"Top 100 apprentices will be selected."
"Winners will represent Aetherion Academy…"
"…against other academies."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Tension.
Excitement.
Competition.
Sol stood among the crowd, silent.
Top 100… manageable.
Instructor Seris stood at the center of the arena.
"Selection will be based on three categories."
"Combat."
"Control."
"Adaptability."
A pause.
"No tricks. No mercy."
The first round began immediately.
Students were placed into small arenas.
Sol's opponent—
A wind-element user.
Fast.
Unpredictable.
The fight started.
The opponent rushed forward.
Wind blades forming instantly.
Sol stepped back.
Slightly late.
A blade grazed his arm.
He didn't react.
Observe first.
The second attack came faster.
Sol raised his hand.
A weak fire bolt.
It collided—
And dispersed.
The opponent smirked.
"Too slow."
Sol lowered his head slightly.
Pattern understood.
Next attack—
He moved earlier.
Dodged cleanly.
Then—
A simple fire shot.
Not strong.
But—
[Trajectory optimized]
It curved slightly.
Hit the opponent's shoulder.
The balance broke.
Sol followed—
One more hit.
"Winner: Sol."
No cheers.
No attention.
Just another match.
Perfect.
Round after round—
Sol advanced.
Always the same pattern.
Weak at first.
Then—
Just enough to win.
Never more.
Never less.
At the end—
A list appeared.
Top 100 selected.
Sol Rathana.
Rank: 47.
Low.
Safe.
But—
Kael.
Rank: 3.
High.
Noticeable.
Their eyes met briefly.
No words.
But both understood.
The real competition—
Was just beginning.
END OF CHAPTER 13