In this world, not all heroes can reach the highest level in their power. That was why it was very important for people to try and enter the hero academy.
When the world was still safe, it is said that there were sorcerers who left behind their traces in the form of Aztec pillars.
There are only two in the world, the first one was on the other side of the singular continent where the demons roamed.
The other one, you guessed it, was in the hero academy.
These Aztec pillars allow the hero to integrate themselves with their brand fully. It no longer becomes something they have to harness and channel, they become living bodies of mana.
This was the goal of any hero entering the academy today.
As for Santiaga, he wasn't sure whether it would work for him, cause his brand isn't one that is globally recognized.
'My aim here isn't ascension. It's to kill him. With or without it.' Santiaga gritted his teeth, glaring at the mass of vines spiralling and squeezing together.
"See, I told you it was over." The guy beside him said, and Santiaga shook his head.
All of a sudden, a bright light shone from beneath the cacoon of writing plants.
*Boom!*
The cacoon suddenly exploded, tearing apart.
"Impossible."
Hearing the shocked reactions of the students there, Santiaga shook his head.
Standing in the middle of the room was Jeff, unscathed. He still haf his cocky expression, looking at Mireya.
"I'll have to admit, that was impressive. With only a couple of seeds you could make me use my strongest ability." The instructor stepped forward. "Makes me wonder what you could do in a forest or a valley."
At that moment, not only Santiaga, but the rest of the people there thought about what the instructor said.
'I didn't even think of that.' Santiaga frowned, looking at the girl who held a bow in her hands.
"Now, shall we continue?" He raised his sabre, targeting the curly haired girl.
All of a sudden, Mireya shook her head, raising both her hands.
"I surrender." She said, making Jeff drop his sabre.
"Hm. Smart, it's important to know your limits." Jeff said, looking at the people who hadn't done the test.
"Next person step forward please." Jeff said, looking at the remaining four people.
Santiaga didn't want to go, not yet. He looked at the guy beside him who was also looking at him.
"Go ahead." Santiaga said, making him sigh.
The guy stepped forward, hopping over the pieces of vines there.
"Your name?" Jeff asked, looking at Santiaga who was glaring at him with a murderous glaze.
~This intent. He's not even hiding it. I didn't even embarrass the fool. Just wait, I'll humble you real quick.~
Santiaga frowned, hearing the thoughts of his nemesis. A small chuckle left his lips as he nodded.
They were remaining three that hadn't been tested. A girl was amongst them, right beside Santiaga as the brown skinned guy left.
And she was staring at him.
Her eyes were a strange shade of golden and her hair was bright blonde, even brighter than Jeff's. She had a slim build, wearing a grey blouse that showed her slim waist and ample curves.
Santiaga didn't take his eyes off of her, wondering why she was staring at him so deeply.
"You're... Not human. Are you?"
Santiaga frowned, looking at the lady with a murderous gaze.
[Anomaly detected...]
[Anomaly removed...]
[This bitch!]
Messages popped up at the corner of his eye, making him look at the girl one more time.
"What are you doing?" He asked, glaring at her deeply.
She tilted her head, putting a hand on her chin.
"You're definitely not human." She mumbled, looking at him deeply.
Santiaga sighed, focusing on the duel instead. Whatever was wrong with her, wasn't his problem.
A gust of wind came from the middle of the hell, blowing passed the group that stood there.
Santiaga regained his vision and saw that only Jeff and the the dark skinned man stood there. The branches and vines that surrounded them have been pushed away.
"There, much better. What did you say your name was again?"
"Von. I'm excited sir." The boy said, smiling.
Weird black dots started to float around him making everyone curious. The dots suddenly started gathering around him.
As if they were liquid, they began to cover his entire body, solidifying into a full body armour.
Jeff's eyes gleamed with interest as he looked at Von's newly formed armor. "Oh? So, your brand is that one... Haven't seen it in a while."
Von didn't answer. The liquid-black armor covered his whole body like a second skin, gleaming under the lights of the metallic hall. His face was now hidden behind a smooth, featureless black helm with glowing red eyes.
From his back, two jagged extensions formed like broken wings.
*Boom!*
He launched forward.
Jeff raised his sabre in time, clashing against Von's armored fists. No weapon in his hands, just raw, brutal strength.
The entire room shook as the two exchanged a flurry of attacks. Von wasn't holding back. Every strike left cracks on the ground, sparks flying where armor met blade.
Jeff grinned. "You're the type that lets the brand consume you. Interesting."
Von didn't speak. Instead, his chest began to glow, a strange sigil forming over the black plating—something ancient and forgotten. The glow was sickly purple, and it pulsed like a heartbeat.
Then he did something no one expected.
He grabbed Jeff's sabre with one hand—and crushed it.
Jeff's eyes widened. The smirk on his face twitched. "You little—"
Before he could react, Von headbutted him, sending the instructor flying backward. The others gasped. Even Santiaga's eyes widened.
'That's... This old era brand, materialization.'
He shook his head.
The reason he was surprised was because only the first generation of heroes had this brand. It had been over a hundred years since that brand had been seen.
Jeff hit the far wall, sliding down with a groan. A trail of smoke escaped from Von's shoulder.
It seemed like the instructor kicked his shoulder in that split second.
He stood tall in the center of the hall, the black armor dripping and repairing itself slowly.
Jeff slowly stood up, brushing dust off his suit. "Alright, you got one hit in. Good job. But I'm not done—"
*Crack!*
The ground under Von splintered. He vanished.
Jeff turned just in time to see the armored fist slamming into his gut.
*Boom!*
This time, the shockwave sent vines, branches, and even loose weapons scattering across the room. A small crater formed where Jeff had been standing.
Von landed beside it, calm and unmoving.
Everyone stood in stunned silence. Even the girl with the golden eyes looked impressed.
Jeff emerged from the crater coughing. His jacket was torn. Blood dripped from his mouth.
And yet... he smiled.
"I was hoping one of you would push me this far."
Then, he raised his hand.
*Shing!*
Light formed in the air, twisting into something massive and bright—an astral blade of pure energy.
"I'll end this now."
Santiaga narrowed his eyes. 'So that's the instructor's real weapon. He's just been toying with us this whole time...'
Von didn't retreat. He crouched down, ready to launch again.
But just as the two were about to clash—
BOOM!
A deafening explosion rocked the entire hall. Lights flickered. Dust filled the air.
Santiaga struggled to balance himself and knelt on the ground.
Everyone staggered.
Then, from the far end of the metallic wall, a massive crack appeared. A skeletal hand was pulling it apart.
Santiaga's eyes widened.
'What in the hell is that?'
The hand was followed by a monstrous figure—tall, horned, rotting flesh clinging to an ancient armor. Its eyes burned with green fire, and a dark mist was swirling around it.
[Warning: Dimensional Breach Detected.]
[Entity Classification: Chaos-Class Demon.]
[Run]
Santiaga read the message, turning around and sprinting towards the door he came from before, he didn't even want to see the creature clearly.
Jeff turned to face the wall, eyes sharp.
"What... That barrier should've held for another three days!"
Von stood, frozen under the gaze of the creature.
Then—
*Whoosh!*
The creature suddenly vanished, leaving no traces behind. From the wall, Kudell said allied into the testing room with a smile on his face.
All eyes turned to him.
And Jeff, smiling through bloodied lips, said;
"You had to just go mess with it, sir."
Kudell looked at the people in the room and glanced at Jeff again, he was bruised, while being in his ascended form.
"You were harmed in your ascended form?" Kudell asked, looking at the black armoured figure in the middle of the hall.
"Well would you look at that. Bring him to me when they are admitted." He said, snapping his fingers.
Santiaga appeared in the room again and he looked back, a look of confusion on his face.
There was a hole in the wall, and the people that came here with him, along with Jeff, all stared at him.
"You were really quick to run, boy. Why don't you go next." Jeff smirked.