The training arena was really quiet. It was like the air was frozen in time.
Three students were standing in the battlefield. Kael, Lyra and Rex. They had just finished a fight. It was an one even for first-year students.
Then something changed. The air felt heavy. It was like something was watching them.
Aurora Nightvale was standing near the arena barrier. She was really quiet. Her long black hair was moving slightly in the wind. Her blue eyes were looking at the battlefield like she was checking out a game.
Even Rex stopped moving. He was always full of energy. Now he was still.
"Tch... So the ice queen finally showed up " he said quietly.
Lyra crossed her arms. "You always know how to ruin the mood " she said.
Aurora did not say anything. She just kept looking at Kael.
"You're the one they call the God Slayer " she said.
Kael frowned. "I didn't choose that name " he said.
Aurora was looking at him carefully. It was like she was trying to figure something out.
Then she spoke again. "You destroyed ten combat drones. You fought Rex evenly.. You awakened divine energy."
She stopped for a moment. "But you're still inexperienced " she said.
Rex laughed. "And you're still arrogant " he said.
There were lightning sparks around his fingers. Aurora turned to him slowly. Her face did not change,. The room got colder. There was frost on the arena floor.
Even Rex was surprised. "Whoa..." he said.
Lyra sighed. "Here we go " she said.
Aurora lifted her hand slightly. A thin blade of ice appeared. "Do you want to test my arrogance?" she said.
The tension in the room was rising. Rex was grinning. "Don't tempt me " he said.
Just as things were about to get out of hand there was a clap. Instructor Valeria stepped forward. "That's enough " she said.
The frost disappeared. Aurora lowered her hand. Rex was still grinning,. He relaxed his stance.
Valeria looked at the four students. She was serious. "You all seem eager to fight today " she said.
She looked around the arena. "Good " she said.
The students straightened up. Valeria pointed to the digital screen on the wall. "Since all of you are here..." she said.
She pressed a button on her wrist device. The screen lit up. There were golden letters on the screen. TOP 10 – APEX ACADEMY.
The students were quiet. Even Kael was curious. Lyra leaned in close to him. "This is the academys ranking " she said.
"Only the strongest students make this list " she said.
The first name appeared on the screen. 10 – Leon Arkwright. "A sword genius from the year " Lyra whispered.
The next name appeared. 9 – Mira Solstice. "A flame mage " Lyra said.
More names followed. 8 – Titan Vale. "Physical strength monster " Lyra said.
7 – Selena Frost. "Ice magic prodigy " Lyra said.
6 – Victor Darius. " Combat strategist " Lyra said.
Rex was watching the screen carefully. "Where's Aurora?" he asked.
Lyra smirked. "Higher " she said.
The fifth name appeared. 5 – Arion Blaze. "Lightning user " Lyra said.
Rex frowned. "Tch... That guy " he said.
The next name appeared. 4 – Lyra Veylin.
Kael was surprised. "You're rank four?!" he said.
Lyra shrugged. "I told you I was good " she said.
Rex rolled his eyes. "Show off " he said.
The third name appeared. 3 – Rex Draven.
Rex was grinning proudly. " Course " he said.
Lyra smirked. "Your ego just got bigger " she said.
Then the second name appeared. 2 – Aurora Nightvale.
The room felt cold again. Kael looked at her in surprise. " Place?" he said.
Lyra nodded. "Shes been number two since she joined the academy " she said.
Kael looked back at the screen. "Then who is number one?" he asked.
Even Rex was curious now. The screen flickered once. Then the final name appeared. 1 – UNKNOWN.
The students were frozen. Rex frowned. "What?" he said.
Lyra blinked. "That's new " she said.
Auroras eyes narrowed slightly. Valeria spoke calmly. "The number one student is currently on a mission " she said.
"But remember this " she said. Her voice was serious. "Every student in the Top 10 has the power to fight creatures " she said.
She looked directly at Kael. "If you want to reach their level..." she said.
"You must grow much stronger " she said.
Kael stared at the screen. Top 10. Divine creatures. Gods. The path ahead suddenly felt much bigger.
Then Aurora stepped closer to him. Her cold blue eyes met his. "For someone who just joined the academy..." she said quietly.
"You're interesting " she said.
Kael raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment?" he asked.
Aurora turned away slightly. "Maybe " she said.
Then she walked toward the exit.. Before leaving she stopped and spoke one more sentence. "Just don't die before reaching the 10 " she said.
Then she disappeared down the corridor. Rex cracked his knuckles. "Well..." he said.
He looked at Kael with a grin. "Looks like the race just started " he said.
Lyra twirled her spear. "Top 10, huh?" she said.
She looked at Kael. "You better catch up quickly hero " she said.
Kael looked at the glowing ranking screen again. For the time... He had a new goal. Not just revenge, against the gods.. Rising to the top of Apex Academy.. This was only the beginning.