After Leo's impressive display with the wisps, one of the head instructors stepped forward. With a simple wave of his hand, four targets emerged from the floor, each positioned at different distances—one at 10 feet, another at 25 feet, the third at 75 feet, and the furthest at 150 feet. The targets, about a foot in diameter, stood sturdy and unyielding.
The instructor took a step back, leaving the floor open for Leo, while Principal Raven addressed him and the others. "For this part of the test, you will demonstrate your ranged spellcasting abilities and accuracy. Each target is equally reinforced and will require sufficient power to break. You are allowed two shots per target. When you're ready, you may begin."
Leo glanced at the targets, narrowing his eyes in concentration. Each distance presented its own challenge, but he steadied his breathing and focused. He decided to start with ice magic for the first two targets.
He extended both hands, gathering cold energy from the air around him. Frost crackled along his fingertips as he summoned two small spears of ice—sharp, glistening, and lethal. With a swift motion, he hurled them toward the closest target at 10 feet. The spears sailed through the air and struck the target dead center. It shattered instantly, crumbling into pieces.
Without hesitation, Leo turned to the second target at 25 feet. He quickly formed another ice spear in each hand, the cold biting at his skin. With perfect precision, he launched them at the second target. Once again, they hit their mark, striking the bullseye and causing the target to disintegrate into icy shards.
The onlookers murmured in approval, but Leo didn't stop to revel in the praise. The next two targets were much farther away, and he would need more than ice to reach them. He focused, summoning the heat within him as flames flickered in the palms of his hands.
Gathering fire magic, Leo conjured a flaming bow and arrow. The bow burned with a soft, crackling heat, and the arrow, a bright blaze, pulsed with energy. Leo drew the fiery bowstring back, his focus locked on the third target at 75 feet. Releasing the string, the fire arrow shot forward, swirling in the air as it flew. It streaked toward the target like a comet, slamming into it with an explosion of flame and smoke. The target burst apart on impact, sending a wave of heat washing over the room.
Leo didn't pause. The fourth and final target was the farthest—150 feet away. He needed something fast, something precise. He rubbed his hands together, sparks crackling between his fingers. "Shocking Serpent," he murmured as he spread his hands apart. Between his palms, lightning began to gather, twisting and writhing like a living creature.
The electric serpent surged to life, crackling with energy as it coiled around Leo's hands. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the lightning snake darting forward. It streaked through the air at incredible speed, covering the 150-foot distance in less than a second. The serpent wrapped around the target, constricting tightly, the electric current flowing through it with a violent crackle. In an instant, the final target shattered, crushed under the force of the lightning's grip.
The hall fell silent for a moment before a murmur of approval swept through the audience of teachers. Principal Raven nodded with a faint smile of satisfaction, clearly impressed with Leo's performance.
"Impressive, Leo," she said, her tone cool but respectful. "Not only did you demonstrate accuracy, but you showcased a mastery of multiple elements. You've exceeded our expectations so far. Prepare for the next phase of testing."
Leo allowed himself a small smile, his confidence growing with each test. He knew the next challenges would be tougher, but he was ready. Ms. Raven stepped forward with a smile, clearly impressed by Leo's previous performance. "You've shown remarkable talent for your age, Leo. With your abilities, you could skip two years of basic and novice-level classes," she announced, pausing briefly before continuing. "But now, we need to test your hand-to-hand and melee combat skills. Magic is allowed, but nothing ranged."
With a graceful motion, Ms. Raven tossed three crystals onto the ground. In response, three low-tier undead creatures crawled up from the earth, their decaying forms groaning as they stood. "We'll start with just one to gauge your skill level, and then I'll send two at once to see how you handle defense and strategy," she explained, her eyes sharp and focused.
Leo took a step back, readying himself as the first undead approached. Drawing his dagger, he stomped his foot, calling upon the earth to form a small layer of shell armor around his body. As the undead lurched closer, Leo ran his hand along the blade of his dagger, channeling a black material that extended the weapon's length by about a foot and a half. Despite the slow movements of the undead, Leo could sense Ms. Raven's control behind its every step, testing him more than it appeared.
Once Leo seemed ready, the undead began sprinting, raising its decayed arm to strike. With a swift, precise slash, Leo severed the creature's arm cleanly, and as its feet sank into the ground—caught by Leo's earth magic—he took its head off in one fluid motion. The fight was over in seconds, but it had shown them enough. Leo's skill with a blade, combined with his speed, strength, and close-combat magic, was clear.
Ms. Raven turned to the other instructors, whispering, "Should I raise the difficulty and have him face both at an intermediate level?"
The instructors exchanged glances before Professor Graham, head of combat magic, nodded. "Let's see what he can do. He's showing more potential than we've seen in years. He might be our chance this year to win the tournament."
Professor Amber, who taught magic crafts and theory, added thoughtfully, "He was able to wield electricity magic, though he still needs to speak the incantations for control. That's a skill we don't teach until the final two years due to the risks involved."
Ms. Raven considered this for a moment before nodding in agreement. "Alright, let's raise the difficulty to intermediate," she decided.
Leo readied himself as the two remaining undead began running toward him from opposite directions. Without hesitation, he gathered ice in his left hand, coating the floor on that side with a slick layer of frost, while his sword ignited with flames. The undead on the left slipped on the ice and stumbled, while the one on the right charged in for an attack.
Leo met the attack head-on, swinging his sword with precision. However, the undead blocked his strike and countered with a swipe of its claw, hitting Leo and causing his earth armor to crack and fall away. Acting quickly, Leo retaliated by summoning an ice spike that shot through the fallen undead, knocking it to the ground.
Behind him, Leo heard the crunch of footsteps on the icy ground. Without looking, he swung his sword around just in time to block a claw aimed at his head. With a swift kick and a burst of fire magic, he cleaved through the top half of the creature, killing it instantly.
Before he could catch his breath, Leo felt a sharp pain in his side. Glancing down, he saw an ice shard embedded in his flesh. Gritting his teeth, he yanked the shard out and placed a hand over the wound, using healing magic to stop the bleeding. He glanced up to see the remaining undead had regained its footing.
Blocking two incoming ice shards mid-air with a quick flick of his hand, Leo surged forward, his sword blazing. He aimed for the undead's head, but the creature raised its arms in defense. Leo didn't slow down—using his earth magic, he enhanced his strike, causing the undead's head to fall to the ground as his blade cut through its neck.
With the battle over, Leo stood there, breathing heavily but victorious. He had proven not only his combat prowess but also his ability to adapt and use magic strategically in close quarters.
Ms. Raven exchanged an approving glance with the other instructors, clearly impressed by what they had witnessed. Leo had surpassed their expectations, showing immense promise for someone so young.
Ms. Raven, impressed but mindful of Leo's endurance, raised her hand to signal a pause. "Let's take a break before the next test, Leo," she said, her voice calm yet authoritative. "The combat simulation will be much more intense, and I want you in top shape for it. Take an hour to eat lunch and recover your energy."
Leo nodded, grateful for the reprieve. Though he hadn't shown it, the last test had taken a toll on him, both physically and mentally. As the instructors dispersed, Leo made his way to a quiet spot near the academy's garden, where he sat down to eat the meal that had been prepared for him. The warm bread, roasted vegetables, and seasoned meat helped restore his energy, and he could feel his strength returning with each bite.