As the dust settled from the previous fight between Elena and Mira, the students began to quiet down, eagerly anticipating the next match. Alex stood calmly, observing the battlefield. His thoughts were focused, his mind calculating.
The teacher, Professor Gerald, a seasoned warrior with graying hair and a stern face, called out the next pairing. "Alex Reinheart and Victor Stone, step forward."
A buzz of excitement and curiosity rippled through the crowd. The name "Alex Reinheart" had already caused quite a stir. Not only was he the top-ranked student, but he had also missed the opening ceremony, adding an air of mystery around him. Whispers filled the air.
"That's the guy who didn't show up earlier, right?" one student murmured.
"Yeah, but did you see him? He's gorgeous," another girl said, her cheeks slightly flushed.
"He's more than just looks" a boy chimed in. "He's ranked number one for a reason."
Alex walked forward with an aura of calm confidence, his silver hair glinting under the light as he moved. The students couldn't take their eyes off him. His striking features and sharp gaze made him look almost ethereal. The girls were particularly mesmerized, their gazes lingering on him longer than usual.
Victor Stone, a tall, muscular guy with broad shoulders and a square jaw, approached the sparring area with a smirk. He was ranked ninth among the first-year students and was the heir to the powerful Stone family, known for their physical prowess and unyielding strength. His reputation as a formidable longsword wielder was well-known.
Victor drew his longsword with a flourish, the blade gleaming as it caught the light. He smirked at Alex, his eyes filled with confidence. "So, you're the so-called first ranker? I was expecting someone more... intimidating," he said, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Why don't you draw your sword? Or are you too scared to face me?"
He looked at Victor's sword, then met his gaze. "I don't need it," he replied simply, his voice cold and composed.
Victor's smirk faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it with a chuckle. "You'll regret underestimating me, Reinheart."
The teacher signaled the start of the match, and Victor wasted no time. He lunged forward, his longsword slicing through the air with deadly intent. He aimed a powerful horizontal slash at Alex, expecting him to either draw his weapon or be forced into a defensive stance.
But Alex didn't budge. Instead, he sidestepped with effortless grace, his movements fluid and precise. Victor's blade met only empty air.
Annoyed by the miss, Victor quickly followed up with a series of rapid strikes, each one faster and more aggressive than the last. He was determined to force Alex to draw his sword, to prove that he was the superior fighter. But Alex remained calm, his expression unreadable. He continued to evade Victor's attacks with minimal movement, always just out of reach.
Frustration was beginning to show on Victor's face. He raised his sword for an overhead strike, pouring all his strength into the blow. But before he could bring it down, Alex moved. In a blur of motion, Alex stepped in close, bypassing Victor's sword entirely. His fist shot upward, delivering a devastating uppercut to Victor's jaw.
The impact was brutal. Victor's eyes widened in shock as he was lifted off his feet and sent crashing to the ground. His sword clattered to the floor beside him as he lay there, unconscious.
The entire arena fell silent. The students stared in disbelief, their mouths agape. Victor Stone, the ninth-ranked student, had been knocked out cold with a single punch.
Even Leon, who knew Alex better than anyone, was stunned. He had seen Alex's strength before, but this was something entirely different. "Has he become even stronger?" Leon wondered, his eyes wide with surprise.
Professor Gerald , was equally taken aback. He had expected a good fight, but this... "That speed, that precision..." analyzed in his mind. "He didn't just knock Victor out with brute strength; he calculated every movement perfectly. Genius..."
The students began to whisper among themselves, unable to contain their shock.
"Did you see that? He knocked him out with just one punch!"
"I knew he was strong, but this... He's on a whole other level."
"And he looks so calm like it was nothing to him."
"he's....."
He finally found his voice. "Victor Stone is unable to continue. The match goes to Alex Reinheart."
As Alex walked back to his spot, he could feel the eyes of every student on him. The shock, the awe, the fear—it was all there. He had made his mark, and everyone knew that Alex Reinheart was not someone to be underestimated.
Leon approached him, a grin on his face despite his surprise. "You've been holding out on me, Alex. That was... intense."
Alex shrugged, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "I just didn't feel like dragging it out."
Leon chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, remind me never to get on your bad side."
As the class continued, everyone's attention remained on Alex. The mystery surrounding him had only deepened, and the other students couldn't help but wonder just how powerful the first ranker truly was.