CHAPTER 122: CHAPTER 122 - RECORD BREAKING FRESHMEN

The crowd that had been buzzing moments ago fell into a heavy, charged silence, all eyes drawn to the blonde-haired boy standing at the edge of the testing field. Whispers swirled like a current—rumors, expectations, comparisons. Some leaned forward in their seats, others clutched their notebooks or clung to their friends’ sleeves. Even the evaluators seemed more alert. This wasn’t just another test—it was Aiden’s test, and everyone knew something big was about to happen.

➤ Strength Test: "Crushing Gauntlet"

Aiden stood at the center of the canyon-like arena, sword drawn, the wind brushing against his crimson scarf.

From the rocky cliffs above, massive boulders began tumbling down, accompanied by the heavy thuds of five enchanted golems charging forward.

He took a deep breath.

Golden light flared across his sword.

In a single sweeping arc, his sword shone like a sunrise.

The first boulder split clean in half. The nearest golem shattered under the blinding arc.

"Did he just cut that golem like butter?" a student gasped.

Another boulder came hurtling. Aiden pivoted, his blade trailing radiant afterimages.

One by one, the boulders cracked apart.

Three golems were down before the others even closed in.

From the observation balcony, Eric leaned in. "Has he broken through Core Compression?"

Luca’s eyes narrowed. He shook his head. "Not yet... but he’s close."

The last golem lunged.

Aiden met it head-on, coat flaring.

"Radiant Slash," he shouted.

With a final downward slash, he cleaved it in two.

The arena fell silent for a moment before hushed murmurs swept the stands.

"Strength: 92/100. Excellent. You’ve built power without sacrificing control."

➤ Agility Test: "Mirror Maze"

Aiden stepped into the shimmering crystal labyrinth.

Reflections warped his figure, turning every corner into a trap.

Lasers shot from hidden runes. Floors shifted, collapsing without warning.

Yet he moved like a dancer in battle.

He ducked under a burst of light. Rolled past a snapping mirror blade.

His foot barely brushed a collapsing tile—he leapt forward, unharmed.

A mirror double lunged. Aiden didn’t hesitate.

He twisted midair and struck with the flat of his blade—

The illusion shattered like glass.

"Did he memorize the layout?" a voice whispered.

"No one’s that fast—he’s reacting in real-time!"

At the final turn, three decoys rose.

Aiden didn’t pause.

He closed his eyes for a heartbeat—then struck only one.

It crumbled. The path opened.

He stepped across the finish line just before the timer vanished.

"Agility: 91/100, Fast, precise, and measured. You don’t waste movement."

➤ Defense Test: "Endless Rain"

Black clouds churned above the open arena.Arrows rained down like a storm of silver.

Aiden exhaled slowly. Then, he moved.

His blade whirled in precise arcs, forming a golden shield. Each movement fluid. Each deflection timed to perfection.

"Even his defense looks... elegant," someone muttered.

Arrows ricocheted off his sword’s edge, one after another.His footing never faltered.

A minute passed. Then two. The crowd leaned in, breath held. Sweat glistened on Aiden’s brow—but his grip never loosened.A sudden gust knocked several arrows off-course—but he adjusted instantly, dancing between shadows and light.

At the three-minute mark, murmurs rippled across the stands.

"Has anyone lasted this long?"

"This is... insane."

Golden light spiraled around Aiden as he crouched low, bracing.

The storm surged—arrows pelting like divine punishment.

"What’s happening?", "What’s going on?" ,"Did something break?"

And then... silence.

The timer struck 3 minutes and 23 seconds.

He stood firm.

Gasps echoed. Even the evaluators were frozen for a moment.

Luca stood back with a faint smile, arms crossed.

The record’s broken, huh.

Seraphina rose from her seat, her voice ringing across the arena.

"Well done," she declared. "You are now the second-ranked freshman ever to last this long in the Defense Test."

Her eyes sparkled faintly.

"You will be awarded with 500 credits."

"Defense: 97/100 ,Impressive. You held the line with both grace and grit. That’s an elite-tier form for a first-year."

"Broken record, holy shit."

"Don’t forget 500 credits, you can buy so much from the academy with that much."

As Seraphina announced ,"Strength: A. Agility: A. Defense: A+."

Murmurs echoed again. Someone even clapped.

"Well done, Student Aiden Everhart. That was... admirable."

Luca watched silently.

So you’ve grown stronger, too... As expected of the protagonist.

The arena’s tension rose and fell with each new name called. Some students impressed, others barely passed. But none stirred the crowd quite like—

"Lilliane Fairmoore."

The air shifted as she stepped forward, her long hair rippling behind her like silk caught in a breeze. Murmurs swept the stands.

"She has seven elements, right?"

"Fire, water, air... even lightning and ice..."

"Another monster in disguise."

Lilliane’s trial was a dance of control and calculation.

In the Crushing Gauntlet, she used metal and earth to anchor herself, her slim frame deceivingly steady under relentless weight.

In the Mirror Maze, wind swirled around her like a whisper, guiding her movements with fluid grace. A blast of lightning cleared the path in the final second.

In Endless Rain, she layered shields of ice and water, her expression calm, never panicked—even as the storm intensified.

She stepped out without a word.

"Strength: 89. Agility: 91. Defense: 88."

Scores: A–, A, A–

Seraphina gave a faint nod. "Well-calculated elemental harmony. You still hold back... but you’ll be a threat once you don’t."

The crowd gave a mix of gasps and polite applause. Not overwhelming, but respectful. Lilliane returned to her seat beside Aiden, her eyes scanning the stage—perhaps for someone else.

The next name echoed without pause.

"Selena Weiss."

A flash of frost burst from her step as she walked, her presence cold and regal. The arena quieted. Even the wind seemed to hush.

Her movements were precise, detached.

She moved through each trial like a silent storm—ice spears, lightning bursts, silent counters. No wasted effort, no words. Where others grunted or struggled, she simply moved.

"Strength: 90. Agility: 88. Defense: 91."

Scores: A, A–, A

Seraphina raised a brow. "Efficient. Cold. Lethal. Just like your element."

The students whispered.

"She’s definitely a Weiss..."

"Scary."

Then came the name that brought an eruption from the crowd.

"Kyle Drayden!"

A cheer broke out instantly. Confident and broad-shouldered, Kyle waved as he strode into the arena, twin gauntlets crackling with raw energy.

The Crushing Gauntlet? Obliterated. Not endured—broken.

As another Golden light spiraled across.

"Again?"

"Which record was broken this time?"

Seraphina stood again. "Another record broken. Third-highest freshman score ever. 300 credits awarded."

He smashed each trial with overwhelming power, yet never lost control. His steps in the Mirror Maze were heavy, yet shockingly nimble. In the Endless Rain, he didn’t shield—he tanked through it.

A storm of cheers greeted his final step.

"Strength: 95. Agility: 90. Defense: 92."

Scores: A, A, A

Kyle pumped a fist in the air as the arena chanted his name. Especially Girls.

"KYLE! KYLE! KYLE!"

Luca, watching silently from the stands, narrowed his eyes.

It seems he has broken through the Meridian Saturation stage.

As more students filtered through the gates, the quality of performance began to drop.

The crowd’s excitement slowly waned as the scores trickled back to mediocrity. Only one result capped at A-, with little to no sparks of surprise. Even the crowd’s cheers felt rehearsed.

Eric eventually returned from his turn, face pale, hair damp with sweat.

He slumped next to Luca and exhaled like he’d aged ten years.

"Grades?" Luca asked with a raised brow.

Eric didn’t meet his eyes. "B. B+. C+." He rubbed his face and groaned. "It felt like the Mirror Maze stared into my soul and spat it out."

Luca chuckled.

"Everyone is almost done," Eric added, grimacing. "Looks like you’re gonna be the main event."

And Eric was right.

The remaining students were few, and the anticipation was rekindling like a spark to dry leaves.

Then it happened.

Seraphina stood up once more as she announced :

"Luca Valentine."

A pin-drop silence.

Everyone looked in one direction.

Even the restless breeze seemed to pause.

All murmurs vanished, replaced by hundreds of eyes locking onto a single boy.

And slowly, Luca stepped forward.