Chapter - 27

A new day , a new me.

Last night after facing another gang on my own I managed to harvest 8 more soul essence. Currently I have 9 soul essence. The range of my soul sense increases proportion to the amount of the soul essence that I have . Right now the soul sense ability is covering 3 metres around me.

I still have to make sure to completely absorb the 8 new soul essence . But after the painful experience from absorbing the first two soul essence I don't think I am yet ready to go for it.

But I used my "Synthmire" ability from afar and managed to get few more useful memories that may come handy. There were also some new arts and spells.

But there was only one thing that gives me chills. From the memories of each person they are nothing like what they were when they fought me. Usually without the restrictions of not being able to use any mana each and every person I faced till now ware very scary. When they couldn't use mana it's like their wings has been cut off. If they didn't have such restrictions I doubt I could defeat even one of them. After all, I don't know how to handle mana at all.

"Today we are going to have a combined class with class A-1," said Mr.Luke.

Class A-1 is a hot topic among the newcomers. So when this was brought up, everyone was whispering to each other.

"Class A-1? Isn't that where all the top-ranked are?"

"Yeah, ranks 1 and 2 are both in class one. Then ranks 4, 5, and 6 are also in the same class."

"The rank 6 Novalie, who scored most points on the hidden test with her angel like kindness and healing power, is in that class as well."

"Don't forget the poison maniac that scored the lowest point. He is also there."

"Damn, I am suddenly feeling creepy."

"Silent," said Mr.Luke. "I know you're all excited. But that's not the only thing in this combination class. The class will be more competitive in nature. Each of you will have to participate. The purpose of this test is to determine which class has the greatest potential."

Most of the kids were dismayed by his final sentence. Everyone knows that the majority of the top pupils are at A-1 class. And Mr. Luke had anticipated this reaction.

"Don't be distressed. Everyone will only get to fight once. The selection will be random . And the winner will be determined by which class has the highest winning percentage."

This time, the students were fired up.

"Bonus points will be awarded to everyone in the winner's class. And those who perform well will receive bonus points whether they win or lose. So make sure to give it your all."

Everyone in the class started becoming excited. Apart from me, of course. In a true fight, where any ability, skill, martial arts, or spells are permitted, I don't think I have a chance.

"Now everyone, follow me to the training hall."

***

Phoenix Academy - Class A-1.

"You guys will be doing a combined class with Class B-1 today." Ms. Violet Grace, class A-1's homeroom teacher, made the announcement.

"There will be a contest between the two classes. Everyone will spar with a random member of the other class. The class with the highest win will be declared the winner, and everyone in the winner class will receive an additional 50 points."

After explaining all the details Ms. Violet told everyone to be present at the training hall by 30 minutes.

"Hey Damian, isn't it a pity we can only fight people from the other class? If not, I'd love to bash you up in a fight." Gavin Brutus, Rank 4, stated.

"In your dreams, yes." Diana Verus,5th place in the Academy sneered, "The last time I remember you challenging him, you were getting your a$$ beaten by Damian."

"That was a draw, a draw!" Gavin exclaimed, fuming.

"Tsk, you weak moron. You can't even beat me and think you'll be able to beat him?" said Holmes Jonathan, the rank 2.

" That's right Gavin. You should stop bothering Damian. Sometimes you go overboard. You know he's stronger than you," Novalie Valentine, rank 6, added.

"Guys, stop it. It's fine by me." Said Damian, the rank 1.

"Hey! Why are you being so cruel to me? I'm not any weaker than Damian. Furthermore, I wasn't giving it my all in that fight." Gavin argued back.

Everyone had the same thought this time: 'We all know Damian didn't give his all either.'

"Anyway, do you think there is anyone strong enough in B-1?" Gavin inquired.

"Well, I heard the rank three is there. She must be really strong." said Damian.

"Her name is Zara Scarlett. I'm not sure how powerful she is, but the Scarlett family is well known for their use of flame magic. Her affinity, however, appears to be ice elements. She's known as the 'Ice Princess,'" the store keeper of knowledge, Holmes explained.

"Pfft... Ice Princess? Do you know how many girls with the same name I've heard about?" Gavin mused.

"Well, no. She is said to be practically emotionless and cold. And with her strong affinity for Ice magic, she truly deserves the alias of Ice Princess." Novalie stated.

"I heard there's the immovable mountain, Elias Alcaeus, rank 7. He looks like a giant and I have heard he can tank even an attack from an E rank awakened. The illusive bowman, Matthew Joseph ranked 8. He can shoot hundreds of arrows with a single arrow. However, I believe the Ice Princess is still the strongest of them," Diana stated.

"Princess or not. I want to test if she is powerful enough to hold rank three. Maybe if I overcome her, I'll be able to take her place."

"Fool." said Holmes.

"All you know is fight." said Diana.

"You are hopeless." added Novalie.

"Oh well, whatever. I'm really looking forward to the competition. Hey Damian. Let's see if you are fast enough to reach the training hall before me." Gavin replied as he sprinted for the training hall.

"Hey, wait for us!" exclaimed Novalie as she quickly followed Gavin.

"Running inside the Academy is inappropriate." Damian stated.

"Let's go,let's go. We should not waste any time, either," Diana commented as she dragged Damian with her.

Holmes sighed at the scene and quietly trailed behind them.

***

In a training hall inside Phoenix Academy,

Currently, there are approximately 700 students and two S-rank Homeroom teachers. Ms. Violet Grace is the instructor of Class A-1, and Mr.Luke is the instructor of Class B-1.

"Did you get any promising students?" asked Ms. Violet as she was making arrangements on a tab.

"There are quite a few promising ones. I think Rank 3, 7, and 8 are especially outstanding. Each of them is gifted in three different aspects. Most importantly, all of them have S+ rank talent. If nurtured correctly, they will sprout well," replied Mr.Luke with a hopeful expression. "What about you?"

"Well, I have actually got a lot," said Ms. Violet as she smiled playfully.

"Yeah, it must be nice," said Mr. Luke, but for some reason his hopeful expression changed to a downcast one. He sighed deeply.

"Seriously! I just can't believe it. Rank 2, the heir of one of the top guilds. Rank 4, also from the direct line of one of the top clans. Which class are they? The Class A-1! Rank 5: The descendants of the Hero 'Azure Witch'. Which class is she in? A-1! Rank 6, who is most likely the future Holy Saint, Class? A-1! And most importantly, the dark horse, who got an S+ in both physique and magic, has one of the rarest affinity, 'Lightning', overpowered everyone, and ranked first in the Academy. And guess what? A-1! HOW THE HELL IS HE ALSO IN A-1? I at least wanted to have him. He has so much potential. Did you see just how talented he was with his sword? If he..." Mr.Luke had the expression that made him look like he would cry out any moment.

"Okay, okay, I get it." Ms. Violet stopped him in the middle of his carping.

With every word Mr.Luke was saying, his face was becoming more miserable. He is an expert in melee weapons. But his most powerful aspect lies in swordsmanship. When he saw that Rank 1 had extraordinary talent with swords, he just couldn't accept the fact that Rank 1 was not under his care.

"You know that it was completely random, right? No one was allowed to choose what class they would get, and no instructor could choose his disciple beforehand. It completely depends on luck. There are 15 classes and 15 instructors. Shouldn't you be glad that you got to have three among the top then?" said Ms. Violet.

Mr.Luke calmed down and sighed. Ms. Violet sat down and took a sip of her drink, then Mr.Luke replied,

"Says the person who got 5 among the top 6. Just what kind of witchcraft did you use?"

"Pfft.... Hahaha! Witchcraft? Witchcraft on the 'Mother AI' who will never do favouritism or anything outside the rules? " Ms. Violet laughed it off. People trust 'Mother AI' more then their real mother. It never breaks any rules and won't let anyone get away after breaking a rule.

"The selection was made by the Mother AI. So everything was completely by luck, and it was done randomly. Speaking of that, it looks like it's time. Let's start the random duel."

All the students attention was suddenly brought to the big screen above the training hall.

{Selecting Combatant}

{ A-1:???, B-1:??? }

{ A-1: 3432, B-1:??? }

{ A-1: 3432, B-1: 3587 }

"Ok class! Let's begin today with the duel between Rank 3432 and Rank 3587" said Mr.Luke.

Two young men came forward in the fighting ring. A blue transplant barrier surrounded the ring.

"As long as you guys are inside the ring, any life-threatening attack will be blocked with it's safety measurements. But activation of the safety measures also means a loss for you. The fighting will begin after the countdown to ten. Stepping outside the ring or attacking before the countdown will result in your losing."

The countdown on the big screen began. The two young men gripped the weapons tightly. When the countdown hit zero, both youngsters dashed toward each other.

****