---
The arena burned with anticipation.
Only 100 students remained from the original 1000, each one powerful enough to destroy a platoon. And now, only the top 20 were left to determine the final rankings.
The magic monolith flashed once more.
> "Due to an exact tie in point totals across six candidates, a group battle has been arranged. The victor shall be declared the No. 1 seed of this generation."
The names appeared one by one, each followed by roaring applause:
Elric Valiant — The Flamebound Prodigy, Noble Flame Affinity
Nyssa Veredale — The Iceborne Witch, Pure Ice Vein
Vaelion Skythorn — Thunder Noble, Lightning Control
Thara Moonveil — Illusion Queen of the High Elves
Dragan Ironsoul — Beastform Titanblood Warrior
Mizari Dunecradle — Sand Domain Strategist
And last—
Alaric Thorneveil
The crowd went silent.
> "Wait... how did he make the list?"
"Didn't he just sit in one place and drink coffee the whole exam?"
"Maybe it's a mistake?"
Far across the arena, Alaric sipped his coffee again. Still calm. Still untouched.
And then he stood.
His black coat fluttered as he walked to the center stage, casually placing the cup on a flat stone slab.
> "Took you long enough," he murmured.
From the opposite end, Elric stepped onto the field—his crimson aura radiating noble heat. His golden armor glowed with radiant flame, earning cheers from the nobles and officials.
Nyssa stepped beside him, cold mist rolling off her presence like a winter storm in summer. She didn't look at Alaric, but a flicker of uncertainty crossed her eyes.
The others followed, each radiating terrifying power.
A six-on-one.
> "BEGIN!"
Dragan moved first, morphing into his beastform and charging like a boulder wrapped in muscle and hate. Lightning arced from Vaelion, aiming to blind and stun. Mizari summoned a sandstorm dome, caging Alaric in.
Thara unleashed a swarm of illusions. Serpents, spears, and clones danced across the battlefield.
Nyssa raised both hands, forming a crescent of glacial blades.
And Elric? He hesitated.
He was watching.
> "Why... isn't he defending?"
Alaric stood, eyes closed, chains of invisible light flickering briefly around him—seen only by the sharpest senses.
> [Bindings Active: Elric Valiant (Flame Core)]
[Nyssa Veredale (Glacial Vein)]
[Riven Duskthorn (Forbidden Arcana)]
[Synergy Multiplier: 100x System Bonus Engaged]
His power didn't come from brute strength. It came from connections—bound threads of fate tied to beings of immense influence.
When Elric trained, he grew stronger.
When Nyssa awakened her Ice Domain, he felt the surge.
When his enemies evolved... he devoured the result.
He wasn't just powerful—he was amplified evolution.
The air collapsed.
Flames coated in frost burst from Alaric's body, roaring like a phoenix caught in winter. Elric's own aura shimmered—resonating with the same frequency. His eyes narrowed.
> "My flame… is reacting?"
Thara's illusions shattered like mirrors under an earthquake. Dragan's beastform screeched as frozen heat paralyzed his limbs. Mizari's sand glassified and dropped in shards. Vaelion's lightning twisted backward—his own circuits shocked.
Nyssa raised a wall of ice—only hers remained, defending the group.
> "That's my magic," she whispered. "But I didn't cast it...?"
Alaric disappeared—and reappeared behind Mizari. A tap. Down.
A pulse of cursed frost launched Dragan skyward. Down.
Vaelion's lightning danced away like it feared him. A fist to the gut. Down.
Thara blinked—caught in her own illusion. Down.
Elric stepped forward at last. A serious flame flickered in his hand.
> "I don't know what you are," he said. "But I won't hold back."
The duel lasted only seconds.
Flame against amplified flame. Elric's Noble Fire burned hot—but Alaric's flame had devoured Nyssa's ice and Riven's forbidden mana. It flickered with impossible traits. It wasn't just fire.
It was apex magic.
Their fists collided.
A shockwave cracked the arena floor.
But when the dust settled, Elric stood coughing, flame armor cracked.
Alaric?
Unburned.
He picked up his coffee and took a sip.
"Still warm."
---
The Arena Was Silent.
Nobles, kings, and grandmasters looked at one another, mouths dry.
Even Elric, chosen of the Noble Element, couldn't deny it.
> "He was... holding back?"
---
In the Thorneveil Box:
Seraphina's crimson eyes sparkled. "He grew so beautifully," she whispered, face flushed with manic joy. "Who could have hurt you now, my precious Alaric?"
Lord Thorneveil chuckled, hands folded. "A monster. Just like his mother."
---
At the Veredale Estate:
Duke Veredale stood frozen. The same man who broke off Alaric's engagement with Nyssa.
> "What... have I done?" he muttered.
Down in the arena, Nyssa stared at Alaric, bewildered.
> Why does his magic feel so... familiar? So warm?
She didn't know.
She couldn't.
Because the bond was already formed. Quietly. Without permission.
Alaric looked at her once—his eyes soft. Just for a second.
Then he turned away.
---
Rankings Updated:
> 1. Alaric Thorneveil — ???
2. Elric Valiant — Flame Core Ascension
3. Nyssa Veredale — Glacial Vein
...
And the world began to question everything they thought they knew about power.
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