Overwhelming Performance

"Now, we proceed to the next phase. All 205 students that passed the previous phase stand in 3 lines in front of the gates to get your Xer measured!"

"Let the third phase begin!"

Raphael maintained his calm composure while the students around him were nervous and fidgeting the whole time. Being in the presence of thousands of spectators meant that you had to risk embarrassment and losing face in front of adversaries, friends, and family. On the other hand, Ray was still shocked by the defeat caused by this unknown noble in his eyes.

"Father, do you think he was trained for years under Iran?" Ray asked his father, Fazijah Ferrati.

"I don't think so. The RHA heavily investigated Iran before even joining the RWC, so that isn't possible."

"So this Raphael came out of nowhere?"

"The fact remains that he obliterated you on the battlefield."

Ray finally shut his mouth, scared to retaliate, and got down on stage. All students were gathered in the arena for the evaluation as well. The gate that was going to be used had two significant points taken into account, the Xer measurement and Xer capacity. The minimum Xer needed to pass the test was 1200X, equivalent to a 3rd-rank RW. The amount required to get a top ranking was 1500X. Xer capacity was different as it showed the amount of Xer your body could flow, and if your body had a lot of potentials, it showed [????] on the scale.

"Zephisto Angel, please be on standby for measuring." Nada's voice echoed.

"Scan start, First measurement [1670X], second measurement [1700X], third measurement [1710X], and a maximum amount of [3500X]." Nada declared. "Proceed to the second stage, Innate talent manifesting."

Zephisto walked towards the dummy used as target practice. The signature RHA wings came out of his back, and he started floating. While flapping his wings, he created a strong gust of wind and finally hit the target with black pointy spikes that came out of his wings. The second phase was finally done, and the professors were not amused since this was only normal from his background.

"Zephisto Angel, total exam points 76, class 1 Elite." Nada passed his entrance acceptance letter and gestured for him to move outside the stage.

Zephisto had this slight look of annoyance but did not argue as this could lead to future trouble with the professors. Getting into the 1Elite class was still a significant accomplishment as only ten students were given this chance. The rankings continued, and it went as follows:

[Clay Sunless-60 points]

The Sunless Famgilia was a rising powerhouse, and they had begun to spread their influence within "The Sanctuary of Dawn." Although they managed to gain power before the RHA was impossible to go unchecked, they had multiple run-ins with law enforcement since creating your territory in this limited space was already hard. Still, the RHA influence in the RWC showed.

[Anastasia Ferrati- 77 points]

[Drey Sunless- 80 points]

[Isan Bluemoon-81 points]

[Zerin Bluemoon-82 points]

[Maloy Fiend-87 points]

[Ray Ferrati-90 points]

After Ray's show in raw strength and Xer output, it was now Alezinias turn to get her evaluation in. She stepped up to the gate, and it started measuring:

"Scan start, first scan [1770X], second scan [1800X], third final scan [1820X]. Xer capacity total [????] unmeasurable."

The professors were pleased, but since it was Alezinia, it was expected. Innate testing was due, and she stepped up to the dummy, the signature wings finally showed, but something was glowing on her hand. It was a marking. It was almost impossible to get a marking at that age. Either you are born with it or obtain it in a Rift. It seems she had gotten lucky and inherited it from Xander.

Her wings were different from the rest and were tainted with a slightly grey color. She prepped her move, and the greyish wings started to glow a pale gold. A whirlwind started to form, and gold lighting struck the field. Her affinity was lightning.

The professors stood up and applauded. This talent evaluation was a performance worthy of praise. Her level at the age of 17 was close to a midrange 3rd-rank RW.

"Well done, Alezinia." Xander finally stood up to congratulate his daughter.

[Alezinia Angel-99 points]

The crowd finally calmed down and directed their attention at Raphael, who slowly walked on stage for his evaluation. His attitude was still the same, unaffected and unnerved. His gaze was focused and did not divert from the gate. His walk came to an end as he stood at the gate. He started to flow his Xer to control it and let out only enough to get 1500X

"Scan start, first scan 1500X, second scan 1500X, and final scan 1500X. Xer capacity total [????] unmeasurable."

Intrigued, the professors stood at the edge of their seats and followed Raphael's movement. They guessed that he was controlling his Xer so as not to expose his actual level. They were interested in what his inner talent would be. Raphael stood in front of the target dummy. He lifted his left sleeve to show where his shadow marking was. The marking glowed a dark purple.

Out of all the other masters, Alsing was the one who was waiting for Raphael's show of power. Raphael first gathered Xer in his feet to maintain balance when he activated his marking. "[Shadow Blades]" A dagger and a shortsword appeared in his hands. Both glow a blackish purple. He propelled himself towards the dummy with the Xer he had gathered at the bottom of the feet.

"What excellent Xer flowing. It's so refined already!" Alsing said to himself.

He finished his first attack, and the professors were getting ready to start their final evaluation.

"[Shadow Spikes"] Raphael's voice was heard throughout the arena, and dark purple spikes came out about four feet above the ground, piercing the dummy and tearing it to shreds. He took a step back from the exhaustion of Xer this move caused.

The crowd went silent from this show of power.

Soon after they had taken in what just happened, cheering erupted, and Raphael was at the center of it all. This feeling of praise was different. It made him feel powerful and needed.

Alsing stood up and applauded, and it was unexpected for a student entering the academy to have a usable AOE damage skill. Raphael's skill lacked proper control, but it was perfect to use it as a trump card against a horde of enemies. The other professors were stunned, quickly following Alsing and standing up. They started to input their scores for his performance.

[Raphael Rosewood-100 points]

This was the first time that all ten masters had given a total score to someone, this meant that Raphael's potential was limitless. Xander, in particular, was taken aback by his daughter's defeat. He expected her to surely win first place in the talent measuring, at least. Xander was wondering how to get this unpolished gem to his side. Quickly he went on stage to approach Raphael.

"Hello, young champion, your performance was outstanding." Xander's sudden approach triggered Raphael's flashes, and tiny sparks started to hit his head and make it hurt. Despite this, he managed to hold himself from doing something stupid. He was still weak and not at a point where he could afford to offend Xander.

"Thank you for your kind words. I tried my best." his almost sarcastic tone betrayed Raphael.

"Would you like to be nurtured under the help of the RHA, we promise you will be a top ranker in no more than five years."

"I am afraid that I will have to decline. My current teacher is Alsing Bluemoon." this answer annoyed Xander. No one ever turns him down.

"Rethink your answer boy, your future depends on it." his response sounded like he was threatening almost.

"I don't need to, I've already made up my mind," Raphael said, coming out as stubborn as he could.

Xander was now visibly annoyed. He did not like when things did not go according to his plans—turning his back to me, gesturing for Zephisto, his nephew, to come on stage. "I have something in mind." he turned to Alsing. "Let's make a bet, Alsing. If Zephisto wins, Raphael gets expelled from the academy this instant."

Alsing looked amused. "What about if Raphael wins? What happens then." Xander facepalmed and said, "I don't think that condition would be necessary, Zephisto won't lose." this certainly pissed off Raphael, so he slowly walked to the other side of the stage redirecting Xander's attention.

"If I win, Zephisto will serve me for the whole first year in the Xenovia no questions asked."

"What did you say, you half-baked newbie? Just because you had unmeasurable potential and a bit of power does not mean we're on the same level." Zephisto replied to Raphael's unreasonable request.

"I was not talking to you, errand boy," he said to agitate Zephisto.

"Hahahaha, you heard the boy." Alsing interrupted, excited by my response to the situation.

"So I guess this is your way of accepting our bet, huh boy?"

"It sure is "Sir" Xander."

"We will see about that, you rude bastard." Zephisto moved toward me, taking his battle stance and activating his wings.

The other masters were taken aback at first but eventually started to enjoy the situation. They all had been battle hungry for a long while since there weren't many on their level. Watching these boys duke it out would make for fine entertainment.

"Okay, students, the only rules are no vital strikes, no killing, and no crippling. Match start."

Raphael expelled a sudden burst of Xer from his feet and propelled himself towards Zephisto just like he did with the dummy. Zephisto had already made preparations from watching his previous evaluation and created a gust of wind that interrupted Raphael's dash.

The shadow blades in his hands disappeared, and Raphael knew that hand-to-hand combat would be impossible. He flowed his Xer towards the eyes to enhance farsight vision, and his eyes started to glow a bright purple. The gaps between the low gusts of wind Zephisto was creating were now apparent. He still had one more trump card left, which was [Shadow Claws], a mid-range move that managed to reach not more than five meters.

Zephisto managed to spot the switch in Raphael's stance and quickly got ready to end this bout with his final move. [Poison Spikes] A flurry of spikes came out of his wings just like they had done previously in his evaluation phase. Raphael did not expect him to use his final move since the start and, in response, activated [Shadow Spikes] this time to block Zephisto's attack.

His Xer almost drained out. He falls to his knees behind the spikes created. Sudden pain enveloped his back, and his back marking started to glow. He started having quick flashes of memories and heard the veiled lady.

"Raphael, It is good to see you again boy."

"Use your power properly, do not be afraid. Only then you will truly tap into your potential."

Purple roses started to grow from the shadow spikes, and the marking on his hand changed form—the shadow marking now was a thin lady covered in purple roses. [Rose Shadow Garden] this name came to mind, and he did not hesitate to use it.

[Rose Shadow Garden] Raphaels casts.

His previous shadow spikes changed to a garden like a parcel filled with purple roses. They were constantly moving, the way to use them was unclear for a moment, but Raphael recalled the veiled lady playing in the garden using them to grab things and such.

Alsing was unfamiliar with this power and skill that Raphael was using and got worried he might lose. Xander was smirking, thinking he had already won the bet. A look of disappointment came to the masters' faces.

[Shadow Garden Controll] Raphael cast and a creepy smirk appeared on his face.