Finally it was Elliot's turn and as Elliot stepped up to the testing area, he felt the weight of countless eyes upon him, scrutinizing his every move. The transformation he had undergone since his last visit to this school was palpable, and the students who had once tormented him now barely recognized the confident and powerful figure before them.
Dressed in his scarlet shirt and black pants, with the twin swords Arth and Lily fastened at his sides, Elliot exuded an air of quiet determination. He approached the crystal ball with a measured pace, fully aware that all eyes were on him. The tension in the air was palpable, as everyone wondered about the nature of his elemental affinity.
Elliot placed his hand over the crystal ball, and for a moment, nothing happened. The sphere remained unresponsive, its surface shimmering with anticipation. Then, unexpectedly, it changed. Instead of displaying a conventional color, it transformed into a profound and unsettling void—an abyss of darkness that seemed to consume all light.
The crowd gasped in astonishment, and Miss Avensworth's brows furrowed in confusion. No one present, not even the experienced teachers, had ever witnessed such an elemental affinity. It was as if Elliot had tapped into a force beyond their comprehension.
Professor Thorne, representing the Nebula Institute, leaned forward, his gray eyes fixed on the peculiar phenomenon. His voice carried a tone of both intrigue and disappointment as he spoke, "Looks like a Void affinity. Interesting, fascinating, rare, but unfortunate. Not many species aside from a Voidborn can utilize this affinity; it is often considered a dud."
Kael's grin widened, and a hint of smug satisfaction danced in his eyes. Elliot's heart sank at Thorne's assessment, but he remained composed. The void within him was a mysterious and enigmatic power, one that had yet to reveal its true potential. As he moved on to the obsidian stele, he steeled himself for the next phase of the examination, determined to prove that his affinity, though unconventional and useless, did not define his strength.
With determination etched across his features, Elliot began the second part of the examination. He summoned the power of Crimson Acceleration, the ability granted to him by his twin swords, Arth and Lily. As the scarlet energy enveloped him, it was as if flames danced around his form, casting an ethereal glow upon his scarlet shirt and black pants.
Stepping up to the obsidian stele, Elliot placed his palm upon the smooth, dark surface. The markings etched upon it began to shimmer in response to his presence. The initial reading appeared, displaying F and then swiftly ascending to D, marking the rank of his ability. However, Elliot was not content with a mere D tier.
A determined expression settled upon his face as he strained to harness more power. The crimson glow intensified, swirling around him like a vortex of energy. The stele's reading continued to climb, reaching C and then, with an extraordinary effort, pushing onward to C+ before finally coming to a rest at that level.
C+—that was the rank of his ability, a testament to his newfound strength and resolve. As he turned toward the seats of honor, his gaze fell upon General Kaldur, the only professor interested in his potential. A subtle sense of disappointment tugged at his heart, but he refused to yield to it.
"I would like to perform a practical demonstration of my abilities," Elliot declared confidently, his voice carrying across the assembly, determined to show his power.
Very well, how would you like to do that, Elliot?" Miss Avensworth asked.
"Through combat. I am interested in joining the Celestial Vanguard Academy and would like to question the Professor if she has any specific requirements," Elliot replied.
Professor Solara grinned and stood up. "Show me what you've got, then, kid."
Seraphina placed her palm on her forehead, her action both adorable and beautiful as she sighed. "Stop wasting our time, Solara. His affinity is a dud. Let him go to the military. No offense, Kaldur."
Kaldur grunted, but Solara was already walking towards Elliot, whose instincts were screaming at him to run. Her aura radiated power, and a voice inside him whispered, "She really is a dangerous woman."
The arena crackled with anticipation as Elliot prepared to face off against Professor Solara from the Celestial Vanguard Academy. His heart pounded in his chest as he focused his crimson-accelerated senses, ready to engage in combat. The crowd watched in hushed awe; their eyes locked on the unfolding spectacle.
With a burst of speed, Elliot darted towards Solara, his movements fluid and graceful. He launched a series of swift kicks, aiming for her midsection and head. However, the professor's response was almost nonchalant. She effortlessly blocked each kick with precise and controlled movements, her expression bordering on boredom.
The onlookers couldn't help but gasp at the sheer skill and finesse displayed by Professor Solara. Her movements were a testament to her martial prowess, and it was clear that she was a force to be reckoned with.
As Elliot continued his assault, he found himself awed by the professor's ability to read his every move. She anticipated his attacks with uncanny accuracy, parrying and deflecting his strikes with ease. It was as if she could predict his actions before he even made them.
Their dance of combat continued, with Elliot pushing the limits of his crimson acceleration to keep up with Solara's relentless defense. The audience watched in silence, captivated by the extraordinary display of skill and power.
Despite his best efforts, Elliot couldn't land a single blow on the professor. He could feel the frustration building within him, but he refused to give in. He had a burning desire to prove himself, not only to the academy but to himself as well.
As the battle raged on, it became increasingly clear that Professor Solara was in a league of her own. Her martial prowess was unmatched, and her control over her abilities was nothing short of extraordinary. It was a humbling experience for Elliot, one that made him realize just how far he had to go on his path to becoming a true warrior.
With a final flurry of strikes, Elliot pushed himself to his limits, but Solara's defenses remained impenetrable. As the battle came to a close, he lowered his guard, panting heavily, and nodded in acknowledgment of her superior skill.
The crowd erupted into applause, their admiration for both combatants evident. Elliot may not have won the battle, but he had faced one of the academy's most formidable professors with unwavering determination. It was a test of his abilities and a step on his journey to becoming a warrior worthy of the Celestial Vanguard Academy.
"The battle is not over yet and you lowered your guard?" Solara shattered the mood.Top of Form
Solara's words were like a wake-up call, and before Elliot could react, she had disappeared from her position. In an instant, she reappeared beside him, her presence a blur of speed and power. Her fist struck like lightning, landing squarely in his gut with devastating force.
The impact was shattering. It felt like a freight train had collided with him. Elliot's body contorted in agony as the blow bent him in half, forcing the air from his lungs. Blood sprayed from his mouth, staining the ground beneath him as he was sent hurtling through the air.
Time seemed to slow as he tumbled through the arena, pain coursing through every fiber of his being. He could hear the gasps and exclamations of the crowd, their shock and concern palpable. In that moment, all of his doubts and insecurities came rushing to the surface.
But even in the midst of his pain, Elliot refused to give in. He summoned every ounce of his willpower and activated his crimson acceleration once more. With a burst of speed, he twisted his body in mid-air, redirecting his trajectory.
His feet hit the ground with a resounding thud, and he skidded to a halt, his body trembling from the impact. Blood still dripped from his mouth, but his determination burned brighter than ever. He looked up at Solara, his scarlet eyes filled with unwavering resolve.
"I'm not done yet," Elliot said, his voice laced with determination and a touch of defiance. He wiped the blood from his chin and assumed a defensive stance, ready to continue the battle.
The crowd watched in stunned silence, unsure of what to make of the young warrior's resilience. Solara, too, regarded him with a mixture of surprise and respect. The spar was far from over, and Elliot was determined to prove that he had the heart of a true warrior.
The arena seemed to pulse with energy as the battle raged on. Elliot and Solara circled each other, a dance of power and determination. The young dhampir's movements were fluid and agile as he launched a series of rapid punches and kicks, his crimson acceleration allowing him to strike with incredible speed.
Solara, on the other hand, was a paragon of martial skill and precision. She effortlessly blocked and countered each of Elliot's attacks, her movements almost casual in their grace. It was clear that she was holding back, testing the young warrior's mettle.
Despite the odds stacked against him, Elliot refused to back down. He pushed himself to the limit, pouring every ounce of his strength and skill into the battle. He knew that this was not just a test of his abilities but a test of his spirit and determination.
As the battle raged on, a large crowd had gathered to watch the spectacle. The other students and onlookers were mesmerized by the clash between the young upstart and the formidable professor. Whispers of admiration and awe rippled through the audience as they witnessed Elliot's unwavering resolve