Ray's innate talent might be lacking, but his divine strength compensated for it fully. More importantly, Ray never held anything back.

Although both Ray and Raziel Phoenix had only increased by one soul rank, the effort behind that rank was worlds apart. Ray's growth came from relentless grinding.

Moreover, after mutating into a variant, his Silverfalls Vine had become far more promising. If it evolved again upon gaining his second ring, it might even ascend into a high-tier martial soul.

"All right," Alfred said. "Today's training begins now."

He pointed at them. "Ray and Raziel Phoenix, team up and fight Lily."

Raziel Phoenix broke into a mischievous grin. "Yue Yue, watch how big brother teaches you a lesson."

Lily's eyes turned icy. "You'll pay for calling me that."

Thus, the day's special training began.

*

The Class Promotion Tournament was the grandest event in West Ocean Academy, held once every year.

It was the only competition involving the entire academy.

The advanced division had its own tournament, separate from the intermediate division. Outstanding students would be recorded by the city and archived. Results here directly affected recommendations for high-tier academies in the future.

The rewards were generous, and the honor immense.

Defeating a higher-ranked class was glory. Losing to a lower-ranked class was humiliation.

The tournament was scheduled three months after the semester began to give teachers time to select representatives and plan strategies.

The day was bright and cloudless, a gentle breeze passing over the field.

At the center of the Intermediate Division's grounds stood the competition stage.

Though called a stage, it was actually a massive metal platform ten centimeters thick and one hundred meters in diameter. Soul barrier devices surrounded it, ensuring safety during battle.

Today was the tournament's opening day.

After school ended, the bell rang, and students streamed out of the buildings. Yet only a handful headed toward the stage.

A match between First Grade Class Five and Class Four?

Who would bother watching that?

Upper-grade students scoffed at the idea. Most wouldn't arrive until the next day, when Class Three took the stage.

Class Five arrived first, lining up neatly by the field.

After three months of brutal training, their aura had completely changed. Though their talent was average, their stamina and soul power had improved dramatically under Alfred's guidance.

Class Four arrived shortly after, strolling in casually, clearly unconcerned.

A short, stocky teacher approached Alfred with a wide grin.

"Teacher, your students look impressive. So orderly, it makes me jealous. My class four kids are a mess. Please go easy on us today. Even if we can't advance, at least help us keep our position as Class Four."

Alfred glanced at him once and nothing more, then looked straight ahead.

He treated the man as if he didn't exist.

First Grade Class Four's teacher, Ian, nearly twisted his nose crooked from anger.

So arrogant!

Fine, you're strong. But what's the point of acting proud while teaching a trash class like Class Five? How far can those students possibly go?

It goes without saying that Ian looks down on Class-Five?

He snorted coldly. "Seems Teacher is brimming with confidence. Very well, let's see how things turn out on the stage."

With that, Ian waved his hand and returned to his students.

Alfred's lips moved faintly. Standing beside him, Ray barely caught a trace of what he muttered. It definitely wasn't anything polite.

At that moment, Director Aaron stepped onto the tournament platform.

"Today's Class Promotion Tournament officially begins," he announced. "Our first match is between First Grade Class Five and First Grade Class Four. Teacher Alfred, have you confirmed the number of participants?"

For lower grades, the Class Promotion Tournament was usually nothing special. As the presiding referee, Aaron's real interest lay in one thing only: the students Alfred had trained over the past three months.

Alfred nodded calmly. "Three participants."

Aaron turned toward Ian. "Class Five has chosen three participants. Teacher Ian, you have five minutes to select yours."

Ian's earlier forced smile vanished. With a dismissive wave, he said, "Against Class Five, anyone will do. Jarred, Jordan, Muriel. You three go. Remember, you're representing Class Four's honor. Show them our strength."

Alfred merely gestured with his hand.

Ray, Raziel Phoenix, and Lily stepped onto the stage.

Aaron glanced at Alfred with a puzzled expression. Normally, a weaker class would send the minimum number of students. Yet Alfred had sent three. Could it be that Class Five had truly changed under his guidance?

Among Class Four's representatives, Jarred stood in front. He was short and stocky, with a solid build.

Jordan looked thin and frail, almost scholarly.

Muriel, of average build, wore an eager expression.

Ray stood at the forefront of Class Five's side.

For some reason, standing there made him feel like a commander at the head of an army.

"Ready!"

The two teams faced each other from fifty meters apart. Aaron raised his right hand.

"First round of the new academic year's Class Promotion Tournament. First Grade Class Four versus First Grade Class Five. Begin!"

As soon as his voice fell, the three Class Four students released their soul rings.

Three white soul rings appeared beneath their feet.

Jarred roared and charged forward. His body swelled slightly as his muscles bulged, his brown eyes turning yellow. Each step shook the ground beneath him.

Behind him, Jordan murmured an incantation. A long staff appeared, and red light shot from its tip, enveloping Jarred.

Jarred's aura surged again. A blood-red glint flickered in his eyes as he rushed straight toward Ray.

Muriel vanished silently behind Jarred, moving like a shadow.

Their coordination was swift and practiced. This was no random selection, despite Ian's earlier words.

Jarred was clearly an Assault System Battle Soul Master, likely with a wolf-type martial soul.

Muriel was an Agility System user.

Jordan was a Support System Soul Master, and his first soul skill was confidence-boosting amplification.

A classic combination.

On Class Five's side, none of them released their soul rings immediately. Instead, all three surged forward.

Raziel Phoenix flickered once and appeared near Jarred, but he didn't attack. In the next instant, he darted sideways, heading straight for Jordan at the rear.

"Muriel!" Jarred shouted.

Muriel immediately reappeared and intercepted Raziel Phoenix.

After all, if a support-type soul master fell, the battle would end instantly.

Jarred was confident he could handle the other two.

Unfortunately for him, that confidence shattered almost immediately.

Even with Jordan's amplification, Jarred's expanded physique was still smaller than Ray's. As the distance closed, a strange unease crept into his heart.

Why hasn't he released his martial soul?

Then he saw Ray's fist.

Plain. Direct. No visible soul skill. No dramatic soul power fluctuation.

As an Assault System Soul Master, Jarred trusted his strength. He swung his arm forward, aiming to block the punch.

A shadow flashed behind Ray.

Jarred's footing slipped.

His arm swung wide, missing its mark.

Ray's fist slammed squarely into his chest.

Below the stage, Miel instinctively shut his eyes. The scene reminded him painfully of the day Ray punched him straight out of a window.

Bang!

Jarred was sent flying seven or eight meters backward.

Only then did a blue vine briefly appear, flickering for an instant before vanishing.

Because the other side of the battlefield was already over.

After circling Jarred, Raziel Phoenix accelerated. Though Muriel was also an Agility System Soul Master, the gap between them was obvious.

The Light Dragon Dagger tapped Jordan's forehead.

"Out!" Aaron announced instantly.

Raziel Phoenix twisted mid-step and reappeared in front of Muriel.

Muriel's martial soul was a short sword, similar to Raziel Phoenix's dagger, but his soul power was only Rank 13.

There was no suspense.

Their weapons clashed once.

In the next instant, Raziel Phoenix appeared behind him, Light Dragon Dagger resting against Muriel's neck.

Only then did Class Five finally release their soul rings.

White. Yellow. Yellow.

One ten-year soul ring.

Two hundred-year soul rings.

Ian froze.

The match had lasted barely ten seconds. Maybe not even that.

For a moment, he genuinely wondered whether the team before him was really from First Grade Class Five, and not secretly from Class One.

Raziel Phoenix clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction and returned to Ray's side. The two slapped palms in a clean high-five.

Cheers erupted from Class Five's side.

No.

From this moment on, they were First Grade Class Four.

Aaron announced clearly, "First Grade Class Five wins. However, class reorganization will only occur after the tournament concludes. Tomorrow, you will face First Grade Class Three."

The match could hardly even be described as a steamroll. It ended before any real pressure could form. From start to finish, it unfolded so smoothly that Ray and Lily didn't even need to expend their soul power to defeat their opponents.

It was exactly as Alfred had once told Ray: at this stage, sheer physical strength alone was already enough to crush most peers.

Alfred didn't spare Ian so much as a glance. His cold voice rang out clearly.

"Class dismissed."

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