After sleeping soundly last night, Ryan finally woke up and prepared to leave the room to buy breakfast. But as he was about to open the door, someone suddenly knocked on his door.
When he opened the door, Ryan saw someone in a black suit and a monocle. Upon seeing Ryan, the man then slightly bowed. He then said,
"Good morning, Mr. Ryan. I am Gideon, a staff member from Etherea, here to pick you up."
"Pick me up? Isn't there still one more day before the opening ceremony?" Ryan asked, puzzled.
"Indeed, there is still one more day, but that is for regular students. You are a student with special registration," Gideon said, smiling and adjusting his monocle.
"Student with special registration?" Ryan asked, curious.
"A student with special registration, commonly known as special applicants. They are the top ten most talented individuals in each batch at the beginning of the first year. But it doesn't mean these ten can maintain their top 10 status until the third year; it all depends on talent and effort to become stronger. These ten will engage in random duels to determine their rankings. That's why I'm here to pick you up, Mr. Ryan," Gideon explained, extending his hand and pointing toward Ryan.
"That sounds interesting, but I'll need some time to pack up and eat before heading to Etherea," Ryan said, putting on a wry smile and holding his grumbling stomach. Hearing that, Gideon apologized and said,
"Of course, please take your time, I will wait for you to finish preparing."
Ryan returned to his room, packed his belongings, and took the books he had bought the previous day. Then he left the room and walked to the inn's lobby, where Gideon was waiting. Ryan approached Gideon and said,
"I won't take too long; I'm just going to buy a sandwich."
"No problem, take your time. I'll wait for you," Gideon replied.
After eating a few sandwiches from the bakery, guided by Gideon, Ryan headed towards the back gate of Etherea.
"Why are we using the back gate?" Ryan asked, curious.
"Because there are likely many reporters waiting at the front gate of Etherea. So, we use the back gate, which only staff members can pass through. The other nine participants also use the back gate, so you don't need to worry," Gideon explained.
"Ah, I see."
Ryan then entered through the back gate of Etherea. Inside, it looked more like a dueling arena than an academy, perhaps intentionally designed that way, as only ten people enter through the back gate each year.
Guided by Gideon, Ryan observed the surroundings and saw the other nine individuals already gathered. Following Gideon's instructions, Ryan handed his belongings to Gideon and joined the others who had arrived earlier.
***
Rank adjustment test, the top ten prospects in the entire batch would engage in random duels to determine their rankings. Duels were chosen by the staff to ensure fairness and prevent any disadvantage or advantage for specific individuals based on their natural enemies.
As they had no rankings yet, they were given wristbands with departure numbers, indicating the order from the earliest arrival to the last. Of course, Ryan arrived last. Then a voice echoed from the speaker placed in front.
"All representatives, please follow the instructions!"
"You will be called according to your departure number by the staff members in various duel areas."
"Representatives number 1 and 10, please come this way," said a staff member with black glasses and slicked-back hair.
Ryan then walked towards the staff member calling him. Beside him was a girl with shoulder-length white snow-like hair and light blue eyes, a characteristic of someone from the White Snow Palace family.
The staff member continued, "Representatives number 1 and 10, please introduce yourselves!"
"Very well, sir. I am representative number 1, Alicia von Talvi, from White Snow Palace."
"I am representative number 10, Ryan Arden, from Argass Village."
"Hmm... Alicia and Ryan. Oh, I remember, the 'Ice Lady of White Snow Palace' and 'The Wanderer Swordsman.' An unusual combination; it seems like an interesting duel. Well, both participants, please shake hands!" After receiving instructions, Ryan and Alicia shook hands.
The staff member then continued, "Oh, yes, you can only use the swords provided in the barracks. You are not allowed to use the swords you brought here upon entering. Understood?"
"Yes, understood," said Ryan and Alicia.
The two then went to the barracks to find their swords for the duel. Ryan took the initiative to introduce himself by extending his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Alicia. An honor to meet the 'Ice Lady of White Snow Palace.' I hope we can survive until the third year," Ryan said with a friendly smile.
"Ah, yes. Nice to meet you too. It's fortunate to meet the famous 'The Wanderer Swordsman.'" Alicia said while shaking hands.
"It seems the staff mistook me for someone else. I have been wandering since I was seven, but I don't recall being called with such a grand title," Ryan said, puzzled. Alicia continued,
"No, it's you. I checked the background of all the top 10, especially you, Wanderer Swordsman. People who saw the Wanderer Swordsman a few years ago described his physical features with black hair, hazel eyes, and below-average height for an adult. But that was a few years ago, so now you must be taller. Oh, and I also heard rumors that the Wanderer Swordsman can enhance physical strength and senses by burning his memories. And it seems the rumor is true; the Wanderer Swordsman suffered amnesia from excessive use of his power."
"How deep did you dig into my information?!"
"Just that much; I don't know how you fight or the techniques you use. There is no information about your mysterious techniques. So, I'm waiting for our duel to see your abilities. I'm looking forward to it!" she said with a thin smile while searching for a sword.
"That's a bit terrifying and gives me chills, but I hope our duel lives up to your expectations!" Ryan said with a sour expression.
"I apologize if my words made you uncomfortable. I was just a bit excited," Alicia said with a smile.
After they both took the swords they needed, they walked towards the duel area. The dueling areas here numbered five, matching their group size. It seemed that this place was indeed designed for the annual duels that had been taking place for years.
The area Ryan headed for was the rightmost one. This area was covered and could only be seen by the staff. There should be no chance of information leaking to reporters. So, Ryan could use Burning Memory if needed.
"Are both participants ready?"
"Ready!" Ryan and Alicia were then given black vests.
"Alright, the rules are simple. If anyone's protection percentage on the vest reaches 0%, they will be declared immediately defeated. Now, both participants, shake hands again!"
After hearing the explanation from the staff echoing through the speakers, Alicia extended her hand.
"Please guide me in this duel," Alicia said, bowing slightly.
"I also ask for your guidance," Ryan, seeing that, imitated Alicia's gesture.
"If you're ready," Ryan and Alicia drew their swords from their scabbards.
"Ready."
Ryan prepared by doing a half-kneeling stance.
"Begin!"
As the match started, Alicia immediately unleashed her ability.
A fiercely powerful vertical slash with an ice element aimed forward as if devouring the ground in its path.
Ryan countered with a curved slash to stop Alicia's attack. Not staying idle, Alicia then unleashed one of her finishing moves.
Suddenly, the entire arena was covered in extremely thick snow. The density and volume of ice in the arena caused the temperature to drop significantly. The protection percentage, initially at 100%, was displayed on a large screen outside the duel area, decreasing little by little.
[Alicia von Talvi: 98%]
[Ryan Arden: 88%]
'What is this ability? I have to destroy this area as quickly as possible!'
When I was about to counterattack, Alicia approached and attacked me.
"I won't let you counterattack!" Then Alicia launched a series of consecutive attacks.
A large block of ice descended from the sky.
<5x Ice Strike>
Five vertical ice-element slashes attacked a single point in front, which was me.
Seeing many attacks aimed at me, I, of course, didn't stand still and counterattacked.
I then launched an attack with a rotating motion, followed by a diagonal counterattack. I cut her ice block in half, but some 'Ice Strike' attacks didn't get cut and hit me.
[Alicia von Talvi: 58%]
[Ryan Arden: 48%]
"Because of her ability, the temperature in this place drops drastically; it's too cold. I don't want to use Memory Burning, but it seems I have to. Five seconds, five seconds should be enough for one finishing move."
"You're still not serious, Ryan. Where's your memory-burning ability?" Alicia said, provoking.
"You haven't used all your abilities either!" I shouted with trembling hands but still tightly gripping the sword.
I continued my words while holding my sword tightly.
"In that case, I'll be a little more serious!"