The sky burned red.
From the depths of the forest, Sofie's eyes snapped upward, her chest tightening.
The aura flooding the heavens was violent, wrathful—unmistakable.
"…Klaus."
The crimson storm splitting the clouds was his doing.
Sofie's hands balled into fists, her fire spirit flaring alive within her. She refused to be left behind.
"Fine," she whispered, flames spiraling violently around her, coiling up her arms like serpents. "If you're going all out… then I will too."
Her body ignited, heat distorting the air, her crimson blaze stretching skyward in a column of light that rivaled the inferno Klaus had unleashed minutes before.
Elsewhere in the test field
Annabeth Vortan dragged her blade across the ground, a towering beast collapsing behind her.
Its head rolled with a dull thump, and yet—her breathing didn't even quicken.
She hadn't even used half her power.
"Pathetic," she muttered, wiping her blade clean. She flicked her wrist, pulling up her points counter.
[ 1420 Points ]
A satisfied smirk played on her lips—until the horizon shifted red.
The south.
Her sapphire eyes narrowed, her grip tightening around her weapon as a strange chill spread across her chest.
"That aura…" Her voice was low, unsettled. "…Who the hell is unleashing power like that?"
One name immediately surfaced. Klaus Aetherion.
Her lips curled into a sharp grin. "So it's you. Then let's see if you are as powerful as the storm you have unleashed when I get there."
Without hesitation, she dashed toward the south, her figure vanishing into the treeline.
---
Inside the private booths of the Monarchs
The sky's violent flare had not gone unnoticed.
Thalor, arms crossed, his stone-like presence unwavering, leaned forward.
"How..how is he getting so powerful every second?"
Zephyra's eyes sparkled like a storm, her voice carrying a lilt of wonder. "Klaus..you really are Earth's champion."
Elari let her fingers glide across the tilted glass, her tone calm, though her gaze betrayed unease. "That aura burns with rage. It will consume him… or consume us."
Solene's radiant glow flickered faintly, her expression darkening. "To wield such wrath and remain standing… That child is no ordinary mortal."
Zevarion only smirked, lightning flickering faintly around his fingertips. "Now this… this is entertaining."
Each Monarch watched, transfixed. The name "Klaus Aetherion" was seared deeper into their minds.
Back in the forest
Klaus exhaled, his crimson aura finally retreating, Ako's wrath caged again.
Silence followed the forest, it was a wasteland of charred roots and scorched soil.
Not a single beast dared stir within miles.
The glow of his artifact pulsed.
[ Points: 3200 ]
He didn't flinch. He tapped to open the leaderboards.
[ Rank 1: Klaus Aetherion – 3200 ]
[ Rank 2: Sofie – 2780 ]
[ Rank 3: Annabeth Vortan – 1420 ]
But what froze him wasn't Sofie or Annabeth—it was farther down.
[ Rank 9: Selene Vaeloria – 890 ]
"…Selene?" His brows furrowed, but a relieved smirk touched his lips. "So she's fine after all…"
Ashborn's voice rumbled inside, mocking.
"Hah! Look at you. Worried sick for nothing, like some doting father."
Klaus scoffed under his breath."Shut it. At least I care for people."
Ashborn chuckled darkly."Bah. Care is weakness. But fine, worry all you want. Still… this is boring, boy. You've slaughtered beasts, torn their hides to ribbons. Why not spill some real blood? Go after the others. Let their fear feed you."
Klaus fell silent, staring at his leaderboard.
He was already Rank 1. The beasts offered nothing but monotony now.
"…You're right." His grip tightened on Fushigiri. "Let's hunt something that can fight back."
With that, he began moving northward, his figure slipping into the shadows of the ruined forest.
Meanwhile – Annabeth Vortan
Her artifact pulsed again. She flicked her wrist, pulling up the updated leaderboard.
[ Rank 1: Klaus Aetherion – 3200 ]
She clicked her tongue sharply. "Figures."
Inside the coliseum
The massive display above the coliseum blazed with the leaderboard, the names of the top 10 locked in place.
Students roared with excitement, chanting names, screaming for their champions.
The screens shifted, now showing the top contenders' battles.
On one of the largest, Sofie cut through the air like a comet, fire blasting beneath her feet, searing the forest floor to ash.
She struck down beasts with ruthless speed—her flames burning so hot that their flesh burst open before her strikes even landed.
A beast's head exploded mid-roar, gore splattering across the screen.
The crowd gasped in horror then erupted in cheers.
"YEAHHH! THAT'S MY BABY!" Lady Sera leapt to her feet in her booth, screaming with joy, her hands clasped in pride.
Sofie's eyes burned with fire.
She scanned the terrain like a predator, hunting for more.
Within seconds, her gaze locked onto a reptilian beast slithering nearby, its scaled body gleaming with venomous light.
Her lips curled into a grin. "Perfect."
---
Suddenly, a thunderous shout erupted from the coliseum.
"LOOK! LOOK AT THAT SCREEN!"
Every head turned toward the grand display—the feed showing Klaus Aetherion and Annabeth Vortan.
The two names at the very top of the leaderboard were only minutes away from clashing.
The arena buzzed with anticipation.
Far above, in the imperial observation chamber, Emperor Malrik Vortan surged to his feet, his cloak flaring behind him.
His eyes gleamed like molten steel as he gripped the railing.
"At last… at last! Annabeth and klaus—!"
His voice boomed with a thrill that rattled the chamber.
Anastasia, composed even now, gently raised her hand to calm him. "Malrik. Control yourself."
Malrik exhaled slowly, regaining his poise, though his fists still trembled with excitement. His gaze never left the screen.
The Paragon's were to excited to speak.
None of them spoke yet because their eyes were sharp, burning with a mixture of intrigue, doubt, and anticipation.
Some leaned forward. Others crossed their arms.
Every one of them knew: this clash was about to define the exam.
Back in the forest—
Klaus flew low, violet lightning crackling faintly around him as his senses stayed razor sharp.
But suddenly—SHHHHK!
A blade tore through the air, shattering the atmosphere itself with its sheer pressure.
Klaus's eyes narrowed as he caught the weapon mid-swing, gripping its hilt tight as sparks and airwaves exploded around him.
He stood silently, the earth beneath him quaking from the clash of forces.
Yet—no opponent in sight.
Then—
Vrrmm!
From behind, a streak of silver and scarlet blurred in. Annabeth's blade lunged for his spine, fast as light.
But Klaus was gone.
Instead, her strike passed through a fading afterimage, a mirage that dispersed into violet sparks.
Klaus appeared behind her, calm, unreadable.
Annabeth's lips curled into a wild grin. Her eyes burned with exhilaration as she whispered:
"Yes… this is what I wanted!"
The entire coliseum trembled with anticipation.
KLANG!
Klaus's blade, Fushigiri, and Annabeth's gleaming longsword clashed mid-air, the force alone sending shockwaves that cracked the arena's illusionary sky.
The sound was deafening, like thunder tearing open the heavens.
The audience roared.
Screams, cheers, and chants erupted as both names Rank 1 and Rank 3 finally met blade to blade.
The Paragons leaned forward in silence, their faces lit by the glow of two clashing titans.
Even they felt their pulses rise.
Emperor Malrik Vortan stood tall, fists clenched, eyes wide with unrestrained excitement.
His booming laughter shook the chamber.
"YES! That's it! Annabeth show him your bloodline's might! Klaus show me the strength that defied a Monarch!"
Beside him, Anastasia's fingers tightened around her teacup.
Her voice was calm, but her eyes never blinked.
"This…is about to be exciting"
The Monarchs, watching from their private rooms, exchanged sharp glances.
Thalor leaned forward, murmuring under his breath."… is Klaus even human anymore?"
The crowd's chants reached a fever pitch as Annabeth locked eyes with Klaus.
"Fuck the exam. Fuck the rules!" she spat, her voice sharp with exhilaration.
"Let's go all out right here, right now! Let's see who's the true leader of the first years—not through points, but through BLOOD!"
Klaus tilted his head, a flicker of surprise dancing in his crimson eyes.
"…Huh?"
Annabeth grinned wide, her aura flaring like scarlet lightning. "Don't hold back, Klaus Aetherion!"
For a moment just a heartbeat Klaus's lips curved into a small, dangerous smile.
His hand tightened around Fushigiri, he felt the Mortal Blade itself hungered, whispering for blood.
And then "Ashborn," Klaus muttered in his mind, "what about Yashariku's spirit form?"
The deep, rumbling voice answered with a dark chuckle.
"Using it now wouldn't be wise, boy… but then again, since when have you cared about wisdom?"
Klaus exhaled slowly. In. Out. His chest rose and fell as calm overtook him.
He stretched his shoulders, his gaze sharpening to a predator's focus.
And then "Spiritual Form… Yashariku."
The world itself seemed to split open.
From Klaus's body, crimson energy erupted like a volcano, tearing the forest ground apart beneath his feet.
A massive surge of raw spiritual power split the earth and sky, painting the battlefield in blood-red light.
His silhouette stood tall against the storm of energy, unshaken, unyielding with an aura that devoured everything around it.
The crimson flares then condensed, spiraling behind him until his transformation ignited.
His figure rose within a towering spiritual manifestation: a demonic, godlike avatar with horns and eyes burning like dying stars.
Klaus floated forward, shirtless, lightning-wreathed muscles carved from war itself, eyes cold and predatory.
His aura bled crimson into the very sky, corrupting reality itself.
The coliseum gasped in unison.
Students froze, their screams caught in their throats. Monarchs tensed.
The Paragons, for the first time, looked visibly unsettled.
Emperor Malrik slammed a fist into the railing, his laughter booming.
"MAGNIFICENT! HAHAHA! THIS… THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR!"
Anastasia's eyes narrowed, her lips parting only slightly. "…Impossible. For a child to wield a form like this…"
Annabeth staggered back at first, her heart pounding against her ribs.
Her lips trembled, her grip on her blade tightening until her knuckles whitened.
But then her eyes widened.
Her breathing grew heavier. Her lips curled into the widest, most unhinged grin of her life.
"YES!" she screamed. "YES! THAT'S IT, KLAUS! SHOW ME EVERYTHING! RIP ME APART IF YOU CAN!"
Before her stood Klaus Aetherion his body veiled in Yashariku's terrifying, grinning shadow, its eyes glowing with insanity.
The clash that was about to unfold would shake the academy to its very foundation.