The Celesthal Academy of the 7 teachings is one of the most prestigious but also exclusive institutions any aspiring adventurer can dream of joining. Students come from all walks of life, ranging from lives where skill is the only thing you have, to places of the highest in status or nobility. It did not matter to the institution where you came from; what mattered was the talent and effort you brought with you. 

Starting from the age of 16, students would be expected to follow a 6-day weekly school schedule until it came time for they to graduate at 20. All accommodations were equally provided for, trained, and supported through their system to give their students the extra step they need to be prepared for future careers. 

During their studies, students are evaluated at the academy, not just by the teachers and the faculty, but also by The Adventurer's Guild's higher representatives. They evaluated things from their personalities, IQ, EQ, motivation, dedication, resilience, talent, and most importantly, character in those 4 years, which meant there was no other day that was more important than the graduation tournaments.

All available seating arrangements and standing room were packed full to the brim, without room to spare in the school's arena on this particular day. It was graduation, and that meant even when there were no fighters, locked in their duels, a roar of excitement never subsided; especially now because the final match was about to begin.

Alexander Laveau is one of the very students the academy deemed as a rising star and prodigy adventurer. Everything about the bulking young man was practically built to radiate the natural menacing aura that he brought to each and every one of his battles. He was tall, taller than most, even with how his head curved down into the reptilian snout, prominent in his alligator ancestry. Naturally, his body was covered in a thick leather hide that marbled across his skin colors of dark browns, greens, and blacks, making a perfect camouflage for dark forests and murky waters. 

Ethan Lupisulvian was Alexander’s specule challenger, a fellow rising star whose forest-gold eyes shone just as brightly towards the dreams of adventuring. As a shifter, he specialized himself as a jack of many trades, taking advantage of the gold markings inlayed across his body to become any one or any thing he needed to be at any given moment. While he wasn't as known for his brute, many looked forward to the cunning tricks and tactics he would utilize to demonstrate his best and new ones.

Overhead loudspeakers blared out announcing their highly anticipated entry into the arena. Droning on through a long description of their time in the academy, about themselves, and brief descriptions of each of their style of combat. They each took in the moment with pride, how far they had come and the glory that will be earned, regardless of the victor; this was a moment long awaited.

Alexander was confident but composed, finding subtle ways to exude his might as he greeted all who watched. 

Ethan was much more enamored by the moment, earnestly waving back to all that pined for his attention, smiling gallantly like a noble about to win the heart of a fair maiden.

Once the announcer tired through the fighters' introductions, they began the opening speech for the graduation's final match, laying down the rules of the duel about to take place. By this point, everyone was already fully aware of the scoring rhetoric and what was at stake by this time. This was a duel to determine who would sit at the top of the leaderboard.

Despite the relaxed demeanor through the boring introductions as they casually greeted the crowd, both fighters’ attention was sharp, listening intently to each word the announcer spoke, counting the seconds and calculating the time left. 

There was not a fraction of a second to spare; the moment the sound of the duel's horn began to wail, both fighters were immediately engaged in the combat that would change their lives forever.