Introductory Evaluation

Ren had barely settled into his dorm when a notification blinked on the bracelet on his wrist. 

{Welcome, Aaron Mordaine. Your introductory evaluation is scheduled for today at 3:15 PM. Attendance is mandatory.}

{Uniform is to be worn.}

Ren raised an eyebrow. So soon?

He glanced at the time, it was 2:45 PM.

They didn't waste any time here.

 He walked towards the closet, looking at the uniforms on the rack, he took one out and then put it on.

The uniform consisted of a fitted high collared jacket, an undershirt (Ren's was a long sleeve), the bottom was basically combat style pants for easy mobility and the shoes were an option of reinforced boots or combat shoes (Ren wore the boots).

With a small smirk he grabbed the jacket and left his dorm room.

It was time to make his first impression

System: the display you put on few minutes back, what was that?

The training field was as big as it could be, an open-air arena built to withstand Esper-level combat.

The ground was reinforced with high density materials, and the walls were lined with advanced barrier technology to prevent damage from high-powered physic attacks.

Students gathered in groups, all waiting for their evaluations to start.

Ren's gaze swept across the field, looks like students had already begin forming cliques.

Some students stood with obvious arrogance; their uniforms embroidered with the insignia of elite families.

He glanced at his jacket and noticed it had the Mordaine insignia on it; a silver serpent coiled around a dagger.

Others stuck together in quiet groups, focused and cautious.

And they were the ones who stood alone, the strongest.

Ren recognized them immediately. 

Even without releasing their abilities, their presence basically commanded attention.

Among them, three figures stood out the most.

[Host your targets are over there!] the system for some reasons sounded chipper, it was behaving like a fan.

The first was Cassian Valtheris.

He was tall with jet-black hair and piercing silver eyes, he was the epitome of icy and arrogant, it made people hesitate to approach. His posture was relaxed, but there was an air of danger in the way he carried himself.

The second was Elias Vaelthorne.

Sleek, silver hair and violet eyes (similar to Ren's but darker) that seemed to see through everything. He was the silent, composed type and he held himself with the kind of presence that made others subconsciously lower their heads.

The last was Riven Duskbane.

Riven had crimson red eyes and messy dark hair, he was the most unapproachable of them all. His aura was the most suffocating, it was like standing in a void where warmth didn't exist.

These three were the hardest to win over.

They were untouchable and really strong.

For some reasons, these were his first targets.

The system listening to his host's thoughts rolled his eyes, can his hosts be any more stupid. 

[Host, you have to meet these targets now, because you're at the academy!]

Ren's lips curled up slightly.

Well.

School just got more interesting for him

"System, I want their profile immediately I get to my dorm." Ren communicated with the system telepathically.

[Hai host!] again with the excitement.

Ren rolled his eyes.

A voice interrupted his thoughts.

"You're the Mordaine brat that everyone's talking about, aren't you?"

Judging by his presence, he was another Esper. A strong one though.

Ren tilted his head. "And you are?"

"Lorien Hale," the student introduced himself. "I keep hearing your name all throughout the academy. No one knows where you came from, but the Mordaine name carried weight, so I was just curious."

Ren looked at him, his gaze flickering with confusion. "Curious about what?"

Lorien grinned. "If you're worth the hype."

Ren chuckled. "You'll find out soon I guess."

Before Lorien could respond, a loud boom echoed throughout the field.

Looks like the evaluation was starting.

An instructor stepped forward; his expression was stern.

"New students will undergo a combat assessment to determine their starting rank." His voice carried across the field. "Your performance will affect your placement in the academy ranking. If you're weak...." his gaze swept over them coldly, ".... you'll stay at the bottom where you belong."

The students immediately tensed up.

Ren's finger twitched slightly, an old thrill bubbling in his chest.

This should be fun.

The teacher didn't even introduce himself.

Just like that the first match was called, it was between a girl who had pyrokinesis and a boy could manipulate the wind.

Their powers were basically a boost to each other's, so the both of them fighting didn't make sense to Aaron until they tied and both of them decided to form a team.

Basically, the introductory evaluation was also a means for students to get a feel of another's power and also form teams and have rivals.

Then the second and then the third match.

One by one students were being called upon and they fought, displaying their physic abilities in an attempt to secure higher ranking.

Some of the fights were explosive while others were practically disappointing, while others were mild. 

And then.

"Aaron Mordaine."

Silence fell.

All eyes turned to him.

Ren stepped forward, unbothered by the sudden attention.

His opponent was already waiting, a second-year student who had been chosen to challenge him.

Ah Lucian's handiwork.

A smile threatened to form on Ren's lips.

It was perfect.