"Elina, Nature Mage versus Brak Ironhide, Warrior," the examiner announced.

The barrier sealed.

"Begin."

The moment the match started, Brak roared and charged forward, mace swinging wide with brute force.

Elina didn't panic.

She raised her staff and tapped it lightly against the ground.

"Entangle."

The stone floor cracked as thick wooden vines burst upward, twisting around Brak's legs. He stumbled, swearing as he tried to tear free.

Elina's eyes stayed calm.

She extended her free hand.

More vines erupted—thinner this time, faster—wrapping around his arms and chest, pulling him down to one knee.

"Gah—what the hell?!"

"Yield," Elina said firmly.

Brak gritted his teeth and tried to force his way forward, muscles bulging as he struggled.

The vines tightened further, creaking softly as his body strained against them.

How can such a delicate-looking girl have this much power?! he thought in disbelief.

What he didn't know was that Elina's magic was no longer ordinary. Empowered by fairy magic, her vines were as strong as steel—and this was only the beginning of her journey. With time, they would become even stronger.

"…I yield!" he shouted at last.

The vines immediately loosened and sank back into the ground, leaving the arena floor smooth and untouched.

The examiner raised his hand.

"Match over. Winner—Elina."

Soft cheers rose from the stands.

Elina stepped out of the arena, letting out a small breath as a smile of relief appeared on her face.

Mike nodded approvingly. "Good control. You didn't overdo it."

Elina smiled back. "I remembered what you said—end it cleanly."

—

The matches continued.

One round after another, the number of contestants shrank rapidly.

Mike's fights ended just as quickly as before—short, decisive, and overwhelming. Golden constructs appeared and vanished in an instant, knocking opponents out before they could even react.

Elina's battles, on the other hand, became increasingly refined. She adapted to each opponent—using vines to restrain fast fighters, roots to destabilize heavy warriors, and layered control to force clean surrenders without unnecessary harm.

The crowd grew louder with every round.

By the time the dust settled, only five contestants remained standing in the entire arena complex.

Mike.

Elina.

And three others—each clearly exceptional in their own right.

The examiner stepped forward, his voice echoing across the arena.

"All five of you have earned your seats in the academy," he said.

Mike and the others smiled, the tension in the air easing slightly.

"But," the examiner continued, raising a finger, "there are special rewards reserved for the top three."

The mood shifted instantly.

"To determine the rankings, each of you will fight the other four. Points will be awarded for each victory. The contestant with the highest total points will take first place."

He glanced over the five of them.

"If there is a tie, additional matches will be held to decide the final rankings—first place, second place, and third place."

Mike nodded calmly, exchanging brief looks with Elina and the others.

"So it's a round-robin," he muttered. "Fair enough."

The examiner stepped back.

"Prepare yourselves," he announced. "The final evaluation begins now."

The five finalists were led to the central arena, where the barriers reshaped themselves into a single, larger ring. Above them, floating crystals rearranged to display names and rankings.

The examiner gestured toward the remaining three contestants.

"Before the final evaluation begins," he said, "you will be formally introduced to one another."

The first stepped forward.

A tall beastkin with ash-gray fur and sharp amber eyes. His body was lean but coiled with power, and twin crescent blades hung at his waist.

"Kael Fangstride," the examiner announced. "Beastkin Rogue. Specializes in high-speed assassination and spatial footwork."

Kael's tail flicked once as he gave a short nod, his gaze briefly lingering on Mike before shifting away.

The second finalist moved next.

A human woman with short silver hair and a calm, unreadable expression. She wore light armor etched with runes, and a hovering crystal orb floated beside her shoulder, rotating slowly.

"Seris Valen," the examiner said. "Arcane Artificer. She can create magical equipment and fight even in the middle of combat."

She's one of the heroines, Mike thought as he looked at her. In the future, during the battle against the Tyrant King, she will be part of Elina's team, creating equipment for the entire group.

In short, she was a must-have character—if you wanted any chance of defeating the Tyrant King and his powerful army.

The next contestant stepped forward.

A broad-shouldered man in dark red armor, a massive greatsword resting against his back. His presence was heavy—oppressive even—like standing near a sleeping volcano.

"Roth Calder," the examiner announced. "Vanguard Berserker. Exceptional endurance, regeneration, and combat instinct."

Roth cracked his neck and grinned. "Hope you're all ready. I don't hold back."

Next, Mike stepped forward.

"Mike Vester," the examiner announced clearly. "Golden Tamer. Aside from his contracted beasts, he can also wield Golden Magic. So far, no opponent has been able to force him to reveal his tamed beasts."

Cheers erupted from the stands.

Mike lifted a hand in a casual wave as the crowd reacted.

Finally, Elina stepped forward.

"Elina Ardent," the examiner said, turning toward her. "Nature Mage. Her vine magic possesses strength comparable to steel, and so far, no one has successfully broken free once restrained."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the audience as many eyes turned toward her with renewed respect.

"These are the final five," the examiner declared, his voice carrying across the arena. "From among them, the top three will now be decided."

The floating crystals above the arena flared brightly, rearranging themselves into a new formation.

"Final evaluation—Round One," the examiner announced.

"Combat will begin immediately."

The barrier sealed once more.

Above them a screen appeared as first it was Mike turn.

Mike stepped in the arena and his first opponent is Roth Calder.

Both stood in the arena as Roth took a stance as Mike also looked ready.

The referee looked at both of them, then raised his hand.

"Begin!"

Like a bullet, Roth charged straight at Mike.

"Hahaha! I've already learned the way you fight—I'll crush you! Regret coming here!" Roth roared, swinging his greatsword down with overwhelming force.

Clang!

The impact rang across the arena.

Roth's eyes widened.

Mike stood calmly in place, one hand gripping a fully formed golden sword, its blade blazing with dense golden mana. He had stopped Roth's greatsword head-on.

"Ho! You can use magic like this too?" Roth exclaimed, staring at the radiant weapon in disbelief.

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