Nova and Elesch clashed in the basement's sprawling arena, the obsidian tiles gleaming under the arcane orbs' flickering light. Adam sat on a bench, his cross necklace glinting as he watched, while Marcus stood nearby, scribbling furiously in a notepad. The air crackled with tension, thick with the scent of sweat, as Marcus assessed the trio's potential for the Obsidian Academy's four grueling exams.
They'd better not choke, he thought, his pen scratching predictions.
Nova's ability summoned twin daggers, their blades shimmering with latent power, capable of cleaving metal and stone. With growth, Marcus noted, those weapons could channel a red-and-black aura, amplifying their destructive force. He's got raw talent, but there's more locked away, waiting for him to rise. I need to make sure that raw talent manifests itself, before the exam, otherwise he might struggle somewhat. It might really upset him if he sees himself not winning; his arrogance will definitely get in the way.
Nova lunged at Elesch, his daggers slicing through the air with lethal precision. Elesch countered with void manipulation, her hands weaving patterns that bent reality, the air rippling where her power stirred. Unlike elemental wielders, her voids could form anywhere, given the right conditions, giving her a deadly edge. She dodged Nova's strike, her movements fluid, a grin flashing as she nearly grazed his daggers, threatening to erase them from existence.
She's evolving faster than I anticipated, Marcus mused, his awkward smile betraying awe. Yesterday's hesitation is gone; she's a predator now, growing stronger each dawn without breaking a sweat. Her potential, he scribbled, might outstrip Nova's, her void powers maturing with terrifying speed.
Nova backed off, his smirk sharp as he reassessed Elesch's newfound maturity. She's climbing to E-rank any day now, he thought, a bead of sweat trickling down his temple. If she keeps this up, she'll leave me choking on her dust. Fucking hell, Elesch, you're making me so proud. He twirled his daggers, planning his next move.
Elesch lunged, her speed doubled from yesterday's hide-and-seek trial, her movements almost illegally swift. The challenge had honed her agility, her void-infused kicks slicing through the air like a black-belt's, though her technique was raw. She aimed for Nova, her eyes blazing with determination to dominate.
Nova parried, landing a swift kick to her legs, weakening her stance slightly. Elesch didn't flinch, her resolve ironclad, her void powers pulsing as she pressed forward. The arena's runes hummed, amplifying the intensity, the air heavy with the clash of their wills.
Marcus's voice boomed, cutting through the fray: "Elesch, out! Adam, you're up!" The command startled them, but they complied without protest. Elesch stepped back, her breath steady, while Adam rose, confusion flickering in his eyes.
Adam activated his ability, his senses sharpening to a razor's edge, his skin hardening like tempered steel. Claws sprouted from his fingers, temporary but lethal, glinting under the light. He faced Nova, his stance cautious yet eager, ready to test his mettle.
Nova grinned, daggers spinning in his hands, as he sized up Adam. Claws, huh? Let's see if preacher boy can keep up. He darted forward, blades flashing, aiming for Adam's hardened skin, testing its resilience with a probing strike.
Adam sidestepped, his claws slashing in a counterattack, the air hissing as they cut through. His senses caught every twitch of Nova's muscles, anticipating the next move. The arena's tiles vibrated faintly, runes pulsing as if alive, watching the duel unfold.
Elesch watched from the sidelines, her void powers simmering, her mind analyzing every move. Adam's tougher than he looks, she thought, noting his claws' precision. But Nova's too slippery to pin down easily. Though, a way to defeat Nova is too be arrogant yourself, if Nova's ego gets hurt, then Adam can use this opportunity to outright overpower Nova, that to in a instant. Though the probability of that happening, is close to zero. She leaned forward, eager for her next turn.
Marcus scribbled furiously, his eyes flicking between the fighters. Adam's control is improving, but he's too cautious. Nova's reckless, but it works. Elesch… she's the wildcard. He tapped his pen, envisioning the exams' brutal trials, hoping the trio's synergy would carry them through.
Nova feinted left, then struck right, his dagger grazing Adam's hardened arm, sparking faintly. Adam retaliated, his claws raking the air, forcing Nova to leap back, his smirk unshaken. The arena's holographic emitters hummed, ready to throw surprises into the mix.
A rune flared, conjuring a holographic boar, its tusks gleaming as it charged. Nova vaulted over it, using its momentum to spin mid-air, landing behind Adam with a taunting grin. Adam turned, claws raised, unfazed by the beast's sudden appearance.
Adam lunged, his claws aiming for Nova's shoulder, but Nova twisted, his dagger deflecting the strike with a metallic clang. The boar circled back, its roar shaking the tiles, and both fighters dodged, their movements a synchronized dance of survival.
Elesch's eyes narrowed, her fingers twitching as if itching to rejoin. They're good, but I'd have that boar erased by now, she thought, her void powers stirring restlessly. She glanced at Marcus, wondering when he'd call her back into the fray.
Marcus shouted: "Keep it tight! No slacking!" His voice echoed, spurring Nova and Adam to intensify their clash. Nova's daggers flashed in a flurry, each strike testing Adam's defenses, while Adam's claws countered with relentless precision.
A second rune activated, summoning a holographic drake, its scales glinting as it lunged at Nova. He rolled under its jaws, the key from yesterday's trial flashing in his mind. Same stakes, different game, he thought, dodging as Adam pressed his attack.
Adam's claws grazed Nova's jacket, tearing fabric but not skin. Nova laughed, spinning away, his daggers weaving a defensive arc. The drake roared, forcing them to split, each dodging its snapping jaws, the arena alive with chaotic energy.
Marcus noted Adam's resilience, his claws holding up under pressure. He's got grit, but needs to push harder. Nova's agility impressed, but his cockiness worried Marcus. If he overplays his hand in the exams, he's done. He scribbled, his brow furrowed.
Elesch stepped closer, her void powers humming faintly, visible as a faint ripple in the air. I could end this in seconds, she thought, her confidence surging. The hide-and-seek trial had awakened something in her, a hunger to surpass her limits.
Nova sensed Adam's rhythm, predicting his next strike. He ducked a claw swipe, countering with a dagger thrust that forced Adam back. The drake lunged again, and Nova used its bulk as a shield, slipping behind it to gain distance.
Adam pursued, his senses tracking Nova's movements through the drake's interference. He leaped over the beast, claws slashing downward, but Nova sidestepped, his smirk infuriatingly smug. The arena's runes pulsed faster, signaling more traps ahead.
A holographic vine shot from the floor, wrapping toward Nova's ankle. He sliced it with a dagger, the illusory plant dissolving into sparks. Adam seized the moment, closing the gap, his claws aiming for Nova's chest, forcing a desperate dodge.
Marcus called out, "Switch! Elesch, back in! Adam, take a breather!" Adam stepped back, panting, as Elesch surged forward, her void powers crackling. Nova grinned, ready for round two, his daggers gleaming with challenge.
Elesch's hands glowed faintly, voids forming at her fingertips as she advanced. Nova struck first, his daggers slicing toward her, but she countered, a void swallowing the attack, the blades flickering briefly out of existence. The arena's air grew heavier, charged with her power.
Nova retreated, his mind racing. She's way faster than yesterday, stronger too. This is going to be fun. He spun his daggers, feinting left, then lunging right, aiming to outmaneuver her void's reach. Elesch anticipated, her void shifting to block, forcing him to rethink his strategy.
Adam watched, his claws retracting, skin softening as he caught his breath. Elesch might as well be considered a low-tier monster now. It's not a insult, but a compliment. He thought, gripping his necklace. Nova's got his work cut out. He studied their movements, learning from each clash, ready for his next turn.
Marcus's pen flew across the notepad, his eyes sharp. Elesch's growth is exponential; she could hit E-rank by week's end. Nova's adaptable, but overconfident. Adam's steady, but too reserved. He hoped their sparring would refine their edges for the exams.
A rune triggered a holographic swarm, buzzing toward Elesch. She dispersed it with a small void wave, that she learned and refined during mediation. The insects vanished, and she lunged at Nova, her kick infused with void energy. He dodged, barely, his dagger grazing her arm, sparking against her void's resistance.
Nova laughed, exhilarated. She's pushing me, but I'm still the star. He spun, launching a flurry of strikes, each dagger a blur. Elesch countered, her voids absorbing the attacks, the air rippling as their powers clashed, the arena trembling with their intensity.
Marcus shouted: "Enough! Regroup!" The trio paused, breathless, as the holographic threats dissolved. Marcus eyed them, his notepad filled with observations. "You're raw, but there's potential. Keep this up, and you might just survive the exams."
The trio stood panting, their chests heaving, drained from the relentless sparring that ended in a hard-fought stalemate. The basement arena's obsidian tiles gleamed under the arcane orbs, the air thick with the lingering tang of ozone and sweat. Their rivalry burned bright, tempered by mutual respect, as the holographic threats faded, leaving only the hum of runes in the silence.
Marcus lowered his notepad, his sharp gaze sweeping over them, his voice steady but firm: "I've written down what I saw, notes to sharpen your edges and redefine your fundamentals. Listen closely; you need to hear this to survive the exams."
He pointed at Nova, his pen tapping the air. "Nova, your agility and adaptability are top-notch; those daggers cut through chaos like a storm. But your cockiness is a liability. You overplay your hand, and in the exams, that'll get you knocked out fast."
Turning to Elesch, Marcus's expression softened, though his tone remained stern. "Elesch, your void manipulation is evolving at a terrifying pace; you're a force of nature already. But you're leaning too hard on raw power. Precision and control will carry you further than brute force."
His gaze settled on Adam, who clutched his necklace, steadying himself. "Adam, your resilience and focus are your strengths; those claws and heightened senses make you a tank. But you're too cautious, holding back when you should strike. Trust your instincts more."
Marcus tucked the notepad under his arm, his voice taking on a commanding edge. "Starting tomorrow, you'll train individually to hone your unique skills. We'll drill down to your core weaknesses, rebuild from there. Every few days, we'll throw in group exercises to keep your synergy tight."
He gestured toward the arena's exit, the runes dimming as the session ended. "Rest up tonight. Tomorrow, we start early, and I expect you to bring everything you've got. The exams won't wait for you to catch up."