The next morning, Eclipse Academy buzzed with excitement. Students were gathered in the enormous arena, chatting nervously or excitedly about the annual tournament that had been the talk of the academy since Kaito and Ryker's arrival. The tournament was a tradition, a test of both skill and endurance. It was where the strongest students showed what they were made of.
Kaito wasn't as excited. He was never one for the spotlight, and the idea of an entrance exam—followed by a public tournament—made him want to disappear into the nearest tree.
"This is going to be epic!" Ryker said, clapping Kaito on the back as they entered the arena, his fiery red hair a stark contrast against the grey morning sky. "I heard the exam is no joke, though. Combat, magic, strategy. It's going to test everything we've got."
Kaito shoved his hands into his pockets. "Great," he muttered. "That's exactly what I wanted."
Ryker threw an arm over his shoulder. "Come on, man, lighten up. We've got this. You've got lightning powers, I've got fire. We're basically walking fireworks."
Kaito side-eyed him. "Yeah, fireworks that explode."
Before Ryker could respond, a loud voice echoed through the arena. "Attention, students!"
Kaito and Ryker looked up to see the headmaster of Eclipse Academy, an imposing man named Headmaster Volkan, standing at the center of the arena. His deep voice commanded instant silence.
"As you all know, today marks the beginning of the entrance exams for the annual tournament," he announced, his voice carrying effortlessly across the crowd. "The tournament is a prestigious event where the strongest, smartest, and most capable among you will rise to the top. Only sixty students will be selected to participate."
Ryker leaned over to Kaito. "Bet we'll be in the top ten."
"Focus," Kaito muttered.
"The entrance exam," Volkan continued, "will consist of three stages: Combat, Strategy, and Magic Control. You will be tested on your ability to think on your feet, your combat skills, and how well you can manage your powers under pressure."
Kaito's stomach clenched. Keeping his powers under control wasn't exactly his strong suit. The last thing he wanted was to accidentally fry the arena's power grid—or worse, someone's face.
A girl with short black hair and icy blue eyes stepped forward from the crowd, standing beside Volkan. She exuded confidence, her presence commanding attention. "I am Instructor Ayumi, and I'll be overseeing today's events," she said, her voice cool and controlled. "The first test is Combat."
Ryker grinned. "Finally. Time to show off."
---
The arena was transformed into multiple combat zones, each one designed to test different skills. Kaito and Ryker stood side by side, observing the chaos unfolding around them. Students were paired off for duels, some using weapons, others their powers. It was a mix of flashing lights, flying spells, and loud crashes as students clashed.
"Kaito, Ryker, you're up next!" Ayumi called.
They were paired with two other students—a boy named Kenji, who had the ability to manipulate wind, and a girl named Emi, who was rumored to control shadows.
Ryker grinned at Kaito. "I'll take Kenji. You handle shadow girl."
Kaito nodded, stepping into the arena. Emi gave him a cold, calculating look, her eyes narrowing. "Don't hold back, Lightning Prince," she said, a mocking tone in her voice.
He sighed. So much for staying under the radar.
Emi struck first, sending tendrils of shadow snaking across the ground toward him. Kaito sidestepped easily, feeling the familiar hum of static build in his fingertips. He dodged another shadow, flicking his wrist and sending a small bolt of lightning towards her. Emi barely avoided it, scowling.
Meanwhile, Ryker was having a field day. He charged at Kenji, flames bursting from his hands as he swung at him, but Kenji used a gust of wind to send Ryker flying back.
"You've gotta do better than that, hothead," Kenji taunted.
Ryker laughed, picking himself up. "Oh, don't worry, I'm just warming up."
With a quick burst of speed, Ryker charged again, this time launching a concentrated fireball at Kenji. The wind manipulator tried to deflect it, but the sheer force of Ryker's attack sent him stumbling back.
Kaito, still dodging shadows, decided it was time to end things. He raised his hand, electricity crackling around him, and with a sharp movement, sent a bolt of lightning directly toward Emi. She barely had time to react before it hit the ground in front of her, the force of the blast knocking her off her feet.
"Impressive," she said, standing up and brushing herself off. "Maybe you are worth the hype."
The combat test ended with both Kaito and Ryker victorious, but there was no time to rest. The next two stages followed quickly—strategy puzzles and then a magical control exam where students had to demonstrate mastery over their abilities.
---
By the time the tests were over, Kaito and Ryker were exhausted. They sat on the steps of the arena, Ryker fanning himself with his shirt. "I think I nearly melted during that last test. Why is it always the last part that feels like a death sentence?"
Kaito smirked. "You'd think someone with fire powers would be used to the heat."
Ryker shot him a look. "Not funny."
Just then, two girls walked past, catching both of their attention. One had long, icy blue hair and walked with a quiet grace that was impossible to ignore. Her pale skin and piercing blue eyes made her look like she had stepped straight out of a winter storm. The other girl, with chestnut-brown hair and emerald green eyes, had an earthy beauty, her presence calm and grounded, as if she had some connection to nature itself.
"Who are they?" Ryker asked, staring after them.
"Don't know," Kaito muttered, watching as the blue-haired girl glanced in their direction, her icy eyes meeting his for a split second before she turned away. He felt a strange jolt—different from the usual static that surged through him.
"I'm going to find out," Ryker said, standing up with a mischievous grin.
Kaito rolled his eyes. "Of course you are."
As Ryker approached, the brown-haired girl laughed softly. "Looks like someone's interested," she teased, nudging the blue-haired girl.
"Quiet, Sylvie," the girl replied, though there was a faint blush on her cheeks.
Ryker, undeterred, introduced himself with his usual flair. "Ryker, master of fire, future tournament champion."
Sylvie grinned. "Sylvie, master of the forest. This is Ayana. Ice powers."
Ayana gave a slight nod, her icy demeanor betraying nothing. "Don't get too confident, fire boy. You're not the only one aiming to win."
Ryker blinked, taken aback. "Ice powers, huh? Maybe we should hang out sometime—cool off after the tournament."
Ayana raised an eyebrow. "I'll pass."
Kaito couldn't help but smirk as he stood up, walking over to join the conversation. "You always make great first impressions, Ryker."
Ryker shrugged. "I try."
---
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the results of the entrance exam were posted on a giant screen at the arena. Kaito scanned the list and spotted his name near the top. Ryker, predictably, was listed a few slots down. Both Ayana and Sylvie made the cut too, along with fifty-six other students, all eager for a shot at glory in the tournament.
"Sixty contestants," Kaito muttered. "This is going to be interesting."
Ryker clapped him on the back. "Interesting? This is going to be epic!"
Kaito looked over at Ayana, who was reading the list with a small, satisfied smile. Yeah, epic was one way to describe it.