Chapter-25

There were 957 first-year students, divided into classes from S to F for both combat and academics. However, the special class only had rankings from S to B.

Two days after the academic exams concluded, the arena building were buzzing with activity. Virtual Reality (VR) pods were filled with people, and Theron found himself inside one, ready for the combat exams. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as students engaged in challenges to improve their rankings. 

Theron, holding a sheathed katana in his virtual space, initiated a challenge to a student ranked 885. In the virtual arena, he faced his opponent, who took a defensive stance with a sword in hand. With swift movements, Theron outmaneuvered his opponent, striking him down. The match concluded with Theron holding the katana to his opponent's neck, securing the victory. slowly putting the katana back to its sheath, the TV in the arena displayed Theron's hidden face as his ranking was updated. Beside each VR pod was a placeholder for items such as weapons to be replicated and Theron was able to get his katana inside as well. 

Theron proceeded to challenge the next three students in quick succession 835, 785, 735. A student could challenge another student who was within 50 rankings. Theron called it a day and then continued challenging 4 more the next day and lastly defeated the 535th ranked student as the crowd who were in the arena cheered well the dozen or so people who were there. Theron didn't know what they would gain out of watching him since it would end in a few minutes anyways.

The next day, Theron continued to challenge three more opponents, ranked 485, 435, and 385. The fights became progressively harder, and on the 435th opponent, Theron encountered a girl who utilized magic. While some students before had used magic, they were swiftly defeated by Theron before they could cast any spells. However, opponents beyond the 500th rank appeared to be stronger.

The 435th opponent was a girl with chestnut brown hair and light blue eyes. Her hair wasn't long but reached a bit below her shoulders with a slight natural wave. She had a pretty face and her body looked lean and agile.

She looked focused as she started to instantly retreated after the countdown. She started to cast her spell as Theron started to get close but soon felt that the environment seemed to be a bit different than before as he slowed down a bit to dodge more obstacles, as pointed rocks scattered around the area. She had an earth element but she didn't cast a spell but rather manipulated her element to make a harder terrain for Theron. 

Then her spell started as an earth ball started to materialize out of the spell structure. It was a rank 1 spell [Earth ball] The earth ball few with fast speed and would hit quite hard and though it was quite fast, Theron was able to dodge it which surprised the girl but she soon continued to cast the earth element spell again this time even faster and more earth ball materialized around her as she shot them with quick succession but Theron dodged all of them as he moved in a zig zag pattern and started to get closer and closer. Seeing that none of it worked, she started to panic a bit but started to cast a spell again but this time it felt stronger. She was trying to use a rank 2 spell but Theron had already arrived in front her as she seemed to have incorrectly calculated Theron's speed and how long she would have taken to cast the spell as Theron knocked away the wand from her hand.

As she saw her opponent in front her, her spell structure which she tried to form, started to fall and crack as she had failed in casting the rank 2 spell. She tried to move back as Theron moved closer slowly step by step. However, she had forgotten that the terrain she created hindered Theron as well. With no mana left and the difficult terrain, she tripped on the spikes, bracing for the pain. Yet, to her surprise, the pain didn't come as expected.

But she couldn't seem to feel the pain she expected so she opened her eyes as she saw the eyes of the person who was her opponent, she couldn't help but gaze into them till a whistle sounded from the viewers who seemed to see it as if there was something forming in the air.

Realizing she had been gazing at Theron for an extended period, she blushed slightly.

"Umm, I surrender"

Theron, still hidden in his virtual appearance, removed the katana from her neck and helped her up.

"Thank you"

She said and the TV updated with her rank being demoted by one and Theron in his hidden appearance got her rank. She couldn't help but feel a bit disappointed,

"You are strong for your rank"

"Try to challenge around 400"

The arena vanished, and Theron returned to his virtual space, ready to challenge the next opponent ranked 385. After a swift victory, he contemplated his final challenge. While scrolling through the list, he stumbled upon a familiar name—an acquaintance per se.

Theron almost clicked the 335th ranked student before recognizing a name he knew. He decided to challenge the 348th ranked student and entered the arena. Inside the arena, there were two students: one masked in a black suit, face concealed, and the other, a student with a built body, brown hair, and scars on his face—Jareth Hawthorne.

"It seems that the dark horse has come to me," Jareth remarked confidently. 

"I hate to ruin your parade, but your road will have a dead end with me."

Theron, maintaining his silence, closed his eyes as the countdown reached its end.

"3"

"2"

"1"

"Start"

The barriers that separated the two combatants vanished, and Jareth, with swift agility, lunged towards Theron, delivering a powerful punch. To the spectators, it seemed like Theron was motionless, seemingly stunned at the speed of Jareth. Jareth's confident demeanor hinted at his belief that this battle was already won.

'Is this all the dark horse has to offer'

However, in an instant, Theron opened his eyes, revealing a steely determination. He sidestepped Jareth's punch effortlessly and retaliated with a swift blow to Jareth's gut. It was a surprising turn of events that caught both Jareth and the audience off guard.

Jareth quickly backed off and drew his weapon, a staff as he coughed. Jareth started to treat Theron as a real opponent. Jareth launched a series of rapid strikes. To the audience, it looked like Theron was being pushed back, his defenses slowly crumbling. Theron's calm demeanor, however, suggested otherwise.

As the fight unfolded, Theron skillfully parried each of Jareth's strikes with his katana. To the viewers, it appeared that Theron was on the brink of being overwhelmed. The tension in the virtual arena was palpable.

Yet, as the fight progressed, the tide began to turn. Theron, seemingly effortlessly, outmaneuvered Jareth, forcing him into a position of disadvantage. The pivotal moment came when Theron and Jareth locked weapons, each pushing against the other. Despite the apparent strength of Jareth, Theron managed to overpower him, leaving Jareth and teh viewers astonished.

Seeing a brief opening, Jareth tried to strike with his staff but what he saw was his hands rather than his weapon. To Jareth's dismay, his weapon soared through the air, landing far out of reach. Realizing the dire situation, he began to express his surrender, but Theron, swift and decisive, seized the opportunity. In the blink of an eye, a silver flash appeared through his chest from behind as he had turned his back on his enemy to see where his weapon was.

The audience watched in shock as Jareth's lifeless body crumpled to the virtual ground. Blood began to pool around him, creating a gruesome scene. However, the platform quickly blurred the more graphic details for the viewers. Jareth's avatar disappeared, leaving only Theron's victorious form standing amidst the virtual remnants of their duel.