"Welcome to the Sword department inter-weapon duel!"
Standing on the podium of the combat arena located towards the small Northern gate, the blonde-haired instructor, Mr. Churchill had a neutral look on his face as he addressed the 76 students of the sword department.
Originally, during the first semester, 75 students majored in the sword path but during the second semester, a student switched from daggers to a light saber.
This increased the total number of students in this sub department to 76.
"Stand up as we welcome our esteemed HOD of the Sword department to take over from me and kickstart the first-year examination".
Instantly, the curious students of the sword department rose up amid loud applause. They were curious because they had never seen their HOD before now.
Unlike Mr. Patrick, the HOD of the Sword department didn't lecture and he rarely stayed at the academy. Rumors say he was always out on special missions. Today, they were finally about to see him.
Ramon was especially hyped to see him.
'The HOD, surely he's not a fat man like that fat man!'
'The almighty sword department's HOD should be a muscular man with 6 packs, long flowing black hair like the rivers of Babylon, an almighty long sword, and a charming smile always on his face'.
'Surely, that's what the HOD of the Sword department should be!'
'…' Ramon's thoughts froze as someone stood up.
At first, he thought and hoped it was just a janitor walking round the complex to clean but seeing him walk towards the podium, Ramon's thoughts froze.
His heart shattered when this man climbed the podium.
'No…!'
The rest of the students almost had the same reactions as Ramon.
The short man had a gentle smile on his face as he looked at the students below the podium. "Thank you for the warm applause".
"My name is Mr. Thif, and I am the HOD of the Sword department". He waved smilingly at the students.
Crack!
Ramon's heart totally broke in pieces. 'F*cking Mr. Thief!"
Mr. Thif was a short bald man wearing leather clothes that looked like an old school suit. He wore black gloves and on the right side of his waist were strapped 2 swords, while a 3rd one was strapped to the left side of his waist.
He was a 3-sword style user.
This should have been cool but his short stature and his bald hair killed everything, he was nothing remotely close to cool.
Seeing the students' reactions, Mr. Thif smiled while cursing in his mind. 'These mother*cking brats! Just wait! I'll show you!'
He kept on smiling. "Like you all already know, as decided by the headmistress, the first-year examination this time is an inter-weapon department duel which means every sub department can conduct their own examination".
"Since we're 76, it makes the job very easy".
"Inside this ballot box," he picked up the ballot that was beside him. "There are papers with numbers from 1-76 inside, every student will pick one at a time".
"If you pick number 2, your opponent is the one with number 4. Number 3 against number 6, number 4 against number 8, so on and so forth".
"What about number 1?" A student asked.
"Good question," Mr. Thif smiled. "After the initial selection, all the numbers left without opponents, most especially the odd numbers, I'll randomly decide on your opponents after seeing your numbers".
"Any further questions?"
"No sir!"
"Good, so the exam starts now".
Minutes later, climbing the podium to determine his number, Ramon looked at it only once and set his sights on his target. His was number 22 and his opponent was number 11, a student that he had never heard of nor noticed before now.
Number 2 entered the combat arena first with number 4 as they kickstart the examination. After a fierce fight, number 2 came out victoriously.
Number 4, the defeated student instantly broke down in tears.
He just repeated his first year in Centerpoint Astral Academy.
"Next!" Mr. Thif ordered with no change in his expression.
The examination continued.
Almost an hour later, Ramon finally entered the podium. His battle was a swift one, among the swiftest since the examination started.
His quick draw technique was all Ramon needed to set the tempo.
This student reacted ahead of time since Ramon was already notorious for his speed in battle, but Ramon's follow up attack after the quick draw settled it.
"Winner, Ramon Brenden".
The student did not cry, he only bit his lips. From the moment that Ramon became his opponent, he knew that he already lost.
He bowed towards him. "It's an honor to duel against you".
Ramon was confused. "Huh?"
3 hours and 25 minutes later, the first-year examination for the sword department finally came to an end, 38 students were promoted to their 2nd year while 38 repeated first year in the academy.
It was a terrible fate but it was a necessary evil.
According to headmistress Openda, it was better to break students' hearts now than for them to face the cruel reality of a meaningless death tomorrow against the evil astral travelers.
Mr. Thif's smile widened. "Congratulations to the 38 of you, you've made the Sword department proud but there's something else I need from you".
"I need 2 volunteers from my department to compete for the position of the best student of this first year".
"Don't worry, your efforts will be rewarded, there's a prize".
"The prize is a voucher ticket to get a level 2 astral technique after your holidays when you resume as a 2nd year student".
"So, who has what it takes to represent the Sword department?"
"I". Ramon stepped out with a wide grin on his face.
'A free astral technique? Count me in!'
Mr. Thif smiled. "Ramon, I've heard a lot about you, do well to represent us". Then he looked at the other students. "Anyone else?"
No other student replied, it was settled.
…
Towards the big East department where the wildlife department was located, Lady Openda's office was also located and at the front of the stone building housing her office, there was a combat arena.
All the promoted students gathered here an hour after the conclusion of their exams, it was time to determine the best student of this freshers batch.
Ramon laid his eyes on Headmistress Openda for the first time.
Seeing her, he was hyped. 'This is how a headmistress should be like!'
'Not like that fat man, not that short man too!'
"Hehe," he giggled happily.
Lady Openda stood before the students, oozing charisma and authority at this moment. "Of all the promoted students, 8 students were chosen from every department to compete for the position of the best".
"Ramon Brenden from the sword department".
The students of the sword department cheered loudly.
"Elmas Elden from the machete department".
They also cheered loudly.
"Aegon Winsmoke of the sickle department".
Only 4 students cheered, the sickle department had only 5 students.
"Jorge Denk of the spear department".
"Freya Atreus of the bow and arrow department".
The cheers were loudest. Freya Atreus was a popular student among the freshers, she was the most down to earth and normal of the 4 Specialists.
"Josephine Adam of the steel fan department".
"…"
"…"
After calling the last 2 contestants, the lots were easily drawn and Ramon's opponent was interesting. Freya Atreus was his opponent.
Shing!
As soon as the lot was drawn, Storm Breaker vibrated excitedly.
Their battle was to come first but something unexpected happened.
With a bright smile on her face, on the combat ring, Freya bowed before Ramon and broke the hearts of all her fans. "I withdraw".
"Huh?" Ramon was confused. "Why?" He could not accept it.
Freya kept on smiling. "You're strong, fighting you will force me to use some of my trump cards that I have no intention of showing to the public".
"I can't win against you without using my trump cards, so you win".
"…" Ramon was speechless.
"Winner, Ramon Brenden".
The other fights were swift, Elmas and Aegon easily dispatching of their opponents. As for the last battle, after an intense fight, Jorge Denk of the spear department came out victoriously.
For the semi-finals, Ramon was drawn against Jorge Denk.
"Start!"
Bam!
Converging his golden astral energy on his legs, Ramon dashed forward and knowing his combat style, Jorge Denk refused to back down or retreat.
As soon as Ramon dashed, green energy covered his spear as he stabbed rapidly. Like Ramon, he was an Evolver.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Their battle was non-stop action as spear and sword collided against each other for an exciting 34 seconds, but at the 35th minute, Ramon prevailed.
Ramon took 10 seconds to figure out his opponent's combat style, 5 seconds to adapt, and 15 seconds to pressure him to the verge of defeat.
The remaining 5 seconds were a one-sided battering till Jorge lost.
Jorge Denk bowed. "Good fight, but I'll win next time".
"Hehe, I can't wait!" Ramon grinned.
Elmas and Aegon's battle was the true hype of the semi-finals but again, the excited spectators were disappointed.
"I will win!" Aegon declared arrogantly as he stared at his opponent.
Elmas looked at him with drooping uninterested eyes. "I forfeit".
"…"
Aegon was caught off-guard. "What? Why?!"
Elmas was too lazy to explain, he left the combat ring.
His fangirls screeched in excitement. "So cool!"
Aegon gritted his teeth in anger.
"Winner, Aegon Winsmoke".
For the final, it was another Aegon and Ramon showdown and this time, all the promoted first years were in attendance, including some of the most distinguished people in the academy.
Aegon could not afford to lose face before them.
Seeing him, Ramon grinned. "Hehe, it's us again!"
"Will you join my crew now?"
"Get lost!" Aegon snapped.
"Start!" The instructor in charge of the duels announced.
Ramon grabbed Sword Breaker who vibrated in excitement, but for some reason, Aegon did not react, only looking down at him with disdain.
"Only a fool would fight a fool like you, I won't bring myself down to fight you, I forfeit". He declared arrogantly.
Ramon was surprised. "You've dueled against me many times". He rubbed his chin in thought. "Does that make you a fool?"
Aegon's eyes twitched. "Get lost!"
And so, Ramon won the best student of this batch's first year.
The spectators were disappointed but they could do nothing.
And so, Ramon's first year in Centerpoint Astral Academy was over, he had a long holiday of 2 months before resuming as a 2nd year student.