Chapter 107: Assessment Begins
In the Ashen Coliseum, the first-year Honor students stood together with Sylas, ready to commence the Class Representative Assessment.
They were a total of fifty-two Honor students. Normally, each year, there were only fifty Honor students. But with Seraphina and Lilith forcing their way in, the number had increased.
Sylas scanned the group, his expression calm but authoritative. "As I mentioned, with fifty-two students, we will have thirteen groups of four."
He gestured toward the center of the arena. A shimmering, translucent screen materialized in the air, hovering above the ground. It glowed with faint blue light, and lines of text began to appear.
"These are your groups," Sylas announced.
The students turned their attention to the screen. Names appeared in neat rows, divided into thirteen columns.
Group 1: Ryker Auric, Elara Stone, Kael Voss, Mira Sterling.
.....
The students glanced at the screen, some nodding, others murmuring quietly.
"So I’m with him," one student muttered, glancing at their group mates.
Another student shrugged. "Doesn’t matter. I’ll beat whoever I’m up against."
A few students were already sizing up their group members, but most simply accepted the arrangement. There was no clear favorite. No known powerhouse. Everyone’s strength was an unknown.
Ryker glanced at the screen, then at Lucien. "We’re in different groups, mentor."
Lucien nodded. "That’s fine. We’ll meet in the finals if we both make it."
Ryker grinned. "I’m counting on it."
Across the room, Seraphina and Lilith glanced at their respective groups. Their expressions were unreadable.
They were in different group, Ryker was in Group One, Lucien was in Group 4, Seraphina was in Group 7, Lilith was in Group 9.
It was good that none of them would face each other first.
Seraphina’s voice echoed in Lucien’s mind. "We’re not in the same group, darling. But we’ll be watching."
Lilith’s voice followed. "And we’ll be waiting for you in the finals."
Lucien didn’t respond. He just kept his gaze on the screen.
Sylas raised his hand, silencing the murmurs. "The groups are set. You will fight in the order displayed on the screen. Each match will be announced before it begins."
He paused, scanning the students. "The first matches will begin shortly. Prepare yourselves."
The students turned away from the screen, their minds already racing with strategies. Some began stretching, others reviewed their techniques.
Before anyone could move further, the shimmering screen in the center of the arena flickered. It displayed the group arrangements, but for now, it remained still, waiting for the first match to be called.
Sylas stepped forward, his voice echoing through the coliseum. "The first match is between Elara Stone and Kael Voss. Please make your way to the arena."
As he spoke, the screen flickered to life. A holographic portrait of Elara Stone appeared on the left side. Her sharp features and calm expression were captured in stunning detail. Beneath her image, her name was displayed in elegant silver script.
On the right side, a holographic portrait of Kael Voss appeared. His broad shoulders and intense gaze were clearly visible. Beneath his image, his name was displayed in the same silver script.
Between them, a glowing emblem of crossed swords appeared, symbolizing the upcoming battle. Below the emblem, text read:
First Match
Elara Stone vs Kael Voss
The students murmured as they saw the display.
Elara Stone stepped forward, her expression calm and composed. She was tall and slender, with sharp, angular features and striking crimson eyes that gleamed with quiet confidence. Her dark hair cascaded down her back like a river of shadow, and from the top of her head, a pair of curved obsidian horns rose, smooth and polished like dark glass.
A thin, graceful tail swayed behind her, ending in a sharp, spade-like tip. Her hands were slender, tipped with dark nails that curved like claws. She moved with fluid grace, her gaze fixed on her opponent.
Kael Voss followed, his stride confident and solid. He was broad-shouldered and muscular, with a rugged, strong jawline and sharp brown eyes that held a steady, unwavering intensity. His short dark hair was cropped close to his scalp, and his hands were large and calloused, built for combat. His posture was solid and unwavering, like a man who had been in countless battles and had come out standing every time.
The two students entered the arena, standing opposite each other. The runes on the floor began to glow, signaling the start of the match.
The other students gathered around the observation platform, their eyes fixed on the arena. Whispers spread through the group.
"Look at Elara. She’s a devil."
"I’ve never seen one up close before."
"Her horns... they’re real."
"She’s beautiful. And terrifying."
"Kael looks like he’s been in fights before. He’s got that look."
"This should be interesting."
Ryker leaned toward Lucien, his voice low. "What do you think, mentor? Who’s got the edge?"
Lucien was silent for a while. He had used his Obsessive Eye on them for their details.
Kael Voss was a dual-origin element user, with both at A-Grade. He possessed the Origin Stone Element and the Origin Metal Element. His fighting style was likely defensive and overwhelming, using earth for durability and metal for offense.
Elara Stone was a Nightmare Devil, and her talent was Nightmare Weaver, an S-Rank Mutated Talent. She didn’t just control shadows, she wove them into weapons and constructs, using fear and confusion to disorient her opponents.
"Hard to say, you can’t just a book by the cover." Lucien said, "And also, stop calling me mentor and prepare for your match, you are the next."
Ryker who heard Lucien’s reprimanding words, just smiled.
Lucien just shook his head, focusing on the battle. Then as he assessed Elara, he knew she has the higher probability of winning.
Other students may think she’s from normal Devil Race but the Nightmare Devil Race are one of the top races known for assassination and from their name, one could see how fearsome they are.
It’s up to Kael if he’s able to notice this and put up some guard or else...
He’s finished and defeated.