As Alex turned away from Ethan's lifeless form, his gaze shifted to the other students. The fire still raged in the distance, its glow casting long shadows that danced ominously in the chaotic clearing. He began moving toward the remaining students, his sword at the ready, his expression unreadable. The tension was palpable, and the students could feel the threat looming over them as he approached.
But before he could close the distance, a sudden gust of wind surged towards him, its force strong enough to send leaves and debris flying in all directions. Reacting instinctively, Alex sidestepped just in time to avoid the powerful wind blast that tore through the space he had occupied only moments before.
His eyes narrowed as he scanned the direction from which the attack had come. There, standing confidently with her staff raised, was Elena Ezra. Her silver hair fluttered in the wind, and her eyes were locked onto Alex with a determined glint.
"So, you think you can just take everyone down, huh?" Elena's voice rang out, clear and resolute. "Let's see just how strong you really are."
Alex straightened, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Let's see!" he responded, his tone calm but laced with a cold edge.
Without another word, Elena raised her staff, and a swirl of wind gathered around her, forming a barrier of protection. She wasted no time, immediately launching another wind blast at Alex, this time with even more force. The air around them crackled with energy as she unleashed her magic.
Alex dashed forward, dodging the blast with ease, his speed almost supernatural. He closed the distance between them in an instant, slashing his sword in a precise arc aimed at Elena. But she was ready. With a swift motion, she conjured a shield of swirling leaves and wind, deflecting his blade just in time.
The clash of their powers sent shockwaves through the clearing. Elena's spells were swift and relentless, each one aimed with deadly precision. She summoned a barrage of wind blades that sliced through the air towards Alex. He deflected them with quick, fluid movements, his sword a blur as he danced between the deadly arcs of wind.
Alex charged again, this time aiming low to catch Elena off-guard. She responded by summoning a vortex of wind that lifted her off the ground and carried her out of his reach. Hovering above, she unleashed a torrent of razor-sharp leaves, each one infused with her magical energy, raining down on Alex with lethal intent.
Alex, unfazed, raised his sword and channeled his mana into the blade. With a powerful swing, he sent a shockwave of energy that collided with the falling leaves, neutralizing them in mid-air. The force of the clash sent Elena spiraling back down to the ground, but she landed gracefully, immediately launching another attack.
This time, she combined her wind magic with nature, summoning vines from the earth that shot out to entangle Alex's legs. He quickly severed them with a slash of his sword, but Elena used the brief moment of distraction to cast a powerful wind spell. The gust struck Alex directly, pushing him back several feet and forcing him to dig his heels into the ground to maintain his balance.
Elena pressed her advantage, summoning a tornado that began to form around Alex, its spiraling winds growing more intense by the second. But Alex was undeterred. With a powerful leap, he launched himself out of the tornado's grasp, soaring high into the air. He aimed his sword downward and channeled all his energy into a single, devastating strike.
Elena barely had time to react as Alex descended upon her with the force of a hurricane. She raised her staff to block, but the sheer power behind his strike shattered her defenses. The force of the impact sent her crashing to the ground, her staff clattering out of reach.
Alex stood over her, his sword poised for the final blow. Elena looked up at him, bruised and battered, but her eyes still held that fierce determination. Just as he was about to strike, a loud bell rang out across the forest, its sound echoing through the trees.
"Attention, students," the voice of the instructor boomed through the VR world. "The survival run has officially ended. All remaining participants are to cease their actions immediately."
Alex froze, his blade inches from Elena's throat. He pulled back, his eyes still locked on hers. Elena let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, relief washing over her as she realized the battle was over.
"Guess we'll have to finish this another time," Alex said coolly, stepping back and sheathing his sword.
Elena nodded, still catching her breath. "Next time," she agreed.
With the announcement, the VR world began to dissolve around them, the forest fading away as they were transported back to reality. The intense battles, the raging fire, and the fierce competition all faded into the background as the students returned to the academy grounds.
As the VR world dissolved completely, the students found themselves back in the academy's simulation room. The sterile, brightly lit space was a stark contrast to the chaotic, fiery forest they had just escaped. One by one, the students emerged from their capsules, some looking relieved, others exhausted, but all of them buzzing with the adrenaline of the survival run.
Alex was the first to step out, his expression calm and composed as if the intense battle he had just fought was nothing more than a casual exercise. Around him, the other students began to gather, whispering among themselves, their eyes occasionally darting towards him, a mixture of fear and admiration in their gazes.
Elena, Sophia, and the others followed, each with their own thoughts about the battle. Elena looked slightly frustrated, still dwelling on her near defeat at Alex's hands.
Professor Hawke, the instructor overseeing the survival run, stepped forward with a smile. His sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the students who had managed to endure the brutal test.
"Well done, everyone," Professor Hawke began, his voice booming through the room. "This was not an easy test, and you all showed remarkable courage and skill. The survival run is designed to push you to your limits, to test your resourcefulness, and I must say, I'm impressed with what I've seen."
He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. The students stood a little straighter, their fatigue momentarily forgotten as they waited for the results.
"Now, for the rankings," Professor Hawke continued, pulling up a holographic screen that displayed the names and scores of the participants. "In first place, with a staggering 93 points, we have Alex Reinheart."
A murmur ran through the room as Alex's name appeared at the top of the list. The students couldn't help but be amazed at the gap between him and the others.
"In second place," the professor continued, "Elena Ezra with 58 points."
Elena nodded, her expression serious. She had expected Alex to be ahead, but the gap still bothered her.
"In third place, Sophia Abaddon with 55 points," Professor Hawke announced, and Sophia gave a slight nod, her face unreadable.
"Et Frost in fourth with 52 points," the professor said next. Ethan's jaw tightened, but he remained silent, his eyes flickering to Alex for a moment.
"Mira Valen, fifth place with 49 points," came the next announcement. Mira's expression remained neutral, though there was a glint of determination in her eyes.
"In sixth place, Victor Stone with 47 points," Professor Hawke added. Victor gave a small nod, his face set with resolve.
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"Liana Silverlight ranks 40th with 27 points," Professor Orin announced, and Liana's face fell slightly, though she tried to maintain a clam face.
The rankings continued, the scores gradually decreasing as the names were read out. Finally, the professor reached the seventy-third spot. "And in seventy-third place, Lila Dawnstar with 21 points."
Lila, who had been quietly standing at the back, blinked in surprise. She wasn't near the top, but she had survived, and that was more than she had expected.
"Remember," Professor Hawke concluded, "this was just one test, and there will be many more challenges ahead. Each of you has strengths and weaknesses that you must continue to develop. Learn from this experience and strive to improve. Greatness is not achieved in a day."
The students nodded, some more eager than others, but all understanding the weight of his words. The survival run had been a harsh reminder of the dangers they would face in their future careers, and the results were a clear indication of who had what it took to rise to the top.
With the rankings announced, the students began to disperse, some congratulating each other, others lost in their own thoughts.