In a dimly lit, underground chamber, ten figures cloaked in shadows gathered around a holographic display projecting the battle royal arena. They were known as the Council of Ten, a mysterious group influencing the academy's decision incognito.
"Remarkable," one of them said, "the new recruits' talents are exceptional. Especially that Aria kid."
"Yes, his combat skills are top-notch even among his peers, "another agreed. "We should invite him to join us."
"Can't do that yet," a third figure spoke up. "His backer is too powerful and someone to not be trifled with. We can't make a move until the time is right."
….
Sergeant Harrison stood in front of the 50 recruits who passed the last test, his voice firm and commanding. "Listen up, maggots! Today's battle royal will be unlike any of the other tests you've faced before. All fifty recruits from both centers will be teleported into the arena simultaneously where you will be scattered in different areas. The rules are simple: you lose when you're left incapable of fighting. No exceptions."
The recruits exchanged nervous glances, their faces set with determination.
"Remember, this is a test of your skills, strategy, and endurance. The last one standing will be the winner. Points will also be awarded depending on the number of people one eliminates."
With a loud crackle, the recruits vanished, reappearing in the battle royal arena. They found themselves scattered everywhere, even seeing new faces which were definitely those from the other center.
The arena began to transform. Its terrain shifting and morphing like a living entity. The ground trembled, and the air filled with a strange, pulsating energy. The recruits stumbled, struggling to maintain their balance.
The terraforming accelerated, the arenas land scape reshaping into a snowy, icy expanse. Glaciers rose from the ground, their frozen peaks piercing the sky like shards of glass. The air grew colder plummeting to subzero levels.
The students shivered, their breaths visible in the chill air. They carried shocked expressions as they looked at their surroundings since they weren't told that they would have to fight in such a harsh landscape. The arena's advanced technology had created a hellish, unforgiving environment, a true test of their survival skills.
Aria stood tall, his eyes scanning the frozen landscape. He knew this terrain would favor some recruits over others. He needed to adapt, and fast if he wanted to survive.
The battle Royal had begun. While walking through the rough terrain he could already hear sounds of battle coming from different angles. The frozen landscape had been plunged to total chaos after the signal to begin the battle royal.
Walking on the snow, he could sense multiple figures approaching him, surrounding him in all directions. He suddenly saw a vague figure standing in his front, when his view became clearer he could make out the character who was in front of him and he found that it was the young master who had ridiculed him during the first test.
A cold smile found its way onto his face, 'it seem the dog has come to bite of more than it can chew.' Aria thought to himself with a deadpan expression on his face.
"Did you think you could get away with humiliating me," the recruit said with his arms wide open as other figures joined him from behind, the rest surrounding him in all directions. "Beg for mercy like the rat you are, kneel before, and I just might spare you." The recruit finished with a crazed smile on his face. Aria closed his eyes in response.
'Hmmm! They number up to twenty, what a drag' Aria thought to himself with an annoyed expression. He then opened his eyes, his piercing stare sending chill down their spine. "Sorry, but I don't kiss up to dirty dogs."
"Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that?' the recruit said with a disgusted look on his face. He then turned and faced his subordinates, "beat him, torture him, I don't care what you do, but just do it till am satisfied."
The subordinates nodded before rushing towards Aria.Aria who seemed unbothered by the development suddenly exploded with power, his crimson energy leaving the recruits terrified, using this opportunity Aria shot forward like a bullet before arriving in front of the young master, which left him stupefied. Aria who had arrived in front of the young master threw a solid punch to his face which sent him flying with blood spewing from his broking nose.
"What are you fools waiting for? Attack him" the young master who had recovered from the initial hit roared in anger at his subordinates while holding the bridge of his nose. The subordinates seeing his angered look rushed towards Aria once more with which aria responded with his own style of hand to hand combat.
Aria's hand to hand combat was a marvel to behold. His movements were fluid, swift, and precise, like a deadly dance. His crimson energy burning brightly as he dispatched his opponents with ease, using a combination of martial arts and acrobatic maneuvers.
His first opponent charged, swinging a powerful punch. Aria dodge effortlessly and countered with a lightning-fast kick, sending the recruit crashing to the ground. The impact was brutal, the sound of bones cracking echoing through the arena.
The next attacker tried to grapple him, but aria slipped out of the hold and delivered a series of rapid-fire punches, leaving his opponent reeling. The punches were precise, targeting vulnerable spots with deadly accuracy.
A third recruit lunged at Aria with a sword visibly made of ice, its blade gleaming a faint blue light. Aria side stepped the attack and seized the recruit's wrist, twisting it until the sword clattered to the ground. With a swift kick to the head, Aria sent the recruit flying across the frozen land scape.
The battle raged on, Aria taking down recruit after recruit with his incredible combat skills. The crowd gasped in awe as he executed a perfect spinning kick, taking out three opponents at once. The kick was a blur of motion, Aria's foot striking each recruit with precision and power.
The remaining recruits regrouped, forming a united front against Aria. But he was unfazed, his focus and determination driving forward. The young master watched on as Aria took out his subordinates one by one, visible sweat running down his face as it was unbelievable how a recruit at the same rank with them was taking out 20 of his peers on his own.
Aria then launched himself at the group, unleashing a flurry of strikes that left his opponents bruised and battered. One by one they fell, until Aria and the young master stood alone at the snowy field, with recruits piled up around Aria, his chest heaving with exertion as he stared at the last of the cockroaches with his blue eyes shining in the grey atmosphere, that send shivers down the young masters back. Looking at Aria right now reminded him of a particular snow demon he used to see in his nightmares when he was young.
The Council of Ten watched in silence through the holographic display in silence, impressed by Aria's prowess. "He's a force to be reckoned with," one of them said. "We can't ignore him for much longer."
…
Suddenly, Aria began to walk towards the young master, his crimson aura leaving the student frozen in fear. When he arrived in front of the young master, the young master then fell on his knees unable to bear the pressure as he coughed out a mouthful of blood.
"Am sorry! Please spare I promise not to…" The young master then fell to the floor as he knocked out unconscious due to the slap he had just received from Aria who didn't waste time to listen to his explanation, "next time, don't go blabbing your mouth" Aria said as he looked down at the unconscious body with his cold eyes, before turning and walking away while wiping his bloodied fist with his eyes closed, not even looking back to see the 20 bodies getting teleported out of the arena.
….
80 recruits remain.
...