The room remained silent after Yudo’s strike. Fragments of the shattered crystal sphere rolled across the floor before slowly coming to a stop. The sharp sound echoed throughout the training hall before fading into silence.

Several students stared at Yudo as he stepped back into line. Some looked confused. Others looked uneasy. Another kept staring like they weren’t sure what they had just seen.

It wasn’t every day a giant skeleton appeared behind someone as they activated their Trait.

Yudo was slightly caught off guard by the reaction. They aren’t afraid? Why aren’t they saying anything?

Clarence cleared his throat.

“Good,” he said calmly. “That was certainly… something.”

A few students chuckled. The tension eased slightly.

Clarence glanced down at the remaining crystal spheres. “Hopefully that’s all of the destructive users out of the way.”

He pointed toward the next student. “Shuzikawa.”

Ryukai scoffed and looked at Yudo. “Yudo, watch this.”

Yudo smirked. “Knock ‘em dead.”

Ryukai laughed. “Very funny.”

He stepped forward and stood in front of the crystal sphere. Yudo stood by the rest of the class, shocked that no one asked him more about his Traits.

Ryukai took a deep breath and raised his hands. Several students immediately felt the calm flow of his Trait. Unlike Yudo’s chaotic energy, Ryukai’s felt smooth. Controlled like a steady river.

“Water Convergence: Rapid Tide.”

Pressurized water burst from Ryukai’s hands like a rushing current. The sharp sound of crashing water filled the hall. The stream slammed into the crystal sphere.

CRACK.

The sphere split apart as the water forced its way through, sending shards sliding across the floor. Tiny droplets scattered through the air before splashing harmlessly against the platform.

Ryukai smirked as he walked back. “I can compete with you too.”

A few students nodded in approval.

“That was clean…” someone whispered.

“Way more controlled than the last one.”

Yudo nodded. “Solid power. Your Trait was very stable.”

Ryukai grinned. “Not bad?” He scoffed. “Mine was perfect.”

Clarence raised a hand. “Next.”

His eyes moved toward a girl standing near Elaina. “Armonia.”

“Ready.”

Lillie stepped forward and pulled the guitar from behind her back. Several students blinked in confusion. She strummed one of the strings softly. The note echoed throughout the room.

“Sound Amplification: Conductor’s Rhythm.”

A powerful vibration spread across the room as the sound waves expanded outward. The air hummed with energy. Several students felt the vibrations through the soles of their shoes. The crystal sphere trembled under the pressure of the sound. For a moment, it vibrated intensely, then the sound faded. The sphere remained intact.

“…It didn’t break?” one student muttered.

“Yeah, but did you feel that?” another replied.

“That pressure was insane…”

Clarence nodded thoughtfully. “It seems your Trait can function offensively as well.”

Lillie scratched the back of her head. “Kinda… but it takes a lot out of me. I’m much better at support.”

Clarence smiled slightly. “I can tell you don’t understand how to bring out the most of your Trait yet. That’ll change if you keep at it.”

Lillie smiled brightly. “Thanks, sir!”

She walked back to the group cheerfully.

Clarence turned his head. “Homura.”

The boy punched his palm. “Finally. My turn to show off.” He stepped forward confidently.

“Flame Trait: Flash Flame.”

Fire erupted from his body and surged down his arms. Heat immediately spread through the room. Several nearby students squinted as orange light reflected across the training hall walls. He lunged forward, launching the flames toward the sphere.

BOOM!

The crystal sphere exploded from the intense heat. Flames scattered briefly across the floor. Several students instinctively stepped back.

A wave of hot air rolled through the room.

“Hey, watch it!” someone shouted.

“That’s what I’m talking about!” another laughed.

Ryukai quickly released a stream of water, cooling the remaining fire before it spread. Steam hissed upward as the flames disappeared.

Clarence looked irritated. “You need better control of your flames.”

“Sorry.” Kakeru scratched the back of his head.

Clarence’s gaze lingered on the scorched floor. Then slowly he looked back up at the class.

“Power without control…” His voice lowered slightly. “…is nothing more than a liability.”

The room quieted instantly. Kakeru returned to the group, a bit more subdued.

“Fuyutsuki.”

The quiet girl stepped forward without speaking. Her long light blue hair shifted slightly as cold air gathered around her. The temperature around her dropped noticeably. A faint layer of frost crept across the floor beneath her feet.

She didn’t rush or show off. She simply raised her hand.

“Ice Trait: Glacial Pierce.”

A thin spike of ice formed instantly and shot forward. The spike pierced through the center of the cracked crystal sphere.

CRACK!

The frozen structure shattered into icy fragments. Tiny crystals glittered in the air before drifting toward the floor.

The room fell silent again. She hadn’t moved more than a step.

Clarence looked impressed. “Excellent precision.”

Yuki gave a small bow before returning to her place.

Renki leaned toward Yudo. “She barely moved.”

Yudo nodded. “She’s hard to read… and her control is impressive.”

Clarence sighed and looked down at the floor. “…That was the last crystal sphere.”

Several students looked surprised. 

One raised a hand. “What about the rest of us?”

Clarence folded his arms. “The purpose of this test wasn’t destruction.”

He looked across the class.

“It was control. These crystals weren’t intended to be destroyed, but then again, some of you can’t help it.”

He raised four fingers.

“Like I said, there are four things I will evaluate this year.”

“Combat.”

“Your ability to fight.”

“Control.”

“Your ability to use your Trait without losing yourself.”

“Coordination.”

“Your ability to work with others.”

“Adaptability.”

“Your ability to survive when things don’t go your way.”

“And I, as your instructor, have to adapt when my students can’t complete the task at hand.”

He turned toward the large doors at the end of the room.

“Follow me.”

The class listened carefully, following behind Clarence.

Ryukai leaned toward Yudo. “This is gonna be hell.”

“Good.” Yudo remained serious.

Yudo looked around the room. Every student here had power. Real power. 

But this academy wasn’t about who could break things the fastest, it was about who could use it.

Clarence stepped forward again. He clasped his hands behind his back. 

“Now we understand some of your Traits.”

He looked across the class. 

“But power means nothing if you can’t fight.”

Several students straightened. The atmosphere shifted immediately.

The class moved toward the doors. As they opened, the space beyond dwarfed the training room. A massive combat arena stretched out before them. Stone flooring reinforced with deep engravings covered the battlefield. Elevated platforms overlooked the field from every direction. 

Several students instinctively slowed as they stepped inside.

Clarence stepped aside and gestured toward the floor. “The remaining eight of you will spar.”

Excited whispers spread through the class instantly.

For the first time…

Yudo was going to see how the others fought each other.