The shattered crystal still lay scattered across the floor.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
Every eye in the hall remained fixed on Zareth Voidragon.
"…Holding back?" someone whispered.
"That was holding back?!"
Murmurs spread like wildfire, confusion and disbelief mixing with fear.
The instructor finally regained his composure, his face pale.
"T-This test is invalid!" he snapped. "We will proceed to the combat evaluation!"
That single announcement shifted the atmosphere.
Excitement replaced shock.
Combat was where true strength was revealed.
The training arena was vast, surrounded by towering stone walls reinforced with magic barriers. Students gathered along the edges, eager to watch.
Zareth stood silently at the center, hands in his pockets, completely uninterested.
Across from him stood his assigned opponent.
Kael Draven.
A name that carried weight.
Top of the entrance applicants.
A noble prodigy.
His crimson hair flickered slightly as heat waves danced around his body.
"So," Kael said, drawing his blade, flames igniting along its edge, "you're the one who broke the crystal."
Zareth didn't respond.
Kael frowned.
"…Are you ignoring me?"
A pause.
Then Zareth spoke.
"I don't see a reason to acknowledge the weak."
Gasps echoed around the arena.
"Did he just call Kael weak?!"
"He's dead…"
Kael's expression darkened instantly.
Flames surged higher around him.
"You've got a sharp tongue for someone who hasn't proven anything," he said coldly. "I'll burn that arrogance out of you."
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin!"
Kael moved first.
In a flash, he dashed forward, leaving a trail of fire behind him. His speed alone was enough to make several students lose track of him.
"Flame Slash!"
A blazing arc cut through the air, aimed directly at Zareth.
Zareth didn't move.
Not even a step.
The attack closed in—
And passed through him.
"…What?"
Kael's eyes widened.
There was no impact.
No resistance.
It was as if he had struck empty space.
Zareth was still standing there.
Unharmed.
Unmoved.
"You're too slow," Zareth said calmly.
Before Kael could react—
Zareth vanished.
A sudden pressure exploded behind Kael.
His instincts screamed.
He turned—
Too late.
Zareth stood right behind him.
No sound.
No warning.
Just presence.
"What—?!"
Kael tried to swing his blade—
But it stopped mid-air.
Zareth's hand was raised slightly.
Not touching him.
Not even close.
Yet Kael couldn't move.
"Inferior control," Zareth said. "Your flames are unstable. Your stance is inefficient."
Each word felt like a blade.
Kael gritted his teeth, struggling.
"Don't… look down on me!"
His power surged violently.
Flames erupted in all directions.
The arena trembled under the intensity.
For a brief moment—
The pressure broke.
Kael lunged forward with everything he had.
A full-powered strike.
Zareth sighed.
Then—
He moved.
A single step.
A single motion.
Kael's blade shattered.
The flames disappeared instantly.
And Kael's body froze mid-attack.
His eyes widened in pure shock.
Zareth stood in front of him now.
One finger lightly touching Kael's chest.
"I used less than one percent," Zareth said quietly.
BOOM.
An invisible force erupted.
Kael was sent flying across the arena, crashing into the barrier wall with overwhelming force.
Dust filled the air.
Silence followed.
"…Winner: Zareth Voidragon."
The instructor's voice trembled.
No one cheered.
No one spoke.
They were afraid.
Kael slowly slid down the wall, barely conscious.
His sword… destroyed.
His pride… crushed.
Zareth turned away without another glance.
To him, the fight was already forgotten.
High above, Headmaster Valthor watched with a grave expression.
"…That power…"
His hands clenched behind his back.
"There's no doubt now."
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"The Demon Sovereign… has returned."
And within the shadows of the academy—
A masked figure opened their eyes.
"…So you're alive after all."
A dark chuckle echoed.
"This time… I won't fail."