The atmosphere was electric, filled with the jubilant sounds of laughter and lively chatter resonating across the academy grounds. Stalls brimming with mouthwatering food and irresistible snacks lined the streets, each one a feast for the senses, bursting with vibrant colors and enticing aromas. The air itself seemed to shimmer with excitement as families and friends gathered to witness the highly anticipated trial of Hestia and the exceptionally gifted students from the Valmont and Leclair classes. Every face in the crowd held a glint of expectation, ready for the duels that would soon ignite the arena.
"Haha! It seems this year's festival is destined to be even more exhilarating than the last! I owe my gratitude to Professor Cedrick and his spirited students for this! Truly, a remarkable effort!" The headmaster boomed with a teasing grin, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Ah, surely you jest, Headmaster," Professor Cedrick shot back, a playful glimmer in his eyes as he pretended to be offended.
Professor Lum interjected, a rich laugh escaping his lips. "Oh, it appears you still refuse to accept reality, Professor Cedrick. This arena's trials have an enchanting way of captivating us all. Even I, a seasoned observer, find myself entranced by the spectacle!"
The arena pulsed with dynamic energy, vibrant spells crackling in the air like fireworks. Ethereal barriers and shimmering runes transformed the space into a breathtaking display of magic. Above it all, the uppermost seating tier—the Summa Cavea—boasted lavish sections for distinguished professors, where throne-like chairs glowed with intricate magical runes, and another for nobles, adorned with gilded seats and regal banners fluttering in the breeze. The amphitheater's grand fantasy architecture, brought to life in a burst of vivid color, radiated a sense of wonder and enchantment.
Amidst the grandeur, the lower cavea buzzed with the excited chatter of commoners and parents, all eyes turned toward the center of the arena.
"Tch, you really know how to make things monotonous," muttered a disgruntled professor Cedrick , casting a wary glance at the imposing altar set for the trials.
Across the Summa Cavea, nobles from esteemed families eagerly mingled, their expressions one of anticipation. All eyes seemed to gravitate toward the highest seats, where the legendary Empress Rozaria de Luminaris commanded respect, her aura radiating strength. Beside her, the impressive figure of Thalion Zepar from the Zepar family sat, a palpable air of authority surrounding him. Next to him, Astrianna Astar of the Astra clan stood proud, whispered secrets of her incredible powers of cursing her foes swirling like smoke through the crowd. The presence of so many influential figures made the air thick with tension and excitement.
"I can hardly wait for the test to begin!" Alexia exclaimed, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling like stars.
"Hmph, best stay alert for any outstanding talent in the Leclair class; we might just find someone worthy for our club," Veramont remarked, his gaze fixed on the arena, utterly unfazed by the bustle around him.
Mers sighed, glancing at Veramont's determined expression. "I wonder if there's anyone special who could break through that icy facade of yours, Veramont."
He continued, the excitement palpable in his voice, "And there are notable figures from so many prestigious families gathered here today! I can't believe the impressive lineup we have! Even the famed kids from the Durand class have caught my attention," Alexia chimed in, her enthusiasm uncontainable.
"Oh! You're talking about the ones you've been keeping an eye on—the little brother of Veramont, right?" Mers inquired, his tone teasing as he nudged Veramont, who seemed oblivious, fixated on the arena.
at the restroom of durand class"Alright, you both, make sure to follow our strategy," Edmond said, his voice steady but his mind racing as he mentally prepared for the wild stunt he was about to attempt. He could feel a surge of adrenaline coursing through him, reminding him of the stakes involved.
"Haha, don't worry, Edmond! I'll do just fine," Jarek replied, his eyes sparkling with excitement. He bounced slightly on the balls of his feet, clearly energized by the thrill of what lay ahead. Meanwhile, Ashura reclined on the bench, arms stretched behind him, trying to manage his concentration.
*Ugh... I have to focus my power and prevent any unintended energy leaks,* Ashura thought. *If I don't adjust my abilities to a student level, there's no telling how much chaos could erupt throughout the academy. Plus, I need to be ready for the daring plan we've devised.* Determined, he closed his eyes and focused on controlling his energy, feeling the familiar warmth radiating from within.
"Knock, knock! Ashura, are you okay?" Edmond called out, his brow furrowed with concern as he glanced back at his friend. He could see Ashura's tension and wanted to ensure he was managing everything well.
I slowly opened my eyes, shaking off the fog of concentration. "Ugh, I'm good," I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. Just as I stood up, a loud bang echoed through the hall, signaling that the first test for first-year students had commenced. The air was thick with anticipation as students whispered excitedly to each other.
In a typical scenario, Leclair's class would be the first to kick off the day's events. However, this time was different. Instead of simply observing like the rest of our peers, Edmond, Jarek, and I were intensely focused on honing our powers, each of us mentally rehearsing the parts we would play in our audacious plan. The atmosphere in the restroom buzzed with a mix of nervous energy and determination, as we prepared to turn our crazy ideas into reality.
As the Leclair class appeared in the arena, a voice spoke out, "Alright, alright! I'm sure many of you cannot wait, so before we begin, I will explain once more about the test. This test allows you to challenge any Abyss monster at level 15, either solo or in a group of up to four students."
"Without further ado, LET'S BEGIN THE FIRST TEST OF THE FIRST YEAR!" the headmaster shouted, followed by an uproar from the crowd.
As soon as Ashura heard the shout from their restroom, he and Jarek began to press their right palms together to enhance their synergy.
"Don't lose focus! You both are the trump cards of our plan, so just concentrate on synchronizing your power," Edmond said as he looked at Jarek and Ashura, who were in deep concentration, attempting to control their mana within their cores.
after a lot of time passed, Edmond noticed the last group of students from the Leclair class which is Calestrius and Luzis will began their test . While Ashura and Jarek remained focused, Edmond turned his attention to scene magic to observe their performance.
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In the center of the arena, surrounded by cheers from the crowd, Luzis appeared with a noble demeanor, walking alongside Celestrius, who wore a smirk on his face. The altar spoke, [What monster do you wish to challenge?]
"We will challenge Gravgar the Untamed," Luzis replied with a confident smile.