The hum of tension was palpable in the courtyard. Hundreds of students, arranged in their newly formed groups, waited in silence. Grandmaster Veridane stood on an elevated platform, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd. Behind him, his attendant Darius meticulously went over the Aetheris database on a shimmering holographic screen, ensuring every group was accounted for.
Darius gave a curt nod to Veridane. The Grandmaster took a step forward, his imposing figure dominating the space. His voice rang out, amplified by mana, reaching every corner of the courtyard.
"The Second Phase of the Admission Tournament begins now," Veridane announced, his voice cold and unwavering. "This phase will test your ability to work as a team, strategize, and most importantly, survive. While the first phase assessed your individual combat prowess, this phase will assess your capacity for cooperation and adaptability."
Veridane's gaze flicked over the sea of students. His expression remained unreadable, but a slight, almost imperceptible glow illuminated his eyes as he continued.
"There will be three objectives, all of which are necessary for your group to advance. First, reach the designated checkpoints spread across the arena terrain. Second, avoid traps set up by the professors and higher-level students. And third, incapacitate or eliminate rival groups to gain their points. Your Aetheris devices will track your progress and the points you collect. The group with the most points at the end of the phase will advance."
Murmurs spread through the students as they began to comprehend the gravity of the situation. Some exchanged nervous glances, while others sharpened their focus, preparing themselves for the trial ahead.
Veridane continued, "The rules are simple. Killing is prohibited. The use of poison or external help is strictly forbidden. Violate any of these rules, and there will be consequences." His final words were laced with a cold threat that sent chills through the crowd. A few students shuddered under the weight of his words.
Standing near the back, Elena couldn't help but notice Lucius tinkering with his Aetheris. Out of curiosity, she leaned closer, whispering, "What are you doing?"
Lucius shot her a sideways glance but didn't answer immediately. Instead, he asked her, "Why do you think they let us wear these during the Second Phase?"
Caught off guard by the question, Elena blinked. "To monitor us, obviously."
Lucius smirked slightly, shaking his head. "They don't need these to monitor us. Basic magic or the academy's sensor tech could do that without the need for us to wear Aetheris."
Elena frowned, clearly puzzled by his response. Lucius continued, his voice quieter, almost as if he were thinking out loud. "The Aetheris isn't just tracking us. It's using our mana to power itself. It's why they know our exact condition at any given time—mana exertion, physical exhaustion… it's all monitored."
Elena's eyes widened as she processed his words. Lucius then reached out, gently grasping her wrist where her Aetheris was fastened. The touch sent a jolt through her, and she flinched slightly at the sudden contact. Lucius ignored her reaction, pointing to the device.
"This thing doesn't just run on external power. It taps into our mana reserves. Haven't you noticed how they always know when someone's on the verge of collapse or injury? It's not just tech. They're monitoring every student's mana output."
Elena was taken aback. She tried to argue, but the more Lucius explained, the more she realized his logic was sound. "But how much do they know about us then?" she asked quietly, more to herself than to Lucius.
Lucius gave her a cryptic look, his amber eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Enough."
As Veridane's voice boomed over the courtyard again, the murmurs died down. "You will all be facing not just the environment but each other. The point system will reward those who succeed in capturing other teams' points. Remember the rules: No killing, no poison, no external interference."
His gaze, now glowing more intensely, swept across the crowd, and several students recoiled as his eyes landed on them. The message was clear—no one would get away with breaking the rules.
Satisfied that his warning had been understood, Veridane turned his back, walking off the platform. Darius continued to monitor the database as the students remained, preparing themselves for the trials to come.
.....
As Veridane stepped away, Elena pulled up her Aetheris and began jotting down notes—summarizing the rules and objectives with quick taps on the digital interface. She glanced up, her gaze inadvertently lingering on Lucius, who stood beside her.
She found herself staring at his face for longer than she intended, her crimson eyes tracing the sharp lines of his features. His expression was as neutral as ever, distant and unreadable. The amber glow of his eyes only added to the mystery surrounding him.
She blinked in surprise when Lucius suddenly turned, catching her gaze. She quickly averted her eyes, embarrassed by being caught staring. Why am I so interested in him? she wondered, her mind racing. He's… different.
As if sensing her thoughts, Lucius leaned over her shoulder to peer at the notes she'd been making. His proximity made her heart skip a beat. She tried her best to remain composed, but the warmth of his presence beside her made it difficult.
...
The scene transitioned to the boys' locker room, where the male students were changing into the specialized combat suits provided for the Second Phase. The sleek black and silver design of the suits, adorned with faint magical runes, hummed with energy as each student activated their suit.
Ash stood in front of a mirror, his eyes wide with awe as he admired the suit. "This is amazing," he said under his breath, running his hands over the smooth material.
Soren, nearby, rolled his eyes. "Stop gawking. It's just standard gear."
Ash laughed awkwardly, nodding. "Right, right."
In another corner, Gaius was talking strategy with his teammates, while Caspian could be heard boasting about how his group would dominate the Second Phase by picking off weaker students early.
In the distance, Lucius remained silent, half-listening to the conversations around him as he changed into his own suit. His mind wandered back to the novel—how much he had already altered by stepping iup to face Soren and how teaming up with Elena was another deviation. The more things shifted, the more concerned he became about the possible ripple effects.
Suddenly, Caspian approached, taunting Lucius with a sneer. "Yo Lucius, not even gonna greet me here? Lucius recognized the voice right away, but paid it no mind. "What, too afraid to look me in the eye? Not afraid, are you?" Caspian's tone dripped with mockery.
Lucius didn't even bother turning to look at him. "Watch your step," he muttered in a monotone voice.
Caspian glanced down, confused, until he realized his foot was on someone's bag. He jerked back when a cold, sharp voice cut through the air.
"Move."
The entire room seemed to freeze as Kallus, the white-haired student with piercing golden eyes, stared coldly at Caspian. Kallus's voice was low and dangerous, his gaze enough to make even the cocky Caspian flinch.
Caspian stammered, stepping aside as Kallus retrieved his bag, his movements smooth and deliberate. He finished changing into his suit, then turned to Caspian, his golden eyes glowing with warning.
"Watch your back during the second phase." His voice was cold, dripping with menace.
Lucius watched the scene unfold, recognizing Kallus, the future rival of Ash in the novel. On the inside, Lucius felt uneasy. Would I be able to make him an ally? He knew how powerful Kallus was, but his hotheadedness might be a problem. Lucius sighed inwardly, feeling the weight of the altered plot bearing down on him.
As Lucius finished adjusting his suit, he thought back to the conversation he'd had with Elena. She seems prepared, but the fact that Kallus is her love interest complicates things.
Lucius cursed inwardly. Of course things can't be simple… it just had to be the second heroine.