We had successfully passed through the first two selection tests. Now, only the last selection test remained.
"Attention, students. Congratulations to all the teams who have made it this far. Now, I will announce the details of the third and final test. 25 teams will be eliminated, so take this seriously. The infamous Lady Thorn, ranked 1097, will be here to bless one of you," the principal announced, his voice echoing through the large hall.
A buzz of excitement rippled through the crowd.
"Wow, that's amazing!" one student exclaimed.
"I hope she blesses me!" another added.
The murmurs grew louder as the students eagerly speculated about the possibility of being blessed by Lady Thorn.
"Now, let me explain the final test. Each team will showcase their tricks to Lady Thorn. Each of the four members of a team will demonstrate their trick one by one. Lady Thorn will award points based on the creativity and effectiveness of your tricks. The 25 teams with the lowest scores will be disqualified."
A mix of anxiety and anticipation filled the air. I had been looking forward to this final test, eager to see the variety of tricks our competitors had developed.
"All 425 teams will be assigned a number, which will determine the order of your showcase. This information will be sent to your devices shortly."
A notification appeared on my device, showing that we were team number 133. We had some time before our turn, so we made our way to the training grounds.
The training grounds were vast, with multiple arenas set up for different types of combat and trick demonstrations. Large bleachers lined the edges, filled with students and faculty eager to watch. Lady Thorn stood at the center of the main arena, her presence commanding attention. She faced the sun, her silhouette outlined against the bright sky. There was something oddly familiar about her.
"Wait... I've seen her somewhere before," I said to Yuri, who was standing beside me.
"Oh, hello Komaru-kun. It's me, Milina Avendor. We met outside the gate, remember?" she said, turning to face us with a warm smile.
"I remember now. So you're the infamous Lady Thorn? I'm sorry I didn't recognize you earlier."
"It's alright," she replied, her smile reassuring.
"By the way, is the fruit seller who was with you, um.. Futuri-san, is also a high ranked individua?" I asked.
"Well, he is—"
Milina was cut off as students crowded around her, eager to engage. She directed the teams to their designated viewing areas, and the showcase began.
"Here comes the first team," Yuri noted, pointing towards the arena.
The first team approached the stage. The sun gleamed off the polished floor of the arena, creating a backdrop that made every trick stand out vividly.
"Hello, Ms. Lady Thorn. My name is Kalego. My trick is Light Glimmer. It allows me to create a small beam of light for a few seconds from my fingertips," the first member introduced.
Lady Thorn examined Kalego's trick closely. "Hmm. It isn't very useful in direct combat, but with creativity, it could have practical applications," she commented thoughtfully.
The next member, Tareq, stepped forward. "My name is Tareq. My trick is Static Charge. It allows me to create a mild electric shock, akin to the sting of five mosquito bites."
"Interesting. This trick could be useful for surprising opponents and setting up for a team attack," Lady Thorn said, nodding approvingly.
The third member, Hugo, showcased his trick. "I'm Hugo. My trick is Thin Paper. I can make an object as thin as paper for one second. It only works on solid objects."
"This trick could disrupt your opponent's weapon or shield temporarily. Clever," Lady Thorn noted.
The final member, Patrick, demonstrated his Trick. "My name is Patrick. My trick is Echo Whisper. It creates the illusion of a sound coming from somewhere else within a range of 10 meters."
"Excellent for confusing enemies. I would rate your team 23 points out of 40," Lady Thorn concluded.
The team left the stage, visibly relieved and hopeful. Next, it was our turn.
"Team 133, you're up," announced a staff member.
We made our way to the arena, our hearts pounding with anticipation. Lady Thorn watched us with a keen eye.
"Hello, Ms. Lady Thorn. My name is Yuri," Yuri-san began confidently.
"My trick is Echo Step. It creates an afterimage at my last location for a few seconds. It doesn't cause harm but can be used to evade attacks," Yuri explained.
"Very creative. It can be quite useful for avoiding immediate danger," Lady Thorn remarked.
Amara-san took her turn next. "Hello, I'm Amara. My trick is Spectral Veil. It generates a semi-transparent barrier that distorts sound and light for three seconds. I can only maintain one at a time."
"This trick is highly effective for defense. With practice, you could potentially maintain multiple barriers," Lady Thorn observed.
Finally, it was my turn. I approached the center of the arena, feeling a mix of nerves and excitement.
"We've introduced ourselves already, so I'll get right to it. My trick is Gravity Pulse. It allows me to manipulate gravity in a small area, making objects heavier and slower for two seconds. It affects a radius of 3.5 meters around me."
Lady Thorn examined my demonstration with a thoughtful expression. "Hmm. An intriguing trick. It's versatile for both offensive and defensive strategies. With more training, you could potentially extend its duration," she said.
Ryota-san was last. He stepped forward with a confident smirk. "Uh... my name is Ryota."
"What is your trick?" Lady Thorn asked, her curiosity piqued.
"I can't show it. Now's not the time," Ryota responded dismissively.
"This isn't a joke, is it?" Lady Thorn's frustration was evident.
"No joke. It's the truth."
"Are you implying that you have no trick?" Lady Thorn's tone grew sharper.
"I have one, but I'm not showing it."
"Clearly, you're just avoiding the question. You don't have a trick," she said bluntly.
"Whatever. I'm stronger than everyone anyway," Ryota retorted defiantly.
Lady Thorn's irritation was palpable. "Your team receives 26 points, but Ryota gets 0," she announced with clear annoyance.
The reaction was immediate. Amara-san glared at Ryota, "What the hell, Ryota? Why do you have to ruin everything?"
Even Yuri-san was visibly frustrated. "Yeah, why are you making things difficult for us?"
"We shouldn't be fighting among ourselves. We still have a chance," I intervened, trying to diffuse the tension.
"But... Ah, forget it," Amara-san muttered, resigning herself to the situation.
As the test came to an end, Lady Thorn reviewed the final team. The atmosphere was tense as everyone awaited the announcement of her chosen recipient for the blessing.
"The test is over. I will now announce who I have chosen to bless," Lady Thorn said, her voice carrying a sense of finality.
A hush fell over the crowd as anticipation reached its peak.
"The student I have chosen is Felix. Felix, please come forward and present your trick to everyone."
Felix strode to the stage with a confident air. He was tall, with a striking appearance. Despite not being as handsome as Ryota, he had a magnetic presence.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Felix Izuki. My trick is Phantom Blade. It allows me to create a blade of pure energy from my fingertips. This blade can phase through most armors and is more effective against stronger opponents. However, it can only be used for 30 minutes and drains considerable energy. I can only wield one blade at a time and cannot use it as a projectile."
Lady Thorn nodded approvingly. "A very formidable trick, especially for offense. May I ask your rank?"
"My rank is 270,234,831," Felix replied.
"That's an impressive rank," Lady Thorn acknowledged. "Your talent is evident. I choose you for my blessing. My blessing will elevate you 10 million ranks and extend your trick's duration by an additional 10 minutes. You will also receive special privileges within this academy. Congratulations."
The crowd erupted in astonished murmurs. Felix's elevation was astounding. It was clear that Lady Thorn's blessing was exceptionally powerful. I wondered if her trick was the key to such a significant boost.
After the final announcement, we returned to our dorms. With the final test complete, we prepared to focus on advancing our ranks. The real challenge was just beginning.
*Lie Counter: 3*