Kael stumbled out of the arena, his body aching and his mind numb. The adrenaline that had carried him through the fight was fading, leaving behind a dull, throbbing pain in his ribs and a deep exhaustion. He leaned against the cold stone wall of the corridor, trying to catch his breath. Around him, other students limped or staggered, their faces etched with pain and frustration. Some were being helped by friends, while others sat alone, staring blankly at the floor.
Kael's wristband pulsed faintly—Rank 42. He hadn't lost, but he hadn't won either. It was a small victory, but in a place like this, even small victories mattered.
"Not bad," a voice said behind him.
Kael turned to see Mira leaning against the wall, her green wristband glowing faintly. She looked battered but unharmed, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
"You saw that?" Kael asked, his voice hoarse.
Mira shrugged. "Hard to miss. You held your own against a Rank 47. That's not nothing. But your pulse was unusually high."
Kael didn't respond. He wasn't sure what to say.
Mira pushed off the wall and stepped closer, her expression serious. "Look, I know you're hiding something."
Kael's stomach tightened. "What do you mean?"
"The elites here aren't just arrogant high-rankers," Mira said, lowering her voice. "If they find out you're hiding something, they'll tear you apart to figure out what it is."
Kael clenched his fists, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to let Mira—or anyone else—get too close. But he also couldn't survive this place alone.
"What do you want from me?" he asked finally.
Mira grinned. "Not much. Just stay out of my way, and we're even."
Before Kael could respond, a loud chime echoed through the corridor. A holographic message appeared in the air:
"Practical Exam: Tomorrow, 10:00. Prepare accordingly."
Mira glanced at the message, then back at Kael. "Good luck. You're going to need it."
The next morning, Kael stood in the training arena, his heart pounding. The room was vast, its walls lined with holographic projections of various terrains—forests, deserts, urban landscapes. The air was thick with tension, the other students shifting nervously as they waited for the exam to begin.
Professor Vayne stood at the center of the room, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable. "Today's exam is simple," she said, her voice cutting through the silence. "Survive. The arena will simulate a combat scenario against Bestiora—animals that have become aggressive due to gaining abilities. Your goal is to outlast your opponents. You can't die here; it's an ultra-realistic simulation with pain feedback. If an attack would have killed you, you're out. Surviving and defeating opponents earns you points. The bottom 20 with the fewest points will fail. The top 10 will be rewarded."
Kael's stomach churned. He glanced at his wristband—Rank 42. He couldn't afford to fail.
The gong sounded, and the arena came to life. The ground beneath Kael's feet shifted, transforming into a dense forest. The air was thick with the scent of pine and damp earth. Around him, students scattered, some forming alliances, others disappearing into the trees.
Kael moved quickly, keeping to the shadows. He didn't have the luxury of an ability, but he didn't need to be at the bottom.
The first attack came without warning. A barrage of spikes shot from the trees, narrowly missing him. Kael dove behind a fallen log, his heart racing. He peered over the edge, spotting a giant hedgehog—three times the size of a normal one.
Kael's mind raced. He couldn't fight it head-on, but he didn't need to. He just needed to survive and earn points.
As the battle continued, Kael managed to stay hidden. But then the arena shifted.
A deep, guttural roar shook the ground beneath Kael's feet. The arena's barrier began closing in, pushing the students toward the center. Trees crumbled, vines snapped, and soon, there was no place left to hide.
Then Kael saw it.
A massive black bear, its fur laced with glowing green veins, stood in the clearing. Its claws were like curved blades, each one pulsating with raw energy. But the worst part? Thorn-covered roots erupted from the ground wherever it stepped, turning the battlefield into a maze of shifting, deadly spikes.
Kael's instincts screamed at him to run, but there was no escape. If he did nothing, suspicions about him would only grow stronger.
I have no choice.
Kael reached into his pocket and discreetly pulled out the Vestige. He activated it.
The change was instant. Power surged through his veins, setting his muscles ablaze. The world slowed as his perception sharpened. In a blink, Kael closed the distance between him and the bear, moving faster than most could track.
He struck. One, two, five punches—faster than the eye could see. The bear roared, swinging a claw. Kael barely dodged, but even then, the sheer force of the attack sent a shockwave through the air, rattling his bones.
The bear stomped. Thorns erupted from the ground. Kael jumped, flipping midair, avoiding the spikes by mere inches.
Then, the bear made a mistake.
It reared onto its hind legs, preparing to crush him in one final, devastating attack.
Kael didn't hesitate.
He struck with everything he had—hundreds of blows in mere seconds. The bear's thick hide began to give, its body shaking under the relentless assault.
But something was wrong.
The Vestige flickered. Then it failed.
Kael's body locked up as searing pain flooded his muscles. The power drained from him all at once, leaving him completely vulnerable. He had pushed the Vestige beyond its limits—it was spent.
The bear saw its opening.
With a final roar, it slammed its paw forward. Kael barely managed to cross his arms before the attack struck. The impact was like being hit by a boulder. He was flung backward, crashing into the dirt, his vision blurring.
Move… MOVE!
But his body wouldn't respond. His limbs trembled, his strength gone. The Vestige was gone. Forever.
The bear staggered, its wounds finally catching up to it. It swayed, let out a shuddering breath—then collapsed.
Kael barely registered the gong ringing through the arena. The exam was over.
His vision darkened.
His last thought before passing out?
I have nothing left.