Trial By Combat

As Ayid marveled at the building's grandeur, he noticed a peculiar sight. Everyone was parting ways, making room for someone passing through. It was as if this person was extremely important, and Ayid was curious.

He turned to a girl standing nearby, whispering, "Who is this person? Why is everyone moving out of the way?" She looked at him with a mix of surprise and disdain, saying, "Are you kidding me? Were you born yesterday? Don't you know who this is?" Ayid was taken aback, realizing he had no idea who this person was.

The mysterious individual was a tall, lean figure with chiseled features and piercing blue eyes that seemed to see right through. His jet-black hair was styled perfectly, swept back from his forehead, and his sharp jawline was accentuated by a subtle smile. He wore a long, black flowing cape with a silver clasp, a tailored black suit, and silver-rimmed glasses that added to his enigmatic aura.

His confident stride and commanding presence made him stand out, and Ayid could see why everyone seemed to be in awe of him.

The girl leaned in, a hint of awe in her voice. "You know, he aced the physical exam and ratings with a perfect score. I mean, everything about him is just... wow. Some people are even whispering that he's the strongest student to ever take the exam." She paused, glancing around before continuing in a hushed tone, "And, of course, there's the fact that he's Erich Kruger. I mean, his family, Kruger are basically royalty in this country. They're the ones calling the shots, politically speaking. So, it's no surprise their son is a total powerhouse."

The girl glanced around, her voice barely above a whisper. "Ehm, he's not the only one, though. There are a lot of big names here in this exam. Some say this is going to be the greatest exam in history, which means there'll be more competition and fewer people to qualify. That's what makes it so exciting, right?" She smiled, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

Ayid felt a surge of determination and excitement, his face breaking into a smile. "It won't feel better if it doesn't come with competition," he said to myself, maybe a bit too loud. The girl looked at him, and quickly added, "Who are you?"

But he was immediately cut short by a voice booming from the microphone, commanding everyone's attention. A man emerged onto the stage, his confident stride and authoritative presence immediately silencing the room. Ayid's eyes narrowed as he took in the man's appearance - a slim, tall figure with a neatly trimmed hair and beard, likely in his mid-twenties. The man's attire screamed "Nightcore commander," a high rank that demanded respect.

"Good morning, participants," the man began, his deep voice echoing through the hall. "My name is Thane Blackwood, and I'll be your instructor for today's exam." His piercing gaze swept across the room, as if daring anyone to challenge him. Ayid steeled himself, his mind racing with the weight of the moment. This was it - all or nothing.

Thane Blackwood's gaze swept across the room, his eyes burning with intensity. "You all remember that fateful day, don't you? The day humanity teetered on the brink of extinction? The day the Nightmares brought us to our knees?"

His voice dripped with firm emotion, recalling the trauma they had all endured. "Those creatures took everything from us: our homes, our families, our hope. They left us with nothing but pain and despair."

He paused, allowing the weight of his words to settle. "We were powerless, helpless against their onslaught. But then, something changed. We were gifted, Soul binding ,and with it, the supernatural techniques and abilities that could harm – no, kill – the Nightmares."

His voice rose, filled with determination. "We went from being prey to predators. We took back control, and we will not let them take it from us again. That's why you're all here today – to prove you have what it takes to join the elite ranks of Nightcore ."

Ayid's fist clenched as a fleeting memory of that fateful day flashed through his mind. Thane's voice cut through the tension, firm and resolute. "Your grades are based solely on your abilities, and each of you has been matched with an opponent who closely mirrors your skills - or slightly surpasses them. You'll face your opponent in a one-on-one battle, and the winner will advance to the next round to face their next challenger."

Ayid's muscles tensed at the prospect of facing a formidable foe, but he steeled himself for the challenge. He was determined to become a Nightcore vanguard, no matter the cost. Just then, a hand shot up from the crowd, and Commander Thane nodded for the student to ask their question.

"Commander, what if the person is weaker than us? Doesn't that defeat the whole point of challenging ourselves?" the student asked, their voice laced with curiosity.

Thane's expression turned thoughtful. "It is acceptable to be confident in your abilities, but do not underestimate your opponent at all. Each person came here for the same reason you did. So, every person wants this opportunity just as much. Underestimating them could be your downfall. Remember, the Nightmares won't care about your strength or weakness. They'll attack regardless, and you need to be prepared for that."

"Your names and your opponents' names will be displayed on the screen behind me," Thane announced, pointing to the large screen. "Get ready, because each match will be intense and brief - no more than 10 minutes. The match ends when your opponent is completely knocked out or openly admits defeat. Our judges will carefully examine each match to note your strengths and flaws."

The room buzzed with excitement, but Thane's next words brought a dose of reality. "This month, we have 300 participants, but only 10 will be selected to join Nightcore. So, do your best - it's your only chance."

A subtle wave of panic swept through the crowd as the weight of his words sank in. The odds were overwhelmingly against them.

Thane's expression turned stern. "Remember, the winner of each round advances to the next, while the loser is sent home to apply for the next tournament. We don't tolerate weakness here at Nightcore headquarters. So, don't lose - fight like your life depends on it, because it does."

"Good luck, participants! Head to the arena now!" Thane called out, his voice firm and decisive. With that, he swiftly exited the stage, leaving the crowd to ponder his words and the weight of the challenge ahead.