The moment Kael's feet touched the final platform, silence blanketed the stadium.
Ten thousand eyes fixed on him. Instructors stiffened. Students stopped breathing. Even the headmaster, who had remained impassive through the entire exam, leaned forward.
Kael, however, frowned slightly.
"...So I passed the written and practical phases already?" he murmured.
The faculty exchanged glances. The final test had not started yet.
"Who told you—"
Kael glanced at the nearest instructor, who immediately shut his mouth. Not because Kael glared, but because he looked too calm. As if everything was already beneath his feet.
Unaware of the heavy atmosphere, Kael muttered to himself.
"This must be the bonus trial."
That one line turned the air around him icy. A bonus trial? Did he just call the final boss fight of the Academy's most grueling exam... a side quest?
The top 10 student contenders, who had fought tooth and nail to reach this stage, stood across the arena trembling. Not from fear—but disbelief.
Raen gulped.
"...Is he serious? Does he think we're the trial?"
Hema slowly stepped back.
"No... I think he thinks someone stronger is supposed to come out after us."
Lyra sighed and crossed her arms. Her cheeks were slightly pink, but her eyes burned with understanding.
"This is just Kael being Kael."
---
✦ Announcement from the Sky
Headmaster Varell finally spoke.
"Student Kael Vaelthorn… due to your... unforeseen advance... the academy has deemed this the final phase."
He hesitated, then added with emphasis:
"All other students who qualified will face you. Defeating you means graduation with honors."
The crowd erupted.
A ten-on-one battle?! Against Kael?
---
✦ The Fight Begins
One by one, the students charged. Mages with spells primed, warriors with aura-coated weapons, and archers loosing enchanted arrows.
Kael tilted his head slightly and sighed.
"I should go easy."
But his "easy" was different.
He dodged without moving from his spot. Just slight turns of his torso. His coat never fluttered. He disarmed the first swordmaster with a flick. Redirected a spell back at its caster by simply swiping it mid-air. The entire fight lasted fifteen seconds.
Every student lay unconscious—or trembling in surrender.
Silence. Again.
---
✦ Shadow Watching
Far above, hidden behind the clouds, a hooded figure watched.
"He doesn't even realize it…"
A whisper crackled through a communication crystal:
"...We may have to report this to the 5★ Envoys."
---
✦ The Final Declaration
Kael turned toward the podium where the instructors sat.
"I assume this concludes the final examination."
They nodded dumbly.
Kael dusted his coat, turned his back, and walked out of the arena.
"Then I'll take my leave."
---
✦ Aftermath
The students whispered, wide-eyed.
"He… isn't human."
"That was the strongest student the Academy's ever seen…"
Raen scratched his head. "How the hell do you befriend a monster like that?"
Lyra didn't answer. She just watched Kael's retreating back.
"Idiot," she murmured softly. "You could at least smile after winning…"
---
✦ End of Chapter 46