CHAPTER 69 — The Update and the Arena
The Academy was quiet.
Not the quiet of holidays or rest days. A tense quiet, like the one that precedes a storm. The corridors were empty. The classrooms silent. The students, gathered in their dormitories, waited.
Zayn sat on his bed, Borealis resting on his knees, the OMNIHAND still strapped to his wrist. He stared at the green runes on the bracelet, which had been flickering irregularly since he woke up.
A beep. Then another. Then a voice.
"Update available."
Aurora.
Her hologram appeared above the OMNIHAND, small, luminous, almost too cheerful.
"Hello, Zayn. A new version of Borealis is ready to be installed."
"Since when does Borealis have updates?"
"Since the OMNIHAND was synchronized with Rex. Before he…"
She paused. A small silence.
"… before he left."
Zayn clenched his jaw.
"Install it."
The green light intensified. The runes on Borealis glowed, then rearranged themselves, shifting shape, color, and arrangement. A new symbol appeared at the center of the bracelet — a circle surrounded by curved lines, like an unfolding map.
"Update complete."
Aurora displayed a holographic screen.
"Ten new Primals have been unlocked. Their identities and abilities will be revealed as you use them in combat."
Zayn raised an eyebrow.
"Ten new ones?"
"Correct. The OMNIHAND 307 also has new features: combat weak-point analysis, real-time mapping projection, and an automatic defense mode in case of unconsciousness."
"Automatic defense?"
"If you lose consciousness, the OMNIHAND can activate a temporary energy shield."
Zayn let out a low whistle.
"Rex, you thought of everything."
He looked at his wrist. Borealis glowed more softly now, as if satisfied.
"Alright. We've got work to do."
He stood, ready to leave.
But the door opened before he could reach it.
Yojuro stood on the threshold, calm, hands in his pockets.
"The UAP has summoned all students."
"For what?"
"The final phase of the exam. The tournament."
Zayn froze.
"Tournament?"
"Single combat. In an ancient Olympic arena. In front of thousands of spectators."
"Thousands?"
"Officials, politicians, representatives of nations who know about the existence of Celestials."
Zayn blinked.
"Normal humans don't know?"
"No. The government hides everything. But the elites know."
Zayn was silent for a moment. Then he smiled.
"Then I'll give them a show."
Yojuro looked at him, expressionless.
"Just hope you don't draw Loyd."
Zayn laughed.
"If I draw him, I'll show him what I've learned."
---
The Academy's amphitheater was packed.
Students from the three main classes — Zenith, Scarlet, Eclipse — sat in tight rows. Professors and UAP officials stood on a platform at the center.
Arthur D. Blackthorne stepped forward.
He didn't speak loudly. He didn't need to. His mere gaze was enough to silence the room.
"You survived the labyrinth. You faced your fears, your weaknesses, your adversaries. You proved yourselves worthy of wearing the UAP uniform."
He paused.
"But the exam is not over."
A murmur rippled through the assembly.
"The final phase is a tournament. Single combat. No rules, no stops, no limits. The last one standing will be declared the winner."
A screen lit up behind him, showing a vast stone arena surrounded by bleachers.
"The arena is located in an ancient Olympic city, restored by the UAP. It will host thousands of spectators — representatives of nations, officials, military commanders, heads of state who know of the existence of Celestials."
Zayn leaned toward Yojuro.
"Heads of state?"
"Normal humans know nothing. But the powerful ones do. They fund the UAP. They protect the secret. And they come to see their future soldiers."
Zayn felt a chill run down his neck.
Arthur continued.
"The matches will be determined by drawing lots. Each student will face another student. The winner advances to the next round until only one fighter remains."
He raised his hand.
"Before we proceed, I want to acknowledge those who have made it this far. Only eleven of you remain. You have all earned an Honor Badge for your survival and your courage."
A murmur of pride and exhaustion passed through the remaining students.
He lowered his hand.
"Let the best one win."
The room erupted in murmurs.
Zayn looked at his fists. He thought of the new Primals waiting to be discovered, the new features of the OMNIHAND, the promise he had made to himself.
He wasn't going to lose.
Not in front of thousands of spectators.
Not in front of the world.
---