The morning of the entrance exam dawned with a heavy tension that hung in the air like a thunderstorm waiting to break. The academy's coliseum, a massive structure of stone and enchanted metals, loomed over the students as they assembled at its entrance. Each of them carried their own hopes, fears, and ambitions, their expressions ranging from determined to nervous. For many, this was the moment they had trained for their entire lives.
Caelum stood near the back of the group, his tall, lean frame cloaked in shadows cast by the rising sun. His black hair, dark as midnight, fell effortlessly around his face, and his glowing silver eyes remained fixed on the coliseum gates. Unlike the others, he felt no anxiety, no anticipation. This was just another step in his plan, another hurdle to overcome.
As the gates creaked open, revealing the vast arena beyond, the murmurs among the students grew louder. The arena stretched far into the distance, a sprawling expanse of rugged terrain, dense forests, rocky outcrops, and open plains. It was a battlefield designed to test every aspect of their abilities—strategy, adaptability, and survival instincts.
The headmaster's voice echoed across the coliseum, amplified by a magical artifact. "Welcome to the entrance exam. Your task is simple: survive and prove your worth. Those who fall will be eliminated. Victory belongs to the strong."
With those final words, the students were herded into the arena, the gates slamming shut behind them. A countdown began, displayed in the sky above the arena in glowing numbers.
Ten.
Caelum took a deep breath, his silver eyes scanning the terrain around him. Students began fanning out, their nerves palpable. Some formed groups, hoping that strength in numbers would offer them an advantage. Others stood alone, their eyes burning with determination. Caelum remained still, his calm presence a stark contrast to the chaos brewing around him.
Five.
The countdown continued. The arena fell silent, save for the distant rustle of leaves and the occasional crackle of energy as some students prepared their magic or weapons.
Three.
Caelum's Shadow Titan Physique stirred within him, a faint, consuming energy pulsing through his veins. He could feel it, hungering for the clash that was about to unfold.
Two.
He adjusted his stance, his glowing silver eyes sharpening as he locked onto several students in his vicinity.
One.
The battle began.
A cacophony of noise erupted as students surged forward, spells flying, weapons clashing, and shouts echoing across the arena. Caelum stayed rooted in place, watching the chaos unfold around him. Groups of students fought fiercely, their alliances quickly crumbling as betrayal became inevitable. Magical attacks lit up the sky, and the ground trembled beneath the sheer force of power being unleashed.
Caelum's gaze remained cold, calculating. He had no interest in rushing into the fray like a mindless brute. Instead, he observed, waiting for the right moment to strike.
A group of three students spotted him standing alone and quickly approached, their eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. They likely saw him as an easy target, mistaking his stillness for weakness.
"You! Surrender, or we'll take you down!" one of them shouted, a burly boy with a fire affinity who wielded a massive broadsword.
Caelum's expression didn't change. He stepped forward slowly, his silver eyes locking onto the leader of the group. "I suggest you walk away," he said, his voice calm but laced with an icy authority.
The boy hesitated for a moment before scowling. "Get him!"
The three lunged at him simultaneously, their weapons and spells aimed directly at his chest. Caelum moved with inhuman speed, his Shadow Titan Physique activating in an instant. Shadows coiled around him like living entities, absorbing the incoming attacks with ease.
In a blur of motion, he struck. His first target crumpled to the ground with a single precise blow, unconscious before he even realized what had happened. The second student, a girl wielding a spear, hesitated, her confidence faltering as she watched her ally fall. Caelum used the opening to close the distance,disarming her with a swift kick and sending her sprawling to the ground.
The leader, now alone, stumbled back, his bravado replaced by panic. "W-what are you?" he stammered.
Caelum stepped closer, his silver eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. "Weak."
With a flick of his wrist, a tendril of shadow lashed out, knocking the boy unconscious. Caelum knelt beside the fallen students, his Shadow Titan Physique awakening fully. The dark energy within him surged as he began absorbing the remnants of their energy, their defeated forms feeding his strength.
As the power coursed through him, Caelum felt his body grow stronger, his senses sharper. The Shadow Titan Physique was a gift and a curse—a relentless force that consumed and grew with each battle. It wasn't flashy or ostentatious, but it made him an unstoppable predator on the battlefield.
The chaos of the arena continued, but Caelum moved through it like a specter. He avoided unnecessary confrontations, striking only when provoked or when an opportunity presented itself. Each encounter ended the same way—his opponents defeated with minimal effort, their energy absorbed into his growing reservoir of power.
A cluster of students fought near the edge of a dense forest, their elemental abilities clashing in a dazzling display of light and sound. Caelum observed them from a distance, his glowing eyes narrowing as he analyzed their movements. Two of the students, a dragonkin with fiery scales and an elven archer, seemed to dominate the skirmish. The others fell quickly, overwhelmed by their coordinated attacks.
Once the dust settled, the dragonkin and the elf turned to each other, their temporary alliance dissolving as they prepared to face off. Before they could begin, Caelum stepped forward, his presence immediately drawing their attention.
"Who are you?" the dragonkin growled, flames flickering around his fists.
Caelum didn't answer. He raised a hand, and the shadows around him erupted, surging forward like a tidal wave. The dragonkin roared, unleashing a torrent of fire in an attempt to counter the attack, but the shadows consumed the flames effortlessly.
The elven archer tried to retreat, loosing an arrow infused with wind magic, but Caelum caught it mid-air, snapping it in half with a flick of his wrist. In a matter of seconds, both opponents lay unconscious at his feet, their energy draining into him like water flowing into a bottomless well.
The arena was beginning to thin out. Dozens of students had already been eliminated, their bodies removed from the battlefield by academy staff using teleportation spells. The remaining participants grew more cautious, their initial bravado replaced by fear and desperation.
Ares, meanwhile, was making his presence known in a different part of the arena. His messy blond hair was damp with sweat, his bright blue eyes alight with energy as he tore through his opponents with ease. His system guided him flawlessly, predicting enemy movements and enhancing his abilities in real time. Each encounter ended with Ares standing victorious, his confidence growing with every victory.
But even as he fought, his thoughts kept drifting to Caelum. He hadn't seen him since the battle began, and it unsettled him. Caelum's absence felt intentional, as though he were waiting for the perfect moment to reveal himself.
Elsewhere in the arena, Caelum continued his methodical advance. His cold and calculating nature made him an unpredictable participant, his movements precise and deliberate. He didn't waste energy on unnecessary displays of power, nor did he draw attention to himself. To those who crossed his path, he was an unstoppable force—an opponent who seemed untouchable.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the battlefield, the final phase of the exam drew near. The remaining students were funneled toward the center of the arena, where the most intense battles awaited. Caelum stood at the edge of the gathering crowd, his glowing silver eyes scanning the faces of his competitors
Ares was among them, his messy blond hair unmistakable even from a distance. Their eyes met across the field, and for a brief moment, the chaos around them seemed to fade. Ares smirked, his blue eyes filled with challenge. Caelum's expression remained unreadable, but the faint flicker of shadows around him hinted at the storm that was about to be unleashed.
The battle was far from over.
.
.
.