The battle reached its climax when Elliot executed a series of acrobatic maneuvers, his body a blur of motion. He launched a powerful spinning kick, aimed squarely at Solara's head. She countered with lightning speed, catching his leg in mid-air and twisting it, sending Elliot crashing to the ground.
The impact rattled his bones, and for a moment, he lay there, gasping for breath. But he refused to give in. With sheer determination, he pushed himself up, his crimson eyes blazing with a fierce fire.
After being smashed to the ground, Elliot rose, battered and bruised but determined. His voice rang out with newfound strength as he declared, "I won't stop. I'll keep pushing, keep fighting, until I reach the pinnacle of my abilities."
As he stood there, his wounds began to heal thanks to his self-regeneration ability. The process drained his blood energy points, catching Solara's attention. She observed his regeneration with a thoughtful expression.
"Regeneration, huh?" she mused. "That's not too bad. If you don't have the skill, we can always use you as a punching bag." She grinned wryly. "Fine, I accept you into the Celestial Vanguard Academy."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, celebrating Elliot's hard-fought victory and his acceptance into the prestigious academy. It was a moment of triumph, a testament to his unwavering determination and unique abilities. As he looked out at the cheering crowd, Elliot knew that his journey was just beginning, and he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
The tension in the air was palpable as Kael's words hung like a dark cloud over the scene. As Solara walked back to her seat, Kael's challenging statement broke the silence, sending ripples of unease through the crowd.
"What if I say taking that student into your academy is going against my Kirin Family?" Kael's voice cut through the quiet like a blade.
Solara halted in her tracks, her imposing presence causing even the confident Kael to falter for a moment. The crowd watched with bated breath, unsure of what would transpire next. Elliot clenched his fists, his emotions swirling with anxiety and determination.
Solara turned to face Kael, her fiery aura and unyielding resolve evident in her gaze. "Then that means I am at war with your family," she declared, a savage and battle-ready grin spreading across her face.
The declaration sent shockwaves through the audience, and Elliot's heart pounded with the weight of the situation. The Celestial Vanguard Academy was known for its unwavering dedication to martial excellence, and Solara was its embodiment. The prospect of a conflict between the academy and the prestigious Kirin Family sent shivers down spines.
Seraphina, always graceful and diplomatic, stepped in to ease the tension. "Forgive my student, Solara," she said, her soothing words diffusing the charged atmosphere. "He is just a little excited, that's all."
The crowd breathed a collective sigh of relief, and the impending confrontation seemed to dissipate, at least for the time being. The events of the day had already been filled with surprises and revelations, and the academy's future hung in the balance as new talents emerged and old rivalries resurfaced.
General Kaldur approached Solara with a solemn expression, and they engaged in a hushed, secret conversation that left those nearby curious but unable to overhear. The gravity of their exchange was apparent, and when it concluded, both touched their bracelets, initiating a transfer of information or authority.
Solara's grin, as sly and confident as ever, was met with General Kaldur's gruff demeanor as he walked back to his seat. The nature of their exchange remained shrouded in mystery, and the crowd couldn't help but speculate about what had transpired.
Solara then turned her attention to Elliot, beckoning him to approach. He walked over, his mind racing with uncertainty. She delivered her unexpected news with a touch of nonchalance. "You are to do one year of Military Service alongside Adrian here," she declared, pointing to the other student who had chosen to join her academy.
Elliot and Adrian exchanged a bewildered glance, their thoughts mirroring each other's disbelief. 'Did she just...rent us out?!' They couldn't fathom the implications of this decision, but it seemed that their journey was taking an unexpected turn, one that would test their abilities and resolve in unforeseen ways.
As the testing continued, the next student to step forward had an aura of mystery about her. She had striking shadowy features, with obsidian hair that flowed like liquid darkness and eyes that seemed to hold secrets untold. As Amelia stepped forward, her stunning beauty was immediately apparent. Her long, ebony hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of shadows, framing her delicate features. Her eyes, as dark as midnight, held an air of mystery and allure that drew the attention of everyone in the crowd.
Amelia confidently placed her hand on the crystal ball. It shimmered with a dark, alluring hue, a reflection of her shadow affinity. The crystal seemed to respond to her presence, almost as if it recognized a kindred spirit.
Moving on to the obsidian stele, she gently rested her palm against it. As she channeled her abilities, a palpable sense of darkness enveloped her. The glow on the stele steadily rose, climbing past the lower tiers and eventually stopping at B tier. Gasps of astonishment filled the air, and murmurs of intrigue rippled through the crowd.
"Celestial Vanguard Academy, Nebula Institute, Federation Military Academy, and Stellaris Academy of Arcane Arts are interested in this student," Miss Avensworth announced, her voice filled with admiration.
Amelia's choice left the audience in shock. Instead of the expected Nebula Institute, she boldly declared, "I choose the Celestial Vanguard Academy."
The unexpected decision sent a ripple of surprise through the onlookers. It seemed that Amelia had chosen valor over science, embracing the path of martial prowess at the Celestial Vanguard Academy. Her beauty and her remarkable affinity for shadows had certainly made her a memorable presence in the selection process.
"Great, whatever this school thing is, at least it helped me get closer to my goal," Amelia said as she walked away.
Amelia's revelation hung heavily in the air, casting a perplexing shadow over the proceedings. Miss Avensworth realized she had never seen Amelia before. Her voice laced with unease she inquired, "Wait, um... Amelia, is it? How long have you been a student here?"