The arena hummed with tension as candidates gathered around. Ethan stood among them, his calm demeanor hiding the whirlwind of questions in his mind. Ahead of him, an instructor clad in silver armor addressed the group. His stern face and sharp eyes gave the impression of someone who tolerated no nonsense.
"The first trial is simple," the instructor announced. "You will face an opponent in the arena. Survive for five minutes against them, and you pass. There is no need to win, but defeat does not mean disqualification unless you forfeit or are rendered unconscious. Show us your resilience. Show us your spirit!"
Murmurs rippled through the crowd, some filled with nervous energy, others brimming with quiet confidence. Ethan stayed silent, his eyes scanning the crowd.
'I just have to survive for five minutes,' Ethan thought. 'Shouldn't be too hard, right?'
The system's voice chimed in his mind, as calm and direct as ever.
[ System Alert: Opponent analysis initiated. Match difficulty adjusted to the trial's parameters. ]
'Wait, what? Can you clarify?' Ethan asked inwardly.
[ Opponent identified: Lucius Vellere. Displaying Appraisal. ]
[ status of Lucius Vellere: ]
Name: Lucius Vellere
Race: Human
Age: 19
Health: 2,500/2,500
Mana: 200/200
Strength: 120
Stamina: 110
Agility: 125
Intelligence: 95
Skills:
Basic Swordsmanship: Mastery Level 3.
Proficient in common sword techniques.
Burst Dash: A short-range speed boost used to close gaps in combat.
Endurance Stance: A defensive posture that reduces stamina drain.
Equipment: Iron Sword: A standard blade with no magical properties.
Reinforced Leather Armor: Provides moderate protection against physical attacks.
Evaluation: A mid-tier swordsman with limited combat versatility. Outclassed by higher-level opponents but capable of exploiting openings in untrained fighters. ]
'Far below mine,' Ethan thought, his lips curving slightly into a smirk. 'System, are you saying I should hold back?'
Recommendation: Stand your ground, observe his movements, and test your abilities. Winning is optional but permitted.
Ethan sighed. 'Optional or not, if he attacks me, I'm not going to just sit there.'
The instructor called out names one by one, candidates stepping forward to face their trials. Cheers, gasps, and groans filled the air as matches unfolded. When Ethan's name was finally called, he stepped into the arena, his Mystic Sword resting in its sheath at his side.
Lucius Vellere stood across from him, a man with a wiry build and confident smirk. His leather armor was well-worn, and his blade gleamed in the sunlight. "You look a little too relaxed, kid. Let's see if you can keep that calm once we start."
Ethan didn't respond. His grip on the Mystic Sword tightened.
[ Mystic Sword: A blade of unknown origin, forged with celestial steel. Its wielder can channel elemental energy into the blade and unlock latent abilities. Currently bonded to Ethan, its full potential remains untapped.]
{ A/N : Remember when he looted the treasure of low }
The instructor raised his hand. "Begin!"
Lucius moved first, his sword flashing in a swift arc. Ethan barely had time to react but stepped aside instinctively. His movements felt natural, as if his body anticipated the attack before his mind did.
'He's faster than I thought.'
Lucius pressed forward, launching a series of strikes. Ethan dodged each one, his footwork precise and calculated. He was amazed by how fluid his movements felt, but it wasn't entirely his doing.
[ Combat instincts enhanced by system synchronization. Continue evasion or engage offensively. ]
'I don't want to give everything away yet,' Ethan thought. 'Let's keep it simple.'
For the next minute, Ethan focused on evasion, sidestepping and weaving through Lucius's attacks. The crowd began to murmur. Lucius's frustration grew evident as he gritted his teeth.
"You think you're clever, dodging everything?" Lucius spat, his breathing heavier now.
Ethan smirked faintly. 'You're the one wasting all your energy, not me.'
Lucius charged again, his swings becoming more reckless. Ethan decided to test his opponent. Channeling a small amount of energy into the Mystic Sword, he drew it with a swift motion, meeting Lucius's blade in a clash that sent a shockwave through the arena.
The force of the impact sent Lucius stumbling back. The crowd gasped.
'This sword... it's incredible,' Ethan thought, glancing at the blade. 'I barely used any strength, and it overwhelmed him.'
Lucius growled, charging once more. This time, Ethan didn't wait. He focused on the space behind Lucius, activating his Special Strike. In an instant, he teleported behind his opponent, the Mystic Sword humming with power as he brought it down in a clean, controlled strike that disarmed Lucius without harming him.
Lucius froze, his sword clattering to the ground. The arena went silent.
The instructor stepped forward, his face stern but impressed. "Five minutes have passed, but the outcome is clear. Ethan Maxwell has exceeded the trial's requirements. Victory is his."
The crowd erupted in cheers and whispers. Ethan sheathed his sword, his expression calm despite the turmoil within.
'I didn't just survive... I won. Was that a mistake?'
[ Victory will not disqualify you. Your performance has been noted. Proceed to the next stage. ]
Lucius stared at Ethan, disbelief written across his face. "What... what kind of monster are you?"
Ethan didn't respond. Instead, he turned and walked out of the arena, his thoughts racing.
'I'm no monster. I'm just trying to figure out who I am in this world.'
As he stepped back into the waiting area, he felt the weight of many eyes on him. The other candidates were watching, some in awe, others in envy. Ethan ignored them, focusing instead on the system's next alert.
[ Quest Update: The First Trial completed. Prepare for the second trial ].
'I hope the next one doesn't draw this much attention,' Ethan thought. But deep down, he knew that whatever came next would only grow more challenging.