(A/N: We have returned to the academy test, and all the events that transpired during the past month have been thoroughly examined.)
The stadium was bathed in a delightful radiance as the sun rose to its zenith, illuminating the sprawling landscape below.
Thousands of young mages, each with their unique abilities and motives, had congregated with a shared goal in mind: to pass the test administered by the "Best Academy In The World."
Their varied physical traits, ranging from eyes of different hues to bodies representing a multitude of races, were adorned with an assortment of elements and sigils of different rune structures, spanning from rudimentary to sophisticated.
All eyes were transfixed on the towering figure before them as they focused their complete attention on the task at hand.
The sight of nature's mesmerizing creation was truly breathtaking. A colossal monster made entirely of plants towered over almost all other living beings, reaching a remarkable height of 30 feet. Its physique was composed of gnarled, sturdy vines and roots that coiled around each other, forming a robust yet flexible structure.
The monster's dark green skin was adorned with thick, razor-sharp thorns that could inflict grave harm on any potential adversary foolish enough to approach too closely. The creature exuded a vital force, suggesting that it would only defend itself if provoked or threatened and preferred to dwell in solitude deep within the heart of a forest.
However, the illusion of peace was shattered as a spine-chilling shriek reverberated throughout the stadium. The monster's jaws, filled with jagged teeth, scraped together as it let out a terrifying screech, indicating the start of the battle.
The students were resolute in their determination to demonstrate their worth and prove that surviving the first wave was not a fluke. They quickly organized themselves into a linear formation to prevent any form of chaos.
Siblings and friends joined together in groups of varying numbers, and a few temporary partnerships were broken and new ones formed. In a matter of minutes, everyone had settled down and decided on their plan of action. Some confident individuals remained unperturbed and decided to go solo.
Despite the apparent teamwork exhibited during this short experience, it was important to remember that this was, above all, a competition. To truly stand out among the masses as an excellent mage, a student would have to leave behind a trail of despaired colleagues, dead enemies, and impressive heroic feats.
This fact was ingrained in everyone's mind, evident by their current opportunistic displays. A single thought hovered in their minds, hoping for someone else to make the first move.
Of course, a monster created for the entrance exam was no doubt going to bring a challenge, and no one wanted to be the first to find out its true power. If they failed, it would only provide valuable information for their opponents.
As the students hesitated, the plant monster slowly and laboriously took its first steps toward the horde of humans that dared to ignore it after its kingly roar. The eerie silence was only broken by the sound of shuffling feet and murmuring
Fortunately, there were always exceptions in every scenario, and this battle was no different. Suddenly, a young man who appeared to be no more than 15 years old burst with lightning, coating his feet and leaving charged streaks in his wake. A Mana Sigil appeared beneath his feet as he burst forward, leaving the other students behind.
He was one of the very few who remained alone, but as if serving as a prompt, a couple of people followed closely behind him, intending to capitalize on any advantage he might provide. Their eyes were fixated on the plant monster as it lumbered towards them, it's thorny exterior glinting in the sunlight.
The young man's lightning-imbued movements allowed him to dodge the monster's attacks with ease, his movements appearing almost too quick for the human eye to follow. The other students watched in awe as he circled the monster, waiting for the right moment to strike.
As the monster swiped at him with its thorny protrusions, the young man leaped into the air, his feet aglow with electricity. He delivered a forceful blow to the creature's head, causing a burst of lightning to emanate from his hands and incinerate the monster's cranium.
The crowd was poised to erupt in applause, but their excitement was abruptly cut short when a green aura enveloped the creature's head and it began regenerating in a matter of moments.
A thorny branch jutted out and struck the pesky human's body, propelling the kid through the air with a streak of lightning trailing behind him until he crashed into the ground, creating a massive crater.
Despite the monster's formidable strength and tenacity, the students were not deterred, and they quickly devised numerous attack strategies based on the creature's basic abilities. Energized and determined, they charged toward the plant-like beast.
Dante remained unperturbed by the tumultuous events unfolding around him. His body trembled with an intense battle fervor that he had cultivated over the past fifteen days of training with Theia.
Although he utilized an unorthodox assortment of fighting techniques, he refined and expanded his repertoire to make it even more impressive. His grueling training in the depths of hell with Theia had only heightened his singular passion for combat.
Dante sheathed his katana with a burst of laughter and turned towards Atlas, who was engrossed in playing with his earth magic.
"I'll see you later. It was great working with you. Our brief time together during this trial was eye-opening," he said, words that he would never have spoken a few hours earlier. He then dashed forward.
Atlas watched Dante depart with intrigue. "What an intriguing boy," he muttered to himself. "I can finally go now. I've done enough for that old man. He shouldn't send his child to bully juniors, particularly given his status. But at least it was worthwhile."
With a flick of his hand, Atlas summoned a teleportation talisman, and a brilliant light engulfed him as he activated it. Remarkably, the officials observing the fight did not interfere, despite having the authority to prevent his teleportation.
By surging ahead with the aid of numerous flame propulsions, Dante quickly surpassed some of the less nimble competitors. He focused on harnessing the Abyssal Energy from the depths of his consciousness realm.
Suddenly, black smoke emerged from his pores, and his joints echoed with crackling sounds as power surged through him. This smoke was distinct from the smoky aura that typically surrounded him.
It felt like expelled smoke from a chimney, purging the constituents of whatever had been burned. In Dante's case, he felt relieved as the barrier he had placed on his strength was finally lifted.
Despite not leveling after his encounter in the Undying Dimension, the significant transformation that had occurred within him was due to Theia's effective teaching.
Theia had instructed him on how to use every ounce of his power, particularly concerning his Cursed Brands. During his time with Magnus, all he had been taught was sword fighting, and he had been subjected to his lewd jokes.
Considering the adult content he had been exposed to, it was a wonder he wasn't a walking mass of teenage perversion. The most crucial part of his power increase was a customized power-up system.
Although he was only at the basic level of being able to fully adapt and create a form, surprisingly, the process was enjoyable. Theia had given him this concept based on something called "manga" and "anime," which she used to enjoy more than a millennium ago.
Surprisingly, this art had provided a lifeline for humanity, and she admired the ingenuity behind it. The individuals she appreciated most from the human race were those who produced such "Artwork of the Gods."
As he rushed towards the monster, he flexed his joints and quickly adjusted to his newfound power. In a matter of seconds, he had covered about half and a quarter of the distance between himself and the creature. The black smoke that emanated from his pores was swiftly dispersed.
As he tapped into the increased flow of violet energy coursing through his veins, his skin turned a vibrant shade of violet. Dark clouds enveloped his body, and intricate tattoos spread across half of his chest.
These tattoos pulsed and glowed with the violet energy, shifting and moving as Dante's muscles flexed and contracted. They extended from his left arm, where his Oppressive Control tattoo once was, while the cyclone tattoo on his neck spun.
His body radiated heat, intensifying the clouds around him as the space surrounding him appeared to catch fire.
This indicated Dante's transformation from his base form as he entered the first tier of his power-up system, known as Basic Pulse. His current form was an expansion of Basic Pulse, called Rapid Rhythm.
Dante's power-up system, called Nero Surge, enabled him to transform from his base form and unlock greater power.
The first tier of NeroSurge allowed him to tap into more power from his Cursed Brands, significantly enhancing his physical abilities. With each tier increase came a significant change and new abilities, at least that's what Theia had explained to him.
Rapid Rhythm was an expansion of the first tier, Basic Pulse, in Dante's NeroSurge system. The Rapid Rhythm transformation concentrated on boosting his Acceleration Factor, allowing him to move and react with lightning speed.
The fleeting smile that had graced Dante's face after his exchange with Atlas vanished as he reverted to his usual stoic self. Despite his heightened enthusiasm for battle, he had gained some measure of control over his emotions.
However, his lack of composure upon encountering the plant monster revealed that his control was far from perfect.
Dante settled into his new form and charged forward, barely stopping as violet and black colors trailed behind him. He arrived at one of the beast's branches and quickly scanned the area using his Origin Eyes, counting everyone in the vicinity.
Within seconds, he identified those who could cause trouble, and his right eye, marked with a sun emblem, gleamed dangerously. Ignoring everything else, he focused on the pink-haired girl located 50 meters away.
Having encountered numerous obstacles, their ultimate goal of crossing the threshold was always evident, as deduced logically and quickly. It appeared to be a simple task based on analysis alone.
However, the presence of the beast and the need for obstacles became apparent, as it provided a necessary challenge. As the Dante's focus remained fixed on the girl, he began to falter as the realization dawned on him that their chances of crossing over were slim.
Dante, analyzing the situation with his Origin Eyes, quickly deduced everything to a fault, staring at the imaginary thread linking the girl to an unknown source.
But with this new information, the situation had become more complex. As he scanned the faces of his competitors , a wry smile crept onto his face as he considered those who posed a threat.
"To think that they discovered what I only understood with the use of my Origin Eyes. It seems I have truly entered a land of monsters. I wish I can meet him here, as a rematch would be a good way to gauge the gap between us," Dante thought as he pictured the kid who seemed to be his age, his scar a constant reminder of their encounter.
With a composed demeanor, the patterns of tattoos on his left chest quietly hovered, occasionally gleaming with a metallic sheen as violet energy coursed through his veins.
The aesthetic was pleasing to the eye, but it was the power behind his transformation that would quickly instill wariness in anyone who underestimated him.
He closed his eyes and took deep breaths, ridding his mind of the weight of his deduction. Drawing his blade, he focused on the pulsating greenish core at the heart of the monster as he sprang into action.