Potential Recruit

Inside the halls of the academy, a man wearing a black trench coat could be seen rushing through, not running but walking at a fast pace. That man was Alexander, he just left the classroom in which Max and the other classmates of his were, trying to get somewhere.

He reached some stairs and hurriedly arrived on the second floor of the academy. This place was limited to teachers and other, certain individuals. Alexander found himself in front of a big door that measured approximately five meters in height and on it, engraved were the words 'PRINCIPAL'.

Alexander stopped for a second, breathing in and out trying to calm down. After a few seconds he knocked twice on the door and as he was about to knock the third time a voice sounded in his ears.

"Come in" An elderly but joyful voice could be heard. At his invitation, Alexander didn't falter and pushed the door open.

It was easily opened and it did without making a sound. Alexander entered the room where he saw a big room. The room vibrated in shades of brown and red, but Alexander knew this already, after all, he had been multiple times inside this room.

"What is it, Alexander? It isn't your style to rush from a classroom straight to me in such a manner." The owner of the voice sat at a desk in front of Alexander. Papers filled the desk from one corner to the other but the middle of the desk was clear, revealing a chubby person.

"I beg your pardon Master Lutz, but it is you that asked me to report if there are any potential recruits and I've found a perfect one today." Alexander kneeled as he said.

"Hmm? Really...? So tell me, who is it?" Lutz, seemingly interested, asked Alexander. He knows that he gave Alexander quite the restrictions when it came to potential recruits, claiming that this person is a perfect match for one made him feel flabbergasted for a second.

"The name of the student is Max Edward sir, he has terrifying potential when it comes to being a mage and he was first to earn my recognition over all of the first-year students even without knowing his potential," Alexander told Lutz, he was sure that just telling Lutz the name will make him a recruit almost instantly, not needing an explanation, but he said something good about him just to be sure.

"Hahaha!" Lutz laughed copiously after he heard his subordinate.

"What is it, sir?" Alexander asked, confused by the sudden change in behavior of his master.

"It's nothing, keep an eye on him and then tell me again if you want him as a recruit by the end of the year." Lutz waved off Alexander right after as he got back to the papers he previously left.

"I understand," Alexander said before bowing, he turned around and left, going back to his daily activities.

***

Max and Mark already left the classroom and after talking a bit more they split off as they weren't aiming for the same place. Mark was going back to the dorms, he told Max that in the morning he will meditate and at night he would train with his breathing technique until the tournament starts, something that Max wasn't able to do.

Max knew that meditating or training the breathing technique in the morning would prove useless so during the morning Max thought of going around the library and learning as much as he could about his element and other important topics.

He searched for information about the darkness element for an hour or so each day but more times than not he had to give up and search for other books that might have useful information. He looked towards the stash of books he had gathered behind one of the shelves. This type of behavior made him think that he is some kind of hoarder.

This was how Max's days went by over the next three weeks. He was able to find simple information about the darkness element but no abilities he could practice which put him at a disadvantage when thinking of the upcoming tournament.

After a few days of practicing the breathing technique Max wasn't able to feel the small physique improvement from before which got him thinking for a while. After some time he realized that the reason, as even Alexander told him, was because he didn't have excess particles circulating through his bloodstream that would be absorbed by his body while circulating.

To solve this issue Max began alternating his training, he would meditate for two nights and then circulate for one night. With this Max improved his physique, concentration, and circulation mastery in the most efficient way he was able to.

Currently, it was Sunday night and Max was getting ready to sleep. He finished meditating for a few hours and tried to get some sleep before the tournament to relax his mind and body for a little bit.

Just as his head touched the pillow thought, the bathroom door opened and Mark swiftly got inside Max's room. Seeing Mark inside his room Max grunted then addressed him.

"What do you want Mark? I want to sleep." Max got up from the bed, he thought it would be impolite for him not to face Mark while he might've come here to tell him something important.

"I'm sorry but you know, just now they released the information of when the competition is going to start so I thought you should know," Mark said while unfolding some papers.

"So... this one is mine... this one is yours," Mark said while sorting the papers out, he then gave Max a paper.

"Hear me out now and don't interrupt me, I'll tell you the details" And so he did. Mark began talking about the notice that was placed right before entering the academy building in the middle.

The first part of the competition are one versus one fights that will take place each day until there are five fighters left for each of the two divisions. The tournament is split up into two different divisions, each with 80 individuals. Each of the individuals will have to fight once a day at noon to establish their placement in the competition. If you lose you are out of the competition and if you win you will have to fight once more the next day.

The second part of the competition will commence one day after the five fighters from each division were announced. The five fighters from the same division will team up against the other five in a team fight and the winners are recognized by the academy and will earn certain privileges. Every individual will be rewarded based on their ranking, so even though the other team of five lost their rewards will also be quite significant.

Mark left Max to rest, going back to his own room to rest as well. They were placed in different divisions and if they wanted to meet and fight each other they would have to be one of the five fighters in their own respective division.

Max was able to sleep after calming himself down, all the talk about the competition that Mark did left Max anxious for a while but finally he fell asleep.