—"
"That's the strongest lineup possible!"
Ignis exhaled slowly, forcing herself to stay composed. "…of course they did."
Aphrodite looked at Ares. "We knew this would happen eventually…"
Odyssey shook his head. "Eventually, sure—not now."
At the center, Achilles watched the reaction without interference.
"This is not coincidence," he said, voice cutting clean through the noise.
The arena quieted again.
"You will not always face opponents weaker than you. Growth comes from resistance. From pressure."
His gaze shifted directly between both teams.
"Consider this match… your first real test."
Across the arena, Hercules stepped forward, stopping a short distance from Ares.
The ground felt smaller now.
Tighter.
Athena moved slightly to his side, her voice low but precise. "He adapts mid-combat. Do not let the fight drag on."
Apollo smirked faintly. "Then we overwhelm him early."
Hercules grinned. "Or we see how far he goes."
On the other side, Ignis stepped closer to Ares, her tone sharp but controlled.
"We cannot fight this head-on," she said. "We control distance. I'll restrict movement. Aphrodite supports—"
Aphrodite nodded, though her attention stayed on Ares.
He didn't respond.
His eyes were locked forward.
Hercules met his gaze.
For a moment—
Nothing moved.
No one spoke.
But something passed between them.
Recognition.
Challenge.
Inevitable conflict.
Ares' hand twitched slightly at his side.
Not summoning yet.
But ready.
The crowd leaned forward again, quieter now, sensing it.
This wasn't just another match.
It was something the academy itself wanted to witness.
Achilles stepped back, raising his hand.
"Take your positions."
Both teams moved.
Ares, Ignis, and Aphrodite to one side.
Hercules, Athena, and Apollo to the other.
Distance set.
Lines drawn.
Aphrodite took a slow breath.
Ignis adjusted her stance, mana already gathering faintly around her hands.
Across from them, Apollo lightly nocked an arrow.
Athena's eyes never left Ares.
Hercules rolled his shoulders once more.
Ares stood still.
Silent.
Unmoving.
But the air around him felt heavier.
Like something waiting to be unleashed.
Achilles lowered his hand—
But did not give the signal yet.
The arena held its breath.
Six figures.
Two teams.
One moment away from collision.
And in that brief stillness—
It was clear to everyone watching.
This would not be a simple exam.
To be continued.