---
Dakota: Ahh man, I don't want to do this test.
Lucas: Why don't you want to do it, Dakota?
Dakota: Well, I guess I'm just too lazy to do it.
Ava: You're too lazy to do anything.
Liam: You still have no choice but to do it.
Dakota: Yeah, I know.
Dakota: Man, I wish I could just somehow skip it and let the others take care of it.
Dakota: When is it going to begin?
Mia: In an hour.
Dakota: Ah, okay.
Dakota: Let's hope this goes well.
---
An hour passed, and the time for the test finally arrived.
Edward: Okay, students, it's now time for the test.
Dakota: So it's finally time.
Edward: Let the first test of the academy begin.
---
Two hours passed, and it was now Mia's turn.
Mia: Let's do this.
Mia quickly got to work, killing the robots in rapid succession. Afterward, she grabbed a bow and began hitting targets, her precision flawless.
Mia: Too easy.
She then moved on to face the final boss—a massive ogre.
Mia: Let's do this.
Mia shot water balls at the ogre, dealing some damage, but not nearly enough to take it down.
She switched tactics, using a water spike attack, similar to Luca's ice spike spell. The water spike struck with immense power, heavily damaging the ogre.
To finish it off, she unleashed a water fist, knocking the ogre's head clean off.
Announcer: Mia Lopez has completed the test in 3 and a half minutes.
Mia: Yes, I did good.
Announcer: Now it's Ava Marley's turn.
---
Ava: Okay, it's the princess' turn.
Ava completed her test in just 2 minutes, demonstrating her impressive skill.
Dakota: Good job, Ava, that was fast.
Ava: Yeah, I know.
Announcer: Now it's Liam Hayes' turn.
Liam: This is gonna be easy.
Liam breezed through the test, completing it in 2 and a half minutes.
Liam: Ah, 30 seconds later than Ava. I'll take it.
---
Next, it was Luca's turn.
Lucas: This looks easy.
And indeed, it was. Luca completed the test in just 1 minute.
Announcer: And now it's Henry Banks' turn. But this time, it will be a bit different.
---
Henry: Huh? Different how?
Announcer: The test will be harder for you.
Henry: Huh? Why?
Announcer: Because you're too strong for the regular test. The same will happen to Dakota.
Henry: You know what, fine. It would be more fun, so why not?
Announcer: Then, are you ready?
Henry: Yes, I am.
Announcer: Then, begin.
---
Henry had to fight 10 robots instead of 5. The bow shooting section had far more targets than before, and he also had to face 15 goblins before battling the two ogres.
Henry: Really? It's only 10 goblins? That's not gonna be enough.
He swiftly killed all 10 goblins in less than a minute.
Henry: That was too easy.
Now, it was time to face the two ogres. Henry smiled.
Henry: This is too easy.
With a burst of flame boost, he finished off the two ogres in mere seconds.
Announcer: Henry Banks has finished in 35 seconds.
Henry: That was kind of fun, but I like sparring with Dakota more.
The entire crowd watching was stunned by his speed and strength, their cheers echoing across the arena.
---
Announcer: Okay, now it's time for the final student to take the test. That student is Dakota Leal.
Announcer: And Dakota Leal's test will be harder than Henry Banks' test.
---
Dakota: Okay, I'm guessing that when I finish this test, those motherfuckers are going to start attacking.
Announcer: Are you ready, Dakota Leal?
Dakota: Yes, I am.
Announcer: Then, start.
---
Dakota wasted no time. He dispatched 15 robots in a flash, then shot all 30 targets with deadly accuracy. Next, he eliminated 20 goblins in seconds, before moving on to face three ogres.
It took him only 30 seconds to complete the entire test.
The crowd erupted into cheers, chanting his name.
Crowd: Dakota! Dakota! Dakota!
But the cheers were suddenly cut short by a deafening explosion.
---
Henry: What the hell was that sound?
Ava: Did something happen?
Then, Dakota appeared out of nowhere, yelling at his friends.
Dakota: Hey, guys, we have to immediately get out of here!
Lucas: What's happening, Dakota?
Dakota: I'll explain later. First, we have to get ou—
Before he could finish his sentence, another explosion rang out in front of them.
Dakota: Fuck, we're too late.
---
???: Hello there, students. What a lovely day we are having, right?
Dakota: It was lovely, at least until you appeared.
???: Well, I guess I'm sorry for ruining your day, but I'm going to have to kill you.
In the blink of an eye, the mysterious figure sped toward Dakota with lethal intent. But just as the figure was about to strike, Edward appeared from nowhere and blocked the attack.
Edward: You will not be killing any students on my watch, Lance.
Lance: Well, if it isn't my old friend Edward. What have you been doing since we last met?
Edward: That is none of your business, Lance.
Lance: Oh, as your old friend, that hurts, you know.
Edward: Why did you break in here, Lance?
Lance: Oh, just because the Fianna Organization hired us to do so.
---
Dakota: What?! Why would that damn bitch try and kill us?
Dakota: Wait, didn't the Blazer Organization try to kill us too when we were children?
Dakota: What a pain in the ass—both of the strongest organizations are trying to kill us for some reason.
Dakota: Wait, could it be because they know that Henry and I are reincarnated people? Nah, no way.
---
Edward: Why would the Fianna Organization attack the academy?
Lance: I don't know, but I need to finish my mission, so get out of my way, Edward.
Edward: Sorry, but no can do. My duty as the principal is to provide education and protect my students.
Lance: I can't believe the cocky Edward is now protecting his students. How funny.
Edward: Yes, I know. I was a fool back when I was younger, but now I am no longer a fool.
Lance: You may no longer be a fool, but are you still stronger than me?
Edward: Why don't we find out, old friend?
Lance: Yes, why don't we? I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, old friend.
---
The tension between the two old adversaries was palpable. The calm, confident demeanor of Edward was now replaced by the fire of someone who would protect those under his care at all costs. Lance, on the other hand, was ready for the fight, knowing full well the strength of his old friend and eager to test their strength once again.
The showdown was about to begin.