The trials had long since ended, but the true test was just beginning. The academy wanted to gauge how students fought in real-time combat—without the pressure of scores. This was their chance to prove themselves before the upcoming Faction Selections.
Bolt stood in the center of the combat arena, surrounded by towering walls lined with glowing runes. The crowd of students sat in the viewing area, eager to see their competition. Some had already fought, while others waited their turn, silently assessing potential threats.
The warm-up battles weren't official rankings, but they still mattered. A strong performance could attract the attention of faction leaders. A weak one? You might as well be invisible.
Bolt clenched his fists, rolling his shoulders.
Across from him stood his opponent—a tall, broad-shouldered student with rock-hard skin and deep green eyes.
Name: Gareth Rykker
Element: Earth
Fighting Style: Defense & Counterattacks
Gareth had built a strong reputation from the trials. His Earth mastery made him an immovable force, and he had crushed his first two opponents with ease.
"You're the guy who barely passed the first trial, right?" Gareth smirked, cracking his knuckles. "This should be quick."
Bolt ignored him, inhaling deeply. He knew his first trial performance had been weak. But this time, he wouldn't make the same mistake.
The instructor raised his hand.
"Begin!"
---
Stone and Storm
Gareth wasted no time.
With a stomp, the ground shook violently. Cracks splintered outward, and massive stone spikes erupted from the arena floor.
Bolt barely reacted in time. A burst of wind sent him skidding backward, just as the spikes speared the air where he had stood.
The crowd murmured—some surprised, others unimpressed.
Gareth wasn't done.
He slammed his fists into the ground, summoning a jagged rock wall in front of himself. Then—without warning—he ripped a chunk of stone and hurled it at Bolt like a cannonball.
Bolt dodged left—but Gareth had anticipated it.
A second stone was already soaring toward him. He barely managed to duck, feeling the rush of air as it whizzed past his head and crashed into the barrier behind him.
If that had hit me… Bolt thought grimly.
"You're fast," Gareth admitted. "But you can't run forever."
Bolt knew that was true. He needed to break through Gareth's defense.
---
Adapting on the Fly
Taking a deep breath, Bolt summoned water in his palms, shaping it into a long whip. With a flick of his wrist, he sent it snapping toward Gareth's stone wall. The whip cracked like lightning against rock—but barely chipped it.
"Tch." Bolt narrowed his eyes. That wasn't going to work.
Gareth smirked. "Is that all?"
Then, he charged.
Gareth burst from behind his wall, closing the distance in seconds. His right fist glowed with earth essence, solidifying into pure stone.
If that punch connected—
Bolt sidestepped.
Gareth was faster than expected.
The fist grazed Bolt's side, sending a sharp pain through his ribs. Damn, he's strong.
Bolt clenched his teeth and retaliated—this time summoning a jet of water beneath his feet. The force launched him into the air, gaining the high ground over Gareth.
Gareth looked up, eyes narrowing.
Bolt didn't hesitate. He extended both hands, summoning two orbs of fire.
"Take this!"
Boom!
The flames exploded on impact, engulfing Gareth in smoke and fire.
The crowd gasped—had Bolt won?
No.
As the smoke cleared, Gareth stood unharmed.
A thick layer of stone armor had formed around his body, absorbing the damage. His smirk widened.
"My turn."
He slammed his foot down.
Suddenly—
The earth beneath Bolt collapsed.
Bolt's eyes widened. Too late.
The stone crumbled. He plummeted.
For a split second, all he saw was darkness. Then—
Crack!
The arena floor sealed itself—trapping him underground.
The crowd erupted in shock. Gareth had used the battlefield itself against Bolt, burying him alive.
"And that's the end of that." Gareth crossed his arms, confident in his victory.
Silence.
Then—
A faint glow flickered beneath the cracks in the ground.
It started small, barely noticeable.
Then, the glow intensified. The air sizzled.
Sparks of blue lightning crackled across the surface of the sealed pit.
Gareth's smirk faded.
BOOM!
The ground erupted in a violent explosion. Lightning surged outward, ripping through the earth barrier. The sheer force sent Gareth skidding backward, barely keeping his balance.
And then—
Bolt emerged.
His eyes glowed fiercely, arcs of electricity crackling across his arms. His clothes were torn, dust covering his face—but he looked unharmed.
"That was annoying." Bolt dusted himself off.
Gareth frowned. That attack should have been an instant win.
Bolt rolled his neck. No more holding back.
Wind surged around his feet.
Then—he was gone.
---
The Finishing Blow
Gareth barely had time to react before Bolt reappeared in front of him.
A sudden burst of water slammed into Gareth's chest, throwing him off balance.
Then came the fire.
A wave of searing heat erupted from Bolt's palm, crashing into Gareth's stone armor. The rock hissed and cracked, weakened by the intense heat.
And finally—
Bolt clenched his fists, summoning all his energy into a single strike.
"Lightning Fist."
His entire arm crackled with electricity. He drove his fist forward—
Straight into Gareth's chest.
The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield.
Gareth was lifted off the ground, his body twisting midair before he crashed into the far wall. The stone cracked on impact.
Silence.
The instructor stepped forward, glancing between the two fighters.
Gareth was unconscious.
"Winner—Bolt."
The crowd erupted. Some cheered. Others whispered. But one thing was clear—Bolt wasn't someone to igno
re anymore.
In the crowd, Ryzen watched, his eyes unreadable. Felix scowled, arms crossed.
And in the shadows—
A new rival smirked.
"Interesting…"
Bolt had just made himself a target.