With the rank assessments over, the students were given their official placements. Those in A-Rank were considered the academy’s elites, receiving the best training, resources, and instructors. B-Rank students had solid potential but needed refinement, while C-Rank students were barely holding on, facing the constant threat of expulsion.

The four of us—Nether, Ivan, Rean, and Arther—stood among the strongest of our year. But we weren’t alone.

Ivansia Raviel.

Sylpiette Vaelora.

Darius Flintlock.

Celestine Luthiel.

Alistair Ravenshadow.

Each of them was a monster in their own right, and we knew that competition would be fierce.

The Class Selection

The next day, students gathered in the Grand Hall, where a massive board displayed the available classes.

1. Combat Specialization – Focuses on weapon techniques, close-quarters combat, and strategic warfare.

2. Magic Studies – For those with strong elemental or arcane abilities.

3. Hunter Tactics – Covers tracking, survival, monster anatomy, and ambush strategies.

4. Advanced Martial Arts – A more refined version of combat training, reserved for elite fighters.

5. Alchemy & Enchanting – A class focused on potion-making, rune crafting, and magical augmentation.

Each student could choose two main courses and one elective.

Nether’s Choices:

Combat Specialization (Obvious choice.)

Hunter Tactics (Tracking skills were always useful.)

Elective – Advanced Martial Arts (Because why not?)

Ivan’s Choices:

Magic Studies (Mastering wind magic.)

Hunter Tactics (Precision and strategy.)

Elective – Advanced Martial Arts

Rean’s Choices:

Hunter Tactics (Information gathering and tracking.)

Alchemy & Enchanting (Enhancing gear and potions.)

Elective – Combat Specialization

Arther’s Choices:

Combat Specialization (Obvious for a powerhouse.)

Advanced Martial Arts (To refine his raw strength.)

Elective – Hunter Tactics (Because why not?)

As we finished selecting, I glanced at the others.

Ivansia had chosen Magic Studies, Combat Specialization, and Advanced Martial Arts—a balance between magic and swordsmanship.

Sylpiette took Magic Studies, Hunter Tactics, and Advanced Martial Arts.

Darius focused on Combat Specialization, Advanced Martial Arts, and Alchemy & Enchanting.

Celestine, unsurprisingly, chose Magic Studies, Alchemy & Enchanting, and Combat Specialization.

Alistair picked Combat Specialization, Advanced Martial Arts, and Hunter Tactics.

It was clear—everyone had their strengths, and this year would be anything but peaceful.

---

The First Combat Class

The moment we stepped onto the training grounds, we knew this wouldn’t be a normal lesson.

The field was massive, with various training dummies, sparring rings, and obstacle courses. Instructor Roderic stood at the center, arms crossed.

"Welcome to Combat Specialization. Let me make one thing clear—this class isn’t about looking good. It’s about survival."

He gestured, and a group of armored warriors stepped forward.

"We’ll start with a simple exercise—one-on-one sparring. Your opponent?"

The warriors drew their swords.

"The Elite Guards of Hunter Academy."

The crowd stiffened. The Elite Guards were former students, trained hunters who had graduated and stayed as instructors. They were leagues above us in skill.

Roderic smirked. "Let’s see if you A-Ranks deserve your titles."

One by one, students were called forward.

---

Ivansia vs. Elite Guard

Ivansia stepped into the ring, her red eyes burning with quiet confidence.

Her opponent, a tall warrior clad in black armor, bowed. "Don’t hold back, Lady Raviel."

She raised her hand. "I won’t."

The battle began.

The guard lunged forward, sword flashing.

Ivansia sidestepped, fire erupting around her blade. "Infernal Strike!"

A wave of flames surged forward, forcing the guard to retreat. But he wasn’t slow—he twisted mid-air, dodging the fire, and closed in.

Their swords clashed, sparks flying.

Ivansia didn’t flinch. With a flick of her wrist, flames spiraled up her sword. "Scorching Crescent!"

She swung—

The air ignited—

A flaming arc slashed toward the guard—

BOOM!

The impact sent him skidding back, his armor glowing red-hot.

He exhaled. "Impressive."

Roderic smirked. "Winner—Ivansia!"

The crowd murmured. No surprise—she was a prodigy.

----

Sylpiette vs. Elite Guard

Unlike the previous fights, Sylpiette didn’t wield a sword. Instead, she pulled out a longbow crafted from black wood, its string glowing faintly with enchanted energy.

The Elite Guard scoffed. "A bow in a duel? You won’t even have time to nock an arrow before I close the distance."

Sylpiette’s silver eyes glinted. "Try me."

The match began.

The guard dashed forward, sword raised.

Sylpiette vanished.

WHOOSH!

A gust of wind exploded from where she had been standing, sending dust into the air.

Then—

FWIP!

An arrow shot through the dust cloud, narrowly missing the guard’s shoulder.

He twisted, eyes widening. "Fast—"

FWIP! FWIP! FWIP!

Three more arrows followed, striking his armor with pinpoint precision. Though they didn’t pierce, each impact sent him staggering backward.

"Not enough!" He growled, pushing forward again—

Only to find his body frozen mid-step.

"What—?"

A faint glow surrounded him. He looked down.

His shadow was wrapped in wind energy, locking him in place.

Sylpiette stood on a nearby pillar, another arrow drawn. "You lost."

She let go.

CRACK!

The impact knocked the guard to his knees.

Roderic nodded. "Winner—Sylpiette!"

The crowd was stunned. A bow user? In close combat? She had just humiliated an Elite Guard without ever letting him reach her.

Sylpiette lowered her bow, sighing. "Too easy."

Rean vs. Elite Guard

Rean was not a powerhouse like the others. He wasn’t a warrior.

But that didn’t mean he was weak.

His opponent, a dual-wielding Elite Guard, smirked. "You’re not carrying a weapon?"

Rean simply adjusted his gloves. "I don’t need one."

The match began.

The guard charged, moving like a shadow, his twin swords flashing—

But Rean sidestepped at the last second.

CLANG! The guard’s blades hit nothing but air.

Rean’s fingers glowed faintly. "Paralysis Powder."

The guard froze.

The entire audience went silent.

"Wh—what the—?" The guard struggled, his muscles locking up.

Rean smiled. "Too late. The moment I dodged, I coated you with a fine layer of powder. Colorless, odorless, and activates on skin contact."

The guard's face paled.

Rean casually walked forward and pushed him over.

The guard collapsed, completely immobilized.

"Winner—Rean!"

Laughter erupted from the crowd.

Rean dusted off his hands. "Told you I didn’t need a weapon."

Ivan vs. Elite Guard

Ivan was a strategist first, a fighter second.

But when he fought, he fought smart.

His opponent was a hulking warrior wielding a giant hammer.

The guard grinned. "You don’t look like the strong type."

Ivan smirked. "I don’t need strength."

The match began.

The guard swung his hammer, aiming to crush Ivan in a single blow—

WHOOSH!

A sudden gust of wind blasted the hammer off course, missing by inches.

Ivan calmly extended his hand. "Wind Domain: Storm Cage."

Immediately, the entire battlefield shifted.

Wind energy surged around them, forming an invisible wall.

The guard tried to move forward—

But it felt like he was walking against a hurricane.

His steps slowed. His balance wavered. His hammer became impossible to swing.

Ivan adjusted his collar. "Not so fun when your strength is useless, huh?"

Then, with a single gust, he sent the guard flying out of the arena.

Silence.

Then—thunderous applause.

"Winner—Ivan!"

Arther vs. Elite Guard

Arther cracked his knuckles. Unlike the others, he didn’t have fancy techniques or special abilities.

He just hit really, really hard.

His opponent was another brute—a massive warrior wielding a tower shield and a mace.

The guard chuckled. "You’re strong, kid, but let’s see you break through a real defense."

Arther grinned. "Okay."

The match began.

The guard raised his shield, expecting a clash—

Instead, Arther vanished.

"Where—?"

BOOM!

The entire arena shook as Arther slammed his fist into the ground, cracking the stone.

The shockwave sent the guard stumbling—his stance broken.

Arther didn’t let him recover.

He charged, grabbed the shield’s edge—

And ripped it out of the guard’s hands.

The crowd gasped.

The guard barely had time to react before—

CRACK!

Arther’s fist slammed into his gut.

The guard collapsed.

Silence.

Roderic raised an eyebrow. "Winner—Arther."

Arther laughed. "That was fun!"

The audience? Stunned.

Nether vs. Elite Guard (Final Fight)

With the other battles done, only one match remained.

I stepped forward.

My opponent? A veteran battleaxe user. He had seen my fight with the goblin before, so he wasn’t underestimating me.

He grinned. "No tricks. No poison. No magic. Just a straight fight."

I twirled my dual blades. "Fine by me."

The match began.

The guard moved first.

He swung his battleaxe in a brutal arc—

I dodged.

His next strike? Even faster—

I parried.

The force shook my arms, but I held firm.

I countered. "Dual Blade Art—Fang Strike!"

An X-shaped slash cut across his armor, drawing sparks.

The guard grunted but didn’t back down. "Not bad."

He lunged again, his axe crashing down.

I saw an opening.

I twisted my body, my swords flashing. "Sword Aura—Phantom Blitz!"

Ten rapid slashes rained down.

The guard staggered—his axe slipped from his grasp.

I kicked him backward.

He hit the ground, breathing heavily.

Roderic raised his hand. "Winner—Nether!"

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