The Test Of Ranks Begins

The morning of the Rank Test arrived with a tension so thick it seemed to hang in the very air of the Academy. For weeks, whispers of the test had spread through the halls, with students speculating about who would come out on top. The prestigious competition wasn't just about prestige or bragging rights—it determined the standing and future prospects of every student who participated.

For me, though, it was something more. Today would be a chance to seize control of the narrative and push myself—and Seraphina—one step closer to our goal. The Sword of Aetherium, now safely in my possession, pulsed quietly beneath my cloak, its power thrumming with anticipation. It wasn't the only artifact I had secured; there were others, lesser-known relics I had strategically acquired over the past few weeks. Today, they would all come into play.

As I made my way to the Grand Arena, I could see the faces of students who had gathered to watch. The entire Academy was abuzz, and standing among the throng were those I needed to defeat: **Princess Selene**—Alistair's younger sister, fierce and unyielding, with a will that matched her brother's; **Princess Adriana**, who had aligned herself with me, though I knew her loyalty was tenuous; **Reinhardt**, one of Alistair's closest friends, powerful and noble; and of course, **Evelyn** and **Alistair**, the supposed heroes of this tale.

I joined Seraphina at the edge of the arena, her presence commanding as ever. She was dressed in dark battle robes, the emerald pendant I had given her glowing faintly against her chest. She caught my eye, a smile tugging at her lips. "Ready for the fun part?"

I nodded. "Everything is in place."

The Academy's Master of Ceremonies stepped forward to address the crowd, his voice echoing through the stands. "Welcome to the Rank Test! Today, the strongest and most skilled will prove their worth. There will be no second chances. Victory here means more than rank; it means influence and power beyond these walls."

A cheer erupted from the students gathered, the excitement palpable. I cast a glance at Alistair, standing tall beside Evelyn. His gaze met mine for a brief moment—unreadable, but focused. He knew what was at stake, even if he didn't yet realize how much had already shifted beneath his feet.

The first challenge was announced: a **team combat trial**, pitting teams of four against each other. Seraphina and I would be facing Alistair, Evelyn, Princess Selene, and Reinhardt in the first round. It was exactly the matchup I had hoped for.

As we stepped into the arena, I felt the weight of the Sword of Aetherium on my back, though I didn't draw it yet. Seraphina moved beside me with the deadly grace she always exuded. Our two other teammates were competent, but they wouldn't be crucial. This fight would come down to us.

On the other side of the arena, Alistair and his group stood ready, the sun gleaming off their armor and weapons. Evelyn had her signature silver bow, while Alistair's sword shimmered with holy light. Reinhardt, clad in his massive armor, wielded an enchanted war hammer, and Princess Selene had her twin blades, each glowing faintly with an icy aura.

The Master of Ceremonies raised his hand. "Let the trial… begin!"

The moment the words left his mouth, the arena was thrown into chaos. Selene was the first to move, launching herself at Seraphina with incredible speed. Her twin blades flashed like silver lightning, aiming for Seraphina's throat. But Seraphina, with the grace of a dancer, sidestepped, drawing her dagger with a flourish. The two engaged in a deadly dance, blades clashing in a flurry of sparks.

I, meanwhile, faced off against Alistair. His blade hummed with power, but I knew his style. In my past life, I had seen countless fighters like him—noble, predictable, and reliant on destiny to guide them. But destiny was no longer on his side.

Alistair lunged at me, his sword glowing with holy magic. I parried easily, the Sword of Aetherium now in my hand. As our blades clashed, I felt the raw power of Aetherium coursing through me. It was like fighting with the strength of a god. Alistair's eyes widened in surprise as he struggled to push against the sheer force of the sword. "How—how did you—"

"Times change," I said, my voice cold. I pressed forward, forcing him back.

Behind us, I could see that Seraphina had turned the tide of her battle. She wasn't merely holding her ground against Selene—she was winning. Each movement was precise, calculated, and merciless. The pendant around her neck glowed brightly now, its magic amplifying her attacks and protecting her from Selene's strikes. I knew that the emerald pendant had been intended for Evelyn, meant to shield her from harm and give her strength in battle. But now, that power belonged to Seraphina.

Evelyn, seeing that Alistair was struggling, nocked an arrow and aimed at me. But before she could release, I activated another artifact hidden beneath my cloak—a small, enchanted mirror I had acquired. It shimmered in the air before me, reflecting her arrow back at her with twice the speed. She barely managed to dodge, her eyes widening in shock.

"Not so easy when the odds aren't in your favor, is it?" I called out to her.

Reinhardt, roaring like a beast, charged toward me with his war hammer raised high. But Seraphina was faster. She broke away from her duel with Selene just long enough to land a devastating blow on Reinhardt's exposed flank. He crumpled to the ground, his armor shattering under the force of her strike.

Princess Adriana, watching from the sidelines, smirked. She had made the right choice in allying with me, though I could see in her eyes that she was already calculating her next move.

The tide of the battle had shifted completely. Alistair was on the defensive, Evelyn was shaken, and Reinhardt was down. Seraphina and I were in perfect sync, moving as one. It was clear to everyone watching that the supposed heroes had lost their edge.

With a final push, I knocked Alistair's sword from his hand, sending him stumbling to the ground. Seraphina stood over Selene, her dagger pressed to the princess's throat.

The crowd was silent, stunned by the swift and brutal outcome. The Master of Ceremonies raised his hand once more, his voice echoing across the arena. "The victors: Cedric Valen and Seraphina Draven!"

The cheers that followed were deafening, but I barely heard them. This victory was only the beginning. The heroes had tasted their first defeat, and now the true game had begun.