As Alan stepped off the arena and made his way to the podium, the atmosphere was thick with awe and admiration. The crowd, once divided in their support, now buzzed with excitement over his display of power. Lucy, his ever-protective sister, was the first to greet him. Her eyes sparkled with pride as she clapped him on the shoulder.
"Wow, Alan," she said, her voice filled with genuine amazement. "You have such strength, and you haven't even practiced your abilities yet. That was incredible!"
Alan shrugged casually, trying to ease the tension on the podium. "It's nothing, really. I just wanted to see my limits," he replied, his tone calm and measured. He didn't want to draw too much attention to himself, especially not from the influential figures seated around him. But in his mind, he was thinking something entirely different: *'That wasn't even close to one percent of my power.'*
The thought lingered as he took his seat beside his family. His parents, George and Rossy, exchanged proud glances, though George's expression was tinged with a hint of concern. He knew that Alan's abilities were extraordinary, but he also understood the dangers that came with such power. Rossy, on the other hand, was beaming with pride, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. She had always believed in her son, and now the world was beginning to see what she had known all along.
Before the conversation could continue, the referee's voice echoed through the arena, announcing the next match. "Next up, we have *Ron Stewart* versus *John Leo*!"
At the mention of their names, two figures rose from the podium. Ron Stewart, the second son of the Stewart family's current head, and John Leo, the only son of the Leo family's patriarch, leaped gracefully into the air and landed in the arena with practiced ease. The crowd erupted into cheers, eager to witness the clash between these two talented individuals.
Ron Stewart was a young man with sharp features and an air of confidence that bordered on arrogance. As the second son of the Stewart family, he had always been favored over his older brother, Roody Stewart. While Roody possessed some talent, it paled in comparison to Ron's natural abilities. This disparity had led to a lack of respect for Roody within the family, and Ron had grown accustomed to being the center of attention.
John Leo, on the other hand, was a more reserved individual. As the sole heir to the Leo family, he carried the weight of expectations on his shoulders. His fire ability was formidable, but it was his combat skills that truly set him apart. Despite his reserved demeanor, John was a fierce competitor, and his presence in the arena commanded respect.
The referee raised his hand, signaling the start of the match. "Begin!"
Both Ron and John immediately began to accumulate their abilities. Ron's water ability manifested as a swirling vortex around him, while John's flames roared to life, casting a warm glow across the arena. The crowd watched in anticipation as the two clashed, their abilities colliding in a spectacular display of power.
Ron's water surged forward, extinguishing John's flames with ease. Despite John's best efforts, he was no match for Ron's superior control and raw power. With a final, decisive strike, Ron sent John crashing into the arena wall, effectively ending the match.
The referee stepped forward, his voice booming across the arena. "The winner is Ron Stewart!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their admiration for Ron evident. On the podium, Jennifer Stewart, Ron's aunt and a prominent figure in the Stewart family, nodded in approval. "Ron has always been exceptional," she remarked, her voice filled with pride. "His water ability is a perfect counter to John's flames."
Karl Leo, John's uncle, sighed but nodded in agreement. "John fought well, but Ron's control is unmatched. It's a shame, but there's always next time."
The matches continued, one after another, each showcasing the talents of the young awakeners. Many of the matches were won by heirs from wealthy and influential families, their training and resources giving them a clear advantage. Alan watched with interest, noting the strengths and weaknesses of each competitor.
When it was his turn to fight again, Alan faced an earth manipulator. The match was over almost as quickly as it began. Alan's opponent summoned massive boulders and sent them hurtling toward him, but Alan simply raised his hand, using his mentalist abilities to halt the attack mid-air. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the boulders flying back at his opponent, who barely managed to dodge in time. The match ended with Alan's victory, his control and precision leaving the crowd in awe.
Despite his overwhelming power, Alan made a conscious effort to keep his abilities in check. He didn't want to draw too much attention or risk revealing the true extent of his powers. Each match was an opportunity to test his limits, but he always held back, using only a fraction of his strength.
By the time the final match concluded, the sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the arena. The referee stepped forward once more, his voice carrying across the now-quiet crowd. "With all the matches completed, it's time to announce the class placements for this year's freshers!"
The crowd leaned forward in anticipation as the referee began to read out the names. "Class A: Alan Johnson, Ron Stewart, John Leo, Helena, Celeste, Brod Kyle, and more."
Alan's name was met with a round of applause, though it was clear that some in the crowd were still processing his earlier performance. Ron and John exchanged glances, their rivalry momentarily set aside as they acknowledged their shared placement in Class A. Brod, still nursing his bruised ego, glared at Alan from across the podium but said nothing.
The remaining students were divided into Class B and Class C, each with over a hundred students. While the school prided itself on its large student body, it was also known for its rigorous standards. Any student who failed to meet expectations, especially if they couldn't defeat a low-level opponent, would be expelled without hesitation. The school's reputation was built on excellence, and it had no room for mediocrity.
As the crowd began to disperse, Alan found himself surrounded by his family. Lucy was practically bouncing with excitement, her earlier restraint replaced by unbridled enthusiasm. "Alan, you were amazing! I can't wait to see what you'll do in Class A!"
George placed a hand on Alan's shoulder, his expression serious but proud. "You've done well, son. But remember, this is just the beginning. The road ahead will be challenging, and you'll need to stay focused."