3 Years, a spar and selection.

3 Years have passed and Gray has only advanced a stage and a half at best, while a single minor stage for another at worst. The only positive thing Gray has received these past three years, is that everything almost went completely as it did in the 'past'.

The only thing that was different, was one thing two years ago. When the new students joined.

--=--=--=(2 Years Ago)=--=--=--

Inside a huge building was a hall. Inside that hall was lines of people without uniform, all standing and staring at the stage on one side. Amongst those on the stage, were Gray, Laine, four of the 'others', a few non-specified people (mob characters) and, surprisingly, Ferris.

'It's today, 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘦 brats are joining our school.' Gray thought.

'I wonder if they travelled as well.' Laine and the 'others' had similar thoughts.

After quite a while, the chitter and chatter of the lines of people instantaneously quieted down. The reason was quite a simple one. A suffocating Aura made itself known.

A King-class Aura. The aura silenced everyone, however, it also disappeared as instantly as it appeared. The effect was extraordinary, no-one dared speak until spoken to. It was a perfect deterrent to whispers. In the 'past', however, someone still decided to speak. This time, however, this time someone dared to shout instead.

"Shit!"

Everyone almost burst into laughter. Almost. The aura made itself known again. No-one knew who shouted for one reason. Although in the future it might be discovered, it won't now. In the 'future' it was proven to be a sound-element that someone used. This element was... rare, to say the least, referred to as a [Mutational Element], it originated from wind and branched off into what it was now. If put against a Tier 5 Element like Order, it'd fall short. Maybe it'd be on par with a Tier 4 but that'd be the upper limit of the element.

"QUIET!"

The suppressive voice came from a woman on the stage. The woman wore decorated black, yellow and green attire with the academy symbol stitched onto the chest pocket. Her insignia was a bit different, although it had the same tilted white hexagon with a red cat's eye with orange flecks and a 12 present in the Iris. Three edges of the hexagon had crowns instead of the normal tails that decorated it. Of course, they used the same material as the tails though.

That was the principal. Eristi Lorevid.

--=--=--=('Present' Time.)=--=--=--

Gray is currently in his second lesson, staring at his 'status' while waiting for the third lesson and the trip explanation to start.

His advancements were as such.

==========================================

Self Analysis Spell: 1st Circle, 4th Compendium.

Name:

[Gray Helnes][Rank: 12 {Human: Normal]

Physique:

[ 2/14 - Bone | 5/5 - Mountain ]

[Affinities]『Understanding』:

〘Lightning〙

[ 5/11 - Greater | 1/4 - Wild ] 『0th Root: 𝓞𝓻𝓲𝓰𝓲𝓷』

〘Order〙

[ 7/11 - Higher | 1/4 - Wild ] 『18th Root: Question 1』

〘Time〙

[ 2/11 - Inferior | 2/4 - Known ] 『22nd Root: Learning』

Purities:

[ 2/10 - Muddy | 4/5 - Dark Grey ] 『Lightning Root:-0-』

[ 0/10 - Error | 0/5 - Error ] 『No Order Origin Root Usable』

[ 0/10 - Error | 0/5 - Error ] 『No Time Origin Root Usable』

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Elemental/Martial/Neutral Skills:

"Origin Lightning" - Half-Ascended Skill

"D̶r̶a̶g̶o̶n̶ ̶F̶o̶r̶m̶ ̶[̶I̶I/̶V̶I̶I̶]̶" (Sealed)

"B̶l̶o̶o̶d̶l̶i̶n̶e̶ ̶P̶u̶r̶i̶f̶i̶c̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶" (Unusable)

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bloodlines:

None

==========================================

These advancements, however, were extremely average. Gray himself knew that if he wanted to advance, he'd need the Dragon bloodline. If he didn't get it... he'd have troubles catching up to the 'others'. Although Gray didn't know that the 'others' came back with him, he knew that they would be formidable.

With the end of the long wait came the third lesson as well as the explanation.

As the bustling corridors quieted down some 10 or so minutes later, people shuffled into their classrooms. As Gray entered his classroom, the teacher immediately started explaining their 'trip'.

"During the trip you'll be supervised by several Bishops and a few Sentinels while traversing three different planets. These planets are all supervised by a Half Ascended Human / Beastman you better be respectful, understand brats?"

Silence...

"I'll take that as a yes. Alright, I'll start explaining how you'll travel to the first planet and what awaits you there.

The path of travel will take you from our world, through three nebulas and near a black hole before arriving at the planet you'll be exploring.

The first nebula you'll pass through is the most dangerous, should you get through safe and sound it'll be smooth sailing the rest of the way. The second is annoying but it won't put you in danger. The third is the creepiest, without a doubt. After that, you'll pass through the gate that'll take you away from the black hole. Any questions?"

"Yes, what wi-"

"NO!? GOOD! Let's go!"

The teacher interrupted hurriedly and began walking out while telling us to follow him. The entire class had blank stares but followed nonetheless.

Following the boring 30 or so minutes of walking, they were arriving at the field. Everyone's attention was attracted to the school staff making a giant grey and green circle on the field using what Gray presumed was the Metal and the Earth elements. As they continued to create the construct the circle itself began shaping into a circular dome with a large platform resting on poles attached to the base above it.

Soon, along with a few class' teachers, staff went up to the poles of the construct and began drawing. Everyone was curious about those, even Gray, even the problem children, even though it wasn't 'art', the drawings were beautiful.

The symbols were strange, they looked quite... strange.

Suddenly, it clicked. They realised that these symbols were the runic language.

Surprisingly they looked similar to the Armadillian Language. They called it Japanese. Only the creator knows why. Anyway, since Gray had his fair share of knowledge about the Armadillian Language, he tried reading some of it. He couldn't read anything.

Just as he was about to wallow away in annoyance, the suppressive sound of the Principal's voice echoed across the grounds.

"Everyone! Today, we travel in a Venlier."

Whispers of excitement enveloped the atmosphere, only to be soon silenced by Eristi.

"Before that, I will tell you now.

We don't have enough space for all of you."

The whispers erupted in disbelief. Everyone realised what was going to happen.

"THUS!" Eristi silenced people before continuing. "We will have a competition to choose those who will come!

A person will step inside the dome, others will challenge them! Since there are only 500 spaces and 4000 of you, whoever beats eight people in a row will get to go!

Now then, you may choose who goes fi-"

Eristi stopped as she watched a student, head held high without hesitation, walk into the dome.

It was Gray.

Gray, while inside the dome, looked around. The dome itself was huge and had tons of space for a fight, it was mainly silver-green and it had yellow lights.

Gray then turned around, facing the speechless, crowd with jaws dropped and smiled.

"Who's first?"

The faces of most of the stronger ones contorted, with only Laine and the 'others' unfazed by this development.

As per the 'past' of the 'future' a girl walked up with a sadistic smile. She could be counted as a beauty if it weren't for the scar on her nose, however, some might think that's beautiful though.

'Mitrana, witch of the mist. Looks like I'll be having a harder time than I thought. Wind, Water Dual Root...

Oh well, I just have to blow her to pieces.'

NO! *cough cough* I mean... Gray thought gruesomely and ruthlessly.

As Mitrana entered the dome, the entire semi-sphere went black. Only the yellow-tinted light present in the darkness.

"Well, I'm 'first'. You ready to lose?"

Mitrana spoke provocatively, attempting to hit Gray's arrogance. However, both times, he didn't react.

With a snort, Mitrana started gathering water from the air and having the breeze blend with it. As she continued, Gray simply 'looked' on, irking her further. As it reached the pinnacle of what she could control, she began to disperse the mist, spreading it across the field. She weaved her way through the mist, supposedly hiding out of Gray's sight.

Barely 5 seconds later she arrived behind Gray. Time seemed to slow down as she clenched her fist, aiming and launching for his neck. At that moment, Gray turned ever so slightly, making eye contact.

"Say, mist... has water, doesn't it?"

A chill went down her spine as she saw a yellow flicker. The field was turned into an ocean of lightning in an instant. Mitrana was spasming from the electricity coursing through her and only after she passed out, did Gray finally stop.

She laid on the floor, twitching as the shade dropped.

The others looked in and started bantering, expecting a beaten Gray.

"That arrogant shit, he's already been beaten up!"

"Hahaha! That's what you get you arroga-"

Only to see the person in question dragging Mitrana and tossing her out the dome.

The entire field was silent.

The 'others' and Laine were smirking. Eristi raised an eyebrow. With an expressionless face and boredom shimmering in his eyes, Gray simply said a single word.

"Next."