Elias, the speedster with a contagious enthusiasm, approached Aiden with an easy grin. "Hey there! Aiden, right? That entrance of yours was something else. Can't believe you turned your arms into wings.Also that fire? Awesome stuff!"
Aiden nodded in acknowledgment, a small smile forming. "Thanks, Elias. Your speed entrance wasn't too shabby either. Blink and you were there."
Elias chuckled, running a hand through his blond hair. "Yeah, it's kind of my thing. But seriously, man, it's good to meet you. We're going to be classmates after all."
Kara, standing a bit apart, observed the exchange with a faint hint of curiosity in her frosty gaze. Elias noticed her and gave her an amicable wave. "Hey, Kara! Nice performance with the ice. It looked seriously cool – pun intended."
Kara's expression remained composed, but she nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you, Elias. Your speed was impressive as well."
As their interactions continued, Elias managed to break through Kara's icy exterior, his friendly demeanor gradually winning her over. Aiden, on the other hand, remained reserved, watching the exchange with an observant gaze. His connection with Iris provided him with insights into the dynamics at play, and he was content to let Elias handle the conversation.
After the ceremony, the crowd began to disperse, leaving behind an atmosphere buzzing with excitement and anticipation. Aiden's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he navigated the sea of students, some of whom gave him curious glances, undoubtedly recognizing him from his impressive entrance.
"Top three freshmen, huh?" Iris chimed in his earpuds (he doesnt want other to see ger or think tgat he's a crazy dude that talk to himself on the phone)
Aiden chuckled inwardly. "Yeah, who would've thought? But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Being at the top now means we need to work even harder to maintain that position."
^You have the right attitude, Aiden. Complacency is the enemy of progress,^ Iris responded, her voice a comforting presence.
As Aiden mingled with fellow freshmen, he couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation. Whispers of admiration, speculation about the abilities of the top three, and even a few friendly greetings came his way. While some students approached him with genuine curiosity and respect, there were others who watched him with a hint of rivalry, their eyes reflecting the desire to prove themselves.
Among the crowd, a figure caught Aiden's attention. Elias, with his easygoing smile and approachable demeanor, seemed to be a magnet for new acquaintances. Aiden's gaze shifted, landing on Kara, who stood at a slight distance, an aura of cool reserve surrounding her. Each of them represented a different facet of the Gifted world, and Aiden couldn't help but wonder how their paths would intersect.
"Hey, Aiden!" Elias called out, waving him over.
Aiden made his way through the crowd, a sense of camaraderie forming between the three top freshmen.
"So, Aiden," Elias began with a grin, "have you thought about which courses you're going to choose?"
Aiden's expression turned thoughtful. "Ill choose the Combat class, Monster class, Weapon class and the Ancieng runes class(give the reason for each choice(he choose rune to understand why Gate appear in the world)).What about you guys?"
Elias chuckled. "Ill definitely take Elemental mastery and combat class dknt know about the others"
The Elias added"Ill take Combat and Elemental maatery too .Wait dont you have a fire manipulation skill? Why dont take it?"
"Well-"
Their interactions were interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Aiden turned to see a red haired boy that was irradiating arrongace.
{Omg a young master}
"Well, well, if it isn't the top three," sneered the boy, his tone dripping with superiority. "Impressive entrance, Ouroboros. Pity it won't count for much when you're faced with real talent."
Aiden's gaze remained steady. "Why don't you think I have it, and beside, who the heck are you?"
"My name is Marcus Holt. I'm from one of the most esteemed families of fire mages. You, peasant, should have recognized me the moment you met my gaze. You are lucky to even be speaking to me."
{Jesus, I never thought that people could be this cringe}
"Well, now I know you, and I must admit that it's something I would have gladly missed. Now what do you want from me, young master?" Aiden asked mockingly.
The sound of Marcus grinding his teeth could be clearly heard. "Y-you don't deserve the spot as one of the top 3! You are not from a prestigious family. You are worthless; you must have cheated somehow!!"
{Now I'm starting to get pissed}
"Talent is not determined by lineage alone...Holt"
Marcus's lips curled into a mocking smile. "We'll see about that."
Without further words, Marcus stepped forward, a look of disdain on his face. "I, Marcus Holt, the 9th ranked, challenge the 2nd ranked Aiden Ouroboros to a ranking match."
Aiden's eyes narrowed, his battle maniac trait surging to the forefront. "Accepted."
The challenge was set, a clash between two students from vastly different backgrounds. As the crowd gathered, whispers spread like wildfire. Marcus, the ninth-ranked student, was challenging Aiden, the second-ranked freshman. The audacity of it all was enough to draw the attention of onlookers.
The arena was set, a circle of magical energy forming to contain the impending battle. Aiden's eyes locked onto Marcus's, the air crackling with tension. And then, with a single nod from the referee, the duel began.
Aiden's movements were swift and precise, his combat instincts taking over. He dodged Marcus's attacks effortlessly, each step calculated with the precision of a seasoned warrior. But there was something different about Aiden now, an intensity in his gaze that spoke of his battle maniac trait fully awakened.
As Marcus conjured flames, Aiden's response was immediate. With a surge of power, his own dark flames ignited.
The flames danced with an otherworldly energy, weaving a mesmerizing display of power. Marcus, for all his arrogance, was taken aback by the intensity of Aiden's flames. Before he could react, Aiden's dark fire surged forward, enveloping Marcus's flames entirely. The clash of elements was a spectacle of raw power.
The arena was filled with a blinding blaze, and when it cleared, Marcus stood defeated, his clothes scorched and his confidence shattered. Aiden's [Battle maniac] trait had driven him to overpower Marcus without giving him a chance to counter-attack. The crowd was left in stunned silence, the audacity of Marcus's challenge and the swiftness of his defeat leaving them speechless.
{Man that was no fun, he's so weak I didn't even use [Divine Sense]}
The referee immediately declared Aiden the victor, ending the match and dispelling the arena's magical construct.
Aiden turned to Elias and Kara, a triumphant smile playing on his lips. "Well, that was unexpected.He was way weaker than I thought"
Elias chuckled, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "You really know how to make an entrance, Aiden."
Kara's icy demeanor had softened ever so slightly, a hint of approval in her gaze. "You certainly proved yourself, if that's what you were aiming for."
Aiden shrugged, his confidence palpable. "I don't aim for anything less."
As the three of them began to walk away from the arena, the evening sun cast long shadows across the academy grounds.
That's when Aiden thought:
{Wait did I just got 2 friends like that?}