The Heroic Academy Festival was the most anticipated event of the year. Thousands of spectators filled the grand coliseum, their cheers echoing through the massive arena. Students, instructors, and spectators from across the country gathered in the grand arena, a massive coliseum designed specifically for testing the mettle of young awakened. Floating screens displayed the names of the contestants, while arcane barriers shimmered around the battlefield, ensuring that the destruction stayed contained.
Edward stood among the competitors on the grand stage, his fingers lightly brushing the hilt of Merodach strapped to his back. He scanned the crowd, catching glimpses of Anastasia and Hellaina seated near the front. Argus, Rosa, and David were there too as their battles were later on, along with Class A students who had already placed bets on who would survive the Battle Royale.
Edward smiled nervously , his fingers resting lightly on the hilts of Kanshou (Gan Jiang) and Byakuya (Mo Ye). The battle royale was the first round—a chaotic free-for-all designed to weed out the weaker competitors before the real tournament began. "This is my chance to test my weapons," Edward thought, adjusting his grip on the swords, wjile Rule Breaker was hidden within his coat. "But I can't reveal everything too soon."
Battle Royale Rules:
100 students enter in each zone. Only 20 will advance.Knocking out an opponent removes them from the competition.Lasting until the time limit expires will also qualify you.No lethal force.
The terrain was a vast, simulated warzone—crumbling stone structures, scattered debris, and patches of dense foliage, designed to provide cover and strategic advantages. A massive digital timer above the battlefield counted down the seconds until the battle began.
10… 9… 8…
Edward exhaled slowly, adjusting his grip. He wasn't here to prove he was the strongest—that was impossible against S-rankers like Helios Grant. But he needed to establish himself as a threat while keeping his true potential hidden.
5… 4…
The battlefield stretched wide—ruined structures, patches of dense forest, and open plains provided both cover and open space for combat.
3… 2… 1…
BZZZZT!
The moment the buzzer sounded, the battlefield exploded into chaos.
Edward darted backward immediately, avoiding the initial surge of reckless fighters clashing in the center of the field. As expected, the lower-ranked students fought each other in a desperate attempt to thin the competition. Spells detonated, blades clashed, and the ground trembled beneath the weight of combat.
A fireball whizzed past his ear, crashing into a crumbling wall nearby. Edward spun around, spotting a mage-wielding student with a smirk on his face.
Opponent: Saul Vance – Heroic Spirit: Agrippa (Roman General, B-rank Mage)
Abilities: Elemental magic, battlefield control.
Saul raised his staff, summoning another sphere of fire. "You're not getting past this, blacksmith boy!"
Edward narrowed his eyes. Agrippa was a brilliant Roman general—this meant Saul would favor strategy over brute force. He wouldn't fall for a simple bait.
The fireball shot toward him. Instead of dodging, Edward swung Merodach in a downward arc, splitting the attack in two. The golden runes flared, dispersing the magic like a blade through mist.
Saul's smirk faltered.
"What?"
Edward dashed forward, closing the distance. Saul raised a stone barrier, but Edward had already predicted the move. Rule Breaker hummed in his grip as he stabbed it into the enchanted wall. The moment the dagger connected, the enchantment shattered.
Saul barely had time to react before Edward slammed the hilt of Merodach into his stomach, sending him sprawling to the ground.
KO – Saul Vance eliminated.
Edward didn't linger. He heard movement behind him and rolled to the side just as a glaive cleaved the air where he had stood.
Opponent: Irene Holloway – Heroic Spirit: Tomoe Gozen (Japanese Onna-Musha, B-rank Lancer)
Abilities: Enhanced speed and reflexes, precision strikes.Irene wasted no time.
She dashed forward, her movements swift and practiced. Edward barely had time to raise Kanshou to parry as her glaive struck again. The impact sent a sharp vibration through his arms.
Tomoe Gozen was a legendary female samurai, renowned for her mastery of the glaive. Irene's attacks were relentless—Edward couldn't afford to block forever.
She feinted left, then spun, her glaive arcing in a vicious slash. Edward ducked, feeling the blade slice a few strands of his hair. He countered with Byakuya, aiming for her wrist. If he could sever her enhancements, she'd be much slower.
Irene twisted at the last second, avoiding the hit, but Edward had anticipated this. He shifted his weight and delivered a sharp kick to her ribs. She stumbled, just enough for him to swing Kanshou down in a decisive strike.
The blade stopped an inch from her neck.
Irene's eyes widened. She gritted her teeth, then exhaled. "Damn… fine. I yield."
KO – Irene Holloway eliminated.
Edward straightened, offering a hand. She took it with a smirk. "I should've aimed lower."
"Next time," Edward replied, before moving on.
Edward spent the next few minutes avoiding unnecessary fights. His goal was to conserve energy for later rounds. Unfortunately, others had different plans.
"Found him! Surround him!"
Edward turned to see five students closing in.
Victor Renfield – Heroic Spirit: William Wallace (B-rank Berserker)
Liam Crowe – Heroic Spirit: François l'Olonnais (B-rank Rogue, Pirate )
Dale Morrison – Heroic Spirit: Hegmond (B-rank Knight, Warrior class)
Jasper Yule – Heroic Spirit: Bjorn Ironside (B-rank Warrior, Norse Strength Enhancement)
Reynard Fisk – Heroic Spirit: Hattori Hanzō (B-rank Assassin, Speed-based fighter)
Edward clicked his tongue. Each of them specialized in a different combat style—this wasn't just a random group. They had formed a temporary alliance to eliminate him.
Liam struck first, his twin cutlasses flashing as he lunged. Edward met the attack head-on, parrying with Kanshou. The force of the clash sent sparks flying, but before he could counter, Reynard appeared behind him in a blur.
Edward twisted just in time, Byakuya barely deflecting the assassin's blade. But then Victor roared, charging forward with terrifying speed. Edward had no time to dodge.
Instead of resisting, Edward turned his body, letting Victor's momentum carry him forward. The berserker crashed into Liam instead, sending both tumbling to the ground.
Edward pivoted and stabbed Byakuya into Jasper's leg mid-charge, severing his magic reinforcement. Jasper stumbled, and Edward slammed the flat of Kanshou against his temple. He crumpled instantly.
KO – Jasper Yule eliminated.
Dale Morrison, the warrior, raised his greatsword, channeling a golden aura. "I won't fall that easily!"
Edward smirked. "I know."
Dale's sword came crashing down in a devastating arc. Edward met it with Kanshou, but this time, instead of blocking, he twisted the blade. The impact sent Dale's own force rebounding back into his arms, making him recoil.
Edward took the opening, spinning and slicing across his armor. The enchanted plates shattered, and Dale grunted in pain.
"Damn it…!" Dale muttered before collapsing.
KO – Dale Morrison eliminated.
Victor and Liam recovered, their expressions dark.
"Enough playing," Victor growled, his aura flaring. His muscles bulged unnaturally, his Berserker ability pushing him beyond normal limits.
Liam flicked his blades, readying himself.
Edward threw Byakuya at Liam. The pirate instinctively dodged, but that was exactly what Edward wanted. In that split-second of distraction, Edward surged forward, delivering a crushing punch to Liam's jaw. The rogue's eyes rolled back, and he hit the ground.
KO – Liam Crowe eliminated.
Victor let out an enraged bellow and charged. Edward gritted his teeth. He had no choice but to end this quickly.
Edward planted his feet and swung Kanshou with all his might. Golden energy surged along the blade as he met Victor's charge head-on. The impact sent a shockwave through the battlefield.
For a second, silence reigned.
Then, Victor dropped to his knees, unconscious.
KO – Victor Renfield eliminated.
Results : Edward exhaled, glancing around at the fallen combatants. Five-on-one, and he had won.
The floating screens displayed the updated count. 100 students had become 25.
He wiped the sweat from his brow, tightening his grip on his weapons.
The real battles were just beginning.
Edward stood amidst the battlefield's wreckage, his breath steady despite the exhaustion gnawing at his limbs. The arena was littered with fallen students, some groaning in pain while others lay completely unconscious.
The floating holographic screen flickered to life above the battlefield, displaying the remaining competitors. Only 25 students left.
Edward adjusted his grip on Kanshou, his gaze flicking to the last opponent standing in his way. A tall, wiry student with sharp, analytical eyes, dressed in traditional Chinese robes reinforced with magical embroidery. His stance was careful, defensive—he wasn't here to brawl.
Opponent: Han Jie – Heroic Spirit: Bai Qi (B-rank General, War Strategist)
Abilities: Battlefield manipulation, energy constructs, enhanced agility.
Edward recognized the name immediately. Bai Qi was one of China's most infamous generals, known for his ruthless efficiency in warfare. That meant Han Jie would be tricky, not necessarily because of overwhelming power, but because of his mind.
The moment the buzzer signaled the continuation of battle, Han Jie didn't attack. Instead, he placed his hands together in a sharp motion, and the arena shifted. Blue-tinted energy constructs resembling ancient Chinese soldiers materialized around him, forming a disciplined formation.
A strategy-based fighter, huh? Edward thought. This guy doesn't plan on fighting me directly.
Edward wasted no time. He dashed forward, Kanshou gleaming as he swung at the nearest energy soldier. The moment his blade connected, the construct shattered into a flurry of blue sparks.
Han Jie flicked his fingers, summoning more soldiers instantly. "You can't break them faster than I can create them," he called out, his voice measured. "Surrender, Ludovic."
Edward smirked. "You sound confident for someone who hasn't even tried to hit me."
Han Jie's brows furrowed. He waved his hand again, and this time, the constructs shifted. Instead of swarming Edward, they began forming a circular perimeter, trapping him.
Edward had fought summoners before. The trick wasn't dealing with their summons—it was dealing with them.
He feigned an attack on the constructs, then at the last moment, pivoted and lunged straight at Han Jie.
Caught off guard, Han Jie barely had time to react before Rule Breaker stabbed into the ground near his feet. The moment the blade connected with his summoning circle, the magic cracked and collapsed.
His eyes widened. "What—?"
Edward didn't let him finish. With a swift kick to Han Jie's midsection, he sent the strategist sprawling across the battlefield. Han Jie groaned, coughing as he struggled to rise. But before he could even attempt to retaliate, Edward's blade was at his throat.
"Yield," Edward said flatly.
Han Jie clenched his jaw, frustration clear in his eyes. After a tense moment, he exhaled sharply. "Tch… Fine. I yield."
KO – Han Jie eliminated.
The final buzzer sounded, and Edward and the rest was teleported to the waiting area until all the matches end. This was to further blindside them about their opponent's skill and weaknesses. Going first had the advantage that you get more resting time, but the drawback is, the ones after you could gain more information about you. The academy preferred balance after all.
The moment the final battle royale concluded, a massive cheer erupted from the audience. The floating screens displayed the list of 64 students who had made it through, their names glowing brightly above the battlefield.
Edward let out a slow breath, sheathing his weapons. He looked around, scanning the list. His lips curled into a grin when he saw familiar names among the qualifiers.
Argus Caine – The wild spearman had managed to push through with raw strength and tenacity. He probably loved every second of it.
Rosa Watson – The quiet shield-user had likely outlasted her opponents with sheer endurance and tactical patience.
David Foster – The arrogant young mage had no doubt blasted his way through the ranks with a mix of skill and sheer stubbornness.
Somehow, all of his friends had made it to the knockout rounds.
"Well, well," a voice called out behind him. Edward turned to see Hellaina Arden approaching, arms crossed, an amused smirk on her lips. "Didn't think you'd survive, Dear Ed."
Edward rolled his eyes. "Not all of us rely on pretty smiles and fanboys to win our fights."
Hellaina grinned. "I use whatever works." She flicked his forehead playfully. "You looked good out there, though. I saw that fight against the strategist. No mercy, huh?"
"He was tricky," Edward admitted. "But once I figured out his weak point, it was over."
Anastasia approached soon after, her expression unreadable. "You held back."
Edward sighed. "Of course I did. It's the first round, Ana. No point in showing everything I've got yet."
Anastasia narrowed her eyes but didn't press further. "Fine. But the next round is different. You can't afford to play safe."
Edward nodded. She was right. The battle royale was just an entry exam. From here on, it was one-on-one matches—true battles of skill, strategy, and endurance.