The world dissolved into white light.
For a brief instant, Noah felt weightless.
Then—
His boots struck solid ground.
He opened his eyes.
"...Where the hell am I?"
The classroom was gone.
Instead, he stood inside a massive circular arena.
Towering stone walls surrounded the battlefield.
Rows upon rows of empty seats stretched toward the sky.
Ancient runes glowed beneath his feet.
Students appeared all around him as flashes of light faded.
Confused voices echoed throughout the arena.
"What is this place?"
"Is this an illusion?"
"I thought we were having class!"
Professor Elena’s voice boomed from everywhere at once.
"Relax."
"This is the Academy Combat Arena."
"The injuries you receive here are real."
A pause.
"But fatal wounds will be prevented by the arena’s barrier."
Several students visibly relaxed.
Professor Elena smiled.
"That does not mean they won’t hurt."
The smiles disappeared.
Noah smirked.
"She enjoys this."
A massive crystal floated above the arena.
Names began appearing one by one.
Professor Elena continued.
"This is not a tournament."
"It is an evaluation."
"No rankings."
"No rewards."
"I simply want to see how each of you reacts under pressure."
The first names appeared.
Student 041 vs Student 118
A countdown began.
Three.
Two.
One.
Fight.
The battles started across dozens of smaller platforms.
Some students relied entirely on mana.
Others swung swords wildly.
One lasted less than five seconds before being blasted off the stage.
Professor Elena watched expressionlessly.
"Too slow."
Another student hesitated.
His opponent struck immediately.
"Too hesitant."
Another grew overconfident after landing the first hit.
He was instantly countered.
"Too arrogant."
She criticized everyone equally.
Nobles.
Commoners.
It made no difference.
The crystal shifted again.
Eric Walker vs Brandon Hale
Eric rolled his shoulders.
"Guess it’s my turn."
Noah nodded.
"Don’t embarrass yourself."
Eric grinned.
"I’ll try not to."
He stepped onto the platform.
Across from him stood Brandon.
A tall noble wielding a polished longsword.
The bell rang.
Brandon attacked first.
Fast.
Precise.
Eric blocked the opening strike.
Steel clashed.
Sparks flew.
The exchange continued for nearly a minute.
Back and forth.
Neither gaining a clear advantage.
Then Brandon overextended.
Eric immediately stepped inside his guard.
His shoulder slammed into Brandon’s chest.
The noble lost balance.
Eric’s wooden practice sword stopped at Brandon’s throat.
The barrier flashed.
Winner: Eric Walker
Several students applauded.
Professor Elena nodded.
"Good."
"You punished a mistake instead of chasing a flashy finish."
Eric walked back with a wide grin.
"Told you."
Noah shrugged.
"You were decent."
"...That’s all I get?"
"You survived."
Eric laughed.
"I’ll take it."
The crystal glowed once more.
Silence spread through the arena.
Everyone looked up.
Cassian Valerius vs Noah Blackwood
A wave of whispers swept through the students.
"No way..."
"The F-Rank?"
"He’s dead."
Cassian smiled.
Almost as though he’d expected this pairing.
He walked confidently onto the platform.
Noah sighed.
"Of course."
Eric frowned.
"Be careful."
"I always am."
Noah stepped forward.
The barrier rose around the arena.
Professor Elena folded her arms.
"This should be interesting."
Cassian drew his practice sword.
"I’ll keep this brief."
Noah slowly unsheathed Shadowfang.
Several instructors frowned.
"A real weapon?"
Professor Elena raised a hand.
"Allowed."
Cassian chuckled.
"You’ll need more than a dagger."
Noah twirled Shadowfang once before lowering it.
"I know."
The bell echoed across the arena.
BEGIN.
Cassian vanished.
Gasps erupted from the spectators.
"So fast!"
Noah’s eyes narrowed.
"Much faster than the wolves..."
"Much slower than Azrael."
Cassian’s sword slashed toward Noah’s neck.
Noah tilted his head.
The blade missed by centimeters.
The noble’s eyes widened.
He attacked again.
And again.
Every strike narrowly missed.
Noah never countered.
He simply moved.
One step.
Half a step.
A slight turn.
Every dodge was efficient.
Minimal.
The arena gradually became silent.
Cassian attacked faster.
More aggressively.
Yet he still couldn’t touch Noah.
Professor Elena’s eyes sharpened.
"He’s reading every movement..."
"No..."
"He’s reading his intent."
Cassian leaped backward.
For the first time...
A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead.
His pride had taken a hit.
The F-Rank hadn’t attacked once.
Yet he was making Cassian look foolish.
Cassian’s smile vanished.
"Enough playing."
Golden mana erupted around his body.
The arena floor cracked beneath his feet.
Several students gasped.
"He’s using mana already?"
Noah quietly exhaled.
"Looks like hiding completely isn’t an option anymore."
The System chimed.
Quest Updated
Objective: Win... without revealing Ragnarok.
Noah smiled faintly.
"Now..."
"...this is getting interesting."