They latched onto the simulation, not burning it, but adhering to its energy signature.

The effect was immediate and horrifying. The simulation's internal light didn't explode or melt; it visibly drained, rapidly dimming as if its very essence was being siphoned away. The construct shuddered violently, its form flickering and degrading, its simulated energy being visibly pulled into the dark flames consuming it.

Within seconds, it collapsed into a pile of dull, lifeless static motes, leaving behind only the faint, unsettling scent of ozone and something akin to decay. As the dark flames dissipated from Leia's hands, she looked visibly more energized, a faint, predatory flush on her cheeks.

A collective gasp went through the onlookers. Even Zelda's impassive expression tightened slightly, a flicker of grudging acknowledgment in her steel-gray eyes.

Zaeryn, watching from the sidelines, felt a jolt stronger than any physical blow. His internal System flared instantly, analyzing the chilling display.

[ANALYZING VITAE SIGNATURE: LEIA]

[PRIMARY ABILITY (OBSERVED): Pyrokinesis (High Control - Est. Class C/B)]

[SECONDARY ABILITY (OBSERVED):

Necrotic Flame / Vitae Siphon]

[CLASS: Unknown (Potentially High)]

[DESCRIPTION: Leia manifests flames that actively drain Vitae or life energy from target upon contact. Extremely dangerous offensive ability. Drained energy appears to potentially replenish the user.]

[POTENTIAL FOR MIMICRY: EXTREMELY HIGH. Represents a powerful offensive and potentially self-sustaining ability unlike current known signatures.]

'Holy shit,' Zaeryn thought, his earlier annoyance replaced by a surge of pure, unadulterated want. That power, draining life force, weakening enemies while strengthening herself? That wasn't just useful; it was terrifyingly effective. Forget the rematch bet; that was the real prize. His gaze fixed on Leia with a new, intense focus. He needed that ability.

Leia returned to the formation.

As the students reset their formations, Zelda's steel-gray eyes scanned the remaining lines.

"Next. Zaeryn Noctis."

Zaeryn moved, a confident smirk already playing on his lips. He strolled into the center of the combat circle, not with the nervous energy of the other first-years, but with the casual air of someone surveying his domain.

"Goddess Marea, the arrogance." Leia rolled her eyes.

Jyn grinned while watching him. "Well, that's because he knows he's hot and that's all that matters." She shot back at Leia.

Zaeryn stopped, hands shoved loosely in the pockets of his uniform, and looked expectantly at Zelda.

"Activate the simulation, Instructor," he said, his tone polite but carrying an undercurrent of something almost like boredom.

Zelda tapped her console. The familiar, sluggish Class F Vorthak shimmered into existence.

Zaeryn watched it twitch, then let out a quiet, deliberate sigh, shaking his head slightly.

"Instructor," he began, his voice carrying easily across the now-quiet chamber, "with all due respect, is this really the best assessment tool?" He gestured vaguely at the simulation. "I appreciate the safety protocols, but honestly… I'm a little disappointed. I think my power might be a bit much for just... this".

A beat of stunned silence hit the room. Then, it broke. Laughter erupted from several sections of the onlookers, sharp and incredulously, mocking.

"Did he seriously just say that?" someone choked out between laughs.

"Goddess, the arrogance!"

"He barely survived Leia yesterday, now he thinks he's too good for a Class F?"

Leia, standing with Jyn, let out a sharp, derisive snort. "Careful, anomaly," she called out, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Wouldn't want you to strain yourself against such a terrifying opponent. Maybe ask Instructor Zelda for a pillow instead?" More laughter followed.

Zaeryn ignored them all, his gaze fixed solely on Zelda. He saw not anger in her eyes, but a flicker of something else, calculation, maybe even amusement.

Zelda tilted her head, that wry smirk returning, sharper this time. "Disappointed, Noctis?" she echoed, her voice dangerously smooth. "Think your power is 'too much'?" She tapped her console again. "Fine. Let's adjust the parameters to your... advanced capabilities".

The single Class F simulation vanished. In its place, three identical constructs flickered into existence, surrounding Zaeryn in a loose triangle. Their internal lights pulsed slightly faster, their movements less sluggish, more alert.

"Three Class F simulations," Zelda announced, her voice cutting through the now-silent chamber. "Set to active combat protocols – they will attack, relentlessly. And," she added, a predatory glint in her eyes, "they employ a rapid regeneration matrix. Neutralize one, and it will reform within two seconds unless all three are disabled almost simultaneously."

A collective gasp went through the students.

This wasn't a baseline test anymore; this was a potential slaughter for an untrained novice. Jyn and Yuna looked genuinely worried.

"Don't worry, Noctis," Zelda finished, her tone almost soothing, which was perhaps the most terrifying part. "The Aegis safeties are engaged. You won't be seriously hurt... much. At the first sign of critical failure, I'll terminate the sequence".

Zaeryn simply nodded, his smirk replaced by focused intensity. The laughter and whispers died completely. Every eye was locked on him.

"Sequence begin!" Zelda commanded.

All three simulations lunged at once. Claws extended, rudimentary energy crackling around them.

Zaeryn didn't retreat. He didn't even seem to brace himself. One moment he was standing there the next, he vanished in a blur.

The closest simulation swiped through empty air.

Before it could reorient, Zaeryn reappeared directly behind it. The movement wasn't the chaotic missile launch from the pool; it was controlled, instantaneous, landing him perfectly. His hand was outstretched, and shimmering into existence within it, formed from pure golden Vitae, was a simple, solid short-sword construct.

Shock rippled through the onlookers. He could form constructs? Already? And move like that?

There was no wasted motion. He drove the golden blade through the back of the first simulation's core. It dissolved instantly.

Without pausing, another burst of kinetic energy propelled him sideways, a near-invisible dash that put him behind the second simulation just as it turned. The golden sword flashed again, cleaving through the second construct.

Two down. Less than a second had passed.

The third simulation fired a weak energy bolt. Zaeryn didn't dodge. He simply raised his free hand, and a small, flickering golden shield – the same unstable disc he'd struggled to form with Daphne – materialized, absorbing the bolt with a dull thud before dissipating.

Simultaneously, he used Kinetic Acceleration again, closing the final distance in another blink-and-you-miss-it dash. The golden sword struck true, and the third simulation dissolved.

Silence. Utter, intense

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