A few days had passed since the conclusion of the first-year competitions and has become the talk of the entire academy and its environs.
Everywhere one went, all people talked about was Alex and the miracles he pulled in the last trial.
That and how he exploded with greater physical strength and speed that was later discovered to have placed him near the peak of Class E awakened.
Now the question on everyone's lips was how to do the same with their mana. However, without the right instructions, it proved to be difficult as if it were easy, someone would have discovered the application years ago.
The academic year was close to its end and the students met their instructors for the final results of the competition and as one would guess, Alexander Gray came out on top with the second place taken by Zen.
Ross came in fifth while Julia fell below the 50th position. It was to be expected as she did not partake in the last event and even though thousands took part in it, their performance was not too impressive to push her further down.
Julia had still racked up a lot of points in the three trials. But the person herself did not care much about the results as it wouldn't change her standing in class. As long as Alex was by her side, she was all good.
"There will be a closing event in two days to bring an end to this academic year." Instructor Horvey told his students who beamed with joy.
Where there was an event, there was free food.
"Now this obviously means, you will be having the rest of the year off to do whatever you like. I'm glad that no one fell below the points threshold and will continue to accompany me to the next class.
"We will be, however, welcoming some new faces who cashed out their points for a place in this class."
The last bit did not surprise them as it was stated in the beginning that something like that would happen.
Looking at the expressions of his students, instructor Horvey appreciated their calm demeanour and concluded his message.
"Further information about the closing event will be communicated to you. I look forward to our time in the next class next year.
"You have the rest of the time to yourself." With that, instructor Horvey left the kids, officially closing the class till next year. Whatever the kid did till the event and vacation was up to them.
"Haa… Finally." Someone sighed the moment the instructor left the class.
"It's been one hell of a year."
"Right? I'm so going to rest like there is no tomorrow."
"Please…. You say that but I bet everyone plans to go cultivate to the next level." Another said and the class grew silent.
His words were true because of a certain someone.
Alex could feel the gaze of his classmates on him but remained silent. As someone with the lowest mana level in their class, his growth in the event showed them that he was indeed pioneering a new path and if they played around, they'd all be left in the dust.
Low mana or not, Alex was far stronger than anyone in the first year, if not stronger than some of their seniors.
"I guess…" The person shrugged and then got up, gesturing to his crew to leave.
Soon, more and more people began to leave, each one of them burning with a competitive spirit to not be left behind.
The following year was bound to be more hectic than their first year and from what they heard from their seniors, things were going to get real.
"Let's return as well," Alex muttered to his friends and got up for the exit. He gave a curt nod to Sophia, their bench mate and left with Julia and Ross not far behind.
...…....
[Are you sure this is all the data collected on him?]
A voice came from the communication device before Principal Yiny.
"Yes, sir. Everything the system recorded of Alex is in the file. It even includes the thoughts he had in the simulation and while the systemic reconditioning made him forget some things, they shouldn't be too significant to invalidate those thoughts."
[…..]
The voice remained quiet for some time before saying, [I'll send an envoy to meet the boy in person at the closing event. I'll be there myself but a person of my status cannot be at a kid's event.]
"Yes, of course. I'll make sure everything is in order for the envoy's visit. But…"
She hesitated not sure whether to continue. After all, as the boss, he must already know, right?
[What is it, Seraph? Speak.]
"Right. It's about Lord Zol. He seems to have taken the boy under his wings." She said without further explanation. The message was clear enough for anyone to understand.
[Ah… Do not worry. It's only a social visit.]
"I understand." She bowed again and waited for the communication to end before lifting her head once again.
"Haa…. This is the worst. How many times have I spoken to him over the years?" She muttered to herself before reclining into her chair.
Under normal circumstances, her boss didn't check on the academy the way he did. But things changed with the presence of Alexander.
Too many eyes were on him and she couldn't deny her own interest as well, so she understood the interest.
"Things will be getting rowdy for some time…" She muttered as her mind drifted to what she read in Alex's file the AI compiled.
'Another energy, huh… To think that would be what made him different and the key to unlocking all those powerful states.
'The last one should be doable for everyone.'
The system did a good job taking a deep scan of Alex's body when his cells became in flux with mana. It recorded how the mana flowed from the storage organelles into the cells without going through the mana channels.
And from what the system deduced, it was what exploded his strength and speed to such a degree. If she could replicate that with a larger pool of mana, she could call forth enough strength to take on Class A void creatures by herself.
'Hehehe… Let's try it out.'
She got up in excitement and headed for her training room.
Naturally, she wasn't the only one on a mission to achieve that form, everyone who had that data was already attempting to find the trigger.