CHAPTER 77: PROMOTION EXAM

Arlo sat alone in the changing room, elbows resting on his knees, his gaze fixed on the floor.

The muffled noises from the other duels taking place in the arena barely registered. His thoughts were elsewhere, trapped in the last month.

A month since that disastrous expedition into the monolith.

A month since Noah had been taken.

It had taken him a week to recover fully from the backlash of his skill, seven long days of splitting headaches, coughing up blood, and lingering weakness in his muscles.

By the time he had regained his strength enough to walk the academy grounds without feeling like he might collapse, he heard the news about Noah.

He was gone. Arrested. By the Investigation Authority, no less.

Arlo’s first reaction had been simple. Go to them, demand to speak, and give Noah his alibi. After all, he’d been with Noah for nearly the entire day.

As long as he didn’t mention the monolith, it should’ve been enough to clear him. After all, Arlo knew how influential his family was. Especially over academy students.

But his grandfather had other things to say about that.

The moment Arlo had made his intentions clear, the old man had shut him down immediately, leaving no room for further arguments.

He was forbidden from interfering in the Investigation Authority’s business.

His grandfather’s authority had only made it worse. The man didn’t even have to speak to enforce the order. His network and influence were enough to make it impossible for Arlo to slip past their reach.

If he’d tried to leave the academy, his grandfather’s eyes and ears would have been on him before he’d even crossed the gates.

So, he’d turned to the only person who seemed willing to listen, Professor Cecilia.

She hadn’t dismissed him or told him to stay out of it. Instead, she had listened carefully to his carefully curated account of the day Noah disappeared and promised to do what she could.

Over the following weeks, Arlo had learned she had sent several formal requests to the Investigation Authority for updates on Noah’s case.

Each time, the answer came back the same. The information was restricted.

It wasn’t enough.

And so, Arlo had been forced to do the only thing he could in the meantime. Focus on what was still in his control.

The promotion exam.

He’d been a Stone-tier for a month. In his opinion, it was far too long. He wouldn’t even be here if he hadn’t been trying to prove a point.

This wasn’t just a matter of pride, it was a limitation. The higher the tier, the more resources, classes, and opportunities opened up to a student. If he was going to help Noah when the chance finally came, he needed those advantages.

Over the last month, he had buried himself in preparation. And when the time came, he was ready.

Placement tests, physical assessments, spell efficiency drills, he had passed them all. Some by the skin of his teeth, others with ease. Now there was only one part left. The duel.

And, by academy tradition, the duel was against the lowest-ranked student of the tier he wanted to enter.

Arlo finally pushed himself to his feet with a sigh. His body felt loose, ready. He didn’t feel nervous, not because he underestimated his opponent, but because he knew he had no choice but to win. Losing wasn’t an option.

He adjusted his blindfold as he stepped out into the blinding sunlight of the arena. The place was empty except for two figures standing near the dueling platform. Professors Geldrin and Oliver.

Geldrin stood with his arms crossed, as if he was the heaven’s gift to this school, while Oliver looked relaxed, a faint smirk playing at the corners of his mouth.

Arlo walked to his mark, rolling his shoulders as he did. Across from him, his opponent stepped onto the platform.

The boy looked nervous, too nervous to hide it. His hands kept flexing at his sides, his eyes darting between Arlo and the professors.

Arlo didn’t pity him. This was how the academy worked.

If you didn’t climb, someone else would do it for you. And once they did, they would push you down without hesitation.

The professors exchanged a few quiet words, then Oliver raised his hand. "Begin."

The boy moved first, launching into a quick offensive. His magic flared, Earth affinity, and jagged spikes of stone shot up from the ground, racing toward Arlo’s position.

F-rank mana capacity and magic control. Interesting.

Arlo sidestepped the first spike, ducked under the second, and spun away from the third.

His movements were calm and controlled, looking almost lazy. The boy’s attacks were straightforward, and predictable after the first three seconds.

He let the boy push him back for a short while, reading his rhythm and his timing. Then, when the boy committed fully to one large, overextended attack, Arlo moved.

He closed the distance in an instant.

A single punch to the ribs knocked the boy’s breath out, and before he could recover, Arlo’s follow-up blow sent him sprawling to the floor.

The crowd, small as it was, went silent.

Arlo didn’t even have to draw on his spells or skills.

The boy tried to rise, but the fight was already gone from him.

"Enough." Oliver said, stepping forward. "Winner, Arlo."

It was over. Just like that.

Geldrin gave a short nod. "By the authority of the academy, you are now promoted to the Bronze tier. Report to the administration building after this to receive your new assignments and privileges."

Arlo inclined his head in acknowledgment. His opponent was helped off the platform by one of the attendants, limping slightly but otherwise unharmed.

As Arlo stepped down, he exhaled slowly. The promotion was done. Bronze tier at last.

It wasn’t the same as freeing Noah from whatever cell the Investigation Authority had him in. It wasn’t justice.

But it was a step.

And right now, steps were all he could take.