Chapter 31: Unmatched Skill

The air in the arena was heavy with anticipation as Kai stood alone with his gaze fixed on the opposite gate. The whispers and murmurs of the crowd faded into a dull hum around him as he stood there, focusing and preparing himself for the beast. All this after the noble students had made their impressive displays. Everyone was curious perhaps even eager to see if this student with no noble linage could match or surpass the expectations his earlier display of strength had set.

The gate creaked open, as out walked his opponent: a Stage 1 Thunderclaw Panther. Sleek black fur rippled over the body built for speed and agility, and sharp claws crackled faintly with blue energy. No ordinary challenge; it was in the early Essence Calibration Realm, chosen to test the limits of any candidate who dared face it.

The crowd watched in silence as the panther's predatory gaze locked onto Kai. The beast's eyes were cold, calculating, and filled with the intensity of a seasoned hunter.

Without a moment's hesitation, the panther lunged, covering the space between them in one fluid movement. Kai didn't lose his focus either on seeing this sudden pounce. In one swift movement, he reached behind him, drawing his spear from its holster. He sidestepped smoothly, evading the panther's deadly claws by a hair's breadth.

As the beast passed him, Kai's spear struck with precise force, angled perfectly to pierce the panther's side and immobilize it. The panther froze, its body going limp as Kai's strike cut through its muscles, stopping it in its tracks without delivering a fatal blow.

For a moment, the arena was silent. Students, teachers, and other spectators were staring in mouth-agape amazement at Kai standing over a helpless beast, calm and composed. He held his spear firmly with unwavering eyes that told he was not strained; he had done this a thousand times.

Then a burst of chatter broke out from the masses of people, each shouting, overlapping in shock and wonder.

"Did he just.?"

"One hit?! How can he have such accurate and precise control?!"

"I've never seen anything like that!"

Even the older students, who had sneered at Kai before, were now wearing expressions of shock. They exchanged serious glances, realizing that this commoner had not only the strength but also the control to match—or even surpass—the Academy's finest young nobles.

The elders in the Academy who sat on the platform were stunned too. One of the elder was a long-bearded man with an oversized belly and booming laughter, shook his huge body while still laughing. "This young man. what extraordinary control. Immobilizing such a high-level beast into one whip. He is born talent! I shall take him under my wing and train him.".

This led to another old man, this one shorter, more wiry in the frame, but with eyes that somehow focus sharply. He snorts "Dream on. Did you see that technique? It takes years to develop that kind of precision. What can a boorish fellow like you teach him? I'll do the training."

The squabble between them rose to a higher level as they both listed reasons why they were the best choice to bring out his potential.

Meanwhile, the head elder sitting in the middle of the platform said nothing but observed Kai. His expression was contemplative, and his sharp gaze lingers on Kai as if he were trying to unravel the mystery of the young commoner's origin.

'Where did this boy come from?' he thought with a piqued interest. 'And who trained him to wield such power and control?'

Kaị casually went back to the group, not knowing much about what was going on around those elders. Eric was grinning from ear to ear, clearly awed by what he'd just witnessed.

"That was… incredible, Kai!" Eric whispered, trying to keep his voice down but unable to contain his excitement. "One strike! I don't think I've ever seen a technique that sharp."

Lia nodded at him with pride. "Show-off," she teased, though her eyes were admiring. "But I guess I'd better keep up the standard."

Just then Sariel's voice boomed across the courtyard: "Lia from Elaris Village!"

Lia gave Kai a small smile, her face expression calm but focused, as she stepped forward, catching his gaze as she passed. Her eyes held a flicker of determination, and he nodded in encouragement, sensing her readiness.

Still stunned by what Kai had performed, the public looked toward Lia with such curiosity and expectation that almost everyone was speculating whispers about her around them regarding whether she could top off what her friend had presented just then.

Lia moved into the arena, fluid and assured. The gate swung open once more, and this time, an Icefang Serpent slid out. Its scales shone with an icy blue sheen. Its tongue darted out to taste the air as its cold calculating gaze settled on Lia. Venom dripped from its long fangs, and it coiled its body to strike.

But Lia didn't show any sign of fear. She watched the serpent intently, her hand hovering near the hilt of her blade, her movements calm yet poised, as though she were waiting for the perfect moment to act.

The Icefang Serpent lunged forward, baring its fangs as it aimed straight for her throat in a deadly, precise strike. Lia waited until the last possible second before sidestepping, her body moving with the fluidity of a dancer. In one swift motion, she unsheathed her sword, her blade flashing as it connected with the serpent's throat.

She was swinging so perfectly with her sword, immobilizing the serpent so quickly with the venomous bite held an inch and a half away from her face. Lia's sword, striking under absolute control, gave this beast a blow that knocked it out.

The whole arena stood still and stunned until, as before, the shock wave broke across the sea of faces into cheers and screams.

"What, another one?"

"She immobilized it with a single strike… just like that?"

The students stared at one another in incredulous awe, many of their eyes wide with wonder. They had come to the Academy assuming they were the elite, yet here were two commoners from an unknown village, performing moves beyond what they could grasp on talent and power.

Up on the platform, the two elders who had argued over Kai's potential now stood in stunned silence, watching Lia's performance. One of them, who had been about to make another claim, stopped mid-sentence, his mouth hanging open.

Even the elder in the middle, who had been watching Kai with such intense interest, now regarded Lia with the same careful scrutiny. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowed as he took in her technique. 'The control, the timing… these two aren't just strong. They're disciplined, trained to a level beyond their years.'

The elders exchanged silent glances, a mixture of surprise and suspicion passing between them. They had expected to see promising students in this year's entrance exams, but these two from Elaris Village were proving to be far more than anyone had anticipated. And the weird thing was, no one, not even them have been able to feel any kind of essence signature from them. Which just made them more suspicious.

As Lia walked back to join Kai and Eric, she wore a faint smile on her face, and satisfaction was etched clearly. Eric looked at her with wide eyes, unable to contain his excitement.

"That was amazing, Lia!" he exclaimed, his voice a little too loud in his excitement. "You both just… one strike, and the beast is down. I've never seen anything like it!"

Lia shrugged modestly. "Just did what we trained for," she said, though the glint in her eyes showed that she was pleased with the result.

Kai gave her a nod, his smile one of pride and understanding. "You did great.".

As the crowd slowly quieted, the murmurs among the nobles shifted. No longer did they look at Kai and Lia with derision or doubt. Now, their gazes were laced with seriousness and, in many cases, a hint of envy. Kai and Lia had accomplished something remarkable, and everyone present knew it.

Another noble, who had mocked at Kai's first stage performance, now looked pale. His confidence was shaken completely. "Who are these two?"

But it wasn't only the students. The elders of the Academy, with each in their own thought as they prepared to go to the next stage, reflected on what they had just witnessed. The talk of the crowd had changed; no longer were Kai and Lia merely commoners—they were anomalies, a force few people had expected and even fewer could understand.