A few tense moments passed after Marcus had belittled Leon, uneasy glances exchanged among the students.

Professor Elara’s silver eyes swept across the class, sharp and commanding.
“Enough.” Her voice cut through the murmurs like steel.

Marcus leaned back in his chair, smirking, but the edge of her gaze made him shift slightly.
“You,” she said, pointing lightly at him, “and the rest of you, will have your chance to show your capabilities soon enough. Mocking others will not change the results of the upcoming events. Focus on preparing yourselves rather than belittling your classmates.”

Marcus’s smirk faltered, though he did not reply. The other students shifted slightly in their seats, some still exchanging glances at Leon, but the atmosphere had shifted — the tension replaced with anticipation.

Professor Elara’s lips curved slightly in a faint smile.
“Very well, Class S. Now that we have that settled, let us talk about the challenge ahead.”

Her silver eyes swept across the room. “A week from today, the academy will hold a special event — a test that determines the official ranking among the first-year students. Especially among the elite Class S, this will decide who will claim the top positions for the year.”

She paused, letting the weight of her words settle in.
“This is a tradition held at this academy every year. Though the challenge itself changes, its purpose is constant: to push each student to their limits, testing not only raw power, but also cunning, skill, and the ability to adapt under pressure.”

She allowed her gaze to linger on each student, her tone firm.
“This year’s test,” she said, a faint glint of anticipation in her eyes, “will be a Battle Royale among the first-year elite students — Class S.”

The room fell silent. Marcus’s confident posture stiffened, Elena’s expression sharpened, and the other students’ unease deepened.

Leon, however, remained calm. His mind immediately flashed back to his past life.

He remembered the event vividly. The test would pit the elite students — those in Class S — against each other in a brutal, high-stakes battle royale. Every move mattered, every mistake was costly.

He recalled the outcome clearly. Elena, precise and deadly with her magic, had emerged victorious among the elite. Marcus had been aggressive but reckless, and others had fallen due to overconfidence or lack of adaptability.

Leon’s lips curved into a faint, confident smile. This time… things will be different.

Professor Elara continued, oblivious to his inner thoughts. “Prepare yourselves carefully. This event is not just a test of raw power. Observation, timing, and adaptability are equally important. Those who fail to consider all factors may find themselves eliminated early.”

Leon looked around at his classmates — Marcus’s forced composure, Elena’s intense focus, and the mixture of nerves and excitement among the others. He knew that next week, the true measure of each student’s skill would finally be revealed.

And armed with his knowledge of the past, Leon was ready to face it.