This time, the arena changed.
Massive iron gates rose from the ground, sealing the exits, while a deep rumbling echoed beneath the stone floor. The atmosphere turned heavy, almost primal.
"Second trial," Instructor Seris announced, her voice carrying across the field. "Beast combat."
A ripple of tension spread through the crowd.
Unlike duels, this test wasn't about outsmarting another student—it was about survival.
The ground split open, and creatures began emerging one after another.
Some were small and agile. Others were large, covered in thick armor-like skin. Each radiated a different level of threat.
Sol watched quietly.
Unpredictable behavior… but limited intelligence.
That made things easier.
His name was called.
He stepped forward calmly as the gate behind him closed.
Across the field, a stone beast slowly rose from the ground. Its body was massive, built like a moving fortress, with glowing cracks running across its surface.
Strength type.
Slow, but powerful.
The moment the signal sounded, the beast charged.
The ground shook under its weight.
Sol didn't attack.
He stepped aside just before impact, narrowly avoiding the charge.
From the outside, it looked like hesitation.
But in reality—
He was studying.
The beast turned, swinging a heavy arm.
Sol retreated again, keeping distance.
Movement speed… reaction delay… joint flexibility…
Each detail was recorded.
The second charge came faster.
Sol shifted his footing slightly earlier this time, avoiding it with less effort.
The audience began murmuring.
"He's just dodging?"
"Doesn't he know he has to defeat it?"
Sol ignored them.
Then—he moved.
A small flame formed in his hand.
Not large.
Not impressive.
Just precise.
He aimed—not at the body—
But at the joint.
The fire struck.
A faint crack appeared.
The beast roared and turned violently.
Sol didn't stop.
Second strike.
Same point.
This time, the crack deepened.
The movement slowed.
Weak point confirmed.
The third strike followed immediately.
The joint shattered.
The beast collapsed to one side, losing balance.
Sol stepped forward and released one final controlled burst toward the exposed core.
The glow flickered—
Then died.
Silence.
"Winner: Sol Rathana."
No dramatic finish.
No overwhelming power.
Just clean execution.
From the stands, Kael watched quietly.
His expression didn't change.
But his eyes—
Observed more than the others.
END OF CHAPTER 15