Annual Battle Ceremony (1)

Vincent navigated through several alleyways, his appearance shifting subtly with each turn thanks to his Morphic Mask.

As he finally approached the Academy grounds, he could sense the heightened atmosphere of anticipation and tension. His phone had been buzzing incessantly with messages from his sister and Amara, but he'd deal with those later.

Despite the recent disturbance in the city - that ominous black pillar that had everyone talking - the Academy was bustling with activity.

Today marked the Annual Battle Ceremony for awakened students, and representatives from various guilds and institutes would be in attendance. The stakes were high, and Vincent could feel it in the air.

As he entered his classroom, the usual cacophony of morning chatter died down instantly. All eyes locked onto him, and whispers began to ripple through the room.

"Vincent Magnus is here!"

"He looks... different somehow. Has it really only been a month?"

"Did you feel that? There's something about him now..."

"Could it be related to that black pillar we saw earlier?"

Vincent made his way to his seat at the back of the room, his mind still processing the events of the morning.

The dark energy he'd absorbed from the mysterious black marble pulsed within him, a constant reminder of the changes he'd undergone. He was so lost in thought that he almost missed the approaching footsteps.

"Hello, Vincent."

The voice was feminine, deliberately pitched to sound alluring. Vincent looked up to find Claudia Blonde standing before his desk, flanked by two of her usual followers.

Her tanned skin and blonde twin-tails were as immaculate as ever, the red and white school uniform tailored perfectly to her figure.

As the daughter of an influential family, Claudia was used to commanding attention - though she'd never paid much attention to Vincent before today.

Keeping his expression neutral, Vincent replied, "What can I do for you?"

Claudia twirled a lock of hair around her finger, a practiced gesture that had probably won over countless admirers.

With a slight blush, she asked, "Would you like to join me for a walk after school?"

Vincent had to suppress a smirk. The privilege of power was already making itself known. Before his awakening, he'd been invisible to the likes of Claudia.

Now, suddenly, he was worthy of her attention. Though he was no ordinary teenager - his memories of his past life on Earth gave him a different perspective on such matters - he decided to play along.

"Interesting invitation," he said, letting a hint of amusement color his voice.

"Though I'm curious - we've never really talked before, have we? And weren't you involved with Greg?"

From the corner of his eye, Vincent could see Greg Malcolm tensing at his desk.

The boy's face was turning an interesting shade of red as he mouthed silently, "Don't... you... dare... agree."

Everyone knew Greg had been pursuing Claudia for over a year, flaunting his family's connections and his brother's reputation as a genius Origin Warrior.

Vincent's deliberate mention of him was like poking a sleeping beast.

"I would love to join you for a walk," Vincent continued, his eyes locked with Claudia's, "but I'm afraid I'm quite busy today with the Annual Battle Ceremony. Perhaps another time?"

He punctuated his response with a subtle wink that made Claudia's blush deepen.

The reaction was immediate. A wave of heated energy rolled through the classroom as Greg shot to his feet, his Origin Power flaring visibly around him.

"You dare to mess with my woman, you punk?!" Greg's voice cracked with fury, veins bulging on his forehead as fire energy swirled around him.

Vincent had to admit, he was somewhat impressed. Despite his D-rank talent, Greg had improved significantly - clearly, his family's resources had been put to good use. Yet, compared to Vincent's current level, Greg's Tier 1 power felt like a candle next to a bonfire.

Maintaining his playful smile, Vincent turned to Claudia. "Is that true? Are you his woman?"

Claudia's face scrunched up in anger.

"I'd never like him at all! He just kept pestering me, always flaunting his family's power and his brother being a genius Origin Warrior."

Vincent faced Greg, his smile never wavering.

"That's what she said."

Greg's face turned an even deeper shade of red, his fury reaching a boiling point.

"You! Good! Haha, you bitch chose that poor punk instead of me? Do you think he'll survive and be great just by having a good talent without a proper background?"

Vincent remained silent, studying Greg with an unnerving calmness that only seemed to enrage the other boy further.

"What do you mean by that?" Claudia demanded, her voice heavy with indignation.

"I'll show you what I mean!"

Greg's right arm erupted in red-orange flames as he lunged forward.

Claudia, still standing near Vincent's desk, could only cry out, "Watch out!"

Vincent didn't move until the last possible moment. The dark energy he'd absorbed earlier surged through his body, mixing with his Origin Power in ways he was only beginning to understand.

As Greg's flaming fist approached, Vincent casually raised his right hand. His normally pure, transparent Origin Power now had a subtle dark tinge to it as he blocked Greg's punch with a resounding bang.

The force of the impact sent a shockwave through the classroom, scattering papers and rattling shelves. Greg's eyes widened in disbelief.

"H-How can you block my attack?"

Vincent's smirk grew slightly.

"You're just too weak."

Still holding Greg's fist, Vincent gave a casual push that sent the other boy stumbling backward to fall ungracefully on his back.

"Ugh!"

The classroom erupted in shocked whispers. Vincent Magnus, the former nobody, had just effortlessly defeated Greg Malcolm. Even Claudia was staring at Vincent with newfound wonder.

"Are you alright, Vincent?" she asked, concern evident in her voice.

As Vincent turned to answer her, his eyes flashed with dark energy for a brief moment before returning to normal.

"I'm fine."

Greg's enraged roar cut through the murmuring crowd. "Vincent Magnus! I will kill you! I want you dead!"

He scrambled to his feet, his face contorted with rage. A pair of ornate red gauntlets materialized on his fists, the red pearls embedded in them glowing ominously as flames erupted around his arms.

"Today will be your funeral!"

Just as Greg was about to attack again, a stern voice cut through the tension like a blade.

"What's happening here?!"

All eyes turned to see Councilor Carlos Castellanos standing in the doorway, his gray hair and lined face doing nothing to diminish his commanding presence. Vincent's senses tingled as he observed the old man.

He's actually Tier 3 Origin Warrior…

"Aren't you both ashamed of what you're doing?" the councilor demanded.

"Today is an important day for both you and the school, and here you are making a mess? Go back to your seats!"

Vincent noticed the councilor studying him intently for a moment, and he wondered if the old warrior could sense the change in his Origin Power.

"Both of you, come with me to the announcement hall," Councilor Carlos ordered.

"The Dean will announce the rules of the Annual Battle Ceremony."

As they filed out of the classroom behind the councilor, Vincent could feel the weight of everyone's stares.

The walk to the announcement hall was tense, filled with unspoken hostility between Vincent and Greg. Councilor Carlos led them through the Academy's sprawling corridors, his steady footsteps echoing against the polished stone floors.

Other students they passed whispered and pointed, word of their confrontation already spreading through the school like wildfire.

Vincent took the opportunity to observe his surroundings more carefully. The Academy was even more alive than usual today, with staff members hurrying about making last-minute preparations for the ceremony.

Through the large windows, he could see viewing stands being erected in the courtyards and what appeared to be large, covered cages being transported toward the arena area - undoubtedly containing the Primal Beasts for the first phase of the tournament.

As they walked, Vincent became increasingly aware of the dark energy coursing through his body. It seemed to respond to his emotions, curling and uncurling like a sleeping beast.

He could sense it mixing with his original Origin Power, creating something new, something potentially dangerous but undeniably powerful.

Greg, walking slightly behind him, was still radiating anger. The red pearls on his gauntlets pulsed rhythmically, matching his agitated breathing.

Vincent could hear him muttering under his breath, probably plotting some form of revenge during the ceremony.

"Both of you," Councilor Carlos suddenly spoke, his voice carrying the weight of decades of experience, "I hope you understand what today represents."

He paused in his stride, turning to face them.

"The Annual Battle Ceremony isn't just a competition. It's a tradition that dates back to the founding of our Academy, a chance for students to prove their worth not just to their peers, but to themselves."

The old councilor's eyes seemed to pierce through Vincent, and for a moment, he wondered if the man could sense the strange energy within him.

"It's also," the councilor continued, "a reminder that true strength isn't just about power. It's about control, strategy, and knowing when to fight and when to step back."

They resumed walking, now joined by streams of other students all heading toward the announcement hall. Vincent noticed how people reacted to their group - some with curiosity, others with barely concealed excitement at the prospect of upcoming battles.

He recognized many faces: Lin Feng, known for his exceptional speed; Sara Chen, whose healing abilities were renowned throughout the school; Dmitri Volkov, whose physical enhancement Origin Power made him a formidable opponent.

As they approached the massive doors of the announcement hall, Councilor Carlos turned to them one final time.

"Remember, whatever personal grievances you may have, they end here. In the ceremony, you fight for the honor of the Academy and for your own growth as Origin Warriors. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Councilor," Vincent replied calmly, while Greg merely nodded, his jaw clenched tight.

The announcement hall was already filling up as they entered. It was an impressive space, with high vaulted ceilings supported by columns inscribed with ancient runes that pulsed with a soft, blue light.

The air was charged with anticipation and the mingled Origin Power of hundreds of students.

Vincent found a spot near the middle of the hall, conscious of the curious glances thrown his way.

The confrontation in the classroom had clearly sparked interest in him as a potential contender in the ceremony. He could hear snippets of conversation around him:

"Did you hear? He took down Greg Malcolm without even trying..."

"But isn't he the one who only awakened recently?"

"Something's different about him now..."

Before long, the runes on the columns flared brighter, signaling the arrival of Dean Augustus Thorne. The legendary Origin Warrior stepped onto the elevated platform at the front of the hall, his presence immediately commanding attention.

The dean's Origin Power was so refined that it was barely noticeable, yet Vincent could feel its immense pressure filling the entire hall.

"Students of the Academy," the dean's voice resonated throughout the space, "today marks the commencement of our Annual Battle Ceremony."

His eyes swept across the gathered crowd, and Vincent felt a slight pressure when that gaze passed over him. "As you stand here, know that you represent not just yourselves, but the future of Origin Warriors."

Holographic displays materialized around the hall, showing maps of the different arenas and statistics from previous years' ceremonies. Vincent studied them intently, already formulating strategies in his mind.

"This year's ceremony will follow the traditional three phases," Dean Thorne continued.

"However, I must warn you - our scouts have reported unusually aggressive behavior among the Primal Beasts in recent months. The creatures we've captured for the ceremony are stronger and more cunning than in previous years. Exercise extreme caution."

A murmur of excitement and apprehension rippled through the crowd. Vincent noticed Greg smirking, probably thinking this would give him an advantage with his fire-based abilities.

As the dean proceeded to explain the specific rules for each phase, Vincent felt the dark energy within him resonating with his anticipation.

He knew that this ceremony would be more than just a test - it would be his opportunity to truly understand the changes happening within him, to push the boundaries of his newfound power.

The announcement concluded with the dean activating a large holographic display showing the random team assignments for the first phase.

Vincent quickly located his name and memorized his teammates - he was paired with Lin Feng, which could be advantageous given their complementary abilities, along with two students he didn't know well.

As the students began to disperse to prepare for the ceremony, Vincent caught Councilor Carlos watching him with an unreadable expression. The old warrior nodded slightly before turning away, leaving Vincent to wonder if he had sensed something different about his Origin Power.