The second bell of the Royal Magic Academy rang low and heavy, echoing through stone corridors like a warning.
This was not a lecture.
This was evaluation.
---
The Combat Arena
The first-year students gathered inside the Grand Combat Hall, a vast circular arena carved from reinforced mana-stone. Floating platforms hovered at varying heights, elemental conduits ran along the walls, and thick barrier formations shimmered faintly—ready to prevent death, not pain.
An instructor stepped forward.
She was tall, armored in black-and-silver academy combat gear, a long spear resting casually against her shoulder.
"I am Instructor Kaelra Voss," she said, her voice sharp.
"This class will determine your combat path and primary class assignment."
The murmurs stopped.
"Talent alone means nothing here," Kaelra continued.
"I want instinct, control, and adaptability."
Her gaze swept the students.
"And I will not hold back."
---
Class Assignment Rules
A glowing formation activated above the arena.
> Combat Evaluation Structure:
Elemental Control
Physical Aptitude
Tactical Awareness
Mental Resilience
"Your performance today will decide your combat track," Kaelra said.
"Knight, Mage, Hybrid, or Specialized."
Eyes sharpened.
This would define their future.
---
First Evaluation: Free Combat Manifestation
"Step forward when your name is called."
---
Henry Jade
Henry stepped into the arena first.
Fire flared aggressively around him, forming a blazing spear.
He attacked without hesitation—raw, dominant, overwhelming.
Kaelra blocked easily, her spear snapping aside his flames.
"Powerful," she said coldly. "But reckless."
Assigned Class:
🔥 Battle Mage — Fire Affinity (Offensive Focus)
Henry clenched his jaw.
Not knight…
---
Martha Uzumaki
Martha stepped forward silently.
She raised one hand.
A perfectly constructed mana circle formed instantly.
Kaelra's attack froze midair—neutralized, unraveled, dismissed.
The arena went silent.
Kaelra stared.
"…You're not a mage."
Assigned Class:
🜂 Primordial Arch Mage — Strategic Caster
Martha bowed once and stepped back.
---
Princess Ariel
Ariel hesitated, then entered.
Light and wind intertwined gently around her. Her defense was instinctive, her movements graceful, but her hesitation showed.
Kaelra struck harder.
Ariel stumbled—but didn't fall.
She raised her staff again.
Kaelra nodded.
Assigned Class:
✨ Holy Wind Mage — Support & Control
Ariel exhaled in relief.
---
Luo Chaos
The wind shifted before his name was called.
Luo stepped forward.
He did not summon wind.
The wind came to him.
Kaelra attacked instantly—fast, precise.
Luo moved.
Not away—through.
Wind folded space around his body, redirecting force, carrying momentum.
The spear missed by a breath.
Kaelra stopped.
"…Legendary Wind Talent," she said quietly.
Then louder:
Assigned Class:
🌪️ Wind Sovereign — Hybrid Combatant
The hall erupted.
Mei Lin felt the wind brush her cheek unconsciously.
---
Mei Lin Lin
When Mei Lin stepped forward, the arena felt…different.
She didn't summon power.
She observed.
Her eyes glowed faintly.
> [Combat Analysis Mode Activated.]
Kaelra attacked.
Mei Lin redirected—earth softened, wind shifted, water absorbed impact.
No wasted movement.
No excess force.
Kaelra smiled for the first time.
"You're not just fighting," she said.
"You're designing the battlefield."
Assigned Class:
🌿🌬️🌊 Elemental Architect — Multi-Affinity Strategist
Silence.
Then whispers.
"She's controlling everything…" "That's not normal…"
---
System Notification
> [Primary Combat Class Registered.]
[Elemental Architect — Growth Potential: Extreme.]
[Synergy Detected: Wind Sovereign (Luo Chaos).]
Mei Lin looked away calmly.
---
The Arena Aftermath
Kaelra faced the class.
"These assignments are not rewards," she said.
"They are expectations."
Her gaze lingered on Mei Lin and Luo.
"You two… don't disappoint me."
From the observation deck above, King Arthur watched in silence.
Queen Maria closed her eyes.
They're too visible now, she thought.