The morning air at the Xuan estate was bitterly cold, the snowfall from the night before still clinging to the ground in thick blankets. But the frost couldn't compare to the chill in the air at the Crimson Spire Academy, where today's prestigious examination loomed over the students like a dark cloud. The academy grounds, normally quiet, bustled with excitement, anticipation, and an undercurrent of tension.
Crimson Spire Academy was known for its rigorous standards and the prestige that came with being a student there. However, today was a special day—the day of the grand test that brought in not only their own students but also a contingent from another renowned school, Azure Crest Institute. Azure Crest had a reputation that rivaled Crimson Spire, known for its students' mastery of ice-element techniques and their exceptional control of spiritual power. The two schools had a long-standing rivalry, one that was about to be tested again, head to head, in front of the academy's eyes.
The entrance to Crimson Spire's grand testing arena was packed with students in their winter uniforms, all bearing the academy's insignia—red embroidered spires over their hearts. Azure Crest's students stood out like a cold wind among them, dressed in pristine blue robes adorned with silver accents that glimmered in the morning light. The air was thick with unspoken challenges, the tension palpable enough to cut through.
Instructors from both academies, dressed in dark robes lined with symbols of their respective institutions, stood at the front of the arena, each keeping a keen eye on their students. At the center of it all was the exam proctor, an elderly man with a long silver beard that seemed to blend into the snow-covered grounds. His voice carried authority, and his eyes gleamed with a sharpness that spoke of years spent training warriors and cultivators.
"Silence!" The proctor's voice boomed, echoing through the grand arena, cutting through the chatter of the gathered students. "Today's examination will test your ability, your resolve, and your mastery over your techniques. This is not only a measure of skill but of character. Azure Crest and Crimson Spire, show your worth."
The students from both schools murmured among themselves, some excited, others nervous. Among the Azure Crest delegation stood Mei Xue, a girl with ice-blue hair that flowed down her back like a cascade of frozen water. Her aura was cold and unyielding, her eyes sharp with determination. She was the pride of Azure Crest, known for her ability to summon ice storms with a mere flick of her wrist.
Beside her stood Feng Kai, a brawny youth who cracked his knuckles every few seconds, clearly itching for a fight. He glanced around the arena, sizing up the competition with an arrogant smirk. "So, these are Crimson Spire's best?" he muttered to Mei Xue, loud enough for the nearby students to hear. "I thought they'd at least look like they belonged in the same arena as us."
Mei Xue didn't respond immediately, her gaze cool as she observed the students around them. "Keep your focus, Kai," she said eventually, her voice calm but carrying an edge. "We're here to win, not to make friends."
On the other side of the arena, the Crimson Spire students exchanged tense glances, a few casting wary looks at their rivals. Among them was Jian Li, a tall student with an affinity for fire, his red scarf fluttering in the icy breeze. He was known for his explosive temper as much as his fiery techniques, and the sight of Azure Crest's smug students only seemed to stoke his flames.
"That damn Azure Crest arrogance," Jian Li muttered to his friend beside him, a wiry student named Ming Hao who specialized in wind techniques. "They think they own the place just because they can make it snow a little harder."
Ming Hao rolled his eyes but smirked. "Let them talk, Jian. They'll be eating their words soon enough. Besides, I heard the proctor is going to make things interesting today."
Before Jian could press him for details, the proctor's voice rang out again, drawing their attention back to the center. "The first part of today's test will be a demonstration of your control over your respective elemental affinities. You will each face a challenge tailored to your abilities. Succeed, and you move on to the next round. Fail... and you are disqualified."
He gestured with a sweeping motion, and the arena floor shifted, revealing a series of intricate circular platforms. Each platform was covered with symbols representing different elements—fire, water, wind, and earth. At the far end, a few platforms bore symbols of more specialized elements, like ice, lightning, and shadow. The proctor's voice lowered, but the edge of a smile touched his lips. "Let's see what you've got."
The first few students stepped forward onto their platforms, each taking a deep breath before summoning their spiritual power. The air crackled with energy as fire and water clashed, wind whipped through the arena, and earth rumbled beneath their feet. Some of the students faltered, struggling to maintain their focus, while others thrived under the pressure, bending their elements to their will with finesse.
Mei Xue from Azure Crest approached one of the ice-marked platforms, her expression serene as she raised a hand. With a graceful motion, she conjured a swirling vortex of snow and ice, creating a miniature blizzard that enveloped her in a shimmering, frost-filled aura. The proctor nodded approvingly, and a murmur of admiration rippled through the crowd. Mei Xue's lips twitched into a faint smile as she stepped back, her performance flawless.
Jian Li watched her, scowling. "Showoff," he muttered under his breath before stepping onto a platform marked with the symbol of fire. He closed his eyes, focusing on the heat within, letting it build until flames erupted around him in a wild, blazing dance. The crowd gasped as he controlled the flames with surprising finesse, shaping them into a roaring dragon that soared above his head before dissipating into embers. His performance was brash but effective, and he smirked at the impressed expressions of his classmates.
Feng Kai scoffed from the Azure Crest side, folding his arms. "A dragon made of fire? How unoriginal. Watch this." He strode to a platform marked with lightning, thrusting a hand forward as arcs of electricity crackled into existence. The air buzzed with static as he molded the lightning into a whip-like shape, snapping it through the air with a thunderous crack that made the ground tremble. His display was raw and aggressive, drawing both awe and irritation from the Crimson Spire students.
As the tests continued, the tension between the two schools only grew. Each successful display was met with cheers from their respective peers, but the air was charged with rivalry, and a single misstep was enough to draw murmured mockery from the opposing side.
Xuan Jing watched all of this unfold from a distance, leaning against one of the tall, frost-covered pillars that framed the arena. He remained expressionless, his eyes trailing over each performance with a detached interest, as if he were observing the movements of insects. He could feel the pressure building, the unspoken expectation that he would eventually step forward and show his power. But for now, he had no intention of giving them the satisfaction.
The proctor, having observed enough, raised his voice once more. "Next, we will move to the advanced trials. Those who have proven themselves, prepare for your next challenge. Those who failed... there is no place for you in this competition."
The ground rumbled as new challenges arose from beneath the arena—shifting platforms, elemental creatures formed from spiritual energy, and shadowy obstacles that flickered in and out of view. It was clear that the real test was about to begin, one that would push both Crimson Spire and Azure Crest students to their limits.
Xuan Jing's gaze shifted briefly to the Azure Crest side, catching a glimpse of Mei Xue's serene confidence and Feng Kai's barely concealed impatience. He smirked slightly to himself, but the expression faded as quickly as it came.
Let them play their little games.
He remained where he was, waiting for the moment when the spotlight would inevitably fall on him. Until then, he had no interest in wasting his energy on displays of power. For Xuan Jing, the real game was yet to begin.