When Kenneth returned to her dorm, she discovered the items she had bought from the warehouse neatly arranged outside her door. Noticing they were still organized, Kenneth assumed Fletcher was either still in class or had gone elsewhere.
She picked up the boxes and carried them inside, heading to her room. Taking her time to unpack, she stored the snacks and first aid kit in her bag for emergencies. As she checked the labels on her clothes, she was surprised to see they had already been washed.
With nothing else to occupy her, Kenneth decided to check her mail. Upon opening the application, a notification alerted her to a new message. It was from Alcione Reeves.
"This guy doesn't waste any time," she muttered, recalling her earlier conversation with Lucien. He had mentioned something would be sent to her regarding the Isosceles Trials she had chosen to participate in. Lucien had clearly doubted her abilities, which annoyed her; she felt no need to prove herself, yet it was frustrating to sense his condescension.
Pushing those thoughts aside, she read the note. The rules for the trials were straightforward: a screening process would occur before the tournament, with over 200 candidates vying to represent the school. Given the large pool of participants, only the best would move forward.
As Lucien had said, the screening would take place in two days. Contestants would first showcase their skills, and those who met the criteria would progress to the next stage.
Kenneth was eager to see her fellow competitors and, more importantly, to finally unleash the frustration she had been holding since arriving in this world. Without hesitation, she signed up as a participant and began preparing for the screening.
*
"I wonder what we'll be doing in class today," Fletcher mused aloud while they waited for Instructor Alexi to enter the training room.
Today, the results of the Testing Stage would be revealed, and the students anxiously anticipated the announcement. A few peers shot glances at Kenneth, their expressions a mix of envy and admiration. As the highest scorer in the class, her results were already posted on the bulletin board, which left Kenneth with mixed feelings; at least her face wasn't displayed alongside her name.
Instructor Alexi finally entered, his long hair loose today, giving him a more relaxed appearance. Standing in the center of the room, despite his stern demeanor, there was a spark of excitement in his eyes.
"Good morning, students. I hope you've all had time to rest. Let's get straight to the point: your results for the Testing Stage are about to be displayed," he began.
"We calculated your scores using a points system. All stages, except for the third, have a maximum of 15 points, assessed on various criteria including innate ability, skill, and technique. The last stage, with a total of 20 points, evaluated your adaptability under pressure and overall potential," he explained.
As he pulled out the remote, the screen lit up with their individual scores.
"Take a moment to review your results and reflect on your scores. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to raise them—but I expect that most of you will understand the reasoning behind your scores," he added, his expression serious.
The screen displayed the names of all forty students in order of their scores, including points for each stage and their estimated potential.
Gasps, exclamations, and cheers erupted from the students as they focused intently on the screen, eager not to miss anything.
Kenneth already knew she had the highest score, but she was curious to see her breakdown:
Name: Kenneth Greywater
Stage 1: 15 points
Stage 2: 10 points
Stage 3: 20 points
Level of Potential: Very High
Despite feeling slightly disappointed with her performance in the second stage, Kenneth couldn't argue with the results. She knew she hadn't done her best and couldn't help but curse Kenneth 1.0 once more. Still, she reminded herself that against a shapeshifter, her odds were slim, regardless of her skills.
Looking at the name below hers, she wasn't surprised to see Durian in a close second, trailing by just a few points—a tough pill to swallow for him.
Durian was undoubtedly skilled, yet Kenneth believed she could have easily outmatched him. His glare told her he was furious, despite his attempts to hide it.
Kenneth could almost hear his thoughts: How could I lose to such a seemingly fragile Empath?
Suppressing a smirk, she noted Durian's fixation on appearances as yet another of his weaknesses.
"It leaves a bad taste in my mouth knowing there's such a gap between me and that oaf," Fletcher lamented.
Glancing at the screen, she noted her name fourth on the list—an impressive spot among forty students—but Kenneth understood her frustration. Fletcher had scored 15 points in the first stage and 16 in the sparring match, a solid outcome considering her capabilities.
Though she lost, Fletcher had displayed remarkable skill, adapting well to Durian's attacks. Kenneth figured Fletcher's potential score was high because with more training, she could compete at a higher level.
Fae had remained quiet during the exchange, and as Kenneth and Fletcher turned to her, they noticed she wore a contemplative expression rather than one of disappointment.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. I expected these results given my opponents," she reassured them.
Fae scored 14 points in the first stage, 10 in the second, and 18 in the last, totaling 42 points.
With the results now displayed, the tension in the room dissipated as they awaited Instructor Alexi's final remarks.
"You all needed at least 30 points to pass, and while some of you were close, I'm pleased to say you've all made it. Congratulations!" he announced, smiling.
The students erupted in cheers, letting out relieved sighs.
"Now, let's move on. I will introduce you to the buddy system."
The students exchanged wide-eyed glances, intrigued and curious about what that meant.